We’ll be reporting on lots of menu changes this week! These are brought to us by Disney Every Day‘s Amanda Tinney, who recently visited Disney’s Polynesian Resort’s Kona Cafe.
The Classic Kona Cone Isn't Going Anywhere
Hiya Disney Foodie Fans! Sometimes chatting up your server at a Walt Disney World Restaurant will elicit golden nuggets of information that you can share with your fellow Disneyphile Friends. This week, my daughter and I were having dinner at Kona Cafe in the Polynesian Resort. Sushi, of course…followed up with some dessert. My daughter ordered the “most requested” dessert at the Kona Cafe, the Kona Kone! I opted for the “healthier” choice and ordered the Chocolate Fondue.
My Chocolate Fondue with macaroons, lace cookies, pineapple, strawberries and kiwi
I noticed that our server had a “10 Years of Service” Pin on her name badge and started chatting with her. It was around 5:30 pm when we were first seated and the restaurant was only about half full, so our server had time to talk. I told her that I had tried to make an ADR for the evening and was told by Disney Dining that the Cafe was completely booked until 9:00 pm. From the looks of it…some people had failed to show up for their ADR. Our server told us that it is normal for 45 to 50% of ADR’s to be “no-shows” on any given day!!! Proof that sometimes a “walk-up” is the only way to go.
Our server went on to tell us that there were going to be some changes coming soon to the Kona Cafe Dinner Menu. One change that has already been made involves the Kilauea Torte. The Torte is now the Cafe’s Signature Gluten Free dessert. Whether you have an allergy or not, you will now get to sample it in all of its gluten-free goodness when ordering.
If you like to order the Miso Glazed Mahi Mahi here, you better get a quick trip in soon cause it’s going bye-bye. But never fear… the Tuna Oscar will stay. A new addition to the menu will be a Sustainable Fish. The lump crab cakes will get some minor tweaking and will be served flat, like a traditional crab cake instead of tall like a tower. We were also told that the Calamari Salad will be making a reappearance at the restaurant. I can not recall seeing a calamari salad on the menu here in the past. Has anyone else?
I asked when the new menu will take effect and was told that it should have changed already but with the extension of free dining…the change was delayed for a bit. Our server said the change “was imminent”. Oh…I also wanted to let you know that the Passholder Discount is no longer available here. 🙁
Thanks, Amanda! You can find Amanda at DisneyEveryDay.com or on twitter at @AmandaTinney.
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Oh no! I like the Mahi Mahi. It seems to me that the bean counters are substituting it with ingredients used at other restaurants. In this case, it would be the ‘sustainable fish’ a la the Wave. I’m all for offering more ecologically sound selections, but if every Disney restaurant is going offer the same fish and NY strip steak with a different sauce, then I might as well go to the Cheescake Factory.
As long as the Tonga Toast is staying, I’m happy! 🙂
Jo — I’m with you! Tonga Toast and Kona Cone! 🙂 Also that steak…
I’m happy to hear they’re not taking the Tuna Oscar off the menu. It’s delicious!
Interesting, I know that Turf Club and Sanaa are also undergoing menu changes on or about September 15 according to CMs I’ve talked to that work there. Seems like there’s something afoot!
OK by me! My wife and I both had the Mahi Mahi last week and didn’t care for it. Just keep the favorites, including the Teryaki NY strip!
AJ- I love your blog but I have to say – it shows me how many restaurants I’ve missed in my 20 billion trips. I went so many times as a poor college student and I rarely ever did a sit down (though 1 was Cinderella Castle before it became an event). I really want to try that Tonga Toast one of these days!
btw- I grew up in Williamsville.. I’m always curious where you’re from since you say Buffalo all the time!
The first words that my eyes jumped to were Calamari Salad. I really like, no, love Calamari! That would be totally amazing if they were to bring it back to Kona Cafe! (I might actually have to talk a friend into going down there).
As always, the Tonga Toast is the favourite!
By the way the Chocolate of the Chocolate Fondue sort of looks like Nutella a bit, does anyone else see this?
Also, it looks like at the base of the Kona Cone (it really should be the Kona Kone) there is Cotton Candy.
As long as the Eggs Benedict stays I’m happy 🙂
New to your blog but so happy I found it! Glad to hear the chocolate fondue will still be there when we are there in Nov and Dec!!
One of our fav places. We get there early to have a drink at the Tambu Lounge!
No passholder discount BOOOO!! Thanks for keeping us updated!! KONA CONES RULE!! 🙂
Disney is nearing the end of their fiscal year. This is actually a common yearly occurrence. Every September/October Disney will revamp menus and more importantly raise prices.
I, for one, have never had dinner at Kona; but I am dying to try the adjacent sushi bar. However it is our traditional last breakfast at every vacation. I love the Tonga Toast, my wife loves the Macedamia Nut Pineapple Pancakes and my son always has the Minnie french toast.
I’m not really worried about menu changes at Kona for dinner, but Sanaa and the Turf Club are two of my favorite restaurants–that scares me a little!
Konut — Did you see our recent post about menu standardization? It focuses on drinks, but I’m going to have to do one for food menus pretty soon as well, I’m afraid…
Kelly — I’ve heard great things about that Tuna Oscar! I’ll have to try it on my upcoming visit (if I can pull myself away from the steak…)
Matt — Hmm… We’ll have to keep a collective ear to the ground!
John — No love for the Mahi Mahi eh? 🙂
Jenn — Trust me, I’ve missed a bunch of them, too! My husband and I are constantly lamenting the list we still need to get to! I grew up in Jamestown 🙂
Josh — There IS cotton candy at the base of the Kona Cone! 🙂 But I’m pretty sure the chocolate fondue isn’t nutella….I could be wrong… 🙂 When’s your next trip to WDW?
Andrea — Eggs benedict: check!
Rose — Ha! The Poly is one place I never mind waiting for a table — there’s nothing more relaxing than sitting in the Tambu with a nice drink.
Jennifer — I can’t wait to have my first Kona Cone in September!
Pudge — What a great tradition! I might have to add that to my list. A great way to “go out” from WDW. Also, thanks for the heads up on the menu changes; will stay tuned!
Heather — I’m hitting Turf Club this month, but won’t get to Sanaa. We’ll try to get a spy out there!