Ugh. Just commiserate with me + maybe give me some hope. :P

[photophreak]

I haven't been very familiar with the Disney table service restaurants, but since we got the DDP, I am becoming more familiar. We didn't lock in our vacation until about 4 months prior to when we arrive (DUMB!!), and I lollygagged a little longer on making reservations, just checking out restaurants, reading reviews, trying to involve my hubby + kids.

Now that I have been listening to The Dis podcast, and reading a lot, I am KICKING myself + obsessed with the fact that I can not get a reservation for Ohana. haha!! I've been rechecking availability every few days and so far nothing.

I'm happy to say that I think I got reservations at pretty good spots for all the meals we will be having table service, but I just have become obsessed with Ohana because the reviews are SO GOOD! (And I'm very glad to say that we didn't choose ANY of the restaurants on The Dis' worst list- and several on the best list! But NOT OHANA!)

So tell me. What has your experience been with getting a coveted reservation, maybe even at the last minute? Should I hold out hope, or just plan for next time we're there.

 

[maxiesmom]

Go over to Touring Plans . com. They have a reservation finder that I have had great luck with. They do charge a small fee to sign up for their service, but you get a lot for a small amount of money.

 

[photophreak]

Go over to Touring Plans . com. They have a reservation finder that I have had great luck with. They do charge a small fee to sign up for their service, but you get a lot for a small amount of money.

Ooooh thanks for the heads up!!

 

[alex9179]

Go over to Touring Plans . com. They have a reservation finder that I have had great luck with. They do charge a small fee to sign up for their service, but you get a lot for a small amount of money.

There isn't a fee to use the reservation finder. You can register without buying the membership. That's what I did because I don't use their plans/wait time app.

 

[eeyoresmom]

Have you downloaded the MDE app to your phone? I check several times a day when I am stalking an ADR.

 

[photophreak]

Have you downloaded the MDE app to your phone? I check several times a day when I am stalking an ADR.

Yes, I do have it! Good idea. I will skip a few rounds of Candy Crush and stalk Ohana in my spare minutes. haha!

 

[CandiceF]

My family decided they might want to try 'Ohana a month before our trip. It was frustrating because I was up early on the day my ADR window opened and saw 'Ohana and could have booked it! I looked a couple times everyday and couldn't find a reservation. When we were on our vacation I checked once a day and found a reservation for 5 on our day off! Just be persistent and you should get it!

 

[DisMommyTX]

Lots of openings will appear in the last two weeks and especially the two or three days before the reservation date. If it is that important to you, just keep checking!

 

[photophreak]

My family decided they might want to try 'Ohana a month before our trip. It was frustrating because I was up early on the day my ADR window opened and saw 'Ohana and could have booked it! I looked a couple times everyday and couldn't find a reservation. When we were on our vacation I checked once a day and found a reservation for 5 on our day off! Just be persistent and you should get it!

AWESOME to hear!! Thanks for sharing! (My party is a party of 5 too... haha!)

 

[photophreak]

Lots of openings will appear in the last two weeks and especially the two or three days before the reservation date. If it is that important to you, just keep checking!

Thanks! I definitely will!

 

[Nancyg56]

Keep looking, but if you do not manage 'Ohana, I would not be too upset. It is officially off our list for a while after the last fiasco of a meal. I know I seem to be in teh minority, btu I think that there are a few restaurants that do not have the hype ''Ohana has and are much better.

 

[photophreak]

Keep looking, but if you do not manage 'Ohana, I would not be too upset. It is officially off our list for a while after the last fiasco of a meal. I know I seem to be in teh minority, btu I think that there are a few restaurants that do not have the hype ''Ohana has and are much better.

Inquiring minds want to know. haha! What happened? (or is it in a thread somewhere already?)

 

[Nancyg56]

Inquiring minds want to know. haha! What happened? (or is it in a thread somewhere already?)

Oh gosh, the question is what went right?

We had a family of 9, and were seated late. We were planning on it so no harm. We were seated next to a large party with three adults and 6 children from hell. Jumping, chanting, clapping in the aisles and in the seats. Parents ignored them. Our poor server was frazzled and avoided them as much as possible, which had her avoiding us. We did not blame her or hold her responsible. There was a manager holding up the wall right behind us who watched this entire mess going on and never stepped in to assist the server. Add cold food and stringy dry meat and it was a mess. The only positive was that we had two little girls with us, and all Summer long they had practiced their "best manners" so they would be prepared for dinners in a close setting that might be extended longer than what they were used to. They were given a teaching moment because when two little ones are impacted by other kids horrific behavior without seeing parental intervention, it is an eyeopener.

I am not going back for a while, and this was a family favorite of ours. I believe this restaurant is a victim of it's own success.

 

[photophreak]

Oh gosh, the question is what went right?

We had a family of 9, and were seated late. We were planning on it so no harm. We were seated next to a large party with three adults and 6 children from hell. Jumping, chanting, clapping in the aisles and in the seats. Parents ignored them. Our poor server was frazzled and avoided them as much as possible, which had her avoiding us. We did not blame her or hold her responsible. There was a manager holding up the wall right behind us who watched this entire mess going on and never stepped in to assist the server. Add cold food and stringy dry meat and it was a mess. The only positive was that we had two little girls with us, and all Summer long they had practiced their "best manners" so they would be prepared for dinners in a close setting that might be extended longer than what they were used to. They were given a teaching moment because when two little ones are impacted by other kids horrific behavior without seeing parental intervention, it is an eyeopener.

I am not going back for a while, and this was a family favorite of ours. I believe this restaurant is a victim of it's own success.

That does sound horrible. How sweet that your two little girls were practicing their manners though!! One thing I pride myself on is the fact that even though my 3 boys can be total hell on wheels at home, especially with just me (what can I say? I'm a pushover. They're cute. )- they know how to behave properly in public, and especially at a restaurant.

 

[Nancyg56]

That does sound horrible. How sweet that your two little girls were practicing their manners though!! One thing I pride myself on is the fact that even though my 3 boys can be total hell on wheels at home, especially with just me (what can I say? I'm a pushover. They're cute. )- they know how to behave properly in public, and especially at a restaurant.

I had three and holy smokes, sometimes it was chaos! But they always knew what I expected from them if we left the house. my DD taught my DGD as well. The little girls we brought were adorable, and their Mom did a fantastic job teaching them how to behave, but I think that the long meals, when combined with all of the waiting and stimulation could have been a problem, so my DD and I would take them out for dinner and tell them to show us their Disney manners.

You are right, it is how they behave when you are away from home that matters!