'Ohana review

[Peter Pirate 2]

Ate at 'Ohana last night (second time in the past two months). The food was fine, not as good as it used to be but replacing turkey with chicken and pork tenderloin with pork chops explains that.

The servers are still doing double duty as servers and bus boys (boo to Disney). Reservations were hard to get but both visits had many empty tables...not enough staff? (boo Disney).

For the second time there is little Polynesian feeling or atmosphere from our 'cousins' ... A half hearted Aloha as a greeting and then it's just regular servers. Note: I can remember when a good percentage of the servers were of Polynesian heritage and loved to play it up.

Anyone new to 'Ohana can still love the food and find a little kitch in the setting but honestly it is just more letdown from current Disney to Disney long timers. I won't be renewing my Tables in Wonerland card next year. They just don't try hard enough to justify their costs anymore.

 

[AnastasiaF]

We just returned from Disney and did our first Ohana dinner.

I wouldn't have known it was Polynesian if nobody told me. We were 15 minutes late and they had given our table away (the bus took 45 minutes which we hadn't planned on). The ended up seating 4 of us at 1 table and then 3 of us at another table on the other side of the restaurant.

Servers never really spoke to us. We all disliked the wings and salad dressing. I loved the steak but the other table asked for more steak 3 times and each time it was completely well done and inedible. The chicken and shrimp was delicious, the pork not so much. My kids and I thought the dessert was terrible but my mother loved it. My table of 3 received leis, the other table did not. I had read that it was a fun place that had lots of interaction with kids and staff - there was zero.

Overall I liked enough of the beef, shrimp and chicken to be happy with the meal. I would not go back though and i would not recommend it - no atmosphere, unfriendly staff, hit or miss food. Plus the amount of food thrown out was horrible! The must have given us 20 wings, 2 of which were eaten, a huge bowl of broccoli, a loaf of bread and the salad were all thrown, as well as maybe 15 potstickers and the entire dessert.

 

[rudetreehill]

Wow. Kinda glad I read this thread. I've never been to O'Hana, but was considering making a reservation for my trip in January. This definitely left me changing my mind. There are enough places that I love on property to make avoiding this a no-brainer.

Richard/tralfie

 

[Debbie Jean]

This was one of the only restaurants on property we had never been to so I got us a reservation for our trip last week. It was our first time and our last... this rates as the worst meal I have ever had at Disney!

The food was just awful... pot stickers cold and hard, meat cold and tough, etc. The salad was OK and the dessert was good... but not so good that I would suffer through a meal there again

The service was even worse... I appreciate efficiency but we were in and out of there in under an hour... our waiter couldn't throw the food at us fast enough

I know there are lots of people who absolutely love this place...it's all yours! This is one restaurant I won't be looking for a reservation at!

 

[MomtoBJSF]

We have not bee to dinner at Ohana , we'll be going in a few weeks, not I'm nervous about our reservation. I hope all of you will send an email to disney directly to them about your experiences, just cut and paste what you wrote on here,hopefully they start making will start making changes.

 

[deb010305]

We went to Ohana for dinner at the beginning of October 2012, this was our 2nd time, the first time was August 2011. This time was much better than the last time. Our server was great and so was the food. We asked for more bread and salad, both of which were delivered promplty with a smile !
Everyone liked the steak, shrimp and chicken, and thought the pork was just ok. Two people in our party had food allergies, and they kept the sauces separate and made them special desserts !
There was entertainment the night we were there, a man with a ukelele (sp) who told stories, sang, and had the kids do a parade and a limbo dance around the dining room. He also asked about birthdays and anniversaries.
All in all it was a fun time with great food.

 

[goofyintoronto]

My experience wasnt good either. we went the last week of august. very slimy wings, dry noodles and potstickers, gross pork. terrible quality beef (it was edible though). chicken was decent. the best items was the salad, bread, and dessert. I would not return. very disappointing. I dont understand why this place is so hyped up when the quality of food is terrible.

The pp made a good point. we should complain to Disney. otherwise they will never make changes. although a part of me thinks complaining will be a waste of time.

Sent from my Galaxy SII using DISBoards App

 

[JimmyV]

... this rates as the worst meal I have ever had at Disney!

