On our recent trip to Walt Disney World, we finally made it over to the newest bar and grill at Disney’s Polynesian Resort Island Tower (DVC) property, Wailulu Bar and Grill. This new dining spot opened back in 2024 and has been receiving great reviews! This indoor/outdoor bar and grill offers an elevated, yet casual atmosphere, island-inspired flavors, and a menu that blends familiar comfort food with tropical touches.
Atmosphere and Menu at Wailulu Bar & Grill
You’ll find the bar and grill located at the Island Tower. There is an outdoor bar and dining area, and indoor dining as well. We ate outside at a table with a nice view of the water. While it is officially a bar and grill, we found it to be a beautiful dining location, nice enough for a celebration or date night. The area was decorated beautifully for the holidays with greenery and twinkling lights. The menu was small but had several delicious options to choose from. The menu features starters, sandwiches, bowls, salads, cocktails, and non-alcoholic specialties.
From our tables, we had a nice view of the Seven Seas Lagoon, and if it had been a little later in the evening, we would have had great views of Magic Kingdom’s fireworks. While you may get lucky and have a nice view from your table, requests for specific seating for the fireworks are not available. Since you can not guarantee a fireworks view, we do not recommend planning a trip specifically to watch the fireworks from your table.
Changes at Wailulu Bar and Grill
Recently, Wailulu has had some significant changes. Beginning in December, you will need an advanced dining reservation. If you are having trouble finding the reservation that you are looking for, you can use MouseDining to create an alert when a reservation becomes available. Click here to create your MouseDining alert.
Dining offerings have also changed at Wailulu recently. They no longer offer a breakfast table service; however, they do offer a grab-and-go option for breakfast. Lunch begins at 11 a.m., and Dinner begins at 5:00 p.m. Walk-up tables may be available but are not guaranteed. You may also see the option to reserve a walk-up table in the My Disney Experience App.
What We Ordered at Wailulu Bar and Grill
Wayfinder Burger
The Wayfinder burger is said to be the best burger on the Disney property, and we have to agree! This burger is a double-patty smash burger served with American cheese, fresh toppings, and Volcano sauce. The patties had crisp edges, while the burger remained juicy and full of flavor. Guests can choose sweet potato fries or mac salad. We opted for the sweet potato fries, which were cooked perfectly and went really well with the volcano sauce (we requested an extra side to go with the fries!)
Chow Mein Salad with Sautéed Shrimp
This salad features cabbage, carrots, hearts of palm, and shishito peppers with a sunflower butter dressing. The shrimps were huge; they were sautéed and served warm on top. It is a large serving but is also a lighter option that still feels satisfying.
DOLE Whip Sundae
We could not pass up on a special DOLE Whip dessert. The sundae is served with classic pineapple DOLE Whip, fresh fruits, hibiscus meringues, and a Mickey-shaped topper. It is a super cute dessert and large enough for sharing.
Final Thoughts
Wailulu Bar and Grill is a solid addition to the Polynesian resort dining lineup and definitely a dining option that you will want to try if you are looking for high-quality dining at an affordable price. The menu offers a good balance of comfort dishes and fresh options, and the location makes it an easy stop for guests staying nearby. You can get to Disney’s Polynesian Resort from Magic Kingdom by boat or monorail very easily, so it’s a great option if you need a break from the parks. If you plan to visit the new Island Tower, consider adding Wailulu to your dining list.
Don’t forget to create your MouseDining Alert so you can grab a reservation!
