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Trader Sam's - Orlando |
Hurricane Hayward
Grand Member (6 years) 
Joined: Jun 07, 2008
Posts: 588
From: 16 miles from The Mai-Kai
|  Posted: 2014-02-19 11:53 am Permalink
Tambu actually has some good bartenders, they just have to follow "marching orders" from the food & beverage folks and rarely are allowed to improvise. They also have to service both restaurants as well as the bar, so it can get busy. That being said, I've been impressed with some of the recent offerings on the "standard" bar menu that's available across property. Disney seems to be putting a bit of thought into it. Give the Pineapple Caipirinha or Smoked Turkey a shot.
Good to hear that they're still making some semblance of a Zombie, and are actually using bitters. It was on the last full-blown Tambu menu, along with the Scorpion and a few others. I seem to recall it being decent but nothing special. But now most bars are limited to just a couple unique drinks (at Tambu it's the Lapu Lapu and Backscratcher) on the menu. The bartenders who've been there awhile can also still make a pretty decent Scorpion. All the drinks are definitely "Disney-fied" (aka dumbed-down for the masses), but typically have some relation to the original. The Backscratcher is their version of the Tropical Itch (Hawaiian Village version), which also featured bourbon and the backscratcher (see Beachbum Berry's Remixed, page 163).
Of course, Trader Sam's would be a welcome addition. I'm trying to get independent confirmation that it's coming, but no luck yet.
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kkocka
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 23, 2013
Posts: 200 | Posted: 2014-02-19 12:25 pm Permalink
Quote:
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On 2014-02-19 11:53, Hurricane Hayward wrote:
Give the Pineapple Caipirinha or Smoked Turkey a shot.
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Haha, my bartender buddy at the WDW resorts went off on how awful the Smoked Turkey is from the moment it was being created and added to the universal resorts menu, complete with Monin smoke syrup. I guess everybody certainly has their own tastes and preferences, but it was a shared opinion with a lot of the higher grade 'tenders.
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Hurricane Hayward
Grand Member (6 years)
Joined: Jun 07, 2008
Posts: 588
From: 16 miles from The Mai-Kai
| Posted: 2014-02-20 09:33 am Permalink
Re the Smoked Turkey: I had that drink at the Crew's Cup at the Yacht Club, sitting next to a wall of raw meat, so it seemed to be appropriate at the time. But I still rather liked the combination of Wild Turkey 101 and Red Stag Black Cherry bourbons. If it lasts, I'll have to try it again to make sure my taste buds weren't deceiving me.
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SandraDee
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Mar 11, 2011
Posts: 929 | Posted: 2014-02-20 09:42 am Permalink
HH thanks for the updates on what's happening with the Polysnesian hotel and Trader Sam's.
I am from Florida and actually really miss the theme parks there more than anything else. Sorry but Disneyland's castle can fit into Disney World's castle thus proving DW is better hands down 
I will keep checking on this thread for any TS updates you may find out--thanks alot!
[ This Message was edited by: SandraDee 2014-02-20 09:42 ]
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Thortiki
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 29, 2006
Posts: 256
From: Maryland (Land of Pleasant Tiki Living)
| Posted: 2014-02-20 2:20 pm Permalink
With Disney its all about the bottom line $$$ profits. TS @ WDW will certainly happen in conjunction with the Poly refurb. Lets hope they establish & maintain Tiki drink standards after it opens
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AceExplorer
Grand Member (3 years) 
Joined: Apr 03, 2008
Posts: 920
From: Deep in the Jacksonville Florida jungle.
| Posted: 2014-02-20 2:29 pm Permalink
When I visited Trader Sam's in Anaheim I found that their drinks had been customized by their consultants to be unique for Disney. The same would likely be true if Sam's is built in Orlando. Over the course of a long evening I spoke to a couple of their very friendly bartenders and my impression was that the emphasis was on entertainment and enjoyment versus recipe authenticity. They do sell some very fun mugs, though, and I added a couple to my collection.
I'm going to have to look up their drink menu online later - I think someone posted some scans a while back.
