Disappointed in Ohana

[Micca]

For us,Ohana has dropped from "must do" status to "well...maybe" status. The atmosphere at the Poly is wonderful and that carries through to Ohana. Once the novelty of having giant skewers of meat brought to your table wears off, it's not so special. The idea is great, the food even looks good, but it just seems like it isn't the quality it once was. It's not terrible, it's just that it's disaapointing that it's not what it *could* be.

 

[ShannonMB]

It was my impression when we were there that they bring out everything at the same time by design. They just put everything on our table and we ate what we wanted family style instead of waiting for each course. Then they just walk around with the meat, so you eat that as they bring it. I think that's how they designed it, it's the same way at LTT. I could be totally wrong, but it didn't occur to me that they were rushing us.

That said, I didn't think the food was great. I would say "okay". Glad we went on our first trip with no pre-conceived notions (before I discovered the boards), or I think I might have been disappointed. I'm glad lots of you enjoy it though! Something for everyone!

 

[palavra]

We are thinking of trying O'hanas this trip. My daughter is interested in the breakfast because of the characters. Is the character interaction good? How is the food at breakfast?

 

[kimberh]

We ate there in May, We told them to take part of the food back, not to even set it on our table. We eat the appetizers, salad and meat. The veg are a waste to us, so just take them back. He did, and we were good with it. The desert was brought as usual. We don't eat the sausage, so we don't let them put it on our plate. We use to, but it is just a waste to do so. Don't let them rush you, your the paying customer.

 

[Tinkerbell10403]

I believe that the "rushing" you are talking about is just the way they do things at Ohana. Usually your table will have 1 or more different people come and bring your food to you, while your main waitor brings the drinks, and some food items. I don't think they were trying to rush you along, but since it is all served family style, and the meats are cooked on the grill in the front, they need to bring around the food to the tables rather than let it sit around. We were a party of 5 and we liked how they brought the food out in pairs...one for each side of the table, lol. (I thought that was nice of them, even though we could have asked for more if we ran out. ) Ohana's menu has changed over the years...and while I do miss parts of the menu (potatoes, cripsy won tons), I will always be a fan...its the meal we look forward to the most!

 

[jandbmom]

We are looking forward to trying 'Ohana for the first time this Oct. DS has a peanut allergy. Will we be okay eating here or would you change places? TIA

You will be fine. I have a friend who has two children with Peanut allergies and she said they were fantastic there. Check out the allergy board. She posted a report there. I will look for the link for you. I think there is an allergy line you can call in advance and they will let you know where there are safe foods for your DS.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

It was my impression when we were there that they bring out everything at the same time by design. They just put everything on our table and we ate what we wanted family style instead of waiting for each course. Then they just walk around with the meat, so you eat that as they bring it. I think that's how they designed it, it's the same way at LTT. I could be totally wrong, but it didn't occur to me that they were rushing us.

ITA.

Our food has typically come in courses but grouped... salad and bread first then everything else. The meats were brought around and dessert afterward.

 

[Lady SnowElla]

This past July we ate at O'Hana for the first & last time. As a party of 3 we are used to being sitted at a small table but this was tiny. The food was all dried out as if it had been sitting. We had to peel off the breading on the pot stickers as it was so tough. The waitress was pretty non-existent. The gentleman bringing the meats was nice. The turkey actually was the only one that we enjoyed as the others were so dry we couldn't eat. My youngest DD had a reaction to some of the seasonings and when the waitress finally came back with the check we were trying to find out where was the closest place to purchase Benadryl but she was no help. She laughed and said that her swelling lip didn't look so bad. I regret that I tipped her so generously but I automatically did it as we were trying to get out of there.

 

[Melrosgirl]

I believe Ohana (and many, many restaurants at WDW) started to go downhill when WDW introduced the current dining plans (and especially when they offer free dining). They cut back on selections, change selections and the staff is rushed bc the restaurants are busier than ever before.

I would say I started noticing these changes about 4 years ago...it's to the point now where I have no idea where I want to eat when I go there. I need to make my 90 day reservations next week and I have no idea where to go.

 

[ElizabethB]

We tried 'Ohana due to all the positive reviews on these boards. We, too, were disappointed. This was about 4 years ago. We've never gone back, and won't.

As to why you don't hear more about Yachtsman Steakhouse on these boards -- it's expensive to pay OOP and it's 2 TS credits if you're on the DDP. So, no one is really interested in it.

