Ohana desperation....

[csmom2015]

Hi - I'm a long time readers, newer poster. I grew up in FL and have been to Disney MANY times as a child. (Let's just say the Magic Kingdom and I share a birthday and I was at Epcot when it opened )

Anyway, now that I have little ones I am am desperate to reminisce with them. Growing up we always stayed at the Polynesian but sadly that hotel is out of our price range now. I would love to take them to Ohana when we go in a few weeks (it was a last minute surprise trip) but it seems a reservation is out of my reach.

What are the chances that one opens up close to our dates? I know we could go wait there when it opens but I don't think my crowd has the patience to do that. We will be there 1/22-1/24.

Thanks for any advice.....just need someone to tell me it's worth it to keep trying 30 million times a day, or give up my fantasy.

Oh, and a 9:40PM res would be out because my youngest would melt into a fiery hot molten lava mess at a restaurant at that time.

 

[Vernie822]

Definitely keep watching. We booked a trip 4/5 weeks in advance a year ago and we were able to grab one. Keep watching and hopefully you'll get an ideal reservation time! We love Ohana, I hope you guys enjoy it too.

 

[EarsAndTiaras]

Never say never... but if you've got an impatient group, 'Ohana might not be the restaurant for you. It's common to wait 30-45 minutes even with a reservation.

 

[Miffylynx]

I'me watching hourly too. Feel like I'm addicted. We decided to join my family for their trip well after they had everything booked. I'm tring to get Ohana on the 24th near 6:30. We did snag a 7:50, but I'm thinking that they will be done eating before we even get seated.

Good luck!

 

[csmom2015]

Thanks Miffylynx, preferably I want the 22nd or 23rd so maybe we can keep watch for each other and grab whatever we see? Let me know if you find anything for my dates and I'll add yours to my search and grab one if I see it.

It takes a village

 

[_auroraborealis_]

For most reservations, it is worth looking 24 hours in advance, and the morning you hope to dine. That's when people cancel to avoid penalty.

 

[Grumpy Specialist]

Hi - I'm a long time readers, newer poster. I grew up in FL and have been to Disney MANY times as a child. (Let's just say the Magic Kingdom and I share a birthday and I was at Epcot when it opened )

Anyway, now that I have little ones I am am desperate to reminisce with them. Growing up we always stayed at the Polynesian but sadly that hotel is out of our price range now. I would love to take them to Ohana when we go in a few weeks (it was a last minute surprise trip) but it seems a reservation is out of my reach.

What are the chances that one opens up close to our dates? I know we could go wait there when it opens but I don't think my crowd has the patience to do that. We will be there 1/22-1/24.

Thanks for any advice.....just need someone to tell me it's worth it to keep trying 30 million times a day, or give up my fantasy.

Oh, and a 9:40PM res would be out because my youngest would melt into a fiery hot molten lava mess at a restaurant at that time.

I had a similar situation, no reservation, wanted an earlier hour at Ohana, but it was a reservation for two. Unfortunately, I wanted it for the week befor Christmas. I tried at least four times a day, beginning in September. Then I took the advice posted on this forum. Check during later hours of evening, when people are returning from dinner, stuffed, and rethinking their ADRs. The Saturday before our departure from home, up popped the perfect reservation, at the perfect restaurant, at the perfect time.
(I told people I made my search a "hobby" in order to relieve my own frustration!)

 

[tami82]

Keep checking many many times per day also. A few years ago I was so obsessed with what I could snag and I lucked out and got everything I wanted even twice at ohana. It was like playing Russian roulette but it was very exciting when something good would pop up.

 

[KBDISNEYGIRL]

I'm watching too! Last year there were tons of open times, no problem getting a table through ADR. This year, it seems everyone caught on what a great place it is to eat. Watching the ADR's all day!

 

[scdak]

Not going to help you right now but if you try about 12:05 am on the day you want to dine you might snag one - I was able to get a number of reservations at that odd time because people cancel before midnight the day before their reservation to avoid the penalty and they wait until the last minute to cancel. Shoot, I was even able to vastly improve my Tusker House reservation by checking then, I didn't even bother to wake up my best friend to tell her, I just reset the alarm for 2 hours earlier than we planned and when it went off I told her to get up because we have "places to go and people to see"

 

[ForeverAlice]

Agree with previous poster. Many people cancel between 10-12 the night before due to sudden illness, change of plans etc. They have to cancel by then or be charged. I have gotten prime times for top ADR's just by being persistent about checking in the days and weeks before the trip. I have seen plenty of great ADR's pop up the night before late in the evening plenty of times just playing around on the app before bed!!

 

[Anal Annie]

You can also try watching the January cancelation thread. I recently canceled a reservation at O'hana a few days before our January trip that we just returned from (although it was a late 9:15 pm one). When I canceled I posted it on that thread. Good luck.

 

[csmom2015]

Omg!!!! I randomly check this morning on my phone when I woke up (it's a nervous habit now ) and got a reservation!!!!! I have 6 people and it wouldn't let me book 6 but I got a 4 and a 2. I'm guessing I'll have to call and make sure we are linked and seated together? Yay!!!!!!

 

[eeyoreandtink]

They likely will NOT link you and sit you at the same table because of the way bookings work. You have essentially reserved a 2 top table and a 4 top table because there was not an 8 top(which is what a party of 6 would need) open at the time you wanted. Since the 8 tops are booked, you will get a2 top and a 4 top. You can request to be seated near each other, and if they have a cancellation or no show there is a chance you can get an 8 top, but no way to guarantee that.

 

[violakat03]

Don't give up! I just got a reservation last night for 1/22 for 4 people. Just be persistent.

 

[csmom2015]

I spoke with two different CMs who told me that if we got there early and explained what was going on that it should be fine. I'm going to keep checking.....it seems like night or early morning are my best bet.....for a true 6 to open up, but I feel like we can be patient if it means waiting to all get seated together.

 

[csmom2015]

Don't give up! I just got a reservation last night for 1/22 for 4 people. Just be persistent.

What time is yours?

 

[csmom2015]

bam! just scored a reservation for the full 6 people at 7:10! 15 min later than original but we will take it

 

[csmom2015]

btw - see the jan cancel thread if interested in the others i had.... (1/22 at 6:55)

 

[lorimay]

I have sat here on the computer all day looking for O'hana to open for Saturday. We just booked a last minute anniversary trip for this weekend.
I cannot believe all the things that have opened up for Saturday: B L & D for Be our Guest all came up within a one hour period.
Morimoto Asia came up for D.
Best of all, I was able to snag O'hana at 8:15pm for dinner Saturday night.

Don't give up, you just may get what you're hoping for.