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Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto announced for Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, part of Walt Disney World hotel upgrades

in Disney Vacation Club, Food, The Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney World

Posted on by Ricky Brigante 46 Comments
Guests savor tropical cocktails and bites while mingling beneath tiki masks and colorful bottles inside Trader Sam's Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Announced today, Walt Disney World is returning their famous Polynesian hotel to its original name, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, as part of an ongoing makeover.

But even more exciting to tiki fans is the announcement of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, a version of the popular bar at the Disneyland Resort, that will open at Walt Disney World in 2015.

Video: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, Polynesian hotel makeover announced at Walt Disney World

The resort’s pool and centerpiece Great Ceremonial House are being remade. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto will feature tiki cocktails and Polynesia-themed small plates.

Disney has also announced another eatery called the Pineapple Lenai kiosk to serve the popular Dole Whip, set to open in late 2014.

The hotel’s Nanea Volcano pool will be receiving some enhancements, a water playground with slides, a new hot tub, and a bigger deck.

Disney released concept art for Trader Sam’s as well as the new look for its lobby area:

Trader Sam's Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort offers an immersive tiki bar experience, with vibrant masks adorning the walls and guests savoring signature tropical drinks mixed by an energetic bartender, all while a whimsical octopus peeks out from behind the bar.

Inside Trader Sam's Grog Grotto at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, a guest in a pink shirt beams as she pulls a blue bottle from the signature giant clam centerpiece, with vibrant bottles artfully lining the tropical-themed bar behind her.

NEW (5/15/14):
Guests enjoy a lively meal around a crackling fire, encircled by iconic blue tiki masks, as a luminous spirit floats above them wielding a torch—capturing the magical ambiance of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

This new artwork appears to show Uh Oa, the Tiki Goddess of Disaster from the “Under New Management” version of the Enchanted Tiki Room.

A split image features a tiki goddess, with her iconic illustrated form on the left and her impressive animatronic counterpart on the right—both capturing the whimsical, immersive spirit of Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and Trader Sam's Grog Grotto at Walt Disney World.

(Uh Oa photo from The Magic in Pixels.)

Uh Oa is also the name of a drink currently served at the original Trader Sam’s at Disneyland, likely to anger this goddess whenever ordered at Walt Disney World.

Vibrant lobby at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in Walt Disney World, filled with tropical theming, lush greenery, and guests enjoying the lively atmosphere as they check in and explore one of Disney’s most iconic resort experiences.

Guests relax in the tropical-themed lobby of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, surrounded by lush greenery, vibrant island-inspired art, cozy seating areas, and expansive windows filling the space with sunlight—capturing the serene atmosphere of a classic Walt Disney World resort experience.

Walt Disney World president George Kalogridis made the announcement during an “Around Our World” presentation to the press.

A Disney resort spokesperson stands at a podium next to a screen featuring the “Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort” logo, enthusiastically unveiling what makes this legendary Walt Disney World destination so special—spotlighting fan-favorite experiences like Trader Sam's Grog Grotto and the resort’s lively tropical atmosphere.

A Disney Parks executive takes the stage at a podium adorned with the Disney Parks logo, while vibrant concept art showcasing Trader Sam's Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in Walt Disney World illuminates the screen behind him.

A Disney Parks presenter stands at the podium, while a vibrant image of Trader Sam's Grog Grotto from Disney's Polynesian Village Resort lights up the screen behind him at Walt Disney World.

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