Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is as soon as once more welcoming friends and some of the in-demand lodges at Walt Disney World. ‘Ohana can also be again, with Advance Eating Reservations booked stable weeks upfront regardless of excessive costs and spotty high quality. In the meantime, the Poly’s greatest restaurant flies below the radar, with last-minute ADRs, truthful costs, and scrumptious delicacies. Similar because it ever was. Similar because it ever was. (Up to date October 1, 2022.)
I don’t suppose it’ll shock some Walt Disney World followers to listen to that we predict Kona Cafe is the Poly’s greatest restaurant. Whereas ‘Ohana has far more cachet, mainstream reputation, and identify recognition, Kona Cafe is a favourite of longtime Walt Disney World followers. A part of that is because of high quality and costs. If we’re being sincere, half can also be resulting from Kona Cafe being far simpler to e-book. Many locals, Annual Passholders, and DVC members merely aren’t prepared to leap by way of the hoops for ‘Ohana.
In some methods, Kona Cafe jogs my memory of Steakhouse 71, Geyser Level, Three Bridges, Sanaa, and Grand Floridian Cafe. None of these are the massive identify eating places at their respective resorts. Nonetheless, they are typically extra well-liked–and even most well-liked–amongst repeat guests. All are “hidden gem” Walt Disney World eating choices that we’d file below “actual OGs know.”
October 18, 2022 Replace: This desk service restaurant at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is at the moment closed for a prolonged, multi-month refurbishment. Walt Disney World not too long ago revealed that Kona Cafe will reopen on November 1, 2022.
Advance Eating Reservations are actually obtainable for the refurbished Kona Cafe. We’ve not too long ago spot-checked a variety of dates, and located first rate availability for each lunch and dinner. In fact, that varies based mostly on get together measurement.
Walt Disney World has additionally introduced that Kona Cafe can have a “refreshed expertise” and the “look, really feel, and even some flavors of this relaxed café will likely be totally different, but acquainted.” Kona Cafe will function American delicacies with that Asian flare that makes it so distinctive and you may nonetheless watch the cooks at work within the onstage sushi kitchen.
Disney has additionally provided a sneak peek at returning menu gadgets: sure favorites which have cemented their place on the menu, together with the scrumptious and may’t-miss Tonga Toast and Pineapple Macadamia Nut Pancakes served at breakfast. These two are fan-favorites for a cause. Make sure you preserve an eye fixed out for a number of gadgets returning to the lunch and dinner menus just like the Large Kahuna Burger and Seafood Pu Pu Platter and even a brand new plant-based providing for dinner, the Sautéed Pink Quinoa.
Our hope is that these adjustments quantity to a pleasant refresh of Kona Cafe’s seating space, which, as mentioned under, is exhibiting its age. I’m skeptical that the restaurant might be improved dramatically given the house constraints, however I additionally don’t suppose it may be “ruined” given the comparatively bland design. Right here’s hoping that Imagineering proves me unsuitable on the previous however not on the latter–they did a great job with the Wave to Steakhouse 71 transformation, so I’m equally optimistic about this.
If you wish to get your “final meal” at Kona Cafe in earlier than the refurbishment, the assessment that follows covers our most up-to-date expertise on the restaurant…
In the course of the Disney Eating Plan’s heyday, we ate at Kona each single journey. I ate their now long-gone New York Strip Steak a minimum of a half-dozen occasions, and there have been a number of gadgets that provided nice bang for buck. Kona Cafe was additionally a great possibility out of pocket, with a number of extra budget-friendly choices.
Sooner or later, the menu modified and have become considerably costlier. This got here at a time after we weren’t doing the Disney Eating Plan as usually, so Kona Cafe turned a a lot more durable promote. Dropping over $50 per particular person for the meal made it simpler to see Kona’s faults, prefer it’s comparatively minimal theming and the “mall meals court docket” vibe due to friends loitering round proper exterior tables whereas ready for his or her ‘Ohana reservations. Now, issues have come full circle once more…
Our previous few meals at Kona Cafe have all been spectacular, a pattern that dates again earlier than final 12 months and has continued by way of the official reopening of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Most not too long ago, we dined at Kona Cafe for lunch whereas staying in one of many “Moana Makeover” visitor rooms on the Poly.
Each this meal and our earlier two reminded us of the Kona Cafe we fell in love with over a decade in the past. A variety of worth factors plus enjoyable delicacies, ingenious gadgets, and luxury meals. Nonetheless no Disney Eating Plan and that Teriyaki-Type New York Strip Steak is lengthy gone, however there’s lots to like about Kona Cafe!
Let’s begin with ambiance. Nothing is totally different right here with Kona Cafe–the seating has been roughly unchanged for years. Kona Cafe is beginning to present its age with the patterns on the benches and carpet, but it surely’s nonetheless positive. There’s not a ton of house to work with right here, so I’m not even certain what Imagineering might do to enhance the theme.
Kona Cafe opens as much as the second degree of the foyer, providing views of the atrium. That is each an asset and legal responsibility. It’s nice when uncrowded, because it provides the restaurant a light-weight and ethereal ambiance, and really feel much less claustrophobic and confined–avoiding the Wave’s woes. It’s disagreeable when the Poly’s higher degree is full of folks ready for ‘Ohana. Fortunately, that’s not a difficulty proper now.
