REVIEW: Trying the NEW Wailulu Bar & Grill at DVC Island Tower Disney’s Polynesian Resort (Part 1)

REVIEW: Trying the NEW Wailulu Bar & Grill at DVC Island Tower Disney’s Polynesian Resort (Part 1)

The new Disney Vacation Club Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (as part of the larger DVC Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows) opens on December 17, 2024. As part of a media preview, we were able to try out Wailulu Bar & Grill. We tried out a selection of items from the menu.

As invited media, Disney provided WDWNT with a gift card for food and beverages, so some of the following coverage was hosted. As always, WDWNT will still provide our honest thoughts on all below.

Wailulu Bar & Grill Interior

The entrance to a modern restaurant at Disney's Polynesian Resort boasts a large wooden door, welcoming guests into a stylish interior with textured walls and ceiling. People eagerly enter, anticipating the unique flavors of the Wailulu Bar & Grill within.

The entrance to the restaurant is marked with an open, large wooden door and a sign overhead.

The entrance of Wailele Bar & Grill, nestled beneath the island tower, features a sign displaying hours of operation and offers a glimpse into the inviting seating area inside.

The restaurant is open for breakfast from 7-11 a.m., with the restaurant side operating from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the bar open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Moana and island-inspired art can be found throughout the space, from this painting on the far left, to 3D sculptures and fiber art.

There are even fish sculptures that hang from the ceiling, and stained glass in bright shades of blue, yellow, and green.

The Wailulu Bar & Grill at Disney's Polynesian Resort features a charming interior with an empty wooden table, cushioned booth, and chairs. Glass windows reveal outdoor seating and a stunning view of the water near the DVC Island Tower.

Wailulu Bar & Grill has both indoor and outdoor seating.

Lunch/Dinner

Lunch/Dinner Menu

Starters | Mains | Dessert

Starters

  • Ahi Tuna Crisps – $17
  • Sweet Potato Hummus – $12
  • Musubi – $12
  • Grilled Shishito Peppers – $11
  • Sticky Pork Ribs – $15
  • Crispy Chicken Wings – $15
  • Garlic Shrimp – $16

Mains

  • Short Rib Loco Moco – $33
  • Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl – $26
  • Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Poke Bowl – $22
  • Grilled Tofu Poke Bowl – $22
  • Grilled Fish of the Day – $32
  • Wayfinder Burger – $23
  • Teriyaki Chicken Sliders – $19
  • Sautéed Shrimp Chow Mein Salad – $22
  • Grilled Teriyaki Chicken Chow Mein Salad – $18
  • Grilled Tofu Chow Mein Salad – $18
  • Marinated Pork Chop – $31

Dessert

  • Vanilla Crème Brûlée – $11
  • Chocolate Cake – $11
  • DOLE Whip Sundae – $8

Lunch/Dinner Reviews

Starters | Mains | Dessert

Starter Reviews

Sticky Pork Ribs – $15

Salt-cured Green Cabbage, Furikake, Jicama Slaw, Pineapple Chips

Enjoy charred ribs topped with a slice of dried pineapple and sprinkled with herbs at Wailulu Bar & Grill, nestled in Disney's Polynesian Resort.

These pork ribs are super tender. There’s some really strong flavor up front. Ours were quite charred thanks to the sugary sauce, which we liked. That being said, it could turn some people off who dislike that texture.

At Disney's Polynesian Resort, savor a plate of charred ribs garnished with sesame seeds and a dried pineapple slice, served alongside shredded pickled vegetables. Enjoy this culinary delight at the Wailulu Bar & Grill, where island flavors come alive.

These are very messy, but you get five ribs, which is a great deal for the price. Flavor-wise, these are right up there with our favorite Disney ribs from Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. You get a wet napkin with these, and trust us, you’ll need it.

