HDDR vs. Luau ~ Which would you choose, and why???

[Mickeydad]

Need help fellow DVCer's...

We will be a party of 12 (8 adults/4 children 5-9 years old).

We are celebrating our 10th Anniversary and are taking everyone out for dinner.

We've been to the HDDR, but most of the others in our group have not been to either.

Which show would you choose, and why???

Thanks for your help!!!

 

[Steve Hurley]

HDDR
1. Air Conditioned
2. Better food
3. Better entertainment especially for the kids

 

[jkovick]

HDDR!!!
Luau food was very dissappointing.
HDDR has much wider appeal, especially if you have kids in the group.

 

[angey77]

I just had to make a similar decision...I chose Luau because no one in my party is into the fried chicken/country music thing, even if they do have sangrias!

 

[Mickeydad]

Angey77,

Where you happy with your decision???

 

[angey77]

I am right now...I don't go until December! lol!
Really, every trip when I was growing up, my parents brought the family to the HDDR. It was a little too loud and country for my taste, even as a child. Last time I went to the Luau, I was 12 (that was 13 years ago), and I really liked it back then, even though I know its changed in format.

 

[jonsmom57]

When in December are you going?

I have Luau ressies in December as well. I am a little on the fence though about it. I really havent read too much positive info on it.

 

[Mickeydad]

We have been to the HDDR twice - it was actually better the second time we went. The kids really LOVE it...so I know that would be a sure thing and that everyone in our party will probably enjoy it. We wanted to try something different and thought the LUAU would be great...but haven't heard that in reviews...the best review I have seen is that it is good to do - once??? Just can't make the decision????

 

[Pixie_Dust]

LOVED the HDD! Couldn't get enough of the food, don't even know why. The show was like a trip in the way-back machine, very refreshing.

Went to the Luau a long time ago and remember the food was bad and they never refilled the supposedly refillable drink. Did not think the show was worth it.

 

[floridaminnie]

Another vote for HDDR. WEnt to the new Luau three weeks ago and was very very dissappointed. Food was ok, drinks were BAD and service was the worse that I have ever seen. I've been to the old Luau twice and the "new" Luau once.

I've been to the HDDR 3 times, and never had a bad experience!

 

[angey77]

We are going to the Luau Tuesday, December 16 at 8 p.m.
I'm getting nervous...does anyone have anything positive to say about the Luau???

 

[jkovick]

I thought the luau show was good.....however, combined with poor food and marginal service I wouldn't go again.

 

[rascalmom]

We've done the Luau twice, once in June 2001 and once in 2002. Both times we had great service & we enjoyed the food. The show is what makes this worthwhile though. We have not seen the new show, but we did recommend the Luau to some friends who just returned. They REALLY enjoyed it. Said it was one of their favorite things that they did.

 

[BethC1952]

We've been to both (although we haven't been to the HDDR in 21 years, we were at the Luau last year). We didn't enjoy the HDDR at all. We're not into the corny humor (even my son (7 years old at the time) didn't like it) or the country-western music. We just made our reservations for the Luau for 12/11/03, and I don't regret that decision at all.

Beth

 

[AreWeThereYet]

Hey Angey77/mickeydad -

We have been to both - the Luau (kids one too) and the Hoop De Doo review. We liked both, but here's some things you may want to think about.

When we (My wife and I only) went to the Luau it was on our anniversary trip in the beginning of July. The weather was hot(!!) and I don't recall, but since the venue is open-aired I don't know how cool it was for dinner and the show. We had a fine meal, plenty of refills, and the best cup of coffee I've ever had at Disney (go figure). We also got to do the "honeymoon/anniversary" dance on stage with others who were celebrating. This luau experience was very magical and made us want to see it again.

A couple years later we went to the luau for kids with our two girls. This time it was raining so the dancers were way far away under the covering of the venue and it was difficult to see them. The kids didn't really care for the food and the overall experience was less then magical.

Luau verdict = mixed (once good, once bad)

Hoop De Doo -

loved the show and don't remember anything in particular about the food, but I think we liked it. Had an extra family member with us this time so spent some time catering to her (mother-in-law) needs during the show. Fun music and nice, enclosed venue.

HDD verdict - good.

I have heard that the program of the Luau has just changed, so they may have changed the dances or more - you may want to look into that a bit more. Don't know if the HDD is the same or not.

I would probably recommend the HDD because it's indoors - might be important during the winter evenings. As far as shows go, I am more of a luau show type of guy so I would recommend that just from a preference standpoint.

Micketdad - you and the misses can do that great anniversary dance on stage if you do the luau.

Don't know if this helps, but it's always fun reliving the great experiences we've had at WDW.

Enjoy your show(s)

 

[dznyntnh]

Hoop-dee-doo!!

But, remember, if they drag you up on stage at the end beware of the tutu and wings.

 

[angey77]

I'm kinda getting from this thread that the Luau is better for those without kids (that's me)?? The more I read about all the great things the HDD has for kids, the more comfortable I am that I booked the Luau! lol.

 

[Mickeydad]

Well... everyone's comments are VERY appreciated.

At this hour, we are STILL undecided. We LOVE the HDDR, but we'd like to try the Luau~but we really don't want to try something for the first time with our family/friends and have it be a fun evening. (I know, how can that be it's DISNEY)

My DW and I are split, we just don't know what to do. We have ressies for both shows. We have until 3 weeks out before we have to make a final decision.

So, keep the comments coming...

 

[Mickeydad]

Oops - typo...

I meant to say... "have it NOT be a fun evening."

Sorry

Mickeydad