Disney World Suddenly Closes ‘Ohana Restaurant After 29 Years

In a surprising turn of events, Walt Disney World Resort has closed its popular ‘Ohana restaurant, located in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, after 29 years of serving guests. The abrupt closure took place on Tuesday evening, leaving many visitors caught off guard and scrambling for alternative dinner options.

Guests who arrived for their reservations were turned away at the door. Others who checked the My Disney Experience app were immediately notified with a pop-up message stating that the restaurant was not operating that evening. The app read:

“Operating Hours Update
‘Ohana is unexpectedly closed for dinner tonight.
We apologize for the inconvenience. Please use My Disney Experience to check for availability at one of our other dining locations.”

‘Ohana has been a staple at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort since it opened its doors in April 1995. Known for its iconic Hawaiian-inspired cuisine, it has become a go-to spot for both breakfast and dinner. Guests can enjoy a character breakfast featuring Lilo, Stitch, and friends or a family-style, all-you-care-to-enjoy dinner with beloved dishes such as ‘Ohana noodles, shrimp skewers, and coconut bread pudding.

Breakfast prices range from $35 to $59.99, while dinner costs at least $60 per guest. Due to the restaurant’s immense popularity, reservations are a must, with walk-up availability limited. It is accessible to all Walt Disney World Resort guests, not just those staying at the Polynesian Village Resort. Guests with vehicles typically park at the nearby Transportation & Ticket Center and take the Monorail to the resort, while other options like buses or boats are available for transportation to Magic Kingdom Park and a transfer to the Monorail.

The closure of ‘Ohana came as a surprise to many, especially given its status as one of the most sought-after dining experiences at Walt Disney World Resort. For those with reservations on March 17, the unexpected closure left them without the iconic dining experience they had looked forward to for months. Disney has not revealed the cause of the closure, and there is no word on when the restaurant will reopen.

The My Disney Experience app advised guests with reservations for March 17 to check for alternate restaurant reservations or to join walk-up lists at other dining locations. Walt Disney World Resort typically enforces a no-show fee for missed reservations, but guests affected by this closure will likely not incur the missed reservation charge.

It remains unclear whether the restaurant will reopen for breakfast on Wednesday morning or if the unexpected closure affected other dining locations at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Guests are encouraged to check the My Disney Experience app regularly for updates.

Has a sudden closure impacted your Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort vacation? Share your experience with Disney Tips in the comments.