Is Ohana Worth It? Ohana Alternatives?

Yumi696 · Mar 28, 2015

We currently have a reservation for Ohana and we are really looking forward to it! However there have been many people on the disboards giving Ohana such terrible reviews. Is Ohana worth it or should we get a new reservation? What would you suggest instead of Ohana?

We're NOT picky eaters by the way, and as long as the food is warm and tastes well enough we'll go for it. XD

We ate there before on our first trip and were stuffed to the gills and very happy. But that was back in 2009.

It would be really cool to go since I've been to New Zealand and I could probably connect well with the CMs.

senadler · Mar 29, 2015

Ohana is definitely one of our favorites, and we try to book it for every trip. It is also one of the most popular restaurants that consistently books at 180 days, so many others clearly feel the same. I think every restaurant gets some bad reviews, but I don't think you will be disappointed, especially if you have enjoyed it in the past.

goofy4prez · Mar 29, 2015

I would say in spite of the mixed reviews, go and experience it yourself. I have learned what others love, I may dislike and what others dislike, I may love. With that said, Ohana use to be one of my favorite places and was always a must do for us. But times have changed. I dislike that Ohana has removed two of their dipping sauces (at least since I last dined), and no longer serve the chicken skewers. I also have always encountered very long, and I do mean very long waits past my scheduled ADR. It doesn't look like Ohana is a place I will be visiting again in the near future.

tasha99 · Mar 29, 2015

I could have written your post--we loved 'Ohana in 2007 (?--sometime around then). Haven't been there since, but I have read the recent bad reviews here on the Dis and am concerned as well. A lot of complaints of cold food, and I am a bit of a weirdo about wanting food HOT. I'm wondering if a night out at a Brazillian steakhouse, and then fru fru drinks with DD22 at Trader Sams would be better. We're going to Universal, which is a short cab ride to either Texas de Brazil or Fogo de Chao. On the other hand, 'Ohana would be so handy, and we did get an ADR. . . Plus, I remember the banana bread pudding as being extremely amazing.

Alesia · Mar 29, 2015

If you avoid restaurants that get bad reviews on the disboards, you will starve to death. Seriously.

Go to 'Ohana. Enjoy your dinner.

yooperfan · Mar 29, 2015

We go every year and have enjoyed it every time. When you figure the number of people that go to Ohanas, of course you will hit a percentage that either 1. Have different taste in food or atmosphere 2. Happen to hit an exhausted server 3. Are very high maintenance. As an example, some people have said most of the restaurants are using way to much salt now. We have been going for thirty years and didn't notice a DIF. In January. If we went by those posts, we would have avoided most restaurants. Might you not enjoy it's? Sure, you can say that about any restaurant.

joannjoe · Mar 29, 2015

goofy4prez said:
I would say in spite of the mixed reviews, go and experience it yourself. I have learned what others love, I may dislike and what others dislike, I may love. With that said, Ohana use to be one of my favorite places and was always a must do for us. But times have changed. I dislike that Ohana has removed two of their dipping sauces (at least since I last dined), and no longer serve the chicken skewers. I also have always encountered very long, and I do mean very long waits past my scheduled ADR. It doesn't look like Ohana is a place I will be visiting again in the near future.

A guy can love Disney and still keep his man card! I love this!! I wish my wife agreed thou.

emilymad · Mar 29, 2015

We have had great and not great experiences at Ohana. On recent trips we have skipped it due to price. You could go to a signature restaurant for the same money. We have been enjoying Kona. We still get to enjoy the Poly and the food has been excellent there.

Yumi696 · Mar 29, 2015

Thanks for the feedback, everyone! I think for now, we'll stick to Ohana unless anyone in my family has any requests.

joannjoe · Mar 29, 2015

Yumi696 said:
Thanks for the feedback, everyone! I think for now, we'll stick to Ohana unless anyone in my family has any requests.

When you get time after your trip Please let us know how it was.

DisneyWisher · Mar 29, 2015

Just 2 yrs ago it was our must do. We went for first time in 2004 back then it was about $22 a person. You got bread, salad greens with honey lime dressing, wings, green beans, sticky rice, meat selections were grilled Turkey (so good), pork and steak (I'm allergic to shellfish so if shrimp was offered I dont remember). Dessert was fresh pineapple and caramel or you could buy dessert they used to have a "sand pail" filled with shaved ice. Kids loved that. Then they started changing menu. Out went rice, beans and pineapple. Replaced by bread pudding (kids love this) potatoes au gratin and mixed veggies. This is when I noticed grilled shrimp but they changed it to shrimp in sweet and sour sauce (shrimp were not peeled). Switched potatoes with noodle, salad w/ honey lime dressing to poppyseed dressing to lettuce wraps, no more grilled turkey.
My favorites were salad w/honey lime dressing, wings (so good), grilled turkey and steak (though this can be hit or miss). Since they got rid of half my favorites we no longer go.

