allowing proper amount of time for Ohana's?

[Jperiod]

We are two adults and two kids. We eat pretty quick, even when we're trying to go slow, we're all done in less than an hour. Even our character meals are about an hour.

We're going a couple weeks before christmas (but during free dining ) in the middle of the week. We'd like to see the boat parade and holiday wishes on the poly beach after Ohana. I've heard they take forever though. How much time do I need to give? And why does it take so long? I can't imagine actively eating for 2 hours! Is a lot of it waiting around for food?

 

[DisneyWisher]

As soon as you are seated your "cousin" takes your drink order. Your other "cousin" will bring the side items. Then will start coming with the meats. They will bring more sides as you need them. We always get more salad and wings. After they cleared the meal they will bring dessert. I suggest asking for ice cream on the side. Couple years ago they brought DGS3 his own bowl. It was my oldest daughter's first time, they loved it. It was grandson's first trip not using a stroller, I'd never seen him eat so much. He was the last one to finish.

 

[cbg1027]

Once you're actually seated, I would count on an hour. Sometimes everything comes out at once, and sometimes it's space far apart.

For example, if you want to be sure to try all the meats, it may take a while. When I went, we got the steak and shrimp almost right away, but the chicken and pork didn't come by until a good 15 mins after that.

You also will need to factor in wait time. Half hour if you're lucky.

Holiday Wishes is at 9:30, so I'd aim for an ADR around 6:30-7. Err on the earlier side if you have to because the waits can get crazy at 'Ohana, especially during peak dining time.

 

[OhThePain]

Holiday Wishes is at 9:30, so I'd aim for an ADR around 6:30-7. Err on the earlier side if you have to because the waits can get crazy at 'Ohana, especially during peak dining time.

I'd agree with planning your ADR about 3 hours before you want to be out on the beach. If the Electric Water Pageant starts at 9 (I don't know what time it will start, but for some reason I always remember it being at 9) and it is important for you to see, then I would aim for a 6:00 ADR. You will wait to be seated after you check-in and I have heard of people waiting of up to an hour after their ADR time. We have had some really slow and awful service there, so I would factor that in as well.

 

[icc2515]

What time is your reservation?

 

[DisneyWisher]

For anyone that's been since February have they changed the dressing? I just saw in Allearsnet that they now have a mango poppyseed dressing. I'm hoping they still have the honey lime especially since I'm allergic to mango.

 

[Jperiod]

Wow! Never knew anyone else with a mango allergy! It runs in our family. MIL, SIL, and DS all have it. From what I understand, you can request the other dressing from Ohana.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

'Ohanas is always our longest meal, whether free dining is going on or not. We almost always have to wait 15-20+ minutes past the ADR time (so 30-40 minutes including being there 15 minutes early to check in) and then the food comes in stages. Sometimes it's quick, sometimes there's lulls in between things, and sometimes it's all slow. You have so many different "cousins" that bring different things. Getting your check takes some time too. I don't think we've ever been in and out for dinner in less than 2 hours (including check-in time) and we're fast eaters too. It doesn't bother us, we go there expecting it to be a long, leisurely meal. But I've seen some families around us frustrated with wanting to get out of there quicker.

 

[DisneyWisher]

Wow! Never knew anyone else with a mango allergy! It runs in our family. MIL, SIL, and DS all have it. From what I understand, you can request the other dressing from Ohana.

Whats funny is my mom and sister love them but my dad(stepfather) is also allergic so he never allowed them in the house. I'm also allergic to shrimp, already notified them of that. Strange as it is the honey lime dressing is one of the things I look forward to. I made it based in the recipe I found online but it's better at Ohana, maybe because of Lapu Lapus or pina coladas. 3 weeks 6 days til our ressies.

 

[Jperiod]

Well, if we're stuck there, I guess we can watch wishes from inside. But what kind of tables are against the window? Are they just the smaller 3 person tables? And I thought I read the windows are away from the main action of the volcano or something?

 

[Missyrose]

Whats funny is my mom and sister love them but my dad(stepfather) is also allergic so he never allowed them in the house. I'm also allergic to shrimp, already notified them of that. Strange as it is the honey lime dressing is one of the things I look forward to. I made it based in the recipe I found online but it's better at Ohana, maybe because of Lapu Lapus or pina coladas. 3 weeks 6 days til our ressies.

We ate there last week and the dressing was honey lime.

Well, if we're stuck there, I guess we can watch wishes from inside. But what kind of tables are against the window? Are they just the smaller 3 person tables? And I thought I read the windows are away from the main action of the volcano or something?

We sat at a table with a dead-on view of the castle. If you have an early enough ADR, request a table by the window. You may have to wait an extra few minutes, but it's worth a shot!

 

[MSSANDRA]

Let your server know how you want the meal paced. We have always had wonderful experiences there and they always ask us how we want our meal paced. We like it slowly. We like to enjoy things and there is a LOT of food that it is better not rushed. Our 4 year old eats slow and sits well so it works for us but you of course can ask that they keep things moving!

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We sat at a table with a dead-on view of the castle. If you have an early enough ADR, request a table by the window. You may have to wait an extra few minutes, but it's worth a shot!

We had an ADR (two of us) for 6:30 p.m. back in 2008. We asked for a window seat when we checked in and went to the bar. At 7:30 I abandoned waiting for a window seat . It's not always like that, of course, but the food won out on waiting any longer.

