No one knows why the closure happened.
Guests visiting Walt Disney World on June 6 found themselves in the middle of a surprise when ‘Ohana, the ever-popular dining spot inside Magic Kingdom’s Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, suddenly shut its doors for the evening, according to reports. Notifications through the My Disney Experience app alerted diners that the location was “unexpectedly closed for dinner tonight,” sending many scrambling for last-minute dinner options.
Although no cause has been confirmed, some guests in the vicinity reported the scent of smoke around the time of the closure. Disney has not yet commented on these reports, leaving many to speculate about the restaurant’s operational status. Set in the resort’s Great Ceremonial House, ‘Ohana is known for its vibrant ambiance, all-you-care-to-enjoy Hawaiian-style food, and its breakfast-only Character Dining experience starring Lilo and Stitch.
Interestingly, even with the live-action Lilo & Stitch (2025) film making waves at the summer box office, Lilo was notably absent from a recent breakfast. While character dining is only offered during breakfast at ‘Ohana—not dinner—guests were still caught off guard. This dining location has had a handful of operational hiccups over the years, including previous shutdowns tied to safety concerns like gas leaks and fire alarms. In one instance, the entire Great Ceremonial House had to be evacuated.
As of now, there’s hope that the restaurant will resume regular service on June 7. Meanwhile, the Polynesian itself is adjusting to big changes, with its Disney Vacation Club Island Tower expansion recently completed.
Across the rest of Walt Disney World Resort, more shifts are taking shape. Earlier this week, Disney officially confirmed the addition of Piston Peak National Park, a Cars and Planes-inspired land set to debut at Magic Kingdom. But not without cost: Tom Sawyer Island and Rivers of America are scheduled to close permanently on July 7 to make room for the new development. Billed as the “largest expansion in Magic Kingdom history,” this change left many fans feeling a mix of excitement and nostalgia.
These updates reflect a broader pattern at Disney World, where each of the four parks is undergoing change. Whether it’s in anticipation of growing guest needs or competitive moves like Universal’s Epic Universe, there’s no doubt that the theme park landscape is shifting.
Of course, even with big plans underway, there’s still plenty to enjoy right now. Guests can ride thrilling attractions like Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, explore Pandora in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, or catch classic sights and sounds on Sunset Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Plus, character dining experiences around Magic Kingdom resort hotels continue to offer memorable ways to meet fan-favorite Disney friends without the crowds inside the parks.
As the calendar inches closer to major changes, one thing remains clear: Walt Disney World is always in motion. Temporary setbacks like the ‘Ohana closure remind us that even the most beloved corners of the resort can experience unexpected detours.
Have you ever had last-minute dining changes? Let us know in the comments down below!