[ This Message was edited by: AceExplorer 2014-02-20 14:32 ]
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Piratiki
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Mar 24, 2010
Posts: 12 | Posted: 2014-02-20 10:31 pm Permalink
If you want a true "Disney Tiki" experience at Tambu, ask for Walter, and order something off the Menu. The 'Seven Seas' is an Old Time disney drink from the first days of the Poly. It's an original, and has a decent balance. He will also make a version of the Zombie, Navy Grog, Scorpion, Classic Mai Tai, or Fogcutter. And of course the Backscratcher is pretty true.
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kkocka
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 23, 2013
Posts: 200 | Posted: 2014-02-20 11:19 pm Permalink
The drinks that exist in California will be available in Florida, made correctly or at least as per its current recipes. Some of the current drinks might not be 100% the same as the originals, but I don't believe they're far off in any ridiculous sense. Their mai tai is a mai tai. Some of the current crew are very insistent that any new drinks are not to be the sugary messes of old Disneyland and pay correct homage to the tiki and mixology culture.
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Hurricane Hayward
Grand Member (6 years)
Joined: Jun 07, 2008
Posts: 588
From: 16 miles from The Mai-Kai
| Posted: 2014-02-22 12:53 am Permalink
Piratiki, I totally agree about Walter. I've unfortunately missed him on most of my recent visits, but I look for him every time I'm there. In November 2012, he celebrated 25 years with Disney, so I'm sure he gets the choice hours nowadays.
Here's a classic menu from 1975. Dig those horrible '70s fonts.
My guess is Trader Sam's will be a slight improvement.
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Piratiki
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Mar 24, 2010
Posts: 12 | Posted: 2014-03-09 10:19 pm Permalink
Hurricane:
Walter is off Mon, Tues, Wed. The FT bartenders work 4 10-12 hour days. Of course he occasionally goes on Vacation...
Sadly, the other full timer that knew the drinks and the History, Clinta, has moved to the bar at the newly renovated California Grill.
It's ironic that you posted that Menu--it's mine! I'm the one that sent the scans to Steve.
If you are ever up here and want to tip a few at Tambu or whatever, let me know. Or I will look you up at Hukilau.
Scott
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SBJiminyC
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Aug 30, 2012
Posts: 39 | Posted: 2014-05-02 08:13 am Permalink
Disney posted some information on their web site today about the Poly remodel and the new Trader Sam's. Apparently they are reverting the name of the resort back to Disney Polynesian Village Resort. Also the Sam's in Orlando will be called Trader Sam's Grog Grotto.
http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/05/plans-for-a-re-imagined-disneys-polynesian-resort-include-a-nostalgic-name-change/
A couple concept paintings were also posted.
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PabTiki
Tiki Centralite
Joined: May 01, 2014
Posts: 54
From: In Los Angeles, from New Orleans
| Posted: 2014-05-02 08:25 am Permalink
Great update; can't wait to find out more!
My Dad and I went to a luau at Disney World (presumably the Polynesian Resort?) when I was a kid, which I barely remember; I think it was my first exposure to Polynesian ... well, anything.
My gf and I were talking about going to Trader Sam's in Anaheim just last night. I just found out about it.
Exciting news!
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kkocka
Tiki Socialite
Joined: Jul 23, 2013
Posts: 200 | Posted: 2014-05-02 08:25 am Permalink
I've read the words "It will be a family-oriented location." from another article. Hope that doesn't mean children running around at night, yeesh. =\
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SBJiminyC
Tiki Centralite
Joined: Aug 30, 2012
Posts: 39 | Posted: 2014-05-02 09:20 am Permalink
Quote:
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On 2014-05-02 08:25, kkocka wrote:
I've read the words "It will be a family-oriented location." from another article. Hope that doesn't mean children running around at night, yeesh. =
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I don't go terribly often to the Anaheim Trader Sam's, but during the day children inside the bar portion isn't uncommon. Personally I was happy to see a family sitting having a meal inside Sam's. The look in the kids eyes at all the details and during the interactive drink event moments, such as the Shipwreck on the Rocks, was priceless. I was happey knowing those kids could grow up having a very positive attitude towards Tiki bars in general, and possibly becoming the next generation of people keeping the Tiki spirit alive.
Those who go at night to Sam's might comment on the atmosphere at those hours 
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PabTiki
Tiki Centralite
Joined: May 01, 2014
Posts: 54
From: In Los Angeles, from New Orleans
| Posted: 2014-05-02 09:24 am Permalink
Well I can only speak for myself in saying that I'm excited to be the one watching in wide-eyed wonder, haha!
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