Need advice - Ohana or Kona?

[downontheBW]

We'll be staying at AKV Jambo in November and have made our ADR's but I'm having second thoughts about Ohana. It's just my dh and me - kids are grown so we go by ourselves We'll do Boma and Jiko at AKL and various TS at the parks. Our first evening, I want to watch Wishes from the Poly beach so decided on dinner at the Poly. Currently have ADR at Ohana for 6:50pm but just read another less-than-positive review. Should we switch to Kona?

We've enjoyed Kona for breakfast but never had dinner there and never tried Ohana. As I said, we don't have little ones with us so the kids games are not an attraction. We're not seafood fans - I'm allergic and DH doesn't like it.

I want that Poly (Hawaiian) atmosphere, too. Looking for suggestions. thx!

 

[Beauty & the Best]

I think it depends on what kind of atmosphere you want & also if you like the all-you-can-eat thing.

Never been to Kona but we've been to Ohana plenty of times, the decor in Kona just seems a little less interesting to me, so really that's why. Kona is more quiet for sure.

IMO the food at Ohana is very good and there is lots and lots of it. The downside is the service, it seems that sometimes they do move you along through the courses.

Ohana doesn't have a lot of seafood - just shrimp - and you can refuse it of course, so that's not an issue.

 

[clutter]

We haven't done Kona, but are looking forward to it. We've done OHanas (my dd12 and me), and since we're not about the show, we didn't love it. Didn't like the meats that much. I loved the sides, she didn't. I'd go for Kona, but I'll know more Friday night.

 

[ppony]

As was said, depends on what you are looking for. We've dined at both both at breakfast and dinner. Our FAVORITE for the food is Kona for dinner. (We had breakfast there a LONG time ago so it's changed too much since then..for the better... to comment properly) Absolutely DEELISH!!!!! Atmosphere is okay, but just like a nice general restaurant but still appointed nicely. Ohana's has a good theme going and the servers play that up. Food at Ohana's is family style and at Kona, by the menu. IMO, Ohana's food has to appeal to the widest range because of it being family style so it's not any big shakes. It's okay and they bring you more of anything you want IF you can find your server and ask them. Finding them someitmes is a frustration. There is a wide variety of food at Kona Cafe as well as AWESOME desserts. OMG! The desserts! So everyone can order exactly what they want as opposed to have to take what is brought to them.

*** I should probably add, young kids would like the atmosphere of Ohana MUCH more than Kona, but my son (7 at the time) MOWWED down his chicken wing appetizer at Kona and he perked up in a big way. Then that ice cream cone w/ the cotton candy cloud around it was a HUGE hit!

 

[PIRATEGIRL007]

I would not cancel the O'hana ADR. Our trip literally hinged on me getting an ADR there, DH loves it that much. Give it a shot. Alot of places get great and bad review on here. (point in case: some people actually LIKE ABC Commissary) IMO O'hana has some of the most delicious food on property. And there is plenty of it. We have always had great service but if I had to go back to the kitchen myself and get our food I would still eat here.

 

[ppony]

I'll go and add here since you may not reread my previous post:
We are dining at BOTH on our upcoming 2 day trip at the World before our DCL cruise. We're doing Ohana for breakfast because we like the atmosphere and we're staying at the Poly and honestly, breakfasts are so similar everywhere on property, it didn't matter much. I'm the only one that likes eggs in my family but no matter where you go, its eggs eggs eggs. We also have young kids and they'll just love the games and characters. But we're doing Kona for dinner because we LOVE the food there. I too don't like seafood and that said, still found it hard to decide on what to eat. There were several non seafood choices taht sounded SO good! In the OPs situation, I'd bet you dollars to donuts, you'd LOVE Kona!

And as the PP said, you'll find bad reviews of each restaurant on property, don't let that alone sway you.

*** another edit because I can't stop thinking about the food! LOL If you do do Ohana for dinner, when you walk by Kona, ask if you can see the desserts on display. Samples are on display right in front of the kitchen. You might be able to get in for a dessert at the very least. It's not as hard to get into (or it didn't used to be) for a table for 2 short notice.

 

[downontheBW]

Thanks for all the great replies!

Hmmm... I'll keep Ohana and give it a try. Now that I hear how great Kona is for dinner, I'll see if I can squeeze it in.

 

[rolokime]

My choice is Ohana.. It's all you care to eat and they serve some of my favorite Disney food.......

 

[GoofyKidd]

We love both, but for different meals-Kona for breakfast(Tonga Toast is awesome)and Ohana for dinner (LOVE the bread pudding). As I always tell my kids-when you have 2 good choices, you can't make a bad decision!!

 

[jimmalru80]

'Ohana = quantity. Kona Cafe = quality.

 

[ntsammy5]

'Ohana = quantity. Kona Cafe = quality.

Kona is calmer too.