Ohana's Experience

[momofmikey]

Looking for one more TS meal for our August trip. Never tried O'hana's. What is it like? Do you see the servers preparing the food? Do you get your own table or do you share a table? How's the food?

Thanks!

 

[badblackpug]

Ohana is one of our yearly "must-do's." The food is served family style, in that it is all you can eat, but they bring it to the table. You always get your own table, but they don't prepare it in front of you. For dinner there is a little show with lots of fun games for the kids. We love the food.

 

[eelkmj01]

Looking for one more TS meal for our August trip. Never tried O'hana's. What is it like? Do you see the servers preparing the food? Do you get your own table or do you share a table? How's the food?

Thanks!

We are going for our first time in May. From what I understand, you do not see the preparation of the food as you would in some Japanese restaurants. You do not share a table, but depending on the size of your party, when you book your ADR you may be given the disclaimer your party could be split upon multiple tables. I was told this and DW and I are traveling with DS 5 and DD 15 months.

 

[disneemama]

We have been going to Disney for years and did not go to O'Hana until two years ago, we went and love it. Its a must do for us now and both times we went we had at least 17+ people and always were seated together. The food for all the adults was outstanding, they just keep bringing out more. They have kid food for the little ones, just have to let them know. The desert is the best anywhere. Also they have music and games during the dinner which is a lot of fun. I would not pick this restaurant if I were looking for a quiet dining experience. We were even able to see the fireworks in the distance from our table.

 

[JoePa4Ever]

Ohana dinner is one of our favorites - we love the polynesian atmosphere and have good meals there. The food is served family style - lots of good appetizers & side dishes (honey-coriander wings + pork dumplings ). Plus the server will bring skewers of shrimp, pork, steak & turkey to your table. The dessert is also very good: bread pudding a la mode with bananas & caramel sauce. There is also usually some sort of entertainment going on such as hula lessons, coconut races, limbo contests, etc.

 

[eagles1281]

Agree with everyone else. We ate at Ohana's in '05 and have been there for every trip their after. Love this place but my problems is, ALL YOU CAN EAT. Well when we leave I am always hurtin'. Love it
It's a must for at least one time. Also they have probably the best dessert on site.

 

[momofmikey]

thanks so much for the opinions - sounds great!

My only concern is the noise factor. From what I've read, it's a definite fun, loud place. That would be great except for my 2 ridiculously shy sons. They'll NEVER get up and dance or do anything where eyes will be on them. Do you think they'd be OK here? Can I request a section away from it all?

 

[ebird08]

so it's "all you care to enjoy" but not as a buffet? sounds like whispering canyon in the wilderness lodge. how does it compare? i know it's always packed whenever i walk through to use the monorail but we've never tried it. the only reservation i could get was much later in the evening. hoping it's worth it - but it sounds like it will be!

 

[MSLRAC]

We loved it and will be going back! It was one of our best meals all week! We had an 8 pm ADR and they didn't do any games but we were seated by the window and had a great view of Wishes.

The food was fabulous! DH ate so much meat and every single piece was tender and juicy. DD ate her weight in broccoli and noodles. I truly enjoyed the dumplings and wings which I usually do not like at all. And the dessert, oh my gosh...it was wonderful!

We also had great service. We were not rushed and didn't feel neglected at any point. I was really kind of worried going into that meal because there have been alot of some what poor reviews of it lately but it was wonderful!

 

[DisneyFamily123]

A lot of the food is cooked on skewers on an open fire in the restaurant and you can watch this. The food is a million times better than Whispering Canyon Cafe. Just the bread pudding dessert alone is enough to justify the meal. And for that reason, I warn you not to fill up on all the other food (and there is a lot!) You must save room for dessert.

And if you have never been to the Polynesian Resort... allow some extra time after dinner to walk off your meal..... and enjoy the resort. It is beautiful at night with all the tiki torches lit. Walk along the beach and you can see the castle all lit up and hear tropical music. At 6pm (usually) on most nights, there is a performer from the Spirita of Aloha who does a welcome the night ceremony at the entrance to the grand ceremonial house (main building) who juggles fire to drumming and lights the first tiki torches.

 

[wscottsawka]

Ohana is an absolute must do! Excellent food and atmosphere. Kids get to play games and food is brought to the table. Cooked on the open pit, food is delicious!!

 

[amshowers]

The food is great. Ishrimp, wings, and the dessert. Bread, salad and pot stickers are also yummy. The steak is always very good as I order it mid-rare. This restaurant is a must do for us. A lot of adults join in with the dancing, so maybe you going up with them will help.

 

[rlovew]

thanks so much for the opinions - sounds great!

My only concern is the noise factor. From what I've read, it's a definite fun, loud place. That would be great except for my 2 ridiculously shy sons. They'll NEVER get up and dance or do anything where eyes will be on them. Do you think they'd be OK here? Can I request a section away from it all?

You can request to be further away from it (near the windows)- we had a table near the aisle(where they do everything) and while we enjoyed the food DH said he didn't want to go there again- I think he had 5-10 kids run into or over his foot with a coconut that went wild and the loudness is not his style at all. Even if you are away from it- it is very loud and they will keep asking you kids to come up and do things- as long as they are okay saying no then they may be okay. My younger brother is very shy and I would not take him here.

 

[monorailmom]

We just booked this for our Aug. trip, though we've never tried it before. My DS is very nervous around fire..doesn't like candles, etc. Will he be okay if we aren't sitting right near the fire pit? Can you see much of it from seats near the windows?

 

[B-Ride]

Agree with everyone else. We ate at Ohana's in '05 and have been there for every trip their after. Love this place but my problems is, ALL YOU CAN EAT. Well when we leave I am always hurtin'.

The best approach is to do what we do. Stay at the Polynesian. Then after your second serving of the bread pudding you can just limp back to your room and collapse.

 

[RutgersFan]

I know I am in the minority here, but we really hated Ohana. We found the meat to be dry or fatty. I have never been so rushed through a meal. Our table wasn't in the main room so we didn't even get the good view and had to get up so the kids could participate in the games. We were really excited about this restaurant and it was a huge let down!!! I would never go back there!!!

 

[jdisnut]

I have read a surprising number of negative reviews of 'Ohana recently, but I remain firmly on the bandwagon. It is one of my favorite Disney restaurants, and I try to eat there each trip. The skewered meats with the dipping sauces are glorious, particularly the grilled turkey and the shrimp. I also adore the chicken wings and the bread pudding.

Like others have said, I would not worry about the noise or activities in the restaurant. Your children will not be pressured to join if they are uncomfortable, and you can easily request a table away from the festivities. The place is large enough to sit so far away from the dancing and coconut races you will barely see them happening.

 

[HunnyJar]

We just ate at 'Ohana for dinner on Feb 20th and it was a very positive experience. My husband and son loved the meat offerings. My husband who isn't generally a huge turkey fan had three helpings of the turkey. My son basically kept the shrimp to himself. No one complained of the meat being too tough or fatty.

I'm a vegetarian and I loved my food. The tofu vegetable plate they brought me was very tasty and I was very satisfied with it. I also enjoyed the broccoli and salad.

The dessert is always good and we were happy to see nothing had changed with it since our last visit. We will definitely be back.

 

[WAHMto5]

We love it! A every trip meal for our family as well

 

[MandM-Mom]

Ohana is either loved or hated I think, there are so many mixed reviews that I was very scared to try it and now we can't leave the world before we have it