First Look: Wailulu Bar and Grill's Polynesian-Inspired Menu in The New Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Resort

7 days ago in "Wailulu Bar and Grill"

Posted: Thursday December 5, 2024 11:!1am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

The Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows will soon welcome Wailulu Bar & Grill, a casual poolside spot opening December 17, 2024.

This walk-up bar and grill will serve up Polynesian-inspired dishes, desserts, and beverages while offering views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom fireworks.

Here is a look at the full menu and some of the dishes on offer.

Wailulu Bar & Grill Menu

Food Items

  • Sweet Potato Hummus, crispy chickpeas, espelette pepper dust, and breadfruit tostones
  • Ahi Tuna Crisps: Marinated ahi tuna, crispy fried wontons, avocado crema, sriracha-aioli, and soy glaze
  • Grilled Shrimp, smoked paprika, black garlic emulsion, garlic-lemon butter, and crispy garlic
  • Spiced Ham Musubi with glazed spam seasoned with traditional furikake and served with crispy rice pearls
  • Crispy Chicken Wings: Adobo-marinated, soy glaze, and tomato-fresno pepper relish
  • Wayfinder Burger: Two pressed patties, American cheese, onion jam, volcano sauce, and sweet bun served with mac salad or sweet potato fries
  • Beef Short Rib Loco Moco: Shiitake mushroom gravy, crispy rice cake, and fried egg
  • Grilled Fish of the Day: Green curry broth, jasmine rice, chickpeas, and sweet potato
  • Poke Bowl: Sushi-style rice, pickled cucumbers, vegetables, spicy poke sauce, and macadamia nuts with choice of ahi tuna, grilled teriyaki chicken, or grilled tofu
  • Chow Mein Salad: Charred cabbage, shishito peppers, hearts of palm, pickled sweet potato, and sunflower butter dressing with choice of sauteed shrimp, grilled teriyaki chicken, or grilled tofu
  • Sticky Pork Ribs, salt-cured green cabbage, jicama slaw, and pineapple chips

Kids Meals

  • White Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese
  • Grilled Teriyaki Chicken

Desserts

  • DOLE Whip Sundae with hibiscus meringue and passion fruit crispies
  • Chocolate Cake with salted caramel ganache and Chantilly cream infused with the essence of Kona coffee

Breakfast

  • Pineapple-Coconut Bread (Available for breakfast only)

Beverages

  • Hibiscus Tea: Hibiscus flower-infused tea with lime and agave nectar (Non-alcoholic beverage)
  • Kula Strawberry Sake: Wildflowers Junmai Sake, Campari Liqueur, Rockey’s Botanical Liqueur, and wild strawberry
  • Passionfruit and Pineapple Daiquiri: Ten to One Caribbean White Rum, Minute Maid Passion Fruit Orange Guava Juice, pineapple, and lime
  • Pandan Gin Gin Mule: Pandan-infused Fords Gin, lime juice, and ginger beer
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Casper Gutman1 hour ago

Yes, the assumption that DVC members don’t like Disney theming seems odd to me. But then, a lot of things about the DVC seem odd to me…

UNCgolf5 hours ago

What highly themed Disney resorts have Disney characters everywhere? That's not sign of the great themed Disney resorts; that's generally a sign of the bad ones. Anyways, I'm aware it's DVC -- that's why the location is the only big problem for me. If this had been built elsewhere on property then I still wouldn't be interested in staying there but it would also have little to no effect on anything, more like the Riviera. I also think that DVC being less themed is relatively new and isn't actually something specific to DVC. They just haven't really built any rooms that aren't DVC recently. It's not like Old Key West, Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas, Boardwalk Villas, etc. weren't themed like other Disney resorts.

