Trader Sams – WDWNT Archive

PHOTO: Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar Releasing “Jingle Cruise” Elephant Mug This Week

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

Beginning on 11/30 at 7 AM, you can get your very own 1st Edition Holiday Elephant Tiki Mug from Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel. The Jingle Cruise may be gone in California, but its spirit lives on…

Although it seems 7 AM is a bit early for alcoholic beverages (who are we to judge), the line is sure to be long for such a prized possession.

And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the amazing, the colossal, the stupendous, the 9th wonder of the world – the 1st Edition Holiday Elephant Tiki Mug! Visit Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar on 11/30 beginning @ 7am for yours. Limit 2 per Guest, (while supplies last). pic.twitter.com/mP6IHjTXtZ

— Disneyland Today (@DisneylandToday) November 28, 2017

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Is it stupendous? You tell us in the comments!

SaveSave

PHOTOS: 2017 Haunted Mansion Hitchhiking Ghost Mug Released at Trader Sam’s

WDWNT on October 25, 2017

The 2017 version of the Hitchhiking Ghost mug created last year for Trader Sam’s was released today at Walt Disney World. It has red accents instead of blue.

The bottom does not say second edition like other updated mugs from Trader Sam’s.

The mug is available in limited quantities daily, so arrive a good amount of time before Sam’s opens at 4pm if you really want one (you’ll be given a wristband to indicate that you can buy one provided you were there in line early enough). It retails for $30, only available with a drink, the Fogcutter or any non-alcoholic beverage.

The Fogcutter is the worst drink ever concocted at Trader Sam’s, by the way…

Holiday Mug Released at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

WDWNT on May 28, 2017

Late last month, Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at the Disneyland Hotel released an exclusive holiday-themed mug. Since then, many have been wondering when Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort would get holiday mugs. Well, now we know the reason for the delay…

Pirates hijacked our mug delivery, so Trader Sam had to broker a deal for trade. Thankfully, they’ve arrived just before the holiday! Stop by Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto to pick up yours today! #PolynesianVillageResort pic.twitter.com/GW2SSj0p7p

— Walt Disney World Today (@WDWToday) December 22, 2017

https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js

Nevertheless, they are now available, to head over to Trader Sam’s to hop in what will likely be a several-hours-long line to get yours!

REVIEW: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto Introduces Some Much Needed New Menu Items

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

While many of us love Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, but it would be hard to deny that the food menu at the Florida location has just never quite lived up to the delicious meals offered at the California counterpart. Well, the “east coast family tree” has introduced 3 new items this week which may change your mind about dining with your drinks at the Grog Grotto or exterior Tiki Terrace bar and lounge.

Thai Chicken Flatbread ($12.00)

This is a thai chicken flatbread with a peanut sauce and bacon and tomato. This is particularly unique and as delicious as it is a strange offering. You wouldn’t necessarily think that a peanut sauce on a flatbread with cheese is a good idea, but this dish really pulls it off. This might be my new favorite dish at Trader Sam’s.

Sticky Wings ($10.00)

The world’s most ubiquitous bar food, wings have finally arrived at Grog Grotto and Tiki Terrace. These wings are the very same that you will find around the resort’s other eateries, and that’s not a bad thing. This is what the Polynesian is known for, so you should be able to get them throughout the resort.

Sticky Wings ($10.00)

Wonton Chips with Duck Sauce ($3.48)

For $3.50, this is a pretty good deal. The fried wonton chips (known by some as “Poly Chips”) go well with the accompanying duck sauce and are a good size bar snack, something not really offered on the prior Trader Sam’s menu.

Overall

I love these additions to Trader Sam’s. I love the drink menu here so much, but the food menu was always missing a better variety of items that aren’t sushi or a rather dry taco. These new items in addition to what is already offered make an evening at Trader Sam’s, for both food and drink, a more viable option.

Trader Sam’s Celebrates Mahalloween 2016 with The Haunted Mansion Themed Tiki Mug

WDWNT on September 17, 2016

Trader Sam’s at the Disneyland Hotel will be celebrating “Mahalloween 2016” with a special mug and drink…

Trader Sam’s MaHalloween 2016 Haunted Mansion Mug

The mug looks like a tiki totem featuring the Hitchhiking Ghosts from The Haunted Mansion. The mug will be released as a part of Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort sometime in the next few days.

