'Ohana, Cape May, or Raglan Road - Have to get rid of one!

[MermaidMommy]

I have to cut out one of the above restaurants, and I'm making myself crazy going back and forth! I'd love to have some opinions from the boards. Here's the scenario:

Raglan Road
1st night at WDW
Going to DTD and not the parks, so would be convenient (especially since we're staying at POFQ)
DD11 is a dancer, so she'd like the step-dancing and music
Heard good things about the food, and menu looks good

Ohana
After weeks of trying, finally got a ressie here, but would be same night as Raglan Road
Going here based on word-of-mouth from the boards, more for the experience than the food
Might stay for fireworks, but they aren't till 10:00 and might be tired from travelling - Also have 4 nights planned to see them in the park
Is DD11 too old to enjoy the activities? We won't be with any other kids.

Cape May
DD is big seafood fan - can eat her weight in peeled shrimp and crab legs alone
Would do this in conjunction with Boardwalk entertainment and seeing the Christmas decorations at the Epcot resorts one night
Would walk over to Epcot for Illuminations after

I think my worry is that I'm leaning toward giving up 'Ohana, which was so hard to get into and is so highly regarded here. Talk me out of it if I'm making a big mistake!

 

[stinie18287]

We've never been to Cape May and don't really like seafood.. But we ate at both Raglan Road and Ohana on our last trip and both were hands down our favorite two meals. We're trying a bunch of new places next August but we're sure to keep these two in our plans. It seems like these two conflict the most in your plans but if there's anyway you could do these two they definitely have my vote!

 

[OhThePain]

Without a doubt, I would get rid of 'Ohana.

We went to RR this past Saturday for a spur of the moment dinner. We had been in the past and weren't wowed at all, but we had a really enjoyable meal there this time.

Cape May is one of the very very very few dinner buffets on property that has decent food (the other 2 being Boma and Biergarten). I think seafood fans and non-seafood fans can easily walk out of there very full and very happy.

'Ohana, in our opinion, is awful. The appitizers taste like something out of a freezer, the meat, pork and poultry are really dry (even with the sauces), we have had some real bad service there and the view of Wishes is nothing special. The entertainment is loud and obnoxious and your DD may or may not feel too old for the activities but that depends more on her than anything.

 

[ChelleMouse]

Here too... without a doubt, I would get rid of Ohana.

 

[Quin]

I love Ohana and we have always had good food there. But this is not about me - this is about you and your family, OP. You certainly need to keep Cape May. And much as it pains me to say it, it sounds like RR might be a better fit for your family this trip than Ohana would.

---all the more reason to schedule another trip, of course, so that you can try it next time!

 

[Hopefully]

I too would drop 'OHana. Although it is good, I think the others are better for your family.
If your daughter is a dancer, she will love the entertainment at Raglan Road. When we were there 2 weeks ago, they even had 2 young girls from the audience on stage to dance. The food is good, the restaurant is beautiful and the entertainment is great.
If your daughter is a seafood lover you have to keep Cape May. Plus your plan of seeing the Epcot resorts and the Boardwalk is a great one.
I think your 11 yo is too old to really appreciate the entertainment at 'OHana. I think it is geared toward younger ones.
Have a Great Trip.

 

[MainStreetFireman]

Last trip, Raglan Road became a new "must-do" for us on future trips. I must say that the food was good. Not exceptional, but good. The atmosphere and entertainment was incredible! (and I am not even Irish.) The kids (18 & 15) are already talking about returning on our next trip.

Ohana is a must do for us because we love the food and love the atmosphere. Our kids are well beyond some of the activities set up for the younger set, so that is not an issue for us. Part of the enjoyment is watching the fireworks from the Poly after dinner. Then my DW and I like to adjourn to the Tambu Lounge for some great tropical libations.

Cape May is the least attractive to us because we live on the Eastern seaboard and regularly have access to great seafood. We will definitely give it a try if we stay in the Epcot area. It's just not a priority for us.

Good luck, and enjoy whatever choice you make. At the end of the day, you'll still be in the most magical place!

 

[MermaidMommy]

Thanks, everyone -- you were all so helpful! It looks like Raglan Road and Cape May will be a better fit for us this trip, so I'll just have to make sure to hit Ohana next time.

