Hard time cancelling Ohana's

[kandb]

We have been going to Ohana's for the last 10 years when we take our yearly trip to Disney. I have a 5:40pm dinner adr on Thurs Sept 2 for our family of 5. This year we are paying out of pocket. I decided that only my husband and I will go since the kids are not crazy about Ohana's. Now I am thinking that we should go to HS on 9/2 and I got a adr for Sci-fi for the family. I have been trying to get a dinner adr for just my husband and I for 8/28 or 8/29 but no luck.

I am having a hard time deciding not to go to Ohana's. (Am I that obsessed with food?) We should just go to Sci-fi and cancel since I can't get an adr on another day but it's such a tradition and I love going there. Anyone else understand this insanity?

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I understand the insanity! We feel the same way! If it helps, this past visit 'Ohana was just okay. It was missing a little something. Maybe we've just been too many times?

Go ahead and let it go, and enjoy SciFi with the fam!

It'll give you a reason to book another trip!

 

[jerseygal]

We have been going to Ohana's for the last 10 years when we take our yearly trip to Disney. I have a 5:40pm dinner adr on Thurs Sept 2 for our family of 5. This year we are paying out of pocket. I decided that only my husband and I will go since the kids are not crazy about Ohana's. Now I am thinking that we should go to HS on 9/2 and I got a adr for Sci-fi for the family. I have been trying to get a dinner adr for just my husband and I for 8/28 or 8/29 but no luck.

I am having a hard time deciding not to go to Ohana's. (Am I that obsessed with food?) We should just go to Sci-fi and cancel since I can't get an adr on another day but it's such a tradition and I love going there. Anyone else understand this insanity?

We were to Ohana only once when our kids were younger. We usually do Kona ADR, MUCH LESS CROWDED than Ohana. When we walked out of Kona this past May and in October'15, both times there were SO MANY people waiting, very crowded who quite frankly looked miserable. Haven't been to Ohana for many years, but when we went, our ADR was honored within say 15 minutes. Seems like Ohana doesn't do a good job of honoring ADR times. Try something different, hopefully a restuaurant that can honor an ADR reasonably well and not have to stand around waiting with tons of people looking pretty mad!

 

[hicksnichols]

I feel the same about skipping Crystal Palace this year. My little one says he's too old for Pooh now. Pooh has always been his favorite. I guess at 8yrs Pooh isn't so cool. His first trip we was 4yrs and I let him wag his stuffed Pooh to the restaurant even though I knew if he got lost it would ruin our first WDW trip. But I'm moving on and looking forward to starting some new traditions.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

I get it. I just canceled our Ohana's for our family for our September trip. I had to switch around date night with family dinner night and date night now falls on our previous Ohana's night. Last September my husband and I did our date night at Ohana and it was a great night. I debated whether to keep it, but I really wanted to try a signature (and a new place) for our date night.

Disney is about tradition, but it also about new experiences and adventure. And I think the new experiences and adventure can be even better than tradition.

My kids love Sci Fi. It is a fun and unique experience. The food is not quite as good as Ohana, but it is reasonably priced for paying OOP at Disney. Either way, have a great dinner!

 

[Nancyg56]

I understand. I booked a JIC ADR for 'Ohana for our December trip. Why?????? I was not happy in August, and skipped it in December, but my DDIL had asked about it. I decided to book it and I'll decide if I want to cancel as we get a little closer. That tradition thing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I saw the opening on my 180 day mark and I knew that if I did not book it would be gone.

 

[ShannonMB]

...SO MANY people waiting, very crowded who quite frankly looked miserable.

Not necessarily a response to OP, but this hit a note with me. The last few uber-popular places we've dined (O'hana being one), this has been our experience. Just picturing you happily leaving Kona with a full belly of delicious food whilst the masses wait for their table at O'hana is a great reminder that just because a place is really popular or one we have always enjoyed, doesn't mean it's the best experience to be had. Nice!

 

[Minnesota!]

I understand. Over the years, we have had to pare down our "must do" restaurants based on cost. The value is no longer there. It used to be Ohana, Boma, Kona, Cape May, and Biergarten.

We are down to Boma and have added Splitsville. Sci Fi is good - I would pick it up and ditch Ohana... Sci Fi might take the place as new tradition

 

[Kricketnp]

O'hana was a must-do for me, but the last few times, it has been underwhelming. I feel like my "must dos" are changing now and after last trip, I don't want to skip Via Napoli or Crystal Palace breakfast.

 

[AtlantaDisneyDreamer]

We were to Ohana only once when our kids were younger. We usually do Kona ADR, MUCH LESS CROWDED than Ohana. When we walked out of Kona this past May and in October'15, both times there were SO MANY people waiting, very crowded who quite frankly looked miserable. Haven't been to Ohana for many years, but when we went, our ADR was honored within say 15 minutes. Seems like Ohana doesn't do a good job of honoring ADR times. Try something different, hopefully a restuaurant that can honor an ADR reasonably well and not have to stand around waiting with tons of people looking pretty mad!

The last two times we have done Sci Fi we waited around fifteen minutes past our reservation time. They also have a small (and often very crowded) waiting area. You can wait outside, but if it is raining or super hot (like it was when we were there in July), people crowd inside. It can be an unpleasant wait (just like Ohana can be, also), but I have found that many Disney restaurants have this issue. We have had long, uncomfortable waits at Be Our Guest, Via Napoli, Sci Fi, and 1900 Park Fare. We were actually in Ohana within five minutes of our reservation time. I think it all depends on the guests in the restaurant and how quickly they vacate the tables. The free dining period can also affect waits in our experience, but other people see no difference in free dining and non-free dining.