Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar - Disneyland

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

From the Disney Food blog. I know it's Disneyland, but I also know there are some Adventurer's Club fans amongst us that might appreciate this. Maybe we'll get lucky and they'll bring one to WDW too!

Review: Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar

Mar 7th, 2012 by AJ.

“Aloha, ahoy, aha! And welcome to the mystery, romance, and adventure of

Trader Sam’s

Enchanted Tiki Bar.”

These are the words that lure you into Trader Sam’s story when you first look at a menu in this brand new Tiki bar in the Disneyland Hotel! In fact, a good friend of mine has referred to it as “the best of the Jungle Cruise, Adventurer’s Club, and Tiki Room rolled into a liquor license.” I heartily agree.

Let’s take a trip to the “happy outpost,” shall we?

Trader Sam's Welcome Message - click image for larger version

Atmosphere

I had been watching the creation of Trader Sam’s with great interest during the Spring and early Summer of 2011.

All I’d heard is that this destined-to-be-great spot might incorporate some of the decor of the old Pleasure Island Adventurer’s Club in Disney World, one of my very favorite places. And with the brilliant artistry of Kevin Kidney and Jody Daly behind it, it had to be good.

Trader Sam's Bar

Kevin and Jody painted Tikis -- the eyes mooove

The line to get in can be long — the bar opens in the early afternoon and there can even be a wait then, but it’s well worth it once you’re in side. (Don’t forget to SHUT THE DOOR!!! when you come in!)

At the bar

With literally hundreds of things to look at all over the walls (souvenirs from Trader Sam’s adventures, of course) — many of them equipped with sight and word gags, or even special effects — this place definitely fits into the true, classic Disney imagineering style.

This will remind those of us who grew up with Disney’s early theme parks where there seemed to be surprises hidden around every corner.

Trader Sam's Bar Close-Up

Trader Sam's Decor Close-Up

Ship decor

It's a Tiki Bar!

Close-Up of Trader Sam's Decor

Now, once you’ve had the chance to take in a bit of the decor (and have waited for a table to open up), you may start to notice a few of the other effects taking place around you.

Bar Tables

For example, if you’re at the bar, be sure that you don’t annoy the Bartender or you may slowlly find yourself feeling a bit low…

Falling Bar Stools

And beware angering the tiki gods — you never know when Krakatoa might erupt!

Krakatoa Window While Quiet

Krakatoa Window After Krakatoa Punch is Ordered!

Ron, one of the wonderful bartenders at Trader Sam’s, holds all of the secrets, so try to get on his good side!

Bartender

Whew — now that we’ve taken a good look around…let’s get down to the real reason we’re here — to drink!

Eats and Drinks

The Trader Sam’s menu is a sight to see. Each drink is individually illustrated next to its description!

Trader Sam's Menu

Drink Menu - click image for larger version

Bar Menu - click image for larger version

You’ll find many Disney and Jungle Cruise puns on the menu — Schweitzer Falls, Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum, Skipper Sipper, and the Shunken Zombie Head being a few. But they DON’T happen to tell you what might happen if you order one of these colorful beauties!

One of the best presentations — and a drink we couldn’t pass up — is the Uh Oa! This shared drink includes light and dark rums, orange, passion fruit, guava, and grapefruit juices, falernum, cinnamon, and freshlly squeezed lime juice. It comes to the table amidst a thunder storm of activity and is punctuated by its own floating island of fire! Things can definitely get a little sparkly…

Check out this fun video of John Lasseter experiencing the Uh Oa!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6woyFkYuQ_w

And here’s the drink in person!! That’s cinnamon in the little tikis around the main drink — when the uh oa arrives, grab a pinch of cinnamon and throw it on the fire to create sparks!

Uh Oa -- Light and Dark Rums - orange-passion fruit -guava - grapefruit juices - falernum - cinnamon - freshly squeezed lime

But that’s not the only drink that will cause a stir at Trader Sam’s! Order the Shipwreck On The Rocks and cross your fingers!! Make sure you ask your server what side of the bar to be on in order to see the effect in full force.

