Dining and Drinking around the Loop: Monorail Crawl Tips and Tricks Part 2
Welcome back! Are you ready for the next stop on our Monorail Crawl?
Today we will be exploring Disney’s Polynesian Resort and the dining options offered. Influenced by the spirit of the South Pacific, this resort has lush greenery, white sandy beaches, and vivid decor throughout. When you get off the monorail, you will enter the resort on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House.
If you haven’t already read the first part of the blog series, feel free to go and read it if you are unfamiliar with what a Monorail Crawl is or want to know about Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the dining options offered there. It is not required to read these blogs in order. However, there is an explanation of what a Monorail Crawl is and how to participate in the first blog about Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
You can find this blog here.
I have compiled a list of some of the restaurants, cafes, and lounges available at the resorts with descriptions of the food and drinks offered, price ranges, operating hours, and personally recommended times to visit. Dining locations at each resort will be divided into three categories: snacks, meals, and lounges.
Now let’s stand clear of those doors and get to eating!
Snacks
Currently, open between 10 am – 10 pm
Suggested Visiting Time: Any time!
Price Range $
Pineapple Lanai is located outdoors in the back of the Polynesian Resort. This is your one-stop shop for all things Dole Whip! If you are unfamiliar with the iconic Disney treat, Dole Whip is a soft-serve treat with classic flavors such as Pineapple, Vanilla, or swirled. Certain flavors are vegan as well, so this is a great option for those with dietary preferences or restrictions.
Pineapple Lanai is the only place you can get Dole Whip at a resort. Enjoy the classic Pineapple Dole Whip, try the new Lime flavor, or go all out with a Pineapple Float in a Souvenir Tiki Sipper. There are also Dole Whip Floats which you can add alcohol to for those who are of age to enjoy.
This is a great stop for those looking to cool off with a cold treat or, like me, think Dole Whip is excellent at any time of the day, including breakfast. It has fruit in it, so it counts as breakfast, right?
Currently, open between 6:30 am – 8 pm
Suggested Visiting Time: Breakfast
Price Range $
Located on the second floor of the Polynesian Resort right next to Kona Cafe, Kona Island is the perfect stop for a coffee and any other grab-and-go snacks.
Kona Island offers pastries and teas in the morning, and desserts and to-go sushi later in the day. Coffee and other beverages are served all day.
This is an excellent stop if you are looking for a quick coffee and treat early in the morning before heading to another resort or a sweet way to end the evening. If you are open to sharing your desserts, Kona Island is ideal for grabbing a few desserts and splitting them among friends.
Meals
Currently, open between 7 am – 11 pm
Suggested Visiting Time: Any time!
Price Range $
Located on the ground floor of the resort, Capt. Cook’s is a great place to stop and grab a snack or meal any time of the day. With both indoor and outdoor seating, you can choose to enjoy your meal in the wonderful air-conditioned sitting area or under the shade of an umbrella at one of the many patio tables.
Breakfast offerings will include the infamous Tonga Toast, as well as classics like Mickey Waffles and the Bounty Platter. There are also bakery and snack options for those who are not big breakfast fans, like bagels, muffins, fruit, vegetables, chips, cookies, and other delicious treats. Of course, there are specialty coffees offered as well.
For lunch and dinner, you can choose from Polynesian dishes such as the Thai Coconut Meatballs and Pan-Asian Noodles and Vegetables, and American dishes like Cheeseburgers, Walt’s Favorite 1958 Chili, Chicken Nuggets and Wings, Pulled Pork Nachos and Sandwiches, and Salads. There are also alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages offered all day.
Kids’ meals are also provided throughout the day. Kids can enjoy Mickey Waffles, Egg White Scramble, or Steel-cut Oatmeal for breakfast and Cheeseburgers, Chicken and Pineapple Skewers, Chicken Nuggets, PB&J Uncrustables, Macaroni & Cheese, and Turkey Sandwiches for lunch or dinner.
Capt. Cook’s is the perfect stop for those looking for smaller bites, quick meals, or to try and share different meals or snacks. If you had a bigger meal at one of the previous stops or are ending your night here, Capt. Cook’s works great!
