'Ohana Dinner
Disney's Polynesian Resort
Those of you versed in Lilo and Stitch or those of you who have been lucky enough to visit the beautiful islands of Hawaii, know that "Ohana" means "Family" and at this retaurant they drive this point home. Food is served family style, everyone in the restaurant - including you - are "cousins" and Hawaiian entertainment is aimed at bringing everyone together to participate in common activities.
Type of Food: Polynesian
Reservations: Recommended
Service: 


Friendliness: 




Parking: Hotel Lot
Bar: Full Service
Wine Selection: Limited
Dress: Casual
Dinner: Daily 5-10 pm.
Price of Meal
2 Adults & 3 kids (any child under the age of 3 is free); includes coffee, tea or soda.
Table Credits: 5 with a $22.00 tip.
Price without Table Credits:
Subtotal: $106.95
Taxes: $13.37
Tip: $22.00
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Total: $141.98
Atmosphere
You're greeted at 'Ohana by "cousins" at the podium who take your name, give you a buzzer, and send you out into the Polynesian to explore. This was the only restaurant we did not mind having a 20 minute wait for, our 6 PM reservation.
Your buzzer works on the whole 2nd floor of polynesian resort, so while the boys stayed and listened to a very talented hawaiian musician in the waiting area, I took the girls and we went shopping at the shops across from 'Ohana. The time just flew by.
Ohana' is a large room wrapped around a massive fire pit, which is the origin of your food for the evening. The room is edged with nearly floor-to-ceilling windows with views of the Polynesian Resort Grounds, Seven Seas Lagoons, and Magic Kingdom icons like Cinderella's Castle and Big Thinder Mountain.
Your "cousins" host will take you on a tiny tour of the restaurant, passing by the open kitchen and array of "sample drinks" then by the open pit where Cast Members are grilling long skewers of meat and shrimp, and then on to your table.
Once you are seated in the large cushy chairs, you will be greeted by your server for the evening. This person will be taking care of your drinks and other specifics. He'll be joined by the second serving "assistant"
Another cast member youll be acquainted with by the end of the evening is the Hawaiian cultural ambassador and entertainment director. This individual is in charge of passing out leis, teaching hula lessons, serenading honeymoon and anniversary couples through a romantic slow dance, leading the restaurant in Hawaiian renditions of Happy Birthday, and emceeing coconut races and hula hoop contests for the kids. As youd imagine, shes very busy, but youre sure to have as interactive or as relaxed an evening as you wish. (This for us is what made the evening, the entertainment kept the kids entertained, while we could enjoy a hour long dinner).
Now, even though youre seated and have met your servers, there actually wont be much ordering; Ohana offers a set menu. For those who have dietary restrictions, likes, or dislikes, however, be sure to bring these up to your server. Ohana is famously good with ensuring everyone at the table has food that fits their needs. There is also a very small children's menu upon request and kosher selection may be available, best to order in advance.
EAT
The meal at Ohana includes plates and bowls full of Polynesian-inspired dishes. It begins with a delicious freshly-baked pineapple bread, dubbed Ohana Welcome Bread, which is brought to your table by the cousin who seats you. Be sure not to fill up on this, though theres MUCH to come!
Next up, one of your cousins will bring you Mixed Greens with honey-lime dressing. The dressing is absolutely amazing. A Must Try
Just as youve dug into your salad, large plates of lo mein noodles with vegetables and teriyaki sauce, stir-fried broccoli, pork dumplings drizzled with a sweet and sour sauce, and honey-coriander chicken wings show up on your table. These are some of the best chicken wings on Disney property.
Finally, your cousins come by with the main event grilled meats stacked high on skewers. This is a show in and of itself! One meat will come to your table at a time: mesquite grilled turkey, asian BBQ pork loin, marinated sirloin steak, and spicy peel n eat shrimp. The meats are accompanied by three sauces: peanut, spicy mustard, and sweet n sour. Your server will recommend which sauce to try with which meat.
And lastly, but, most importantly, the dessert. If you dont save room for this, you havent gotten even half of your moneys worth at Ohana: Ohana bread pudding a la mode with bananas foster sauce.
Thoughts on the Food: Overall, the food presentation is what saves this restaurant over the quality of food. My biggest complaint is that the meat was too well done for our liking, it was really dry. It felt like it sat on the grill far too long. The dessert was to die for and everyone in the family truly enjoyed it.
Tips
Before choosing this restaurant make sure everyone in the family or party likes this food, it is a set menu. We are quite blessed that we do not have picky eaters in our family. There was something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Even with our youngest she just shared food with mommy or daddy.
On a couples trip a few years ago, DH and I made reservations for 5pm, when the restaurant opens. We request a window table, order a Hawaiian drink, and watch the sky over the Magic Kingdom change from blue to pink to orange to red as the sun sets behind the Grand Floridian. Theres nothing more relaxing, as far as Im concerned. (It was very romantic)
Consider booking a reservation for an hour before the Magic Kingdom Fireworks are scheduled. Request a window table, and prepare for an amazing show! Ohana will pipe the music right into the restaurant!
Insist on being in the main dining room, where the fire pit is located. There are tables around back, but you can't see what;s going on from there.
Note: Will post pictures once I reach 10 posts.