The food was just awful... pot stickers cold and hard, meat cold and tough, etc. The salad was OK and the dessert was good... but not so good that I would suffer through a meal there again

The service was even worse... I appreciate efficiency but we were in and out of there in under an hour... our waiter couldn't throw the food at us fast enough

I keep saying the same thing, and people keep telling me that I am wrong. This is institutional food cooked in mass quantities thrown on your table with nary a care. I don't understand how anyone could possibly eat at Victoria & Albert's, bluezoo, Il Mulino, Citricos, California Grill or Shula's and then say: "Ohana is the best restaurant at WDW! The food and service are great!"

Our server was great and so was the food. ...All in all it was a fun time with great food.

If this is "great food and service", then I wonder what I am getting at kitchens that cook 'a la minute' with professional servers? What adjective does one use to describe three levels higher than "great"?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Our Ratings of Ohana: (7/15/2012)
. . . food price value: C
. . . food quality: D
. . . food quantity per serving: A
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: B
. . . seating quantity: B
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: C
. . . eatery convenience: B
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: D
. . . character interaction: n/a

NOTE: Used to be highly rated. However, the food quality has severely
deteriorated over the past year. Additionally, the service is very spotty.
For food quality and service, select another restaurant. As a side, unless
you knew to was supposed to be Polynesian, you would never has guessed.
The kids might have fun at the eatery, but it certainly is not on our list
of eateries. Too loud, too lax, too low on the food quality scale. Too bad.

 

[Ro Z]

Ate at 'Ohana last night (second time in the past two months). The food was fine, not as good as it used to be but replacing turkey with chicken and pork tenderloin with pork chops explains that.

The servers are still doing double duty as servers and bus boys (boo to Disney). Reservations were hard to get but both visits had many empty tables...not enough staff? (boo Disney).

For the second time there is little Polynesian feeling or atmosphere from our 'cousins' ... A half hearted Aloha as a greeting and then it's just regular servers. Note: I can remember when a good percentage of the servers were of Polynesian heritage and loved to play it up.

Anyone new to 'Ohana can still love the food and find a little kitch in the setting but honestly it is just more letdown from current Disney to Disney long timers. I won't be renewing my Tables in Wonerland card next year. They just don't try hard enough to justify their costs anymore.

I have been since the turkey was replaced but now the pork is a pork chop? On the bone? How do they serve them? still skewered? I am going in a couple weeks. so I am curious. DH has never been. I thought the wings were the best part last time. . JMO Our cousin was great! but we were there on a really slow night. There were a lot of empty tables. Thanks!

 

[Susan388]

Wowee.....now I'm afraid to go (on 11/15).

Any good reviews lately?

 

[jtimmons2011]

We went in September, and while we still loved the food, the service was terrible. Our server was an older gentlemen who had way too many tables and just couldn't keep up. It took us over 2 hours just to get in and out of there. It has been one of our favorites in the past, but I'm afraid it might not get a spot on our schedule next time.

 

[Ro Z]

We went in September, and while we still loved the food, the service was terrible. Our server was an older gentlemen who had way too many tables and just couldn't keep up. It took us over 2 hours just to get in and out of there. It has been one of our favorites in the past, but I'm afraid it might not get a spot on our schedule next time.

My only complaint with the service was that it was too quick. We didn't finish the food they brought before the next was brought out. Inconsistent?

 

[NC State Tigger]

I have been since the turkey was replaced but now the pork is a pork chop? On the bone? How do they serve them? still skewered? I am going in a couple weeks. so I am curious. DH has never been. I thought the wings were the best part last time. . JMO !

We have an ADR in Dec--only at WDW for one night before cruise. We have enjoyed Ohana in the past and everyone requested it for our one dinner, but these recent reviews really have me wondering if I should try to change. I would also like to know about the change in the pork? How do they serve the "pork chops"? are they "grilled" and served on a platter? Can not imagine "skewered" pork chops!

 

[goofyintoronto]

I keep saying the same thing, and people keep telling me that I am wrong. This is institutional food cooked in mass quantities thrown on your table with nary a care. I don't understand how anyone could possibly eat at Victoria & Albert's, bluezoo, Il Mulino, Citricos, California Grill or Shula's and then say: "Ohana is the best restaurant at WDW! The food and service are great!"

I love this post. I couldnt agree more. I've been wondering the same thing! There's V&A, Cali Grill, Citrico's....yet I hear ppl say Ohanas is the best meal in all of Disney?? Thats funny.

