Ohana Discussion

[1gr8mouse]

I'm not going to get in the big debate about other posts on this one......I just have one thing to say:


ALOHA COUSIN!!!!

 

[1gr8mouse]

ENOUGH SAID???

 

[CoolPool]

Loved this place. The chef came to the table, sat down, and penciled down his suggestions to accomodate our "alternative lifestyle" choices. LoL. Enough said. Its great...and I can't get a table for my next trip! Argh!

 

[1gr8mouse]

Loved this place. The chef came to the table, sat down, and penciled down his suggestions to accomodate our "alternative lifestyle" choices. LoL. Enough said. Its great...and I can't get a table for my next trip! Argh!

You just have to get in!!! Last year DW and I went to the world and Ohanna without the kids (yes it was great), I asked them if they wanted to smell my breath when we got home.....they didnt see the humor!!!!

 

[abc999]

I am not a fan of 'Ohana. The waitress we had was non-existent. She brought our drinks and then never came back. Someone, brought over appetizers and when I asked for something, I was told to speak to the waitress. Someone, brough over the meat (which in my opinion was dry and overcooked). We also spent a lot of time chasing our kids while they participated in the activites, cause were we seated on teh side, not in the main area.

 

[drewbie'smom]

We are thinking about trying Ohanas on our next trip in Oct. Where can I see more pics of the food? I saw the ones from a PP...but I would like to see more.

Also, I asked on another thread about the kids menu. My oldest DD is an "odd" eater. It's not that she's very picky...but she goes through these phases where she only wants to eat certain things. (Yes, I know that to some that seems picky...but it's more of a sensory issue...DD has CP.) She's not a big meat eater unless it's chicken. A PP mentioned they brought their kids food from Kona. How would I go about doing that if there's nothing at Ohana that I think she will eat?

Been there, done that (actually, STILL doing that) with my older son! He is the pickiest eater ever. I was worried about 'Ohana when we first went there in January 2004. That time, and every time since (most recent trip January 2009) the wait staff has always offered other options - grilled cheese, chicken fingers, hot dog, etc.

To the OP: We have done 'Ohana every trip since that first time and every time but one was fantastic! In January of this year, the meat was just off. I'm not sure what it was. The shrimp, apps, sides, and desserts were great as usual but the meat was not. For our upcoming trip (in 12 days - aack!) we have decided to forgo 'Ohana just to give ourselves a break. It will be re-added to our roster on our next trip. I'm sure our experience in January was just a fluke but I am hoping that everything is back to great for the next time!

Bottom line: It's worth trying!!! Everyone has an opinion, whether good o bad, and you'll never know what yours is until you try!

 

[Lizzybear]

Ohana is my favorite restaurant at Disney! I love the atmosphere of the Polynesian and the staff has always been amazing (except one time). They have a lot of vegetarian items already served to you (salad, noodles, veggies, bread) which is more than enough if you don't want the vegetarian entree of tofu and veggies with rice. However, Chef TJ was amazing last time and made even MORE food for us since we were both vegetarians. He brought everything out himself and explained it and then came back a few minutes later to make sure we liked it. He and our server were amazing!

My favorite part about Ohana, though, is that you can watch the Wishes fireworks from your table if you have a good spot. They also have fabulous tropical drinks and the dessert is TO DIE FOR! Usually when there is a wait I have a drink in the Tambu Lounge where the bartenders are always friendly and helpful!

I have nothing but good things to say about this place and can't wait until I can go back! It is the ONLY real must-do for me and I wouldn't even bother going back to Disney if I couldn't eat there!

Your experience as a veggie at Ohana was one of the ones that convinced me we should definitely eat there Also just noticed the dining reviews in your signature so i'm off to read those now, always interested in reading about vegetarian dining at WDW... My bf ate really well last trip but there's still a ton of places we haven't tried yet

 

[cab333]

We tried the Ohana experience our last trip (Oct'08) and LOVE LOVE LOVED it! We did not do dinner, we did the character breakfast and thought it was just fabulous! The service was great, the characters were very interactive with the kids - honestly, I don't have a bad thing to say about it! We are dedicated Chef Mickey fans for each of our family vacations, but we now will be adding Ohana to our list of must-do's for each visit as well!

 

[ilovejsparrow]

Personally, I think that a little extra room at a table at 'Ohana is ideal! I was there not too long ago with a group of six, sat at a table for six. It was a little crowded when all of the food came out. I think the "rushed" feeling depends on what time you're there- one time we were there around 6 and felt a little rushed. Our last trip, we got an 8:20 reservation, and right off the bat we told our server that we were staying to watch Wishes (we had a great view!!). So he was patient, attentive, and let us chill out.

Oh and the FOOD!! I can't rave enough about it- I have dreams of the noodles, potstickers, pork, and bread pudding. Can't wait to go back!!

 

[AlohaPolynesian]

Your experience as a veggie at Ohana was one of the ones that convinced me we should definitely eat there Also just noticed the dining reviews in your signature so i'm off to read those now, always interested in reading about vegetarian dining at WDW... My bf ate really well last trip but there's still a ton of places we haven't tried yet

Good I'm glad I helped convince you! The dining reviews in my signature, unfortunately, do not include my most recent experience there with Chef TJ!! That happened on a quick Memorial Day weekend trip where I didn't take pictures of everything, so you won't see that in there. But everything I ate during the dining reviews was still vegetarian so hopefully it will help you out!

