Driving myself crazy over Ohana!

[AJackson]

So there are some reasons that I REALLY want to eat there - like the potatoes and dessert. lol. But then I read a lot of bad reviews and they scare me into thinking we shouldn't go!
I'm planning our trip for 4 adults (26-29) next October and trying to get our list of restaurants in order. I'm solely responsible for picking each one, and I don't want to choose this one if it will turn out bad.
I've read that the service is bad a lot, sometimes the meat is dry, it gets to loud, etc, etc. I'm definitely not trying to plan a romantic meal for this one, just want to eat somewhere good and fun.
Should I book it or not????

 

[MickeyNicki]

DH and I wanted to eat here but the reviews of the very dry meat and too quick service made me switch to Kona. Kona was awesome

We stayed at the Poly for 4 days and every time we walked by Ohana, breakfast or dinner, the place was super crowded and insanely loud...people spilled out all over the 2nd floor area....you could hear the noise while we were enjoying breakfast and dinner at Kona

 

[SomDayMyPrnceWillCom]

We ate at Ohana's our first trip this summer. My DD11 wasn't impressed and while I thought we had an inattentive waiter, I didn't think the experience was terrible. I'm not booking again this summer (for dinner, we're doing bfast here) b/c I wanted to try other restaurants. But I didn't feel it was bad enough to make me say I'll never go here again. I just wanted to give other places a shot too. The meat wasn't great, I've had better, but it still wasn't terrible. And there were so many other items to choose from, I didn't leave hungry or anything. I just didn't think it was "WOW" factor for the meats. But as I said, it wasn't so terrible it turned my stomach or made me not want to finish my portion. I just passed on a second helping of it. It was Meh.

Now, for the other factors, noise level, etc. That didn't bother me in the least anyway, I teach 6th grade. That was like lunchtime in our cafeteria.

 

[alldiz]

Forget about the reviews.....

I avoided the place....finally went this past Aug....

Great service, great table, awesome food....really...and a fun
atmosphere...
Go and have fun
Kerri

 

[AJackson]

Thank you all for your input! I think I am just going to have to go for it and take the chance and get my own experience. I REALLY want to try it, so I guess why not right??

 

[missypie]

It's one meal...no more expensive than lots of other places. If you've always wanted to try it, go for it!!! Experiences vary widely. During our 2005 trip to WDW we ate at Liberty Tree Tavern and loved it so we ate there again this trip and didn't love it (barely liked it.) It's almost impossible to say if you'll get a good server, a noisy room, or whatever, so just go for it!

 

[ElizabethB]

We'll never go back -- and we were there with kids. Four adults can do much better than 'Ohana.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

We are going there for the first time in May as well and can't wait. I think my kids would enjoy it and me and dh like the type of food they serve. We're really not too picky with this kind of stuff though (i.e. noise, crowds, etc.) I try not to pay too much attention to the restaurant reviews on this board and form my own opinion. Go and enjoy!

 

[Chime]

We tried it for the first time about three weeks ago, and we loved it. The food was yummy and the service was outstanding.

We ate there for dinner and had an ADR for right when the restaurant opened, but it was packed by the time we left an hour later.

As soon as we sat down they started bringing our meal and we just had a blast (and we have no children in our party either). For dinner there was an entertainer singing and getting all the kids to get up and play games, but it was fun to watch. We also requested a table away from the "action" so we didn't have lines of kids tramping by our table every few minutes.

I'd recommend giving it a try. Maybe schedule an earlier reservation if it fits your itinerary so you can get settled in and served before the place gets too crowded.

 

[Jacklynn]

Reviews are helpful, but the way I see it, some people must like it.. its still open, so that is a sign that people continue to go...

 

[Swimnoid]

We have been 3 times and we are going again in Dec. We have had great meals each time we were there. Service was fine too. The pace of serving food is more rapid than a lot of people like but it was great for us.

Give it a try!

 

[declansdad]

We had breakfast and dinner there and loved it both times. The noise level wasn't bad and the service was pretty good. My only complaint was that the waiter convinced me to buy a rum drink and I don't like rum. Needless to say I didn't like the drink.

 

[Allegro]

Count me among the many scared away by bad reviews. I figure with only a few nights of dining there were surer bets than Ohana's.

 

[frdeb1999]

We have ate there and have had mixed reviews. While the experience was never horrible and wouldn't ever stop us from returning. It won't be on the top of my list either. It just depends on what types of food and service your looking for. The service can be hit and miss depending on how large the tables are around you. The food has always been good, but I don't think it's anything I'd rave about. It's one of those resturants that you should do at least once and make your own decision. Hope you have a wonderful time regardless of what you decide!

 

[luv disney]

I always here about bad reviews, but everytime we go everything is AWESOME!!! Were going in 2 weeks and I can't wait for this particular meal.

 

[AJackson]

Thanks again for everyone's input!
We will be at WDW for 8 days and 7 nights, and I already have a ton of 2 TS meals planned, so I want this one to just be fun, easy, and with good food. That's why I picked Ohana. We'll have plenty of other meals to eat fancy food, get dressed up, and all that good stuff.

 

[GinnyFavers]

I thought Ohana was mediocre back when people raved about it being great. I can't imagine how bad it is now that people rave about it being mediocre!

 

[Luv'sTink]

We ate there for the first time last year, it is the meal my in-laws rave about. We will absolutely be going back next year.

 

[SGMCO]

I felt the same way about Tony's Town Square (because of bad reviews)
in MK and I almost canceled our lunch ADRs there but my DS really had
his heart set on eating there.

I was the best food and service that we had our whole trip!!

Plus everytime I have tried New Places that everyone really likes
they turn out to be something I don't like.
Now I don't even bother about what people say about one place or another
and have been trying all of the places that interest us and we want to
eat at. It's worked out great and I never would have tried these places
if I would have not gone because of bad reviews.

Have a Fun Trip!!

 

[PrincessBride010103]

We ate there this past wednesday night and it was super double awesome. We had 9:20 ADRs and we tried to get in early but failed. That was the best thing that could have happened because we got sat right by the window overlooking the castle and then wishes started. It was incredible. They pipe the music into the restaurant and its soooo cool. We loved it. Even had two rounds of dessert