Several months ago, while walking through the Disneyland Hotel area, I noticed that there was a new eatery between the two pools. Mr. Diva and I decided to go on a spontaneous Disneyland Date last night and figured we would give it a try.
The first thing to note is that there are two distinct parts of this restaurant, although they share the same kitchen. This small side is called Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar. Named after the famous Trader Sam the head hunter at the end of the Jungle Cruise (He'll trade two of his heads for one of yours.) Here he is doing his day job.
The theming is great! Right from the start. And as you approach the entrance, there are some couches and patio chairs for outdoor eating and a gentleman plays and sings Hawaiian songs.
This side of the eatery is a bar. Let there be no mistaking that. But, that being said, it is a DISNEY bar, so there were families with kids in there (although it was very small) and it was a lot of fun. They have silly things they say and do when people order certain drinks, and the drinks have funny names and descriptions like Hippopotomai-tai and Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum. Also, one of the stools slowly sinks down and they call it the incredible shrinking man.
Apart from the drinks, you can order appetizers, which are rather filling.
Mr. Diva tried the Hippopotomai-tai (which we asked for very little rum) they complied and joked that because there weren't the two shots of rum in it, they didn't think they killed the hippo. (a reference to the description in the menu that talks about the hippo pool on the jungle cruise)
I tried the Ka-blu-ie. In the description it referenced the crazy gorillas on the jungle cruise who get into the guns and explosives. The waiter said it was like a pina colada with blue curacao (sp?) but it wasn't. It was disgusting. But it matched my outfit so well! (should preface this with the fact that Mr. Diva and I don't drink, so any time we ever try an alcoholic beverage we never like it. Don't know why we keep trying, but they look so pretty!)
We split the Kalua Pork flatbread. Really, really, really good!! Not too sweet, and it had a fantastic smokey flavor. This was a WINNER!! $8.99
We also shared the Chicken Lettuce Wraps for $9.99. They were good. Nothing I would dream about but good.
Mr. Diva hadn't eaten all day, so he also ordered the BBQ Chicken Sandwich with sweet potato fries. I was taking pictures below when it came and he started eating before I could get a picture for you. He really liked it and I loved their sweet potato fries! Seriously delicious!
This picture window was interactive during the whole time we were there. If people ordered a Uh-Oa! the the tiki gods were angered and there was a huge rain storm like the one in the Tiki Room. When someone ordered the Krakatoa Punch, the mountain in the picture turned into a lava spewing volcano, etc. It added to the fun of the evening.
There are lots and lots of things on the walls to keep your interest. Many of them have Disney references. I posted a few below that I was able to get pictures of when there was room
Walt and the animation team when they went to South America with Saludos Amigos in 1942. It totally cracks me up that they photo-shopped Trader Sam into this picture. So funny!
This is my picture in b&w so you can see how they did it. Love it!
John Lasseter, of Pixar, as a skipper on the Jungle Cruise.
Another picture of Walt from the 1940's.
Dick Van Dyke and the chief from his dismal movie Lt. Robinson Crusoe. We still love him though, just not the movie.
This is the wall we looked at all night.
In the center was this whole thing about Mara. It was dark in there and we only got a brief moment without customers to snap a photo.
On the main side of the eatery, facing the pools is the Tangaroa Terrace. This is actually more our style. It is a casual dining place for families - no alcohol and you eat out on the terrace with heated lamps and tiki torches.
This is the menu for the Tangaroa Terrace. They offer more than the Tiki Bar although it is from the same kitchen.
Basically, you go inside and wait for a free computer to order your meal, then grab your drinks, etc. and pay before you check out.
This is how you order. Pictures of the food and prices are clearly posted. Next time we will eat on this side of the restaurant. The tiki bar was fun, but I'm all about the food, not the drinks, so this is where you will find me.
