Trader Sam's

[BMICKEY]

Okay folks....heading back to DISNEYLAND in 13 days! We plan on checking out all the changes at the Disneyland Hotel and The Grand Californian as well as DTD our first day. We will be going to Trader Sam's and I wanted to know what everyone thinks of it....What drinks do they have and appetizers we can't miss? I've read up a little on the DIS but want some personal opions...Thanks!

 

[ImTooExcitedToSleep]

I love the fried green beans and the pork 'wings'. The chicken lettuce wraps are good too.

I think my favorite drink is the Lost Safari.

 

[gator girl]

The fried green beans were delicious. I really enjoyed the ginger pear martini too - I forgot the cute name, but it was yummy!

 

[Heymy]

I agree with the long beans and wings....both really yummy. I'm a sucker for the souvenir glasses, so I tried 2 out of the 3. I really liked the Krakatoa Punch. If you have kids going with you and want to try the non-alcoholic drinks, definitely ask the waiters. I think they offer 3 or 4 and one was really tasty and 1 wasn't good at all (even for an adult). Enjoy...we can't wait to go back this weekend!

 

[curiouslittleoyster]

I really enjoy going to Trader Sam's. I love their drinks. I used to drink the Krakatoa Punch every time but have ventured into trying new drinks there. They had some great Holiday offerings--Mele Kalikimocha(like an iced cafe mocha but *much* better--alcohol is strong but does not mask the flavor of the drink like some really strong alcoholic drinks do) and Red Nose Reindeer(?? had a yummy strawberry touch to it)--the nice thing about this place is even if those drinks are no longer on the menu, you can order them and they will make them for you. They keep a "recipe" book of all the drinks. I recommend the Navy Grogg and the Mele Kalikimocha. Check to see if Kelly is working because he makes the best drinks(although I have been happy with each drink I have had there regardless of who made it). He is great about making drinks he thinks you will like if you tell him your preferences.

 

[CaliTransplant]

I'm going to be following this. I get to Disney on the 28th with no park tickets. I plan to go to Downtown Disney and have dinner at Trader Sam's. Has anyone had the lettuce wraps?

 

[lcasa]

The 2-shot of rum Hippopatmaitai was yummy and strong enough I decided to hang out for awhile before driving home! The glass (can take home for a little more) is pretty cool too.

 

[ludari]

I've never eaten any of their food but I do love the atmosphere, the tiki-bar decorations and the fun you have with the crowds and bartenders.

 

[GeneralTso]

Just go! You have to! It's really great. The food is very good, the drinks are wonderful. I don't want to spoil any surprises, so just go.

We had the PuPu platter and the lettuce wraps. Both very good and plenty for 2 people.

Choose your seat wisely at the bar

 

[DizMe]

Oooo, I love Trader Sam's! The chicken lettuce wraps were incredibly yummy. I've only had 2 drinks there...the Uh Oa, which comes in a large footed bowl and is set on fire at your table while they have a little "show" for you (it comes with spices you can throw on the fire to make sparks and some really long straws). We also ordered the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum, which was basically like a pina colada, as I recall (it was good).

 

[Sally_fan]

I agree with the long beans and wings....both really yummy. I'm a sucker for the souvenir glasses, so I tried 2 out of the 3. I really liked the Krakatoa Punch. If you have kids going with you and want to try the non-alcoholic drinks, definitely ask the waiters. I think they offer 3 or 4 and one was really tasty and 1 wasn't good at all (even for an adult). Enjoy...we can't wait to go back this weekend!

Are kids allowed in Trader Sam's? I read some reviews & they said that they are not. I wanted to check it out (BIG fan of Jungle Cruise & Tiki Room) but when I read that point I stopped researching it. But if they are (mine will be 11 & 13)....we are totally going to check it out!

Sorry OP....I have nothing to offer! But I am really enjoying reading these replies!

 

[BMICKEY]

Just go! You have to! It's really great. The food is very good, the drinks are wonderful. I don't want to spoil any surprises, so just go.

We had the PuPu platter and the lettuce wraps. Both very good and plenty for 2 people.

Choose your seat wisely at the bar

O O O O O you have my attention now! Please share more! I don't want to miss anything plus we are going with my best friend and her hubby and son (6 of us)....

