Traders Sams with kids

[Hopingforpixiedust]

Hi! I am planning a December trip. For my arrival day I have manicures booked at GF at 4:00PM and then we want to monorail hop. I was thinking about doing Traders Sams for a light dinner before a Pirate and Pals cruise. Thoughts? I will have two kids with me ages 7 and 9.

My original thought was to do manicures at 4, dinner around 6:30 at Chef Mickey, and then go to Poly for a Dole Whip, but the earliest Chef Mickey reservation was 7:45PM. I took it, but just want advice of what to do at all 3 monorail resorts.

 

[SamFaniam]

Kids are allowed at Trader Sam’s in the afternoon and early evening. It changes to 21 and over at either 8 or 9 PM. I would recommend the terrace over the inside bar.

 

[Summer2018]

I know that kids are allowed before 8:00, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s meant for adults. There are so many places designed specifically for kids. I would bring them elsewhere. We waited until our daughter was 21 to go there. We were recently at the Disneyland Hotel Trader Sam’s. The one kid that was there didn’t last long. The parents gobbled up their food, quickly finished their drinks, and left. Many jokes made by bartenders and patrons were too mature for the child.

We, on the other hand, had a blast at Trader Sam’s. We can’t wait to return.

 

[Hopingforpixiedust]

I’m also open to other suggestions! I’m just at a loss due to the late chef Mickey time. There’s too much time between that reservation and the manicures! Or I’m open to a different fun thing to do at Poly to pass the time!

 

[Vickie1016]

We took DD(now 13) to Trader Sam's when she was 11 & 12 (July trips). We went early, around 5:00, prior to CG dinner at 7:30. There was a very short wait. We did have a nice time in there, we did not order food only drinks. When certain drinks are ordered, special effects go off. Both times we went, we did see younger children there. As PP did note, at a certain time it becomes adults only.

We also did Pirates & Pals several several years ago (it was still Wishes) We had a great time! Enjoy!!

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Personally, I would try to move your manicure appointments to a later time so you don't have so much time to fill or keep trying to get an earlier Chef Mickey's time (or even consider a different TS altogether). I've taken DS11 to Trader Sam's multiple times since it opened, however, unless you go in with the first wave of people, there is no knowing how long your wait time will be, so it may not be the best idea for dinner if you are on a schedule.

 

[gharter]

We were ther early and saw kids. At either 8 or 9 it becomes adult only. Haven't been there that late to know what , if any difference there is , except no kids.

 

[steg]

Geyser Point then Blue Flag boat to Contemporary?

 

[DarthGallifrey]

I know that kids are allowed before 8:00, but I wouldn’t recommend it. It’s meant for adults. There are so many places designed specifically for kids. I would bring them elsewhere. We waited until our daughter was 21 to go there. We were recently at the Disneyland Hotel Trader Sam’s. The one kid that was there didn’t last long. The parents gobbled up their food, quickly finished their drinks, and left. Many jokes made by bartenders and patrons were too mature for the child.

We, on the other hand, had a blast at Trader Sam’s. We can’t wait to return.

Thank-you for this haha. I have been treated like a monster for being under the opinion that kids should not be in a small, crowded bar.

 

[DarthGallifrey]

We were ther early and saw kids. At either 8 or 9 it becomes adult only. Haven't been there that late to know what , if any difference there is , except no kids.

It becomes 21+ at 8pm

 

[krybandt]

We went with our kids to Trader Sams and found it was too intense for our younger child. I think she was around 6 or 7 at the time. The room is pretty dark and there were special effects, such as a thunderstorm, that were too intense and I wound up having to take her outside. Now that she's older, she wants to go back, lol. The Poly itself is fun to visit on its own should you decide to skip Trader Sams. They have a nice gift shop and you could kill at least an hour wandering around the main building and grounds, maybe getting a dole whip from Captain Cook's and sitting outside.

 

[Moliphino]

Kids are totally fine before 8, I'd just make sure they'll eat the food if you plan to have a meal there (there are no kids meals, just the appetizers). But then I was going to the Adventurers Club from when I was 6, so clearly my family has no issues with kids in bars as long as they're allowed.

 

[kiramay]

If I have time, I plan to go with my husband and three kids, 14, 14, and 9. I think they’d enjoy the special effects. I won’t take my 7 and 5 year old nieces though because I do think it might be too scary for them.

 

[sullyfam]

What time do you have to be at the Contemporary for Pirates and Pals? I believe they give you food before you cruise. So I would keep your dinner plans light (wouldn't go to Chef Mickey's at all even if you can get an earlier reservation nor plan a heavy dinner). I also know manicures can take a while so you might not have a ton of time between when you are done at GF and when you have to be at Contemporary for the cruise.

I would plan on quick serve at one of the 3 monorail resorts for something light. That way you aren't tied to a reservation time and you can be flexible. Just check the menus and quick serve options available at each of the 3 resorts. I would use Trader Sam's as a last resort. It's really a bar with a limited (not really kid friendly food) appetizer menu, and while kids are welcome before 8, I don't think it's a very kid-centered place in general.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Thank-you for this haha. I have been treated like a monster for being under the opinion that kids should not be in a small, crowded bar.

It's Disney. Don't you know it is only for kids? JK The first time we went at the Poly the only seats available were next to a family with a kid screaming in a high chair and a toddler banging their hands on the table and singing loudly. We left immediately as that was not what I wanted to sit next to while spending $30-$40 for couple of drinks. Been to the DL version several times and with not kids in the bar at all. Very pleasant experience and a lot of fun. I don't think it is too much to ask to have one small kid free space at Disney. Or at least make it age 10 and up. I also think there are many other more fun places for kids.

 

[Wayland10]

I'm just planning on doing Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace with my kids. We won't get the special effects, but we'll have a great time, and I hear that sometimes the terrace has live music.

 

[Hopingforpixiedust]

We went with our kids to Trader Sams and found it was too intense for our younger child. I think she was around 6 or 7 at the time. The room is pretty dark and there were special effects, such as a thunderstorm, that were too intense and I wound up having to take her outside. Now that she's older, she wants to go back, lol. The Poly itself is fun to visit on its own should you decide to skip Trader Sams. They have a nice gift shop and you could kill at least an hour wandering around the main building and grounds, maybe getting a dole whip from Captain Cook's and sitting outside.

I think sitting outside with a Dole Whip and shopping might be my best option after hearing what everyone here has to say. Then we can take our time a little more! I've never been to the Poly so I just wasn't sure. Can you sit at the beach area if you don't have a room there?

 

[Hopingforpixiedust]

I'm just planning on doing Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace with my kids. We won't get the special effects, but we'll have a great time, and I hear that sometimes the terrace has live music.

Is the Terrace a better option with kids? Is the wait just as long as getting inside?

 

[Disneybuckeye]

I think sitting outside with a Dole Whip and shopping might be my best option after hearing what everyone here has to say. Then we can take our time a little more! I've never been to the Poly so I just wasn't sure. Can you sit at the beach area if you don't have a room there?

Yes, you can sit in the beach area. With a Dole Whip you can also walk around and check out the resort. Very pretty. You can also walk over the GF and check it out also.

Is the Terrace a better option with kids? Is the wait just as long as getting inside?

Usually much easier to find a seat, but again, it is a bar. You are sitting and drinking expensive beverages and it is not very entertaining for kids.

 

[Rick195275]

Took my 8 year old there this April, we were there right at open and found a table very easily as it wasn’t a busy day. She loved it there with all the special effects! We only stayed for 1 drink and left though and it still wasn’t busy. Not sure how it would be with younger kids later in the day.