Jperiod - I don't understand what you mean about the volcano? There's the volcano at the pool a distance away from the restaurant windows, but it doesn't erupt or do anything special. It also is lower than 'Ohanas so it's not this massive thing blocking the windows. The windows wrap around the front of 'Ohanas so you get a pretty decent view, no matter where you're seated.

We generally ask for a table off to the side when we check in. This doesn't mean a window, per say, but it does usually make for a quieter meal. If I remember correctly, there's a couple big round tables off to the far corner of the windows, overlooking the marina area. We've gone with 5-6 adults and they usually seat us here when we ask for a table off to the side.

They dim the lights and pipe in the music during the fireworks, if that helps any. Also, if you're keen on getting down to the beach, ask for your check at the beginning of your meal. Then you can leave as soon as you're finished. This is always what seems to take the longest, for us, 'cause we have to find the appropriate "cousin" to get our check or mention to one of the random "cousins" who I guess passes the word on to our "cousin".

ETA: Hmmm...I know that they pipe in the regular firework music, but I don't know about the special firework shows (like the ones for Halloween or Christmas).

 

[mariamouse]

OP- I hope you don't mind if I chime in here...

My mom and I have a 5:15 ressie at 'Ohana and are hoping to get into the MK by 7 for MVMCP right after. If we arrive before 5, do you think we have a good chance of being seated on time since we already have a ressie? I don't really see why we wouldn't be seated. Do we have a better chance of getting a window table with our reservation time?

Hopefully we will be able to get out in time. The pointer about asking for the check when we sit down is a great idea and should help get us out faster.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

mariamouse-It's definitely easier to get in faster when they first open (they open at 5 p.m. for dinner). You shouldn't really have a problem getting a window seat either. I'd say, as long as you ask for the check before dessert comes (in fact, I'd probably just ask at the beginning and pay somewhere in the middle of the meal, unless you're concerned with how much to tip/level of service), you should have no problem getting out of there by 7 p.m. Any ADR we've had there after 5:45-6 we've usually had to wait a little bit after our ADR to be seated. Of course, this is our experience (I've been to 'Ohanas at least a dozen times for dinner) and others may vary.

 

[mariamouse]

mariamouse-It's definitely easier to get in faster when they first open (they open at 5 p.m. for dinner). You shouldn't really have a problem getting a window seat either. I'd say, as long as you ask for the check before dessert comes (in fact, I'd probably just ask at the beginning and pay somewhere in the middle of the meal, unless you're concerned with how much to tip/level of service), you should have no problem getting out of there by 7 p.m. Any ADR we've had there after 5:45-6 we've usually had to wait a little bit after our ADR to be seated. Of course, this is our experience (I've been to 'Ohanas at least a dozen times for dinner) and others may vary.

Thanks so much for the information! I am feeling much better now about our plan.

 

[Jperiod]

Jperiod - I don't understand what you mean about the volcano? There's the volcano at the pool a distance away from the restaurant windows, but it doesn't erupt or do anything special. It also is lower than 'Ohanas so it's not this massive thing blocking the windows. The windows wrap around the front of 'Ohanas so you get a pretty decent view, no matter where you're seated.

We generally ask for a table off to the side when we check in. This doesn't mean a window, per say, but it does usually make for a quieter meal. If I remember correctly, there's a couple big round tables off to the far corner of the windows, overlooking the marina area. We've gone with 5-6 adults and they usually seat us here when we ask for a table off to the side.

They dim the lights and pipe in the music during the fireworks, if that helps any. Also, if you're keen on getting down to the beach, ask for your check at the beginning of your meal. Then you can leave as soon as you're finished. This is always what seems to take the longest, for us, 'cause we have to find the appropriate "cousin" to get our check or mention to one of the random "cousins" who I guess passes the word on to our "cousin".

ETA: Hmmm...I know that they pipe in the regular firework music, but I don't know about the special firework shows (like the ones for Halloween or Christmas).

I don't know where I got the volcano thing either. Looking back in my unofficial guide, I guess they mention the fire pit and fire, so maybe that's where?? It says to request a table in the main room so we can see the action.

I haven't found very good photos of the place online, so I can't tell if the window tables are in another room or if there are any in the main with the grill? I will be there with a 1 yo and a 6 yo who will def want to participate/watch any fun and interesting goingson.

So far our ressie is for 8:15 and I'll try to move it up. But this will be after our AK day, which we'll leave right after the parade (driving our own car) and head back to Boardwalk for naps/rest. We'll also drive to poly from BWV. But I don't know how realistic it is to try for an ADR at 7:00. I need the baby to last so she need a good sleep.

 

[merlee76]

If you can up it to 7 you will eat and see wishes from the windows. then head down to the beach to relax and take in the view. At 9, the electric parade will start. totally worth it. It was our best non-character dining experience.
As far as eating quickly, there is a lot of kids entertainment to add some time. coconut races, the ukele, etc. Awesome night!

 

[Jperiod]

Holiday Wishes is at 9:30 that night. There is no regular Wishes.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

This is the general layout of 'Ohanas. The purple area/line indicates where most of the "action" is. This is generally where the singer moves around, where the coconut races generally begin, etc. The singer is usually hooked up to a mic and can be heard through the speakers (and throughout the restaurant). The red line indicates where the window seating is. Restrooms are technically outside of the restaurant in the hallway (blue lines).