'Ohana is ridiculus and I blame the Disney dining plan

[Masonmj84]

We're going on a Disney cruise for my parents' 50th anniversary and my dad really wants to eat dinner at 'Ohana the night before the cruise.

As the person responsible for making all of the reservations for this trip, my marching orders were to not only to make this ADR but also to book a time late enough that everyone will likely make the dinner (there are 9 of us and several are flying in that day) but early enough that we're not eating too late.

My response, "this is going to be the most stressful reservation of the entire trip but I'll do my best."

Ultimately, I was able to get an ADR for 9 at 7 pm the night before the cruise but had to undertake some extraordinary measures to finally pull this off.

My take is that 'Ohana has become viewed as too much of a "value" for one dining plan credit, especially given that the OOP price for an adult is now up to $55.

As someone who doesn't use dining plans anymore, I'd like to see this become a two credit dinner if for no other reason that it would be much easier to book (much like Le Cellier became much easier to book once it became two credits). Would probably also result in less wait time past the ADR time.

If this were to happen, it would also be nice if Disney improved the dining experience (from both a food and service standpoint) to at least somewhat reflect two credits, especially since I believe this restaurant has been slipping over the years. But I have no expectation that Disney would do this (they didn't for Le Cellier).

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

So you're blaming Disney because your father told you that you must get an ADR and make the timing work?
You got it so I don't see what else matters.
If you don't find the restaurant to be worth it then the solution is not to go.

 

[Hopefully]

Really?

 

[Summer2018]

So you're blaming Disney because your father told you that you must get an ADR and make the timing work?
You got it so I don't see what else matters.
If you don't find the restaurant to be worth it then the solution is not to go.

Ditto.

 

[Wubar]

So you want them to increase it to 2 credits, but also increase the level of service? So, in fact, the level of service currently is on par with a 1 credit dinner? Just so perhaps it might be easier to schedule in the future and take some stress off your plate?

"Waiter I have 2 complaints.

The food is terrible...
And...
Your portions are too small."

 

[Figmentmommy]

‘Ohana has been booked solid for years. This is nothing new. Our family has been happily going since the mid 90s and it has always been popular. The dining plan has nothing to do with it.

 

[crzy4dsny]

Even if the food quality went back to what it was when the restaurant was good, I still don’t think it would be worth two credits.

 

[sanapp]

Definitely not 2 credit worthy!

 

[Disneylover99]

We're going on a Disney cruise for my parents' 50th anniversary and my dad really wants to eat dinner at 'Ohana the night before the cruise.

As the person responsible for making all of the reservations for this trip, my marching orders were to not only to make this ADR but also to book a time late enough that everyone will likely make the dinner (there are 9 of us and several are flying in that day) but early enough that we're not eating too late.

My response, "this is going to be the most stressful reservation of the entire trip but I'll do my best."

Ultimately, I was able to get an ADR for 9 at 7 pm the night before the cruise but had to undertake some extraordinary measures to finally pull this off.

My take is that 'Ohana has become viewed as too much of a "value" for one dining plan credit, especially given that the OOP price for an adult is now up to $55.

As someone who doesn't use dining plans anymore, I'd like to see this become a two credit dinner if for no other reason that it would be much easier to book (much like Le Cellier became much easier to book once it became two credits). Would probably also result in less wait time past the ADR time.

If this were to happen, it would also be nice if Disney improved the dining experience (from both a food and service standpoint) to at least somewhat reflect two credits, especially since I believe this restaurant has been slipping over the years. But I have no expectation that Disney would do this (they didn't for Le Cellier).

The problem is, if you want Disney to make this two credits on the ddp, you can bet that the price will jump from $55 to $80 per person.

Be careful what you wish for.

 

[North of Mouse]

Just don't go if you don't like it OP - as for us, we've been going since they opened and have no complaints like many I see. We also dine early, but not sure if that is the reason, but anyway, we love it, and look forward to it every trip.

I do believe you are the first person I've ever read on the Dis (or elsewhere) that actually 'wants' Disney to raise a restaurant's pricing!! Because, in effect, that is exactly what you are asking for!! All that, and you don't even like the place??

 

[Marthasor]

So you want them to make this a two credit meal to make your life easier? DDP or no DDP, O'hana has been incredibly popular for years. Part of your difficulty, I'm sure, was due to your large party. I just organized a trip for 7 where one in our party insisted we hold a birthday lunch at CRT on day 2. I got it, but I also had to go to extraordinary measures to secure the reservation (along with an Akershus dinner and a BOG lunch). I almost had a panic attack the morning I was making ADR's. No matter how you slice it, if you want popular restaurants during shorter trips with large parties, it's just plain difficult to make reservations. IMHO, if the level of food quality and service continue to decline at O'hana (our meal in December was terrible), you may just get your wish without WDW increasing credits needed to eat there. We certainly aren't going back any time soon!

