Kona Cafe vs The Wave for arrival night

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Hello - interested in opinions on Kona Cafe or The Wave for our arrival night in June. I wanted something easy transportation wise for this day. We are staying at the GF so I think both of these fit the bill. We have eaten at The Wave before (at the bar only) but never at Kona. I love the ambiance of the Poly but haven’t heard much food wise about Kona. We are not picky eaters and enjoy excellent food and service. Which would you choose?

 

[MamaMermaid]

Absolutely the Wave.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

I like both, but I see the Wave as a better dinner option. Fantastic entrees, great service, signature quality meal for a much better price. My family had dinner there just over a month ago, back in April, even with the covid cutbacks, it was still good.

My last visit to Kona Cafe was probably before the pandemic, around December 2019 or February 2020. We had a relaxing liquor fueled lunch. The kids loved their entrees, DH and I had a bunch of nice cocktails, something sushi-like and some nice entrees as well. Definitely relaxing. It was really a chance to escape the mid-afternoon Magic Kingdom chaos.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

I like both, but I see the Wave as a better dinner option. Fantastic entrees, great service, signature quality meal for a much better price. My family had dinner there just over a month ago, back in April, even with the covid cutbacks, it was still good.

My last visit to Kona Cafe was probably before the pandemic, around December 2019 or February 2020. We had a relaxing liquor fueled lunch. The kids loved their entrees, DH and I had a bunch of nice cocktails, something sushi-like and some nice entrees as well. Definitely relaxing. It was really a chance to escape the mid-afternoon Magic Kingdom chaos.

Thanks for your thoughts - Did you feel the sushi quality/freshness was up to par?

 

[Schneewittchen37]

Thanks for your thoughts - Did you feel the sushi quality/freshness was up to par?

It was no worse than a Sarku Japan carryout box of sadness.

Or I'll put it bluntly, I've had better in Hawaii and the Outer Banks. But this was Florida, deeply in mouse country and I was drunk. And I didn't expect excellence, I expected no food poisoning, so I was satisfied.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

It was no worse than a Sarku Japan carryout box of sadness.

Or I'll put it bluntly, I've had better in Hawaii and the Outer Banks. But this was Florida, deeply in mouse country and I was drunk. And I didn't expect excellence, I expected no food poisoning, so I was satisfied.

Haha I may be drunk too. Will probably go with the Wave. The only place we have had par sushi in Disney was California Grill. And that was just par. Love the atmosphere of the Poly but probably with all the construction it’s not worth it. Appreciate your thoughts.

 

[jillt2ph]

I was at Kona Thursday night and had the Kona-braised short rib, which comes with fantastic creamy mashed potatoes and broccolini (I recommend subbing that with regular broccoli or green beans). I had it for the first time while visiting in March and couldn't wait to have it again. So yummy! An easy walk from Grand Floridian, and you can get a dole whip for the walk back

I will add there were quite a few folks around me ordering sushi. I was one of the few not eating any.

 

[VandVsmama]

The Wave because getting to the Poly from GF will be more difficult than getting to CR.

 

[soniam]

The Wave because getting to the Poly from GF will be more difficult than getting to CR.

It's a nice walk, especially at night. Unless the path is blocked by construction.

 

[VandVsmama]

It's a nice walk, especially at night. Unless the path is blocked by construction.

Or unless it's pouring down rain.

Or sweaty as heck.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

I was at Kona Thursday night and had the Kona-braised short rib, which comes with fantastic creamy mashed potatoes and broccolini (I recommend subbing that with regular broccoli or green beans). I had it for the first time while visiting in March and couldn't wait to have it again. So yummy! An easy walk from Grand Floridian, and you can get a dole whip for the walk back

I will add there were quite a few folks around me ordering sushi. I was one of the few not eating any.

Thanks for your response. Does the construction at the Poly take away from the ambience at all? The main reason I would go is because I love the atmosphere and feeling at the Poly (we honeymooned there 27 years ago).

 

[zebrastreyepz]

I would normally jump to promote The Wave but there have been rumblings that it hasn't been that great lately.

Kona is ranked as my worst meal on property in 10 trips.