Ayla5 hours ago

I don't discuss facts. 😊

Minthorne5 hours ago

You forgot to say, "Discuss." :)

nickys6 hours ago

Both Riviera and Island Tower are DVC resorts. And yes, I know Island Tower is an addition to the Poly, but like Kidani and Bay Lake, it is wholly a DVC addition. Which tend to be lesser themed than the non-DVC resorts. Of course cash guests can book there, and until they’re fully declared Disney will have plenty of cash rooms to sell to guests. But they don’t have to attract guests in the same way as POR does. Eventually there will be very few rooms available for cash guests to book. So there’s no need for most people to change opinions on the resort. The subtler theming inside, the lack of Disney characters everywhere is actually a positive for many DVC members. The main considerations will be location and the points charts. And the reality is that Island Tower will be hugely popular - because it offers the 1 & 2 bed villas at the Poly rather than just studios.

UNCgolf6 hours ago

I don't even think the exterior structure is ugly (I do think the Riviera is kind of ugly because the exterior looks significantly cheaper than what it's trying to emulate, and it towers over its surroundings). I just don't think it really fits right there on the shore between the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian. It's too... generic feels like the wrong word, because that sometimes carries a more negative connotation than I really intend, but it feels like you could make some relatively small edits to it and it would fit in the middle of a city as a hotel or apartment/condo building.

James Alucobond6 hours ago

You’re yards from the other Polynesian buildings and the Grand, so I think it’s a bit of a different situation. Should a new build have to mooch off the atmosphere of its host resort rather than enhance it? Certainly not, but you’re almost better off staying in it purely for views of the more themed areas of the resorts rather than staying in one of the adjacent outbuildings with diminished atmosphere. 🤷🏻‍♂️

BrianLo6 hours ago

I hope it is coming across that I’m trying to be objective for you all! It’s not helpful for me to come out and say it’s beautiful and I loved it when I know it addresses very little of the things a lot of you guys care about. As for location, this is going to sound dumb… but the funny thing is when you are inside the ugly structure already, you are looking at the Poly that you actually like. So the views are actually surprisingly pleasing. 😂 I think most of you would like the pocket gardens for that reason. Not that it justifies the other 90% of the choices you disagree with. Probably a lot of you will be ok with the restaraunt too.

UNCgolf6 hours ago

I don't know how opinions even would be changed at this point -- everybody has already seen the building and lobby; it's not like it's a secret. Whether it's nice or not isn't really at issue. And I'm not even arguing it's a disaster or anything like that, other than maybe the location where they chose to build it. I'm sure plenty of Disney guests are happy to have another hotel like this. It's just not what interests me in a Disney resort; I'd rather stay at a heavily themed moderate like Port Orleans Riverside than stay here (or the Riviera, for that matter). I've never been overly interested in staying at the Contemporary either, even though I think it's in a somewhat different category.

Fido Chuckwagon6 hours ago

Obviously.

BrianLo6 hours ago

I’d compare it to the new VGF resort rooms in terms of how well or not you feel the resort theme itself is evoked. A tad better than RIV in terms if you take the artwork down there’s still some remaining materials, carpet and tile work that is more overtly Polynesia inspired evoking lava flows, water and sand. But I really don’t think opinions are going to be changed other than it doesn’t present cheaply.

UNCgolf7 hours ago

This sounds like what I expected. I assumed it would be a very nice hotel, but it's not a themed hotel, which is what makes me have little interest in it as far as something on Disney property. I'd rather stay off-site (or at Swan/Dolphin/Swan Reserve) for far less money if I'm going to stay in an unthemed hotel.

BrianLo7 hours ago

Quite aesthetically different interior, probably the most that I’ve seen them do since everything recently has been very white and pretty character centric. But the same other complaints as RIV will no doubt be what everyone walks away with next week. You will not like it. I don’t mean that in an accusatory way. Only fence sitters might be swayed. I wouldn’t mind the design principles for Aulani’s refurb with a splash more beyond blue and brown.

Sirwalterraleigh7 hours ago

Sounds like riviera… Which blows.