We are taking an adult only trip. My girls are now 21 and 29. We plan on going to Tambu lounge for appetizers and cocktails. They now offer the wings. Cant wait, my 21 yr old plans on trying the Lapu Lapu. I love the pina colada or pina coloda and strawberry daiquiri.

But try for yourself. My oldest daughter 31 and her family still go. Kids love it especially the noodles

BrokeMack · Mar 29, 2015

No complaints with breakfast. Dinner service can be slow (both waiting to be seated and waiting to be served). The food had always been good regardless and the atmosphere is very nice. We went 3 times in 4 trips. We won't be back for awhile, but only so we can try out other places.

lizzyb · Mar 29, 2015

We love Ohana and try to go everytime. I have read the chicken is back which is great news for us.

yooperfan · Mar 29, 2015

I think it's still a great deal for all you can eat with shrimp and steak on the menu. I think you would be hard pressed to find a signature restaurant at Disney that served appetizers, drink and dessert for the price let alone the fact it's all you can eat. I know it's more during peak season, but what isn't.

Gena001 · Mar 29, 2015

Yep, we still go every trip. It's always a fav of DH. We love the atmosphere as well!

flopnut2112 · Mar 29, 2015

We ate dinner in 2008 and 2012 at Ohana. Both times the wait to be seated was slightly longer than we would have liked. Maybe the new seating and lobby will make the wait more enjoyable!
The food and service was excellent and we love the atmosphere. In 2012 our group of 14 with some special diet requests was well taken care of.
Love the wings and bread pudding!

princesspiglet · Mar 29, 2015

goofy4prez said:
I would say in spite of the mixed reviews, go and experience it yourself. I have learned what others love, I may dislike and what others dislike, I may love. With that said, Ohana use to be one of my favorite places and was always a must do for us. But times have changed. I dislike that Ohana has removed two of their dipping sauces (at least since I last dined), and no longer serve the chicken skewers. I also have always encountered very long, and I do mean very long waits past my scheduled ADR. It doesn't look like Ohana is a place I will be visiting again in the near future.

Confused. I have been there twice in the past year and they had chicken skewers both times. What they didn't have anymore is turkey. What they serve now is chicken, steak and shrimp. Obviously we love is as we go every trip.

JVig · Mar 29, 2015

Sorry to hijack the thread, just a quick Ohana question: if I have an 8:10 ADR and wishes is at 10....will we see them from restaurant? Or finish up and head down to beach to see maybe?
Thanks!

goofy4prez · Mar 29, 2015

princesspiglet said:
Confused. I have been there twice in the past year and they had chicken skewers both times. What they didn't have anymore is turkey. What they serve now is chicken, steak and shrimp. Obviously we love is as we go every trip.

When have you last been to Ohana? It was chicken skewers when I was last there and when I last looked were no longer on the menu at Ohana and were removed from the menu last summer. The three times I have been to Ohana they did not have turkey,it was chicken. I have heard they have in the past, but never in the times I have been there. The changes to Ohana are enough to now keep me away. But with all that said, it looks like a case where we are both correct, depending on the timing. When I go to Disney's website it now shows sweet and sour chicken, which was not an option just a few months ago when I booked my adr's; at that time it was pork loin and beef. Now it is chicken and beef. Either way, Ohana used to serve the pork loin, chicken, and the beef. I look at it as less and I for one am tired of paying the same or more to get less. I speak with my $$$ and choose to find somewhere else. But hey, that is just me and I know there are plenty of others who love Ohana and continue to go there... I'm ok with that.

Here are a few of the examples of how the menu changes back and forth. No way am I booking 6 months out at Ohana when there is a very good chance the chicken will not be on the menu leaving beef and pork as the only options.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/polynesian-resort/ohana/menus/dinner/

http://allears.net/dining/menu/ohana/dinner

http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/dining/diningdetail.cfm?restaurant.id=25#menu

CraigInPA · Mar 31, 2015

JVig said:
Sorry to hijack the thread, just a quick Ohana question: if I have an 8:10 ADR and wishes is at 10....will we see them from restaurant? Or finish up and head down to beach to see maybe?
Thanks!

There are only a few tables at 'Ohana that offer a view of Wishes. If you happen to be seated at one of them, you'll wish you were not. People from adjacent tables, and sometimes from across the room will crowd in to look over your shoulder, and small children will wend their way between tables to get to the glass to watch. You're much better off going down to the Poly's beach and watching Wishes from there.

Is Ohana Worth It? Ohana Alternatives?

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A guy can love Disney and still keep his man card!

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