KA WA‘A, a luau at Aulani - ??

[Poppins2010]

Does anyone have an update on this.... when reservations will be accepted, price, etc?

 

[NanMar]

I don't think it's fair to get rid of a free event to a paying one

Saying that I leave on the 4th November and am hoping to see the new event

I doubt we will be back to Aulani for a long time

Mainly due to length of time to get there

I wonder when we can book

I leave on the 6th and called to make some dining reservations today. They told me that they don't have much information about it, but that it will start in the beginning of November and that I should be able to enjoy it before I leave. They are timing it to November because of the release of Moana which happens to be in November. Apparently she will be making some appearances as well.

 

[kdonnel]

If it is anything like the Luau at the Sheraton in Maui, it will be held on the same lawn as the Starlit Hui and those with rooms facing that way can enjoy the entertainment without having to pay for the buffet. At the Sheraton in Maui our balcony ended up just barely behind the stage and we were able to sit on the balcony and watch the show while we ate our take out pizza. We were closer to the stage than most of the guests who paid to go to the Luau.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

I was told to ring back in a few weeks

I want to know

 

[Spokavegas]

And what about Thanksgiving? Anyone heard if they'll be doing a buffet "feast" again? I started calling months ago, and they told me that we should hear something by late august........and it's now mid-Sept. Boo hoo! Trying to plan our holiday dinner! LOL

 

[cgattis]

I was told to ring back in a few weeks

I want to know

And what about Thanksgiving? Anyone heard if they'll be doing a buffet "feast" again? I started calling months ago, and they told me that we should hear something by late august........and it's now mid-Sept. Boo hoo! Trying to plan our holiday dinner! LOL

Sorry, I don't have any news. Just wanted to say I sympathize with you. It's a lot of money to spend and then lose an amenity that was there when you booked. Then you don't even really know whether there will be an alternative. Just....sorry

 

[LottiesMommy]

I saw the page is live for the luau on Aulani's website. It says, "Check back" for reservation and price details. Thought I would add it here for those who are obsessively watching for details to make reservations like me...

Things I found interesting: 3.5 hour duration expected and seating is assigned at arrival, so plan to be in line early... sounds like a long night!

https://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/activities/luau/

 

[Grammy4Lizzy]

All luaus are long affairs.

 

[jlwhitney]

I am more excited for this one than the free show since now we can just do this and not go off property for one . We will be ther nov 11-18 and really hoping it starts by then

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Ahhhhh I want dates

 

[Sepo]

I am more excited for this one than the free show since now we can just do this and not go off property for one . We will be ther nov 11-18 and really hoping it starts by then

Agree. Many guests were going to various Luaus elsewhere despite the Starlit Hui experience. Aulani retains them this way. One nice part of the SH was that it was relatively short and sweet. On the other hand, this adds another evening dining experience, which is needed imo.

 

[jlwhitney]

Agree. Many guests were going to various Luaus elsewhere despite the Starlit Hui experience. Aulani retains them this way. One nice part of the SH was that it was relatively short and sweet. On the other hand, this adds another evening dining experience, which is needed imo.

This is our first trip and looking forward to to. From research it does seem like another dining experience will be good. For us we like doing the Luau right on property since we have young kids so no travel time is nice and at very worst case scenario the room isn't too far away if need be (they should be good but you never know)

 

[sasha]

I am a positive person by nature, but this really, really disappoints me. We have been planning our first trip to Aulani for 18 months. It will be the first time our daughters will ever get on an airplane. I have put hours and hours of planning into this trip (made dining reservations, cabana reservations, Pearl Harbor reservations all on the first available day/time to make reservations). I am a planner. I am so incredibly bummed that we will not be able to see the Starlit Hui, and now it sounds like the new one won't start until November. We'll be there in October, so we totally miss out. Truthfully after putting out so much money on this "once in a lifetime" trip, we don't want to drop another $500 on a luau, especially since we don't drink alcohol, and my DH and daughters are very picky eaters. They won't eat luau food. That's why the SH was perfect for our family.

