Disney World's NEW Polynesian Restaurant Surprised Us! Wailulu Bar & Grill Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.พ. 2025
- We've been skeptical of Walt Disney World's NEW Polynesian Island Tower. This new area of Walt Disney World's Polynesian Village Resort was built to sell Disney Vacation Club. In our opinion, the tower aesthetic conflicts with the theme of the Polynesian, which is meant to resemble an Island with a multitude of huts. The area where this Tower resides used to be home to the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show. This show was beloved by guests and its absence diminished the dining offerings at the Polynesian.
To make up for this, the new Polynesian Island Tower is home to a brand new restaurant called Wailulu Bar & Grill. The decor pays homage to South Pacific Conservationism. Plush Fish made of recycled fishing nets adjourn the ceilings. Moss and organic artwork are displayed on the walls along with a mosaic of what looks to be stained glass resembling an ancient Polynesian Wayfinder. The menu focuses on classic South Pacific cuisine with American flare.
Due to our skepticism and intrigue we wanted to see how Wailulu Bar & Grill complements the current offerings at the Polynesian and in the Magic Kingdom resort area. We go over how to get here, how to dine here, the decor, atmosphere, cuisine and our full experience at this restaurant during opening day. See our thoughts, favorite eats and whether Wailulu Bar & Grill changes the hierarchy of dining at Walt Disney World.
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Thank you to be one of the firsts to cover this looks Interesting ❤❤❤❤
It was really good and the outside dining has such great views!
YAY!!! I was so hoping you would review this one :)
Happy we were able to get this out for you 🙂. Hope you enjoyed the vlog!
Thank you for taking me along on this adventure. Food and atmosphere looks fabulous!
Thank you for joining us! It's a great addition to the Poly :)
I have purposely not watched anything on the new Poly tower! So excited to watch this. You did a lovely job on touring the resort. The food looks really good. The vegan dishes look especially good. Once again love the video and thank you for taking us all along :)
We were pleasantly surprised how much we liked the new tower and the food was excellent. Hope you can try it on your next trip :)
The Polynesian is the very first resort I stayed at with my Mom and Dad probably 1979! Such great memories! Thank you for another wonderful video!! Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!!! 🎄🎁🎄💕🙏🙏🙏
We love the Poly so much. So nice that you have family memories there. Thank you so much for always being a bright spot in our day Cara, Merry Christmas!
I love the new text for the end credits and it looks like the list is growing!! That’s so exciting! I will continue to pray for you in 2025 that this channel grows exponentially- you make truly blessed videos!! 🙏😇🙏😇👼👼👼
We've been lucky to have had the growth we had this year 🙂. Your prayers and support mean the world to us. Thanks for everything you do ❤.
We were there at opening day checking out the resort but we didn’t even try to get in the restaurant, and now I’m sad about that. This looks amazing. Will definitely check it out in March when we come back.
Ah we just missed you, we were there opening day. Let us know what you think when you try it :)
@ awe I hate I missed you guys!
😂😂 I love that you train to eat. I mean, I guess you need to!
I do love smash burgers 🍔 and of course dole whip is always good! It does look cute! The chocolate cake looks so so good too!
Great video! ❤️
We eat so much during the Holidays that we end up feeling hungry all the time once they're over 😂. The Smash Burger and a Dole Whip may be the new move for us. Thank you 🙂.
@ I bet! 😂
Ive got to get over to the new Tower !
You do!!!
@@ThemeParkFoodies I know, I was considering it today, but after being blocked out of the parks for 2 weeks, hubby is itching for a park 😂heading to AK
I'm still on the fence about the new tower, but I am glad to see the quality of Poly carries through. Everything looked great! I was worried that the wonton crisps were going to be oily when you tried them but I guess it was just a bit of sheen! Thanks for sharing!
I've been very critical of the Tower. I wish they would've just made it it's own hotel. After seeing the lobby I'm going to reserve full judgement until we stay here. The Wonton chips were crispy and I tasted no grease. They did have a sheen to them though. I heard others had different experiences with them but mine were great. If you end up here we hope you enjoy 🙂. Thanks for you support!
Omg that sweet potato hummus! Yummmm
An excellent vegan option! I'm not a fan of the fake vegan meats. Something like Bread Fruit and Hummus, to me, is a perfect vegan appetizer.
Im probably one of the only people that exists that doesn't like dole whip, great video as always.
Taste is subjective! Thank you so much :)
Agree that Polynesian already had the best food options!! This new addition looks like it stayed on par with other great options. Happy Holidays you guys, sending some love into 2025 ❤😊
Poly reigns supreme! Although Animal Kingdom and Riviera aren't far off. We enjoyed this meal so much and walking around outside with those views isn't too shabby. Hope you guys have a very happy holiday and new year :)
Just missed the opening by a day (too busy the rest of the week at Epcot and DAK to head over there). Maybe in January.
Oh man! but EPCOT and DAK during the holidays is so fun. Poly will always be here when you're ready ;)
nice. how was the rest of the tower?
We didn't stay there, so we only really saw the lobby but it looked great. The studios are very small though, I am not a fan of the bed in the wall.
Hey guys, looks like a great place. We will have to try when we come down first week of Feb. Those burgers looked amazing as did everything else. Atmosphere was really nice, a bit modern as you said, but very nice. Thanks for sharing...
