Trader Sams: what am I not getting about it

[julesann]

I love playful ambiance--enjoy BB at a water table; Oga's; WOC dessert party; people watching at Cafe Orleans; the bar at NR. I have tried Trader Sam's 3 times and I just don't get it. I know I am missing something. What do you like about it.

 

[sweethannah]

Maybe it's just not for you? I like the drinks, I like the feel of it (it has a small, isolated desert isle vibe), and the interactive art inside.

 

[katherine52478]

Maybe it's just not for you? I like the drinks, I like the feel of it (it has a small, isolated desert isle vibe), and the interactive art inside.

I agree with all of the above! Also, it’s now a tradition for our family to go a couple of times each trip. It just has that Disney magic for us.

 

[DizMe]

I think you have to immerse yourself in the experience. Have fun with the other people in the place by joining in the chanting (for instance, "Uh Oa! Uh Oa! Uh Oa Oa Oa!", clapping and cheering when someone gets a fun drink, wailing when a ship goes down etc and kind of becoming part of the group experience. If you're sitting at the bar, chat with the bartenders

That said, I'm sure it's not for everyone, so don't feel bad if it's just not your thing!

 

[julesann]

Thanks everyone--I think my db and I will try it one more time.

 

[SteveH]

• Have you gotten up to look around at the items on the wall?
• IMHO it's more fun at the bar, if you can find an opening. Part of what I've enjoyed at TS both east and west coast as well as the 11 tiki bars I've been as is interacting with other guests and the bartender.
• The drinks may or not be your thing, but if you are at the bar ask the Skipper if they will go off menu, that can be fun to see where they go with the drinks.
• Watching is half the fun I think, the interactions based on various drinks, etc.
• Part of the fun for many of us are collecting the mugs and visiting other tiki bars.

 

[disneycat321]

I've never been, but my friend and I got reservations for our Feb trip and I'm super excited. This thread is making me more excited! Also would love to try the counterpart at the Poly at WDW.

 

[DLgal]

It's not for me either. You don't have to like everything that is popular. Personally, I cannot stand rum and the menu is 99% rum based (It's a tiki bar, so I get why). The one non rum drink I had was awful. Way too sweet and had cinnamon in it which just didn't work at all. The food is okay but that's available at the quick service so there is nothing unique, food wise.

I also hated the Adventurer's Club in WDW. I find it all so cheesy/corny and not in a good way. I've been to Trader Sam's a few times with friends and we actually prefer being outside where there used to be live music often.

 

[julesann]

It's not for me either. You don't have to like everything that is popular. Personally, I cannot stand rum and the menu is 99% rum based (It's a tiki bar, so I get why). The one non rum drink I had was awful. Way too sweet and had cinnamon in it which just didn't work at all. The food is okay but that's available at the quick service so there is nothing unique, food wise.

I also hated the Adventurer's Club in WDW. I find it all so cheesy/corny and not in a good way. I've been to Trader Sam's a few times with friends and we actually prefer being outside where there used to be live music often.

Gosh I love Disneyland and in my part of the world that is not popular at all . I just figured I'd love it and had done research on the drinks/special effects/etc. and couldn't figure out what I was missing over the last few years. I think perhaps we haven't given enough time to absorb it and have some interactions. But...maybe I'll be with you and not enjoy it.

 

[DLgal]

Gosh I love Disneyland and in my part of the world that is not popular at all . I just figured I'd love it and had done research on the drinks/special effects/etc. and couldn't figure out what I was missing over the last few years. I think perhaps we haven't given enough time to absorb it and have some interactions. But...maybe I'll be with you and not enjoy it.

I feel like it's one of those places that you instantly love or just don't. I mean, I think it is WAY overhyped for what it is. I LOVE Disneyland in general, but honestly this bar just doesn't do it for me.

 

[SteveH]

...Also would love to try the counterpart at the Poly at WDW.

The whole reason I got into Tiki Bars and drinks was Trader Sam's Grog Gotto (East) but I was very excited when I finallly had the chance to visit Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar (West) they are both different in some subtle, and purposeful ways. Between those two visits I'd had the chance to visit six other tiki bars and while I'll say that Disey doesn't use the best rums they also don't use sugary premade mixes. Hope you have a great trip and can make a trip the sister bar one day too.

 

[katherine52478]

The whole reason I got into Tiki Bars and drinks was Trader Sam's Grog Gotto (East)

Us too! Have you been to Three Dots and a Dash in Chicago? It is awesome!

 

[SteveH]

@katherine52478 Yes, that was one of the best. The skull wall on the way in was amazing and the drinks were in my top 3. The Grass Skirt in San Diego was great the entrance was hidden with a nice throw back to prohibition my disappointment was we didn't make it to False Idol.

 

[Disney0010]

We enjoy it. Love the atmosphere but like everything in life, we all have different likes and dislikes. Nothing wrong with that. There are plenty of things at Disney that we do not care for. We simply skip those things.

 

[katherine52478]

@katherine52478 Yes, that was one of the best. The skull wall on the way in was amazing and the drinks were in my top 3. The Grass Skirt in San Diego was great the entrance was hidden with a nice throw back to prohibition my disappointment was we didn't make it to False Idol.

Ooh, I’ll add them to my list! Thanks for the recommendations!

I have a couple of shelves full of my tiki mugs from 3 Dots and Trader Sam’s.

 

[StormyCA]

IMHO, if you can't sit at the bar it's pretty much not worth going. The last time we popped our heads in, it was so crowded you couldn't sit inside anywhere so we just shrugged and left.

 

[foolish-mortal]

HI - so you need a reservation to go to Trader Sam's? We are staying at the DL Hotel in June and we've never been to Trader Sam's. I thought we'd be able to just pop in since it's a bar??

 

[DizMe]

IMHO, if you can't sit at the bar it's pretty much not worth going. The last time we popped our heads in, it was so crowded you couldn't sit inside anywhere so we just shrugged and left.

I used to feel that way, too, but they now have a much smaller number of people allowed into the bar and it's SO much more pleasant. In the past, if the bar was packed, I would just turn around and leave. Now, everyone has a seat and there are no people standing up. There is much, much more social distancing.

HI - so you need a reservation to go to Trader Sam's? We are staying at the DL Hotel in June and we've never been to Trader Sam's. I thought we'd be able to just pop in since it's a bar??

Yes, and the reservations are very popular so they book up fast. However, they do take walk-ups which is how we (party of 2) got in a few days ago. Tell the host/hostess you're interested and they can put you on a list. You are then welcome to hang out on the terrace, have a drink, etc and see if something opens up. It's a lot easier if your party is small and you're fine with sitting at the bar (which is super fun anyway!).

 

[DizMe]

Took my daughter the other day to celebrate her 21st birthday:

 

[SteveH]

@DizMe Good advice on the reservations! I’ll be curious how long they keep the system in place.

I had fun taking my 21 year old son to TS too, he conquered his first Uh-Oa! that night... I didn’t get much of it lol

@katherine52478
Yeah I needed a place for my mugs too, talked my wife into giving up our dining room to turn into a Tiki Bar Still a work in progress but it's been fun. Gets more use than the dining room ever did too!