Ohana hype

[StinkyPete&Jessie]

We decided to go to Ohana last week for both dinner and the character breakfast after reading so many good reviews. We booked dinner at 5:00 so we avoided the back up or delays in reservations that many had warned us about. Our waiter was fantastic and we could not have asked for anything better. However, the food was forgettable. The steak had more fat than meat and the chicken and pork were burnt and dry. We liked the appetizers of honey wings and pork dumplings but it was not enough for us to even stay for dessert.

A couple of days later we returned for breakfast and remained optimistic. I had an 8:30am reservation and was sat around 9:15. Our section was in the middle of their meals and the characters had just finished visiting the last table. The food was ok. I would recommend a character buffet if you are looking for a better selection and more flavor. We finished breakfast in about 45 minutes and our waitress brought us our check. We paid and left over a 20% tip and let her know our kids were still waiting to see the characters. Another 45 minutes passed and we never saw any characters or our waitress again. I approached one of the character handlers and they explained that they would be by after all the tables next to us had been filled with new guests. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind waiting and my girls sat a waited patiently too but I just felt like this was not a well run restaurant that I would recommend to others. I understand everyone has a different experience but I don't think we will keep Ohana on our list anymore.

 

[B&WMickey]

It seems like Ohana’s is real hit or miss for people. The time we went the food was quite good. It was our server who abandoned us.

 

[catne]

we ate dinner this year (after trying to get an ADR for several years) and were terribly disappointed with food, service and ambiance. Cold food, rock-hard bread, absent server (served me a glass with a giant mosquito doing the back-float...took most of the meal before I got a new glass of water.) Truly annoying "entertainment".

We didn't get it, at all. Unless it's the "all you can eat" that ropes people in. But we've had far better food at Disney buffets...I'd recommend the buffets over 'Ohana any day of the week.

 

[MrsLS]

We went once for dinner and it wasn't good. I did like the wings and salad but the meat was overcooked and dry. The other sides were eh and the dessert was just ok. And the service wasnt good. I don't get why people like it so much other than its cheap for all that you get.

 

[B-Ride]

However, the food was forgettable. The steak had more fat than meat and the chicken and pork were burnt and dry. We liked the appetizers of honey wings and pork dumplings but it was not enough for us to even stay for dessert.

I am confused. How could you not stay for dessert when you had already made it to the final course? Although I agree the chicken and pork are dry, IMHO the wings, dumplings, salad and especially the dessert make it worthwhile.

 

[HadesTX]

We had an early dinner & everything went fine... good service, the food wasn't burned... I just didn't think it was the best restaurant. Not sure why it's the top pick right now. I did it once though, so I'm good.

 

[icc2515]

That's right 'Ohana is horrible. Probably the worst place to eat on property. Tell all your friends. Then maybe I can get a reservation, one for each day I am there. . My biggest problem with the place is I never have enough room for the desert, don't get me wrong I still manage to stuff it in, but I always regret it afterwards. Especially since I then have to go down to Capt Cooks for a Dole Whip.

 

[Huff]

We've had great food every time we've been to Ohana's. Our last visit was Sept. 2010. Shrimp, Pork and Chicken were excellent. First serving of steak was well done and dry. So we simply asked for more and the next batch was perfect medium rare to medium, juicy and tender. If you happen to get overdone meat simply ask for more. Some people like well done, we don't.

One of our favorates has been Chefs De France. Great food and service 1st trip. Last year it was just plain horrible food, horrible service. I tend to think even the best restaurants aren't so good on any given night.

We are planning a return to Ohanas in January and hope its just as excellent as in prior years.

 

[AirGoofy]

I agree with you. I am not a fan of Ohana's for dinner or breakfast. Breakfast used to be better, but went downhill the past few years. Hopefully, you will not get a next time, but if there is, as opposed to asking your waitress, go and find the photographer CM. This year, at 1900 Park Fare Dinner with 8:00 PM reservation, we were there around 45 minutes and no characters came to our table. This was the first time this has happened in many years of eating there, and we were with first timers who had never been to WDW. So, I went and talked with the photographer CM who told me the policy was that if you have paid for your meal and are leaving the restaurant, then they will bring all the characters to you for photography/ autographs/ etc. So, because of the time (Wishes was about to start), all the people were paying and going outside to watch Wishes. So, everytime a character came down their row, the were pulled to the paid in full customer. Now, we normally do not eat this late and am not sure if the other customers knew that policy, but now, you do.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

I love Ohana's! It is our favorite. I agree, the entertainment is annoying, though. Mmm, that salad dressing and dessert leave me drooling just thinking about it!

