The spontaneous dining era has officially ended at Wailulu Bar & Grill. As of December 4, 2025, the beloved restaurant at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is now accepting advance bookings—a move that closes the chapter on its walk-up-only approach.
Since the Island Tower opened its doors, Wailulu has operated without a reservation system. Guests simply showed up, added their names to a list, and hoped for the best. While this worked for some visitors who enjoyed the flexibility, others found themselves stuck in lengthy waits or unable to dine there at all during their vacation.
Making Your Reservation
Booking a table follows Disney’s standard process. Pull up the My Disney Experience app on your phone or head to DisneyWorld.com on your computer. Search for Wailulu Bar & Grill, select your party size and preferred date, and you’re set. The system mirrors what you’d experience booking any other Disney restaurant, from California Grill to Ohana.
Availability opens 60 days ahead for all guests, with resort guests getting the added perk of booking their entire stay length at once. If you’re eyeing a specific date—especially weekend evenings or times around the fireworks—set your alarm for 6:00 AM Eastern when the booking window opens.
Why Guests Are Talking
The Disney community has mixed feelings about this transition. Many visitors appreciate knowing they have a guaranteed table rather than gambling on walk-up availability. Families planning tight schedules around park reservations and Lightning Lane selections find comfort in locking down their dining plans early.
However, there’s a vocal group mourning the loss of flexibility. As Disney World leans increasingly toward advance planning for nearly everything, Wailulu represented one of the few remaining options for spontaneous decisions. Some guests argue that restaurants located inside resorts should prioritize guests staying at those properties, rather than filling up with visitors from across Disney World.
Early reports suggest that dinner slots are already scarce for the coming weeks, raising questions about whether the reservation system actually improves access or simply shifts the frustration from waiting lists to fully booked calendars.
What’s on the Plate
The restaurant serves modern Polynesian cuisine with an emphasis on sharing. Starters like the Sweet Potato Hummus with breadfruit tostones ($12) and Sticky Pork Ribs with pineapple chips ($15) encourage groups to order several dishes for the table. Seafood options include Garlic Shrimp in garlic-lemon butter ($16) and Ahi Tuna Crisps with avocado crema ($17).
Main courses range from the approachable WayNnder Burger ($23) to premium selections like Short Rib Loco Moco with shiitake gravy ($33). The Ahi Tuna Poke Bowl ($26) offers a lighter alternative, while the Grilled Fish of the Day in green curry broth ($32) showcases seasonal catches.
Save room for dessert—the DOLE Whip Sundae at $8 delivers that classic Disney treat, while the Tahitian Vanilla Crème Brûlée ($12) provides a more sophisticated finish.
The Bottom Line
Whether this change enhances or complicates your Disney experience depends entirely on your vacation style. Planners will love the certainty. Spontaneous travelers will miss the flexibility. Either way, Wailulu has clearly become a must-visit spot, and Disney’s willingness to implement reservations confirms its popularity isn’t fading anytime soon.
If it’s on your list, don’t wait—those tables are filling up faster than you can say “Aloha.”
