What Makes Trader Sam's So Appealing?

[Tinkaboo]

First off, not looking to make any enemies here or start a comment war... I am just curious what the attraction to this place is, having never been there. Is there a show, or animated characters, or just funny bartenders like the Jungle Cruise drivers? Or is it just FOMO because everyone talks about it?

I don't drink anymore but even when I did, and I have been visiting DL over 45 years, still never been there.
What am I missing? I know people collect the drink glasses so that's a thing. Should I put this on my bucket list?

I did spend some time at the Monorail Bar over the years...IYKYK...

 

[Wedgeout]

It’s just a good vibe place. Nowadays can purchase any mug available, outside at the terrace bar. A lot of easter eggs and fun quirky memorabilia & story telling.

The experience will vary each visit. Times might be a dud with no show drinks or enthusiasm. The bartenders do make it fun. Watch for a bar stool that might become enchanted with the unaware sinking below the bar, having no clue. The tiki totems might appear to be watching your every move.

It’s a place to a least try once. It’s usually at its best in the later evening.

 

[Disney0010]

To each their own but for us one or two visits and that’s it. The food is just okay (gut bomb) and the cocktails are overpriced but it’s a popular spot and very small. I think many go for the experience but again for us after you have visited a few times that’s it. There are just two of us and they always try to seat us at the bar which we refuse. We ask for one of the few small high top tables.

 

[BrianL]

I like the mugs, but I have all of the regular ones that I wanted and I'll never actually get my hands on any limited releases.

There are some fun special effects too, triggered when people order certain drinks. The one at WDW is different too, and has at least one unique effect for the Nautilus (I've never been able to sit inside that one though).

Honestly, as popular as it and others like it is, I can't fathom why Disney makes them so tiny!

 

[PaladinButters]

Fun vibes (just look up a quick video of somebody ordering the Uh Oa to witness). It's worth getting in at least once but make sure you go during adult only hours later in the day.

 

[JerrodDragon89]

Its the Vibes

I like the living painting with the nice views and the Volcano can go off is someone buys the drink

Its the Vibes, I also like the green beans but you can get them next door but mostly its the Vibes of the Tiki room/Jungle cruise as a restaurant/bar

I'd love a Pirates, HM, another Star Wars Bar and Indy restaurant as well

 

[BobaFettFan]

The one time we walked over their kitchen broke and they could only serve Poke bowls or 'cold food options'. We didn't learn this until walking up at 6pm with our tired, picky eater of a 6 yo. The hostess was like "Well he can eat poke : ) "

We asked, since it was so late in the day, if they could get us a reservation at literally any restaurant on property. The hostess went to her manager and they got us spots in Goofy's kitchen and comped our meal. Very magical moment. Honestly part of the reason we enjoy Disney so much.


So my best experience with Trader Sam's was them treating us to a different restaurant.


Peaked inside and looked very themed, though.

 

[evilmommie]

Some people are really into the Tiki vibe, and because the inside has such limited seating, it creates a sense of FOMO around getting one of the few available reservations.

I’m a local, and TS doesn’t have much appeal for me. I actually prefer the bar at the GCH pool. The bartenders there are great and pour a strong drink!

 

[cruisehopeful]

I've only sat inside once and it's been years since I've sat outside. Outside at night was very special because they had live music and a hula dancer. I don't know if they still have that. We'd sit by the tiki torches and it truly felt like being in Hawaii. When my kids were small, they enjoyed it, too. You don't need to drink alcohol to enjoy the atmosphere.

The one time I sat inside, I was at the bar. It was very nice, but I was visiting with my daughter and being with her was the highlight for me. It is a fun atmosphere, but I do think it's more about FOMO than anything else. The drinks are fun and festive. The food is mediocre at best.

Nowadays, I just order everything at Tangaroa Terrace because I don't want to wait for a seat. I do recommend going to Trader Sam's at least once if you love Hawaiian vibes and/or have a love for the Jungle Cruise. I'd never say, "You HAVE to go to Trader Sam's," though.

 

[megankj]

I'l agree with the vibes and the CMs, but also add all the Easter Eggs! Trader Sams feels more like an attraction than a restaurant in some ways, and it's fun to spend time really looking at the various props and decor items to pick out connections to rides, other (current and past) venues, etc. For someone who is nerdy about Disney, that part is really fun.

 

[BriannaRuth]

I'm one of the "never miss Trader Sam's" group and for me, it's definitely the vibes. Same things others have mentioned, the volcano, the thunderstorms, the bartenders. In the past, we've always gone twice, once with our daughters during the day (when they were underage) and once as a couple at night. Now that my daughters are both over 21, we may just do once since they can go at night. But we will definitely go, and we definitely prefer sitting at the bar. Also recommend you go at night.

I do agree that the food is so-so and the drinks are overpriced. They tend to be pretty sweet but some they can make less sweet if you ask. But the drinks are fun! I've always liked the green beans, but last time we were there they had changed them from Chinese long beans to regular green beans, if I remember correctly, which was a bummer. They were still good, but not quite the same.

If you have a tiki bar in your area, it may be a little less interesting to you, but I don't have one anywhere near me so that may be one reason I love it. Although the two I've been to in the past couple years in Seattle and Portland didn't still didn't match the Trader Sam's vibe with the "Easter eggs."

 

[irlandaise]

I'l agree with the vibes and the CMs, but also add all the Easter Eggs! Trader Sams feels more like an attraction than a restaurant in some ways, and it's fun to spend time really looking at the various props and decor items to pick out connections to rides, other (current and past) venues, etc. For someone who is nerdy about Disney, that part is really fun.

Isn't some of the decor from the Adventurers Club?

 

[megankj]

Isn't some of the decor from the Adventurers Club?

I only got to visit the Adventurers Club once, so can't say for sure- but I wouldn't be surprised! There are definitely references to it.