Each now and again, a game-changing new Walt Disney Global eating place comes alongside. A eating choice that provides an formidable menu, a laugh setting, cool characters, scrumptious meals, cheap costs, or some mixture thereof. “Each now and again” in truth understates the frequency with which this occurs.
Whilst it would possibly not appear find it irresistible in mild of menu adjustments and diminished portion sizes, our place is that Walt Disney Global has been in a bona fide eating place renaissance for the final 5+ years. Our Listing of the 25 Easiest Eating places at Walt Disney Global, comprises a number of spots that experience debuted since 2018. And truthfully, it might come with much more. Glance no additional than the additions at Gran Destino Tower, Riviera Hotel, Disney Springs, and past.
One such contemporary eating place is Steakhouse 71 in Disney’s Fresh Hotel, which is as an alternative represented on that record by way of California Grill. Steakhouse 71 is a go-to spot of mine on Magic Kingdom days, while California Grill is coasting on its legacy. Now, Walt Disney Global has a brand new eating place that mixes the most efficient facets of each Steakhouse 71 and California Grill.
This game-changing Walt Disney Global eating place is Wailulu Bar & Grill within the new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Hotel.
This family-friendly bar and grill options an all-day menu for lunch and dinner, with area of expertise espresso in addition to take hold of and pass pieces (most commonly pastries) to be had at breakfast. It’s positioned simply off of the brand new Cove Pool, and provides outstanding atmosphere because of the entire water options (actual and synthetic) surrounding it.
Wailulu Bar & Grill will get its title from the Hawaiian phrases wai (that means “water”) and lulu (that means “calm”). Fittingly, this captivating spot boasts breathtaking perspectives of the Seven Seas Lagoon. Around the water, you’ll be able to spot Cinderella Fort and different park icons poking above the treeline at Magic Kingdom.
Sooner than we dig into the total evaluate, let’s get started with a big upcoming alternate at Wailulu Bar & Grill in early December 2025.
From now thru December 3, 2025, Wailulu Bar & Grill does now not be offering Advance Eating Reservations. It as an alternative makes use of the Stroll-Up Waitlist characteristic within the My Disney Revel in app. It additionally gives Cell Order To-Pass, which isn’t replacing.
Advance Eating Reservations (ADRs) for Wailulu Bar & Grill open on December 3, 2025, with the earliest to be had reservation date on December 4, 2025. Stroll-Up Waitlist will nonetheless be to be had, as it’s for each eating place, however reservations shall be extremely beneficial. Wailulu Bar & Grill is bound to be amongst the most well liked ADRs at Walt Disney Global, and Stroll-Up Waitlist may well be disabled when call for is prime (as is the case for different standard eating places).
That is going to be polarizing with planners, however I choose places like this now not providing ADRs as any person who’s extra spontaneous. With ADRs, Wailulu Bar & Grill is more likely to change into as aggressive because the House 220 Front room or GEO-82 Spaceship Earth Bar. Right through high night hours and particularly fireworks time, it’ll most probably be unimaginable to consume at Wailulu with out ADRs.
There’s one thing to be stated for giving visitors staying on the Island Tower, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Hotel as an entire, a bonus in the use of their on-site facilities. That is doubly true given the shortage of eating choices on the Poly.
Clearly, somebody is loose to sign up for Stroll-Up Waitlist, however there’s a powerful disincentive to stroll over from Magic Kingdom or use Walt Disney Global transportation for what’s these days a raffle and little bit of an unknown. Providing ADRs will even imply visitors with showed reservations for Wailulu Bar & Grill can now park on the Poly, which is very large.
The certain is that ADRs makes Wailulu Bar & Grill a lot more obtainable to all Walt Disney Global visitors. That’s a excellent factor for somebody now not staying on the Poly, which is the majority of visitors. This could also be a internet certain if Wailulu Bar & Grill is robotically having tables pass unfilled, which is possibly the case if Walt Disney Global is making this alteration. This wouldn’t wonder us, particularly at off-peak instances.
Expanding usage of the eating place is an undeniably excellent factor. Our hope is that Walt Disney Global balances this higher accessibility and better usage with the pursuits of Island Tower visitors, and nonetheless units apart plentiful Stroll-Up Waitlist availability, particularly within the night hours. If that occurs, the transfer to ADRs shall be a win-win!