Rating out of 7: 6

Crispy Chicken Wings – $15

Adobo-marinated, Soy Glaze, Tomato-Fresno Pepper Relish

At Disney's Polynesian Resort, indulge in a plate of crispy chicken wings topped with chopped herbs and sliced red chili peppers, served on shredded lettuce. Enjoy this savory treat at the Wailulu Bar & Grill, perfect after exploring the enchanting DVC Island Tower nearby.

These taste as good as they look. The wings are crispy, flavorful, and not too sloppy or messy. These are everything you’d want in an order of wings, not too spicy but just enough to let you know it’s there, and not hot at all. There’s also a distinct citrus flavor to them, which is typical of an island-inspired wing. We would definitely get these again.

Rating out of 7: 6

Garlic Shrimp – $16

Smoked Paprika, Black Garlic Emulsion, Garlic-Lemon Butter, Crispy Garlic

At Disney's Polynesian Resort, a delightful dish awaits—a glass plate with shrimp on a bed of greens, garnished with radish slices and a lemon wedge, evoking the flavors of Wailulu Bar & Grill. Indulge in this culinary escape on rustic wooden tables at the DVC Island Tower.

Unfortunately for our wallets, these garlic shrimp are delicious. We’d go as far as to say we like them better than the crispy chicken wings. While they may not be the best value at $16 for just three shrimp, they are very tasty.

Rating out of 7: 7

Main Reviews

Short Rib Loco Moco – $33

Shiitake Mushroom Gravy, Crispy Rice Cake, Fried Egg

Savor a delectable dish at Wailulu Bar & Grill in Disney's Polynesian Resort, featuring a succulent piece of meat topped with a sunny-side-up egg, elegantly served in a white bowl with dark sauce and garnished with small greens.

This is a huge piece of short rib. This is very sticky. We love that the rice is presented with a crunchy outer shell and soft rice in the middle.

A cooked beef short rib topped with a sunny-side-up egg and garnished with greens, served in a white dish with rich brown sauce, echoing the flavors of Disney's Polynesian Resort.

Normally we’re not huge fans of short rib, but we think it’s delightful here. We sampled this dish earlier in our day, and this time around, it was much more fresh and warm. This mushroom gravy is so dark and intense and tastes great along with the rice.

Rating out of 7: 7

Wayfinder Burger – $23

Two Pressed Patties, American Cheese, Onion Jam, Volcano Sauce, Sweet Bun served with Mac Salad or Sweet Potato Fries

Our server recommended we try this burger, and it looks amazing. We opted for the sweet potato fries over the mac salad.

Cheeseburger with lettuce and onions on a plate, accompanied by sweet potato fries at the Wailulu Bar & Grill in Disney's Polynesian Resort.

This is almost like a dessert burger, thanks to the sweet bun, the sweet potato fries, and the sweet onion jam. The Volcano Sauce changes the whole flavor of the burger and is hot for Walt Disney World. That being said, it really mellows out the sweetness of the jam and is almost like a spicy Big Mac sauce.

This burger has flavors that we think hit the exact notes that it sets out to hit, but they’re not exactly flavors we love. We still think this is really good, though. The fries, however, are pretty basic.

Rating out of 7: 5

Teriyaki Chicken Sliders – $19

Kimchi Slaw, Sweet Bun served with Mac Salad or Sweet Potato Fries

The chicken on these sliders is very tender, but also super sticky. We can’t quite figure out if the chicken is grilled or fried, based on the texture.

At Wailulu Bar & Grill, savor a grilled chicken sandwich with toppings on a white plate, perfectly paired with a bowl of coleslaw in the background, all within the enchanting ambiance of Disney's Polynesian Resort.

The teriyaki flavor here isn’t very distinguishable, more like a soy-ish flavor that doesn’t quite hit the mark.

Two sliders with skewers are elegantly arranged on a plate next to a bowl of macaroni salad, capturing the essence of Wailulu Bar & Grill at Disney's Polynesian Resort. The vibrant flavors invite you to imagine dining amidst the tropical allure of the DVC Island Tower.

