"Ohana...yay or nay?

[kathyg]

Have never eaten here, but the food looks pretty good. Not that pictures always tell the true story. So I would love to hear why you like this or why you don't. Food, atmosphere, etc. We are all adults (4 - 20 somethings and 2 - 20+ somethings). Will the "kids" like it or will they think it's stupid and embarrassing? Can you sit apart from the "goings on" like at WCC?

Thanks for your help.

 

[KJET54]

It is usually a must do to eat for us. When we travel with the all adult crowd we begin the meal with a Lapu-lapu beverage (21 and only ) The meats are all delicious right off the skewers. We love it

 

[honey11dog]

We just got back and this is our new favorite restaurant. The atmosphere and the food was awesome. Our children DS(8) and DD(5) really enjoyed the coconut races, singing, and limbo. The activites go on at different times in the night. So, the kids had time to eat one course and before they got bored the activities would begin. My husband and I actually got some much needed quiet time. We were there late enough to watch the fireworks from the restaurant. They lower the lights in the hotel and put the music from the MK on. It was a great way to watch the show, wihout having to fight the crowds. A+A+A+A+

 

[RumpleMom]

We liked 'Ohana.

We were there in January with 4 20 somethings. The boys really liked the all you care to eat. They were thrilled that that meant steak. We especially liked the peel and eat cold shrimp, cheesey potatoes and beef.

We were seated in the outer area of the restaurant, so we weren't involved in the entertainment, which was just perfect for us. We could easily have joined in if we had chosen to, but this was our last dinner together on the last night of our trip, so we wanted to talk as a family.

If I could change one thing about the meal, it would be the dessert. Our family is of the opinion that dessert somehow involves chocolate. All six of us tried the dessert and we did not finished it. I bet if it had chocolate syrup on it, we would have finished it.

Anyway, it was a great vacation. After dinner, we went our separate ways to do whatever we wanted for our last night at WDW. DD#2 and boyfriend went to MK to get their picture taken in front of the castle. DD#1 and boyfriend strolled along the lake at the Poly where he asked her to go ring shopping when they got back home!!!!! Yep, a great vacation! Their honeymoon is already planned for WDW.

I know if I suggest 'Ohana to DH in the future, he will remember the non-chocolate dessert, but I will remind him of that very special night when the pixie dust was strong.

 

[bluejasmine]

My family loves Ohana. The Polynesian resort is beautiful we normally go on our first night so that means we are coming from the MK and we normally take the boat over which itself is a beautiful ride and you also get to walk the grounds a bit too. Ohana is on the second floor of the main house and we love the hustle and bustle of all the ppl and the man playing the eukele singing hawaiian songs ( of course I adore hawaii) if your sitting anywher near the windows (which are big) you can see the 7 seas lagoon and the MK and the castle. We enjoyed the food alot and believe me there is plenty of it, you can ask for more of anything you like and they will bring it to you which is really nice after a long day in the parks. They have coconut races and hula hoop contest for the kids to keep them occupied. Then when Wishes start they turn down the lights slightly and pipe in the music from the park. Its a wonderful way to end the evening.

 

[tinknme]

We will be eating here for the 1st time on our arrival night Sept. 30th, I really am looking forward to this! We have seatings at 6:20pm, so we will not get to watch the fireworks. Can you request a table by a window or is this something that just randomly happens.

 

[kathyg]

Thanks for the replies...I too would be interested if you can request a window seat

 

[1stTimeDisneyer]

We went to Ohana in May. This was our first trip to Disney so everything was new to us. We got seated at a window right in front of the Castle (we did not for a window seat), it was really great since this was our last meal. Everything was so good, the meats where tender and juicy and the potatos where mouth watering. And the dessert.... I do not care for bread pudding but it was wonderful, there was nothing left. My DH is still talking about this meal and the dessert. He tells me all the time he could use some bread pudding from Ohana, I then ask when is our next trip. I say try it, we loved it!

 

[kathyg]

Anyone else care to share?

 

[bdklein]

My family (4 of us) spent a week at the Poly last month. We had 1 dinner at Ohana, and it was the worst meal of the week. The shrimp were overcooked, and sitting in way too much liquid. The potatoes were greasy and bland. There was some sort of lousy vegetable. The steak was tough and not very tasty, the turkey was overcooked, and the pork was fatty. The sausage was just ok, but had no taste. Plus, they brought out things in the wrong order (potatoes before salad, then salad, then meat). Restaurant wasn't crowded, so no excuse there. However, the salad was good.

By the way, we found the rest of the food at Disney to be very good. I had 3 dinners at Kona, 2 breakfasts at Kona, plus mutliple meals at Captain Cooks. We also had 2 dinners at GF, 1 lunch at GF, plus lunches at MK and Epcot.

Ohana was our first meal, and glad we got the bad one out of the way. I don't think I would go back for dinner-but I might go back for breakfast.

