Which is Quicker: Ohana or Kona?

[ewerstruly]

We'll be going to WDW for the Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween party in 2011and staying at the Poly. Before we go over, we'll need to feed the kiddos. You can (I've heard) enter the party as early as 4pm (party actually starts at 7pm). As much as I'd love to feed the kids an early dinner (before 4) or late lunch (then be at the party by 4pm) ... I know that wouldn't work with them.

So ... I can get reservations at Ohana or Kona for dinner at 5 pm (before the party). I have heard some stories on here about check-in troubles at Ohana ... or just simply long dining experiences. We don't want to rush through our meal, but would like to get over to the pary asap. Opinions, please, on which of these two sit-downs might have quicker dinner service. Thanks.

 

[clanmcculloch]

Eat at Captain Cooks. Sleep in that day and book as late of a breakfast ADR at 'Ohana as you can and then lounge around the resort all day so you'll be rested up for the party.

 

[Gigi22]

Haven't ever been to Ohana. Most of the times we have been to Kona, the service is fairly snappy. If you are having an early dinner at 5 p.m., I doubt there would be a rush of other customers there.

 

[jakespop]

Kona is much quicker. Ohana is a family style and will take some time. It's well worth it but if you are in a hurry you are better off at Kona or the counter service elsewhere

 

[TDluvsDaisy]

Kona will be quicker. We have stayed at the Poly twice and visited many times and the line for Ohana is always long. Even at opening time.

 

[MylilTink]

My vote is for Kona Cafe as well; we've eaten at both and enjoyed the Kona Cafe much more.

 

[minniebeth]

I would go with the majority and go with Kona, although that has not been my personal experience. We've eaten at Kona several times ('Ohana many times) and the times we've been there, service has been exceptionally
s-l-o-w. If you decide to go with Kona and find your service is slower than you would like, I would communicate your time constraints with your server.

I'm not a huge Kona fan, but will be staying at the Polynesian on our upcoming trip and look forward to trying it again to maybe hit it right this time.

Hope you enjoy whatever you pick!

 

[disneypolybride2008]

Kona is great and quick. sometimes TOO quick as we have had a server on the right side of the restaurant, the smaller size, a nice man but he really rushes you! He doesnt let a second go by un-noticed.. which is great when in a hurry. dont remember his name though. so yes Kona can be very quickl. Ohana takes longer, they bring out the food in courses and the waiters have never been as attentive as Kona. I couldnt even get a straw last time b/c our waiter would fly by so fast just dropping off food that i could NOT get a word in.

 

[beachclub]

Ohana will take FOREVER to seat you. But will ALWAYS feed you quick.
Its prob the quickest dinner take away the wait to be seated..Its one of those feed em fast to get the next party in cause
we overbooked restaurants

Kona will seat you quick but the one time we ate there (party of 2) it took quite a while for food serivce.

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I've been to 'Ohana 4 times, Kona twice. 'Ohana has been quicker by far for us, we've experienced extremely slow service... OK, well everything, at Kona. I agree that actual dining time is quicker at 'Ohana, you can always arrive early, like at 4 or so, and you should definitely be seated by 5. If you're moderately quick eaters, you can be at MK by 6.

IMO, you should look into eating at Crystal Palace. You can get an ADR at 4:30. Or perhaps Liberty Tree Tavern.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

In my experience, Kona is much quicker!

Hope that helps!

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

I guess this means, in theory Kona should be quicker BUT there's a good enough chance it won't be. Is it worth missing the beginning of the party?

 

[beachclub]

If this is your first party....Id also recommend going with Liberty Tree.
Its really not worth missing the beginning of the party if it is your first party
YES things dont get going till around 8pm(dance party, stage show, fireworks at 9ish and parade...) but dont rush yourself through the party cause you had to eat late. A friend of mine just went to her firsrt halloween party in OCT
and the one thing she mentioned she would have done different was arrive earlier than she did. THis is the honest truth, not making it up just to swade you.

Liberty Tree is a wonderful Dinner and is also a quick one where I think you can even begin dinner around 4pm be out by 5, step out the door and you are already in the party, Go with Liberty Tree

I guess this means, in theory Kona should be quicker BUT there's a good enough chance it won't be. Is it worth missing the beginning of the party?

 

[Nermel9]

This past November, we had a dinner ADR at O'hana at 5:00 , checked in about 15 minutes early, and there was already a mob of people checking in. We didn't get seated until about 5:15 and while our server was great, it takes a while to eat. I wanted to be at the Christmas party by 6:30...we were lucky we made it there by 7, it took forever! I'd love to go back to O'hana, the dinner was really good, and the dessert is amazing, but I would NOT do it before one of the parties if you want to get there early!

I would try to get an early dinner ADR in the park. Liberty tree or Tony's or something. Save the Poly for a day you don't have to rush over to MK!

 

[kerri0616]

I wouldn't go to either restaurant if I were in a rush. If I'm paying for a nice meal at a TS restaurant, I'm going to enjoy it and not watch the clock and stress about arriving at the Party before the crowds.

I'd do a nice character breakfast and then a quick serve meal for "lunch-dinner" early enough that I could arrive at the party at 4pm. Have snacks during the party.

K

 

[cbg1027]

I second the idea of just going to Capt Cook's for CS.

But if you're bent on a TS, go with Kona. You will wait less to time to be seated and in my experience, it's a quicker meal.

 

[luvdisney00]

When we did MNSSHP we did a 4pm ADR at CP and it worked out great. We were out around 5:10 to enjoy the party. You could also do a bigger lunch or breakfast at the Poly and do a CS dinner in the park around 5. Don't give up much party time to eat, it is a fun time and it goes by fast enough.