Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace Review

This article provides a review of Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. We’ll discuss drinks, food options, and the overall experience at this outdoor dining location.

Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace is a popular watering hole of sorts at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. This location is opposite Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, the Polynesian’s famous indoor bar and lounge.

Think of the Tiki Terrace as a more casual, outdoor version that welcomes guests of all ages. It sits adjacent to the outdoor dining area at Captain Cook’s, the resort’s quick service.

If you’re at the Polynesian, you can exit the back doors of the Great Ceremonial House, and the terrace will be on your left past Pineapple Lanai.

We often order food from Captain Cook’s and the Tiki Terrace to combine a fun meal for everyone in our group. The Tiki Terrace has a distinct beverage menu with appetizers and small plates.

This enchanting dining spot is the perfect place to spend a relaxing evening at the resort, especially when you’re too worn out to return to the parks and the kids need a simple meal. Let’s see how you can make it work for your group!

Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace has tables and chairs covered by sun umbrellas. Several seats are next to the waterfall. Often, a musician plays Hawaiian tunes near the waterfall in the evening.

We prefer to get a table that faces the water when possible. If you time it right, you can enjoy a gorgeous sunset from this location. Then, you might stay long enough to see the Electrical Water Pageant when it passes on Seven Seas Lagoon.

Guests can grab a seat anywhere available, and a server will be with you shortly. Or if you only want to order one of their specialty drinks, an open window takes walk-ups. Their drink menu is only offered at the Tiki Terrace and inside at Grog Grotto’s.

However, the Grog Grotto has age restrictions after 8:00 p.m. But there are no restrictions on the Tiki Terrace. Instead, this is a kid-friendly outdoor dining area with an additional walk-up window.

The drinks at Tiki Terrace are not something you would find on the average cocktail menu. Occasionally, souvenir mugs are available to purchase with the drinks.

Drinks at Trader Sam’s

Trader Sam’s Drink Menu includes the following popular drinks:

• Polynesian Pearl–RumChata Cream Liqueur, Grand Marnier, and Cinnamon with Tropical Juices. The pearl is yours to keep!
• Uh-Oa–Plantation Original Dark Rum, Bacardi Superior Rum, Orange, Passion Fruit, Guava, Pineapple, Grapefruit Juices, Falernum, Cinnamon, and fresh lime juice.
• Rosita’s Margarita–Casamigos Reposado Tequila, Bols Orange Curaçao, fresh lime juice, Falernum, and Organic Agave Nectar
• Krakatoa Punch–Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, Pyrat XO Reserve Rum, Orgeat (Almond), Sam’s Gorilla Grog, and Hibiscus Grenadine.
• Zombie–Gosling’s 151 Black Seal Rum, Appleton Estate Reserve Rum, Bacardi 8 yr Rum, Tropical Juices, Falernum, and Cinnamon. 
• Mosquito Mojito–Bacardi Dragon Berry Rum, Organic Agave Nectar, Falernum, Mint, and fresh Lime Juice topped with soda water.
• Nautilus–Cruzan Mango Rum, Appleton Estate Reserve Rum, Combier Crème de Pêche de Vigne Liqueur, Tropical Juices, and Falernum.
• HippopotoMai-Tai–Plantation Original Dark Rum, Bacardi Superior Rum, Bols Orange Curaçao, Orgeat (Almond), Organic Agave Nectar, and fresh Lime Juice.
• Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum–Pyrat XO Reserve Rum, Cream of Coconut, and Pineapple and Orange Juices dusted with Cinnamon and Nutmeg.
• Dark & Tropical Stormy–Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, fresh Lime Juice, Ginger Beer, and Falernum
• Tahitian Torch–Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Tropical Juices, Passion Fruit, and fresh Lime Juice
• Spikey Pineapple–Cruzan Mango Rum blended with DoleWhip Pineapple

You can view the entire list of drinks with prices at Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace on Disney.com.

Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room Drink

This drink is a play on Walt’s Enchanted Tiki Room at Magic Kingdom. It’s a unique drink served on ice. However, with the mention of nutmeg and cinnamon, it sounds warm. I found it surprisingly cool and refreshing. It reminds me of the T-16 Skyhopper at Oga’s Cantina.

Rosita’s Margarita

Next, we’ll look at Rosita’s Margarita. This drink offers a citrus punch with subtle spicy flavors. However, it’s not spicy in a hot way. It’s a delicious drink that goes down quickly.

As far as this review goes, I’ve also had the Hippopoto Mai-Tai (not pictured). I don’t care for the Hippopoto Mai-Tai drink. It’s a potent concoction.

Skipper Sipper

I’ve enjoyed the Skipper Sipper from the Sam’s No-Booze Brews section of the menu multiple times. This is a non-alcoholic beverage that I highly recommend ordering on a hot day when you need something refreshing.

Regarding food, Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace has several appetizers. The following items were available on our last visit:

• Chicken Lettuce Cups
• Tofu Lettuce Cups (Vegan, Plant-Based)
• Kahuna Tuna Sushi Roll
• Kalua Pork Tacos
• Veggie Rainbow Roll
• Thai Chicken Flatbread
• Pan-fried Dumplings

Chicken Lettuce Cups

First, we have the chicken lettuce cups. They come with chicken, shredded vegetables, and butter-style lettuce leaves. This ended up being quite a filling dish for one person. It could also be nice to share if you want to try multiple items.

Kalua Pork Tacos

Below is a picture of the Kalua pork tacos. Our server told us they were the most popular item on the menu, and I can see why. It’s a lot of food for the money, and they are pretty tasty. I would order these any day; as you can see, they are another easily shareable dish.

Kahuna Tuna Sushi Roll

Previously, the Headhunter sushi roll, the Kahuna Tuna Sushi Roll has no menu description. But I recall it included salmon and tuna plus veggies. The rice exterior had a nice pinky-purple color to it.

While I love the options, the menu at Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace probably isn’t something that most children will find appealing. Thankfully, Captain Cook’s is next door. You can mobile order via the My Disney Experience app or order at the counter. They will usually deliver the food to your table when it’s ready.

When my son was a teenager, we combined meals at Capt. Cook’s and Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace often. He has severe food allergies and enjoyed the allergy-friendly chicken nuggets from the quick service.

Related: Captain Cook’s Review

Overall, Trader Sam’s is an excellent location for a drink, appetizer, or maybe even a full meal. We love to spend time in the relaxing setting and can’t recommend this location enough.

The views are great, and the servers are knowledgeable. Between the musicians, sunset, fireworks, and the Electric Water Pageant, you can’t beat this location. (If you time things right.)

For more details about Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, you might enjoy the following:

• ‘Ohana Dinner Review
• Kona Cafe Review
• ‘Ohana Breakfast with Characters
• Polynesian Resort Review
• The King Kamehameha Club Level at the Polynesian

Or you can browse our entire restaurant guide for Disney’s Polynesian.

What are your thoughts on Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace? Have you ever enjoyed a drink or a meal from this location? Do you enjoy finding these hidden gems when visiting Walt Disney World? Please share your thoughts below.