The Mac Salad we chose as our side was good, even better than Publix. While we think the sliders are a good value and taste decent enough, this dish was the weakest of all the entrees we tried.

Rating out of 7: 4

Marinated Pork Chop – $31

Smashed Potatoes, Bacon Vinaigrette, Kimchi Slaw

At Disney's Polynesian Resort, savor a grilled piece of meat adorned with greens and vibrant vegetables. Served on a white plate with yellow slices and a side of sautéed onions, this delightful dish embodies the culinary charm of Wailulu Bar & Grill.

We think that Disney might have brined this pork chop for a long time, because while it’s not easy to cut through, it is pretty tender when you bite into it.

At Wailulu Bar & Grill, located within Disney's Polynesian Resort, enjoy a grilled pork chop topped with herbs and kimchi, served alongside yellow pickles and diced potatoes on a pristine white plate.

There’s a lot of juicy flavor here for a pork chop. We liked the smashed potatoes, but aren’t the biggest fans of kimchi so the slaw was a miss for us.

Overall, while it’s not a bad deal for the price, we don’t think we’d order this again.

Rating out of 7: 5

Dessert Reviews

Vanilla Crème Brûlée – $11

with Macerated Berries

At Wailulu Bar & Grill in Disney's Polynesian Resort, enjoy a crème brûlée adorned with raspberries, edible flowers, and a decorative chocolate piece on a sleek gray plate.

This is a shallow yet wide crème brûlée, and tastes pretty solid. If you’re a fan of this dessert you’ll no doubt enjoy it.

Indulge in a creamy dessert at Wailulu Bar & Grill, located in Disney's Polynesian Resort. Topped with raspberries, edible flowers, and a chocolate decoration, this treat is a visual and culinary delight. Perfect for those visiting the enchanting atmosphere of the DVC Island Tower.

Our only complaint is that it’s a bit shallow, maybe only half an inch deep.

Rating out of 7: 5

Chocolate Cake – $11

Salted Caramel Ganache, Coffee-infused Chantilly Cream

A chocolate dessert with mousse, caramelized banana slices, and chocolate sticks on a gray plate awaits you at Wailulu Bar & Grill in Disney's Polynesian Resort. Indulge in this tropical delight after a day of exploring the DVC Island Tower.

This is really creamy. Between the salted caramel, coffee, and everything else, this is intense. We like the way the structure of the treat holds up too, the firmness at the bottom is the foundation, and gets more delicate with the mousse texture in the middle, and is light and fluffy on top. The caramelized bananas are also really good. This is a safe bet from the dessert menu if you’re a chocolate lover and not a fan of DOLE Whip.

Rating out of 7: 5

DOLE Whip Sundae – $8

Hibiscus Meringue, Macerated Pineapple, and Berries

At Disney's Polynesian Resort, a bowl of soft-serve ice cream is topped with pink Mickey-shaped candy and edible flowers, surrounded by raspberries, blackberries, and pineapple chunks. In the backdrop of this tropical delight is a dessert from the nearby Wailulu Bar & Grill.

This looks beautiful. The hibiscus meringue is very crunchy and tasty. The macerated pineapple goes great with the treat overall, as do the blackberries and raspberries at the base of the sundae.

This will for sure be a crowdpleaser, everyone loves DOLE Whip and so do we. It’s great to see Disney experimenting with DOLE Whip outside of simply offering different flavors.

