Wailulu Bar & Grill menu, photos, how to visit at Disney’s Polynesian Resort
A new dining location, Wailulu Bar & Grill, opened at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort on Dec. 17, 2024. What should guests expect there?
Walt Disney World offers over 400 dining options, from basic snack carts to Victoria & Albert’s, a Michelin-starred restaurant. Guests at Walt Disney World do not lack dining choices. A new one arrived at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, the Wailulu Bar & Grill.
This restaurant opened as a key part of the new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, the latest Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort hotel expansion. Wailulu is open for all guests, not just those staying overnight at the Polynesian. Reservations are not required.
The DVC property officially opened to guests on Dec. 17, 2024. We were invited out in advance of the official opening to view Wailulu Bar & Grill and sample some of the menu items.
Wailulu Bar & Grill atmosphere
The restaurant’s name is inspired by Polynesian culture. Wailulu comes from the Hawaiian words “wai,” which means water, and “lulu,” which means calm.
This pool bar offers indoor and outdoor dining. At night, the views over the Seven Seas Lagoon toward Magic Kingdom are impressive. We suspect this will become a popular location to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks. Also, the music associated with the Magic Kingdom fireworks will be played at the Wailulu Bar & Grill during those fabulous displays. In addition, this dining location showcases custom artwork crafted from recycled materials, a pattern found across the Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.
The indoor dining area resembles many casual dining options at Walt Disney World. Guests should expect quality service and a comfortable environment.
The outdoor dining area features a central bar, which offers a full experience. Like some other upscale pool bars at Walt Disney World, plenty of seating is available. Many guests will appreciate the couches and soft chairs to enjoy their experience at Wailulu Bar & Grill.
Wailulu Bar & Grill menu
Wailulu Bar & Grill functions as an elevated pool bar. It presents guests with a full menu for lunch and dinner. During breakfast hours, it serves specialty coffee and breakfast pastries. This dining location features a diverse menu showcasing all of the Polynesian culture not just Hawaii.
Appetizers
As one would expect, this dining location’s menu extends the Polynesian theme. Sweet Potato Hummus and Musubi appetizers are examples. Sweet Potato Hummus shows off the Polynesian style using breadfruit. Breadfruit is not bread that grows on trees but offers some of the same starchy bread quality. The unique fruit is often substituted for rice or potatoes in some dishes because it is high in fiber and antioxidants. For this menu item, the chefs used breadfruit to make tostones. When we spoke with Chef Brian Piasecki, he stated that this appetizer offers a sweet and spicy combination.
For most guests, this should create a distinctive hummus encounter.
Musabi also showcases Polynesian cuisine. This dish features glazed spam, a common component in that culture. Chef Brian Piasecki said that they took the basic musabi and added some Disney upscale touches, like furikake in between the rice and spam. It is also coated in rice pearls and flash fried.
Other appetizers available at Wailulu Bar & Grill are:
- Ahi Tuna Crisps
- Grilled Shishito Peppers
- Sticky Pork Ribs
- Crispy Chicken Wings
- Garlic Shrimp
Photo courtesy of Disney
Entrées
Wailulu Bar & Grill’s entrees include Beef Short Rib Loco Moco and Poke Bowls, which fit the theme well. The poke bowls come in three varieties: ahi tuna, grilled chicken teriyaki, and tofu.
The Beef Short Rib Loco Moco elevates a classic Polynesian entrée with some Disney flair. It uses beef short rib meat, unlike the Loco Moco served at Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, which uses traditional ground beef as the key component. As a result, initial reports indicate this dish provides a robust flavor but costs $33. Guests should expect more than just your standard pool bar food at Wailulu Bar & Grill.
Other entrées offered to guests here are:
- Grilled Fish of the Day
- Wayfinder Burger
- Teriyaki Chicken Sliders
- Sautéed Shrimp Chow Mein Salad
- Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Chow Mein Salad
- Grilled Tofu Chow Mein Salad
- Marinated Pork Chop
Guests should expect to pay between $18 and $33 for Wailulu Bar & Grill entrées. Early reports indicate a new contender for the best Walt Disney World burger appears on this menu. The Wayfinder Burger ($23) takes advantage of the popularity of smashed-style burgers. The menu description reads, “Two Pressed Patties, American Cheese, Onion Jam, Volcano Sauce, Sweet Bun served with Mac Salad or Sweet Potato Fries.” We love that this burger also has a choice of non-traditional sides and not just standard Disney fries, elevating this entrée.
When we spoke with him, Chef Brian Piasecki said this burger was a sweet and spicy play. The onion jam is placed on the bottom with the volcano sauce on top.
Desserts (including Dole Whip)
Photo by Jon Self
Dole Whip fans will be happy to know that a Dole Whip Sundae is on the dessert menu. The menu description reads, “Hibiscus Meringue, Macerated Pineapple and Berries.” This sundae costs $8. Two other desserts offered are:
- Vanilla Crème Brûlée (with Macerated Berries)
- Chocolate Cake (Salted Caramel Ganache, Coffee-infused Chantilly Cream)
The new Wailulu Bar & Grill promises a new experience for Walt Disney World guests. For more information about this pool bar, visit the Walt Disney World website.
Check out our full guide to the new Island Tower and our video overview:
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