Aulani resort entertainment vs luau??

[cropper]

Wondering if the entertainment at the resort, such as the Starlit Hui, would do in place of a luau?

I have been to a luau 20+ years ago but hubby and kids (13&8) have not

 

[cleophus12]

I have heard great things about the Starlit hui. We have been to Hawaii twice but have never been to a luau and this was going to be the time to go to one. But if the Starlit Hui will be an appropriate substitute, I'd like to know before I book a Luau. I would like the answer to this question myself.

 

[aymekae]

We, too, are wondering about this. I think we will end up not going to a luau because DH is picky and probably won't find much he'll eat and I am gluten free and find it hard to ask about ingredients and stuff. But it's my first time in Hawai'i, I don't want to miss the quintessential touristy thing to do! Lol.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I don't think Starlight Hui includes food, does it? If not, then it certainly wont replace a luau, since the luau is all about the food. I think Starlight Hui would maybe replace the hula part of a luau. From some of the pictures I've seen, it looks like they don't just concentrate on Hawaiian hula, but also include all the other polynesian cultures dances as well.

 

[mouseaider]

We bit the bullet and booked the Paradise Cove Luau after a lot of research for our trip in April.

It is so much more than a hula and some food. There is a story line behind why they have a luau and I felt it was something we had to do.

I'm also a picky eater but after looking at the menu, I'm not worried at all.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[stitch'sgirl]

DH, DS (9) and I all agreed that the Starlit Hui was SO much better than the Paradise Cove luau. Disney knows how to put on shows. They pull on your emotions and you are swept away by the beauty and music. We were stretched out and snuggly on grass mats under the stars soaking in the story of the luau. At Paradise Cove we were crammed together with strangers (although very nice) on cheap plastic chairs. It felt very commercial to me, where Disney felt so genuine. Does that make sense?

 

[logpey]

We bit the bullet and booked the Paradise Cove Luau after a lot of research for our trip in April.

It is so much more than a hula and some food. There is a story line behind why they have a luau and I felt it was something we had to do.

I'm also a picky eater but after looking at the menu, I'm not worried at all.

Good luck with your decision.

I'm leaning towards Paradise cove also & I'm only 2 weeks & 6 days out, decisions, decisions! Viator website has a better rate for Paradise Cove Luau, saves us 28 dollars....

P.S. Last July my family did the Polynesian Resort Luau "Spirit of Aloha"@ Disneyworld, it was so-so..

 

[Ggatorgirl]

Has anyone gone to or heard about the FIA FIA luau? It's very highly recommended by Trip Advisor and takes place at one of the Marriotts..not sure if it'sthe JW or the Vacation Club.

 

[cropper]

DH, DS (9) and I all agreed that the Starlit Hui was SO much better than the Paradise Cove luau. Disney knows how to put on shows. They pull on your emotions and you are swept away by the beauty and music. We were stretched out and snuggly on grass mats under the stars soaking in the story of the luau. At Paradise Cove we were crammed together with strangers (although very nice) on cheap plastic chairs. It felt very commercial to me, where Disney felt so genuine. Does that make sense?

totally makes sense. I am just worried I will be missing something if we don't do a luau.

Thank you for your input!

 

[stitch'sgirl]

totally makes sense. I am just worried I will be missing something if we don't do a luau.

Thank you for your input!

If I would have had this advise before I shelled out the money for Paradise Cove, I still would have gone. I wouldn't have thought the "free" Disney show could compare to a legendary luau. So I had to see for myself. Lesson learned.

We also attended many storytelling sessions with "Uncle", and got to know many of the cast members from the Community Hall who joined the dance party after the Starlit Hui. Ok, this will sound kind of weird, but it reminded me of the big end of the summer wrap up show in the movie Dirty Dancing because you get to know so many people if you are there for several days.

I didn't want to miss anything (hence the decision to do a real luau) because I thought this was a one time trip. We all agreed, we will be back.....sooner than later! You will love it!

 

[Lisa Anne Colling]

Has anyone gone to or heard about the FIA FIA luau? It's very highly recommended by Trip Advisor and takes place at one of the Marriotts..not sure if it'sthe JW or the Vacation Club.

We have been to the Fia Fia. It was excellent and the best Luau we have been too. (we haven't done paradise cove yet) the Fia Fia was at the marriot in thier Time share resort. I'm not sure if anyone can go or just the people stying at the resort? It was good and would be worth a call to find out.

 

[Lisa Anne Colling]

Is the starlit hui every night or just certain nights?

 

[stitch'sgirl]

totally makes sense. I am just worried I will be missing something if we don't do a luau.

Thank you for your input!

If I would have had this advise before I shelled out the money for Paradise Cove, I still would have gone. I wouldn't have thought the "free" Disney show could compare to a legendary luau. So I had to see for myself. Lesson learned.

We also attended many storytelling sessions with "Uncle", and got to know many of the cast members from the Community Hall who joined the dance party after the Starlit Hui. Ok, this will sound kind of weird, but it reminded me of the big end of the summer wrap up show in the movie Dirty Dancing because you get to know so many people if you are there for several days.

I didn't want to miss anything (hence the decision to do a real luau) because I thought this was a one time trip. We all agreed, we will be back.....sooner than later! You will love it!

 

[justkeepswimmin]

The Starlight Hui is only 2xs per week I believe. We were only there 5 nights and I was sooo sad we did not get to see this a 2nd time. It was my favorite night of our stay. It is a true Disney production, just wonderful!