Currently, open between 7:30 am to 11:00 am for breakfast, 11:30 am to 2:00 pm for lunch, and 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm for dinner.
Suggested Visiting Time: Any time!
Price Range $$
After recent renovations, Kona Cafe is open and located on the second floor of the Polynesian Resort. This relaxed restaurant features bright colors and beautiful details to make you feel like you are on an island. Kona Cafe features a sushi bar as well, where you can see the Sushi Chefs making your food.
Breakfast will include an array of options such as Tonga Toast, Polynesian Egg Platter, Plant-based Loco Moco, Spice-Rubbed Salmon Plate, Ham and Cheese Omelet, French Toast, and Macadamia Nut Pancakes.
Kids can make their own breakfast entrees by selecting one main and two sides. Mains include: Scrambled Eggs, Oatmeal with Dried Cranberries, Mickey-Shaped Pancakes, and Minnie’s French Toast; and sides include: Fruit Salad, Yogurt with Strawberries, Breakfast Potatoes, Bacon, and Sausage.
For lunch, guests can start with appetizers like the Crispy Pork-Vegetable Pot Sticker and Glazed Chicken Wings. For main dishes, Kona Cafe offers Sushi Rolls, Poke Bowls, Dashi Bowls, Stir-Fry, Salads, Burgers, and Bahn Mi.
Kids’ appetizers for lunch will include Garden Salad, Chicken Noodle Soup, and Fruit Salad. Kids can create their own entrees again by selecting one of the main dishes, Grilled Chicken Tacos, Cheeseburger, Macaroni & Cheese, and Kids’ Sushi, as well as two sides, Green Beans, Yogurt with Strawberries, Fruit Salad, and French Fries.
There are also a ton of dessert options, such as Pineapple-Coconut Bread Pudding, and Dessert Glasses like Coconut Tapioca, Key Lime, S’more, Tiramisu, and No-Sugar-Added Mango Cheesecake.
For dinner, guests have similar options to what is offered at lunch, but there is some variety. The options for appetizers have extended to Seafood Coconut-Curry Soup, Glazed Chicken Wings, Crispy Pork-Vegetable Pot Sticker, and Seafood Pu Pu Platter. For the main dishes, the options do change as well. Still offering Sushi Rolls and Poke Bowls, the entrees have changed to Asian-marinated Airline Chicken, Sautéed Red Quinoa, New York Strip Steak, Kona-braised Short Rib, Verlasso Salmon, Burgers, and Bahn Mi.
The Kids’ options and desserts for the dinner time slot will be the same as what is offered at lunch. Special alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available at every meal.
Kona Cafe is a great option if you are looking for a place to set down and enjoy a meal with your group. With a wide selection of South Pacific dishes, there are a ton of options if you are looking to try something new.
Currently, open between 7:30 am – 12 pm for breakfast and 3:30 – 10 pm for dinner
Suggested Visiting Time: Any time!
Price Range $$$
*Reservations are highly recommended
‘Ohana is located on the second floor of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Breakfast will feature the Best Friends Breakfast with Lilo & Stitch. If you are lucky enough to secure a reservation close to fireworks showtimes at the Magic Kingdom, you may be able to see them from your table. Both meals are served family style and are all-you-care-to-enjoy.
Breakfast offerings will include Fresh Fruit, Freshly made Pineapple-Coconut Breakfast Bread, and the ‘Ohana Breakfast Skillet, which has Scrambled Eggs, Pork Breakfast Sausage Links, Hawaiian-style Ham topped with Pineapple Compote, Fried Island-style Potatoes, Mickey-shaped Waffles, and Biscuits, Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts. The ‘Ohana Plant-based Breakfast Skillet will have Scrambled “Eggs,” “Sausage,” Fried Island-style Potatoes, and Character-shaped Waffle.
