Ohana for dinner?

Jennygt

DIS Veteran
Joined
Aug 13, 2005
Messages
3,299
I just heard a terrible review of Ohana for dinner on the DIs podcast, anyone else been there latley for dinner? Thoughts?
 
There's a lot of faithful Ohana followers, but I'm not one of them. We went in September of last year (third time, three strikes) The server was non-existent. I mentioned that I love the sausage so she pile a six inch pile of it on my plate :sad2: and the rest of the meat split between everyone elses plate. She didn't bring any sides at all. No refills. Oh, and all the meat was just gross. Dried out or greasy.

This is one place I'll never be back to. We had to stop by Captain Cook's to fill our bellies.:mad:
 
Wow - we are always very (very) full after Ohana and have always loved the food. We are really looking forward to our return visit in August.

Last August I could not keep my fork out of those potatoes!
 
We have been the last 2 sept. and have loved it both times, we are going again this Sept.
I do believe that it can be a hit or miss type thing.
 

Count me in as another O'Hana supporter! DBF and I went there for the first time last year before MVMCP, and we absolutely loved it. I think it is great on atmosphere, even if you don't have kids- like us. We were so incredibly stuffed when we left it was disgusting. I thought everything that came BEFORE the meat was incredible, and the meat was good too. The dessert, however....to die for!!! I am taking my mom for her first time in October, I can't wait! :goodvibes
 
I love O'hanna. Actually trying to figure out how to squeeze it in next trip. I have no complaints about the food, but dh and I agree we felt sorta rushed the last time we went in December. The waitress took our drink orders, then the food just filled out table. Bamm! from all directions.:rotfl2:
 
I am also NOT a big fan. I may return if FREE Dining, but pay again, no. Too much for too little of everything. When I think about the decor it is 70's and brown. Our service was bad, and when we waved our server down he seemed put out that we wanted more than 2 shrimp. Most the meats were fine, the sides were too limited and nothing more than I could make at home. I was hoping for more of the polynesian flare. The tables are so tight we were always getting bumped and the kid games were too loud. Fine for a morning character meal, but a nice dinner, not necessary and yes, I had kids with me, but my younger one wanted no part of it. If you are a carnivore and had a server who would actually bring you some meat, you could maybe get your money's worth.

As with all places it has it's hard core fans, which is why we went to begin with. I went all excited with an open mind that it would be great, and was disappointed. Now we did try the character breakfast in the fall and enjoyed it. Character interaction was great, service was great, and the games seemed appropriate.
 
You can tell them that you are not ready for the meat course yet.
We did that so we could slow down the experience. You can take a long as you want to eat, really, but the longer you are sitting there the more you will EAT!

:scared:
 
We are not fans of Ohanas - we were so excited to eat there but we were disappointed in the table, the waiter, and the food - too much money for the type of food and presentation - for $26.00 I would rather eat at Kona or Boma or Le Cellier
 
Here are our experiences:

1st time--Feb 2006--loved it! Great food, great service, kids loved the entertainment, only downside was we weren't in the main dining room.

2nd time--Sept 2006--very rushed, food still great, kids still happy with games, we were in the main dining room, downside was we felt like the servers were so anxious to turn our table over that we couldn't eat fast enough for them. We left questioning whether we'd return.

3rd time--March 2007--requested and got main dining room by the windows in hopes of seeing Wishes, immediately told our server we were in NO HURRY and wanted to take our time, food was great, kids were happy, we had a very relaxing meal with zero rush, Wishes was beautiful. Everything worked out fantastic and we spoke with the manager on duty to relay our pleasure. Only downside was the jerk who brought his two toddler boys to our table/window to bang on the window glass and hoop and holler over the fireworks. Grrr. Watching the fireworks by our table, quietly and with good manners, would have been completely fine with us but when the Dad does nothing to calm the boys down so as not to infringe upon our experience, well, that irritated me. At the end of the night, though, we were certain we would now make 'Ohana a must do for every trip. It's become our special restaurant.
 
Just have to give Kevin a big :thumbsup2 for the "dead on" review of 'Ohana. DH and I had a very similar experience even back in 2005.

Since the menu changes, which was obviously a cost cutting measure, the food is now less than appetizing. The place was so noisy we could not have a conversation across our small table. They seated us next to a family that had a sick child - who threw up during the meal. When the family finally left, the table was not immediately bussed. Someone just threw a table cloth over the mess and left it, which did not cover the smell. We won't go back this Oct.