For the ones eating because the solar is going down, Wailulu Bar & Grill options incredible firework perspectives from Magic Kingdom. It’s an excellent spot to catch Luckily Ever After, which I’ve achieved two times now.
I will not wait to peer the fringe pyro all the way through Mickey’s No longer So Frightening Halloween Celebration or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Celebration, and even the particular Independence Day or New 12 months’s Eve displays. Oh, and don’t put out of your mind the Electric Water Festival, which could also be visual from Wailulu Bar & Grill!
When you’d like to peer the fireworks from Wailulu Bar & Grill, we’d counsel making an ADR for about one-hour ahead of showtime, arriving early and creating a request for a fireworks view desk. It will take you longer to be seated, in order that hour will have to provide you with slightly of buffer. Or now not, through which case you will have to have the ability to benefit from the fireworks all the way through dessert!
Listed here are the ones fireworks perspectives from our tables all the way through two foods at Wailulu:
Those perspectives on my own may well be all that’s important to promote you on Wailulu Bar & Grill. Even with out the rooftop location of California Grill, this is likely one of the ultimate fireworks view eating places in all of Walt Disney Global.
It has simply sufficient elevation over the seaside without delay in entrance of the eating place, supplying you with the very best point of view on Luckily Ever After. The most efficient tables for fireworks viewing are, indisputably, the beachfront cubicles. However I sat at a ‘2nd row’ desk, and that point of view used to be likewise incredible. Just about each desk outdoor has a excellent view.
The eating place’s inside is embellished with Polynesian-inspired art work—a lot of which used to be crafted by way of recycled fabrics and reclaimed fishing nets. Fish swim overhead while you stroll within. You’ll even discover a Manta Ray swimming overhead within the a ways nook.
Wailulu Bar & Grill has all kinds of seating–tables & chairs, longer padded benches, and a bar (therefore the title).
The interior is small, providing a unmarried curved room with home windows on one aspect and a wall with art work at the different aspect. I really like the stained-glass having a look wall pictured above, which alones the eating place and provides it a moody vibe. (This turns off all the way through fireworks, so reflections are not any factor!)
There also are vegetation dotting the inner, which connects the eating place to nature, giving it a super indoor-outdoor vibe. I might’ve preferred if this had been taken a step additional with some bifold doorways to in reality open the eating place to the seaside, however that most definitely wasn’t conceivable with the restricted footprint. I’ve but to dine within Wailulu Bar & Grill, and most definitely by no means will, so I will’t discuss totally to the ambience in the principle eating room.
The rationale I’m not likely to ever dine within Wailulu Bar & Grill is as a result of simply outdoor of that is likely one of the ultimate eating place seating spaces in all of Walt Disney Global.
That is principally a replicate symbol of the indoor house, with a row of tables by way of the window and cubicles nearer to the water. Along with having the easier view, the cubicles even have moody reflecting swimming pools in the back of them (in the event you’re questioning why the fireworks are ‘doubled’ within the pictures above, that’s the explanation).
If this sort of factor exists, those cubicles are E-Price tag eating place seats. I’ve by no means purchased a Lightning Lane Unmarried Cross, but when Walt Disney Global offered one for those pups, I’d give it some critical idea. (Scratch that–don’t get any concepts, Disney.)
My professional tip in the event you’re seated in a sales space is to go for the tip. Within the center, you’ll in finding your self continuously turning round seeking to catch glimpses of Seven Seas Lagoon, the passing monorail, fireworks, and so on. The ends be offering just about straight-on perspectives of all the ones issues.
As with the inner of the eating place, the open air seating space of Wailulu Bar & Grill has a curvature. This provides the gap slightly extra character and is an exquisite little impact for what’s in a different way a relatively easy eating place that we could the perspectives do the speaking.
When you watch a large number of HGTV (I’m sorry) or different house development displays, you most likely know that “bringing the outdoor in” is a large pattern and most commonly superficial catchphrase. Alternatively, it’s extremely apt for Wailulu Bar & Grill. They may as effectively have known as this Seven Seas Lagoon Saloon, as a result of that’s necessarily what it’s.
It’s price underscoring how beautiful the atmosphere is within the open air seating space at Wailulu Bar & Grill. The vibes, as the children say, are immaculate. It’s now not simply seeing the monorail, watercraft, fireworks and so on.
