Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Okay, good. I thought maybe I was completely off the mark again.
Originally Posted By 999HAUNTS You saw a four-piece band? Is there a schedule posted somewhere as to who is performing? The reason i ask is that we have been three weekends in a row and have only seen the sexy guy duo perform.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>You saw a four-piece band? Is there a schedule posted somewhere as to who is performing?<< The whole group is 4 guys, but they only appear as 1, 2, or 3 at a time. I'm not sure of the schedule (other than some portion will be there daily), so I guess that keeps it kind of a surprise.
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<Who told you that? I am a kid and I was in there well after 8 at night.>> Actually, the manager gave us a tour of both facilities and in the conversation mentioned that kids were not allowed after 8pm in Trader Sams. But I imagine it's one of those "rules" that is enforced when the place gets "standing room only" busy. <<The only rule that I found is that kids are not allowed to sit at the actual bar.>> That's a 21 and over law that is in effect for all bars.
Originally Posted By gurgitoy2 And, I imagine, that "kid" means 12 and under. I'm sure they're not going to toss teenagers out at 8pm, but they also won't serve them alcohol...hopefully, LOL.
Originally Posted By TP2000 I like the idea of swopping in to Trader Sam's around 9PM when everyone else is in line for drinks at elecTRONica or panicking over getting a spot for Fantasmic!, fireworks, or World of Color. I will report back on how succesful that is.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "Really? You left without paying?" I tried. But I was completely ignored after the (slow) first drink. Which by itself was no big deal, I wasn't dying for another drink at that point (my first drink at the bar wasn't my first drink at the resort....I was at a take-it-or-leave-it mood at that point). But when they made no effort to Take my money... I had left the billfold, with my card prominently sticking out the end) nearly tipping into the gutter on the bartender side of the bar...completely unnoticed. OK, they're busy. I pick it up and wave it around while bartenders and barbacks walk back and forth...still nothing. t that point, I slowly wandered out the door. Paused outside to her the last of the band. No one chased me out. I made a good faith effort to pay. And given the crappy service I got, I'm not sure a free drink wasn't justified. But they're a new bar with a lot of stuff to work out. I'm sure they'll get it all handled. The place is cool enough that I'll definitely give it another chance.
Originally Posted By ChurroMonster I spent a couple hours in Trader Sam's just a few days after it opened. While I enjoyed the experience there are definitely areas where things can be improved. The drinks (order the Lost Safari!) were tasty and surprisingly strong and a bit pricey but not too bad considering the atmosphere. The food that we tried was delicious and arrived within five minutes of ordering. We had the ahi poke and the kalua pork flatbread. The atmosphere was great if a little too theatrical looking--if that's the right term. I like my tiki bars to have a little grunge to them. But all in all the detail that went into this place is pretty amazing. The service was pretty bad. There were a couple of bartenders who were okay but one was downright terrible. Unfortunately, they seem to have one bartender work each side of the bar and if your bartender is slow the other one doesn't help out. It's a bad arrangement that needs to change. The effects, while amusing in the first fifteen minutes, get REALLY old after a while. There are a few specific drinks that, when ordered, a bartender pushes a button, and lights change and things happen. (I won't spoil it) But when they happen almost constantly the novelty wears off. Also there are bar stools that randomly start to lower and there's nothing you can do about it. The bar will soon be at chin level and your seat won't go back up. It's annoying and I saw a few people get pretty irritated. The bartenders seem to be required to yell at people holding the door open. I guess it's supposed to be funny but it just comes off as awkward and strange. All in all I applaud Disney for their effort and I am sure the place will work out its service issues before long. I'll definitely check it out again.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "Yokeroo, i cant say that you are wrong at all." Thanks. I wasn't even particularly upset about the poor service. I would've had another drink, but didn't really need one. And I really wanted to pay, but that also wasn't a great need to fulfill.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I wonder if the main lobby will have a bar as well. considering that the convention facilities are adjacent it would make sense to have a more formal watering hole there. In fact, isn't there a lobby lounge of some sort there now? I can't remember.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo There is another excellent bar (in terms of the drinks) next to Steakhouse55.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I've never been to Steakhouse 55. How is it? I've also never been to Goofy's Kitchen.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 S55 is a really good steakhouse of the old school variety. (It used to be called Granville's, in case you ever went there and didn't realize they were the same.) Nice pics on the walls of the early days of DL/DLH; we sat under a big photo of Walt and Will Rogers, for instance. It's not a "foodie" place like Napa Rose. The food isn't innovative - it's simple classic steakhouse stuff done really well.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I agree wit Dabob, very good quality in an understated but nice environment (linens, candles etc.). But very good meat and potatoes with a reasonable wine list. I recommend it. To me it is better than all the restaurants in the resort bar Napa Rose and Blue Lagoon. Goofy's Kitchen is fun too - all you can eat buffet with some unusual options like the peanute butter and jelly pizza, but also more of the norm. Not the best food or service, but it is fun. The characters are there too (which my kids enjoyed). That said, Sarah and I enjoyed breakfast there on our wedding anniversary before kids in 2002, though Dinner at the Napa Rose was better.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance "It's not a "foodie" place like Napa Rose. The food isn't innovative - it's simple classic steakhouse stuff done really well." Which is exactly my style. That's why I'll never eat at Napa Rose, I know I'd spend a fortune for something I don't care for. Hans, Goofy's is fun. The food isn't excellent, but it's good. If you were with a bunch of friends, the characters would be fun. It's my favorite restaurant to eat with the kids.
