Disney World’s New Sit-Down Restaurant With Direct Fireworks Views Adds Reservations

Disney’s Polynesian Resort Island Tower opened earlier this year at Disney World and introduced a popular new dining option. The resort is located across the Seven Seas Lagoon from Magic Kingdom, providing the restaurant with great waterfront views, especially of the fireworks!

Now this popular restaurant is going to be offering dining reservations for the first time. At Mickey Visit, we report on all important Disney news, like the christening of the Disney Destiny cruise ship and returning entertainment to Disney World.

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Wailulu Bar & Grill Taking Reservations Soon

Island Tower at Disney's Polynesian Resort restaurant view

Since the Wailulu Bar & Grill opened, it has been a walk-up location only and has not offered reservations. That is now changing with online reservations opening up on December 3, 2025, with the earliest available reservation date on December 4, 2025.

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Now that the restaurant is moving to reservations, we will have to wait and see how easy availability is to get a table. While some guests might be disappointed at this move to reservations, it will likely improve guest experience by reducing wait times for tables and making it easier to access this spot if you plan. Of course, half the appeal of some restaurants like these in Disney World is the ability to be spontaneous, but I am sure they will still offer a walk-up list while prioritizing those with reservations.

The Wailulu Bar & Grill is the New Disney Adult Favorite

Wailuau Bar & Grill seating area

It’s no surprise that the Wailulu Bar and Grill is so popular since it is an affordable dining option with a great location. Typically, the sit-down restaurants at Walt Disney World with great views are often reserved for the most upscale restaurants. When you’re sitting out on the patio, you can look directly towards Magic Kingdom to see the fireworks.

The Wailulu Bar & Grill offers a menu with offerings inspired by cuisine from the South Pacific Islands. While the menu is a hit, the biggest highlight is the amazing view looking out over the Seven Seas Lagoon. A lot of the Polynesian-inspired artwork in the restaurant was crafted with recycled materials and reclaimed fishing nets. This restaurant is the first all-electric restaurant at Walt Disney World.

Wailuau Bar & Grill platter

The menu offers a selection of starters with options like Ahi Tuna Crisps or Sweet Potato Hummus. Main courses include a variety with options ranging from a Wayfinder Hamburger to a Grilled Fish of the Day. The Wayfinder Hamburger was one of our personal favorites. We found it rivaled the burgers offered at Steakhouse 71! You can read our full review of this fan favorite restaurant here.

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The Wailulu Bar & Grill is easy to access from Magic Kingdom since it is on the monorail loop and would make a great midday break option from a day at the parks. Especially since Magic Kingdom isn’t exactly known for its world-class dining options!

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About Lindsay Brookshier

Lindsay has been recognized as a Disney expert since 2017 and has been featured by outlets including CNBC, SFGate, NerdWallet, and Visit Anaheim. She visits Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Hollywood, and Universal Orlando multiple times each year, giving her first hand insight into park operations, seasonal trends, crowd patterns, and touring strategies.

Her experience also extends to Disney Cruise Line, where she has sailed on every class of ship, visited both of Disney’s private islands, and participated in specialty sailings such as Marvel Day at Sea and Very MerryTime cruises. This depth of travel allows her to provide practical, data informed guidance across Disney Parks, Disney Cruise Line, Universal theme parks, and related destinations.

As Content Director of Mickey Visit, Lindsay oversees editorial strategy and daily content, leading a team of writers who produce timely news coverage and general planning content. She leads the development and analysis of Mickey Visit’s crowd calendars, applying expert insight into crowd behavior, seasonal trends, and park operations. Lindsay writes touring plans, authors in depth reviews, and offers expert analysis on Disney experiences, while also analyzing the best and worst days to visit. She serves as an expert on Disney discounts, tracking and evaluating ticket offers, hotel promotions, and seasonal deals. She comes from a lifelong Disney family, has been visiting Disneyland since the 1990s, and is even in the middle of planning a Disney Cruise Line wedding.

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