Has 'Ohana always been?

[mmtska]

Has 'Ohana always been 'Ohana? Or was the name changed after Lilo and Stitch came out. I'm assuming if it was always there, they just added those 2 after the movie.

I remember eating at a tropical restaurant for a character breakfast-like over 20 years ago when they weren't as common as they now seem to be. I remember Pluto with a lei licking my dad in a photo, but my mom isn't sure and the picture is in Pennsylvania, and I'm in Japan....so can't look at it right now. I'm wondering if that's where we ate....anyone have a clue?

 

[Needzavacation]

Back in the mists of time, wasn't that location the Pepeete Bay Veranda? And the South Seas Dining Room was on the first floor?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Has 'Ohana always been 'Ohana? Or was the name changed after Lilo and Stitch came out. I'm assuming if it was always there, they just added those 2 after the movie.

I remember eating at a tropical restaurant for a character breakfast-like over 20 years ago when they weren't as common as they now seem to be. I remember Pluto with a lei licking my dad in a photo, but my mom isn't sure and the picture is in Pennsylvania, and I'm in Japan....so can't look at it right now. I'm wondering if that's where we ate....anyone have a clue?

Twenty years ago, that was the Papeete Bay Verandah, and the character breakfast there was "Minnie's Menehuene." I still remember their signature breakfast drink-it was OJ and pureed strawberries. I think back then the breakfast was a buffet, but I'm not sure.

 

[mmtska]

That could be-I remember Minnie being there. I had to call my mom and ask and I got this info:

Yes it was at the Poly, and it had Minnie, Pluto, Chip and Dale. She didn't remember the name though! She said she didn't remember it being a buffet either.....

YAY more info lol

 

[BriarRosie]

I went to 'Ohana in 1996, and "Lilo and Stitch" wasn't released until 2002. The restaurant name seems unrelated to the movie. But Disney obviously discovered the wonderful marketing for a new character breakfast after that.

 

[Micca]

Used to love the Papeete Bay Verandah and have a little "Minnie's Menuhune" pin(the cheap round tin kind, not the cool collectable kind they sell now).

I vaguely recall that there was a buffet element to it, but it seems there was also some family style items brought to the table by servers. I know we had some breakfasts and dinners there in the 70s/80s.

I'm sure Ohana is much more successful as a revenue stream now, but to me it's nowhere near the experience that was PBV.