Any tricks to get into Ohana when no reservations are available?

[gettinlm]

Going to Disney for the first time with my family in November. I really would love to land a reservation at Ohana. Based on what I've read, my family would love it. However, they are all booked up. Unfortunately, we would need seating for 8 people. Any tips as to how we could score a reservation? Or would this be next to impossible? Thanks!

 

[deakam]

Just keep trying. Several times a day. I booked Kona because we could not get into O'hana until 9:30 pm for the day we wanted. We are going in September with free dining so I figured we were not going to get one. Then like magic a reservation appeared for 8pm and I now own that reservation.

O'hana is one of the places that require a credit card and will charge that card a fee if you do not cancel 24 hours ahead. I believe that is where my magical reservation came from. Just keep trying and also give them a call, sometimes the on-line system doesn't tell the entire story.

 

[purple figment]

There are no tricks, just persistence. I think 'Ohana is among the top 5 most difficult places to book. Check online multiple times a day starting now because people will cancel if their plans change since it has a credit card guarantee and a financial penalty that most will want to avoid. You can try calling, but online is faster and the phone CMs see the same availability as the online system. You don't say when in November you're going, but November reservations have been available since May so it's not surprising that 'Ohana is booked.

If you're flexible about your date that will help. Also, late evening reservations are more likely to open up as other people who are checking try to get earlier in the evening reservations and cancel their later ones when they're successful.

Although 'Ohana has tables for larger parties, you could try looking for reservations for smaller groups (e.g. 2 reservations for 4 each), but you may not be seated together. With a group of 8 it's possible you'll be seated at more than one table anyway.

You can continue checking even after you arrive at DW. As a very last resort you can try walking up, but with a party of 8 I don't know how likely it is that they will seat you. Most people suggest trying walk ups when the restaurant opens or near closing time.

 

[gettinlm]

Thanks! I will keep looking. Already booked a back-up, Citricos, which I understand is pretty good too.

 

[DisDreamsAshley]

Generally we always get our Ohana ADR about a week out from our trip. I think people are cancelling and reworking their plans at that point maybe? We've always gotten in though, every single trip.

 

[AmyB2006]

Try searching for two tables of 4 each. They can seat you next to each other, and may be able to even put tables together for you.

The website doesn't do well with large numbers or odd numbers. It likes '4' LOL.

If you get 2 tables of 4, go by the front desk or call the actual restaurant earlier in the day and let them know you'd like to be seated next to each other. They will try to accommodate when they can.

 

[dfGoofy]

I have a reservation for 8 at Ohana's in November that I will likely be canceling if we are able to move our trip to October. We are waiting for free dining on July 29th to know for sure. Likely others are going to do the same so be ready when free dining comes out for lots of shifting! What day did you want to go?

 

[purple figment]

If you get 2 tables of 4, go by the front desk or call the actual restaurant earlier in the day and let them know you'd like to be seated next to each other. They will try to accommodate when they can.

There's no way to make the request until you check in for your reservation and the CMs will do their best. Where you're seated is determined at the time you're dining - what tables are being turned, the size of any other large parties, how busy it - is so there's no way of making the request earlier in the day.

 

[gettinlm]

I have a reservation for 8 at Ohana's in November that I will likely be canceling if we are able to move our trip to October. We are waiting for free dining on July 29th to know for sure. Likely others are going to do the same so be ready when free dining comes out for lots of shifting! What day did you want to go?

Thanks! We are going from the 16th-23rd, so probably won't coincide with your reservation. What exactly do you mean when you say you're waiting on free dining on July 29th? Thanks for the offer!

 

[xipotec]

A C note to the hostess??

 

[gettinlm]

Hopefully we will get lucky and land an Ohana reservation. If only we knew we were coming earlier!

 

[ready2vacation]

Definitely keep trying...look every day, several times a day. I literally just got it for October after checking routinely online. Note that because I had another ADR already booked, the online system kept getting hung up when asking if I wanted to cancel the other. I finally cancelled the original online and called in and got the ADR.

 

[dismom22]

Yes, keep trying. Last week I landed a Saturday breakfast ADR at Ohana, for our stay in September. It's definitely possible they will open up!