You’ll be able to additionally pay attention the whistle of the Walt Disney Global Railroad and the horn of the Ferryboat. You are feeling the crisp breeze coming off the water. Even the nice and cozy glow of Major Side road within the distance provides to the revel in. The one factor lacking that might in reality put Wailulu Bar & Grill excessive is tiki torches, however the ones are conspicuous omissions from all over the Island Tower.
Suffice to mention, the kinetic power of this eating place is off the charts, as you’re in reality “immersed” in Seven Seas Lagoon. There’s no different eating place at Walt Disney Global that compares. California Grill is just too a ways got rid of from the motion, ‘Ohana and Narcoossee’s are solely indoors, as is each different location that involves thoughts. Principally, Wailulu is to Seven Seas Lagoon what Geyser Level is to Bay Lake.
With that out of the way in which, let’s flip to the meals at Wailulu Bar & Grill…
Ahi Tuna Crisps ($17) – Marinated Ahi Tuna, Crispy Fried Wontons, Avocado Crema, Sriracha-Aïoli, Soy Glaze
Let’s get started with the starters, and the first actual access at the record: the Ahi Tuna Crisps. When you’re visiting with a gaggle and on the lookout for a shareable appetizer, that is it. If truth be told, the Ahi Tuna Crisps may well be the one–or no less than the optimum–shareable appetizer, as a result of the entirety else turns out extra geared against 1-2 folks.
The Ahi Tuna Crisps is a house run–it’s possible you’ll say it’s an ‘ohana of flavors operating in combination in solidarity. Those crisps are skinny and ethereal, however with a pleasing soy glaze that provides them a delectable and really extensive high quality. The tuna is contemporary and scrumptious. The drizzle of sriracha-aioli and the soy glaze supplement each and every different, whilst the dots of avocado crema are refreshing. Thinly-sliced peppers and inexperienced onions be offering a mild kick and extra texture.
There are a large number of offsetting or complementary flavors within the Ahi Tuna Crisps, and the dish simply works. It jogs my memory of a fancier model of the long-lasting Pulled Red meat Nachos served over at Capt. Prepare dinner’s within the Nice Ceremonial Space on the Polynesian. This appetizer is worthwhile, and extremely beneficial.
Teriyaki Rooster Sliders ($19) – Kimchi Slaw, Candy Bun served with Mac Salad or Candy Potato Fries
We’ll get started the entrees with the sliders, which can be slightly at the massive aspect. Walt Disney Global used to serve 3 smaller sliders in dishes like this, however has moved to 2 just about around the board (or no less than on the spots I dine). Mixed, those are nonetheless kind of the scale of 1 commonplace sandwich.
The flavour of the teriyaki is relatively gentle and the rooster is soft. The kimchi slaw is mild at the function bitter and spiciness of that, and extra like a normal slaw–however it does upload slightly of crunch and ever-so-slight kick. All in all, a high-quality entree in the event you’re on the lookout for one thing protected.
As with lots of the entrees, you’re given a call between mac salad or candy potato fries.
Those fries don’t reinvent the wheel. When you’ve had candy potato fries ahead of, you’ve had the an identical of those. They’re adeptly ready (as you’d hope–a cafe that can not do fries has larger issues) and style like candy potato fries. No longer certain what else to mention.
Quick Rib Loco Moco ($33) – Shiitake Mushroom Gravy, Crispy Rice Cake, Fried Egg
The Quick Rib Loco Moco is the costliest entree at the menu. Alternatively, it’s considerably less expensive than the quick rib served over at Kona Cafe for dinner or maximum meaty entrees at the dinner menu at Steakhouse 71. However that is extra of a hybrid dish, a mashup of breakfast and dinner. So it’s all an issue of point of view.
The Quick Rib Loco Moco is composed of a slab of meat atop a base of crisp rice truffles. It will not be a lot to have a look at, however the meat here’s soft and attractive, with a soften for your mouth high quality. It’s juicy and has simply the correct quantity of fattiness for taste–completely incredible.
The beef will get a large help from the shiitake mushroom gravy, which has a wealthy and deep umami taste. If there’s any unmarried part that defines this dish, it’s most definitely the shiitake mushroom gravy.
The fried egg on mine didn’t in reality transfer the needle an entire lot. The speculation is that the yolk drips down when minimize, making for a good juicier and extra flavorful dish. Mine used to be extra of a garnish than anything else. A surprisingly fancy garnish, given present egg costs. Nonetheless tasted nice by itself.