Shipwreck on the Rocks -- Bourbon with Freshly

Muddled Lemon and Mint with Organic Agave Nectar

Another drink we ordered was an old favorite of mine — the Kungaloosh! This is a classic drink that was developed at the aforementioned Adventurer’s Club in Disney World’s Pleasure Island; and though it isn’t actually on the menu at Trader Sam’s, they’re happy to re-create it for you!

But what makes Trader Sam’s even MORE rad than it was to start is that even though the Kungaloosh! isn’t on the menu, they know that there are two recipes for the drink (old and new), and they ask you which one you’d like when you order it! Astounding. My Disney geekery is in full force.

Kungaloosh Old Style!

There are some really fun “no-booze brews” on the menu at Trader Sam’s as well, and we couldn’t help but order the Schweitzer Falls (named after the beautiful Schweitzer Falls, which is named after it’s founder, Dr. Albert Falls, and seen on the Jungle Cruise attraction).

This concoction is made with tropical juices, Sprite, and “Sam’s Gorilla Grog,” which you can find heartily stored with the rest of the mixers at the bar.

Grog

(FYI — Grog is a mixture of passion fruit, guava, pineapple, orange, and lemon juices all mixed with falernum, which is a sweet/spicy syrup reminiscent of cinnamon, cloves, and other sweet spices.)

Interestingly, this drink was one of our favorites of the visit, so that Grog must have something going for it!

Schweitzer Falls -- Tropical Juices and Sams Gorilla Grog topped with Sprite

By this point we were needing a bit of sustenance, so out comes the Pu Pu Platter!! This had been highly recommend to me, and it’s obvious why. 1.) It’s gorgeous, 2.) It’s delicious, 3.) It has all kinds of wings, therefore it is awesome.

Included on the platter were Tamarind-glazed Island Pork ‘Wings,’ Sweet and Spicy Asian Wings, Panko-Crusted Chinese Long Beans, Green Papaya Slaw, and Sriracha Aioli. For $15.99 this is not a bad way to spend the afternoon. My favorite? The Asian Wings, of course.

pu pu platter -- tamarind glazed pork wings - asian wings - chinese long beans - green papaya slaw - sriracha aioli

The menu has several other yummy appetizers like chicken-lettuce wraps, fish tacos, Kalua Pork Flatbread, and the Trader Sam’s Dessert Flight. And I just heard that a few more items have been added, including a Panko-Crusted Chicken Sandwich, and an Angus Cheeseburger (thanks to the Trader Sam’s facebook page for that update)!

Overall

Like I said, this place is popular and there are definitely waits to get in. Luckily, there is plenty of seating outside along with the Tangaroa Terrace nearby for eats while you’re waiting for the big wooden doors to open and let you into the fun.

However, if all good things DO come to those who wait, this is definitely an example. Trader Sam’s is one of those quintessentially Disney experiences. You’re not just watching a show or drinking at a bar, you’re experiencing an incredibly fun and imaginative attraction the whole time you’re there. It’s very easy to lose track of time and stay at Trader Sam’s for hours. And, honestly, why wouldn’t you? Something you’ve never seen before is bound to happen — no matter how many times you’ve been there.

On the specs and details front — Trader Sam’s turns into an over-21 bar after 8pm, but your kids are welcome there before that deadline. We DID have a couple of kiddos with us when we visited Trader Sam’s, and while they weren’t mesmerized by the goings-on (they’d had a long day by that point), they did enjoy the eats. Your mileage may vary.

http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/03/07/review-trader-sams-enchanted-tiki-bar/#more-45040

[Total Joker ... TJ 203]

Kungaloosh!

[Onkel Hans 25]

I hope they bring a Trader Sam's to WDW. I really miss the Adventurer's Club.