Wailulu Bar & Grill at the Polynesian now takes reservations, and its lagoon booths face Magic Kingdom's fireworks
Wailulu Bar & Grill, the poolside restaurant at the Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, now accepts Advance Dining Reservations, and a confirmed reservation lets guests park at the resort. Its all-day menu runs from $17 Ahi Tuna Crisps to a $33 Short Rib Loco Moco, and its outdoor booths look across Seven Seas Lagoon to Magic Kingdom.
Wailulu Bar & Grill, the restaurant beside the Cove Pool at the Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, now accepts Advance Dining Reservations. Its outdoor booths sit just above the beach on Seven Seas Lagoon, looking across the water at Magic Kingdom and its fireworks.
Key Details
- Where: Island Tower, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, beside the Cove Pool
- Meals: All-day lunch and dinner menu; specialty coffee and grab-and-go pastries at breakfast
- Reservations: Advance Dining Reservations now accepted
- Prices: From an $8 dessert to a $33 entree
The Buzz
Wailulu is the Polynesian's newest restaurant, and moving it onto reservations opens its lagoon-side tables to guests who are not staying at the resort.
How to book Wailulu Bar & Grill
A reservation is now the surest way in, though the waitlist and takeout remain.
- Waitlist remains. Walk-Up Waitlist is still offered, as at most table-service restaurants, but reservations are highly recommended.
- Parking perk. A confirmed Wailulu reservation now lets guests park at the Polynesian.
- Takeout. Mobile Order To-Go covers lunch and dinner, for meals in a room or on the beach.
- Breakfast next. A breakfast Mobile Order option appeared in the My Disney Experience app in mid-October 2026, a sign it may open soon.
Reservations cut both ways. Polynesian guests lose some of the edge they had at their own pool restaurant, while the much larger number of guests staying elsewhere gain a way to plan a meal there.
Fireworks views across Seven Seas Lagoon
The outdoor seating faces Magic Kingdom across the water, which makes Wailulu a fireworks restaurant.
- Happily Ever After. Magic Kingdom's nighttime fireworks show is visible from the patio, which sits slightly above the beach.
- Electrical Water Pageant. The floating light parade that sails past the lagoon resorts at night is also visible from the restaurant.
- Beachfront booths. Booths closest to the water have the best view, with reflecting pools behind them that mirror the fireworks.
- Sit at the end. End seats in a booth face the lagoon, the monorail and the fireworks without turning around.
- Timing tip. Book about an hour before showtime, arrive early and ask for a fireworks-view table.
- Daytime skyline. Cinderella Castle and other Magic Kingdom icons poke above the treeline across the water.
Sounds carry across the lagoon too, from the Walt Disney World Railroad whistle to the ferryboat horn, with the glow of Main Street, U.S.A. in the distance.
A curved dining room with fish overhead
Inside is one small curved room with ocean-themed art, and the patio mirrors its shape.
- Recycled art. Much of the Polynesian-inspired artwork is made from recycled materials and reclaimed fishing nets.
- Fish overhead. Fish swim overhead at the entrance, and a manta ray hangs in the far corner.
- Glowing wall. A stained-glass style wall lights the room and is switched off during fireworks so it does not reflect in the windows.
- Seating mix. The room has tables and chairs, padded benches and a bar.
- Name meaning. Wailulu joins the Hawaiian words wai, meaning water, and lulu, meaning calm.
The patio is close to a mirror image of the room, with a row of tables by the windows and booths nearer the water.
Wailulu menu prices, from $17 tuna crisps to a $33 loco moco
The all-day menu leans on island flavors, and many entrees come with a choice of side.
- Ahi Tuna Crisps. $17 for marinated ahi tuna on crispy fried wontons with avocado crema, sriracha aioli and soy glaze.
- Teriyaki Chicken Sliders. $19, with kimchi slaw on a sweet bun.
- Short Rib Loco Moco. $33, the priciest entree: short rib over crispy rice cakes with shiitake mushroom gravy and a fried egg.
- Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl. $26 with sushi-style rice, pickled cucumbers, vegetables, spicy poke sauce and macadamia nuts; chicken or tofu versions cost $4 less.
- Wayfinder Burger. $23 for two pressed patties, American cheese, onion jam and Volcano Sauce on a sweet bun.
- DOLE Whip Sundae. $8, with hibiscus meringue, macerated pineapple and berries.
The sliders and the burger come with mac salad or sweet potato fries, as do many entrees. The mac salad is made with ube, the purple yam, which gives it a chewy texture. The Kids' Menu includes Grilled Teriyaki Chicken.
Our take. For a fireworks dinner, book Wailulu about an hour before Happily Ever After and ask for the end of an outdoor booth; if you are driving in, the reservation also covers parking at the Polynesian.