Review: 'Ohana Restaurant at the Polynesian Resort, Orlando, Florida

'Ohana is always a must for our family when we are visiting Walt Disney World. On this particular dining occasion we were a party of 14 with a dinner reservation for 7PM on a Sunday evening this past January. We had all been to 'Ohana before and knew what to expect, including a few slight changes to the menu.

Location - 'Ohana is located on the second floor of the Great Ceremonial House (main building) of Disney's Polynesian Resort.`

'Ohana is in all you can eat type feast. Everything is served family style and brought to your table by servers. When your table is ready they walk you to your table with the usually introduction, "Aloha cousin and welcome to 'Ohana". They then explain that 'Ohana means family and that during your meal everyone will be referred to as "cousin".

Drink orders are taken and brought out along with starters like bread, salad, chicken wings, etc. Grilled vegetables and scalloped potatoes are brought out next along with several types of grilled meat that are brought out on big skewers. Don't be shy with the meat either! If you feel that you want more steak or shrimp than the pork or turkey, speak up because it may be awhile before you see the type of meat you want again. There are also three sauces that are brought out to use with the meats. They are a peanut sauce, a sweet and sour sauce, and a chimichurri sauce. (I like to take the chimichurri sauce and the peanut sauce and mix them together.) The potatoes are a family favorite and I often make them at home. Do not even try to guess at the fat content in the potatoes, if you knew you will not want to eat them.

While you are dining you are often entertained with several live "Hawaiian" type acts. Children are often asked to participate in things like coconut races. This gives them a great opportunity to stretch their legs and burn off a little pent up energy. This is one of our daughters' favorite restaurants. Awhile back they use to award gummy worms as prizes for finishing the race but I have not noticed this the last few times we have been.

The dessert here is wonderful. It is a warm breading pudding topped with vanilla ice cream then topped with a banana foster sauce. (A favorite of our whole dining group.)

If you have room, seconds will be brought to the table if you ask. This also holds true to anything on the menu.

Kids options are available if you ask. Disney always has something for everyone!

Also, if you have shellfish allergies please be sure and point this out to your server when you are seated.

Pricing for dinner for adults is $26.99 and children ages 3-9 are charged $12.99. Expect to pay more during the Holidays as Disney now charges Holiday Dining surcharges on some meals. (This may not always apply but 'Ohana was one of the restaurants in the past that was affected by Holiday pricing.) Dinner is served seven days a week from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm.

Reservations for 'Ohana can be made by calling 1-407-WDW-DINE. As with all restaurants on Disney property, reservations are strongly recommended.