 

[cobright]

Ohana is a lot of fun, but never stress over it. In the few times we cared to do so, mostly we just grab pastries and drinks from the nearby quick service then join the queue to meet stitch and be done with it.

 

[bosox32]

Went a week ago. Food was good, but service was bad.

 

[Nancyg56]

We're going on a Disney cruise for my parents' 50th anniversary and my dad really wants to eat dinner at 'Ohana the night before the cruise.

As the person responsible for making all of the reservations for this trip, my marching orders were to not only to make this ADR but also to book a time late enough that everyone will likely make the dinner (there are 9 of us and several are flying in that day) but early enough that we're not eating too late.

My response, "this is going to be the most stressful reservation of the entire trip but I'll do my best."

Ultimately, I was able to get an ADR for 9 at 7 pm the night before the cruise but had to undertake some extraordinary measures to finally pull this off.

My take is that 'Ohana has become viewed as too much of a "value" for one dining plan credit, especially given that the OOP price for an adult is now up to $55.

As someone who doesn't use dining plans anymore, I'd like to see this become a two credit dinner if for no other reason that it would be much easier to book (much like Le Cellier became much easier to book once it became two credits). Would probably also result in less wait time past the ADR time.

If this were to happen, it would also be nice if Disney improved the dining experience (from both a food and service standpoint) to at least somewhat reflect two credits, especially since I believe this restaurant has been slipping over the years. But I have no expectation that Disney would do this (they didn't for Le Cellier).

Oh dear, you were given ordersto secure your ADR, did so, and now you still are not happy? The dining plan has nothing to do with 'Ohana's popularity. It has been the most difficult ADR to manage for years, and while it does not lure me, it is a favorite for many. Obviously it is a favorite for your family or you would not have been ordered to get it at all costs.

You are paying OOP, so you think if the credits were hiked to 2 the cost woudl stay the same for you. Ummmmm two credits are worth about 75 on the dining plan, so you would be paying at least that OOP.

 

[GillianP1301]

The problem is, if you want Disney to make this two credits on the ddp, you can bet that the price will jump from $55 to $80 per person.

Be careful what you wish for.

BOG is $55 and 2 credits, arguably a very poor use of dining plan credits, but if that one can be 2 credits, then there is no reason 'Ohana can't be. Poly is the only deluxe resort with no signature dining option (although WL is losing theirs) so I don't think it would be far fetched to make 'Ohana 2 credits. And I agree with the OP, that it would definitely ease up on the level of difficulty in getting an ADR and Le Cellier lunch is definitely a prime example of that.

 

[Nancyg56]

BOG is $55 and 2 credits, arguably a very poor use of dining plan credits, but if that one can be 2 credits, then there is no reason 'Ohana can't be. Poly is the only deluxe resort with no signature dining option (although WL is losing theirs) so I don't think it would be far fetched to make 'Ohana 2 credits. And I agree with the OP, that it would definitely ease up on the level of difficulty in getting an ADR and Le Cellier lunch is definitely a prime example of that.

BOG will go up, bank on it. The $55 is just there while Disney tests it's waters.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Ohana is ridiculously priced. It is nowhere near $55 a person. I don't think it should be 2 credits though. I'm sure if there were no DDP the price for Ohana wouldn't be as high.

 

[Moliphino]

BOG will go up, bank on it. The $55 is just there while Disney tests it's waters.

It already has gone up to $60.

 

[MikeNamez]

I'm so sorry, but I couldn't help myself

 

[Anthony1971]

I recall back in the very early 2000's when it was around 15 bucks and easy to walk up in fact they would ask if you heard of it and it was the best value in all of Disney and the food was much better. The last time I ate there was in 2004 and I also had no issue walking up if I recall correct which I do... the bill came to a little under 50.00 with tax and tip for 2 again the food was better than now... Just don't see the value in it anymore so we don't eat there. The last time I checked on it was in the late 2000's don't recall the exact year but we had the DP when it included an app, main course, dessert and tip and it was hard to get a reservation we had kids with our group including ours-- we ate at Kona which I much preferred either way back then. Has the DP made it harder to get... yes but it also has caused an increase in pricing for those paying cash to make the DP a good value and even better if it is "somewhat free" but to say raise prices to make it easier to get???? do you really want to pay 70 bucks plus tax and tip for peel and eat shrimp much less the 55 they charge now????????? but it is a fun place to eat usually....