How is 'Ohana these days?

[over50visits]

Next week we stay at WDW the night before we leave for our cruise, and our tradition for several years has been to eat at 'Ohana the night before. I'm sad to have read about several recent posts where not only do they not seat you anywhere near to your reservation time (seems like a lot of stories of an hour or more late), but on top of that there is a 20-30 minute wait in line to check in!!

Is this still true? Add this to sporadic reports of the quality of the food going down, and the price going up, I wonder if it is time for us to be changing our tradition and canceling our ADR for next week?

Anyone have recent experiences (good I hope, but either kind will help)?

 

[3prettyprincesses]

I wouldn't sweat it! We've been to Ohana several times, never had issues with checking in or with the food. It's one of our favorites and a tradition to eat here our 1st night. Here's a recent positive thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2621309

 

[DisFan10]

It's sad that the food quality and service at WDW has become a roll of the dice these days...

 

[cbg1027]

I just ate dinner at 'Ohana for the first time on 12/12.

We waited about 10 minutes to check in, and there were tons of people waiting to be seated.

After check in, I think we waited 30 minutes to be seated. But I was in a party of two, so I think a larger party would have a longer wait as it seemed most parties were fairly large.

I wasn't all that excited about the meal as I am someone who frequents the signature restaurants when I'm at Disney, but my friend really wanted to try it and I wanted to see what the hype was all about.

But you know what? I was very pleasantly surprised! Most of the food was better than I expected. The meat wasn't dry and overcooked. I would even say the steak was served medium. Maybe that was just a fluke, I figured they would only serve it well done, but I actually really liked it.

The wings were very tasty.
Potstickers were acceptable.

Salad was boring as it was only lettuce, but I liked the honey-lime dressing a lot.

The veggies and lo mein noodles were a waste. Completely bland and boring.

But all the meats were good! I really liked the peanut dipping sauce.

Dessert, as so many rave, was wonderful!

Service was a little spotty, but overall it was an enjoyable meal for me.

I would actually return here.

 

[windi622]

Our last trip was May and everything was fantastic (as usual) at Ohana! Over the last few years I have ready many posts about the terrible service, food, etc. Each time it has worried me a little, and then I get to there, and everything is just as wonderful as I have remembered!

In terms of specifics, we always eat at 5 or 5:15. There is generally a rather large line to check in (I always assumed it was because the restaurant has just opened). When we were there in May, I waited in line for probably 10-15 minutes, and we (a party of 7) were seated within 10 minutes or so. Personally, I wouldn't cancel a reservation to a place I love based on other's bad experiences. If you visit this time, and find it below par, maybe you'll skip it next time. However, I have a feeling you'll enjoy your traditional dinner just as you always have!

Have a great time...and have a few chicken wings for me!

 

[Sweettears]

We were there on Dec 10th. 5-10 minutes to check-in, 10-15 minutes to be seated. Very good service. The food exceeded my expectations as this was a first visit and had read all the negative stuff on the boards.

 

[TDC Nala]

For every 'bad' review there is a good one, so it sounds like a 50/50 shot.

 

[tink0283]

just ate dinner there on 12/12. it was great! food was wonderful (especially the lo mein noodles which i normally just pass over) and you can't beat the atmosphere (music and decor)...i have been to hawaii multiple times and just love the feeling of being there. it is a must on every visit for us! my absolute favorite place to eat at WDW!

not sure why there are so many poor reviews ...not really sure what people are expecting but i have always enjoyed my meal...but i personally think it is hard to be negative about anything when i am in WDW

 

[vettegirl]

I ate their last month and it was excellent. However at there in May and it was not so great.

 

[over50visits]

Looks like there are good and bad reviews; often we find our experience is what we make of it! We're going to keep our tradition and go there next week. Maybe the first week of January, traditionally slow (except for the marathoners who should be carb loading anyway) will work in our favor.

Thanks for all the responses!

