Ohana - Best meal of our trip!!

[Mermaid_Ariel]

Leading up to our trip - I've been reading so-so reviews of Ohana. I'm sure during busier times, the service could crumble like anyplace else. For us, it was the best overall meal of our trip. Le Cellier had the best food but we had the most fun at Ohana.

We ate at Ohana at 12-10 at 8:00pm. I was actually nervous about loitering at the restaurant to watch the fireworks at 9:00 - but the person who seated us actually suggested it!! Woohoo!! They sat the two of us at a window seat and gave us leis for our engagement celebration that was noted on my reservation. So awesome!!

While we were being seated, she explained everything about the restaurant and even showed us the pit where the food is cooked. She told us how Ohana means family in Hawaiian and how everything works. I knew most of it already but it was great for DF since it's new to him.

Anyway, the only complaint I could have is that the food came out terribly fast - but I don't think they did it because they were rushing us, or at least we didn't feel that way at all. The waitress would come over and chat with us and we just had such a great time. The food was excellent!!! Those potatoes were truly heaven!

Then, we absolutely LOVED the woman who was putting on the show in the restaurant in that night. She was singing, playing the Ukulele, teaching kids and adults how to do the Hula, doing the limbo and it was just so wonderfully relaxing watching all this fun stuff unfold while we were enjoying our dinner.

We loved watching Wishes from our seat at 9:00. The waitress brought us coffee, tea and dessert (and didn't charge us extra for the drinks with the DDP!) while we watched. I thought it was so neat that the sound was synchronized with the fireworks inside the restaurant.

We loved Ohana so much that we're having our Disney Wedding reception there next year!!

So, at least for us - going in without any expectations was the best thing we could do. It was truly a magical experience for us and I can't wait to go back next year.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

I just went there last week and it was the best meal of our trip! That salad, shrimp, and oh god that dessert!!!! The only item I did not like was the sausage, everything else was delicious!!! The meal WAS rushed though.

 

[SnowWtch]

I'm glad you had such fun. It's one of our favorite restaurants. That salad is so yummy and the meats (except the sausage) are mouthwatering. We can't wait to go back. I enjoy doing the hula with everyone. It's out of the ordinary which is what makes it fun.

 

[Tuliplvr]

WE loved it too, but completely agree that the food came out way too fast!

 

[MissionMouse]

Our expectations were established long ago and over the years this dining establishment contrinues to thrive despite numerous changes to mainstream the menu, inconsistent service and cost cutting initatives. In all honesty I am glad a group of guest enjoy Ohana, but it continues to be one of the bottom performers during our Disney vacations.

 

[frdeb1999]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. We have had hit and miss with it. But seem to wind up there regardless most trips.

 

[dqpowell]

We ate there last Tuesday, December 11. It was great despite the nagging concerns I had after reading some of the recent reviews here. My father-in-law declared it the best meal we had on the trip. (I disagree with him on that... Tutto Italia, LeCellier, California Grill and Jiko were all superior IMO, though DFIL didn't eat at the latter two.) Still, I agree that the 'Ohana dinner was great, and walked out of the place shaking my head about those here who have been trashing it. It was just as good this time as it was the first time I ate there years ago.

David

 

[akmgoli]

I totally agree with you! My husband, daughter and I ate there on the 10th as well and were treated wonderfully. My three year old loved the singing, coconut races, and limbo and we loved the food as well. I do agree on the fact that they do bring all that food quickly, but we too never felt rushed. The only negative is that we ate too much!

 

[blue_eyes5212]

Ohana is now a must do for us! We tried it for the first time in September and loved it!!

Those potatoes were so good! I couldn't stop eating them! I wasn't sure I would like the salad, but it was delicious!!

 

[wvdislover]

So glad to hear all the positive reviews. DH and I are eating here for the first time on Valentine's Day. We also have ressies at CR and Tutto Italia. Can't wait!

 

[wdwpixie]

I'm happy too!! We changed our New Year's Eve dinner to this location from Tokyo Dining as I thought our granddaughter and daughter who had never been might enjoy it more. My husband keeps saying, "I thought we didn't care for it when we were there?" That was SEVEN years ago and it was the first place we had ever eaten on Disney property. The rest of us are anxious to try it again, so this gives me hope that we won't be disappointed!!

Thanks!! Happy Holidays all!! I won't be able to post for awhile as we leave for WDW TOMORROW a.m!! YEAH!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

We are big Ohana fans. It is a must do for our 1st night and sometimes twice if staying more than a week.

BTW, the lady who sings and dances is named Lipoa. She is native Hawaiian from Oahu. We have become friends with her. I can tell you she loves her job and sharing her culture with WDW guests.

 

[schaery]

DH and I just returned from a weeks stay in The World, and both agree that O'Hana's was our favorite meal by far. The food was wonderful and we were absolutely stuffed when we left. And the bread pudding is beyond wonderful. I kept saying I couldn't eat another bite but just kept on eating til it was gone. Watching Lipoa was lots of fun, too. If I could only pick one restaurant in WDW it would definitely have to be O'Hanna's.

 

[jewelmicky]

We are staying at the Poly in feb...and Ohana's is our 1st dinner the night of arrival....i got the latest seating available at the time 830.....My only concern is they said they will have to split our party of 7 up into 2 tables....how are the tables set up? Are there any close together or is it pretty spread out?

 

[BuffaloGal]

We are staying at the Poly in feb...and Ohana's is our 1st dinner the night of arrival....i got the latest seating available at the time 830.....My only concern is they said they will have to split our party of 7 up into 2 tables....how are the tables set up? Are there any close together or is it pretty spread out?

The likelihood that they will actually split a party of 7 is slim to none.

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

It's our first night tradition and will continue to be (unless they change the menu drastically!) We all 'Ohanas!!

 

[mom2taylorandemily]

We loved it too!! It was the highlight of our week. We went on a particularly difficult day for our family (we had spent the day at the hospital with DD) and I mentioned it to our waiter and he made sure to give extra attention to both DDs.

 

[sandym718]

Thanks for the great review, we look forward to trying Ohana's in 2009. I just hope they don't get rid of those potatoes, they sound delish! I'm a potato girl!!