Reviews

Restaurant Review: ‘Ohana

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WDW Park Planners Rating:

Location: Polynesian Village Resort

Dad and the girls, 2015

“‘Ohana means family, and family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.” This famous Lilo & Stitch quote is one of our family’s favorite lines, and couldn’t be more true. For us, Disney is about family, and our WDW vacations hold some of our best family memories, especially at ‘Ohana.

The ‘Ohana restaurant is a very family-friendly spot, and one of our go-tos in WDW. The atmosphere is fun and engaging, with games for the kids and live island music throughout the night. You definitely want to come hungry to this meal – the Polynesian-inspired cuisine is delicious – and never ending!

The meal is primarily family style; your server will bring big portions to the table for the appetizers, sides and dessert. For the entree, they come around with meat and shrimp skewers and serve you individually. Pace yourself for this one, since each course is better than the last!

This restaurant is always jam-packed, so be sure to make your reservation far in advance (we would not recommend just walking up and putting your name in). Even with a reservation we always end up waiting a while for our table. But while we wait, we always like to order fun tropical drinks – they have options for the whole family!

WDW Park Planners Tip:

The Polynesian is directly across the lagoon from the Magic Kingdom, so you can see the fireworks show from many locations at the resort, including inside ‘Ohana. The restaurant plays the music for the show, so if you time your dinner correctly, you will get an awesome viewing of the fireworks.

Check the times guide on Disney’s website and try to coordinate your reservation around that – it makes the evening even more magical. Tables by the window have the best view, but you can always just get up from your table to go watch, too!

Reviews

Bar Review: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto & Tiki Bar

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WDW Park Planners Rating:

Location: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Age restrictions: Must be 21+ after 8pm

The Polynesian Village Resort is a family favorite, and Trader Sam’s has been a fun addition to the already great resort. They have tasty island themed food, but are really known for their exotic, tropical cocktails. Try to stop in for a drink before or after dinner at ‘Ohana.

Trader Sam’s is not your average tiki bar. As if you didn’t already feel like you were transported to the Polynesian islands at this resort, Trader Sam’s really makes you feel as if you’re on another island. The theming is unbelievable, as we’ve come to expect from Disney. But, it’s the cast members that make the experience truly memorable. Without giving away too much of the magic, different drinks trigger different events at the bar. That being said, don’t base your drink choice on what you think will “happen” – you’re going to see it all during your time there (shout out to our awesome waitress who told us that. And she was right).

WDW Park Planners Tip:

Because it’s such a small spot, there is typically a wait in the evening to get into Trader Sam’s, especially if it’s high season at WDW. Put your name in and they’ll text you when a table is available (you have a ten-minute window to return). A few suggestions for killing time: hang out at the beach (walk down to the new over-water bungalows and check them out), sit at the outside tables of Trader Sam’s (food and drinks are available there, too), or head over to the Grand Floridian.

When my husband and I visited this past August, we put our name in for a table and they told us it was a 60+ minute wait*. Ben had never been to the Grand Floridian Resort, so we took advantage of the time and made the ten minute trek over there. It was fun to explore the little shops and check out the different restaurants in the Grand. Before we knew it, they had texted us saying there was availability in Trader Sam’s. We ended up running back (okay, so Ben did the running…) and made it back just in time. Trust us, Trader Sam’s is worth the wait.

*Disclaimer: When I went with my mom and sisters later that same week, there was no wait at all! We walked right in and got a table for 5. Sometimes the magic is on your side!