Ohana- First Dinner Experience

[kermiebudge]

We just got back from a December trip with Dining Plan. We planned our dining reservations months in advance and continued to "fine tune" reservations even during the first part of our stay.

For some reason, one of the reservations we were most torn about making was Ohana. We had only been for breakfast and enjoyed it. I had been scouring the boards daily prior to the trip and started to get nervous about the dinner reviews here. The reservation I most looked forward to started to look like it may be a mistake...maybe even a waste of a dining credit. So I made reservations for dinner, cancelled them, made them again...AND cancelled them. While in Disney, and not exactly thrilled with our reservation I had made on the second night of our stay (Rainforest Cafe), I decided to look and see what other options may be available. An Ohana dinner reservation popped up. So, hesitantly...I grabbed it. I was a little concerned that 1 of our 2 kids may not enjoy the offerings...and I was also concerned about some of the bad reviews...but went with it anyways.

We were seated promptly and the food started streaming in right away... CONTINUOUSLY. Soon after, all doubts went out the window as we enjoyed our bread, salad, dumplings and wings... All fantastic. Then the skewers started.....OMG, they were all tasty, so tender...and plentiful. I have to say, surprisingly the chicken and shrimp were our favorites. Noodles were yummy too... We thought there was absolutely no way we'd be able to fit in dessert, but somehow managed . Service was amazing too as they went out of their way to make sure the kids had fun and that we were not left wanting for a morsel- and we definitely didn't feel rushed. Kids did the coconut races and dragged me up with them to learn Hawaiian dance.

It was the best night ever!!! I'm so glad we decided to try it out... Like any place, I'm sure they have "off" nights, but this will absolutely be another must-do for us on our next trip.

[AlohaAnnie]

So glad you discovered Ohana! We also love it and return every trip.

[ktnryansmom]

THANK YOU

for your post. This will be our first dinner meal when we arrive and I've been so worried based on what everyone has been saying...

I am so happy to read your post. Puts my mind at ease a bit!

[blackacex2]

O'hana is FREAKING AMAZING. I dream about that place. The dessert is ... there just aren't words. Can't wait to go back!!!!!

[jfoster]

Yes, Thank you!
We will be dining here for the first time when we go this May. I must say, Ohana receives a great deal of very mixed reviews. I have second guessed myself a few times, but I want to give it a try! Thanks for the reassurance!

[IllinoisMommy]

Glad you loved it, I wanted to try there but decided against it. Need to leave something for the next trip...

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We went through the same thing several years ago. We were so glad we did. We return every year and love it each time. Glad you went and enjoyed it. Our kids love the coconut races and the hula dancing too. It is always a greàt night.

[teesott]

This makes me happy Ohana is one of the only places I have not dined on property (for dinner) and am definately doing it during our next trip.

[sissy1]

This gives me hope, we are going next month and I have been trying to get ressies for weeks now to no avail. Getting ressies while there, WOW, I will keep trying. Thanks!

[DisneyHardin]

We ate there for the first time last fall and loved it. DH, who doesn't ever remember the name of any of the Disney restaurants, asked me the other day if we were going to eat at the "meat fest" again this year.

[Scrappy_Tink]

'Ohana is always our first night celebration dinner. I swear I could eat my weight in wings!!!!!

[amcnj]

Glad you had a good experience. Your description sounds exactly like my last visit there. It never ceases to amaze me that others can have a totally negative visit there. I hope I never have one of those off days as I would hate to fear going there again.

[pigletto]

We go on every trip and while we did have one pretty bad meal, that was the server and nothing else. In 7 or 8 trips we've never had a horrible Ohana experience.

I think sometimes expectations are the culprit. If you read over and over that something is amazing, it can be a let down because you are expecting so much. On the flipside.. you had been reading some unfavourable reviews and had low expectations so your dinner surpassed them.

It isn't the greatest restaurant on the planet..but it is usually pretty good and we enjoy it!

[JerseyDevils]

We tried Ohana for the first time on our trip last May. It was easily the best meal of our stay! All of us cannot wait to return!

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

Glad you enjoyed it. Ohana's is one of our favorites. It's a must do every trip. On our last trip we were a group of 11, our family of 3 were the only ones that had ever dined there. Needless to say, it is now the fave for the rest of the group too.
I usually don't put much stock in others reviews. Every ones likes/dislikes are never the same.