 

[alohamom]

I am a positive person by nature, but this really, really disappoints me. We have been planning our first trip to Aulani for 18 months. It will be the first time our daughters will ever get on an airplane. I have put hours and hours of planning into this trip (made dining reservations, cabana reservations, Pearl Harbor reservations all on the first available day/time to make reservations). I am a planner. I am so incredibly bummed that we will not be able to see the Starlit Hui, and now it sounds like the new one won't start until November. We'll be there in October, so we totally miss out. Truthfully after putting out so much money on this "once in a lifetime" trip, we don't want to drop another $500 on a luau, especially since we don't drink alcohol, and my DH and daughters are very picky eaters. They won't eat luau food. That's why the SH was perfect for our family.

I totally understand where you are coming from and how you feel but if it makes you feel any better, I didnt think the Starlit Hui was that great. I work in the film and television industry so perhaps I am jaded and expect a certain level of quality but I felt the performances themselves were good, just not great. What I didnt like was sitting on the lawn, (didnt mind it for the movie night as we had much more space) jammed in with so many families with little fussing children who obviously needed to be sleeping, people who felt the need to stand up to film it and the overall sense of chaos. We missed it the first time we went to Aulani because the one night it was supposed to run it got rained out and was cancelled. This made me totally determined to see it this last August and I am glad I did but it honestly was not even close to the highlight of our trip. I think it gets hyped here on the Disboards quite a bit. You can see totally authentic luau type dancing at many other venues around the island for free as well at Ala Moana Mall in the lower level center stage, in Waikiki right on the beach and other seasonal programs that happen here and there, obviously not as convenient but certainly a little less Disneyfied Hawaiian entertainment.
Wow, that all sounded so harsh, I must need another cup of tea this morning or something, LOL! Aulani is great and there is so much to see and do, including just soaking up the atmosphere and going with the flow. I do think it they should have kept the Starlit Hui right up until the new paid event begins but having done SH once I dont feel the need to do it again, whereas we went over and over to Uncles storytelling near the fire, even though he only had a couple of tales to tell.

 

[club924]

I completely agree with alohamom. We are here right now and watched SH on Thu. Maybe I was expecting more based on all the hype from this board, but the show was just OK for us. We've seen tons of hula shows (and only 1 luau at Paradie Point) and we've seen much better. Check out the free ones on Waikiki or in Ala Moana mall. After the SH show, my husband and I agreed we would feel bummed if we had to pay for that. I'm hoping the replacement dinner show is better bc at the Disney price (I'm assuming it's going to be $$$), it better be as good or better than their next door neighbor's luau.

 

[NanMar]

So I was told that reservations should start mid-next week and the dates should be the first week of November but they don't "know" anything else about it yet.

 

[twodogs]

Agree as well with alohamom. We saw it in June for the first time. I wasn't bothered by the seating, but I just felt it was really short. I was expecting something much longer and grand, maybe like the Lion King show at Animal Kingdom or something (not the genre but the length and quality). We really liked SH, but would have been disappointed if it had cost extra. Our room overlooked the lawn, and we watched a little of it another night from there, but certainly didn't feel the need to see it twice in our 8 nights there. I'm sure the paid version they are planning is going to be more grand since it is 3 hours for the whole experience.

Honestly there is so, so much wonderful stuff you have planned (I have been reading your posts as you were in early planning when I was in late planning!), your family will have an awesome time! I think if I had to pick something to miss of all the things you listed (we did all the things you listed), I would have chosen to miss SH by a long shot. You will have a blast!!!

 

[planningjollyholiday]

Here now and talked to "uncle " who said that monday is the last show. Feeling very lucky we get to see the last one.

 

[keaster]

We are going in March, I'm looking forward to seeing the pricing and availability for this!

 

[keaster]

I am a positive person by nature, but this really, really disappoints me. We have been planning our first trip to Aulani for 18 months. It will be the first time our daughters will ever get on an airplane. I have put hours and hours of planning into this trip (made dining reservations, cabana reservations, Pearl Harbor reservations all on the first available day/time to make reservations). I am a planner. I am so incredibly bummed that we will not be able to see the Starlit Hui, and now it sounds like the new one won't start until November. We'll be there in October, so we totally miss out. Truthfully after putting out so much money on this "once in a lifetime" trip, we don't want to drop another $500 on a luau, especially since we don't drink alcohol, and my DH and daughters are very picky eaters. They won't eat luau food. That's why the SH was perfect for our family.

I agree with the other posters, don't let this put a damper on what will be a wonderful trip for you and your family! We could see/hear the Starlit Hui from our room our last trip, to us it seemed very short and and as others said there are other places to see a luau type show for free in other places!