Ohana ps, need advice?

[jdm]

We have never been to Ohana's before and wanted to coordinate our visit with the MK wishes. The nights we want to go Wishes starts at 7. The only ps I could get was for 6:45. My question is, should I try for a different night? Or maybe see if I can bump way up, say 5 or 5:15? I didn't check that early. Is the restaurant set up so that if we are not yet seated, we'll still be able to get a glimpse of the fireworks? Is there usually any wait past the PS time risking that we won't even be sat until afterwards?

One other question- is Wishes viewable from the whole restaurant, or can you be in a section that you absolutely can't see a thing?

Thanks for any info. We've never been before and just trying to figure it all out.

Jenn

 

[papagooch]

There are sections of Ohanas where you would not be able to see Wishes at all. We usually eat there the first night of every trip to WDW. We have been lucky enough to get a good viewing table but have also sat in the far corner from the window. I don't know about watching from the waiting area but there is an area with a large plate glass window there next to the bandstand that overlooks the Volcano Pool. We have recently taken to eating earlier and watching from the beach. They have nice chaise lounge chairs with cabanas around them in case it is windy, and if you get out there early enough you may be lucky enough to get the hammock. Have fun and enjoy your trip.

 

[danjulia]

Can you hear the music from the fireworks out on the beach?

 

[Mackey Mouse]

I am not sure if you can hear the music from the Beach at the Poly, but many have said this is a great viewing spot.. Keeping this bumped up so others who have viewed from there can answer.

The times we have eaten at O'Hana during the fireworks display, if my memory serves me right, they lower the lights and you can see the display from the windows.. For some reason I thought people could walk to the windows and watch from them, of course being respectful to those seated at the windows and standing behind them...

I have not been there during the Wishes display though, that was in the past with the regular firework display.

 

[Magickndm]

Originally posted by danjulia
Can you hear the music from the fireworks out on the beach?

Nope you cannot, but if you have seen it before and don't mind that, it is a great viewpoint.

 

[cworld]

We were there over Christmas; 'Ohana pipes in the music from Wishes. If you are not at a window table you might have an obstructed view. The music from Wishes was also playing on the beach near the dock area. The best viewing area is farther down the beach away from the dock, there you couldn't hear the music.

 

[Snoopymom]

You can call back and request a window table and then arrive early, so that you can be seated on time. If you don't get a good seat, you could probably stand off to the side or next to the pillars that divide the windows every 15 feet or so. My 3yr old ds ran to press his face against the window, even though we were close enough to see and I asked the people at the table in front if they minded if I sat on the floor next to him and they said "sure" We were well out of their way, as you are looking up towards the top of the windows. The atmosphere is so fun and friendly, I'm sure you won't have a problem.

Also, because of some delays in getting checked into our hotel, (the Sheraton Safari) we arrived late and very cranky for our ps at 8:00 for 9:00 Wishes, but the lady at the reservation desk was so incredibly nice... she called me by name and said "we will have your table with a view shortly"...I almost cried, I was so happy and relieved, LOL. As we waited for our table, I was even more surprised she was so polite after seeing her get bombarded with large parties with no PS demanding tables, especially since it was New Years Day! Where we live you can't even get into a Chili's on a Saturday without calling ahead, so I was shocked.

Well, we had a great time. The food was fantastic too.
Have fun!

 

[jdm]

Thanks for all the great replies. You know, I got a cranky CM. He was very short and when I asked him if I could request a certain area (having never made a ps before) he said, "No. You can do that at the podium". He was not a friendly guy. That's why I just took the 6:45 and shut up about it..... then ran here to all of you to get the best advice!! :~)

Thanks
Jenn

 

[bjakmom]

Hi Jenn - we just had one of our most enjoyable meals at O'hana's last thursday (first time there for us). I had made our PS at 6PM and requested a window table if at all possible (Wishes was at 7). We arrived at 5:50 and were seated at exactly 6, lucky enough to get a table by the window with a perfect view (at first I was thinking we were way too far from the castle !). There were definitely tables further back in the room that would not have had a good view without leaving the table, and we did not notice anyone standing up, but we were so enthralled by watching Wishes that maybe we didn't notice. My family loved this meal, the way it was served, the friendly CMs, the whole atmosphere. We had watched Wishes earlier in the week from the train station (a great view), but my DD said after watching it from far away that "it's almost like it was meant to be seen from here!" We were already finished dessert at 7 (and we ate A LOT !), so I would not make a reservation for earlier than 6, nor would I count on anyone giving up a table with a view at 6:45. I would try for an earlier time, arrive earlier and ask if you can be seated earlier, or try for another night if this is really important to you. Just remember that there is no guarantee for a great view from your table, if they pipe the music onto the beach I would use that as a back up - we didn't because it was chilly and we had a baby with us. Good luck, I hope you love this restaurant as much as we did - PS: Wishes is worth seeing more than once IMHO - I managed to see it 3 times in 6 days!! - Amazing ! PSS: my rule is if I get a cranky CM, I just call back and get another to help me - the vast majority are willing to help you have a wonderful experience!

 

[CamColt]

We were at the Poly last month. We could faintly hear the music from the beach at the Poly, but we could hear it perfectly from the benches at the end of the dock.

 

[topcat011]

I made a ps for Ohanas for our trip. THe person on the phone gave me a 6:20 time and stated that I should arrive about 6 and request a table by th window. Also state that I can wait til one is available. If I am not seated by 7 to tell the cm I will be back and go to the beach towatch the fireworks. THe resturant should clear out about 7:15. So either way I will see the fireworks.