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Like anyone else, when planning our dining experiences at Walt Disney World, I take into consideration if it’s a good fit for my family. I’m slightly more adventurous than my husband and daughter, but not by much. ‘Ohana had been on my radar, but I didn’t know if my family would like it. Sometimes they humor me and go somewhere just because I want to try it; then we get them chicken strips or something similar later.

I’m happy to report that ‘Ohana  at Walt Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort is a great match for us. We’ve been there for dinner twice, and I wouldn’t hesitate to eat there during any Disney trip. Sometimes it gets mixed reviews, but we’ve had great experiences.

Walt Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

We’ve never stayed at the Poly, but we love to stay a monorail stop away at Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary. While the Poly is beautiful, it’s hard to beat walking to and from the Magic Kingdom when things get busy. Since I’m a teacher and we travel only in the summer, things are often busy, especially at night when the fireworks are over. Instead of waiting for the monorail or a boat, we simply walk back to our room. This is also handy for getting to the Magic Kingdom at rope drop–very handy if you’re there in the summer and take afternoon breaks.

While you’re at the Poly, be sure to check out the resort. So beautiful!

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

It’s such a lovely resort to explore.

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Just checking out the plant life is worthwhile.

Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

We try to get an early seating for dinner, but since ‘Ohana is popular, you may have to take what you can get. This is one to book at the 180-day  Advance Dining Reservation, or ADR. You could  get lucky and score one later, but if it’s somewhere you really want to try, book early. We like to have dinner early at Disney in the summer; it’s still rather warm at 5:00-6:00 pm, and the reservations will be less likely to run behind. We’re usually coming off of an afternoon break at that time, and after dinner, we head to a park.

Arriving at ‘Ohana

'Ohana at Disney World

We try to arrive at our dining destination at least 15 minutes before our ADR time. After you check in, you’ll probably have to wait until your table is available. If you get a buzzer, you can explore a little. We like to check out the gift shops.

The Polynesian Village Resort

When your table is ready, your “cousin” will grab you some delicious pineapple bread and seat you in the dining room.

Bread at 'Ohana

The dining room allows you to feel like you’re at a banquet with your family.

'Ohana's dining room

And you just may be able to see Cinderella’s Castle from your table!

'Ohana's dining room

The Food at ‘Ohana

Now this is why I loved our dinner here–the food. After we placed our drink orders, our “cousin” brought us a plate with pot stickers (aka fried dumplings), lo mein noodles, stir-fry veggies, and honey-coriander wings.  You’ll get a couple of dipping sauces–peanut and sweet and sour.

Pot stickers and noodles at 'Ohana

She also brought out a big bowl of delicious salad. Pace yourselves! You could easily fill up on just these items!

Salad at 'Ohana

Now Jeff and Kristin really don’t eat any of these foods. Jeff may have tried a wing. ‘Ohana is pretty accommodating for kids; they will serve you the kids food from Kona and Captain Cook’s upon request. So if your child (or husband) would rather have chicken nuggets or macaroni, no problem!

Children's chicken nuggets at 'Ohana

Luckily, the main course at ‘Ohana is skewered meats off the fire, so Jeff enjoyed steak and chicken.

Fire pit at 'Ohana

I did, too. It’s also fun to have your “cousin” serve the meat. Just a note–they have shrimp also, but we aren’t huge seafood people, so we just did chicken and steak.

Serving the meat at 'Ohana

If you can, save room for dessert. Kristin and Jeff had the kids’ Rice Krispies treats.

Kids' dessert at 'Ohana

But the best dessert, maybe the best on Disney property, is the ‘Ohana Bread Pudding with Bananas Foster sauce.

Bread pudding at 'Ohana

‘Ohana is all-you-can-eat, and it’s hard to save room for all the goodness. But try, you’ll be glad you did!

Fun at ‘Ohana

Ukulele player at 'Ohana

‘Ohana is also a fun place to eat. You’ll probably get to hear some ukulele while you’re there, and kids get to do coconut races. Kristin loved getting a flower lei.

'Ohana

‘Ohana is a great addition to any Walt Disney World trip. It’s a flexible place for kids and picky eaters, and  you won’t leave hungry. We love making memories while dining at Disney, and I hope your family makes some great memories, too!

Ohana Walt Disney World
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Other great dining experiences at Walt Disney World:

Chef Mickey’s

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Be Our Guest Restaurant

Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast

Click here to read more about the Disney Dining Plan written by Lisa at Planning Away!

29 Comments

  1. I have a vague memory of maybe being here when I was a child with my parents but I don’t recall for sure. Based on this post I may have to be sure I go next time.

  2. Angela Sedlak | Mean Green Chef Reply

    We’ve stayed at the Poly several times and Ohana is always on the list to enjoy! Dumpling are my fave 🙂 thanks for sharing!

  3. Looks like alot of fun. I was there years ago – for a conference. I think that you guys had more fun than I did. What a great trip. Thanks for sharing.

  4. What a fun place for a family to stay..looks like you had an amazing experience! Thank you for sharing this!

  5. Tricia Snow Reply

    The Polynesian was always a favorite as a kid! You have inspired me to rivist it!

  6. Bread pudding and bananas fosters are my favorites – together, omg!

  7. As many times as we have been to Disney, we have never tried this. I think we will have to change that.It looks absolutely wonderful!

  8. Looks like a great place for dinner with the kids, we will have to try it the next time we are in Orlando

  9. The views were gorgeous! Steak and chicken are our favorites, we would be in heaven! Thank you for sharing your families awesome experience!

  10. I have a little (not so little) cousin who LOVES Stitch and always has since she was little. Will need to go here with her one day ♥

  11. Suzan | It's My Sustainable Life Reply

    So many new places I’ve yet to visit at Disney. Looks like an appetizing spot!

  12. Sydney Delong Reply

    Im drooling over that bread pudding! I will have to add this to my list for the next Disney trip!

  13. I think I’m going to have to try this place in May when we’re in Florida. A lot of great information! Thanks!

  14. This sounds amazing. I love Polynesian food! I’m an adventurous eater, so this is right up my alley!

  15. We have been there and absolutely love it. Now we have food allergies, but the chefs are so good about accommodating anything we need. My kids liked the coconut races and parade they had the kids do too.

  16. This looks like a really fun restaurant to eat at! I’ll have to remember this if we ever make it to WDW!

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