I don't follow it either. I just reasoned it out from the information in the post I quoted.See that? Not a name or feat that I do more than glaze my eyes over once a year although I'm sure his family members and admirers are proud of his notoriety
Just curious why this response is directed only at my post, but not at the person who found the '1.75 hour' estimate ? I simply did a quick search and selected the (i think) third result at random.I also don't follow the philosophy of " If you find it on the internet it must be true" as just as easily I can find a link (or 6) that refutes it.
People get very attached to their vision of how things are going to go at WDW, especially if they want it the exact way it went before. Unfortunately WDW rarely delivers on consistency.I don't disagree that you should control the pace of your meal, I'm just saying being as worked up as the OP seems to be may be a bit excessive. BUT like I said, if it was me paying the huge bill I may feel just like the OP.
This is a fair point. To think of the noodles, dumplings and vegetables as a separate course may be where people are fumbling here. Think about your average pan-Asian meal, you don’t eat your noodles or rice then your chicken, you eat it all together. So noodle/dumpling/veggie plate and meats coming out close together makes sense. Would be nice to enjoy the bread and salad for a minute before this happen though. And a minute to digest before dessert.This post got me thinking about big family dinners, like Thanksgiving. Don't you all put all the food out at once and just help yourselves during those types of meals? You eat at whatever pace you want, but the food is all laid out for the taking. Ohana is like this. Just because the food is placed on your table/plate, doesn't mean you have to scarf it all down instantly. Just serve up your plates as desired and pace yourselves. That is what "family style" dining is. I don't see why it matters when the food is put down? As far as I'm concerned, at WDW, by the time I sit down for ANY meal, I'm ready to eat! Last couple times we went to Ohana, we got the salad before our drinks came around (but we had water). We all served ourselves and started eating, but we didn't HAVE to.
First off, I need to start by saying that I am not a complainer, I usually take things in stride. I think this is the first time I've complained about anything on this board.
Second, I was really looking forward to 'Ohana on my trip. This was our third trip to 'Ohana in as many years. We do a big trip every April. When anyone asked me what I was looking forward to most on this trip, it was 'Ohana.
One our first trip, two years ago, there was 11 of us celebrating a birthday. We sat, had a round of drinks, the kids played games, it was a really nice night.
Our second time, it was just my wife and kids - so 6 of us. They brought out a giant platter of grilled cheeses and chicken nuggets, so my kids loved it. We had a table by the window and saw the fireworks. It was my best memory from the trip.
<Rant start>
So, we had a reservation for 9 last Tuesday. We arrived a little early, walked around a bit and got our table. We sat down around 6:30 and the waiter came over, actually the same waiter as last time. I wanted to make sure we had a nice relaxing dinner, so I specifically asked the waiter to give us a little time to settle in before food was delivered. I offered to take care of him in the tip, knowing he would want to turn over the table. We ordered drinks for the kids and asked for a few minutes to look over the cocktail list.
We had a couple pieces of bread and no more than 3 minutes later they dropped the first big platter of appetizers. It was way too quick. We didn't even order our drinks yet. I saw the waiter and let him know that was too soon. We placed our drink order and less than a minute later they were already at the table with the skewers. It was crazy. I was pretty annoyed at this point. I asked someone to grab our waiter and send him over and I explained again that we wanted to enjoy ourselves a little. He said he would take care of it. Again, more skewers came over and a platter of chicken nuggets and fries (no grilled cheeses anymore, so my son was really disappointed).
I said something again to the waiter and he finally understood, but it was already too later. The drinks finally arrived.
I know this might seem nit-picky. It was just so crazy. I felt so rushed. I didn't even get to sit and have a conversation with my family. We were just being bombarded. Again, I just felt so rushed. I knew how much the dinner would cost, the final bill was just under $550.
Am I crazy to think that after spending $550 on a meal we could sit and enjoy the company a little bit enjoy the music, the entertainment, etc...?
I know its a busy place and they have to turn over the tables, but its also a very expensive dinner. I even specifically asked that we be given some time.
It was a very disappointing experience for the one experience I was looking forward to the most.
Am I being a baby?
<rant over>
I eat really fast. Average time to eat a plate of food for me is well under 10 minutes. I don't inhale my food. I chew thoughtfully and enjoy it. What I don't like, and my entire family (except my mom) is this way, is talking while eating. I find that very difficult to coordinate without being rude and talking with a full mouth. I don't like my food getting cold, which happens quickly for most dishes. Everyone has a different eating style. My mom eats really slowly, but she mostly talks and takes a bite of food once every five minutes, it seems. It drives us all crazy.
Ideally, it should take a person 20-30 minutes to eat a meal with normal portion sizes. If it is taking you an hour+ to eat, you are eating too much.
An hour and a half is more than enough time for an Ohana meal. That is over 20 minutes per course, on average. No one spends 20 minutes eating a salad or bread pudding with ice cream and hot caramel sauce, which would be a melty mess after that long. It's also not really a 4 course meal. The sides are sides, not appetizers.
2+ hours is just rude at a popular place with a family style service. At a fine dining place, which purposely paces the courses, 2-2.5 hours is perfect.
In terms of food safety rules can the food be given to another table after it's already been dropped on at another?The food could have easily just gone to another table, and the waiter or food runner could have grabbed another one whenever OP was ready for it.
In terms of food safety rules can the food be given to another table after it's already been dropped on at another?
That's what I was thinking. So only way it can easily go to another table is if it's done prior to it being put down on the table by whomever. Not a bad idea just gotta get the timing right.No. Once it is put down, if you don't want it, it goes in the trash.
So, if you are going to do this, make sure you speak up BEFORE the plate hits your table.
I personally never understood how O'hana managed to get onto the most wanted reservations list. I've been there a grand total of 3 times, and after the last experience, I've taken it off the list entirely. The food is just "ok" and yes, we felt rushed as well. On our last trip were were just trying to relax and enjoy the evening, and were constantly being asked if we needed this or that. It felt like they were subconsciously telling us to get the heck out if we were done. I understand where the op is coming from completely, and don't think he is overreacting at all. His feelings are valid, even if they are not shared by others.
No. Once it is put down, if you don't want it, it goes in the trash.
So, if you are going to do this, make sure you speak up BEFORE the plate hits your table.