Kona Cafe vs Kona Island vs Spirit of Aloha

[Euby]

Please help. I am hoping to catch the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach at the Polynesian Village. I've tried to make reservations for Kona Cafe, but there is nothing available until 8:35pm and the Pageant is scheduled to be at the Poly @ 9pm. So I seriously doubt I can leave my meal 1/2 way just to see it. Unless you can view it from the restaurant? I noticed that the dinner menu between Kona Island and Kona Cafe are the same. So is it an option to get dinner at the Island without an ADR?

There are currently ADR available for the Spirit of Aloha. Has anyone every gone to this? Opinions? I do realize that this is a hokey re-make of a legit Luau, but aren't most?

So what I really want to know is this:
In order to see the Pageant what would you suggest amongst these options?

 

[Surgie2]

I am hoping to catch the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach at the Polynesian Village.

Just wondering...do you have to be a Poly guest to view the parade from the beach? Others will know but I thought people from other resorts go to the Poly beach to watch fireworks and the electric pageant without a dining reservation.

 

[Hopefully]

Currently, at most times of the year, you do not need to be a Poly guest to view the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach. But at some times of the year - think July 4th and Christmas, New Years - they do restrict access to paying guests.
Personally I have no interest in the Luau. As you said it is reported to be Hokey and drawn out and the food doesn't appeal. I certainly wouldn't book an expensive dinner show because I wanted to see the Pageant. I didn't think Kona Island actually served dinner - I may be wrong
You could always get something at Capt Cook's, the Poly Quick Serve and take it to the outside tables to eat, then just head to the beach to view the Pageant.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Why not just go to Trader Sam's or Capt. Cook's? I would not pay to see SOA just to see the water pageant. Or just go to Poly and see the water pageant. You don't need to eat there to visit.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would not book any meal just to see the water pageant, and certainly not SOA< which is an expensive ticket for a ten minute view of the page at on the lake afterwards. I would go to one of the lounges for a cocktail, and then head to the beach afterwards, or I would plan that time for my resort hopping and go explore the Poly lobby and grounds, then see the pageant.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Kona Cafe has no outside view.

Kona Island is basically the lounge for Kona Cafe in the evening, and walk-up is generally an issue because people who tried to walk up at Kona or Ohana take it over.

Everyone else has covered why SOA is a bad idea if you aren't there for so-so food and a show.

if you really want to see the EWP get a drink at Tambu and walk to the beach.

 

[Barbydoll8]

Agreed. The lua is ok. I thought it was hokey and food ok. Too much $$ for what you get imo. I'd rather go to HDDR for the price.
You can view the parade from the beach at the hotel w/o being a guest as stated above.
You can also view from the GF which use to do a beach party for the parade and fireworks. I believe it's ala carte purchase (or use to be). You could check to see if that is an option instead of the Poly if you want food/drinks while watching.

 

[imthegoose]

CAn I make an alternative suggestion? Instead of the Poly, go get dinner at Geyser Point at Wilderness Lodge. Then you can watch the water pageant from there.

 

[DISNEY1975]

If you are just doing it for the pageant, you can see it from the entrance of the resort monorail ramp at MK. I was leaving the park one night to go back to the Poly, and the pageant was sailing across the lagoon. You have a perfect viewing area!

 

[allsaintsatx]

Please help. I am hoping to catch the Electrical Water Pageant from the beach at the Polynesian Village. I've tried to make reservations for Kona Cafe, but there is nothing available until 8:35pm and the Pageant is scheduled to be at the Poly @ 9pm. So I seriously doubt I can leave my meal 1/2 way just to see it. Unless you can view it from the restaurant? I noticed that the dinner menu between Kona Island and Kona Cafe are the same. So is it an option to get dinner at the Island without an ADR?

There are currently ADR available for the Spirit of Aloha. Has anyone every gone to this? Opinions? I do realize that this is a hokey re-make of a legit Luau, but aren't most?

So what I really want to know is this:
In order to see the Pageant what would you suggest amongst these options?

I absolutely love the EWP. It is Old School Disney World. We stayed at the Poly in December and we saw it almost every night we were there.

And I am saying all that, only because of this: I wouldn't schedule an ADR around catching the EWP. I would definitely grab some QS to fit around EWP, and as @DisneyWishes14 said, Capt Cook's at the Poly is a great option. The coconut curry meatballs and rice are the things I dream about after we return home! And one more thing: sometimes at the Kona Cafe you may have to wait for 20-30 minutes for your reservation. Not too bad, but if you are trying to get to a scheduled event you might not make it!

Also, the beach between the Poly and the Spirit of Aloha show is a good spot to watch EWP from. We were literally the only people there! Much more people watch it from the main beach next to the bungalows.

Whatever your choice, I'm sure you'll have a great time!! Enjoy!!

 

[Euby]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I'll just plan on picking up a QS/CS meal for dinner. Now just need to figure out where to park the ECV. I'm pretty sure it won't like the sand.