The Official Polynesian Resort FAQ thread!

[TinkerBelle_325]

I've eaten twice at Ohana. Once in August 2006 and again in October2006. Both times the experience was fantastic. The food is great, and despite what I have read in a few reviews we never felt rushed or overwhelmed by the amount of food coming to the table. There is something for everyone to enjoy and the atmosphere is incredibly fun for anyone, not just children.

That being said, everyone has their own opinion. As is the case with every restaurant some will like it and others won't. If you skim through these boards you will see many good reviews of Ohana. I woud not let one bad review steer you away.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[Jennygt]

The review was of dinner, I am going to breakfast as well but I figure how bad can you mess up breakfast with mickey?

 

[Jaymie]

Wondering where the best place in the room is for the crib. Anyone have past experience?

We put the crib right in front of the connecting door (which we weren't using) It fit in between the wall and the table just perfectly and was out of our way.

 

[Jaymie]

The review was of dinner, I am going to breakfast as well but I figure how bad can you mess up breakfast with mickey?

We did dinner and breakfast in January and both were great. We got one of the first ADR's of the morning so there weren't many people in there yet so we a lot of attention from the caracthers which was really nice. The food was pretty basic, eggs, waffles, fresh fruit, biscuits, but all very good.

Dinner was great too. Huge selection of meat, which DH loved. After all our food came out, DS (2) wouldn't eat any of it, so our server got him a grilled cheese, which he loved. We weren't rushed at all. We stuck around for all the little games and everything.

 

[Castillo Mom]

We ate there last trip. I wouldn't say the food is anything spectacular but it was very decent and we enjoyed the atmosphere. Oh, and don't forget the Lapu Lapu, very yummy. We have an ADR there next trip for dinner. We missed out on breakfast there last time, so I made an ADR for that too.

You'll read mixed reviews of just about every restaurant. You 'won't know unless you try it!

 

[Tam1067]

In July, I had an ADR for 'Ohana, and almost cancelled it because I'd read some negative reviews of the food. But then we decided to try. And I was SO glad we went. The food is good, and the atmosphere is fun. If you go with reasonable expectations, you'll probably enjoy it for what it is--a loud, silly, very Disneyesque place with decent though not gourmet food.

If you prefer more upscale presentation and choices, Kona is a better option, or you could go to one of the Grand Floridian restaurants.

 

[DaisyD]

I love 'Ohana. We have eaten there probably 30 times over the last 7 years and the food has always been very good. The last time we ate there was in October and food was great as usual. I do miss the larger skewered shrimp and the good wontons but the bread pudding and cheesey potatoes more then make up for it! We have it booked twice for our upcoming June trip!

 

[stnet]

Just wondering if anyone has an idea of how long it takes to get to Animal Kingdom using the bus?

 

[SnwflkCts]

I think it took about 1/2 hour total to get to AK. I can't say I timed it exactly but it certainly was no more than that. I think we had to stop at the Grand Floridian on the way. Isn't that horrible - I can't remember ... I need to go back and check out how long it takes for you to get to AK .

About Ohana (even though I know this isn't the DINING thread). We enjoyed dinner and would go back.
Positives: the shrimp, chicken wings, potatoes, veggies, dessert and drinks! Other positive was fun atmosphere!
Negatives: We didn't like the won tons, dips or the grilled meat ! Service was very slow and spotty - waiter either had too much to do or just wasn't into serving us - couldn't tell which. But we certainly DID NOT go away hungry! Breakfast looked fun with all the characters.

At the Poly, we just LOVE the Kona Cafe for a good meal but the atmosphere just isn't as fun for kids. We certainly would eat at either restaurant (and have eaten multiple times at the Kona) and also enjoy the counter service Captain Cooks.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Here is a great link for helping with transportation times:

http://www.ourlaughingplace.com/asp/twiz.aspx

Based on the calculations there, if the bus goes directly from the Polynesian to AK it takes 26 minutes. However, if it shares the route with the Grand Floridian (and therefore stops at GF after you are picked up at the Polynesian) it takes 42 minutes. Plus it also recommends to add at least 5-10 minutes of wait time at the bus stop.

