Ohana's or Kona?

[weluvslinkydog]

We'll be traveling with our DS's 9 and 6 and my parents--pretty conservative eaters--and Dh and I--pretty adventurous eaters! Which should we do, Kona or Ohana? I was thinking Ohana b/c it sounds like it would be like Whispering Canyon with fun games for the kids, which they loved last year--but it looks like Kona might have more conservative choices...is the food at Ohana spicy? Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

Kona Cafe without a shadow of the doubt. It was our best meal the whole trip.

'Ohana in contrast was our worst meal, I'm not sure I would go back.

We are doing Kona Cafe twice next trip

 

[frdeb1999]

Have had good experiences with both resturants. Although we absolutely love Kona. And just were alright with Ohana. I think the kids would enjoy Ohana better though. I know mine did. The food isn't all that spicy at all at Ohana. And they do have the activities going on during the meal which make it fun for them.

 

[rkandmjsmommy]

I love Ohana but really want to try Kona, guess I am no help

 

[TinaBands]

Kona Cafe without a shadow of the doubt. It was our best meal the whole trip.

'Ohana in contrast was our worst meal, I'm not sure I would go back.

We are doing Kona Cafe twice next trip

Kona it is! Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[weluvslinkydog]

I love Ohana but really want to try Kona, guess I am no help

Do you know if the atmosphere is similar to Whispering Canyon? Is it as fun as there, or not really?

 

[Suzanne74]

Kona does not have a fun atmosphere. It may have better al a carte choices and nice for adults but for a 6 and 9 year old, I would choose Ohana's. Hula hoop contests, coconut races, calling everyone cousin. My daughter loves it there!

I think they are both good restaurants.

 

[Harvestmooner]

Kona does not have a fun atmosphere. It may have better al a carte choices and nice for adults but for a 6 and 9 year old, I would choose Ohana's. Hula hoop contests, coconut races, calling everyone cousin. My daughter loves it there!

I think they are both good restaurants.

I absolutely agree with this opinion!!! We enjoyed both restaurants and the meal was delicious at Kona, but for the kids it would be O'Hana!!! Meal is not spicy-but very flavorful!!! Love them both!!!

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

If you want good food and fun for the kids, maybe I would try a different meal altogether. True, Kona doesn't have fun activities for the kids, but the food is awesome. I would rather pay for good food with a normal atmosphere, than fork out for mediocre food and a couple of coconut races... maybe I'm in the minority?

 

[jimmalru80]

I usually say, 'Ohana = Quantity and Kona = Quality.

 

[Suzanne74]

If you want good food and fun for the kids, maybe I would try a different meal altogether. True, Kona doesn't have fun activities for the kids, but the food is awesome. I would rather pay for good food with a normal atmosphere, than fork out for mediocre food and a couple of coconut races... maybe I'm in the minority?
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I personally don't think the food at Ohana is just mediocre though. I think it is very good. Most families with multiple kids much prefer good food and a good dining experience to a restaurant with better food and a dull atmosphere. As good as the food is at Kona, the tables are very close together, it is right in the loud lobby and there is nothing for young kids to do. On the dining plan it takes much longer to finish at Kona as well and there are usually very testy kids there that can't keep still. I think Kona is more for adults only and families with older kids who appreciate the food and can sit for 1.5hrs without being warned, bribed, begged, and yelled out which I have seen oh so many times at Kona as well as a few other sit down restaurnts that do not cater to kids in Disney.

 

[weluvslinkydog]

I personally don't think the food at Ohana is just mediocre though. I think it is very good. Most families with multiple kids much prefer good food and a good dining experience to a restaurant with better food and a dull atmosphere. As good as the food is at Kona, the tables are very close together, it is right in the loud lobby and there is nothing for young kids to do. On the dining plan it takes much longer to finish at Kona as well and there are usually very testy kids there that can't keep still. I think Kona is more for adults only and families with older kids who appreciate the food and can sit for 1.5hrs without being warned, bribed, begged, and yelled out which I have seen oh so many times at Kona as well as a few other sit down restaurnts that do not cater to kids in Disney.

