Polynesian Dining - Opinions

[lovethesun12]

Are there any table service options that you would consider "must do" at the poly?

We've done the disney dining plan 4 times so we aren't newbies at this but plan to skip it this year because the value isn't there for us and it has taken us 4 years to realize we aren't big enough eaters for the plan (trying new things has been nice though).

I've considered 'Ohana in the past but now I'm not sure the price seems worth it. I don't mind paying for an experience I want but I'm not sure I'd like this. We've tried a ton of Disney buffets and the only one I've felt so far had amazing food was Boma (both breakfast and dinner).

We might try Kona for breakfast, but we don't like sushi so it seems dinner wouldn't be worth it either.

We are thinking we are probably better off taking the monorail to the contemporary for chef mickey's (my daughter loves minnie) and The Wave.

Thoughts?

 

[Jacq7414]

We really enjoyed dinner at ohana

 

[Krystal659]

We were so excited to try O'Hana the trip before last. I read all the rave reviews, but we sadly did not enjoy it--great service, but the food was not great. I do not normally have the dining plan, but was very glad I did that day, if my husband would have "paid" the bill it would have only made it worse. I do not think it was worth the cost, but others LOVE it.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

Ohana is a must do tradition for us on each trip, but it is expensive and can be rushed. You can get most everything they serve at Tambu lounge a la carte also, just a tip. We also do chef Mickey each year but it gets a lot of hate.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I would absolutely not waste your money at 'Ohana or Kona. I think the food is mediocre at both. We are staying at Poly in a few months and don't plan to eat at either. We will probably stick with QS there and eat at other resorts and in the parks. For the price of 'Ohana, we can eat at a far better signature restaurant.

 

[KenHutch]

We have been to WDW 5 times and have 10 dinners and 4 breakfasts at Ohana. We love the place plus its as close as my now 19 year old daughter will get to fireworks. While eating dinner she enjoys them no closer and she is in love with the noodles.

 

[lovethesun12]

Thanks for all the responses! It is confusing because everyone has different tastes.

We have honestly never had a meal we didn't like at Disney (with the exception of me not loving a couple of H&V food options, but there were tons I did like and we did love the characters).

I just feel like the value might not be there. Most of our favourites have to do with experience (we love CRT, Coral Reef, T-Rex, Chef Mickey's for example). I've eaten at signatures like Yachtsman and the food was o.k but we felt so out of place (I'm a commoner I guess and an upscale restaurant just felt weird to us; I'm a clumsy loud person so I didn't fit in LOL). And we haven't liked any buffets for food (other than Boma, but I wouldn't even go out of my way for that one) we just didn't *not* like the food so we go for characters. But the only characters we really "need" to see are Mickey and Minnie and Minnie is missing here.

 

[DL1WDW2]

Wow! Kona for breakfast macadamia nut pancakes are a Must for me.
And really enjoyed eating dinner there once. But Kona for breakfast almost every trip usually last day to relax and enjoy coffee and macadamia pancakes . I think they stack 3 but big enough to share!

 

[Pumbaa_]

I’m in the never ever again, you can’t pay me to eat there

loved it once but multiple crappy experiences and it’s a never again

there is, imho, nothing special about the place other than massive quantities available. I
plus the service has been horrible. Waiting 30 minutes to pay is unacceptable in any unuverse

i just don’t get the love for this place
ymmv (of course)

 

[zemmer]

If you’re staying at the Poly, you can order the Ohana food at room service.

 

[GoofTroop4Life]

We were so excited to try O'Hana the trip before last. I read all the rave reviews, but we sadly did not enjoy it--great service, but the food was not great. I do not normally have the dining plan, but was very glad I did that day, if my husband would have "paid" the bill it would have only made it worse. I do not think it was worth the cost, but others LOVE it.

I agree. Dinner at Ohana is a good use of a dining plan credit, but the quality of the food doesn't justify paying OP for those prices. I would absolutely stop by Tambu Lounge for the bread pudding though...so delicious. My family loves character meals and Stitch, so I would highly recommend the breakfast if you like characters and want to experience the ambiance of Ohana at a "reasonable" price.

 

[SteveH]

We were just at Ohana a few days ago. Loved it. Never felt rushed. Great fireworks view. All of the food was spot on. Cheap? No but we left feeling it was worth it. We also ate at the Wave and loved it. But no view.

 

[Kaufeegurl]

Kona for breakfast - the coffee in the French Press is life changing. We love the Wave for dinner - an easy monorail ride! BUT - Our favorite place on the monorail loop is Trader Sam's - we love going for the cocktails and the 'experience' and they have an excellent small plate/appetizer menu that is great for dining. We then make our way to TOTWL for more appetizers, cocktails, dessert and fireworks!

 

[Calee]

. And we haven't liked any buffets for food (other than Boma, but I wouldn't even go out of my way for that one) we just didn't *not* like the food so we go for characters. But the only characters we really "need" to see are Mickey and Minnie and Minnie is missing here.

Just making sure you know characters are only at breakfast at Ohana since you mention Mickey being there.

 

[Disneypapa]

I enjoyed our one trip to O'Hana years ago. Food and Service were good. I've also tried Kona Café more recently, but hated it, Was not worth the time or cost. Limited menu in my opinion unless you like sushi.

 

[B-Ride]

We only go to 'Ohana if we are on the DDP. Otherwise it is just too expensive. Our preference is Kona Cafe and, although the menu has change quite a bit and the prices have risen over the years, we would still give it a try.

 

[curlymom]

I liked Ohana's breakfast better than Kona's - we got the macademia pancakes and tonga toast that everyone raves about, not my favorite. Cap'n Cooks is an awesome quick service though (anytime of day, not just breakfast), and they have Tonga toast if you want to try it, just doesn't have the topping. If I was eating 1 Table Service there again though, Ohana breakfast.

 

[NickC]

We liked Ohana breakfast. The food was better than Chef Mickey, but if you want to meet Minnie, then it might not be the best option.
It's been 6 or 7 years since we ate at Kona, but I remember liking it. I wouldn't call it a 'must-do' but it was good.

 

[Bellhop97]

We loved Ohana for dinner.. the food was great.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

As you can see by prior responses, 'Ohana (and pretty much every restaurant at Disney) gets mixed reviews. I'm in the "glad I did it once but don't need to go back" camp. And honestly that is my advice for everyone considering a new place. Always worth trying for yourself and forming your own opinion!