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Looks like there are good and bad reviews; often we find our experience is what we make of it! We're going to keep our tradition and go there next week. Maybe the first week of January, traditionally slow (except for the marathoners who should be carb loading anyway) will work in our favor.

Thanks for all the responses!

That's the perfect attitude! Have a great time!

 

[Sweettears]

That's the perfect attitude! Have a great time!

Yep.it's what we do.

 

[DisFan10]

Looks like there are good and bad reviews; often we find our experience is what we make of it! We're going to keep our tradition and go there next week. Maybe the first week of January, traditionally slow (except for the marathoners who should be carb loading anyway) will work in our favor.

Thanks for all the responses!

And that is what Disney is banking on! They know that a lot of people will overlook bad food and service and pay whatever price they want to charge because "we're at Disney World".

In the real world, I doubt you would pay the high prices that Disney charges and keep going back to a restaurant that is good only 50% of the time.

 

[bookbabe626]

And that is what Disney is banking on! They know that a lot of people will overlook bad food and service and pay whatever price they want to charge because "we're at Disney World".

In the real world, I doubt you would pay the high prices that Disney charges and keep going back to a restaurant that is good only 50% of the time.

But some of us haven't had bad food/service at Ohana, or many of the other restaurants that others have posted bad reviews for. Some of us have had a great meal and great service (or at least good) every time we've visited.

Am I supposed to stop going to a restaurant I love and have always enjoyed just because someone else (a total stranger) had a bad experience there?

 

[3prettyprincesses]

But some of us haven't had bad food/service at Ohana, or many of the other restaurants that others have posted bad reviews for. Some of us have had a great meal and great service (or at least good) every time we've visited.

Am I supposed to stop going to a restaurant I love and have always enjoyed just because someone else (a total stranger) had a bad experience there?

I agree. We've never had bad service either or bad food. So why stop going? Everyone has differing views on the food at Disney, the quality, the price and so on. But it doesn't mean we ALL feel the same way. I happen to think the food and service are great and the atmosphere incredible.

 

[Colleen27]

And that is what Disney is banking on! They know that a lot of people will overlook bad food and service and pay whatever price they want to charge because "we're at Disney World".

In the real world, I doubt you would pay the high prices that Disney charges and keep going back to a restaurant that is good only 50% of the time.

To be fair, in the real world you probably wouldn't spend 6 months reading reviews of a restaurant you wanted to try either. I can see your point if we're talking about an individual or family that has personally experienced the 50/50 odds and still returns, but to write off a popular restaurant on reviews alone is rather short-sighted and overlooks the fact that dining preferences are highly subjective.

 

[verticalchaos]

We went Christmas night. I walked right up to the podium to check in and had no problems though we were probably 30 minutes early. It was right there under my name. I was given my buzzer and I checked to make sure how far we could go (was told "Anywhere on this level." I hadn't gotten halfway down to the monorail entrance/exit doors when the buzzer buzzed, so I hurriedly gathered my parents and sister and we went to be seated. The only slight "issue" was that the chef never came to discuss my coconut allergy, but our server had tipped me off to not eat the bread or the dessert (which I already knew). Nevertheless I was given the Kilauea (sp?) Torte from Kona for a substitute dessert.

We didn't really care for the pork, but that was more the overall flavor of it than anything about the quality of the meat. Thought the chicken, steak and noodles were especially delicious!!

My only other issue was the fact that they're apparently paying a woman to walk around and sing off-key. I admit I'm a bit of a music snob, but off-pitch singing, especially when you are a professional entertainer, really annoys me. I'd rather she just talk and do the kids games...leave the singing to someone else. PLEASE!

But overall it was a GREAT experience!

edit to add: To be fair to the chef, he DID come out and talk with a woman seated at a table near us about midway through our meal, and he took COPIOUS notes on her food issues, then she was brought her own dishes of food that had been specially prepared.