PHOTO REPORT: Disneyland Resort 9/7/16 (Tower of Terror Farewell, Star Wars Land, AP Days, New Character Heads)

WDWNT on September 17, 2016

Conner Purzycki brings us a fairly news-heavy photo report from the Disneyland Resort on the first day of its transition from the Diamond Celebration into HalloweenTime. Heavy promotion has started for the Tower of Terror final check-in, Star Wars land continues to rise from the dirt, Mickey and Minnie are getting an entirely new look, and the popular AP Days promotion has returned. See, I told you there was a lot going on! Let’s get started, because there is so much to see:

Tower of Terror Final Check-In

Banners around the resort promote HalloweenTime and the Tower of Terror send off events.

Billboard by the tram station don’t even mention Halloween Time, it’s all Twilight Zone Tower of Terror promotion. Halloween Time is a pretty big deal at the Disneyland Resort, so giving Tower of Terror the headline billing for this season is kind of a big deal.

Star Wars Land Construction

Construction of the Star Wars themed land continues in the back of Disneyland Park.

While it may appear that this project is ahead in schedule compared to Hollywood Studios, this version of the land features more tunnels and an elaborate mountain range to separate the area from Frontierland and Critter Country.

The Tower of Terror off in the distance, making this an interesting snapshot in Disneyland history.

Some of the Paint the Night floats are visible just beyond the Star Wars site. The parade is set to return for the holiday season at the Disneyland Resort before the finale run of the Main Street Electrical Parade begins.

The Diamond Celebration Slowly Vanishes

Promotional signs for AP Days out in force at the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure.

The Diamond Celebration still lingers at the Disneyland Resort, including the Diamond Days promotion, which is still going for some reason.

Halloween Time and the Diamond celebration decorations clash on Main Street.

Some work being done outside of the Disneyland Railroad station.

Some tarps still up on the Market House, but Starbucks remains open through it.

Some other Main Street facades are now also behind tarps.

The hub Jack-O-Lanterns are back.

While the “60” came down overnight, the rest of Sleeping Beauty Castle is still sporting the 60th decorations.

New Mickey & Minnie Costumes Arrive

The heavily discussed new look heads for Mickey and Minnie Mouse debuted at the Disneyland Resort yesterday.

These style heads also appear in Mickey’s Royal Friendship Fair at the Magic Kingdom and at the Shanghai Disney Resort.

Rivers of America

Work continues on the Rivers of America as it prepares for a Summer 2017 reopening, including a newly enhanced Fantasmic show.

The Columbia is being re-rigged for a new segment in Fantasmic, themed to Pirates of the Caribbean.

Haunted Mansion Holiday

The Haunted Mansion is currently closed for its Haunted Mansion Holiday makeover.

A new cemetery has been placed up on the hill in the queue, featuring some fo the more famous tombstones from the attraction lore.

The Halloween Tree

The Halloween Tree honoring Ray Bradbury is back in Frontierland.

Peter Pan Facade Refurbishment

Even though it was worked on extensively in 2015, the Peter Pan’s Flight facade is once again behind tarps in Fantasyland. The attraction is open.

Space Mountain – Ghost Galaxy

Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy will be replacing Hyperspace Mountain until November. Hyperspace Mountain is expected to return and run until the opening of Star Wars land (only bowing our for Ghost Galaxy every year).

Downtown Disney

The new Starbucks in Downtown Disney is already getting a facade touch up, along with aÂ SprinklesÂ location moving in next door.

More Tower of Terror and Halloween Time banners going down to the Disneyland Hotel.

Disney California Adventure

Some work being done to the outside of Rushin’ River Outfitters.

AP Days Return

AP Days have returned to the resort for the fall season.

A number of annual passholder exclusive items are available at the event.

Specialty food and beverage offerings from around the resort are showcased.

Trader Sam’s has a special Mahalloween mug this year celebrating The Haunted Mansion.

The lines for the AP Days Showcase were pretty long.

The now infamous Backlot Stage still remains, simply as it is more cost effective to leave it standing than remove it at this point.

The Pete’s Dragon preview is gone, so the Sunset Showcase sits dormant.

Tom Corless’ 2/12/15 WDW Photo Report (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Polynesian Village Resort, ETC.)