 

[MomOTwins]

I vote secret Option C--stay at GF and eat at the Enchanted Rose lounge. The sliders, cheese plate, and truffle fries were off the charts amazing. And bonus, you don't need an ADR and it's at the resort you're staying at.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

I vote secret Option C--stay at GF and eat at the Enchanted Rose lounge. The sliders, cheese plate, and truffle fries were off the charts amazing. And bonus, you don't need an ADR and it's at the resort you're staying at.

Thanks for your input. We will definitely visit the Enchanted Rose during our stay. Have only been once for drinks but interested in the food for sure. We are having lunch at GF Cafe so we want to venture out somewhere else for dinner.

 

[AliceIn]

I would normally jump to promote The Wave but there have been rumblings that it hasn't been that great lately.

Kona is ranked as my worst meal on property in 10 trips.

Our last two dinners at the Wave were bad. It used to be one of our favorite restaurants, but this last trip was the last straw. None of the four of us liked our dinner. I had the herb roasted chicken, which was over cooked and bone dry. The potatoes confit were undercooked, and not quite luke warm, and the carrot puree was inedible. My husband got the grilled beef tenderloin. The beef was decent, but all the sides were cold. My son had the gnocci, he probably had the best dish, but it wasn't as good as pasta he got at Ale and Compass, or at Via Napoli. My daughter got a kids meal, which was about the same as any other.

I'm sad that it's not what it used to be. We love the ambiance and we used to really enjoy the food. We won't go back unless the menu changes.

We've eaten at Kona, it was ok but not great, though the appetizers were really good. We much prefer the food at Ohana, but it's not open yet.

 

[TigerLilly's Mom]

Our last two dinners at the Wave were bad. It used to be one of our favorite restaurants, but this last trip was the last straw. None of the four of us liked our dinner. I had the herb roasted chicken, which was over cooked and bone dry. The potatoes confit were undercooked, and not quite luke warm, and the carrot puree was inedible. My husband got the grilled beef tenderloin. The beef was decent, but all the sides were cold. My son had the gnocci, he probably had the best dish, but it wasn't as good as pasta he got at Ale and Compass, or at Via Napoli. My daughter got a kids meal, which was about the same as any other.

I'm sad that it's not what it used to be. We love the ambiance and we used to really enjoy the food. We won't go back unless the menu changes.

We've eaten at Kona, it was ok but not great, though the appetizers were really good. We much prefer the food at Ohana, but it's not open yet.

Appreciate your input on your recent experience. To be fair, we have eaten at the bar at the Wave (apps only) and found it mediocre or just ok. I have never been to WDW in June and I am terrified of the crowds. We usually play it by ear on where to eat and decide day of. I was worried about not being able to do that this trip so I made sure we had ADR’s every night knowing we have the option of canceling the night before. My other thought was to try to sit at the bar at Narcoossee’s. I feel like I may cancel the Wave though - not super excited about it at all.

 

[heresabe]

Haven't I heard a rumor that the Wave is closing, to be replaced with a steakhouse?

 

[JoJoGirl]

The sushi selection at Kona has taken a huge hit due to Covid. With Kona Isle closed, there are only maybe four rolls on the menu - pretty standard stuff like spicy tuna, California, and rainbow roll. They are OK but nothing special. Apps are tasty, but the cocktails and dessert are the real stars. Kona is currently serving the ‘Ohana banana bread pudding with ice cream and caramel sauce, yum! It’s worth a trip over there just for that!

 

[beccasmom]

We love The Wave and are bummed it will be closed on our upcoming trip; we were there on our last trip in January 2020 and loved it. We’ll look forward to visiting again when it reopens.

 

[jillt2ph]

Thanks for your response. Does the construction at the Poly take away from the ambience at all? The main reason I would go is because I love the atmosphere and feeling at the Poly (we honeymooned there 27 years ago).

The lobby is deserted, but I kind of like it that way The walk over from Grand Floridian is nice - I like going by the wedding pavilion. You will walk past the Poly buildings being worked on. But the DVC side is fine. And I expect as the reopening of the hotel side approaches the construction stuff will start disappearing. I am staying there for the 4th of July and have my fingers crossed the monorail station will be back in action.