Dining in the Walt Disney World Resort is a massive part of the Disney experience. With over 200 restaurants, guests are certainly spoilt for choice when deciding where to eat during their Disney vacation. Over 90 Disney restaurants offer full-service dining, while the rest are quick-service. Among the restaurants, there is something to suit every taste palette, offering you the opportunity to taste food and cuisines from around the world. There is also a wide variety of dining experiences that are offered. Buffet restaurants, all-you-care-to-enjoy style dining, Disney character dining, and fine dining experiences are all on offer in the Walt Disney World Resort.
‘Ohana
A popular restaurant among Disney guests is ‘Ohana. The restaurant in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort offers a family-style dining experience. Guests can enjoy breakfast or dinner in the Hawaiian-style restaurant. You are accompanied by Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Lilo, and Stitch when eating breakfast. Fill up on breakfast favorites, including eggs, sausages, ham, potatoes, Mickey waffles, fresh fruit, and pineapple-coconut bread. There is also a delicious skillet for plant-based guests. Breakfast is served at ‘Ohana between 7:30 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. daily.
The Disney characters are not part of the dinner experience at ‘Ohana. However, you are in for a delicious Hawaiian dinner. Indulge in salad, ‘Ohana bread, chicken wings, pork dumplings, wood-fired beef, chicken and shrimp, ‘Ohana noodles, roasted vegetables, and the famous ‘Ohana Bread Pudding to finish. Meanwhile, the dining room is entertained by live music from a talented Hawaiian singer and guitar player. Dinner is served between 3:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily. But will you be able to get a reservation?
‘Ohana is an exquisite Disney restaurant to eat at. However, it is one of the most sought-after advanced dining reservations in Lake Buena Vista. Therefore, many Guests struggle to dine at the Disney restaurant. If you have difficulty getting an advanced dining reservation at ‘Ohana, the great news is there is somewhere else to eat.
Kona Cafe
You’ll find the alternative to ‘Ohana next door in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Kona Cafe is a beautiful and relaxed space to dine in. Enjoy traditional American meals served with Asian zest throughout the day. Kona Cafe features three different menus depending on the time of day you are eating.
Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast between 7:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. A selection of entrees is available, including omelet, pancakes, french toast, Loco Moco, an egg platter, and a salmon plate. However, the main breakfast event at Kona Cafe is Tonga Toast. You won’t taste a French toast like it! It consists of banana-stuffed french toast rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with strawberry compote and your choice of breakfast meat. Switch out meat for fresh fruit if you are vegetarian or need something healthy. Remember to order POG juice to go with your breakfast, too. Kona Cafe is one of the Disney restaurants that serves the delicious drink.
Lunch
Lunch is served in Kona Cafe between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Enjoy freshly made sushi from the onstage sushi kitchen. Alternatively, order Poke or Dashi bowls, stir-fry, salad or burgers. We recently visited during lunchtime and thoroughly enjoyed the Kona Stir-Fry. We felt like we were eating ‘Ohana noodles, providing us with a taste of the Disney restaurant without dining there. For dessert, we indulged in the Pineapple-Coconut Bread Pudding that is also served at ‘Ohana. Our dining experience was delightful, without needing to over-eat to gain our money’s worth for the meal. If you plan on dining at Kona Cafe for lunch but want a similar experience to ‘Ohana, make sure to order the pot stickers and wings from the appetizers.
Dinner
The dinner menu at Kona Cafe differs from the lunch menu, unlike many other Disney restaurants in Walt Disney World. Dinner is available between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. daily. A selection of appetizers feature on the menu, including the ‘Ohana pot stickers and wings. Similar to lunch, sushi, poke bowls, and burgers are available to order. However, the selection of entrees available differs. There are plenty to choose from, with a variety of meat. You’ll be pleased to hear that the ‘Ohana Pineapple-Coconut Bread Pudding is also available to order for dessert. Additionally, you can choose from various dessert glasses if you want to try something else.
Tips for Dining at Kona Cafe
So you’ve decided to eat at Kona Cafe during your next Walt Disney World Resort vacation. Here are some tips to enhance your dining experience:
- Make an advance dining reservation. You shouldn’t struggle to get a reservation in Kona Cafe. However, we always recommend booking one to guarantee your dining experience. In particular, breakfast is a popular time to visit the Disney restaurant, so we strongly advise making an advanced dining reservation if you wish to enjoy Tonga Toast.
- Pair it with a visit to Magic Kingdom Park. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is in the Magic Kingdom area of Lake Buena Vista. Dining at Kona Cafe before or after your visit to the Disney Park will make it easy to travel between the two locations.
- Don’t fancy dessert in the Disney restaurant? Visit Pineapple Lanai after your dining experience instead, and treat yourself to a refreshing Dole Whip.
- Spend the evening at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort if you plan on having dinner at Kona Cafe. Depending on the time of your reservation, enjoy pre-drinks or post-dinner drinks at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto or the Tambu Lounge. Around 9 p.m., head down to the beach area. You’ll have a beautiful view of Happily Ever After over Cinderella Castle, without the crowds inside the Disney park.
Will you be eating in Kona Cafe during your next Disney trip? We guarantee you’ll have a wonderful dining experience without the stress of securing an advanced dining reservation like ‘Ohana.