Some other spotlight here’s the crispy fried rice truffles. Those are necessarily pan-fried cubes that supply a crunchy external that provides approach to tender rice at the within. The fried part is incredible, and there’s quite a few that scrumptious shiitake mushroom gravy for the rice to take in.
All in all, the Quick Rib Loco Moco is extremely beneficial in the event you’re on the lookout for a meatier meal. The cost is prime for an entree at this sort of eating place, however after per week at Walt Disney Global, you can be desensitized to prices by way of this level. Nonetheless less expensive than anything else at Cali Grill!
Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl ($26) – Sushi-style Rice, Pickled Cucumbers, Greens, Highly spiced Poke Sauce, Macadamia Nuts with Ahi Tuna
One of the most menu staples at Wailulu Bar & Grill is the Poke Bowl. Along with Ahi Tuna, there are alternatives with Grilled Teriyaki Rooster or Tofu, both of which can be $4 more economical than this.
It is a beneficiant portion, and extremely well-rounded. I used to be shocked and inspired that it wasn’t most commonly “filler” (rice) with a mild scattering of ahi tuna and greens. As a substitute, you get a hearty serving to of ahi tuna–greater than used to be at the crisps from the appetizer phase.
The fish is once more tasty, albeit with a light and semi-sweet taste that may get misplaced amongst a sea of different components. On its own, the tuna is tasty, with a meaty and crisp high quality. It additionally works in reality effectively in a poke bowl like this, drizzled with sauce and surrounded by way of greens. Talking of which, the ones are all excellent–I’m a large fan of edamame and avocado, so it used to be great to have hearty helpings of each.
Even supposing she’s but to dine right here, the Poke Bowl will indisputably be Sarah’s best select at Wailulu Bar & Grill. I’m simply now not but certain whether or not she’ll order the Ahi Tuna or Grilled Teriyaki Rooster. Both approach, the Poke Bowl is but every other extremely beneficial entree.
Wayfinder Burger ($23) – Two Pressed Patties, American Cheese, Onion Jam, Volcano Sauce, Candy Bun served with Mac Salad or Candy Potato Fries
Final however now not least, we arrive on the Wayfinder Burger, which continues my quest to find the most efficient burger at Walt Disney Global, like Captain Prepare dinner on his exploration to–you already know what, scratch that, unhealthy instance. Venture completed, as I too have found out one thing that used to be already there with the Wayfinder Burger–every other superb, best-of burger at Walt Disney Global.
This wreck burger is paying homage to the Stack Burger over at Steakhouse 71 (pictured above), with the most important variations being the buns, loss of red meat stomach at the Wayfinder Burger, and other sauces and accompaniments.
For reference, the Steakhouse 71 Stack Burger is considered one of my best 3 burgers at Walt Disney Global. Possibly #1. It’s a greasy diner burger, perfected. I’d liken it to a better finish model of Shack Shake’s ShackBurger, however with the volume of cheese you’d get at In-N-Out plus red meat stomach to best all of it off.
It’s arduous to mention whether or not the Wayfinder Burger improves on all of that, however it does provide a brand new twist on that acquainted formulation. The bun is tender and candy, like a King’s Hawaiian Roll. This is playfully countered by way of the Volcano Sauce, which supplies it a slight kick, however nonetheless not anything unapproachable–particularly when additional offset by way of that onion jam.
Then there are the contemporary patties, which can be addictively scrumptious. Those are similar to the ones at the Stack Burger at Steakhouse 71. It’s arduous to split the red meat stomach from the flavour profile, however I wouldn’t be shocked if those use very equivalent patties.
All in all, the Wayfinder Burger is definitely probably the most best 5 burgers at Walt Disney Global. Possibly #1. I don’t make daring burger proclamations like that–additional checking out goes to be important to evaluate exactly the place this lands at the record. That’s how the clinical procedure works. Within the period in-between, the Wayfinder Burger earns an enthusiastic endorsement.
There’s a mandate from above that I consume one thing wholesome for the entirety dangerous (assume carbon credit, apart from I will’t purchase them), so I opted for the Mac Salad as my aspect right here. Whats up, salad is salad, proper?!
You’d by no means suspect it is a well being meals, as a result of it’s incredible. The Mac Salad is made with ube, giving it a novel texture and chewiness. It’s heavy and creamy, with a mayo base and vinegar for slightly of zing. This Mac Salad lives as much as the hype, and it’s one thing I’d order (and counsel) immediately over the beautiful pedestrian candy potato fries.