 

[SnwflkCts]

Thanks TinkerBelle_325 for that great transportation thread. I probably have that bookmarked somewhere ... but I still think I need to go back and check just to be sure ... don't you think so too?

We must not have stopped at GF because I just don't remember it being a long trip. DH and I were so lucky - just as we would arrive at the bus stop, it would arrive! How lucky was that

PS: Meant to add that we never had any waiter server problems at KONA ... and also breakfast at KONA's: TONGA TOAST - rocks!!!! (I understand since last I was there, Tonga Toast is now at Captain Cooks!) again!

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

There was a thread on this yesterday, and the negative review originated from wdwinfo. It appears to have been written by someone with a true axe to grind, and it should be noted that it was the ONLY review of a WDW resort restaurant that was negative. They seemed to go out of their way to find the proverbial silver lining for every other restaurant, but someone/something must have really ticked them off at Ohana! Take it as a grain of sand...

 

[Tina G]

Does anyone know if the Polynesian has hair dryers in the rooms? We stayed at POR on our last trip and I can't remember if they had them or not. We're staying at the Polynesian in 10 days and I'm starting to gather things so I'm not sure whether to take the travel hair dryer or not. Any info is greatly appreciated!

 

[Tina G]

Tinkerbell_325 - I read the time from Poly to AK differently than you did. The first time of 26 minutes is via bus from Poly to AK. The other time of 42 minutes shows taking the monorail to the GF and then transferring to a bus to AK. Why would anyone do that? For almost every destination from the Polynesian, they give an alternate time for taking the monorail to GF and then a bus from there. Is there something I'm missing?

I have a question about the time to Epcot. The time is listed as 20 minutes by bus or 45 minutes by monorail. I thought the monorail would have been the faster route. Even if you walk to the TTC it still would be 30 minutes total according to the site above. Is it really faster via bus? I thought we'd be using the monorail for both MK and Epcot but if it's going to take almost twice as long then we'll do the bus.

 

[DiznEeyore]

Does anyone know if the Polynesian has hair dryers in the rooms? We stayed at POR on our last trip and I can't remember if they had them or not. We're staying at the Polynesian in 10 days and I'm starting to gather things so I'm not sure whether to take the travel hair dryer or not. Any info is greatly appreciated!

Yes, there are definitely hair dryers in the room. No need to pack one!

Have a wonderful trip ... we'll be there about a week after you!

 

[Tina G]

Yes, there are definitely hair dryers in the room. No need to pack one!

Have a wonderful trip ... we'll be there about a week after you!

Thanks so much!

 

[missouridisneyfans]

We have eaten at Ohana's for both dinner and breakfast and the food and atmosphere was great both times. The DISboards are great for information, but remember it is only one person's opinion concerning the issue. I always tell people you have to do what you think is best or try it for yourself before "official" judgment can be made.

 

[SnwflkCts]

I never took the bus to Epcot. That seems funny that that transportation thread says it took less time by bus. I do think it was 20 minutes at least. You go all way around Epcot -- making you LONG to arrive

We always walk to the TTC ... but I have to admit some long nights back from Epcot we actually walked downstairs at the TTC on the way back to the Poly and rode the monorail the short stop back to the GCH. Whew -- sometimes my feet can only take so much!

On one trip they were testing something. It took FOREVER to get to Epcot and we were only going for a couple hours before catching the ME back to the airport so I was really LONGING to arrive!

 

[Jennygt]

I know that I saw this somewhere, what is the deal with internet access?

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

When I stayed in August 2006 High Speed Internet access was available in the rooms. It is a wired connection and they provide a cable in the closet. The charge was $10 per 24 hour period. I'm not sure if they have wireless available anywhere, but it was definitely not available in the rooms.