Is 'Ohana good? I keep reading such mixed reviews!

[robinbutterfly]

So Allears.net seems to love 'Ohana. disboards, doesn't!
What do you guys think?? Is 'Ohana a good place for dinner? We were going to go to Crystal Palace but found out it will be closed during our visit, so we are thinking of 'Ohana instead.
Thanks!

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

I too heard such mixed reviews when planning our last trip! I think that you need to at least go once and decide for yourself if you enjoy it!

We LOVED it! So much so that it was the first restaurant requested by all 3other members of my family! If your family enjoys meat ( A LOT) then you will definitely enjoy 'Ohana! I think it is one of those ADRs that you just have to decide for yourself!

I gave serious consideration to cancelling our ADR when I read a few bad reviews but now I am so glad I didn't! Take a chance! The resort (POLY) is beautiful, the restaurant itself is a very unique setting, the service is good and we really enjoyed the food! The experience is so much better if you allow your self to relax and enjoy your time. If you are just there to eat and are in a rush to get back to the park then I think you might not enjoy it so much!

I would encourage you to try it! You just might like it!

 

[disneyforme33]

O'hanas is a must do for us on every trip. I have been there many times and have always enjoyed my meal. Some days may be better than others but I have never had a terrible meal. Also, if you truly want to enjoy the full experience of Ohanas request the main dining area when you check in at the restaurant. THere is a section behind a wall in the back that we sat in once and you feel out of the excitement. You can't see the cooking area which is out in the open and you really can't see the entertainment and the kids activities. I also agree it is something you need to try for yourself to really make a decision.

 

[kimysbug]

We have not EVER had a bad meal there!!
B-2X
D-4X

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

We went and didn't like it, but I am still glad I tried it once. As I said in my review and to others, TRY IT. The worse thing that will happen is that you will order a sandwich or pizza later on if you don't like it. It is not for everyone. The same can be said for all the restaurants. I say go for it!

 

[jwfla422]

We just ate there in August for the first time in a few years. We had heard that there were some changes in their menu items and the way they're served which is true.

If you compare it to the way it used to be then you can start getting mixed reviews. We did enjoy it in August however I didn't think it was as good as I remember it used to be. That being said, it was still good and if you've never been there you should enjoy it.

I miss the cute platter that they served all the apps on. However they still have that awesome salad and this time they brought in a big bowl and even though it was just dd and myself I ate all of the salad! It was a lot of food and we didn't even make a dent in it. Because everything is served in bowls now it seems like a lot more food and for 2 people it does seem like a lot of wasted food. That's the only thing that really bothered me about it.

They still have the skewered meats and shrimp which on this trip were a bit on the well done side. DD would have had the shrimp if it wasn't a bit burnt. She ended up eating chicken nuggets and the sweet chicken wings. They also serve chinese style noodles now instead of those yummy potatoes they used to have. They've added a bowl of broccoli which was too well done for my liking-could have gone without that. I will have to add this review to my website because I do have quite a few photos.

I would recommend trying it though especially if you are a family of 3 or more. They have Polynesian dancing which was cute. No more coconut races or hoola hoops but it was still a nice dinner and a fun time.

http://disneydiningreviews.com

 

[williamson_ja]

We were there last week and my dd's both participated in coconut races and dancing the hula. We LOVED it!! The food was very good. The atmosphere was very nice. We had a great time. I think it was the best meal of our trip!! My dd 14 does not like dessert at all, but she absolutely loved the dessert at 'Ohana!! Everything was wonderful! My dd's 11 and 4 couldn't get enough of their shrimp. They kept asking for more and more, and even kept asking for more when they brought out dessert. I think they had the guy come over 10 times. lol. At any rate, we will definitely be back next time we are in WDW!!

 

[ChefColette]

I like it. The food is not amazing, but it's definatly edible. The atmosphere is great.

 

[robinbutterfly]

Wait- there is stuff for the kids to do?? Is it more then just a restaurant??

 

[cat83]

I've never tried breakfast, but have eaten dinner several times and always enjoyed it. And we are going back again in two months
I'm a picky eater, and I found enough for me to enjoy

 

[Disneyaunt4]

We tried it for the first time last Sunday. We enjoyed it,food was very good and the dessert OMG was that good,best dessert ever!!!!! We did feel a little rushed because the food just comes constantly. We would not hesitate to eat here again.

