Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

With so many restaurants on Disney property, how do you choose where to eat? One of my criteria is beautiful scenery. ‘Ohana is located at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. With lovely scenery, it’s no wonder why the restaurants are so popular here. I will usually arrive early to walk around the grounds a bit. Extra bonus are the Dole Whips at Pineapple Lanai on the main level just outside the lobby. Sometimes I get them as an appetizer, though when eating at ‘Ohana, it’s recommended you come with an empty stomach. Head upstairs to check-in. The dinner rush gets hectic, so if you can, I recommend an early or late dinner.

You check-in at the podium on the second-level. There will be a sign. Sometimes they accept walk-ups, but usually you’ll need a reservation. Then you are given a buzzer until it’s time to be seated.

TravelingMom Tip: If you don’t have a reservation and really want to try ‘Ohana for dinner, arrive before the first seating and inquire whether they are accepting walk-ups. I’ve had luck arriving around 3:30 p.m. 

When your buzzer buzzes, it’s time to eat! I’ve eaten here quite a bit, and they occasionally make small menu changes. You may get lucky and get a table with a view. If you eat at the right time you can see the fireworks from Magic Kingdom, and they will pipe in the music during dinner. There’s no harm in asking for a table with a view of Cinderella Castle in the distance when you check-in.

Dinner at ‘Ohana

Now for the food! Dinner at ‘Ohana is served family style, so they bring you big platters of the food to share. Remember cousins, ‘Ohana means familia, so no need to be shy. It’s all-you-can-eat!

First, you start off with ‘Ohana Pineapple-Coconut Bread. So good!

Next, comes the Mixed Greens Salad with a Lilikoi dressing. It tastes citrus-like to me.

I like meat, but honestly, my favorite part about the ‘Ohana meal is the Pork Dumplings tossed in Garlic-Ginger Sauce and the Honey-Coriander Chicken Wings. I dream about those chicken wings in my sleep. With those you also get noodles, tossed in a Teriyaki Sauce, and stir-fried vegetables.

I usually fill up on all that before the additional meat skewers arrive. If you run out of something, just ask for more! They’ll be happy to bring you another platter or you can choose which foods you would like. They also bring a peanut sauce and sweet and sour sauce to accompany the sides and meat.

Now come the skewers! Servers will come around to your table and offer different skewers of  Spicy Grilled Peel-n-Eat Shrimp, Sweet-n-Sour Chicken, and Szechuan Sirloin Steak. All are prepared over an oak fire that you can see in the middle of the restaurant.

And for the best part, el postre – dessert! ‘Ohana Bread Pudding is served à la mode with Bananas-Caramel Sauce. They pour the sauce right on top of the ice cream before your very eyes. It’s amazing. I also ask for extra ice cream, because well, why not?

‘Ohana for Children

Kids can eat what’s on the regular menu or they can order a kids’ meal. A couple of my younger children prefer a cheeseburger or chicken nuggets. Regardless what your child eats, they’ll pay the same price.

No characters here for dinner, only during breakfast, but that doesn’t mean your children won’t be entertained. They do have coconut races around the restaurant for children. At certain points in the night they’ll hand out brooms and coconuts and the kids can scoot them around the restaurant. Mis hijas think it’s pretty funny.

If you or your child has a food allergy, just let your server know when you arrive. One of my daughters has a peanut allergy. So we don’t get the sauces delivered to the table. The chef will come out and discuss your options and make something you or your child can eat safely. Disney really is the best at accommodating guests with food allergies.

Is Dinner at ‘Ohana Worth the Price?

For my family of 7, ‘Ohana is reserved for a special occasion, because it’s expensive. When it’s just me with friends, then absolutely I’ll eat here, no question. Dinner is approximately $46 for adults and $26 for children under 10. If your child decides to have a cheeseburger for dinner, then it stings a bit to spend $26 for that and french fries. Well and they get dessert, too. So then I usually tell them to eat all the ice cream they want to get my money’s worth.

Sometimes service is a little spotty at ‘Ohana, but it’s usually a reliable standby. My family and I love it! I just wish we could afford it every time we visit Walt Disney World. If you haven’t tried ‘Ohana before, I recommend giving it a chance if the menu looks appealing. Just save me some bread pudding please.