Ohana at Poly is it worth OOP

[disneyred]

I have seen a similar thread but not specifically for ohana's .. what do you guys think.. its for a party of 6, all adults..

(personally i find it quite pricey).

 

[DisneyFamily123]

I have seen a similar thread but not specifically for ohana's .. what do you guys think.. its for a party of 6, all adults..
(personally i find it quite pricey).

What would make it worth it for you? It was not worth it for me on the DDP and would still not be worth it if paying out of pocket...When there are so many better places to eat, I can't think of 1 good reason to eat at Ohana. While we enjoyed it in 2009... I understand the well-liked Chef TJ left... And our visit in 2010 was awful.

Not worth it, here's why..

Terrible check-in process. Took 20+ minutes just to get through the check-in line, then we were marked as a walk-up (without telling us) because we were late (we were not). Waited an hour to be seated. Some say they lucked out on getting seated promptly... but from the reviews.. it's a real roll of the dice. Management really didn't care when I talked with them about the problem. Food is lousy. Really. Limp salad, cold noodles wings and potstickers. Shrimp that's not deveined.

Here's where Ohana fails.... bigtime..... and I'll give you some alternatives too!

If you're looking for a stuff your belly place.... the menu is limited. What's good are the skewer meats (not the shrimp) and dessert. Everything else yuck. That's not much to choose from.

Instead, go to one of the decent buffets like Boma, Tusker House, or Crystal Palace. Or go to 50s Prime Time and stuff yourself with Mom's home cookin' and awesome homemade milkshakes.

If you're looking for a "Polynesian" theme/experience. This isn't it.... I know many people love the lady who MCs the Ohana experience, but I really find the constant interruptions to teach a few words (Ohana means family.....) to be annoying. Other than that, you may get a lei, there's a thing where kids push coconuts with brooms, and a mini-parade with maraccas.

Instead, get category 1 or 2 seating for Spirit of Aloha. The food is better, beer and wine is included, all children are invited to hula on stage, there's some "eye candy" for everyone (I know some people think that's a funny think to say but it's true). If you have teenage boys, I bet they will finally be quiet during a meal. And the fire juggler at the end of the show is awesome.

Want a free Polynesian experience? The fire juggler does a welcome the night ceremony (about 10-15 minutes?) just outside the main entrance to the Polynesian resort at about 6pm every night there is a Spirit of Aloha show... just arrive earlier and ask at the resort check-in desk (they give out leis for free at the check-in desk too). Then get a drink from the bar upstairs and take a walk on the beach at the Polynesian at night. The lit tiki torches, view of the castle, and tropical music playing is relaxing. Put a blanket on the beach and stare at the sky. It's also a good view of the MK fireworks, and the lighted boat parade (passes by about 9 or 9:15pm I think).

If you're just looking for a very relaxing dinner to enjoy conversation...Ohana isn't it. Think loud and annoying with lots of interruptions. I can't recommend Kona Cafe either because there were flies all over the dessert display when we went there for lunch in 2009.

Instead, go to one of the many other very nice restaurants at the monorail resorts -- Citricos, Narcoosees, California Grill.

 

[Sugar Jones]

It depends. We absolutely loved it, but we are big meat eaters. I actually liked everything that we were served. The kids loved it too because they could have endless grilled cheese sandwiches The dessert was incredible as well.

However if your looking for a nice relaxing, quiet sit down dinner to chit chat with friends, it's not the place you want. It's very loud and busyish in there.

I would pay out of pocket for it, but I'm sure there would be a lot of people who would not.


HTH

 

[disneyred]

thanks for all the personal experiences here .. this is exactly the feedback I am looking for as I have never been... its just that I know a lot of people like this place and at first glance of the menu.. it just seemed a bit pricey to me...

 

[DisneyFamily123]

thanks for all the personal experiences here .. this is exactly the feedback I am looking for as I have never been... its just that I know a lot of people like this place and at first glance of the menu.. it just seemed a bit pricey to me...

I think most of Disney's restaurants are pricey! That's why I like the dining plan... the discount makes it a little more reasonable...we are still paying for it out of pocket (in advance) but I don't have to faint everytime the check comes! I just faint once when I send in the final payment before we come to Disney!!!