Joking about well being meals apart (as a result of, in case it’s now not transparent, the mayo-heavy mac salad most definitely isn’t nice for you), the combination I may see Sarah and I ordering going ahead is the Wayfinder Burger and Poke Bowl. My intestine says we’d order precisely as pictured above, and break up frivolously.
In conjunction with this, we’d get the Grilled Teriyaki Rooster from the Youngsters’ Menu, and when our daughter invariably doesn’t consume all of that, we’d throw the remnants into the Poke Bowl (after completing the Ahi Tuna). Easiest of all worlds, and a shockingly pleasurable meal.
DOLE Whip Sundae ($8) – Hibiscus Meringue, Macerated Pineapple and Berries
In the end, we flip to dessert. This presentation here’s undeniably shocking, making this a right away winner for the digicam and social media. With that stated, one thing else will have to be instantly evident: it’s small! (I pass over the great ole days of the self-service Dole Whip system at Capt. Prepare dinner’s.)
The accompaniments do slightly to raise this Dole Whip Sundae, with the hibiscus meringue being crunchy and flavorful. The macerated pineapple additionally provides one thing, as do the blackberries and raspberries on the base of the ice cream.
Nonetheless, on the finish of the day, that is nonetheless a Dole Whip. That sentence is supposed to be open on your interpretation. I used to be in my view a tad upset and hoping for additional ‘elevation.’ On the identical time, I’m now not certain what I anticipated for $8. Possibly I might’ve been pleased with extra soft-serve?
In the end, Wailulu Bar & Grill earns a very simple and enthusiastic advice. This eating place is but every other game-changer for Walt Disney Global, belonging at or close to the highest of lists for ultimate fireworks perspectives, ultimate bars & lounges, ultimate burgers, ultimate setting, and extra. It’s even deserving of a place at the best 25 eating places in all of Walt Disney Global. If I needed to come to a decision the place to rank it presently, I’d most definitely have Wailulu Bar & Grill change California Grill. And that’s now not as a result of they’re each grills.
There are patently large variations between California Grill and Wailulu Bar & Grill. Delicacies caliber and the purported ambitions of each and every make this a difficult comparability (Signature Eating Revel in vs. informal waterfront walk-up pool bar). However I’d argue that Wailulu Bar & Grill punches beautiful a ways above its weight, while California Grill rests on its laurels and decades-old popularity.
Additionally, my point of view is that the promoting level is the massive perspectives of Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom boasted by way of each and every. On stability, I’d moderately have the more economical meal and waterfront point of view versus being held hostage (k, dramatic hyperbole) by way of the dear prix fixe meal at California Grill. To each and every their very own on that, even though, because it’s nonetheless the apples to oranges of resort-casual vs. fancier high-quality eating.
The secret’s that Wailulu Bar & Grill is a cafe that we will be able to wholeheartedly counsel to friends and family, and it is going to change California Grill as our counseled eating place for the ones short of a Magic Kingdom or fireworks view. It’s additionally a place that has already moved firmly into our common rotation, surpassing each Geyser Level and Steakhouse 71 as a brand new favourite that provides the most efficient of either one of the ones worlds.
Wailulu Bar & Grill is so excellent that it virtually makes us forgive Walt Disney Global for development the garish monstrosity it’s housed within. K k, that’s taking the reward slightly too a ways. Nonetheless, we extremely counsel Wailulu Bar & Grill as a must-do eating place for your subsequent Walt Disney Global holiday.
Making plans a Walt Disney Global commute? Know about motels on our Walt Disney Global Accommodations Critiques web page. For the place to consume, learn our Walt Disney Global Eating place Critiques. To economize on tickets or decide which sort to shop for, learn our Pointers for Saving Cash on Walt Disney Global Tickets submit. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys submit takes a novel take a look at suave pieces to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney Global Trip Guides will lend a hand. For complete recommendation, the most efficient position to start out is our Walt Disney Global Commute Making plans Information for the entirety you want to grasp!
Your Ideas
Have you ever dined at Wailulu Bar & Grill? Is it deserving of the hype and enthusiastic advice? Or are the comparisons to California Grill, Geyser Level, and Steakhouse 71 an excessive amount of? Will you be making an attempt to dine at Wailulu Bar & Grill all the way through your subsequent Walt Disney Global holiday? Do you settle or disagree with our evaluation? Any questions we will permit you to resolution? Listening to your comments–even while you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please percentage your ideas beneath within the feedback!
