What time for 'Ohana ADR to watch Wishes?

[diswiththree]

I have a 7:05PM ADR for 'Ohana. But I've read that it's nice to time that meal with Wishes which happens to be at 10PM that evening. Should I change the time to be later? Is it better to still be dining when Wishes starts or timed to finish just before and head outside to watch? Thanks for your help!!!

 

[JerseyJanice]

You were lucky to get that time! Ohana is becoming a difficult ADR to get.

That would be a perfect time for you to eat and go to the beach and see Wishes. I've never done it myself, but I imagine it's lovely. I've read that they pipe in the soundtrack in through speakers planted on the beach. That's even enough time to get to the MK and see it there, although that won't work if you weren't planning to use MK tickets that day.

I have been inside the restaurant to see Wishes. There is a large window in Ohana that overlooks the volcano pool and has a fabulous view of the fireworks. The restaurant dims its lights, plays the Wishes soundtrack over its speakers, and ceases most activity while the show is on. So you need to be seated already when the show begins. In that case, you would want an ADR 1 1/2 to 2 hours before the start of Wishes.

In 8/08, we were enjoying dessert while the show was on. It was breathtaking. One of those moments when you become friends with everyone seated nearby and have "Ah" moments together.

 

[ValinWV]

Our Dinner experience at Ohana we were seated well after our ADR. It was perfect timing as they were just starting to serve dessert as wishes began. I am pretty sure it was a 7pm or 7:30 ADR

 

[AlohaAnnie]

Last Year in June we had an ADR for 8:10pm for Ohana and Wishes started at 9pm that night. We were seated and got to enjoy the show. It was great! So I would say find out what time Wishes starts and get an ADR for around 40 to 55 minutes before the show starts. We had a table close to the window and we were still able to see the show and they piped the music through. Great Dinner and a great time. There was a couple that were just married with family! It was a hoot! So it does not hurt to try to get a different ADR, you can always keep the one you have if a closer time is not available. And Just think, if your dinner is over and you have to leave to free up the table for another family. You could always go out to the Poly Beach and watch the show from there! Good luck!

 

[B-Ride]

The chances of getting a table with a good view of Wishes aren't great. We have eaten at 'Ohana 4 times and never have.

I would keep your reservation and plan to be finished by 8:50PM.

You can then head on down to the beach and watch the Electric Water Pageant which usually runs at 9:00. If you don't stay at one of the monorail you may not even know that this gem exists. Definitely worth catching.

Afterwards you can explore the shops at the Poly and then head to the beach to watch Wishes. Personally, I prefer to jump on the monorail and head over to MK to watch Wishes, but then I am a Wishes fanatic and like to see it up close.

 

[diswiththree]

I'm liking my 7:05PM ADR more and more! Thanks for the tip about the Electrical Water Pageant!!

 

[Girly_Qs]

Hoping ours works!

We've got 'Ohana at 6:40, Wishes is at 8:00 that night. Could be tight, but hopefully we'll pull it off!

 

[jdisnut]

I made a 6:35 reservation at 'Ohana in January, not even considering the possibility of seeing Wishes. I knew intuitively that it was feasible to see the fireworks from the restaurant, but I certainly did not book dinner expecting any extra entertainment. So imagine my surprise when the lights suddenly dimmed and the familiar music blared as we were finishing our bread pudding!

'Ohana is notorious for long waits, even with a reservation, but I fear your time is too early for wishes, unless you plan to linger over your meal. Because dinner at 'Ohana is served family style, dinner tends to move quicker than at other places with a traditional menu.

This is a blessing in your case. Most tables do not have great views of Wishes. I suggest finishing dinner and moseying out to the beach. The view there is lovely, and the music is piped in through outdoor speakers.

Have fun!

 

[waynesgirl]

I have my bday meal set for 9:30 on the 22nd. Just out of curiosity-should I get there about 30 minutes early so I can make sure to get on the list to be seated by 9:30? It is just me and my DH-so crowds don't bother us, but I made that reservation for that time so we could see Wishes. Or should we just wing it and grab a drink and stroll outside?

But reading this and other similar posts, it really seems a bit unfair for people to say things like: drag your meal out long enough to watch the fireworks, causing others that made a correct reservation time in order to do so be denied the very same thing as well as causing a backlog in the waiting times to be seated. That's why I am asking my above question...

I'm not, by any means, denying someone the opportunity to see the fireworks, but for people to make reservations at 7ish, and intentionally drag out their meal time 3 hours to see the fireworks seems a bit much. I like to eat at a leisurely pace, especially when I am paying good money, but even for European countries who eat at a less-frantic pace, over 3 hours is a long time.
Anyway, fun to all, regardless...

 

[diswiththree]

Mine was the original post and my question was about whether or not I should change my reservation in order to time it with Wishes. I would never sit three hours, taking up a table, in order to do so. Just clarifying my position on this : )

I think I'm going to keep my original ADR. No guarantees (and unlikely) that we'd even get a table with a view of Wishes. So I'm getting excited about watching it outside from the beach!

 

[Girly_Qs]

Ditto OP.

I had a 6:40 ressie with an 8:00 Wishes. Probably would've 'timed' pretty well, for Wishes at the end of our meal. BUT, since others have pointed out how few tables really have a good view of it (and because my girls would be so disappointed to not be able to see it), we changed our ADR to 5:30 and will eat and enjoy the Poly for a bit, then hit the Poly Beach for the show (and maybe even hang around for the Electrical Water Parade if my girls can stay up that late, lol).

 

[Pink Mouse Ears]

I agree with many of the above replies- keep your time. We did 'Ohana around 6:30 or 7 on a night when Wishes was at 10. By the time dinner was over, we walked around the Poly a bit...there are some great photo ops there (by the waterfall, etc.) Then, find a lounge chair on the beach, and get comfy for the water pageant and fireworks.

 

[CrabbyPatty]

Thanks for this thread. I just checked my ADRs and we have a 7:40 p.m. reservation for Ohanas on a night when the fireworks start at 9:00 p.m. So it sounds like either we'll be able to watch the fireworks from the restaurant if we get seated a bit late, or we'll be able to get out to the Poly Beach in time. Should be fun either way!

 

[waynesgirl]

Mine was the original post and my question was about whether or not I should change my reservation in order to time it with Wishes. I would never sit three hours, taking up a table, in order to do so. Just clarifying my position on this : )

I think I'm going to keep my original ADR. No guarantees (and unlikely) that we'd even get a table with a view of Wishes. So I'm getting excited about watching it outside from the beach!

Didn't mean to make it seem hateful-sorry!


I'm jealous actually-I wanted to watch from the beach but nothing available to allow me so the CM talked me into being there later so we could have a table. I don't like to ask but I am thinking about sending an email to request a table near the windows, as I am sure so many others had the same idea.

I don't like to take up tables either-being a former server I understand that the more turnover a table has, the more money the server makes, but I really have decided that watching Wishes in the park when we don't have our kids is too crowded, especially during spring break times.


Fun to all-enjoy! I will-regardless of the view!