‘Ohana is one of my favorite restaurants in Walt Disney World. This restaurant is set inside the Polynesian Resort, on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House. It is toward the back of the house, going out to the pool area.
The restaurant is open for a character breakfast, as well as dinner. Reservations are suggested, and for the prime seating, they should be made several weeks in advance. Prime seating is next to a window overlooking Cinderella’s Castle and the Magic Kingdom. Prime dining time is right at fireworks, during which they dim the lights and pipe in the fireworks music. It is a not-to-miss.
‘Ohana means ‘family’, and this restaurant really makes you feel like that. Periodically throughout the night, they have events like coconut races and hula-hoop contests for the children in the aisles. When it is busy here, your host will give you a buzzer and guide you in the direction of the bar next door or the waiting area just outside the restaurant. They do have bar service here, as well. Once you are able to get a table, you are escorted by a host around the restaurant before going to your seats. You will be taken by the drink bar to be shown all the drinks, pick up a few rolls on the way, and see all the ins and outs of dining here. They call everyone ‘cousin’, so don’t be set back when they do that to you, as well.
The restaurant is very open, with beautiful views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom. There is glass all around the outer perimeter of the restaurant. In the center is an 18-foot wood-burning fire pit, where your main course will come from. Once seated, your drink order will be taken, and then the fun begins. They bring you pu-pu first (little appetizers)—the fried rice is awesome, as are the little fried things with the plum dipping sauce. Then comes the main course: all-you-can-eat skewers of meats and vegetables. They offer you beef, chicken, pork, and shrimp. The waitstaff comes to the table and asks you want you want, then pulls a few pieces off and goes to the next person. Hint: They always serve the meat, chicken, and pork first. Then, after you are full with that, they serve the shrimp. Ask for the shrimp up-front. They will do it, but you’ve gotta ask. After you are over-your-limit full, you get hot towels and lemons. Squeeze the lemon on the hot towel, then wipe your hands and face. It cuts the grease. Once you are clean, a dessert menu comes. Try the snow cone. It comes in a sand bucket, and you eat it with a shovel. No joke!
From start to finish here, it is amazing. The waitstaff could not be any better. Don’t forget this place the next time you go to WDW.