Rating out of 7: 7

Kids’ Menu

Appetizers | Entrées | Sides

Appetizers

  • Sweet Potato Hummus – $3.25
    • with Carrots and Cucumbers
  • Apple Slices – $3.25
    • with Sunflower Butter

Create-Your-Own Entrées

served with choice of two (2) Selections and choice of Small Lowfat Milk, Small DASANI Bottled Water, or Small Minute Maid Apple Juice

  • Grilled Teriyaki Chicken – $12.50
  • Grilled Whitefish – $13.50
  • White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese – $10.50
  • Cheeseburger – $12.50

Create-Your-Own Selections

choose two with purchase of kids entrée

  • Steamed Baby Carrots
  • Steamed Broccoli
  • Jasmine Rice
  • French Fries
  • DOLE Whip Pineapple

Drinks

Drink Menu | Drink Reviews

Drink Menu

Non-alcoholic Specialty | Specialty Coffee & Tea | Cocktails | Zero-Proof | Wine | Draft Beer & Hard Tea | Beer & Hard Cider

A person peruses a menu at the Wailulu Bar & Grill in Disney's Polynesian Resort, spotlighting cocktails, zero-proof options, beer, wine, coffee, and tea against the vibrant restaurant interior of DVC Island Tower.

Non-Alcoholic Specialty Beverages

  • Hibiscus Iced Tea – $5.79
  • Yuzu Oolong Tea Lemonade – $5.79

Specialty Coffee & Tea

  • Espresso-based Beverages – $4.49-$5.99
    • Espresso, Cappuccino, Caffé Latte, or Americano
  • Assorted Twinings Hot Teas – $4.49
  • Freshly Brewed Joffrey’s Coffe Hawaiian Kona Blend – $4.49
  • Hot Cocoa by Joffrey’s Coffee – $4.49
  • Hawaiian 100% Kona Press Pot – $10.25

Signature Cocktails

  • Passion Fruit and Pineapple Daiquiri – $15.50
  • Oceania Espresso Martini – $16.50
  • Pandan Gin Gin Mule – $15.50
  • Passion Fruit Garibaldi – $16.50
  • Banana Old Fashioned – $17.50
  • Kula Strawberry Sake – $16.50
  • Lili’uokalani Mai Tai – $16.50
  • Hibiscus Margarita – $17.50

Zero-Proof Cocktail

  • Zero-Proof Piña Colada – $12.50

Wine

  • Kim Crawford ‘Illuminate’ Sparkling | Italy – $11 for glass, $49 for bottle
  • La Fête du Rosé | France – $15 for glass, $59 for bottle
  • Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc | New Zealand – $15 for glass, $59 for bottle
  • Scarpetta Pinot Grigio | Italy – $16 for glass, $64 for bottle
  • Protea Chenin Blanc | South Africa – $13 for glass, $50 for bottle
  • Evening Land ‘Seven Springs’ Chardonnay | Oregon – $18 for glass, $75 for bottle
  • MacMurray Estate Vineyards Pinot Noir | California – $17 for glass, $70 for bottle
  • Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel | California – $17 for glass, $70 for bottle
  • The Prisoner Red Blend | California – $24 for glass, $110 for bottle
  • Simi Cabernet Sauvignon | California – $18 for glass, $75 for bottle

Draft Beer and Hard Tea

  • Kona Longboard Island Lager | Kona, HI– $11.50
  • Kona Hanalei Island IPA | Kona, HI – $11.50
  • Kona Big Wave Golden Ale | Kona, HI – $11.50
  • Owl’s Brew Black Tea & Pineapple | New York, NY – $12.75
  • Modelo Especial Lager | Mexico – $9.75
  • Yuengling Traditional Lager | Pottsville, PA – $9.50

Beer and Hard Cider

  • Bud Light Lager | St. Louis, MO – $9.50
  • Terrapin Luau Krunkles Passion Fruit-Orange-Guava IPA | Athens, GA – $11.25
  • Maui Brewing Co. Coconut Hiwa Porter | Maui, HI – $11.25
  • Blue Moon Belgian White Ale | Golden, CO – $10
  • Cigar City Jai Alai IPA | Tampa, FL – $12.25
  • Angry Orchard Crisp Apple Hard Cider | Cincinnati, OH – $10.75
  • Athletic Brewing Co Upside Dawn Golden (non-alcoholic) | Millford, CT – $8.25

Drink Reviews

Signature Cocktail Reviews

Passion Fruit and Pineapple Daiquiri – $15.50

Ten to One Caribbean White Rum, Minute Maid Passion Fruit Orange Guava Juice, Pineapple, Lime

A cocktail in a coupe glass garnished with a lime slice sits elegantly on the wooden table at Wailulu Bar & Grill, complementing the tropical vibes of Disney's Polynesian Resort.

