Trader Sam's - when to go??

[WEDWDW]

The next day, I got there just before 3:00, and was one of the first group of 55 to get in when they opened, shortly before 4:00.

Do they have a CM telling Guests where the "cut off" point is for the 4:00 PM open or do Guests just "guess" where that point is?

Thanks.

 

[Magical Excess]

Do they have a CM telling Guests where the "cut off" point is for the 4:00 PM open or do Guests just "guess" where that point is?

Thanks.

There was an informal line when I arrived. A couple of CMs came outside around 3:15-3:30, as the line had grown to what was around capacity. They gave hand stamps to the first 55 people, and told the others that they would not be getting in at 4:00.

 

[Mr. Baloo]

That's my plan for August. We have an ADR at Cali Grill and then plan on heading over to Trader Sam's around 11 pm. If the wait is too long we will bar hop to Tambu Lounge or somewhere else.

Wow.. that is exactly what we are going to do.. Great minds think alike!!!!!!!!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Wow.. that is exactly what we are going to do.. Great minds think alike!!!!!!!!

Let me know how it goes!

 

[WEDWDW]

There was an informal line when I arrived. A couple of CMs came outside around 3:15-3:30, as the line had grown to what was around capacity. They gave hand stamps to the first 55 people, and told the others that they would not be getting in at 4:00.

Thanks!

Once a Guest gets the Hand Stamp,do they have to remain in line or can they leave and come back at 4:00 PM?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I am not aware that there have been 6 hour waits since the first night of operation. A couple of hours, maybe up to 3 hours, sure. Apparently tonight there is a media event and they won't open to the public until later in the evening.

I am not waiting three hours for a drink LOL! I like Disney and everything but really???

 

[eva]

That's my plan for August. We have an ADR at Cali Grill and then plan on heading over to Trader Sam's around 11 pm. If the wait is too long we will bar hop to Tambu Lounge or somewhere else.

We have the exact same plan for our September trip. It is just DH and I the second week of our trip. So a bar hop on the monorail after dinner at CG sounds awesome. May have to take a taxi back to OKW.

 

[Magical Excess]

Thanks!

Once a Guest gets the Hand Stamp,do they have to remain in line or can they leave and come back at 4:00 PM?

You theoretically could have, but no one left. The CM told us that they'd try to let us in before 4:00, which they just barely did, so no one dared step away and miss it.

 

[sotoalf]

I'm trying to wrap my head around the insanity of needing a pager to hit a bar. Honestly, that's why the Polynesian never feels like a deluxe resort: the restaurants and bar(s) are jammed at all times.

 

[Magical Excess]

I'm trying to wrap my head around the insanity of needing a pager to hit a bar. Honestly, that's why the Polynesian never feels like a deluxe resort: the restaurants and bar(s) are jammed at all times.

You risk angering the tiki gods with talk like that! I don't think their power extends all the way over to the Grand Floridian, though, so you should be safe over there.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

You risk angering the tiki gods with talk like that! I don't think their power extends all the way over to the Grand Floridian, though, so you should be safe over there.

Another place that didn't feel like a deluxe to me LOL

 

[WEDWDW]

You theoretically could have, but no one left. The CM told us that they'd try to let us in before 4:00, which they just barely did, so no one dared step away and miss it.

Thanks-awesome info!

I'm heading down on the 17th-now have my plan of attack!

 

[Retro Magic]

I think Disney is going to have to reconsider Trader Sam's Operating hours. Honestly, maybe not opening early is necessary but I do think extending their hours until 1am or 2am is a must.

 

[ammag]

What is the range of the pagers? Seems like going to the park or going too far might be a problem?

 

[Magical Excess]

What is the range of the pagers? Seems like going to the park or going too far might be a problem?

That's a good question, but it's almost irrelevant if the pagers work as far as MK-- if it went off while you were there, it would take a half-hour to get back to the Poly, anyway.

To me, the way to approach it is that if I assume it's a three-hour wait when I get a pager at 5:00, I just plan to be back by 7:15. That gives me a couple hours to do something else, with minimal risk of losing my spot.

 

[Mr. Baloo]

Sorry gang... too tired to take one for the team to check it out tonight... will try for later in the week....

 

[CitrusSwirlGirl]

What is the range of the pagers? Seems like going to the park or going too far might be a problem?

We were there this past Sunday. I didn't want to venture too far, but I asked a CM if we could go browse the shops in the Polynesian with the pager and she assured us that would be no problem and told us to "shop away." We were in Boutiki when our pager went off. Another CM mentioned there were sometimes problems when the pagers were "very near the front desk." So, of course, we stayed away from the front desk...

 

[HopperFan]

DD went last night and tortured me by texting photos of all their drinks. She said she loved the place! and planning to head back next week.

With this popularity may be a new option for FP+.

 

[kbelle8995]

With this popularity may be a new option for FP+.

Oh please no. No FP+ I beg of you.

I'm hoping the bar stays open longer. The one near Ohana opens at 1. At least according to information that I read recently.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Do any bars in WDW stay open past midnight?