Serving up creative concoctions at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort with Skipper Tamara
Tucked away in a curious corner of the Great Ceremonial House at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is one of the most distinctly themed watering holes you’ll find anywhere at Walt Disney World. Seemingly hidden by design, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto features an intimate interior festooned with ancient artifacts and exotic treasures (some of which unleash a special brand of magic, depending on what you order), along with an open-air Tiki Terrace. Like its kitschy California cousin (Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at Disneyland Hotel), Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is named with a nod to famed Adventureland explorer Trader Sam, who since being bitten by the bartending bug has searched the jungles for ingredients to mix into his magical libations.
Among those doing the mixing is Skipper Tamara, who spent a few moments before a recent shift to share her thoughts about what she calls one of the most unique bartending gigs she’s ever had.
“Much like a stage performance at one of the parks, we have props, an audience and a story to tell,” Skipper Tamara said before mentioned larger-than-life “co-stars” like Shelly the Clam, who she noted may present a string of pearls if she’s not feeling shellfish, and Ocho the Octopus, who likes to squid around in the mythical depths of uncharted seas.
And while Disney Vacation Club Members and other guests who frequent the establishment may be familiar with the grotto’s unique brand of magic, Tamara shared that she and her fellow Skippers often add their own spin to Trader Sam’s transient tiki tales, honing their own storytelling craft while keeping the experience fresh for repeat visitors.
“It’s a different type of magic when you see people come back and you not only recognize them but they recognize you too,” Tamara said. “I’ve been in the industry for more than 20 years, working at many resorts, and have never seen as many returning guests as here at Trader Sam’s.”
Tamara noted that, while each drink she serves comes with a story, the same can be said for the Members who call this place “home.” In the first months of training in her role, for example, she recalls meeting a multi-generational family that had made a decades-long tradition returning to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to mark major milestones, from weddings to the addition of new children and grandchildren.
“In that moment, I realized that this was a special, deeply loved place with a long history,” she recalled. “I’ve seen couples celebrate anniversaries with us each year, and guests book vacations every Fourth of July. They’re all part of our Skipper family.”
That Skipper family is poised for growth, as the new Island Tower addition at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows allows more Members than ever to call this resort “home.” Whether you toast your next visit home with a Polynesian Pearl or a HippopotoMai-Tai, an alcohol-free Schweitzer Falls or an equally zero-proof Skipper Sipper, keep an eye out for Skipper Tamara.