 

[DisneyMom5]

I have heard some bad things about breakfast, but we LOVED dinner.

I was the only one who really knew anything about the place, so my family didn't know what to expect. They really enjoyed it.

DH loved all the meat, and even loved the dessert and I would have NEVER guessed he would eat bread pudding.

But what REALLY won us over, and why we WILL be back, was the attention that our food allergic kids got. They were served heaping platters of specially made food that was so gorgeous to look at, and it was served with very special attention from the chef, TJ. Their dessert was a Gluten Free masterpiece!

So, leaving there very full, and very happy all around, the family was praising my restaurant choice. [WHEW!]

Try it.

 

[jwfla422]

Wait- there is stuff for the kids to do?? Is it more then just a restaurant??

During dinner there is an entertainer that walks around playing a guitar or singing and he/she will gather the kids that want to participate in different activities. On the night we were there they were learning the Polynesian dance. They've also done coconut races (they actually try to sweep a coconut with a broom around the room) and have hoola hoop contests. It's fun!

http://disneydiningreviews.com

 

[kellybean]

I had also read the VERY mixed reviews on Ohana before our trip last week but I decided to keep it because it was a late reservation and I was planning on watching Wishes from the beach and then going in for dinner... (worked out great by the way)

Anyways, Ohana's ended up being our FAVORITE meal the entire stay! Everything they brought out was soooo good! I was so happy that I decided to keep it! Every time I've had salad after that I have been so craving the dressing from Ohana's...and that welcome bread, and dessert...ahhhh give it a chance and see for yourself!!

 

[lovesmurfs]

I have heard some bad things about breakfast, but we LOVED dinner.

We LOVE O'hana for breakfast! The characters are great, food was wonderful, and DS15 still talks about the juice from 3 years ago!

That (along with Rose & Crown--long story) is one of few restaurant bookings requested by the kids for our trip in December!

 

[zalansky]

We just ate there this month for dinner for the first time and loved it too. The bread, salad, and appetizers are REALLY good. I thought the meats were all so-so, really. Did not like ths shrimp skeweres at all which was disappointing because I love shrimp. But the best part was dessert, it was awesome! We'll definitely go back. We saw Wishes from the restaurant as well, they pipe the music in there too which was a plus.

I've learned to not depend too much on other peoples reviews. Remember everybody has different tastes and expectations. You might love something others hated. The only exception to this would be a place that gets bad reviews only.

Another good place to read reviews, I think, is www.tripadvisor.com

But I would say try everything once, regardless of reviews.

 

[Micca]

I think you should try it. The atmoshphere is fun, the food is hit & miss. You won't know if it suits your group till you try it.

 

[daisypaisyduck]

We ate there last week and I can honestly say it is now one of our favourite restaurants at disney.
However, our kids did not care for it. My son ate the beef , but hated the bread. My daughter would eat nothing but some of the pork and they brought her out some french fries to go with it. We visited on our 9 dinner at Disney so my kids had had enough of the kids meals but didn't care for O'hannas food either.
I loved the shrimp and the dumpling are to die for. The dessert is amazing. I found it full of flavour and a refreshing change from some of the buffets we had been doing.

Give it a try , you won't be disappointed

 

[dizneedebbie]

Ate there last August and it quickly became my and DS favorite. He loved the salad with the lime dressing. Could have filled up on that alone. Then the skewered meats was awesome. All of the dipping sauces were terrific and the supply was endless. The shrimp was my favorite. And let's not forget the desert....the bread pudding is AMAZING! Loved seeing the MK from the window. All in all I would do again if only I could get an ADR for our December trip.None available for dinner during our whole trip. it is becoming that popular!! We have been bragging on this place to DH who did not go last trip. Keeping my fingers crossed we can grab a cancellation at some point.

(Ps this was my first post on this board!! So far I love it here!)

 

[idieh]

O 'hana is the one restaurant that we eat at every year! The dinner is very good. It is plentiful (you can eat until you burst), the banana bread pudding for dessert is the best i've tasted...ever!! The entertainment is a little "cheesy" but fun.

Now, everyone has their own opinion. So, don't let them, or me, sway you. Go to O'hana and try it. The worst that will happen is you'll leave with a full belly!

Enjoy "Cousin"

Doug