EXACTLY what I needed to know!!! Thanks so much! I was looking forward to this with the boys and I know my parents will have fun watching them have fun! and I am very relieved to hear that you think the food is not bad--it certainly doesn't look or sound bad from various reviews I've seen. thanks again!

 

[disneyworldluvr349]

I would have to choose Ohana's just for the atmosphere. Kona Cafe is peaceful and a little on the dull side especially for children. Ohana's is more family oriented and the children get a chance to play games and earn candy, not to mention that the food is great as well!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Kona is awesome! I think the menu is alot better for breakfast and dinner.

 

[Schucraig]

Kona has the best food. We were not impressed with Ohana's at all, for the food or the entertainment.

 

[Pumbaa_]

the reviews and experiences at ohana range the full spectrum. If it is something you are interested in, give it a shot and see how it works for your family.

Where you are seated will make a difference. All the games and activities occur primarily on one side of the restaurant. If you are on the other side, your kids can join, but difficult for you to watch.

Your server also makes a difference. I will not dine there again. The last 3 trips were progressively worse. I used to love Carnivore night (as we called it).

The last time we were there, we dined with friends who really wanted to go there. Our server was horrible, the shrimp were mealy, the sausage inedible and the steak grisly. The service was beyond bad. Trying to get the different meats was not easy and getting them back was an exercise in futility.

There are way too many places that want me to come back. I think it is a matter of the place has die hard fans and a reputation that brings in the crowds and they don't have to try hard and they don't.

At Kona, we have not had a bad meal. Spotty service once, but that trip we were a group of 13.

Kona is a must for us every single trip. I love the food and my new favorite is the scallops and shrimp. I have the shrimp not fried but cooked like the scallops and it is fantastic.

For antics and fun servers we do WCC and PTC. Ohana is not on my list. I wish it would be, I used to love it, but I will not go back to a place that has disappointed us time after time.

Let us know what you decide and when you get back, let us know how it was.

 

[Mickey&Donald]

I'm going to be a dissenting voice and recommend Ohana over Kona. We liked Kona, but didn't think it was anything to write home about. Ohana, on the other hand, was FAAAAABULOUS. One of the best meals we've ever had on any Disney vacation, hands down! Also, the atmosphere at Ohana would be much better for the kids.

 

[Pumbaa_]

I'm going to be a dissenting voice and recommend Ohana over Kona. We liked Kona, but didn't think it was anything to write home about. Ohana, on the other hand, was FAAAAABULOUS. One of the best meals we've ever had on any Disney vacation, hands down! Also, the atmosphere at Ohana would be much better for the kids.

That's the cool thing about Disney. What one may not care for, it is someone else's favorite. I lvoe that about Disney! (although, if you tell me you really love Beverly, we may need to have a discussion about that! )

 

[Eeyore's Tailfinder]

I personally don't think the food at Ohana is just mediocre though. I think it is very good. Most families with multiple kids much prefer good food and a good dining experience to a restaurant with better food and a dull atmosphere. As good as the food is at Kona, the tables are very close together, it is right in the loud lobby and there is nothing for young kids to do. On the dining plan it takes much longer to finish at Kona as well and there are usually very testy kids there that can't keep still. I think Kona is more for adults only and families with older kids who appreciate the food and can sit for 1.5hrs without being warned, bribed, begged, and yelled out which I have seen oh so many times at Kona as well as a few other sit down restaurnts that do not cater to kids in Disney.

I thought the food was extremely mediocre, and that is my opinion. That is the experience we had. We ate at some great places during our 10 days, and 'Ohana was by far the worst. Unfortunately this is becoming more and more apparent the more reviews I read. Personally, I will not be back at Kona.

If you are not set on Kona, I would personally take them elsewhere, such as Whispering Canyon or even a character meal.

 

[Mickey&Donald]

(although, if you tell me you really love Beverly, we may need to have a discussion about that! )

Um... I really love Beverly. I usually drink a few cups of it before my DH gets totally grossed out and forces me to leave Club Cool (though it'll always be Ice Station Cool to me..).