Arrival day plans - feeling conflicted

[FrancoFun]

I've been going back and forth on this and I'd love your opinions!

We are arriving in Orlando early July 16th. We are not visiting a park that day - we've decided to go to the grocery store for some items, relax by the pool, and maybe hit Disney Springs.

Currently I have a 6:20pm ADR for 'Ohana, but I don't know if I should keep it. My wife and 10yo are big eaters, but I am not. I need to eat lightly so as not to feel ill, but I know I would like the offerings at 'Ohana. I also have a severe dairy intolerance, which makes dining choices tricky.

Should I keep the ADR, knowing that we will enjoy it but I won't get my "money's worth"? Should we consider a TS at Disney Springs? Eat at the QS or TS at POR or POFQ, which is where we are staying? Do you have a different suggestion?

For reference, during the week we have reservations for breakfast at Boma and Garden Grill, and supper at Yak & Yeti, TeppanEdo, and Raglan Road.

 

[FelisLachesis]

Honestly, talk with your family about this. Maybe they are really looking forward to 'Ohana. Find some things you want to do, find some things your daughter wants to do, and some things your wife wants to do.

If you decide to stick with 'Ohana, when you get there, talk with the server, and explain your dairy intolerance, and see which dishes won't upset you.

Speaking as someone who is lactose intolerant, do lactase pills (like Lactaid) help at all?

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

Dining at Ohana is "an experience" dinner..not just food but all the bells and whistles...there is music, hula dancing, etc --if you haven't done it before I think you would find it to be a touch of true Disney The food isn't the best on property -- and lately I haven't heard as many raves about it---that is just my impression from reading current reviews. It has been a couple of years since we ate there. So - getting "your money's worth" at Ohana depends on the value you place on the experience as well as the food.

Disney Springs has lots of great choices from QS to excellent TS - getting to Disney Springs can be a bit of a hassle and you are already going to Raglan Road one night so you may not want to make that trek twice.

You could also consider Kona or Whispering Canyon at WL - good luck in making your choices!

 

[Cinderella94]

This answer depends on what it means to you to get your "money's worth." How much is 'Ohana now, roughly $50 per adult? No one in my family of 4 eats that much money in food. But we will be going to 'Ohana during the first week of July, like we do every trip, because we love the food and love the experience. Are your wife and daughter really excited about it? Would that make it more 'worth it' to you?

 

[FrancoFun]

Honestly, talk with your family about this. Maybe they are really looking forward to 'Ohana. Find some things you want to do, find some things your daughter wants to do, and some things your wife wants to do.

If you decide to stick with 'Ohana, when you get there, talk with the server, and explain your dairy intolerance, and see which dishes won't upset you.

Speaking as someone who is lactose intolerant, do lactase pills (like Lactaid) help at all?

I have spoken to my wife and son. We have only been to Disney once before, and stayed off-site on that trip so we only did QS that trip. They don't have a strong opinion one way or another, because they have never been and have left the trip planning up to me, which I am happy to do.

I feel like 'Ohana has a lot to offer for dairy-free dining, based on the menu. I'd need an alternate dessert, but I am thinking the rest should be okay. I will definitely speak to the server. I wish that Lactaid helped but sadly, it does not.

Disney Springs has lots of great choices from QS to excellent TS - getting to Disney Springs can be a bit of a hassle and you are already going to Raglan Road one night so you may not want to make that trek twice.

You could also consider Kona or Whispering Canyon at WL - good luck in making your choices!

We are actually eating in DS twice - on our HS day (the day after our arrival) and on the last day of the trip. I had not considered Kona or Whispering Canyon - I shall take a look at those. Thank you.

This answer depends on what it means to you to get your "money's worth." How much is 'Ohana now, roughly $50 per adult? No one in my family of 4 eats that much money in food. But we will be going to 'Ohana during the first week of July, like we do every trip, because we love the food and love the experience. Are your wife and daughter really excited about it? Would that make it more 'worth it' to you?

I wouldn't say that they're "really excited," as none of us has ever been. But I do think that they would enjoy the food and getting to visit the Poly. My son is a very big eater, so the AYCTE would be good for him. I guess what would make it "worth" it to me would be a fun time, a tasty meal, a good first Disney TS experience, and not feeling too frazzled on our first day in Orlando.

 

[Beer Me]

We have ohana planned for the first time this summer. I haven't been to the Poly in 20 years when DW and I went to the luau (pre kids). I think my boys will get a kick out of the meal. Visiting the resort is a big part of it. Having a drink while looking around and watching the fireworks from the beach after dinner. We plan on making an evening of it.

Honestly, if you only consider the food you won't get your money's worth at any Disney restaurant.

 

[Chrelaine]

My DH absolutely loves 'Ohana, to where he ate so much last year he needed to go to bed afterward I don't love it like he does but the experience is worth it to me. I love visiting the Poly, looking out the windows at the water, seeing the coconut races and hula lessons...etc. Personally, I would keep it. I think your wife and son will like it making it "worth it" for you.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

My first reaction was to recommend eating in DS as they have some great restaurants there, but then I read you are already eating there twice. I say, go for it with O'hana! My DS9 and I aren't big eaters (and they do give you a ton of food there!), but it's really fun - they have live Hawaiin music, the limbo, coconut races - and the food is good (there are a few things on the menu I don't eat, but there was still plenty of food to choose from). The Poly is beautiful and you could even watch the MK fireworks from the resort if you have interest. It really is an event, IMHO. We could never eat our money's worth at O'hana, but the overall experience makes it worth it for us!

 

[FrancoFun]

Honestly, if you only consider the food you won't get your money's worth at any Disney restaurant.

Oh, I know that dining at Disney is going to be expensive regardless. When I was thinking about "worth," I guess it was more about not only money but overall experience.

My DH absolutely loves 'Ohana, to where he ate so much last year he needed to go to bed afterward I don't love it like he does but the experience is worth it to me. I love visiting the Poly, looking out the windows at the water, seeing the coconut races and hula lessons...etc. Personally, I would keep it. I think your wife and son will like it making it "worth it" for you.

Hahaha, I can totally see my son eating himself sick. Wouldn't be the first time... he has a very fast metabolism (he's a competitive dancer), and likes his food!

My first reaction was to recommend eating in DS as they have some great restaurants there, but then I read you are already eating there twice. I say, go for it with O'hana! My DS9 and I aren't big eaters (and they do give you a ton of food there!), but it's really fun - they have live Hawaiin music, the limbo, coconut races - and the food is good (there are a few things on the menu I don't eat, but there was still plenty of food to choose from). The Poly is beautiful and you could even watch the MK fireworks from the resort if you have interest. It really is an event, IMHO. We could never eat our money's worth at O'hana, but the overall experience makes it worth it for us!

Good to know that you find the overall experience worth it. I know that 'Ohana can be really polarizing. I am not expecting it to be our best meal ever. I am looking forward to shrimp and potstickers, and visiting the Poly for the first time ever. We are thinking we might like to save up to stay at the Poly for our next trip, so it will be fun to check it out.