Luau at Polynesian - 1st Night?

[Paula Kapotes]

Arriving 11/2 to the Polynesian. We don't get in until 3 or 4pm. TOo late to go to the Parks. Celebrating Parents 50th Anniv.
We are 3 kids (9, 11, 13), me and DH, and parents. Have made PS for the Luau, thinking this would be a good night to stay at home base and enjoy show. Wanted opinions on whether it's worth the $$$?? The other idea was to head over to the Cal. Grille to catch the Fireworks and dinner. Realized that there are only two nights to see Fireworks at MK -- Wed and Sat.
Any opinions on which is worth it for the first night, to get in the Spirit of WDW??

 

[Angel1]

We too will be arriving at the Polynesian at about 3 or 4, and have booked the luau for our first night. This trip it's me, DH and 3 kids (11, 8 and 3). We're planning to settle in, swim, and then do the luau.

I'm hoping eveyone loves it!

Please post when you get back, and let us know what you thought of it!

 

[cd&kids]

We personally didn't care all that much for the luau...thought it was overated and food just average.
BUT...on your first night, you're in such a festive, happy mood that it probably will prove enjoyable!

 

[TXMommy]

We, too, are doing the luau on our first night! We are a family of 5 (myself, DH, DS-17, DD-8, and DS-5) staying at PO-R Nov. 27-30. On our past trip we did Chef Mickey's the first night, so we were looking for something different this time. Since the kids enjoyed Lilo & Stitch so much and have been talking about going to a "real" luau, we decided this would be fun!

DH and I did the luau in 96 and really enjoyed it. It is a very entertaining show!

 

[Jillpie]

We loved the luau!! The kids had a blast and the show is fantastic. However, it depends on which show your going to. The later one is more enjoyable because it is dark and the flames from the flamethrower is awesome. But if your getting up very early to get to DW, you and your kids will be up late and may get very cranky to enjoy it. So I would weigh that into your decision. But the show is really great.

 

[n2mm]

We have done the Luau many times. While the first time was the best, they have changed the menu several times. I like doing it sometimes and the food is just OK. I took my kids (adult ones) a few years ago. They also found the food to be OK and the show OK, but my then 6 year old grandson, who loves watching shows, was not impressed with either the show or the food. They did bring him some mac and cheese. I thought, probably the most expensive mac and cheese I ever bought for him. I would do it again one day, but it's not a must for me, and would never take the kids again. Really, the kids only liked the all you can drink mixed drinks and beer. My grandson fell asleep at the table.

 

[TXMommy]

 

[Greg K.]

Our first trip, in '96, we did the Luau our first night. Seemed like a good idea at the time. But my wife had been up all night packing -- don't get me started on THAT! -- and by Luau time, she was WHIPPED.

We ended up leaving early, as I recall.

We had a nice enough time -- nice enough, in fact, to do it again the following year. That was enough for us.

Food is okay, and the show exotic -- with a couple dazzling moments involving fire, drums, swaying girls and pounding bare feet.

 

[smjj]

We did the Luau in 1998 and enjoyed it quite a lot. We liked the food also. There has been a lot of folks who posted her who were not impressed with it but we thought it was plentiful, varied and very good. The show was entertaining as well. We went to the late show. We already have PS for Dec. 5th of this year..smjj