NOW THE DILEMMA

[MICKEEP]

Its the DW's 40th Birthday and this is the schedule as it now stands:

8:00 AM - PS at Tony's for the Pooh Character Breakfast. Tiggers her favorite.
9:30 AM - A special event planned by "Gifts of a Lifetime".
3:00 PM - Ice Cream Social. Since we were married on my DW's birthday it is also our 18th Wedding Anniversary that day, and I was hoping to have the Rehitchin' Ceremony performed.

NOW THE DILEMMA

Where to have dinner?

In keeping with the trend of the day. I was thinking of a Fun, with a capital "F", type of place. My thoughts were maybe Whispering Canyon or Ohanas. We have never been to Ohanas.
I have kind-of ruled out the Hoop Dee Doo (which we have never been to) because of all the problems people talk about with transportation. We are staying at the BC.
We will be with our two DS ages 13 and 14.

Any opinions on the above or maybe someplace I have overlooked would be greatly appreciated.

 

[hallie]

From the 2 choices I say go to Ohana's!! I've heard many great reviews about it. Plus if you get PS around fireworks time, request a window seat and then they even pipe the music in! Then you can go to the beach and see the electric water pageant afterwards!!!

We're trying Ohana's for the first time this trip!

 

[ahutton]

Either place would be fun for dinner. I've also heard Chef Mickey's is a blast for dinner. If you really wanted to try the Hoop De Doo, a transportation option is to just take a cab. Disney will even call one for you... Or you could see if Tiffany Town Car will "charter" a ride for you for your special event.

 

[AnnaE4]

I'm going to delurk to say that we love 'Ohanas! And, definitely tell them that it's your DW's birthday and your anniversary and that you want to make it really special by sitting where you can see the fireworks. The food is good and it looks like the kids have a good time, too!

Denise

 

[Synonymous]

Anywhere but Whispering Canyon. Ugh! Food is awful.

 

[josierac]

We went to the Hoop de doo this summer for the second time and we were staying at the YC.

We took a cab to Fort Wilderness and then a bus to Pioneer Hall. On the way back they had resort buses so we just hopped on the BC/YC Boardwalk bus and back to our resort.

 

[CamColt]

If FUN is what you had in mind, the Hoop De Doo is the way to go. We did have a tough time getting back to our resort this summer when we did it, but even so, I would do it again. I would probably take a cab, but even if I couldnt and had to do the 3 buses, I would do it again. The show was hilarious and the food was excellent(as was the unlimited beer & sangria).
But out of your other choices, I think I would try Ohanas. Personally, I know Ill never end up there since I love the Kona so much, when at the Poly, I will always go there, but Ohanas does seem interesting.

 

[DeeP]

I agree if you want fun Hoop de doo is the way to go! But I have to say last week while at WDW I went to O'hana much against my wishes and the food this time was excellent. I had previously eaten dinner at O'Hana on 3 different occasions and each was worse than the last; but last week I was at WDW with a friend who had never been to O'Hana and really wanted to try it, so I thought, why not I will just chalk it up to another bad meal at O'Hana. Boy was I pleasantly surprised! It was wonderful food, we had a great server (Hi Greg!!) and our PS was for 8:45 PM so I really expected poor food and everything could not have been more tasty. There was no entertainment this late though, but the food was wonderful. The peanut dipping sauce is out of this world, so good I got the recipe! I still say Hoop de doo is more fun (I have been at O'Hana 3xs when the entertainment was going on and IMHO for entertainment Hoop dee doo wins hands down and though I like HDD's food, in the food dept O'Hana now gets my vote. I am planning on making PS for dinner at O'Hana again for our Dec trip, I was so impressed.

 

[MiknMinMouse]

How about California Grill at the Contemporary, we just ate there Monday and it was wonderful, my hubby lovedit!!. BTW, he planned a "Gift of a Lifetime" for me and it was fabulous, hope your hubby likes his. And we love Whispering Canyon Cafe, I think it's all in what you like.

 

[Mrs. Snowgod]

I would second CG as a wonderful choice, particularly if you want to end the day with something more upscale, or special... I want to say "adult", but that may give the wrong connotation. I haven't been to Ohana's but hear the food is wonderful.

I was very dissappointed with Whispering Canyon, but maybe with your kids, it will be more fun. When DH and I went, it was just the two of us on a vacation to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. I think that with a large group, including kids, and if I had not been bone tired, it might have appealed to me more, but in the state I was in, I was just irritated by the atmosphere, the food and the server.

JMHO. Good luck with your decision and have a wonderful time!

 

[Poohnatic]

Fun?

Hoop Dee Doo- definitely fun, and we took our car to FW and took the bus in...no problem. Our problem was otherwise Oh well, next trip. But if you are bringing your own personal vehicle, you can go this route and not have a problem.

'Ohana- Great food, wonderful atmosphere. Fun factor is probably more subdued, but the coconut races and hula contest were enjoyed immensely by my 6 and 3 year olds. I agree...if you get a table at the window (which we did), you get an incredible view, even in a downpour (we loved it)

Chef Mickeys-I know it's not on your list, but boy, it's fun and the food is great, too. Prime Rib on that buffet, and celebrating is what they are all about. Make sure you let them know when you make your PS that you have both celebrations, and they will do it up big time. We got a pin for son's b'day and they made sure we celebrated father's day, too! It's our traditional first night in the park stop, because it really puts us in the 'we're here to have fun' mindset.

Another place that we had a lot of fun on our last trip was the Biergarten. Hey, traditional German oompah band is always lots of fun. Heck, my three year old made me take him out on the floor to dance the chicken dance! They'll also be sure to sing "Ein Prosit" for your wife's bday (at the end, be sure to say "Ei zwei trei ZUFA!") The food is awesome, and I'm not a huge german food fan . Finally, the Graff Spatlese is a great wine to enjoy.

YMMV. In any event, ENJOY the day. Sounds like it will be great.

Suzanne

 

[ozziewags]

Since this sounds like a really special day, I would go to the California Grille! It can't be beat. Very special, without the price of V and A.(still pricey, but worth it)