On our last trip to Walt Disney World on my list to get was an advanced dining reservation for 'Ohana. It didn't matter if it was breakfast, lunch or dinner. Why did I want this one restaurant so bad? Disney's Polynesian Resort is one of my favorite resorts even though I have never stayed there. When I was a little girl growing up near Columbus Ohio there was a Polynesian restaurant called "Kahiki". If you are from around Columbus you know what I am talking about. It sadly is no longer there and in its place is a Walgreens. I loved going to the Kahiki each year for my birthday. When I went to WDW for the first time with my family when I was 10 my Aunt took me over to The Polynesian Resort just to see what it looked like. I completely fell in love with the resort.
When I became an adult my love for all things Polynesian continued. I ended up extending the love to my daughters when I introduced them to Stitch. Stitch is my daughters favorite characters along with one of mine. Mickey is my first favorite. Stitch is always on our list to see when we are "home".
I had heard so many good things about 'Ohana. It was on my list for our very first trip at Christmas time. It was booked solid. I kept trying every day hoping a table for 5 would open up. It never did.
At 180 days for this last trip, I was ready. At 5:59 AM EST I was sitting in front of my computer typing in 'Ohana on the My Disney Experience to snag that reservation at 6:00 AM. I knew what day I wanted it on and had decided on breakfast with the characters. Guess what? I got the reservation! I was so excited that I actually got it I started screaming and woke everyone up in the house. They had to get up for school and work any way so you don't have to feel sorry for them.
The day of our reservation was our Epcot day. I figured that was perfect because we could just jump on the monorail after breakfast and head over. We got up that morning and took the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios and then jumped on the bus to Disney's Polynesian Resort. we were a little bit early but we didn't have to wait long.
When you first walk in there is a huge serving counter full of the most Delicious Pineapple Coconut bread you have ever smelled. They set us down at a round table close to the windows. We had a view of the resort. The sun was shining and it's an absolutely beautiful day and the resort is so pretty. It just makes me want to stay there even more.
Our waitress brings us some of that amazing bread, some fresh fruit, and some POG juice. What is POG juice? It's a combination of passion fruit, orange, and guava juices. I knew I liked it because I had tried in on the cruise. The rest of my family wasn't quite sure about it. I ended up drinking their share instead of getting another drink besides my coffee. Want to try POG juice on your own? I will give you the recipe at the end of this post.
So, we eat up all the goodies the waitress brought us and my nephew Jake looks at my husband and asks "is this all we get for breakfast"? We immediately started cracking up. Teenage boys and their stomachs. About that time our waitress brought us a platter of eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, potatoes and waffles. It didn't take long for all of that to be gone. We actually ended up getting a second round of everything but eggs. I really liked the ham and Island potatoes. My husband loved the ham. He is the pickiest eater in the world. The boys liked the Stitch and Mickey waffles. They said they were better than on the cruise ship we had just got off days before. The girls loved the fresh fruit. I think Abby did have 2 helpings of waffles.
While we were waiting on our second platter. Mickey and the crew started to visit the tables. Mickey was decked out in his Hawaiian shirt. I really liked how they took their time at each table letting use get pictures and getting hugs from him. Next came Lilo. She was really sweet but the kids didn't want to spend so much time with her because they were waiting on Stitch.
Then Stitch came. He was so energetic. He gave us all hugs including my husband and I. My girls were so excited. He even took Abby's ears and put them on his head. We had so much fun with him.
After we finished eating we just kind of sat there because we didn't want to leave. The ambiance was so nice and laid back. I have heard some people say the decor is some what cheesy but it reminded me of the old Kahiki back in Columbus all those years ago. '
We finally got up to head out. When we were outside of the restaurant we decided to look around the resort lobby. My husband found a Mickey Hawaiian shirt in the gift shop he said he had wished he had on the cruise. Jenny and Abby both bought baby Stitch wrapped in a blanket.
Over all, our experience was amazing. I will for sure be going back. Next time I would like to try dinner. Staying at the resort is still on my bucket list and it may come true for my girls trip in 2021. If you get the chance to make a reservation at 'Ohana, I really recommend trying it. It ranks high on my list of favorite restaurants.
As Always, See you Real Soon!
Jeana Kruetzkamp
POG Juice
Mix equal parts of orange juice, guava juice and Passion fruit juice.
Want to kick it up a notch and turn it into an adult drink? just add a shot of coconut rum.
You can follow me on Facebook: Your Story Travel Company by Jeana
Facebook Group: Mickey Ears, Dole Whips & ' Ohana
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