5:00pm walk up at 'Ohana...possible?

[brergnat]

We have a 9:00pm ADR at 'Ohana on a Friday night for 3 adults. It was the ONLY time available all week (March 26-April 2).

Seeing as it's an "all you can eat" type meal, and we DO intend to eat quite a bit, we really don't want a 9:00pm time slot. I took it, as we really want to eat here (for sentimental purposes, mostly), but I am having a hard time dealing with such a late meal, since I have issues with digestion if I eat too large of a meal too close to bedtime.

Plus, I just realized that Friday is evening EMH at Epcot, which we were hoping to attend, and it's the only evening EMH at Epcot all week...don't really want to forgo it.

So, I was wondering, has anyone had any luck just showing up at 'Ohana when they open for dinner at 5:00pm and waiting for a table? We'd be willing to wait, even up to an hour or more (we'd just chill @ Tambu w/drinks). It would sure beat eating at 9pm, and we'd then be able to catch EMH at Epcot by easily walking to the TTC from the Poly and catching the monorail.

Should we try this? I have been calling almost daily and NO cancellations, and nothing earlier than 8:45pm ALL WEEK has opened up...

 

[fottafamily05]

We did this last March with no problem (even over Easter) It was our first night there and our actual "package" didnt start until the next day. It was a spur of the moment thing because we were stay at the Poly and we wanted to try it. I think we may have waited 15 minutes maybe not even that. The food was AMAZING and so was the atmosphere! Good Luck!

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

Last time we were there, we had a 5:10 ADR time. We saw a couple groups walk up and they were both told the restaurant was completely booked and without a reservation, they wouldn't be seated at all. This was in September.

I guess the only thing I can suggest, is to keep trying... calling back everyday to see if something else opens up. Or, like we have a couple times, go to the concierge (sp?) desk at 7AM that day to see if anyone has cancelled... we've seen many good restaurants open up day of for good times. One time we go to choose between 7:15PM Narcoossee's, 7:30PM California Grill and 6:35PM Chef Mickey's- we were shocked! If they do, they usually do it the day before and the cancellations cycle through overnight becoming available.

 

[MissionMouse]

Ohana is normally booked pretty solid and most individuals with ADR's wait a period of time beyond their ADR time to get a table.

No one can tell you if a walk up would be available on any particular night, but Ohana has a strong following of DDP and first time diners. Even in the off season Ohana will fill the lounge to capacity..extending out to the surrounding hallways.

 

[brergnat]

Thanks for the replies.

I think we will:

-Call first thing in the morning day of, and see about any cancellations for an earlier time.

-Go at 5pm anyway and IF they can't seat us, just head over to MK or Epcot for a few hours until 9pm, then come back for dinner and skip EMH @ Epcot

 

[donaldndaisy]

I would, definitely, give it a try We managed to get a seating as a walk-up, at O'hana, many times. People always cancel or don't show

 

[Faldred]

My strategy for later this month, since I've been unable to get a reservation, has been to book an early ADR at Kona Cafe, under the assumption we'll arrive somewhere around 5 PM for that, and check to see if we can do a walk-up at Ohana instead.

I'll still keep checking for cancellations up until then, and Kona isn't a bad choice, but I think the kids would have more fun at Ohana.