Our meal at Kona Cafe begins with bread service, which is solely common rolls served with plain butter.
Completely serviceable, however nothing particular. “Free filler” is mainly what these rolls supply.
For our appetizer, we ordered the Crispy Pork-Vegetable Pot Sticker with Soy-French dressing Dressing.
No, I didn’t by chance use a potato pancake picture…
Flipping the pancake-like meals over reveals 5 pot stickers.
These are really a few of the greatest pot stickers we’ve ever had. In our ‘Ohana Household-Type Dinner Evaluation, the pork dumplings are one of many few issues we praised. These are even higher. The filling between the 2 could be very related, however what places these excessive is the crisp texture and the creamy dressing. savory and incredible.
Talking of ‘Ohana, you’ll be able to order variations of all that restaurant’s greatest dishes at Kona Cafe.
Should you have been to order these pot stickers, the glazed hen wings, our closing entree, and the bread pudding (off menu), it will set you again $55–or precisely the worth of dinner at ‘Ohana for one–and can be sufficient meals for 2 folks.
We’ve additionally achieved Kona Cafe To-Go and ordered the Lobster and Crab Macaroni & Cheese.
That is filling and incredible. Wealthy and heavy, with an abundance of lobster and crab meat and mixture of high quality cheeses. We each cherished this, and would extremely suggest this appetizer. It’s pretty priced particularly given how a lot seafood is in it.
We additionally ordered the Steak Salad: Sunny-side Up Egg, Kona Home French dressing, Candy Bell Peppers, Kale and Arugula Mix.
I don’t even bear in mind why we ordered this. Eager to eat wholesome? In any case, what you see is what you get. This salad just isn’t noteworthy neither is it advisable.
Turning again to this lunch at Kona Cafe, we ordered the Duck Fried Rice with Leg Confit: Crispy Duck Spring Roll, Shiitake Mushrooms, Togarashi, Grilled Bok Choy.
There truly are variations between the lunch and dinner menus at Kona Cafe, and each entrees we ordered are lunch-only. They’re changed by the Asian-marinated Airline Hen and Kona-braised Brief Rib for dinner.
At $32, the Duck Fried Rice is the costliest merchandise on the lunch menu.
It’s price each penny. The duck leg was tender and scrumptious by itself and the duck spring roll was tasty, but it surely’s the duck fried rice itself that was star. Savory and scrumptious, this was an enormous and meaty portion of fried rice. That picture makes it look smaller, however we might solely end half–and it was excellent for leftovers. Extremely advisable.
Lastly, the Kona Hen Stir-fry: Yakisoba Noodles, Napa Cabbage, Carrots, Teriyaki Sauce.
Upon tasting these, Sarah’s quick response was, “these are higher than the ‘Ohana noodles.” She’s proper. Like these, these noodles have a pleasant steadiness of savory and candy flavors, with a great elastic consistency, chewiness, and thickness. The remainder of the stir-fry gave them a greater exterior texture, too. Once more, we might solely end half. The one draw back of this dish is that our smaller piece of hen (the one to the suitable) was dry. In any other case, completely incredible and extremely advisable (however not fairly as a lot because the duck fried rice), particularly to ‘Ohana noodle diehards.
Finally, this simply scratches the floor on why we’re again to loving Kona Cafe. If something, I really feel like we’re underselling it with this assessment. We had one other meal right here shortly after the final massive menu overhaul and it was likewise scrumptious–I can’t find these photographs, however we discovered the sushi surprisingly good. We’d additionally wish to strive the dashi bowls, poke bowls, and extra–subsequent time! (Moreover, Kona Cafe’s breakfast is nice.)
With that mentioned, we are able to nonetheless perceive why Kona Cafe is much less well-liked with informal Walt Disney World guests than ‘Ohana. Whereas we’d take the delicacies and costs at Kona Cafe any day over ‘Ohana, there’s completely one thing to be mentioned for the ambiance and views of Magic Kingdom at ‘Ohana. Kona Cafe undoubtedly lags in these regards, making it far much less memorable as a eating expertise. If the whole package deal and making recollections issues extra and also you don’t thoughts overpaying, ‘Ohana stays the superior possibility. For meals, Kona Cafe is the far superior selection.
Planning a Walt Disney World journey? Study lodges on our Walt Disney World Resorts Opinions web page. For the place to eat, learn our Walt Disney World Restaurant Opinions. To economize on tickets or decide which kind to purchase, learn our Ideas for Saving Cash on Walt Disney World Tickets put up. Our What to Pack for Disney Journeys put up takes a novel take a look at intelligent gadgets to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Journey Guides will assist. For complete recommendation, one of the best place to start out is our Walt Disney World Journey Planning Information for the whole lot you must know!
YOUR THOUGHTS
Have you ever dined at Kona Cafe? Any favourite appetizers, entrees, or desserts? Tried the ‘Ohana menu gadgets (or their shut counterparts) served at Kona Cafe? Will you be reserving an Advance Eating Reservation for lunch or dinner right here? What did you suppose? Worthwhile for the meals, ambiance, or for each? Do you agree or disagree with our evaluation? Different ideas or considerations? Any questions we might help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas under within the feedback!