 

[TDluvsDaisy]

We had breakfast at Ohana last year and totally didn't think it was worth it. The food was meh at best. The characters were nice but very speedy. Our waitress was delightful.

DH wants to try it for dinner however I am very reluctant. I don't fancy 30 to 45 minute waits and dry meat. There are too many other restaurants on my list that are more consistent. Ohana just has too many ups and downs for my peace of mind. My family will not be fighting any time soon.

 

[Bellamouse]

That's right 'Ohana is horrible. Probably the worst place to eat on property. Tell all your friends. Then maybe I can get a reservation, one for each day I am there. . My biggest problem with the place is I never have enough room for the desert, don't get me wrong I still manage to stuff it in, but I always regret it afterwards. Especially since I then have to go down to Capt Cooks for a Dole Whip.

LOL!!

We just had dinner at 'Ohana on Oct 15th. Food and service were great, as usual. We will probably skip next time just because we're a little tired of it and want to try something new, but we had absolutely nothing to complain about our last visit. Could I nit pick? Maybe. I prefer the old, cold, peel and eat shrimp to the new grilled ones. And they changed the "ice cream" on the bread pudding (is it even ice cream? It was more like some fluffy, cheap whipped stuff), but the bread pudding is still amazing and we still enjoyed ourselves a LOT.

We even love the entertainment even though it's the same every time.

 

[mfd25wife]

'Ohana is a must when DH is with me. We love it. I do think the chicken is too try for my tastes. However, I love the shrimp and steak. DD loves the noodles and dumplings. DH loves the shrimp, dumplings, and wings. I found out I couldn't eat gluten a little over a year ago. On our last trip, the chef came out and talked to me and then came back with the most amazing concoction of food. Even the presentation was good. I got wings with a gf sauce and a couple of other appetizers and then a volcano shaped entree that had shrimp and various other things I don't remember, but it was excellent.

 

[Antonio]

I loved ohana. Especially the dessert. I thought the meat was good, not out of this world but very good. The dumplings and salad were great and the dessert was the best I've ever had. Shrimp were annoying to peel but were very good. I though it had a nice ambiance to it. JMHO.

 

[OKW Lover]

Unless you're in the right mood and your server is "on" that night 'Ohana can be very disappointing. Certainly if you're looking for a nice meal this isn't the place to go. It seems to get by on the strength of its "all you can eat" nature, kids games and a Hawaiian singer rather than actually being a good meal.

 

[Ramsfan28]

'Ohana is horrible and I can't understand the hype. Bad food and bad service, it is so bad in my opinion that I wouldn't eat there if the meal was free.

I know some mention it in the same breath as other Disney signatures but to me it is a meal I would expect at a really bad Golden Corral on an off night.

 

[pepe of ohio]

'Ohana is horrible and I can't understand the hype. Bad food and bad service, it is so bad in my opinion that I wouldn't eat there if the meal was free.

I know some mention it in the same breath as other Disney signatures but to me it is a meal I would expect at a really bad Golden Corral on an off night.

Totally agree...after getting bit 2 over a couple of years....in the beginning it was decent...but as time wore on...got drastically worse....I put it right there with Golden Corral (except O'hauna brings your food) but based on flavor, service and preparation...it isn't worth the money.....total chaos and you never know when your server may be back with another entree or drink...twice burnt, we've learned our lesson...won't go back!!

 

[kiddo76]

Just ate there this past Friday and had a great meal. I was stuffed before they even came around with the meat skewers. I really liked the grilled shrimp. It wasn't dry at all like a lot of grilled shrimp can be. The only thing I didn't try was the pork, but I thought the steak was cooked perfectly, with just a little bit of pink. Service was excellent and the food was more than plentiful. They came around twice with all the skewers. Our party had all kinds of allergies...gluten, nut, dairy, egg, and beef and they were easily able to accomodate everyone.

It was one of the best dinners of the week. DH even liked 'Ohana better than California Grill (which he also loved, but his steak was somewhat over cooked).

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

We love Ohana.

However, on our last visit last year we figured out where the bad reports came from. We had a table in a really poor location. We never even figured out who our waiter really was. The food came out fast from different people lik they were rushing us. The service stank to put it nicely.

We were so thankful it was not our first visit as we wouldn't have liked the place at all. However, our other visits were great & this was one of our favorite restaurants. So this Dec we are trying it again..but we won't sit in that same area again.

 

[Missyrose]

I guess our meal a few weeks ago must have been an exception. Maybe it was because we had a later ADR, so the restaurant was less busy, but we had great service and we really enjoyed the food. The chicken was a bit dry, but we LOVED everything else (especially the noodles, dumplings, steak and bread pudding!).

They had to roll us out of there because we were so full and we can't wait to go back in March!