 

[pooch]

Snark, anyone?? Wow--what a nasty response.
I would be a little weirded out if some waitperson just stood there and smiled at me when I was trying to do something (and hurry, b/c you feel bad making them wait--when it was not your fault to begin with!).
Also, putting 2 of you at a table for 8? That's ridiculous! Yeah--pp (second person I'm quoting), I'm sure you love to eat a huge table when you can barely see the person, let alone talk to them! How nice, right?

Also--your waitperson is supposed to be engaging--not just dump meat on your table and run. Again, if we're truly supposed to eat like animals--why not just sit there with our mouths open and have the waitstaff throw pieces of meat AT US?? That would be fun!

I appreciate the support from at least one person!

I'm sorry I didn't like 'Ohana. And yes the table was huge and no, the chairs weren't nailed down but the aisle next to the table was very busy & we were against a window so there was no way to "get closer". And I appreciate being asked if I want something before it is unceremoniously dumped on my plate as you run by. Maybe this shocks you all but it was truly our experience at 'Ohana. I didn't tell the OP not to go there. I just told her what happened to us and wished her better luck. JEEEESH!!!!

 

[ToyStory]

We go to Ohana's every trip, but during our last trip we decided it was our last time eating there. We didn't enjoy our meal. We had our share of Pixie dust eating at Ohana's, showing up with no ADR's and told it would be a 40 minute wait and within 10 minutes our pager goes off and we got a table by the window and was able to watch Wishes.

I hope you have great experience like we did during earlier visits.

 

[purpliequeen]

This thread is interesting, as I agree with many of the above posters. We (my parents and me, age 19 at the time) thought the restaurant was unique, but will definitely not return. I think I'm too old to enjoy it, even though I enjoy other restaurants "geared" for the younger age group/big fans of certain characters/etc., such as "Crystal Palace," (and I'm not a big Pooh fan), where we dined when I was 18. I guess it just depends on age and what you're looking for in a meal. It just kind of killed me, as I am very familiar with the restaurants in WDW and knew all the other alternatives as to where we could have been eating. My parents weren't too amused during the meal either, although our waiter and the many servers were great.

I can see why this restaurant would be popular for families with younger and/or many children, as the dinner would most definitely be entertaining for children. This restaurant just made me feel old! The food wasn't fantastic- but then again we have a marvelous Brazilian BBQ restaurant that we go to when we visit Penang, Malaysia, so it's kind of unfair to compare Ohana to it. Secondly, the food was just too plentiful. They kept bringing more meat and filling our dishes, which is great, seeing how much a meal costs; however, it made me feel guilty for leaving so much on our plates. The dessert is excellent though- I wish I could go just for that. We would be willing to try their breakfast though- "Lilo & Stitch" is one of my favorite movies.

 

[Uncleromulus]

IF they could have done away with the coconut race, children's parade, the limbo contest, the screaming Lady MC, etc--I might have thought Ohana was ok.
We went that once--never again.

 

[amandaluvsgoofy]

My DH and I are really excited about trying O'hana for the first time this August! My question is that if our ressies are at 8:55, would we have a decent chance of getting a table to view Wishes at 10? We could show up around 8 to check in if that'll help!!

 

[macraven]

My DH and I are really excited about trying O'hana for the first time this August! My question is that if our ressies are at 8:55, would we have a decent chance of getting a table to view Wishes at 10? We could show up around 8 to check in if that'll help!!

It could be a hit or miss.
Many prefer that later time period in order to see Wishes from O'Hana.

I think you might have a very good chance to be there during the Wishes time period if you are seated around 9ish that night.

I hope it works for you!

 

[1girl1boy]

Intersesting discussion... hoping to get O'hana for our december trip. However, it is looking less likely since our romantic trip for 2 has quickely become a holiday-a-palooza for 10.

So, we're hoping to get a ressie for 10 (!!!). Seems like it would be a fuin one to do with a big group, but I'm already prepared to accept that a ressie for 10 at O'hana will be a tough one to get!

I couldn't get a table for 4 during free dining but the SIL and family joing and miraculously got table of 8 for same time. From what i understand 2's and 4's harder to get than larger tables Go figure

 

[Coconuts]

Can't wait to try Ohana for the first time this Sept! I originally had it booked for DD's 6th b-day dinner and the responses from fellow disers was terrible. Everyone told me that it wouldn't be special or fun for a 6yo b-day. I still wanted to try it so I booked it for another night on the trip and I can't wait.

 

[katierae81]

Intersesting discussion... hoping to get O'hana for our december trip. However, it is looking less likely since our romantic trip for 2 has quickely become a holiday-a-palooza for 10.

So, we're hoping to get a ressie for 10 (!!!). Seems like it would be a fuin one to do with a big group, but I'm already prepared to accept that a ressie for 10 at O'hana will be a tough one to get!

Don't worry! I called on our 90 day mark and was able to get reservations for 11!! I too was worried about getting this for a group so big, but was flexible with my dates.Good Luck, it's not impossible!

 

[lovinwdw]

You guys have me so excited for this dinner!!! After seeing the pictures of the noodles and dumplings, I'm salavating! lol I'm hoping for a tasty dinner and some fun times.