Disney Gives Reopening Window for Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace at the Polynesian Resort

30 days ago in "Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace"

Posted: Tuesday July 14, 2026 4:51pm ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Disney has now given a timeframe for the Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace closure at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort — the outdoor bar will be closed through late October 2026.

The official website lists the following notice:

"Through late October, Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort will be temporarily closed due to refurbishment work at the Grand Ceremonial House."

That's the first official word on a timeline since the closure began. Previously, no reopening date had been provided, with no operating hours listed on Disney's calendar.

The notice also confirms what's driving the closure — refurbishment work at the Grand Ceremonial House, the main building at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace sits just outside the building.

Trader Sam's Grog Grotto, the indoor bar connected to the Tiki Terrace, continues to operate as normal.

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort has been undergoing a range of refurbishments through 2026, including work on the front entrance roadway and bus area. The Grand Ceremonial House refurbishment appears to be adding to that list.

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networkpro24 days ago

Yes its been a while and things change. Both Trader Sams and Trader Sams Tiki Terrace began opening at 11am mid December of 2025 so its no longer "overflow seating" for Captain Cooks.

easyrowrdw24 days ago

It’s an okay viewing spot for the water pageant in some places but not others. Still can’t beat the beach or pool. It’s not as good of a dining spot for families compared to the regular Captain Cooks area IMO, due to the latter being close to the grassy play area. Also, tables in both areas have umbrellas. We’ve sat in both areas and it never seems to be an issue whether it’s Cooks or Sams.

WorldExplorer24 days ago

They still have wait staff taking orders, there are tables designated for that area. It's probably not a good viewing spot for anything with the plants around it, but I've never actually sat down there for anything.

Calmdownnow24 days ago

It's been a while since I was last there, but the Terrace used to be a good spot to see the Electric Water Pageant (give the kids something to focus on while the adults finished their beverage) It was a wait service area, rather than just a walk-up bar, with staff taking cocktail and small plate orders, and it had live music in the evening (Uke-player singing Island songs). Not sure if this has been the case in more recent years.

Calmdownnow24 days ago

Just one problem. If you take food and drink onto the terrace from the fast food and dole whip stall, you're taking up tables that tip-paying guests ordering cocktails and small plates would be using. The minute they upgrade and provide a shaded terrace, without providing something similar for Capt Cook customers, they have to bring in access restrictions preventing fast-fooders from taking the tables. And we back to the whole argument about who can access what.

Bocabear28 days ago

I wish they would take advantage of this closure to really improve the experience... Some permanent cover for weather...Lots of Trader Sam's style lighting a decor... A full thatched roof over the patio would be beautiful and allow the Terrace to feel like a real extension of the woefully too small Trader Sam's... plus the fact that people could take their Captain Cooks food and Dole Whip out there... It would be well used...and the full cover would allow people to have shade and cover...

DCBaker30 days ago

Due to refurbishment work at the Grand Ceremonial House, Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace will remain temporarily closed through late October, according to an update from Disney.

easyrowrdwApr 15, 2026

Is this closing the outside seating area or just the bar service? Tables are used for food from Captain Cooks too

DCLcruiserApr 14, 2026

Yea, if you just want to sit, relax and have a rum drink on property it's great. The Grotto is a pain to get inside.

tancApr 14, 2026

Hopefully it won’t become a Marriott outdoor bar

WorldExplorerApr 13, 2026

Tiki Terrace is an outdoor area with its own little bar. It serves the same drinks, I think, but had none of the theming that causes Grog Grotto to fill up and get a wait. If you ever walked out of the quick service towards the pool, it was immediately to your left.

Mr. EngagementApr 13, 2026

Wait– Trader Sam's Tiki Terrace and Trader Sam's Grog Grotto are two different things?

DCLcruiserApr 13, 2026

I hope it's open in September when we go.

networkproApr 13, 2026

Darn, I guess we'll have to stick to Tambu then :)

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