Trader Sams

aurorae

DIS Veteran
Joined
Oct 4, 2008
Messages
868
Anyone who has been, can you tell me about Trader Sams?

Is it anything like the old Adventurer's Club which used to be in DTD at WDW?
 
I have been to both - Trader Sams is very nice. Small indoor bar area, but a large patio area with great drinks and some nice looking appetizers. The indoor bar has a volcano on the wall that erupts periodically. Outdoors there is live music in the evenings.

I've heard it compared to The Adventurer's Club. To me, the Adventurer's Club felt more 1930s era Steamer Trunk Travel/Adventure, and Trader Sams is more Polynesia-Tiki Bar. I love both and there is some overlap, but I wouldn't expect a West Coast Adventurer's Club (although I definitely wish we had one!)
 
Thanks for the info.

I guess I knew it was a Tiki theme, rather than a 1930's England theme, but I was asking because I had heard there were some items like the volcano you mentioned.

Do the CM who work there get into character? Any animatronics?
 
Try the Shrunken Zombie Head drink and the Ahi Tuna Poke. Divine!

I disagree that the area outside for the bar is large--I think it is actually quite small--we had to wait about 30 minutes to get a table to accommodate four people while the singers/guitarists were performing. There are maybe 6 tables and three or four couch/lounge/coffee table type set-ups. I really wish they had made the entire area a bit bigger. From what I have seen, the outside seating for Tangaroa Terrace (which is large) is not used to full capacity--they could easily expand the Trader Sam's area since they only do bar service within the Trader Sam's designated area (although you can go up to the inside bar and order a drink "to go" and take it over to Tangaroa Terrace).
 

Not really too much other than the volcano and maybe some moving tiki god eyes. Just your run of the mill waiter/waitresses (although the bartenders are very fun--but not "in character").
 
Try the Shrunken Zombie Head drink and the Ahi Tuna Poke. Divine!

I disagree that the area outside for the bar is large--I think it is actually quite small--we had to wait about 30 minutes to get a table to accommodate four people while the singers/guitarists were performing. There are maybe 6 tables and three or four couch/lounge/coffee table type set-ups. I really wish they had made the entire area a bit bigger. From what I have seen, the outside seating for Tangaroa Terrace (which is large) is not used to full capacity--they could easily expand the Trader Sam's area since they only do bar service within the Trader Sam's designated area (although you can go up to the inside bar and order a drink "to go" and take it over to Tangaroa Terrace).

Hey Cheryl! Thanks for the recommendations! We are one week away from our trip to Trader Sam's and I can't wait to check it out!! My only wish is that they would have added Lapu Lapu's to the menu. One of my favorite things to do at WDW is hang out at the Poly for an late afternoon Lapu Lapu. Totally kills the pain of running around the parks all day - and who doesn't love drinking out of a real pineapple!! But it looks like Trader Sam's has a great drink menu, and I'll try the Shrunken Zomie Head for sure!
 
I'm thinking of eating at Trader Sam's on my trip. Haven't really heard too much about it though.
 
I'd love to know if anyone saw any Trader Sam's themed merchandise, or other tiki/Hawaiian stuff for sale. I'm always on the lookout for cool stuff!

Thanks,
Bill
 
I went to Trader Sam's shortly after they had opened. The decor was great, so much to look at. I walked in and got a table immediately. The service was friendly but really slow. I had the Baja Fish Tacos and they were awesome, I would have them again. I did not try any of the cocktails however I saw some pretty amazing looking drinks. I opted for a glass of Chardonnay. Even with the slow service I will go back. :tink:
 
The service was friendly but really slow. :tink:

ITA. Service is slow. They are friendly, though. I guess they are on island time there.
I posted in another thread above about the Tiki souvenir glasses you can buy.
Good alcoholic drinks. Krakatoa Punch is good. It reminds me a bit of a hurricane with a bit of spice to it. I did not care for the non alcoholic drinks. I thought they were far too sweet. I tried the flatbread appetizer. It was ok...more like a very large thin cracker with toppings. I didn't try any of their other menu items, though.
 
The service was friendly but really slow. :tink:
Amen to that. Went there last night for the first time. DW had the Shipwreck On The Rocks, and for that they activate the shipwreck in a bottle effect behind the bar. Pretty cool. No drink prices on the menu, but our drinks were $10.50 each (I had the Rosita's Margarita). I'm thinking the drinks that come in a souvenir glass like the Krakatoa Punch would cost more.

Afterwards we ate at Tangaroa Terrace (counter service) and saw our TS waiter roaming around out there too, all the way down to the fireside seating between TT and the south tower of DLH. So maybe that accounts for some of the slow service issues.

We liked it - wouldn't mind going back once in a while.
 
Can't WAIT to try this in December - am a Tiki Room fanatic and the decor looks awesome!
 
No drink prices on the menu, but our drinks were $10.50 each (I had the Rosita's Margarita). I'm thinking the drinks that come in a souvenir glass like the Krakatoa Punch would cost more.
.

Yeah, the Krakatoa Punch in the souvie glass is $16, but you can get it without the souvenir glass if you want for a little less.
 
trader_sams_tiki.jpg


trader_sams_decor.jpg
 





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