'Ohana or Yachtsman Steakhouse

[shana398]

We are a party of six, myself, DH, DS 24, DD 21, DS3 and DN12. Myself, DH and DS3 have been to 'Ohana for dinner twice and loved it. No one else in our party has been.

On our non-park day for our seven-night trip in November, I booked 'Ohana for dinner, but had to book a 9:10 time slot since that's all that was available.

I am rethinking this due to the late time and also the Construction I've been reading about at the Poly and considering Yachtsman Steakhouse. None of us have ever tried it.

To do this, I would have to, of course, cancel "Ohana and a lunch at LTT the next day, which wouldn't be too bad since we have a pre-park CP the next morning and the dessert party, so counter service lunch would be okay.

Plus, none of us have ever been to the Yacht Club/Beach Club/Boardwalk area and I thought it might be nice to maybe check it out before dinner.

DH loves 'Ohana, but, then again, he loves meat in general so he may be okay with this. Opinions, please!

 

[nco91590]

We have reservations at YSH so I haven't eaten there yet. But I can tell you that the Boardwalk/BC/YC area is lovely. I can also tell you that the food at O'hana's is just OK. I think most people go for the "experience".

 

[Nancy F]

YSH for Sure! Though I like Shula's even better!
Nancy

 

[prgal0715]

I highly recommend Yachtsman; we ate there during our December trip and every aspect of the meal was outstanding. Don't even get me started on the amazing onion bread that's part of the bread service.

During that same December visit, we ate at 'Ohana and the experience was so terrible, I swore I'd never go again. And this is from someone who's a former 'Ohana devotee!!

 

[Kimosabe]

Eating at 'Ohana again in a couple of weeks, and I look forward to seeing whether the haters I've been hearing lately have a legitimate complaint (although I acknowledge it is all subjective). Last time we ate there, I loved it. What's not to love about meat-on-a-stick?! Just have to realize that they're not cooking anything "to order" there, but rather trying to please everybody...which is rarely going to occur with that set-up.

Even so, it's hard to beat Yachtsman on its own, and I agree that the whole Boardwalk area is a fun place to hang out for another hour or two (or more), whether before or after dinner. We're actually staying at Beach Club on this next trip, and I can't wait to just wander out the door on a few nights and take in the general atmosphere of that area.

 

[shana398]

Thanks for the replies! If I hadn't already bought the airline tickets I think I would consider staying an extra couple of days just to get in everything we are wanting to do!

 

[goofy4tink]

Ice eaten at Yachtsman twice now....neither time was terrific. First time was with a group of 8. I got my steak last, and it was badly overdone. Would have sent it back but everyone was already eating and they would have been close to done when my meal came back out. Second time we had a server with a huge attitude. He was very pleasant until he realized we weren't 'drinking'. He provided poor service...and my steak was just a bit overlooked this time. When I told the server it wasn't close to medium rare, he informed me that it would take 20 mins for a replacement! He then brought our check, without asking if we wanted dessert. There was a very small tip left that night....and I found a manager to let him know why. I won't be back any time soon.

I like 'Ohana, but find the meats to be a bit too salty for my taste.

 

[OKW Lover]

There's really no way to compare these two restaurants, or perhaps I should say Dining Experiences.

'Ohana is more of a loud restaurant with lots going on (singing, hula hoop contests) while you eat. Food is clearly a secondary thing to having fun here.

YSH is a more relaxing meal with good service and food.

 

[akadada]

I like Boardwalk area a lot for ambiance...but don't like Yachtsman at all.

I'd opt for Shulas, BlueZoo, or if you're on the dining plan, Flying Fish.

 

[Maggie Lizer]

I had a perfectly cooked medium rare fillet at Yachtsman, and my husband was very pleased with his prime rib as well. We did get a bottle of wine, but it was the inexpensive Malbec, not a high-priced one by any means (around $40?). Even with our 2 little ones, we had excellent service. We didn't do appetizers nor desserts, and we never felt slighted because of that.

On the other hand, it was a much more expensive dinner than 'Ohana's. I believe it cost about $100 more, give or take. "Ohana's was a fun meal, and overall the food was decent - my older son liked the pork, and I couldn't get meat off the chicken wings fast enough for the baby - but with all of the construction at the Poly, the wait for a table was kind of annoying. Not much to do but play games on my phone.

 

[bejuled]

I love both equally and I think with your group you'd enjoy both as well. I will say, however, even though my filet was delicious as was everything else in my meal, my uncle asked for his (I believe prime rib?) to be medium well. It came our medium rare. Now it's his fault for not saying anything but it did totally ruin his meal for him. He was also disappointed that his only option for sides were steak fries or some kind of potato. That man has a BIG appetite and I guess he just wasn't thrilled with it lol My aunt, my younger cousin and myself were all very pleased with our meals and dessert.

I'd look over the menus thoroughly to see if your party would be ok with paying that much (or using 2 credits on the dining plan) for that. Maybe O'hana would end up being a better choice? But if you're looking to spend more time then I would do both (because it's breaking my heart that I won't be going to O'hana in the fall lol)

 

[figment_jii]

I generally agree that these are two very different dining experiences. 'Ohana is an all-you-care-to-eat dinner venue, with activities for kids. Yachtsman is a Signature dinner venue. I've been to both and I would opt for 'Ohana over Yachtsman.

Yachtsman was fine, but there was really nothing special about it; it's basically a steakhouse. If you want a steak, it's a great option. The service was good and the atmosphere was kind of subdued (i.e., quiet). The decor was a little wonky (half nautical, half cowboy).

'Ohana is a much more lively venue; with coconut races and the singer/performer. While the construction does sound daunting, I would brave it to go to 'Ohana. It has a wide variety of foods and I found most all of them to be tasty.

Given your party's composition, I think either Yachtsman or 'Ohana are fine for the over 20 folks, but the kids (DS3 and DN12) would have a lot more fun at 'Ohana.

 

[Wild4Walt]

I've been to both the YSH and Ohana's and have fabulous meals at both.

With everything going on at the Poly I'd probably change to the YSH for a better overall experience this time around. The YC/BC/Boardwalk area is just beautiful at night.

I found the food at the Yachtsman to be very good. Lots of options and very flavorful.