Why no signature dining @ Poly?

[utopia74]

If I'm not mistaken, all the other deluxe resorts have at least 1 "Signature Dining" place. Poly just has 'Ohana and Kona, which are both excellent but not really "signature dining" (which usually equates to really expensive food and possibly a 'special' atmosphere..and 2 credits on the DDP). I wonder why this is, considering some of the less expensive deluxe resorts (WL, AKL, YC) have them.

 

[chartle]

Maybe because it has the luau.

 

[PrincessNoelle'sMom]

Maybe because it has the luau.

Poly is the only resort that has a dinner show = 2 TS = signature dining

 

[Uncleromulus]

Well--they HAD what would now be a Signature restaurant there years ago. Right where that awful 'Ohana is now. Papeete Bay Verandah it was called--Pacific Rim food, had a 3-piece Hawaiian Combo and a hula dancer providing quiet (ala Alfred Apaka) entertainment each evening.

 

[TDC Nala]

The Beach Club and the two DVC resorts (Saratoga Springs and OKW) don't have signature restaurants (BC has Yachtsman's Steakhouse and Flying Fish close by though). As for the Polynesian, the atmosphere there is more casual than the other monorail resorts, and there are four signature restaurants (if you count CRT) and Victoria and Albert's within a short monorail ride, so I can't think that Polynesian might particularly have need of a signature restaurant. And it's true, they do have a dinner show. Not sure Polynesian has the space for one - it was built before Disney started putting signature restaurants in anywhere. California Grill didn't start out as a signature restaurant, it used to be something like a dinner show or dinner theater. I forget what it used to be called, Top of the World or something.

AKL and AKV are not close to anything else and WL isn't on the monorail, so it might have been considered that they needed to have their own.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Immediately prior to the California Grill was a Broadway Show type venue. Broadway at the Top I believe it was called.
But before that it was a "super" Signature supper club/restaurant with big name entertainment. I know Rosemary Clooney appeared there and we saw Billy Eckstein the night we went.
BUt TDC Nala is probably right. Once they got rid of Papeete Bay, there were other Signature spots right nearby so no need to open yet another....

 

[goofy4prez]

Well--they HAD what would now be a Signature restaurant there years ago. Right where that awful 'Ohana is now. Papeete Bay Verandah it was called--Pacific Rim food, had a 3-piece Hawaiian Combo and a hula dancer providing quiet (ala Alfred Apaka) entertainment each evening.

Hey, I love that Awful Ohana.

 

[Disney Fool]

Well--they HAD what would now be a Signature restaurant there years ago. Right where that awful 'Ohana is now. Papeete Bay Verandah it was called--Pacific Rim food, had a 3-piece Hawaiian Combo and a hula dancer providing quiet (ala Alfred Apaka) entertainment each evening.

Ah, memories! They also had another restaurant where they now have the video arcade. Pretty nice place,too, if I remember. Was that Tangaroa Terrace? -or is that the bar? It was a separate building near the Neverland Club.

 

[Belle5]

. Right where that awful 'Ohana is now.

Tell us how you REALLY feel, Uncle! Seriously, have you actually eaten there? Or are you just put off by the antics as you pass by? This sounds like it's right up there with Fulton's for you. I don't think 'Ohana's is "all that", either...but I don't think it's awful. (Though it can be when you order well done meat and it comes out blood red inside and charred black on the outside )

 

[goofy4prez]

:. (Though it can be when you order well done meat and it comes out blood red inside and charred black on the outside )

That's the only way to serve beef.

 

[DisCopper]

It would be cool if they put a signature dining restaurant out on the small island off the beach of the Polynesian (the one that used to have the wave machine). Boat access only, tiki-torch lighted pathways, quiet, upscale dining, romantic atmosphere....

Probably be very difficult to get the plumbing set up though.

Also, for some very weird reason, Google Maps is listing something called "Los Generales Mexican Grill and Bar" on that island!!!

 

[Uncleromulus]

Belle: We did eat there--once. It was enough. The antics were far too much to endure. It can't hold a candle to Papeete Bay...
Disney Fool: Yep. It was the Tangaroa Terrace. Pretty good dinner spot and an EXCELLENT breakfast buffet.

 

[BCV23]

Tangaroa Terrace also served a great a la carte breakfast for some years before they added the buffet. Tonga Toast was served there but under a different name.

Papeete Bay had a great breakfast buffet back in the 80s. Just wonderful.

In the last year or so before Tangaroa Terrace closed, buffet dinners were offered there. Different theme every night. We never tried that though.

Re signature meals, that is a fairly recent designation and happened long after Papeete Bay closed and 'Ohana started. As others said, there were other options nearby. However, I'm pretty sure Citricos wasn't open at that point. It was still Flaglers. Narcoosee's food was very different then, too.

'Ohana occupies such a beautiful spot that I so wish it could move back to something more like Papeete Bay. However, so many people love it and is is so full all the time that I don't hold much hope.

 

[astraltravel]

I remember Papeete Bay, and the musicians and miss it, as all there is there now is a big old flat screen tv for the sports fans. We like Ohana but think that the bar and waiting area could be upgraded to more of a "Trader Vic's""Tiki" atmosphere. Disney is missing an opportunity to provide a much nicer atmosphere for pre-Ohana dining.
Where is the romance? As you enjoy your tropical drink you are forced to watch sports.
Let em go to ESPN for that.

 

[astraltravel]

I remember Papeete Bay, and the musicians and miss it, as all there is there now is a big old flat screen tv for the sports fans. We like Ohana but think that the bar and waiting area could be upgraded to more of a "Trader Vic's""Tiki" atmosphere. Disney is missing an opportunity to provide a much nicer atmosphere for pre-Ohana dining.
Where is the romance? As you enjoy your tropical drink you are forced to watch sports.
Let em go to ESPN for that.

 

[ElizabethB]

This thread brought back happy memories of Papeete Bay and Tangaroa Terrace. Thanks!

We also "dined" once at 'Ohana. Never again.