Hello 🙂, definitely worth a trip in our opinion. The burger was the star in my opinion. It feels like a modern take on the Poly. I don't love it but I also don't think it's bad. Im just a huge fan of the resort so I can be a bit critical. Hope you have the best time in February. Thanks again for your support 🙂.
Is this a quick serve ?
It’s casual table service, they don’t take reservations.
How are the food and decor there?😊😊
They did a great job with the new tower, beautiful design and the food is par with the rest of the Poly.
No AP discount but is there a DVC or Disney Visa perk?
At this time they aren't offering any discounts, but that can change.
This comment is in no way trying to put you down, I really enjoy your channel and more importantly I enjoy the two of you and how real you are/seem. However, as a food channel, you are experts and passionate about Disney dishes. You have to take some time and learn pronunciations. That will confirm and enhance your credibility.
I’m traveling to Disney in February, I will have to check out this place. Looks beautiful.
No worries, we appreciate the kind words and knowing that you enjoy our content. Unfortunately, with us both working full time jobs, managing the channel and our personal lives we just don't have the time to invest. Just to put into perspective how much work goes into these videos, each video takes 4 to 5 hours to edit. We produce 2 videos a week, sometimes 3 and each video, with travel, can take between 4 to 8 hours to film. On top of this we both work over 40 hours a week at our day jobs. A lot of the research we do is on the way to filming. Unfortunately, since we aren't full time vloggers at a certain point quality has to be sacrificed. I could tell you ten things I'd do to increase our Production quality if we had the time. TH-cam is a content machine. We do our best to capture our organic experiences and present it to the audience that finds us. If we ever have the privilege to do this full time learning proper pronounciation of items will be something we invest in. Now it's just not realistic. Especially since I sometimes don't see all the menu items until we get there. Thank you for providing your feedback though. We're always open to constructive criticism and hope that our mispronounced items don't prevent you from enjoying our content. Hope you have the best time during your trip in February.
Looks amazing!!! But how does the poly have better food than the grand Floridian 👀
We love O'hana, Tambu Lounge, Kona Cafe, and Captain Cook's QS, so for us the Poly has better options. We do enjoy the Grand Floridian cafe, but Gasparilla hasn't been that great in recent times, Victoria & Alberts is out of our price range, Citricos is one of the prettiest restaurants on property but it's not our fave cuisine wise. Also the Poly has the coffee bar which we love!
Even if people, including Disney, call it a "pool bar", that's not what it really is.🤷♂️
"Good amount of tuna" as I pull out my magnifying glass to find the tuna.
There was tuna for each chip which usually doesn't happen.
I had the pleasure of meeting you both that day at your table. You are as nice in person as you are in your vlogs!
It was so nice to meet you, thank you so much for chatting with us! Hope you have a very happy holiday :)
Always appreciate you emphasizing the vegan options on the menu! My mom and I want to go here 😍😍
Of course!! We can go in January ;)
They missed out on the amazing creme Brulee 😂
We'll be back ;)
❤❤so happy with the new tower & the new 🌴bar /lounge🌴! sams peppers would be a big hit in our family. im glad your dinner was worth the wait and loss of sleep. Coffee dessert her please!
We think the lounge is a great addition. It's funny because if we count Trader Sam's, Tambu Lounge and this, the Polynesian now has 3 Lounges. The more the merrier in our opinion 🙂. Definitely worth the sleep loss lol. Thank you!
Wow this place looks gorgeous and the food looks great too. The Polly is one of my favorite places we have stayed at. Would love to go back.
I think this is a nice modern take on the Polynesian but I'm reserving full judgement until we stay here. The restaurant was great. We're actually going to go back off camera tomorrow 😆. Let's all stay at the Poly 🙂.
@ yes let’s!!!! One of their bungalows, please!!!!!
Fun review - but i hate that new tower
Yet another example of the current Disney design rage for post modernist, minimilist boredom - this tower is a massive tribute to beige and pale blue - less a magical tropical paradise and more a mariottsheratonhyatt in any city from Pasadena to Passaic
Still the food looks good and i like the cute Moana splash pad
Its still looking really good to visit next month - do you know your ballpark dates to be gone in January?
Wishing you even happier holidays!
I understand! Jay has been criticizing it since it was announced lol Someone told us though that in Walt's original concept art for the Poly a massive structure was party of the original design, if that eases any of your pain :( There is a ton of texture in the design in the lobby but we didn't stay there- just popped in for food. We'll be gone the 18th & 19th. Hope you have a very happy, healthy, safe holiday and new year and thanks for your support, we always looks forward to hearing from you!
Wonderful!
My current plan is to be in Orlando January 4 thru 11. - found a super deal on a condo at Oakwater resort
Will let you know when I confirm!
@ThemeParkFoodies hi!
My current plan is to be in Orlando January 4 thru 13
Found a great deal at a condo in Oakwater resort
Will let you know when I confirm
disney has been making WAY too much plant based food. The percentage of people that eat plant based only is so small compared to the percentage of food they have been offering
I don't follow a Vegan diet but have a lot friends who are Vegan and their offerings are always so limited. Satu'li Canteen breakfast had not one Vegan option. As a non- vegan I find my options endless at Disney.
You’ll live. Jesus fkn christ
Plant based covers a ton of bases as far as allergy and diet restrictions. And people without any restrictions can eat it too. No real downside to it to me, and I don’t have any restrictions on my diet.
I love to eat meat!!! I also love vegetarian fare & even vegan stuff, if it's creative...keep up the good work, Disney!
I hope they work on their drinks. Watched a few reviews and nobody likes them