As one of the world’s most visited destinations by both US nationals and international visitors, Orlando’s Walt Disney World Resort is famous for not only familiar characters and incredible theme park attractions but equally as recognized for the delectable food available across the parks and hotels. As a destination so iconic and covering such vast land space, Walt Disney World has a seemingly endless list of places to eat on offer. One restaurant that frequently tops the lists of best places to eat is Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, a restaurant where tables are one of the most highly sought across the entirety of Walt Disney World. Ohana is one of the most popular and loved dining experiences in all of Walt Disney World, often booked up months in advance with Disney guests frantically trying to grab last-minute cancellations. The latest reopening dates of Walt Disney World’s gradual reopening have been announced and after a sixteen-month closure, the popular restaurant will be opening its doors to create happy faces and satisfy bellies on July 9th.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Just a short monorail ride from Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is a Disney Deluxe hotel and is perfectly located with easy access to the parks. The resort also offers magnificent views of Seven Seas Lagoon, the waterfront that showcases the Electrical Water Pageant with a backdrop of Cinderella’s Castle in the distance, a perfect location to relax on the sand and watch Happily Ever After in the distance, which is confirmed to be restarting July 1st. The resort also offers a magnificent selection of rooms and suites with an excellent selection of services and amenities complementing the resort’s offerings.
As well as being a beautiful hotel in a prime location, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has a wealth of incredible restaurants and snack bars with menus inspired by the exotic tastes of Polynesia. The resort is popular with Disney food lovers and offers tables that are booked months in advance at Ohana whilst also serving iconic snacks such as Dole Whip at Pineapple Lanai.
The beauty of Ohana
Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Resort is the resort’s most popular restaurant and one of the most famous across Walt Disney World. A firm favorite amongst Walt Disney World regulars, Ohana’s menu is influenced by the flavors of the Polynesian islands and serves both a fun-filled breakfast and a sit-down dinner. Both Disney options are served family-style and are all-you-care-to-enjoy meals with a Tiki-inspired backdrop in green surroundings.
Rise and shine for breakfast
Ohana serves the all American breakfast with inspiration from Polynesian cuisine. Featured on the menu, you will find all your favorite Disney breakfast options including Mickey pancakes, scrambled eggs and breakfast potatoes. Alongside the traditional Disney breakfast menu, our Polynesian friend Stitch makes an appearance joining Mickey as a waffle option, a fun and delicious twist on a Disney classic. The menu also features unique and exquisite Polynesian breakfast dishes including Pua’a (pork breakfast sausage with Hawaiian ham and pineapple compote), Uala Kahiki (Hawaiian style fried potatoes) and freshly made Pineapple Coconut bread.
Enjoy a Hawaiian dinner
The most popular dining option at Ohana is the evening menu, a sit down dinner offering delicious dishes and Hawaiian inspired specialities. The dinner menu begins with a delectable selection of Polynesian starters such as Honey-Coriander Chicken Wings, Pork Dumplings and Ohana Coconut-Papaya Scones. The entrée section offers an incredible selection of grilled meats including Wood-fire-grilled Teriyaki Beef and Roasted Eight-Way Chicken as well as Island Shrimp Casserole and the highly renowned Ohana Noodles, delicious lo mein noodles tossed in teriyaki sauce that are a menu staple. The menu is also superbly complemented with a phenomenal range of cocktails including Pina CoLAVA, Polynesian Mai Tai and Hawaiian Mule whilst every meal is best finished with the tasty Ohana Bread Pudding.
The reopening menu on July 9th
Coming soon on July 9th, Ohana is back, re-opening to serve all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast and dinner.
Ohana is returning with a slightly modified menu and it is worth noting that the menu is subject to change but at present, all of the popular dishes mentioned above including the signature Ohana Bread Pudding will be returning alongside the reopening. The initial reopening menu sparked some controversy and whilst the initial edition of the reopening menu was missing the famous Ohana noodles, it has since been revised and everyone’s favorite noodle dish is coming back. The menu does however feature some minor changes including the introduction of Kielbasa sausage to the breakfast menu.
Character dining and changes
One of Ohana’s most notable events is the restaurant’s popular character dining at breakfast with Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and other pals joining guests in their Hawaiian costumes, however this will not be available at present. Whilst some other Walt Disney World resort restaurants are offering character breakfasts with social distancing regulations in place, this will not be a dining option at Ohana upon the initial reopening.
Dinner is also generally an eventful affair with Hawaiian style games taking place in the restaurant including fun activities and child interaction such as coconut races but this will also not be available during initial reopening. The strolling musician however will remain for entertainment during evening meals, entertaining guests throughout the restaurant.
The restaurant is also a great location to watch Happily Ever After that restarts on July 1st and if you time your reservation right, you can enjoy the fireworks over Cinderella’s Castle from your dinner table upon the restaurant’s reopening on July 9th.
Bookings for the legendary restaurant are now open and it is expected that tables will fill up fast! You can book your table via My Disney Experience, the Walt Disney World website or calling 407-WDW-DINE (3463). Don’t forget, dining reservations can be made up to 60 days prior to your trip. Keep an eye on My Disney Experience for any cancellations if you don’t initially get the reservation you want.
