Wailulu Bar & Grill: A Disney Dining Review

Over our Christmas holiday vacation, we decided to check out the brand new Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Villas and Bungalows . It had just opened up and so, we wanted to see what all the hype was with this new resort option.

First things first, the new tower is GORGEOUS! While this isn’t a review of the tower, it’s a fantastic new option for Guests! It’s got a new pool area, with a Moana splash pad for the kiddos. There’s plenty of great green space for just relaxing….oh and the views are UNPARALLEL! I mean, look at how fantastic the view is of Magic Kingdom!

But one of the other new additions for Island Tower is the new restaurant and bar area called Wailulu Bar & Grill. Now I’m gonna be honest, with the name bar and grill, this doesn’t sound like it would be a destination place to go, right? Well, let me tell you….Wailulu Bar & Grill is a fantastic new table service dining option that serves incredible food.
The Atmosphere at Wailulu Bar & Grill

First let’s talk about this new restaurant. It’s not the largest of spaces. There are plenty of indoor tables though, but I’m gonna be perfectly honest – the outdoor patio is really where it’s at. I wished we would have been able to dine out there, but we will certainly ask for a table outside next time. And yes, there will be a next time.
The space features lots of great fish decor and connects to the seas, as well as the Polynesian culture. There’s lots of blues and greens and dining here feels very serene.

But outside….outside is where you get the views of Cinderella Castle and the Magic Kingdom. Trust me when I say this WILL be the hot new spot to try to view the fireworks from each evening. There are even tables for larger parties that feature infinity pools. Tranquil is certainly the right word for this restaurant.

Then you have the bar area, which is really quite large. There’s plenty of space for patrons, but it is first come, first served. As is the main restaurant, for now. I suspect that will change and that this will be added to the Advance Dining Reservation system soon.

The Food at Wailulu Bar & Grill

The menu at Wailulu Bar & Grill, of course, features a lot of Polynesian and Hawaiian inspired flavors. Menu items include a Poke Bowl, Teriyaki Chicken Sliders, Sticky Pork Ribs and Short Rib Loco Moco.

I got the Marinated Pork Chop, which was supposed to come with smashed potatoes, but they were more like roasted potatoes, a bacon vinaigrette, and kimchi slaw. The pork chop was HUGE and had a great flavor to it. The glaze was wonderful and the pork chop wasn’t overly tough, which is often a problem with larger pork chips. The potatoes were excellent, as well.

Now, while I liked my meal, I quickly wished I would have gotten what my husband got. He got the grilled fish of the day, which was served with a green curry broth, jasmine rice, chickpeas, and sweet potato. Holy wow! This was the best fish I’ve ever had! It was tender and flaky and delicious.
We decided to also grab dessert here, so we go the chocolate cake with salted caramel ganache and coffee-infused Chantilly cream. For dessert, they also have a vanilla creme brulee and a Dole Whip Sundae. But I’m a choco-holic, so when I saw this on the menu, I knew it was something I had to try.

Wow….it was incredible. It was creamy and full of chocolate goodness. Even my daughter couldn’t stop eating it. (And she wouldn’t eat anything that day…she was a little crabby the entire day. So, the fact that she was asking for more was huge!)
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Final Thoughts
I cannot say enough good things about this restaurant. The setting was amazing, the food was incredible and overall, I found the pricing to be average for a Disney table service restaurant. This is a great date night place, a great place for large groups, and yes, it also is a great place for those with families. It’s got appeal for all! And with the views, it’s almost unbeatable!
Now, part of me wants to be selfish and say don’t eat here….but that’s purely because I want this place to myself! 🙂 But I’ll be nice and share the wealth. Just make sure I can get my table first.
Get more Disney dining reviews here at A Disney World After All.
But now, I want to know your thoughts. Do you want to dine at Wailulu Bar & Grill? You can share with me in the comments or on social! Find me on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram, Threads, and TikTok.
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