Arrival Night- Ohana or HDDR? About This Page:

[belle609]

I am looking for something on our arrival night. I want something that will get me in the Disney spirit. DD doesn't want any character meals so those are out. It will be a resort/pool day. Which would you pick? We are staying at WL. DH, DD6 and myself. (Which ever I pick will not get put somewhere else, this is the last night I have open)

[toddjodybrent]

They are both excellent choices. Another option is to head to Downtown Disney for a variety of dining choices. Browsing the World of Disney store of Once Upon a Toy can certainly get you in the Disney mood--and you can get Photopass Photos taken at Guest Relations.

Too bad character meals are out, as we enjoy Chef Mickey's on an arrival or resort/pool day. Good food, characters, a monorail ride, lots of Disney magic. it's like going to the parks, but without using a day of your ticket.

[magic mickey]

My first thought was going to be O'Hana's but after reading your post and seeing that you are not visiting a park on that day, I would go with HDDR. It is a great show and it would be a lot of fun for your first night. Sometimes getting to FW can be a tiring experience, but after a day of rest and staying at WL, you shouldn't have any problems. Have fun whatever you decide.

[Principessa_di_Fata]

I vote Ohana, only because it's my most favorite restaurant ever, lol! But honestly I think you can't go wrong either way. I just love Ohana, plus if you time it right you can see Wishes either from your table (if you're lucky) or from the Poly beach after dinner.

Good luck deciding, and enjoy your meal, wherever you eat!

[carters_mom]

On our arrival day we are planning to visit DTD and then head over to the Poly for 'Ohana. A trip into the parks wasn't part of our original plans but I bought the extra tickets since they only cost $20 more to add to our passes. I thought once dinner was finished we could visit MK for a few hours for shopping, Magic Memories and You and Wishes. It's my mom's birthday so I want it to be memorable.

I vote 'ohana as well, maybe you could slip a short visit to MK too? Once you're there I think you will be so excited, maybe an extra few hours in the park would be perfect!

[disneygramma]

HDDR is rolicking fun what a great start but there is the trip to get there, O'Hana is also a great place to enjoy and get spirited" for Disney and it is so convenient to WL , here is also another idea, have you thought of getting into the "spirit" with the Poy's other fun option: Spirit of Aloha dinner show, it is really nice and the food is pretty good, setting is very nice, entertainment is really great, and there will be a photo or two taken by photopass as a memory!

Any choice will be fun.

[chezp]

I think they're both great choices. 'Ohana gets my vote, but it's more to do with the fact that we're usually tired from our flight when we arrive and we prefer to ease into the Disney spirit and I think 'Ohana allows you to do that more...

[CinderAbby]

Well what kind of experience are you looking for / willing to pay for? Just dinner or a dinner show? If you go with the HDDR, unless you're on the dining plan, this has to be paid for in advance and requires something like 48 hours for cancellation otherwise you lose your money. So that means you can't show up at Disney and decided to skip dinner if you're tired without some seriouse consequences. If you just want dinner and the ability to cancel if you're too tired, I'd go with Ohana's.

[MichaelF]

I would choose Ohana. Its a relaxing place with good food. On the first day we would rather wind down a little after traveling all day.

[LESLIEW]

We love O'Hana...and the Poly is beautiful.

Haven't done HDDR and we have stayed at WL for years. We didn't want to spend 2 Table Credits for it I guess. But staying at WL its not a bad commute there to HDDR and other friends of mine have gone and loved it. We did go to Mickey's Backyard BBQ there and since you are at the lodge it won't take you long. (I don't recommend Mickey's Backyard BBQ though!) You could always try Whispering Canyon Cafe AT Wilderness Lodge. Very easy to get to for you, its loud, and sometimes they pick on you, but if you "lay low" the food is very good. Its also good because the first day you can enjoy WL and walk around and not have to leave if you don't want too. O'Hana or HDDR is easy to get to by boat from WL. You can boat to MK or to the Contemporary and hop on the monorail. My daughter LOVES the boat rides from WL. Its half the fun! Plus, don't miss the Boat Parade in the evening on WL beach. Its kind of silly, but when my kids were your daughters age they really enjoyed it. Time up a boat ride with Wishes too. They will stop in Bay Lake and let you watch sometimes!

You will LOVE LOVE LOVE Wilderness Lodge!!!

[Juan's mom]

O'Hana! I love the food and Poly in general.

[lesabrowning]

We love both, but have done HDDR on arrival night a few times and it is a great choice.

[Angileyze1]

We did HDDR on arrival day. It was awsome. We took the boat after to catch the monoral and while on the boat, we saw the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom on our first night. It was like everything was saying, you are finally here!!

[WDWJAMBA]

My first reaction was HDDR since you're staying at WL. But, I think Chez has a good point about fatigue on arrival day. We're usually tired and don't head to the park on arrival day unless we've got AP's.

I'd spend the afternoon at the pool and explore the resort. then head over to 'Ohana for dinner. Take the boat over from WL to the Contemporary and then take the monorail for a magical trip and create anticipation for the vacation that's ahead of you.

Watch Wishes on the beach and then head back to WL.

[Natazu]

I just wanna reiterate what Darlene said. Make sure your arrival plans are solid before you get inside that 48-hour no cancellation window.