 

[MJMcBride]

Put me down for a "yay". Ordinarily I'm not in to "family style" but the food here is good and a little different.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

We love 'Ohanas. We have been several times with our last trip in December being our favorite. We are four adults but the first time we went I was 11 and I loved it then. On our last trip we had a table off to the side (next to the window overlooking the marina) which was very cozy and didn't feel like we were in the middle of everything. The atmosphere is casual and romantic. I only have two complaints with 'Ohanas: 1. Take the microphone away from the lady singing the Hawaiian songs!!!! (She was very loud and it seemed to go on forever. I love Hawaiian music but in a softer sort of way.)
2. It takes a long time. Not that that's a real complaint of ours as one of the main reasons we go to WDW is for TS meals. We really don't mind spending 2 hours on our dinner but some people around us were getting irritated it was taking so long. If you're expecting a quick meal or have something planned for a certain time soon after your meal, you may not want to eat here.

Now, the good stuff!! The food was wonderful. Actually the skewers of meat were nothing to write home about but the potatoes, wonton chips and dipping sauces, shrimp, and dessert were amazing. I can't wait to take my DBF here on our next trip. Also, the Backscratcher (mixed drink) is very, very good and they don't skimp on the alcohol!!

I absolutely love this restaurant and will be going back on every return trip. I love the atmosphere and food and that more than makes up for the sometimes not so perfect service.

 

[Hopefully]

We ate here in October and again in April. We enjoy it very much. I thought the food was very good. It is not a gourmet restaurant by any means, but it was good. We were stuffed.
In October we were seated near the windows overlooking the lagoon. On this trip we were adults only, so we had a later ADR and we watched both the Electrical Water Pageant on the lake, as well as Wishes over the Castle. It was wonderful. We did not request this table, it is just where we were seated. I would imagine that you can request a table by the window, but that may mean waiting for it to open up. We were a bit off to the side, so away from the "action". Again, I am sure you could request to be away from the races etc., if that is important to you.
In April, I was with my grandchildren. Again we were seated near the window looking toward the Castle. On this occasion we were celebrated as the 50th family seated that evening. They came to our table, sang to us and gave us all lei's. The kids loved it. Everyone enjoyed their meals.
We would all go back again.

 

[Nancyg56]

If I could change one thing about the meal, it would be the dessert. Our family is of the opinion that dessert somehow involves chocolate. All six of us tried the dessert and we did not finished it. I bet if it had chocolate syrup on it, we would have finished it.

Your family sounds like my family! We are a chocolate lovin' bunch too, but I must say we really enjoyed the dessert at 'Ohanna. The poor server had not even gotten the dish down and my DS asked him if he would bring some more. This was the only item that we needed more of.

Honestly, my family enjoyed their meal and it is on the request list when we go back in January. We got a table with a view of the castle, and it was a nice bit of for us because we had not requested this view.

 

[ElizabethB]

A really big NAY. There is lots of food, but most of it is not very good. After all the raves on this board, we were very disappointed. If all that matters to you is quantity, you'll like it. If quality matters, go elsewhere.

 

[Jerdoctor]

I'd love to hear opinions from people who have been there.


MODS! Can someone delete this thread? I thought made it a new thread and made another when I couldnt find it... Thanks!!!

 

[ms.ojo]

We have been there twice and just don't see the attraction. The food looked/tasted good the first time...but all four of us ended up sick before we even left the restaurant!!! Went again in Dec last year...food actually was burnt, dried out, very unappetizing, but didn't make us sick. LOL The char interaction is very minimal compared to other places. We have yet to sit in the big open room w/ the view so maybe that would give better atmosphere. It was expensive, on the quiet side though which was nice...but no way we are ever going back. We went on off park mornings we were resting around 9:30. The place wasn't particularly crowded either time which was the only nice thing I can say about it. sorry.

 

[essmom]

We just got back and this is our new favorite restaurant. The atmosphere and the food was awesome. Our children DS(8) and DD(5) really enjoyed the coconut races, singing, and limbo. The activites go on at different times in the night. So, the kids had time to eat one course and before they got bored the activities would begin. My husband and I actually got some much needed quiet time. We were there late enough to watch the fireworks from the restaurant. They lower the lights in the hotel and put the music from the MK on. It was a great way to watch the show, wihout having to fight the crowds. A+A+A+A+

What time was your ADR- we have a 8:10(i think) is that too early for 10 pm wishes- if we finish we plan to walk to beach!!

 

[disneyjammin]

a big Nay for Ohanas...food was horrible, the meats were all dry, the only good thing was the dessert.

 

[Dustmouse]

We enjoyed 'Ohana two weeks ago and would recommend it. I have two DS's 13 & 14 and they both enjoy this restaurant now and when they were younger. We had a 6:30 ADR and were able to enjoy the Poly's evening torch lighting ceremony before dinner. It was pretty cool. The food was quite good. The potatoes are a little greasy partially due to the cheese but we unfortunately like them that way. The meats were all good and none were dried out. The steak and pork were particularly yummy.

The only downside for us was it seemed pretty rushed. We had two servers bringing out food as fast as lightening and we could hardly keep up. There wasn't a very definitive break between appetizer and entree. It was also very noisy, which didn't bother us, but it might some folks.

BTW...we did request a window table which we received.