Our Ratings of Ohana: (7/15/2012)
. . . food price value: C
. . . food quality: D
. . . food quantity per serving: A
. . . food prep speed: B
. . . food selection: B
. . . seating quantity: B
. . . seating comfort: C
. . . eatery atmosphere: C
. . . eatery convenience: B
. . . staff friendliness: B
. . . staff attentiveness: D. . . character interaction: n/a

NOTE: Used to be highly rated. However, the food quality has severely
deteriorated over the past year. Additionally, the service is very spotty.
For food quality and service, select another restaurant. As a side, unless
you knew to was supposed to be Polynesian, you would never has guessed.The kids might have fun at the eatery, but it certainly is not on our list
of eateries. Too loud, too lax, too low on the food quality scale. Too bad.

clap! clap! clap! YES!

I have been since the turkey was replaced but now the pork is a pork chop? On the bone? How do they serve them? still skewered? I am going in a couple weeks. so I am curious. DH has never been. I thought the wings were the best part last time. . JMO Our cousin was great! but we were there on a really slow night. There were a lot of empty tables. Thanks!

When i was there, it was a boneless pork chop on the skewer.

We have an ADR in Dec--only at WDW for one night before cruise. We have enjoyed Ohana in the past and everyone requested it for our one dinner, but these recent reviews really have me wondering if I should try to change. I would also like to know about the change in the pork? How do they serve the "pork chops"? are they "grilled" and served on a platter? Can not imagine "skewered" pork chops!

Yup, its on a skewer. Boneless pork chop.

 

[AnastasiaF]

It was just small pieces of shoe leather, i mean pork, on a skewer with some sort of sauce. The pork showed up at the same time as dessert.

 

[goofyintoronto]

It was just small pieces of shoe leather, i mean pork, on a skewer with some sort of sauce. The pork showed up at the same time as dessert.

shoe leather!

whats the matter, you dont like pork with your dessert??

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

A Bit more. I personally never meant to describe 'Ohana as a 'signature' quality restaurant ever. But it was in the past, a fun, quality Polynesian inspired dining experience that served quality grilled food (that was, btw, never loved by everybody).

But now they aren't even trying.

At one time they offered 5 skewers (the fifth was sausage). The shrimp was spicier and much larger and turkey was smoked. The appitizers came on a tray with five items. The potstickers were originally made with shrimp.

The atmosphere was always 100 percent Polynesian, to the point of being hokey - but hokey was always part of what Disney did best. Every CM, even those that weren't of Polynesian decent seemed schooled on Polynesian tradition and NEVER, EVER went out of character.

Disney just isn't trying anymore and 'Ohana is good proof.

 

[Jennasis]

We went to Ohana for the first time this past September. DH loved it, I was not as impressed.

Service:
Really good actually. Our server was definitely of Polynesian decent and he was friendly, fun and attentive. Food came out in a timely manner and drinks were always full. The restaurant was packed to the gills. To be honest...can the coconut races. I really didn't need the endless string of crabby children parading past my table, bumping into us. It was disurptive. They should do it in the lobby or something. We only waited about 15 minutes for our table.

Food:
Well...there was certainly a LOT of it. It was all hot and fresh. We were seated right by the meat cooking pit and it was always moving. HOWEVER, the flavors did not appeal to me at all. The meat was all on the tough side, and whatever they marinated the meat in was sweet and not to my liking at all. Didn't love all the sauces, but the peanut one was okay. The same for the noodles. Too sweet. Blech. Some people may like that flavor (DH did) so this may not be a problem. I love potstickers but the ones here were just okay. The broccoli was about as boring as could be. The bread pudding could've been warmer, but it was just okay regardless. Didn't love that sweet bread that came with the meal. Sweet, IMO, is for dessert, not the entree.

Overall, we don't plan to hit this place again unless the menu gets an overhaul. Keep in mind I had no problem with the service and the food was plentiful and frsh but overall the FLAVOR was not something I enjoyed. The flavor may very well appeal to plenty of other people so dont' discount the restaurant based on my review.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

Wow, this thread is shocking to me! Ohana is our favorite and we go each year. I go for the salad dressing and dessert alone! We have been lucky to never have bad service there. My only complaint is the hula lady who I find distracting, though it is great for the kids. Sorry to hear many don't like it, guess that means more room for us!