food IS a theme park
We found a bunch of changes in Animal Kingdom when we were there visiting. Check out what we found on our culinary safari of Disney’s Animal Kingdom this week!
Animal Kingdom
We’ll start our tour out where we always to – on Discovery Island.
If you’re enjoying a rainy day at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom but are bummed to discover that the Festival of Fantasy Parade is cancelled for the day, fret not! (Well, you can fret a little…)
There’s a fun alternative to the FoF that features a handful of characters and lots of rainy day cheer! It’s the Rainy Day Cavalcade!
Rainy Day Cavalcade
I love all of the larger-than-life Gingerbread Displays around Disney World during the Holiday Season. You know this. But I must confess… I’ve got a favorite. It’s just not the Holidays until I see (and sniff!) the Gingerbread Carousel at Disney’s Beach Club Resort!
That’s why it’s especially good news that it is now up and spinning for guests visiting the Beach Club!
Gingerbread Carousel
One of the reasons I love the Gingerbread Carousel so much is that it’s new every year. The theme last year, for instance, was the Fab Five, with horses for Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Goofy. (As man’s and mouse’s best friend, Pluto got his own display placed just outside of the Carousel). And for 2017, the Carousel is themed with Lilo and Stitch! [Read more…]
Writing about Disney Food — all of it — well, it’s kinda the point of this blog. But I am never happier than when I can share one of my truly favorite meals with you.
And ‘Ohana’s Best Friends Character Breakfast definitely qualifies! Let’s take a closer look at this experience as we head into the Great Ceremonial House and see why ‘Ohana Breakfast is definitely #OnTheList!
Recently, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort underwent a lengthy refurbishment. If you haven’t visited the resort in a while, you’ll definitely notice some changes to the lobby and other public areas.
Tiki Statue in Lobby
With the Resort’s name change (the Polynesian resumed its original, opening day name), we also welcomed a couple of exciting new additions — the Pineapple Lanai and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. [Read more…]
While Disney’s Polynesian Resort is undergoing extensive renovations (including Captain Cook’s), it’s still a good time to stop by ‘Ohana for the Best Friends Breakfast featuring the adorable Lilo & mischievous Stitch. Today, guest author Rebecca Elliott reviews her family’s morning meal at Walt Disney World.
‘Ohana, located in Disney’s Polynesian Resort, is an extremely popular dinner venue with overwhelmingly positive reviews. Its all-you-care-to-eat format of delicious Polynesian-inspired dishes and relaxed atmosphere earn it rave reviews from just about everyone that eats there.
But is the character breakfast equally as good? My husband, daughter and I decided to find out!
The Polynesian is one of Walt Disney World’s original resorts. I remember going to the luau when I was a kid back in the 70s and feeling like I was in another country.
As an adult, I recognize that there’s something decidedly kitschy about it. I half expect to see Elvis a la Blue Hawaii round the corner with Joan Blackman on his arm. The theming is fantastic, and consistent.
Pluto Makes His Way Through the Dining Room
‘Ohana is on the second level of the lobby, just a stone’s throw away from the monorail. Guests are required to check in at the host stand before entering the restaurant. We found this a little confusing, mostly because there were a lot of excited children swarming the area.
We ended up walking right past the host stand. We were re-directed to the “cousin” in the lobby’s host area who was pleasant and efficient and whisked us to the photo area. (Cast members are called “cousins” to reinforce the feeling that everyone at ‘Ohana is family.)
We had our picture taken in front of a Tiki-inspired hut and waited for our buzzer to go off. When it did a few minutes later, we made our way to the host stand inside the restaurant, where we were greeted warmly by more exceptionally friendly “cousins.”
Baskets of Welcome Bread Await Diners
On the way to our table, our host gave us helpful information about the service for our meal and tidbits about the open kitchen and some of the menu items.