 

[BMICKEY]

Oooo, I love Trader Sam's! The chicken lettuce wraps were incredibly yummy. I've only had 2 drinks there...the Uh Oa, which comes in a large footed bowl and is set on fire at your table while they have a little "show" for you (it comes with spices you can throw on the fire to make sparks and some really long straws). We also ordered the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum, which was basically like a pina colada, as I recall (it was good).

LOVE IT!!!! Thanks for the bonus pic too!

 

[BMICKEY]

Are kids allowed in Trader Sam's? I read some reviews & they said that they are not. I wanted to check it out (BIG fan of Jungle Cruise & Tiki Room) but when I read that point I stopped researching it. But if they are (mine will be 11 & 13)....we are totally going to check it out!

Sorry OP....I have nothing to offer! But I am really enjoying reading these replies!

I didn't even think of that! Good question! We will be traveling with our friends and we both have 12 year olds! I just looked at the Disney website and it only mentions that there are alcoholic drinks for those over 21...I would think families are welcomed since that's what Disney is all about!

 

[Sally_fan]

I didn't even think of that! Good question! We will be traveling with our friends and we both have 12 year olds! I just looked at the Disney website and it only mentions that there are alcoholic drinks for those over 21...I would think families are welcomed since that's what Disney is all about!

I am glad that this applies to you as I felt a little like I was butting into your thread with my own question. I read that blurb on the Disney website too & it sounded to me like they were welcome, just not to drink (obviously!). But then I read that review that said no..... Fingers crossed as we were really hoping to have dinner here!!

 

[heatherleigh]

Nothing to offer, but I am thrilled w/ all the feedback. We are staying at the DLH next month, and I just discovered T.S.'. It sounds like a great place for appetizers. I'd like to learn more about the non-alcoholic drinks and which are the best ones. I am sure we will come here a time or two during our stay!

I'm also curious about whether or not children are allowed. I will be traveling with a couple little girls- 5 & 3 yrs old.

 

[DizMe]

Are kids allowed in Trader Sam's? I read some reviews & they said that they are not. I wanted to check it out (BIG fan of Jungle Cruise & Tiki Room) but when I read that point I stopped researching it. But if they are (mine will be 11 & 13)....we are totally going to check it out!

Sorry OP....I have nothing to offer! But I am really enjoying reading these replies!

I don't know what the official rule is on that, but here is what I can tell you from observation.

There is a large outdoor seating area (with heaters). On one side there is a Hawaiian band that plays; around the corner are more tables and lounging couches. Kids are welcome in the outdoor areas and we saw several families outside. They have servers who are specifically assigned to the outdoor part.

Inside, I did not see any kids and wouldn't think it would be a good place to take them, at least at night. There isn't a lot of seating and I doubt that most of the adults inside would appreciate children in the bar. I'm not sure about during the day, but at night it was a pretty typical bar scenario and not really a place for kids.

 

[XGrumpy1]

My wife and I had the pu pu platter. It was good and quite a bit of food. We had the Krakotoa drinks and enjoyed our show. My wife said this was the most enjoyable bar experience of he life, a very happy place!

 

[Sally_fan]

I don't know what the official rule is on that, but here is what I can tell you from observation.

There is a large outdoor seating area (with heaters). On one side there is a Hawaiian band that plays; around the corner are more tables and lounging couches. Kids are welcome in the outdoor areas and we saw several families outside. They have servers who are specifically assigned to the outdoor part.

Inside, I did not see any kids and wouldn't think it would be a good place to take them, at least at night. There isn't a lot of seating and I doubt that most of the adults inside would appreciate children in the bar. I'm not sure about during the day, but at night it was a pretty typical bar scenario and not really a place for kids.

Thanks for the info! I guess what I am most interested in is seeing the decor & being able to order off of that menu. I am not a fan of anything on the Tangaroa Terrace menu. But if we can't we can't. And yeah...even though they will be 11 & 13 when we go & are wonderful to dine out with, they most certainly do not need to be a part of any typical bar scene at their ages! The outside seating area sounds much more appropriate.

 

[ArchOwl]

I have been to Trader Sam's several times and during the day I have seen children inside, even sitting at the bar! However, I think at night they may enforce an age restriction, so hopefully someone has a little more information on that.

In my opinion, the real charm of the bar is sitting inside, so I would try to get their earlier in the day if I had kids with me. Nighttime is crowded anyway and it becomes difficult to find seating.

Have fun!