If I keep my Ohana ADR, I'll miss Wishes. :(

[summersalt]

It's the only night during our short trip that we'll be able to go to MK. Our ADR at 8:10 and Wishes is at 9:00. The park has EMHs so we were planning to eat late and stay for EMHs. I can't decide if Ohana is worth missing Wishes for? WWYD?

 

[TDC Nala]

You can watch Wishes from the Polynesian...not sure how that works with the construction now though.

If you have never seen Wishes before, and it's important to you, then it's meant to be seen from the park.

 

[mrsksomeday]

You can see Wishes sitting at many of the tables at 'Ohana. Request a fireworks view when you check in. The restaurant lowers the lights and plays the Wishes soundtrack.

 

[JimmyV]

You can see Wishes sitting at many of the tables at 'Ohana. Request a fireworks view when you check in. The restaurant lowers the lights and plays the Wishes soundtrack.

First, I would say that you can see the FW from some of the tables at 'Ohana, not many. Second, if the OP's ADR is for 8:10 and they check in at 8:00, the odds of a window-side table opening up are not good. The closer you get to 9:00, the more likely it is that the people with prime viewing tables are going to keep them. At 9:30, you can pobably have your pick of window-side tables. But at 8:20, the pickings will be slim. Asking at the podium is fine, but you are likely going to be told that nothing is going to open up, and that several people are ahead of you on that "list".

 

[bumbershoot]

I've seen lots of rather UN-positive reviews of Ohana dinner here recently... Might not ultimately be worth it anyway, if you really want to see Wishes.

 

[BrokeMack]

We got a window table for our belated anniversary dinner in September. We asked at the podium like half an hour before our table time and just walked around the resort for a while (hasn't been before). If you get there early and are celebrating, they might accommodate. Just understand that everyone will invade your personal space when the fireworks start.

... And we have nothing but positive things to say about it.

 

[chocovrdmicears]

Having experienced both several times....


Skip Ohana - Experience Wishes in the Park.

(disclaimer: We would skip Ohana to ride Small World. - We do not like Ohana at all)


That being said - Have you seen Wishes before? If you have, then maybe it would be worth it to watch it from the Poly - If you haven't - it must be experienced inside the Park.

 

[antkim]

I think the question is do you prefer a great meal or great fireworks. My family would take Ohana over Wishes but that is because we have seen Wishes before and we love Ohana! We have been lucky enough to see Wishes while eating at Ohana also.

Honestly we have to be one of the toughest critics when it comes to dining in Disney...we are food snobs! Not once have we had a rushed or bad meal at Ohana. Ironically we were there last Monday and had the same server as in Jan. Her name is Maggie and she is wonderful. Not once did we have to ask for our meal to be "slowed down".

Either way you can't go wrong so enjoy!!

Kim

 

[BuffaloJim]

If you've seen Wishes from the park before, but not from the Poly, I would keep the ADR. Check in before 7:30, eat, and then watch the fireworks from the beach. You should experience it at least once.

 

[hedberg1661]

Personally I believe that Ohanas has gone way down hill and really not worth your time. I would choose another location for dinner and make sure you can see Wishes.

 

[CraigInPA]

You can ask for a window table, but it is likely you will be told that the tables are being offered as they open up, and you'll get whatever becomes available. Everyone wants a window table, and there are actually only a very small number of tables that have a view of Wishes that won't be blocked by foliage.

You are likely to still be eating at 9pm. Just do what everyone else does when Wishes starts: get up and walk over to the windows and watch from there. But, be polite to the people who have the window tables and don't walk in front of them, or allow your children to walk in front of them.

If the stars align and you get in early and finish your meal, you can take the 2 minute walk to the Poly's beach and watch from there. It's actually a great view, and they pipe in the music.

Or, you can ditch 'Ohana, eat elsewhere, and see Wishes from inside the park.

If you've never seen Wishes, the best place, by far, is in the square in front of the castle. It'll be happening above you, and is incredible from there. I'd find somewhere else to eat in this case.

If you've seen Wishes before, I'd keep 'Ohana and play it by ear.

 

[ShannonMB]

I'm in the camp that doesn't think O'hana is all that great. If I were really wanting to eat there, I would do what someone else suggested - check in early and try to be done eating and get down to the beach.

This is only if you have already seen Wishes a few times. If it's one of your first 3 times seeing it, O'hana is not worth missing seeing it in the park IMHO.

 

[Katelly]

I actually cancelled our Ohana ADR just the other day (and it took me forever to get one!) just so we can watch Wishes in the park. We've never seen Wishes on any of our trips and the way our schedule is working out, it was an either/or thing.

We have some other great meals planned and I'm really excited to see Wishes and the MSEP. Hope I made the right decision!

 

[LiveToTravelNicely]

I actually cancelled our Ohana ADR just the other day (and it took me forever to get one!) just so we can watch Wishes in the park. We've never seen Wishes on any of our trips and the way our schedule is working out, it was an either/or thing. We have some other great meals planned and I'm really excited to see Wishes and the MSEP. Hope I made the right decision!

I think you made the right decision. The msep and wishes are amazing and not to be missed!!

 

[rwdavis2]

I've seen lots of rather UN-positive reviews of Ohana dinner here recently... Might not ultimately be worth it anyway, if you really want to see Wishes.

I was going to say this as well.

 

[Katelly]

I think you made the right decision. The msep and wishes are amazing and not to be missed!!

Oh good, I'm glad to hear that!