This is basically POG in alcohol form. It’s a very, very strong drink, enough to make you wince on the first sip. There’s a tart pineapple flavor here as well. It’s a little too intense for us up front, but we think we’d be fine on the second sip. There are other drinks on the menu we’d get again over this.

Rating out of 7: 4

Oceania Espresso Martini – $16.50

Mr Black Cold Brew Liqueur, SelvaRey Chocolate Rum, Joffrey’s Coffee Espresso

At Wailulu Bar & Grill, a cocktail glass with a dark frothy drink garnished with three coffee beans sits elegantly on a wooden table. In the background, a plate with a burger adds to the inviting atmosphere.

Espresso martinis are pretty simple, but this is one of the better ones we’ve had at Walt Disney World. The creaminess on the top is excellent.

Rating out of 7: 7

Pandan Gin Gin Mule – $15.50

Pandan-infused Fords Gin, Lime Juice, Ginger Beer

A green cocktail in a square glass, garnished with mint leaves and ice, sits on a wooden table at Wailulu Bar & Grill inside Disney's Polynesian Resort.

This is certainly something, though it’s tricky to describe. There’s a lot of mint in your face when you drink this, and it is cool and refreshing. There’s something early in here that we can’t quite put our finger on that’s almost pine-y in flavor, likely from the pandan-infused gin. The ginger beer does help to chill out the flavor, but this is a weird drink. We don’t hate it, but we don’t like it either.

Rating out of 7: 2

Passion Fruit Garibaldi – $16.50

Chinola Passion Fruit Liqueur, Campari Liqueur, Minute Maid Orange Juice

A square glass with an iced cocktail topped with a slice of orange rests elegantly on a white napkin, evoking the tropical ambiance of Disney's Polynesian Resort.

We really like this drink, almost to the point of wondering if we are being too generous with our scores. For the right person, this could be a 7. It’s a simple drink that’s executed very well.

Rating out of 7: 6

Banana Old Fashioned – $17.50

Michter’s Single Barrel Rye Whiskey, Tempus Fugit Spirits Crème de Banane, Appleton Estate 8 yr Reserve Rum, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram Liqueur, Angostura Bitters

A glass of iced whiskey cocktail with a garnish of a circular slice and a dark berry, served on a napkin at the Wailulu Bar & Grill in Disney's Polynesian Resort, rests invitingly on the wooden table.

There’s a lot of stuff in this, yet it somehow tastes pretty simple. We think it’s delicious. There’s always a risk when using a banana liqueur that it’ll take over the whole drink, but the flavor is not overpowering here at all.

Rating out of 7: 7

Hibiscus Margarita – $17.50

Teremana Blanco Tequila, Sorel Liqueur, Cinnamon Syrup, Hibiscus, Agave

A square glass filled with a pink-red iced drink, garnished with a lime slice, sits on a white napkin on a wooden table at Wailulu Bar & Grill in Disney's Polynesian Resort.

This is pretty good and exactly what you’d expect from a hibiscus margarita.

Rating out of 7: 4

Overall Thoughts

Our overall impressions are very positive, and we think this venue will be quite popular for fireworks viewing or to get a drink outside on the patio. We’re very impressed, and we think this restaurant is a hit so far for us.

Video Review (Part 1)

Have you tried any of these items from Wailulu Bar & Grill? Do you agree or disagree with our reviews? Let us know in the comments and on social media.

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The post REVIEW: Trying the NEW Wailulu Bar & Grill at DVC Island Tower Disney’s Polynesian Resort (Part 1) appeared first on WDW News Today.

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