"Typical" Ohana time to eat?

[dobtia]

We have Ohana booked for Wednesday June 7th. We are so excited and this is our first time.

We are doing MK from Rope Drop until noon. Rest for a bit and then we get Ohana at 3:40 (only time available). We want to look around Poly for a bit before we head back to MK for evening EMH.

Just planning some times in my mind so I ask .....how long do you normally spend on the meal time? Thanks ahead.....and once again....so excited....

 

[disneyvoice]

Unfortunately, in my experience this is one of the most rushed restaurants in all of WDW. If you want a quicker meal you will have no problem at all. We actually stopped making ADRs for 'Ohana because we always felt horrible after eating here. Not because anything was wrong with the food - it's very good - but because the pace at which you are continually presented with skewers from the kitchen leads to what we feel is somewhat of a frenzied dining experience. I honestly don't know what it is about 'Ohana that always leads me to overeat. I'm perfectly comfortable saying no to food but it's like everything happens so fast that before I even realize it, I have completely stuffed myself. I would recommend being EXTREMELY aware of how fast you are eating and how much food you are eating in a short time so you don't end up being uncomfortable.

Mind you this isn't a criticism of 'Ohana. We realize that even though everyone has ADRs the wait at 'Ohana can be insane so it is completely understandable that they want to get people in and out as fast as possible. I think it's just that the food is way heavier than what we usually eat so being rushed to eat that heavy of a meal just doesn't work for my family.

 

[Figmentmommy]

We have Ohana booked for Wednesday June 7th. We are so excited and this is our first time.

We are doing MK from Rope Drop until noon. Rest for a bit and then we get Ohana at 3:40 (only time available). We want to look around Poly for a bit before we head back to MK for evening EMH.

Just planning some times in my mind so I ask .....how long do you normally spend on the meal time? Thanks ahead.....and once again....so excited....

I would generally plan for 90 minutes. Our family has eaten at 'Ohana since 1997 and we have never felt rushed during our meal. In fact, we find this to be one of our lengthier meals. Funny how different people can have different experiences. Also know that you can set the pace for your meal. If you find it moving too fast for your preference just ask your server to slow it down and give you some more time between servings. 'Ohana is a must do for our family each trip. Hopefully you will enjoy it just as much!

 

[Cinderella94]

Be prepared to be seated 20 minutes late, and then eat for over an hour. We find this to be one of our lengthier meals too, and we have dinner once a year.

 

[mom2my3kids]

LOVE OHANA....Its our splurge meal, only one time did we feel rushed. We learned our lesson and don't let them rush us, for the money we are paying we are taking our time..

 

[peg110]

Be prepared to be seated 20 minutes late, and then eat for over an hour. We find this to be one of our lengthier meals too, and we have dinner once a year.

This has been our experience too... Although we have never done the Dinner O'hana, only breakfast, but pretty much the same.

For our Breakfast though... our group of 5 would go through the initial serving and be wanting more rather quickly, but we find it's much harder to get them to come back with re-fills. Again, that was our experience at breakfast.

All this being said, if you wanted to stay longer, you could. I get that they do try to rush you out, but the reality is, it's an AYCE meal. For us, however, as long as we get to meet the characters (and well.... let's face it, STITCH), it's what makes the meal complete, for us anyway.

No if you want to talk about a "Rushed" meal.... The CRT at the castle.... THAT was a RUSHED meal. OMG, I dont' think they could have rushed it out any more. For the price, though.... I was not happy with it. Glad we did it but probably never do it again. We were even rushed by the Character meet/greets. There were 5 in our group. (Me, DW, DD18 and her BF21, and DD11) DD18 and BF21 wanted a picture. DW and I wanted a Picture of DD11 as well as one with both of us. It seems like after ONE picture... they were ready to move on. Yup... Never again.

 

[4Spen]

I agree that O'Hana is one of the longer meals we do each trip. In fact, we plan 2 hours for the meal when we go. We have a reservation in June and I selected 4:15. (usually do 6:00ish) I'm hoping an earlier reservation time will make for a shorter meal experience.

 

[dobtia]

Thanks for the replies. We have 3:40 which is right around the beginning of service. We have never seen Poly so was hoping to spend about an hour looking around after dinner. We have 7:15 - 8:15 fastpass window for 7 Dwarfs Mine Train. Sounds like we should have plenty of time to eat and enjoy with enough to time to look around.

 

[cazzius]

Excellent! I have a 17:00 ADR for 'Ohana four our trip in September. I was originally disappointed that I couldn't get later - it's our last night and I had a genius plan to have a drink or two at Trader Sam's, eat at 'Ohana then enjoy Wishes from the Poly beach.

I almost think it's worked out better now if we need to allow 2 hrs for dinner, as we'll be done around 19:00, maybe still have that drink in Trader Sam's, then hop on the Monorail to either Magic Kingdom or Epcot to enjoy the fireworks up close (I hear the new fireworks in MK are better facing the Castle dead on)

Hope you have a great time, OP

 

[peg110]

We have never seen Poly so was hoping to spend about an hour looking around after dinner.

The just finished a renovation of their lobby area not too long ago. I think I liked it better though before the renovations. It's still a beautiful resort. My DW loves to spend time in their shops too. One up stairs (same level as O'hana) with more souvenir type stuff, and then one downstairs (main floor) with clothing and higher end souvenirs (paintings included). She can spend hours between those 2 stores. I just need to make sure I keep MY wallet Firmly in my hands lest it gets empty.