Select Disney World restaurants have now reopened, and we’re checking them out! So far, we’ve swung by Captain Cook’s to try the gorgeous Welcome Back Cupcake and gotten a quick Dole Whip fix at Pineapple Lanai!
Kona Cafe
Now, we’re headed to Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort to scope it out — let’s take a look!
Check-In
Kona Cafe is utilizing the new Mobile Dine Check-In feature that’s just been added to the My Disney Experience app! Instead of going up to the host stand, you can virtually let the restaurant know you’ve arrived for your reservation!
Host Stand
Once you’ve completed the contactless check-in, you’ll receive a separate notification when your table is ready — it’s that easy!
See how Disney’s Mobile Dine Check-In works step-by-step here!
Seating
Kona Cafe tables and chairs have been spread apart.
Kona Cafe
Some of the booths have been closed off to allow for optimal social distancing. Signs on the tables designated which tables were closed.
Closed Table
We also noticed the barstools around the sushi bar were present, but no longer a seating option for guests.
Sushi Bar
That covers the turf, so let’s check out the FOOD!
Menu
While some Disney World restaurants have a disposable paper menu available upon request, Kona Cafe only has a digital QR menu at this time.
Kona Cafe
Along with many other restaurants that have recently reopened, Kona Cafe’s menu has been reduced a great deal, but there are still plenty of offerings including sushi, sandwiches, salads, desserts, and most importantly for some, DRINKS!
See what didn’t make the cut on Kona Cafe’s new limited menu here!
Food and Beverages
It wouldn’t be a trip to Disney’s Polynesian Resort without something tropical to sip on! Kona Cafe doesn’t staff a bartender during lunch hours, but they DO have one ready to go for dinner service. Luckily, a manager was able to sub in and mix up a delicious Lapu Lapu for $18!
Lapu Lapu
Now that we’ve been instantly transported to paradise (with a little help from the rum and fruit juices served in a blessed PINEAPPLE!) it’s time to order some FOOD! We’re going with the Crispy Pork and Vegetable Potstickers, Pork Belly Noodle Bowl, and Steak Salad!
Kona Cafe Meal
We should mention our meal came with complimentary bread, too! Kona Cafe used to serve an amazing macadamia nut butter with their rolls that we still miss. Nowadays, it’s a standard slice of butter. Nothing fancy, but still delicious!
Bread Service
The Crispy Pork and Vegetable Potstickers were served with a soy vinaigrette dressing and cost $10. The had a really nice sear to them while the filling was nice and tender.
Crispy Pork and Vegetable Potstickers
The Pork Belly Noodle Bowl for $24 was GREAT! The bowl includes rice noodles mixed with egg, mushrooms, bok choy, and other vegetables served in delicious broth! The star of the show is the pork belly though, and the hot sesame oil really adds a nice extra layer of depth to the dish.
Pork Belly Bowl
The last entrée we enjoyed was the Steak Salad for $23. It was served with an incredible sunny-side-up egg for those of you who enjoy a little runny yolk in yo’ life (which we happen to be big fans of!). When the yolk mixed with the Kona house vinaigrette dressing, it really made the flavors POP!
Steak Salad
We would have liked to end our meal with a Hawaiian Pressed Coffee or Banana Trifle, but they were out of a few menu items when we stopped by today. We’re guessing once things get up and runnin’ again, they’ll know how much product to stock and might make a few more menu adjustments when they do!
Overall, they have spaced out the restaurant and limited the menu like the rest of the restaurants we’ve eaten at lately, but of course, Kona Cafe has that signature Polynesian flair! We’ll be back soon with more Disney World eats (that’s right — we’ve miraculously saved some room) so stay tuned!
Here are the Disney World dining changes guests will experience this summer!
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Are you surprised by any of the changes at Kona Cafe? Let us know in the comments!
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its a sad day for Kona. With the lesser seating, and the large following, it might as well just close. I love Kona food, but the wait to get in might be too much. I am and annual passholder who dines at Disney regualarly, but not for long I guess. How sad
Are some of you staying on property right now to be able to eat/review at these resort dining locations? Because the information says day guests will be required to have a reservation,(making it sound like we are allowed and can make one),,but yet no reservations are being allowed for these restaurants,,(I tried), so is that correct? Thanks
So, with having to have a confirmed meal reservation to go to another hotel. Does that mean we can’t just go to a bar, unless we’re staying at the hotel. Like Trader Sam’s Grotto, etc.
Carol, that’s a good question. As far as what the rule actually says, yes, that would also seem to exclude Trader Sam’s (or other lounges) since there aren’t ADRs. If you have an ADR for a Table Service restaurant, you can then roam the Resort (we didn’t see any security or measures to preclude that).
Sandra, earlier this month, Disney began taking reservations over the phone for Resort dining when the Resorts reopened on June 22. We booked a lot of ADRs at that time so we could bring you reviews and information from the restaurants and Resorts. The number Disney provides for these ADRs is: (407) 824-1391.
Ooohh are these the same potstickers as ohana?? They look similar…