We were seated at a sunny table near the window with a sweeping view of Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom. (Editor’s Note: Views may be obstructed due to ongoing construction.) Our server quickly greeted us and also took a moment to explain the service style. Breakfast would arrive in a large skillet, with the ever-popular Mickey waffles brought separately. Before scurrying away, she uttered those six magical words, “It’s all you care to eat.”
Live Kitchen Elements, Including This Grill, Are a Focal Point
Our server returned with a basket of Hawaiian welcome bread flavored with pineapple and coconut, as well as iced cinnamon bread. Both were delicious.
Welcome Bread with Pineapple and Coconut, and Iced Cinnamon Bread
She also brought ‘Ohana’s famous breakfast beverage – a combination of passion fruit, orange and guava juices, known as P.O.G. I would drink this juice intravenously if I could. It’s heaven.
P.O.G. – Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava Juice
Next came a fruit plate, with cantaloupe, honeydew, grapes, and berries. Poor fruit plate. It barely got touched, because the gigantic skillet of breakfast yumminess arrived, heaped with [Read more…]
Pinvestigator Cody, of the Global Disney Pinvestigator Blog, is back with another round of comments and photos about a recent meal. This one, breakfast with Mickey and Friends at ‘Ohana, is one of his favorites; you’ll see why when you see these amazing photos! Thanks, Cody!
‘Ohana means “family,” and the restaurant stretches that feeling throughout the meal! Opening at 7:30am, we arrived at 7:20 for a 7:40 Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR). There were about 20 families in front of us waiting to check in, but we were the second family to be seated (they really do pay attention to those ADR times!)
'Ohana Breakfast Open Kitchen
The hostess took us to our table, giving us a short tour of the restaurant along the way. We briefly stopped by the open kitchen where the hostess took our appetizer plate from the rows and rows of Pineapple and Cinnamon Raisin Bread (both are delicious, by the way), explaining that giving bread to family is one of the ‘Ohana customs celebrated at the restaurant.
Pineapple Bread and Cinnamon Raisin Bread
We sat at our table, which included a great view of Cinderella Castle.
Right away, a server came out with our “POG Juice” — Orange, Pineapple, Guava! It was delicious.
POG Juice
Not less than 5 minutes later, we got our food. It’s served family-style at ‘Ohana, with all-you-can-eat bacon, eggs, sausage, and potatoes.
Another server also came around regularly with a bowl of Mickey Waffles, hot out of the “iron.”
Mickey Waffle
Additionally, we received a small fruit platter, with pineapple, cantaloupe, grapes, and more.
'Ohana Fruit Platter
Finally, the characters made their appearances! They were great and spent an equal amount of time at each table. Every 30-45 minutes is the ‘Ohana Family Parade, where the characters invite everyone to dance and sing and “shake!”, all to the song “Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride.”
Mickey Mouse
Stitch
Pluto
Lilo
Overall the meal was really enjoyable, and definitely delicious. This has to be my FAVORITE
Disney resort character breakfast.
Rating: 4.5 of 5
Tables in Wonderland: yes
Characters: 5 of 5
Food: 4.5 of 5
Guest writer James Chapman from touschezmickey.com just returned from a Disney World trip and reviewed the Polynesian Resort’s Kona Cafe and its famous Tonga Toast. Thanks, James!
The Kona Cafe is an easily overlooked oasis that has more than one special treat for a hungry family; but one especially wonderful treat is Tonga Toast, a cinnamon and banana-infused slab of toast!
Tonga Toast
A thick, sweet strawberry compote makes that first bite all the more inviting (and filling). For those on a diet (forget about it), this meal can easily feed two people, and for those who order a more traditional breakfast of eggs, grits, and wheat toast, the tonga toast may be shared as a treat for the whole family.
Kona Cafe offers a traditional American fare for both breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and provides a pleasant, Polynesian decor. Even with the larger table service restaurant, ‘Ohana, directly next door, the Kona Cafe menu and atmosphere offers an excellent experience, and I would highly recommend this restaurant to everyone visiting Walt Disney World!
Aloha!
Greetings from your favorite alien!
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