If you can go off property, Texas De Brazil http://www.texasdebrazil.com is a much better choice for the same kind of dining.
 
We were just there last Friday night and had amazing service and great food. Some of the meat was a little dry, but it was a great excuse to eat more of the dipping sauce. ;)
 
We were just there for dinner last week and it was just OKAY! The salad was good but the other stuff was overcooked, blah, weird tasting and the waiter was not attentive. But the view of the castle at night was really nice. I don't think I'll go back for dinner but breakfast there was good!
 
Hi
We were there in December and it was great. I don't eat any meat and there was plenty of other stuff to eat. It was so good that we cancelled another ADR that we had, and ate there a second time that same week. I also went last summer and it was also very good. My DD and I had the best pina coladas, and my DGD had a great time with all the activities.:thumbsup2
 
I was really disappointed with the Ohana bashing on the DIS podcast. I love to hear all the inside news and reviews, however I do not agree with them all the time. This is one of them. Ohana food, while not first class cuisine, is a very nice change for those of a traditionally american diet without being too daring. Ohana's polynesian twist on standard foods like the potato, salad, wings and veggies is welcomed by my family after burgers and fries for lunch. The meats are grilled over an open fire pit and can be made to order by request.

The fact that DIS reviewer Kevin could not get past the noise is confusing to me. I have been to Ohana 6 times over 3 years and have never found the noise to be over the top, as can be the case in WC. What does Ohana mean anyway? FAMILY, right? I know that my kids have fun while there doing dances, singing and playing games. Not to mention the fact they can eat real food other than mac and cheese and pizza. :rolleyes:

In closing, sorry Kevin didn't like Ohana, but I suggest you really go and experience this one for yourself. I think you'll be happy! :thumbsup2
 
I had recently made ADR's for our upcoming September trip for Ohana's when I read a thread on the restaurant board bashing Ohana's and I got a little nervous. I went on allears and read through the recent reviews and most of them were very very good.

You're going to have good and bad reviews no matter where you go. I figure that if most are good- it's worth a chance (esp w/ free dining!!). We wanted to go to all new restaurants this time anyway, and we haven't been to Ohana since I was 10! (I'll be 25 when we go on our trip ;) ).
 
I was just at Ohana last week and we all loved it! We are going back next year! I thought the food was wonderful and the meats were very tender and juicy, not dry and tasteless. The sides were great too!
 
We picked Ohana for our first night dinner in Sept. I am hoping it will be a great start to our trip.
 
Here are our experiences:

1st time--Feb 2006--loved it! Great food, great service, kids loved the entertainment, only downside was we weren't in the main dining room.

2nd time--Sept 2006--very rushed, food still great, kids still happy with games, we were in the main dining room, downside was we felt like the servers were so anxious to turn our table over that we couldn't eat fast enough for them. We left questioning whether we'd return.

3rd time--March 2007--requested and got main dining room by the windows in hopes of seeing Wishes, immediately told our server we were in NO HURRY and wanted to take our time, food was great, kids were happy, we had a very relaxing meal with zero rush, Wishes was beautiful. Everything worked out fantastic and we spoke with the manager on duty to relay our pleasure. Only downside was the jerk who brought his two toddler boys to our table/window to bang on the window glass and hoop and holler over the fireworks. Grrr. Watching the fireworks by our table, quietly and with good manners, would have been completely fine with us but when the Dad does nothing to calm the boys down so as not to infringe upon our experience, well, that irritated me. At the end of the night, though, we were certain we would now make 'Ohana a must do for every trip. It's become our special restaurant.


Wow - this is very similiar experience. Our first trip in 2000 we loved O'hana, good food, great server and unhurried pace. Our next trip, May 2004. Food was still good, but not as abundant, hurried and had a rather "limited" server. We're trying it again this May to see if what happens. I don't have high hopes, but I know that if it's not good again we won't be back. I also know that if we were not using the DDP we wouldn't choose to go back - the reason is that I couldn't justify in my mind paying the their price OOP knowing that there was a good chance for a mediocre meal.
 
Ohana used to be one of my top two Disney restaurants. Loved the wontons and the pineapple with caramel sauce. Now that the menu has changed, it does not have quite the same magic for me anymore. The service is also not what it used to be. It is good, but no longer great. :confused3
 


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