Post #718882 by Hurricane Hayward on Sun, Jun 1, 2014 1:11 AM

Trader Sam's will share space (and the kitchen) with Captain Cook's, so we'll have a much better understanding of the size and scope of the Grog Grotto (sorry, I like that name for some reason) when the quick-service restaurant moves back (tentatively scheduled for August).

That gives them another six months (according to the dates I'm hearing) to get the bar up and running, but it will be hard to hide what's going on right next door. There's also a Dole Whip stand being added somewhere, most likely a counter that will face into the lobby and/or pool deck. No ETA on when that will be done. But I would think it would be done in conjunction with Captain Cook's.

This all sounds like a logistical nightmare, considering that at the same time the lobby will be totally revamped, and it's possible some of the second-floor restaurants will be refurbished as well. My understanding is that there's a push to get the DVC additions completed by the end of 2014 so they can have guests in rooms by next summer.

Also, for what it's worth, the new water features planned for the exterior are intended to make everyone forget about the old waterfall. I've heard they may be pretty amazing.