People on these boards are in a mad scramble to consume as much food -- and as much beef, shrimp and lobster -- for one TS credit, as one can.

Thus, the comments on these boards have become very skewed to places that give you a lot of food regardless of quality and that serve it quickly so people can get back to the parks.

I've begun to disregard almost everything I read on these boards. We dine almost exclusively at 2TS restaurants now -- and very few of those. Most of our dining is at restaurants that don't take DDP. So, we dine at Swan, Dolphin, V&A and places at Universal Orlando. We find the quality and service at those places is much better.

 

[Meghan NJ]

Would never go back to Ohana. We were very excited to eat there for our first day at Disney. Dinner was a bit let down. We were very rushed, and the food was just ok. The bread pudding at Boma was much better! Darn, now I am hungry!

 

[jcemom]

I actually like it when they bring the food to you quickly. I hate it when I have finished my app. and sit there waiting around forever for them to bring out the main dish. I have realized that just because they bring you the food quickly, doesnt' mean that you have to get out of there any faster. You can still sit and enjoy your time. You just don't have to sit around waiting for them to bring you stuff. To each his own.

I agree. They bring what they want when they want (I prefer sooner to later) and we eat it when we're ready, relax, enjoy the entertainment, and just basically go at our own pace.

 

[mejkjj97]

Just ate at Ohana's on Sunday night. It was great. My father in-law has shellfish allergies. we told our server and he had the chef come out to talk to him about what allergies he had and the chef went over the menu with him. that was the first time my father in-law has had the chef come out to personally tell him about the food. very professional. There is a peanut sauce that comes out for the meat. Just make sure you tell the servers about the party members allergies, if it is really bad allergy they will not bring that item to the table

 

[ElizabethB]

How can you possibly eat hot food at your leisure if you're still eating your appetizers?

Hot food gets cold quickly -- especially with air conditioning on. I like my hot food hot and my cold food cold. Also, I like my appetizer, then my entree, then my dessert. I don't like to go back and nibble on my appetizer after I've had my dessert!

I hate being rushed and I refuse to patronize any restaurant that makes it clear they are just trying to turn the table quickly. That describes many of the 1TS restaurants these days.

Dh and I once ordered lunch and a lovely bottle of wine and lazed away a good part of the afternoon at the old Alfredo's of Roma in the Italy pavilion. The Italian waiters understood perfectly, but they told us very few people ever do that -- most are in a mad rush to eat and get back to the rides.

Most people apparently want "in and out". So that works to the restaurant's advantage -- quick table turnover and more profit.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

It just simply seems that 'Ohana is a hit-or-miss proposition. In a score of really fine visits, we had our first "off" experience back in the early summer. Pity.

 

[thelionqueen]

I did not like Ohana at all for dinner. The meat was dry and everything else was mediocre at best; I will not go back to Ohana for dinner again.

However, breakfast is PHENOMENAL!! Completely different experience than dinner, and is one of our favorites. Try breakfast, it is great!

 

[jcemom]

How can you possibly eat hot food at your leisure if you're still eating your appetizers?

Hot food gets cold quickly -- especially with air conditioning on. I like my hot food hot and my cold food cold. Also, I like my appetizer, then my entree, then my dessert. I don't like to go back and nibble on my appetizer after I've had my dessert!

I hate being rushed and I refuse to patronize any restaurant that makes it clear they are just trying to turn the table quickly. That describes many of the 1TS restaurants these days.

Dh and I once ordered lunch and a lovely bottle of wine and lazed away a good part of the afternoon at the old Alfredo's of Roma in the Italy pavilion. The Italian waiters understood perfectly, but they told us very few people ever do that -- most are in a mad rush to eat and get back to the rides.

Most people apparently want "in and out". So that works to the restaurant's advantage -- quick table turnover and more profit.

We have never been served dessert at 'Ohana before we were through with our meal. That would be a problem. It hasn't happened though, at least not yet. As for entrees with appetizers, at 'Ohana it's sort of all the same for us, so I don't care what comes when as far as those items go. My kids eat the wings that are supposed to be apps as the biggest part of their meal, so for them it's an entree. I eat a little salad along with my skewers of turkey. If it was a traditional type of restaurant where you order a regular appetizer and a regular entree then I wouldn't want them to overlap, but it's not like that. At home we put it all on the table at one time, salad and main course, so it's no different to us at 'Ohana. KWIM?