best ages for luau and hoop-dee-doo

[yenlee]

What do you think is the ideal age for a kid to start visiting the spirit of aloha and hoop-dee-doo shows, respectively? I've never been to either. I'm especially curious about the hoop-dee-doo, since it's supposed to be humorous, so I'm wondering how old a kid needs to be to get the jokes.

 

[LeahA]

My kids love Hoop Dee Doo! My kids were 2,5,8 the last time we went and they just loved the show, the music, the cast, one of the pretty girls came up and took a picture with my 2 year old.

I've never did the Luau!

 

[jrtoastyman]

The luau doesn't really have any elements that would appear to very young children, although there's nothing that would bother them, either. The first half of the show is something akin to a Disney Channel sitcom, while the second half features authentic dancing from various Pacific islands. I probably wouldn't bother to take my daughter to see it for her own benefit until she's at least 5 or 6 just because there's no characters or anything, but I wouldn't hesitate to take her if everyone else in my party wanted to go.

I don't want to "spoil" it, so I'll leave it at that, but if you have any specific questions, let me know.

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

we did the luau last year when dd was 4 and ds 3 or about to turn 3, he actually turned 3 on the trip last year. now with ds he doesnt sit still for anything altho did quite well at the meal. dd sits for hrs and watches anything so we knew she wouldnt be an issue. now of course that being said we also stopped in the gift shop at the poly ahead of time to get them each a toy to play with during the meal just incase. we went to the first showing, altho would of preferred the later one with the fire dancer part of the show. however there was a lot of kids at the meal. my only big complaint is going in when they say to arrive, then being herded into a wait area with few seats and a lot of ppl and the heat. youre there for about half an hr then herded down the ramp to the theatre area. from there its a very well organized chaos of them seating people as the groups come down. they have it down to a science tho.

 

[TDC Nala]

Never done the luau. But I have noted that boys between the ages of maybe 5 and 9 seem to absolutely fall over laughing at Hoop De Doo. They apparently like the slapstick humor. My nephew saw it when he was 5 or 6 and talked about it for a long time.

 

[SergeantDad]

When we went to HDDR my two boys were 5 and 8 years old. They loved it. It was over 95 degrees that day and we arrived way too early. We had to stand outside in the sun with nowhere to sit. I was quickly getting very frustrated, and really wanted to skip the whole thing and get a burger somewhere. Well, we finally got in and I wasn't in the mood to be entertained. I had a ball! I laughed almost the entire time and the food was great. Both of my boys were in stitches the whole time. I will do it again, in spite of its price.

 

[minnie mum]

We have never been to the luau- were scared off by so many negative reviews.

However we've been to HDDR several times, and judging by the audience and their reactions to the show, I would estimate the best ages for experiencing this would be between 2 and 92.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Went to both shows when DS was 4. He liked Spirit of Aloha - the music and dancing... 1 part kids can come on stage but he didn't want to do that....lots of older kids did...he REALLY liked the fire juggler at the end.

Hoop Dee Doo -- he laughed hysterically everytime the actors were on stage. And I thought he would be bored there.... Our waitress was very funny too!

 

[goofygal531]

None of us enjoyed the Luau, the food was horrible.

However, we love HDDR! My boys have seen the show since they were each 2 years old and really enjoy the entire experience. The show, the food and the boat ride to Ft Wilderness. It's a family favorite!

 

[dislover8943]

We did the hddr last year my boys were 8 months and 3 and they absolutely loved it! We had the table right in front of the stage and the baby was transfixed by the show. He even sat in his highchair the whole time which he rarely does my 3 yr old was laughing out loud. We all loved it the food was good the show was great over all a great experience . We never did the luau

 

[DisneyFamily123]

..... we went to the first showing, altho would of preferred the later one with the fire dancer part of the show. .....

Did you leave early? I thought the fire dancer was at EVERY show, at the end of the show. I never heard of him not being there. Was any reason given for him not being there?

 

[dandave]

I've seen HDD twice, and I'd gladly see it again. Fried chicken and strawberry shortcake were yummy!
My niece was around 2 when we took her to HDD. She loved it! We were right by the piano. She watched the show with her mouth hanging open in awe. So many people were watching her and laughing...

 

[amberg@eastlink.ca]

Did you leave early? I thought the fire dancer was at EVERY show, at the end of the show. I never heard of him not being there. Was any reason given for him not being there?

no, sorry i meant, it would of been better to see him with it being darker out vs being so light out at the 5/530 showing. he was there i just think if my kids could handle eating later that it would be better to see him in the dark.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

no, sorry i meant, it would of been better to see him with it being darker out vs being so light out at the 5/530 showing. he was there i just think if my kids could handle eating later that it would be better to see him in the dark.

That makes sense. Never thought about that. Last time it was the last week of October.... this year we plan to go in September to the 5:15pm show and sunset is 7:14pm... I guess it will be a little dark when the fire dancer comes on...

 

[jacksmom]

We like HDDR best! Ages 4 and up should really enjoy!

 

[lblume91]

We've done HDDR twice & loved it both times. The 1st time we went, our youngest was not quite 6 and she got the jokes. It's like Hee Haw - corny, slapstick humor. (Do you remember Hee Haw??) It's good, clean, family fun.