Eat, Drink, And Hang Loose On Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace

If your looking for a lovely spot to enjoy a meal and some live music, why not head over to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort to have dinner at Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace. This pretty patio space overlooking the resort's marina and lagoon is a great place to kick back and hang loose tiki style.

Eat, Drink, And Hang Loose On Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace


The atmosphere here is simple and relaxed, it's not a spot to take yourself too seriously. You'll find guests gabbing with companions around tables shaded by bright orange umbrellas, flip flops and Hawaiian shirts are the style of the day. Seat yourself at one of many tables, a Skipper will be right with you.


Seat Yourself On The Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace

Trader Sam's Outdoor Seating


My favorite spot is a collection of chairs around a low surfboard shaped table. Water views of the lagoon and marina are available, and some tales run alongside a large lava rock waterfall. A few patio heaters dot the terrace when they are needed to keep away a nighttime chill. After dark both torches and tiki themed cafe lights glow with warm aloha. Me ke aloha pumehana.


Umbrella Shaded Tables Dot The Tiki Terrace
Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace Surf Table


While tables on the Tiki Terrace are served by a friendly Skipper, if you are looking to grab a creative cocktail to go simply use the walk-up window. Don't think that you can grab for the group though, because drinks are limited to two per adult ordering. Your friends will just have to mosey on down to the tiki bar with you for their libations.


Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace Walk-up Window


And of course, you can't have a Tiki Terrace if it's not dotted with Tikis. These carvings represent Gods and ancestors commonly found in Polynesian cultures. They watch over the patrons of Trader Sam's.


You Can't Have A Tiki Terrace Without Tikis


One of the reasons that I decided to eat dinner at the Tiki Terrace was to enjoy the live music. I'm a sucker for island music and a bit of ukulele while I enjoy a meal on a beautiful day is truly a bit of heaven.


Live Ukulele The Music Of Hawaii
Soothing Sounds From The Tiki Terrace Waterfall Too


Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace shares an exceptional cocktail menu with the inside Bar Trader Sam's Grog Grotto. Tiki Drink enthusiasts will not be disappointed with the variety, or the clever souvenir mugs such luscious libations come in. Folks stopping by to hang loose will find that they can order tiki classics with fun Disney twists such as the Shrunken Zombie Head, Dark & Tropical Stormy, or even a HippopotoMai-Tai. There's also a selection of beer, wine, and hard cider that includes some brews straight from Kona, Hawaii.


Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace Cocktail Menu


On this visit I was focused more on just enjoying a dinner outside where I could soak up the island vibes. To fit that bill I ordered myself an Ace Pineapple Hard Cider. Perfect for perfect for a backyard BBQ, or Bacon laden dishes there's no doubt that this is a pineapple cider. In fact, Ace claims that it was the world's first pineapple cider, inspired by years of family vacations.

Ace Pineapple Hard Cider has a crystal clear yellow color with sparkling bubbles that tickle your nose. The scent has all the pleasure and sweetness of fresh pineapple, and with your first drink it's bright and snappy on your tongue. Clean and crisp across the palate this comes across as all pure pineapple satisfaction.


Ace Pineapple Hard Cider From Sonoma County, CA


You can also find Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace serving up the same appetizer menu as inside. Heavily influenced by flavors from around the Pacific Rim it really is hard to pick something "bad" off of this menu. I'm a huge fan of eating at all of the restaurants to be found at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, this little patio spot is no different. Check out my previous article Whimsical Fun Await At Trader Sam's Grog Grotto to read what I though of the Chicken Lettuce Cups and Kalua Pork Tacos


Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace Munchie Menu


I ordered the Thai Chicken and Vegetable Flatbread with Bacon and Peanut Sauce. It was something that had stuck in my mind from a prior visit, and Disney has been killing it with their creative flatbreads over the past few years. Sadly, this one fell kind of flat for me. The only part of the dish that really "popped" for me was the Peanut Sauce. That part had great flavor, but there was far too little of it.

That being said, if you are a lover of chicken pizza with tons of mozzarella cheese and a soft crust this may be the Trader Sam's appetizer for you. It wasn't bad at all, it was simply more basic than what I was hoping the flavors would be.


Thai Chicken Flatbread With Bacon and Peanut Sauce
Thai Chicken Flat Bread and Pineapple Cider


Overall I found Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace a great spot to stop for dinner without reservations. Next time I would like to go with a few friends or family members so that we can order more of the menu and share a variety of the menu's nibbles. From the water trickling across the lava rock at your feet, to the palm swept sky above, and everything in between, Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace is pure island magic.

The Tiki Terrace opens at 4:00 pm each day and remains open until 11:00PM.
They do not take the Disney Dining Plan. Have you stopped by the Tiki Terrace? Leave a comment below and share your experience!