We went last August. I was on the fence because of the mixed reviews. So, I scheduled it the first night we were there. That way, I could say "Wow, what a great time we are going to have!" or "It can only get better than that, right".
For first timers to Disney, it was good. My DH actually loved the food. Ours was hot, the service GREAT, and my niece got chosen to be the leader of the dessert parade. The boys had plenty to eat - rice, chicken and the veggies, too. The loved the shows, especially the fire twirler.
We are going back to Disney in July, DH wants to go back to the Luau. It was just "okay" for me. I am scheduling the Hoop-Di-Doo dinner show this year. I think my boys will really enjoy that one, but I do here that there food is just "okay" too. (My boys actually requested going back to Garden Grill.)