Have a great trip!!!

Lots of people like Ohana. I obviously liked it in 2009 because I booked it again in 2010. If I have a not so perfect experience, I'll still come back... but when it's really bad, it's off my list. And that bugs me because we like the Polynesian resort. I hope they make some changes to the dining there. They also need a hot tub like the other deluxe resorts! Next trip, we will stay somewhere else... maybe Beach Club, Boardwalk, or Animal Kingdom Lodge. If they ever make some improvements to the Poly, I'd love to go back.

 

[latmck]

It depends. We absolutely loved it, but we are big meat eaters. I actually liked everything that we were served. The kids loved it too because they could have endless grilled cheese sandwiches The dessert was incredible as well.

However if your looking for a nice relaxing, quiet sit down dinner to chit chat with friends, it's not the place you want. It's very loud and busyish in there.

I would pay out of pocket for it, but I'm sure there would be a lot of people who would not.


HTH

Sorry to but in, I didn't know that 'Ohana served grilled cheese sandwishes for the kids. I was considered that my dd would not eat (very picky). I glad that you mentioned the grilled cheese sandwish cause she loves it.

 

[3boys4me]

We really love Ohana and have had some other good meals at Disney, but at those prices, I can't think of one table service that would be worth paying OOP for.

 

[Sugar Jones]

Sorry to but in, I didn't know that 'Ohana served grilled cheese sandwishes for the kids. I was considered that my dd would not eat (very picky). I glad that you mentioned the grilled cheese sandwish cause she loves it.

Yep I have one super picky eater too! I looked over all menu's before making any of my ADR's


The kids had the choice of grilled cheese, hot dogs & I think hamburgers. That included fries as well. The two non-picky kids had some of the meal that we had as well since it's served family style.

 

[Alabama Minnie]

Worth it to us when we paid OOP in December. 4 courses. Yummy!!

 

[gpeters93]

We continue to enjoy Ohana and I prefer it strongly over the buffet at Boma. In addition, Ohana has a vegetarian option that is superb. I miss the fire gods though - wish they would be brought back. If you are all adults maybe you can ask to be seated away from the coconut trail.

Have you considered Tables in Wonderland? One dinner for 6 would almost pay it off.

 

[Deb123]

We paid OOP at Ohana's this summer. It was terrible, and that was the truth. We had a bad experience,and I would not pay for it again. We go out to eat at expensive restaurants quite often, so it was not because of the price. Here's why:
1. We were about 20 minutes early for our ressie, but it still took us an hour to get seated, I think that was unacceptable.
2. Our waitress was horrible. We were firsttimers,and were extremely excited about eating here. She barely mumbled anything to us, we had no utensils and basically we were forgotton. About 25 min in, the cold noodles and wings were brought. They were barely edible.
3.It took over an hour and a half AFTER being seated before the waitress finially brought us the meat skewers. By the way, there was me, DH and DS (16) and DS (8). Guess what, she put 2 shrimp on 3 of our plates and that was it. Said that it would take a bit more for the grill to get some more meat. I asked if there was a kids menu, and the reply was she didn't think so. After maybe 30 more min, she brought a couple more pieces of meat, but by this time, all of us was so dissapointed. I was nearly in tears. I felt as I had let my family down. I had promised them a wonderful dining experience,and it so was not. When we finially got dessert, it was the soggiest mess I ever tried to eat. And we left that restaurant Starving, went back to our resort and ate counter service. That is after paying the hefty price.
I will say, I did call Disney and complain, and they sent us VIP Fantasmic seats for our next trip. But, as far as Paying oop, never again.

 

[kwdw]

I just paid OOP for Ohana - and I won't ever be back. The "entertainment" for the kids REALLY, REALLY distracts from an adult meal. Really. I didn't think that would be true for me because I typically love that campy stuff for kids. Nope. Not here.

Service SUCKS. There is no other way to describe it. If you like to eat your food cold, you might like the place.

Food is okay at best. If you are a group of large amounts of meat eaters - you might be happy with it - as long as you like medium rare tough steak and chicken you aren't sure is done. And there's no complaining about that - because see the point above - there is no service.

I can think of ALOT of better restaurants at Disney......