The changes keep coming for the popular Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Just a couple of days ago, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto extended operating hours. The immersive tiki bar now opens at 11am instead of 3pm, daily. As part of the operating hours change, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto also rolled out a digital walk-up list in the My Disney Experience app. Here’s a look!
Trader Sam’s Digital Walk-Up List in My Disney Experience App
Guests wishing to visit Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto can now use the standard “Walk-Up List” feature within the My Disney Experience app to join the digital wait list. The walk-up list feature was first rolled out in August 2020 as part of Disney’s physical distancing protocols during the phased reopening following the COVID-19 pandemic. The feature has expanded to more locations since it first rolled out, and now Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is on the list!
To join the mobile waitlist, you can navigate to the Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto page within the My Disney Experience app (either by searching or finding it on the map). Once there, click on the “Join Walk-Up List” icon, enter your party details, acknowledge the age restriction, and add any other details that you’d like before securing your reservation.
It’s worth noting that the Walk-Up List feature has a geofence restriction, meaning that you have to be physically close to the location to join the list. Typically, that means that you have to be somewhere on the resort hotel property. You can’t join from Magic Kingdom, for example.
You’ll also have to wait until exactly 11am to be able to join the waitlist. There was a Cast Member outside of the entrance to Trader Sam’s this morning, manually entering guests onto the waitlist before 11am.
Right now, the 11am rope drop situation is very relaxed. There were a few parties already on the waitlist when we arrived at 10:50am, but not enough to fill the indoor space. As we get further into the holiday season, I’d imagine that the 11am rope drop will get a bit more competitive, but opening earlier should allow Trader Sam’s to accommodate more guests throughout the day with a more relaxed wait list experience.
Both Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto (pictured above) and the outdoor Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace now open at 11am. Here’s a look at the updated signage at the venue.
As always, keep checking back with us here at BlogMickey.com as we continue to bring you the latest news, photos, and info from around the Disney Parks!