I paid OOP for Tier 2 last trip and I was not happy with my seats. Our table was in the back (right next to the Tier 3 table) and behind a pole, which was also next to a waiters' station (where they'd stop and drop the metal plates onto constantly, blocking our view). My daughter (4 at the time) couldn't see past the people sitting in front of us (a booster seat helped, but I had to switch places with her for her to be able to see better) From where we were, it was hard to see AND hear what was going on. I still couldn't tell you what the story was about.
My advice - pay OOP and get the Tier 1 seats if you insist on going to it. Personally, from my experience I'd do a different show. The only part I enjoyed (and I really looked forward to this for YEARS because it was canceled on our honeymoon trip due to rain) was the fire dancer at the end.
As others have said, if you want to use the DDP, you will be in either tier 2 or 3. If you want tier 1, you have to pay OOP. When we did the luau, we chose not to use the DDP and paid OOP for tier 1. I was so glad we did because we had great seats right up front by the stage.
Are they assigned seats or first come basis for the certain sections...when I booked by phone she said they were right behind the 1st tier and we would be able to see perfectly?