Prior to the start of the show, "Auntie" and other CMs sit out on mats and do crafts with the children. Very low key and relaxed, everyone sitting on the ground making little flower arrangements, hair pieces, playing and touching authentic Hawaiian instruments. As families arrive, everyone grabs their own mat to sit on for the show and picks their spot on the grass to set up. CMs mingle during this time, quietly pulling aside willing children to teach them the dances that will be done during the show. The whole experience feels so intimate, something waiting for a show at Disney usually does NOT feel like . There is no food but I didn't miss it. When the actual show started, my family was transfixed by the beautiful singing, dancing and storytelling. No one tells a story like Disney. We loved it! I could have actually done without the appearance of Mickey and Minnie at the end but the kids enjoyed that and it is still a Disney resort after all but that part seemed more forced to me where the rest of the show felt natural and fitting of the beautiful setting. Aulani was amazing. I can't wait to go back.

 

[mdsd8700]

DH, DS (9) and I all agreed that the Starlit Hui was SO much better than the Paradise Cove luau. Disney knows how to put on shows. They pull on your emotions and you are swept away by the beauty and music. We were stretched out and snuggly on grass mats under the stars soaking in the story of the luau. At Paradise Cove we were crammed together with strangers (although very nice) on cheap plastic chairs. It felt very commercial to me, where Disney felt so genuine. Does that make sense?

Thanks for your thoughts in this post. My DH and I did a luau years ago when went to Maui and I wasn't impressed at all and didn't understand the attraction. I would have never had a desire to do one again. It could have been the luau we attended. I have nothing to compare it to. However our kids (15 and 18) have never been to Hawaii so we thought we needed to do one for them. I know they will not be interested in the food at all. They are not foodies by any stretch. My 15 year old DD will still eat off the kids menu at any resturant we go to. She actually can be frustrating when it comes to food. Our DS will eat a wide variety of food but it doesn't matter if it is fine dining or fast food. So this Starlight Hui might work well for us. Since the experience seems to be very positive which is what I really want. However I don't want the kids to miss out on anything since we probably won't be back for a very long time. I will guess I will have to continue to read more posts and think about it so more.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

We definitely plan to do the Starlit Hui during our stay. We were thinking of doing the luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Has anyone done that recently? DH and I did it on our previous trip to Oahu years ago and it was good. We also have done a luau on the Big Island with the kids. This trip we will be taking my inlaws who have never been to Hawaii. They want to do a luau and I thought we'd kill two birds with one stone to do it at the PCC since we are planning a day up there anyway.

Thoughts or experiences?

 

[fsufan53]

We definitely plan to do the Starlit Hui during our stay. We were thinking of doing the luau at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Has anyone done that recently? DH and I did it on our previous trip to Oahu years ago and it was good. We also have done a luau on the Big Island with the kids. This trip we will be taking my inlaws who have never been to Hawaii. They want to do a luau and I thought we'd kill two birds with one stone to do it at the PCC since we are planning a day up there anyway.

Thoughts or experiences?

Wow, you read my mind, as I came on the boards to start a new thread but I will just add on to this one. My wife and I will be at Aulani in March for 6 nights/five days. Right now, we have 4 excursions booked: rainforest, Pearl Harbor, Paradise Cove luau, and the Poly Cultural Center.

I am now debating on if we should pay the $$$ for the Paradise Cove one given that we are doing the Poly Center. I want to build a little more resort time in for us, as we only have about a day and a half to enjoy the resort due to all the activities. How long is that luau? Is the Starlight one at Aulani extra money? Does it have any food?

 

[TEK224]

I just got back and saw both the Starlit Hui and Paradise Cove luau. I enjoyed both. The Starlit Hui does not have food and the music and storytelling lasts about an hour. They have crafts before the show starts.
Ithought the singers and dancers were very good and entertaining. We had a beautiful night also. I enjoyed the characters and dance party at the end. Like pp said, it felt like the final she-bang from Dirty Dancing, with everyone up having a good time.

I also went to Paradise Cove Luau. I had gone several years ago and it was so much nicer to be able to walk to it, rather than take the 40 minute bus ride from/to Waikiki. If you have a Hawaii entertainment book, you can get 25% off up to 4 tickets. At Paradise Cove they also have crafts and games. They open the gate at 5PM. From 5-about 6:30, you can do the crafts, play games, get beverages, take a canoe ride, walk the beach, etc. Then they start with demonstrations of Hawaiian traditions. Then you see them take the pig from the underground "oven". Following this explanation and ceremony, you eat and then the dance part of the show starts. Everything is done around 9PM. I enjoyed doing a little of everything at Paradise Cove. But, if you're on a budget, you can get the feel of a luau (minus the food) with Starlit Hui.

Terri

 

[fsufan53]

Thanks so much for the help. Does anyone know if the dinner at the poly center is a luau also?

 

[dr&momto2boys]

It is great and IMO could replace a luau. It's all the entertainment of a luau including craft and dance activities before the entertainment start. Since my kids wouldn't enjoy luau food, we ONLY did Starlit Hui.

Edit...I just noticed you haven't been to a laua in a long time and your DH and kids never have, so I would definately want to have the whole luau experience. Personally I would choose Germaine's. It's not far and the locals recommend it as the best too. There is a 10% off coupon in the books you can pick up free at the airport.