O'Hana, have you done it and what did you think?

[kar0066]

I went to both places last December - I enjoyed Boma more.

 

[disprincess2002]

OHANA!OHANA!OHANA!OHANA!OHANA!OHANA!
chant with me now!!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

We did both of them last trip and loved both. This time we are planning on just Boma as we are staying at AKL and want to try a few new restaurants. But I'd love to try and squeeze in Ohana somewhere.

 

[PrincessTiffany]

Ohana has a strong following, even on this site. I would not there is a very accurate review within the roundtable archives regarding Ohana.

This is another over hyped restaurant and many people have a good time here. If you had asked me about a decade ago I would say it was a good restaurant,today it is one not on our list. I believe the dining plan and first time guest make this place still a very busy place. Its also been prone to non-polynesian menu changes over recent years...some of which still remain on the menu. Many people visit here for the theme and the ability to eat all you care to eat or shall we say in some cases.. as much as they serve you. Like most tourist traps they offer non-food gimmicks like the kid activities while others obsess in getting a window seat to watch Wishes. You should also be aware that your dining location is important in defining your dining experience too. If you have been here before I would recommend telling them you have never been there before and do not accept a table in the area behind the grill close to the lounge (bar).


Service is consistently inconsistent depending on your servers attitude and ability. There are also server assistants who consistently bring out side dishes to your table who tend to throw or drop dishes on your table and leave without a word. Servers totally disappearing is frequent and when in view may normally be observed catering to first time guest identified with all the extra treatment and information.

Food preparation is also inconsistent with many meats served overcooked (tough), while shortages of specific meat items (beef) during meals is common to a point it should make you think it is a Disney cost control measure. I would also note the shrimp served here is rock shrimp.

I always appreciate an honest review and while your review was honest in regards to the fact that you do not like O'Hana and do not like the food or the service, it was quite condesending to the people who do enjoy it. We've eaten at O'Hana 5 times since 2004 and we've always had good food and good service, as apparently the other 90% of people on this board. I'm sure that any restaurant can have an "off" night in regard to food or service, but you seem to be suggesting that all of us that continue to go to O'Hana are just a bunch of mindless drones that don't know what good food or good service is and are just going because of the hype. Of course, what do I know, I'm just some tourist that falls for "gimmicks" like hula lessons and coconut races for my kids at a family-themed restaurant. All this time I thought those were enjoyable fun activites for my family, now I know they are just a ruse to cover up the horrible food and service that I'm too ignorant to notice for myself.

 

[scotas]

One person mentioned the food was better earlier, maybe that is right. We went last September, 9:30 pm. We were served cold wings, raw turkey, burnt shrimp, we did not have dipping sauces. We had a nearly impossible time trying to get extra bread. No refills for drinks, well maybe you can get them if you get to see your server more than once. Ours dropped off the first round of drinks and came back later with the bill. All the food was dropped off by other random CMs. When we asked them for drinks we were told our server would be right over, and she never came until we were done. Oh and we asked for beef done medium instead of rare and it arrived after dessert.

Maybe it was just the time of day, but the place was still pretty busy. Its not like they were shutting down around us or anything.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Here's my recent take on 'Ohana - we've been going there for years, and this is from a couple of weeks ago. Post #9, and I have some words on Boma, too.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2184481

 

[PatsMom]

I know that my family is in the minority here but Ohana is on our list of restaurants that we will probably not return to. DD kind of liked the turkey. I was very much looking forward to the shrimp and found them very disappointing. The steak was just so-so - very overcooked and dry. The dipping sauces didn't help - the flavor of the shrimp was so strong already that I can't imagine wanting to add to it. And they were extremely messy and our server was no where to be found when I wanted extra napkins.

The noodles might have been good if they hadn't been cold. DD and DH liked the bread but again we could not locate our server to ask for more.

We left not really understanding what all the fuss was about. The kids did seem to have fun with the ukelele lady and dancing. If I had a young child I might go back for that.

Not the worst meal I've ever had but certainly not something I'd go out of my way to get to again.

 

[Corwin]

We went on our last trip--we had very late reservations (9:20 p.m.) because of the restaurant's popularity, so right off the bat, our 10-year old son was tired and cranky.

As far as the food was concerned, it was the only meal at WDW that we disliked. The meat was overcooked, completely dried out, and tasted like lighter fluid. The wonton chips tasted like they came out of a snack-food bag. The bread pudding was good, though.

In any event, we're not going back on our next trip.