Hello there, Lynda, and welcome to planDisney. I bet you are getting so excited about your upcoming Walt Disney World vacation. It's right around the corner now, I bet the countdown is on!
Lynda, I have to say you have a fun-filled day planned while you are at Walt Disney World. I love
Disney's Hollywood Studios and I love dining at
'Ohana - good choices all around! I think anywhere from 60 - 90 minutes is enough time to leave Disney's Hollywood Studios and to make your way over to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. The bus ride itself is going to take about 15-20 minutes to get there depending on traffic. So then you've got to factor in the time that it will take for you to walk to the bus stop while leaving the park and then waiting for a bus to pick you up. Most of the restaurants at Walt Disney World suggest arriving about 15 minutes prior to your reservation time to check-in so I think leaving closer to the 90-minute mark would make things less stressful.
If you arrive at
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort well in advance, you can always start your dinner off with cocktails or mocktails at the
Tambu Lounge which is right next door to 'Ohana. It's one of my favorite bar and lounge areas at Walt Disney World. If you're looking for a cocktail to kick off your Polynesian-inspired meal, I suggest the Lapu Lapu. This fruity drink is delicious without being overly sweet and it is served up in a hollowed-out pineapple which makes for some cute pictures. If you'd like a refill, be sure to save your pineapple and ask for the drink only because you can get a discount on the price! The Backscratcher is another really popular beverage at the Tambu Lounge. This drink is also delicious and is served up with a real bamboo backscratcher in your drink as the garnish. There is also a wide variety of non-alcoholic beverages to choose from like different flavors of lemonade, spritzers and even a No-jito that my daughter really enjoys! The Tambu Lounge has comfortable couches and chairs to sit at which is enjoyable while you wait on your dinner reservation.
Lynda, I certainly don't think you have to rush to get to your dinner reservation but I really enjoy spending a little extra time at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and I think you will too! Leaving 90 minutes early will get you there in plenty of time to browse the shops and stop by Tambu Lounge before enjoying your delicious meal. If you have any other questions before your trip, please stop back by and
ask me. I'm happy to help! Enjoy.