Ohana or Kona on a romantic day?

[Ramsfan28]

I vote for neither.

Neither is romantic and the food is the worst at 'Ohana.

 

[MartyM]

I remember being appalled at the way parents let their children act in Ohana, and the last time I was there was 1989, when I was 8 years old. I sat at the table and watch everything going on. I was more excited about being able to tip the musician and the waitress than playing games.

And I don't think that the poster above meant that he didn't want kids looking at him...I believe that he's not crazy about kids invading his space and standing there, just looking at him.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

TO DONALD:

Just curious ... Prior to Jiko had you experienced any other type of African cuisine? When my family and I went to Boma and Jiko it was our first time and I was surprised at the food ... I was expecting something with a lot of spice and kick to it and it seemed to be bland. What was your reaction?

I don't think either restaurant is especially authentic African food, and I agree with your assessment that Boma isn't too exciting (better than most buffets, however). Jiko, however, sometimes tries to hard to be "interesting" and I don't think the flavor combinations always work. A dish doesn't have to be extremely spicy or unusual in order to be authentic. However, I'm very satisfied when I stick with the dishes that I've actually had in South Africa, such as the peri peri chicken and malva pudding (this dessert tastes exactly like I've had it there, even though the presentation is different).

 

[Golf4food]

Of the two I would pick Kona by far for romance. But I would suggest the Grand Floridian Cafe over both for romance and still be a 1 TS/non-signature restaurant. You can still move to the Poly beach for the fireworks - you don't HAVE to eat in the Poly to see the fireworks there, you know...

 

[FLCMpirate82]

Anyway, the fact is that Disney World isn't really for romantic couples ...

WHAT????? Is that why thousands of people get married, renew their vows and celebrate their honeymoons at Disney every year? Disney can be very romantic! Think about having a couple's massage and then watching the fireworks together from California Grill with a bottle of champagne. Toasting each other with Celebration Cuvee and taking a horse drawn carriage ride through the woods at Fort Wilderness. What about just being together on a silly ride or holding hands while riding the carousel. Or, the ultimate, dinner at Victoria and Albert's, dressed to the nines and enjoying the ambiance and amazing food. Disney isn't just about flying elephants and parades, there is something for everyone available no matter what you are looking for. That is the magic of Disney. Surprised to see this posted from someone who obviously has a lot to say, but doesn't really get the Disney big picture.

 

[minnie mum]

Hello Michelle!

As far as being annoyed ... well, that depends on you and where your threshold is ... as everyone is different. FOR EXAMPLE! Some people are annoyed by Lipoa (That is the ukelele woman's name) and the singing ... but for me that adds to the atmosphere and it IS a Hawaiian themed place after-all. On the other hand ... I HATE HATE HATE when Mommy & Daddy at another table are letting little Johnny or Suzie stare right in your face as you're trying to eat ... THAT raises my blood pressure through the roof!!! Some people tell me it doesn't bother them and say "well, that's just kids" ... no, that is unacceptable ... and I promise you that THEY wouldn't like it if I were to stare in THEIR faces as they were trying to eat! CONTROL YOUR CHILDREN ... even though you are on vacation you are STILL A PARENT ... SO ACT LIKE IT!

Ooo, sorry ... little tangent there!

MOM......HE'S STARING AT ME..... MOM!!!

Sorry, Disney Diehard; just couldn't resist. Also totally know what you mean. It's not really about the staring. It's about the invasion of personal space.

I love children. Really I do. Even have a couple of my own. But I WISH parents would keep their kids seated during meals. I am heartily sick of having to shoo away stranger's children from our table when we are trying to enjoy our meal. And sorry, but if we have a window table, it is NOT OK for your kids to squeeze their way between our table and the window!! Really, people. And how about teaching your children about using their "indoor voices"? (Deep breath)

Having said all that, my vote would still be for Ohana's. Since you are going late in the year, when it may be quite cool in the evening, I would recommend trying for an ADR for a little before the fireworks, so you could be seated at your table while it is going on. No need to freeze your chummies off down on the beach.

 

[DaisyMaisie]

Since this thread has come back up, I figure I will give an update.

My husband is already familiar with Kona as it is our go-to breakfast place. So I brought up what I had learned in this post for him to make his decision, and when I started talking about Ohana he said "that has to be the place at the Polynesian where we had this wonderful buffet when I was a child."

So based on the possible memories that may be resurected by the location we choose Ohana.

Now for the fireworks issue. I really never enjoy watching the fireworks from inside a restaurant and thats why I chose the beach. Plus I love the beach location. However, the possibility of cold weather does have me concerened. Since I made the ressies fairly early, is there another inside location at the Poly where we can watch if its too cold. And/or will they let us watch from Ohana since we will have just eaten there?

Thanks so much

Michelle

p.s. I do agree with those who said you can definitely find traditional romance at WDW. The reason I possibly should have said "magical" instead is that we aren't looking for the traditional fancy dinner experience, we can get that at home. But I should also add that you can find romance anywhere. My husband and I have had a romantic evening at the all night walmart when it was empty late at night. (And no I do not mean PDA's)

 

[minnie mum]

I'm not sure that they would let you back into Ohanas just to watch the fireworks. The place will still be packed at that time.

But I seem to recall that you can still have a view from Tambu lounge. I do remember sitting there having a pre-dinner drink, waiting for our seating at Ohanas, when Wishes started.

 

[jlr9882]

MOM......HE'S STARING AT ME..... MOM!!!

Sorry, Disney Diehard; just couldn't resist. Also totally know what you mean. It's not really about the staring. It's about the invasion of personal space.

I love children. Really I do. Even have a couple of my own. But I WISH parents would keep their kids seated during meals. I am heartily sick of having to shoo away stranger's children from our table when we are trying to enjoy our meal. And sorry, but if we have a window table, it is NOT OK for your kids to squeeze their way between our table and the window!! Really, people. And how about teaching your children about using their "indoor voices"? (Deep breath)

I have a 4-year-old son, and one thing I don't allow him to do is turn around in his seat and stare or lean over the people behind him. And about the wheelchair accident, my sister witness something almost like that. I was in line at Soarin' with my two oldest nephews, and she had her youngest and my son in the sitting area where Soarin' comes out. She witnessed a child running around crazy where the crowd comes out, and knocked a grandmother over with a baby in her arms. She thankfully caught the baby when she fell! My sister said that Disney was awesome, and had around 14 people rush over to help the lady and write up reports. CMs had to go into Soarin' and get the baby's parents off the ride to let them know what happened. Can you imagine being told to get off a ride that your parent was knocked over holding your baby? They had it all blocked off during that time, I got the tail end of it when I was coming off the ride. After everything was cleared up and the Disney team left the area, that parent still let her child run all over the place.

As far as the Kona vs. Ohana: I get to experience Kona for the first time in 2 weeks, my cousin loves it there. I really wanted Ohana, but the only time I could book was 9:35pm. I didn't want to book that late of an ADR with him, and I know he wouldn't enjoy the whole experience of Ohana that late at night.

 

[si-am]

I have a 4-year-old son, and one thing I don't allow him to do is turn around in his seat and stare or lean over the people behind him.

Yeah this kind of stuff bugs me too. I hate when I'm sitting in a booth at a restaurant and a young kid in an adjoining booth stands up, turns around, and just stares at us as we try to enjoy a meal.

Not that I hate kids, not that it's really bothering me in a tangible way, but it's a little disconcerting. Like.... do I acknowledge the kid? Talk to him? Ask him to join us at our table? Or try to ignore him and hope he sits down and joins his own family eventually?!

The parents who allow it always seem to think it's super cute, but I kind of don't.