Entertainer at Poly - Lipoa No Longer at 'Ohanas

[tinkerhon]

I am heart broken and saddened to learn the news that Lipoa will no longer grace us with her aloha at 'Ohana's Restaurant at the Polynesian. We have been going there for 15 years, just to see her and the special atmosphere Lipoa created at Ohana's. From the moment she said "alooohaaaa," we knew something special would happen and Disney magic would be felt that night. My 6 year old son is autistic and was a big fan of hers. We are going in August and i'm heartbroken to have to tell him that Aunty Lipoa won't be there. Lipoa deserves a place of honor as an entertainer at the Polynesian.

Please email wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com to voice your sadness with her no longer being there.

I am sharing my post that I wrote to Lipoa below:

"Ohanas will never be the same again!!! You were their most prized jewel and many families will be heartbroken. We've been going to Ohanas for you since 2005 and before we had kids and now with our kids...that tradition is gone. We are broken hearted. You always made Ohanas so amazing and special for us and for the boys. You have given us so many amazing memories. The boys will forever love their Aunty Lipoa!! We will always remember your amazing voice, your singing, coconut races, limbo dances, grass skirts and you like an amazing goddess on the drums during the torch lighting ceremony. We are blessed to have experienced your aloha and love all these years. Lipoa always. We will always hear your voice coming on and saying aloooooohaaaa!! We love you!"

Any estimate as to her last day/week? We have an ADR for July 16th, and didn't even tell my daughter yet - she loves her ! Loves doing the coconut race, and Lipoa has always been so nice to us, especially when she found our out daughters name is Keona --- sad that she's leaving !!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

Sorry but we went for the food......go every year. The greeter never made an impression. Maybe she was off those days.

 

[Liz Z]

She was so wonderful and added to the spirit of Aloha. Loved seeing the kiddos march in the parade . I hope this isn't true~~~ Someone needs to be replaced and certainly not Lipoa if you know what i mean

 

[AidaCubano]

Always sad to see somebody lose her job, especially if she won't be replaced. Any reduction in workforce from an enormous company like Disney is lamentable.

But I won't miss Lipoa personally at 'Ohana. I'm fine with some entertainment with my dinner. Kids clearly like the antics. But I found her annoying. I guess that's just me.

You are entitled to your opinion, but is it really necessary to say it that way? A little kindness please.

 

[AidaCubano]

Any estimate as to her last day/week? We have an ADR for July 16th, and didn't even tell my daughter yet - she loves her ! Loves doing the coconut race, and Lipoa has always been so nice to us, especially when she found our out daughters name is Keona --- sad that she's leaving !!

Her last day was Friday. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Please email them.

 

[AidaCubano]

Are they getting rid of entertainment at Ohana altogether?

And frankly if they want to turn the tables over more, having more wait staff would be more helpful than killing the show.

There will still be entertainment, just not Lipoa and not sure to the extent.

 

[AidaCubano]

I hope this isn't true, we have an ADR at 'Ohana for our July trip, so I will be watching closely to see what develops. The entertainment is part of the 'Ohana experience, once they remove the little Hawaiian show, it's just another restaurant.

Unfortunately her last day was Friday. Please send an email.

 

[Farro]

So there will still be entertainment? That's good. Even if it's just some background music.

Still looking forward to our first time eating there!

 

[JerseyJanice]

Lipoa mesmerized my baby niece last summer by playing the ukulele and singing to her. So sweet.

I always got a kick out her double entendres. "We show our love by giving leis."

She will be missed. I hope she moves onto something better.

 

[tinkerhon]

Her last day was Friday. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Please email them.

Oh no ! We are going to miss her ! Won't be the same --- at least not for our family -- will definitely send an email -

 

[Raimiette]

Are there various hosts that revolve? When I went there about a year ago was a older gentleman who walked around and sang and played the ukulele, announced games etc.

 

[jdisnut]

You are entitled to your opinion, but is it really necessary to say it that way? A little kindness please.

Not really sure which part of my post bothered you, but I apologize nonetheless. I'm also sorry for everybody who enjoyed her presence at the restaurant.

The last time we were there, a man playing a ukulele provided the entertainment. The shtick was similar, but he wasn't quite as intrusive. That might have been because we were there very late, after 9 p.m.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Are there various hosts that revolve? When I went there about a year ago was a older gentleman who walked around and sang and played the ukulele, announced games etc.

I don't go frequently to know for sure, but I think there were always at least two other performers at Ohana. I have been there on a night when it was an older man playing the ukulele and running the kids' coconut races.

Lipoa was the star who played most frequently, but they had a couple of other performers to cover her when she was out sick or on vacation.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Well, really, no one wants to work 3:30-11 7 days a week.

 

[vettegirl]

She will be missed, always enjoyed her and she reminds so much of the friendly folks you meet over in Hawaii.

 

[MamaJessie]

Her last day was Friday. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Please email them.

I don't go frequently to know for sure, but I think there were always at least two other performers at Ohana. I have been there on a night when it was an older man playing the ukulele and running the kids' coconut races.

Lipoa was the star who played most frequently, but they had a couple of other performers to cover her when she was out sick or on vacation.

My husband and I were just talking last trip about how she is always there and joked that they never let her have time off - never saw the older fellow. She will be missed!!

 

[jo-jo]

So there will still be entertainment and kids games, just not with Lipoa? 90% of our meals there , we had Lipoa. I just think she was more people friendly than the other singers.

 

[mckennarose]

We just saw her there a few weeks ago, so sad. The live entertainment was a definite plus, especially considering the high price of the restaurant. I can't see how not having live entertainment would turn tables faster. It's not like it was a stage show, like Biergarten. IMO, she was unobtrusive for the most part and just meandered around. The atmosphere definitely won't be the same.

 

[sdribben]

So there will still be entertainment and kids games, just not with Lipoa? 90% of our meals there , we had Lipoa. I just think she was more people friendly than the other singers.

I assume they will be putting a replacement there, since they have to have some kind of entertainment for amount it costs to go there.

We just saw her there a few weeks ago, so sad. The live entertainment was a definite plus, especially considering the high price of the restaurant. I can't see how not having live entertainment would turn tables faster. It's not like it was a stage show, like Biergarten. IMO, she was unobtrusive for the most part and just meandered around. The atmosphere definitely won't be the same.

Well, i don't think they liked her staying at tables for more than a minute. Sometimes she'd stop at tables for 3 minutes and converse, which was wonderful! She was so personable. I can only assume her being too personable kept people there longer and less table turnover, which cost the stupid rat some money.

 

[Tonyz]

Are there various hosts that revolve? When I went there about a year ago was a older gentleman who walked around and sang and played the ukulele, announced games etc.

Yes I love that guy. Made the whole experience that much better.