WDWNT on February 26, 2015

Over the last week, I visited Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the Magic Kingdom, and Epcot, so let’s see what’s new at the Walt Disney World Resort right now:

Â Starting at the Polynesian,Â Moana Mercantile expanded into the sundries area which has been remodeled

They finally have digital park hour boards at the Polynesian

The new sundries section

The ATM moved upstairs

The controversial lobby…

New sigage up throughout the Great Ceremonial House

Signage for Trader Sam’s is covered up

A look at the future home of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

Work continues on the pool area

A new kid’s slide being installed

A new building for boat rentals being constructed as well

The nearly-completed bungalows off in the distance

The DVC location has moved, now with a kiosk and a small meeting room

From the monorail platform, we can see work on the left side of the Great Ceremonial House exterior

Moving to the Magic Kingdom, scrims reveal that work inside Uptown Jewelers is related to Pandora moving in

Splash Mountain is open again, but the restrooms nearby have not

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid is closed for modifications to the ride similar to California’s version

This picture was taken just a day before the Video Arcade sign came down

The Rockettower Plaza Stage is the latest victim of the new Tomorrowland color scheme

Work continues on the new Magic Kingdom hub area

Another planter around the Partners Statue has been removed

New, smaller planters are being installed

The old production booths are going to be coming down soon

Fountains will flank both sides of Main Street

Golden Oak Outpost was actually open, now with one less set of waffle fries to offer

The Sunglass Hut in Adventureland has giant pin trading sunglasses…

More hub construction

Valentine’s Day cupcakes at the Bakery

Moving over to Epcot, preparation is underway for the Flower and Garden Festival

Where the Test the Limits Labs once stood in Innoventions are now construction walls

Not sure if this is a clue to what is coming

TSUM TSUM PINS ARE OUT! Find them if you can!

More Details Released On Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort; Dole Whip Bar On The Way!

WDWNT on June 29, 2014

Earlier this month, we told you about big changes coming to Disney’s Polynesian Resort including the resort changing its name. Well, Disney is sharing some new details and concept art of the changes on the way today:

First of all, making its debut next month is a brand new children’s activity center called Club Disney. Here, children can be supervised by Disney cast members while they play dress up, make crafts and participate in storytelling experiences while their parents have fun on their own elsewhere at the resort. The area itself looks like a child’s fairy tale brought to life, as Imagineers drew inspiration from classic Disney Little Golden Books, including “Alice In Wonderland,” “Pinocchio” and “Lady and The Tramp.” Club Disney replaces the long running Neverland Club at the resort.

Pictured above is a new food and beverage location, Pineapple Lenai kiosk, which will offer a tropical guest favorite – Dole Whip. The “Dole Whip Bar”, as we have called it in our rumor postings over the last year, will open before the end of 2014.

The resort’s Nanea Volcano pool is currently undergoing several enhancements, including expanding to include a new aquatic playground with slides for children, a new hot tub, and a larger deck with more seating for guests.

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, featured in the image at the top of the post, will open in 2015.

Re-Imagined Disney’s Polynesian Resort Announced

WDWNT on May 12, 2014

Back in February, we posted about the closure of the Polynesian Resort lobby as it made way for a complete overhaul. Well, its now official that Disney’s Polynesian Resort is going to be completely “Re-Imagined” starting with a name change. As part of a complete re-imagining, Disney’s Polynesian Resort is returning to its original, 1971 opening day name: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

The biggest announcement outside of the re-imagining, is that the infamous Trader Sam’s from the Disneyland Hotel is making its way to Walt Disney World as Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. Check out the official concept art for the re-imaging.

Tom Corless’ 12/31/11 – 1/5/12 DLR Photo Report

WDWNT on January 12, 2012

Owner of the network, Tom Corless took a trip to Disneyland for new years and captured some newsworthy photos to share including Cars land, Buena Vista Street, and Jolly Holiday Bakery…

Trader Sam’s had some neat additions for the Holidays

Tom had a Mele Kaliki-Mocha.

Over in DCA now, a look at the carthay circle

Looks good…

Now over in Cars Land, the meet and greet has been removed in front of the work walls giving us some angles of the street we weren’t able to see before.

Back to Buena Vista Street

The backside of the theater was uncovered

Over in Disneyland, the Jolly Holiday Bakery opened and Tom was one of the first costumers

Love the detail

Over in DCA, work has begun on fixing the second half of the shops on the boardwalk

Rip that stucco out!

YEAH

It was so good…. That tom decided to come back for lunch

A nod to the old Stouffers mural 😉

Spoonful of sugar please

The Jolly Holiday Combo, a cheese sandwich and tomato and basil soup… and of course the Practically Perfect Punch which I have been told is very Delicious