 

[Ramsfan28]

Without a doubt, I would get rid of 'Ohana.

We went to RR this past Saturday for a spur of the moment dinner. We had been in the past and weren't wowed at all, but we had a really enjoyable meal there this time.

Cape May is one of the very very very few dinner buffets on property that has decent food (the other 2 being Boma and Biergarten). I think seafood fans and non-seafood fans can easily walk out of there very full and very happy.

'Ohana, in our opinion, is awful. The appitizers taste like something out of a freezer, the meat, pork and poultry are really dry (even with the sauces), we have had some real bad service there and the view of Wishes is nothing special. The entertainment is loud and obnoxious and your DD may or may not feel too old for the activities but that depends more on her than anything.

+1.
Lose 'Ohana - it is the most overhyped place for a meal at Disney.

 

[princess aleya]

I would keep Ohana and Cape May, they were our favorites.

 

[catne]

Keep RAglan Road, especially with a dancer in the family. When you check in, make sure you tell them you want a good view of the dancers for your daughter (there is a back room with no view at all, as well as some tables in the main room have very limited views, especially the booths back in the bar area are blocked views.)

...but NOTE! This is not an easy straight-forward boat ride from POFQ. The boat goes from POFQ to Marketplace (so you're getting off the boat near Rainforest Cafe.) Then you either have a really long hike through Marketplace from that far corner of Marketplace over to the area that Raglan Road is in (I would guesstimate a 10-15 minute walk depending on your speed & crowds...Raglan Road is about 1/2 way down the length of Downtown Disney)

-or- you get off the first boat, walk around to the entrance of the other boat (the boat shuttle to Westside)and ride that boat to Westside, and then back-track a bit on foot to get to Raglan Road. Every time we've taken the boat to DTD, when we get off the boat at Marketplace, there has been a long line of people waiting for the shuttle boat to Westside. Shortest time we've ever waited for the 2nd boat is about 15 minutes.

It can actually take you as long as an hour to get from POFQ to Raglan Road via the boats.

We did this once, and then decided we'd rather drive.

 

[Edgehopper]

I like O'hana, but based on you schedule, definitely skip it this time. Raglan Road is excellent.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

No way. I'd drop Raglan Road.

One thing I love about 'Ohana is that they give you fresh veggies with your meal in real quantites. That's rare at WDW. Most menu entrees SAY they come with a veggie, but when you get the plate - it's a garnish! One tiny baby carrot!

I much prefer the grilled meats of 'Ohana to anything 'batter fried' or covered in a 'cream sauce.'

But it depends on your tastes and the logistics. If you are staying at POFQ and won't have a car, then Raglan road is easier. Getting to 'Ohana will take time even with a car. Without one the logisitcs are maybe more than you want to do.

 

[kerri0616]

Sorta confused. Ohana is the same night as Raglan? If you eat at Raglan, you won't be hungry for Ohana.

K

 

[NancyIL]

No way. I'd drop Raglan Road.

Is that "no way" you'd drop Raglan Road, or "no way" about dropping 'Ohana, and you'd drop Raglan Road?

I haven't eaten at 'Ohana, but I LOVE Raglan Road. Cape May is okay, but I'm not a big fan of Disney's buffets.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I would normally say drop Cape May. It is much better for breakfast!!!

Ohana and Raglan Road are both awesome! Its too bad they are on the same night.

Can you move the Raglan Road to the Cape May night?

 

[ZoZo]

You're going to get a million different opinions, as you've already noticed, I'm sure!

My two cents: Unlike most folks, I wasn't impressed with Raglan Road. I ordered fish and chips, and they were barely warm, and pretty soggy. Yuck. Plus, the music was so loud we literally couldn't hear each other talk. We finally stopped trying after shouting at each other for a while.

But lots of folks like it, so you might have a better experience! Maybe I was there on an "off" night for the chef.

 

[jacksmom]

We did Ohana and Ragland Road in July and really enjoyed Ohana's, but liked Ragland Road even more!

 

[hooch11bear]

Definitely get rid of Ohana!! We couldn't wait to try it when we were there in August because of the rave reviews on here, and we didn't care for it at all. The meat is extremely dry, and so much of it goes to waste!!

 

[NancyIL]

Just thought I'd post the link to Raglan Road's web site: http://www.raglanroad.com/