Dinner offerings include Mixed Green Salad, Signature ‘Ohana Bread with Honey Butter, Honey-Coriander Chicken Wings, and Pork Dumplings Tossed In Garlic-Chili Sauce. The ‘Ohana Dinner Skillet will have Wood-fire Grilled Teriyaki Beef, Spicy Peel-n-Eat Shrimp, Grilled Chicken with Polynesian-inspired Chimichurri Sauce, ‘Ohana Noodles, and Roasted Broccolini. You will also receive ‘Ohana Bread Pudding, Rolls, Mixed Greens Salad, and Hummus with Chips. The ‘Ohana Plant-based Dinner Skillet will have ‘Ohana Noodles, Roasted Broccolini, Pineapple-Barbecued Jack Fruit, Polynesian-inspired Chimichurri “Chicken,” and “Sausage,” and a Doughnut with Soy-based Frozen Dessert.
Specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are an additional cost.
This is a fantastic choice if you are looking to celebrate or make the meal special. The Best Friends Breakfast is a special experience for both children and adults to meet some of their favorite characters, and dinner can also be a wonderful time to go and try to enjoy the fireworks while you eat. This is definitely a bucket list item of mine to go to ‘Ohana for either breakfast or dinner.
Lounges
Currently, open between 8:30 am – 11 pm
Suggested Visiting Time: Any time!
Price Range $
Located on the second floor of the Polynesian Resort next to ‘Ohana, Tambu Lounge will offer a wide variety of cocktails and appetizers.
Appetizers will be served in the lounge between 4 pm – 10 pm and offer California Rolls, Pot Stickers, Big Kahuna’s Hot Wings, and Kaikane’s Barbecued Pork Ribs.
There are a wide variety of alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, including mocktails, juices, cocktails, beers, wines, and ciders, offered at Tambu Lounge.
I think this is a perfect way to end your night on the monorail crawl by stopping by and grabbing a few appetizers to share and a fancy beverage. Use this time to talk about your trip and what everyone’s favorite thing has been so far.
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Terrace
Currently, open between 3 pm – 12 am for Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and 3 pm – 11 pm for Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace
Suggested Visiting Time: Evening
Price Range $
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is located inside on the main floor of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort right off the lobby, and Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace is located on the main floor outdoors. These are 2 different dining locations. However, as they offer the same appetizers and beverages, I have decided to include them as one location.
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is open to all ages until 8 pm. After 8 pm, only guests 21 years and over will be allowed in.
Appetizers are offered between 3 pm to 10 pm and include Kahuna Tuna Sushi Roll, Chicken or Tofu Lettuce Cups, Kalua Pork Tacos, Veggie Rainbow Roll, Thai Chicken Flatbread, and Pan-fried Dumplings.
The biggest differences between the Grog Grotto and the Tiki Terrace are the indoor location vs. the outdoor location. If you can get a seat indoors at Grog Grotto, ordering certain drinks like the Shipwreck on the Rocks and Uh-Oa will trigger something to happen with either your server or the restaurant itself.
If you order the same drinks but at Tiki Terrace outdoors, unfortunately, there will be no reactions. There are occasional live music performers that will play while you sit outdoors. Beverage offerings include alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty beverages, beer, cider, and wines.
With all the interactions at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto making it a unique experience, this has caused it to become a popular place, making it more difficult to get into. If you cannot grab a reservation, have guests who are not over 21, or don’t really care for the theatrics, Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace may be the place for you. Enjoy the evening air and a drink of your choice as you wrap up the night.
Whether you manage to get into Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto or Tiki Terrace, both are great choices to share some appetizers and drinks with your group. Ooh and ah about all the interactive elements and create new memories to bring back home or sit and stare at the evening stars while enjoying some live music.
All the options provided will also have allergy-friendly menus available. It is best to speak with your server when you arrive to receive the most up-to-date information.
So that was our second resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Where does this resort fit on your monorail crawl? Are you starting here to get Dole Whip for breakfast at Pineapple Lanai, or ending your night with some ‘Ohana Noodles at ‘Ohana, or is the Bahn Mi at Kona Cafe calling your name? Now it’s time to get ready for our third and final stop!
~Taycee
