Luau or HDD?

[DVC Jen]

I need some feedback from those whom have been to both or one or the other recently.

We are a family of 4 - going back for our yearly WDW trip this coming June. Ages DH - 45, myself - 42, DD-20 and DD 16.

We have done both - but it has been years since we did either.

We are staying at VWL so getting to either is not going to be an issue.

I have heard the Lilo and Stitch thing is big at the Luau now and that kind of turns us off. Maybe if our daughters were younger it would appeal to us more. However - the thought of of a luau is a bit more appealing than HDD.

I am just really torn and would love opinions - both good and bad so we can make the best decision for our family.

Thanks.

 

[MAC3]

Wow interesting!!! Subscribing to hear the answers.

 

[PrincessMonkey]

Thanks for your post. I'm curious to read DIS responses.

We will try HDD for the first time on October 25th. We are both big kids (28 & 30), so we purchased Category 1 and the late 9:30pm show, which many have said is the funnier, zanier show -- just our style!

We didn't know much about these shows, but after doing some research, we like that HDD is actually old-fashioned saloon-style humor than a "redneck" show (as one DISer had posted in another thread. I do not intend to offend anyone with that term.)

The luau at Polynesian seems more relaxing, but we think that there will be much more adult interaction with HDD, which is difficult to find, since there are SO many child-friendly options at Disney... and I'm not complaining, because that will be great when we have young children someday!

But late show options are probably one of the reasons we enjoy Monster's Inc. Laugh Floor at the Magic Kingdom, when the monsters tend cut loose around the "big kids" in the audience, which gets the biggest laughs all-around.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My DH wants the to see the Luau and I want to see HDDR.

Since we are only doing one dinner show during our June 09 trip, I want to pick the best one for us.

I'll be watching this thread for sure!

 

[michellejed]

We have done both and I would vote for HDDR, the food part doesn't count, it's the show part for me.

 

[lbrown]

What is it about the HDDR that you like compared to the Luau?

 

[DisneyHog]

We did both on our first trip together with my youngest sister in 1998. Since that time we have done the HHD 4 more times and have not gone back to the Luau (we go almost annually to WDW). Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed the Luau and are glad we did it once. We actually did one at Sea World and agreed it didn't compare to the quality at Disney. The HDDR is a great interactive experience that is very fun and good entertainment. The food is good, not fabulous but the food at the Luau, unless it has improved over the last decade, is the same (good not fabulous). For pure fun and entertainment value we definitely prefer HDDR.

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

Since you are from Texas, I will say that I much preferred the Luau over the Hoop Dee Doo. HDD seemed like a poor imitation of Hee Haw to me.

The luau was much more out of the ordinary to me. Its not too hard to find a hillbilly show in Alabama. I'd never been to a luau.

Of course, if you go to Hawaii every year, and there are no cow pastures anywhere near your condo or cul-de-sac then you may enjoy HDD more.

JMHO.

 

[tkc3689]

I've been to both on our first Disney trip. I was honestly pleasantly surprised by HDD. It was fun and layed back. The food was good, but not great.

I've traveled to Hawaii a couple of times and honestly I was so disappointed in the Luau. It wasn't interactive at all, the food was terrible. It was a show and honestly not a very good one.

 

[kristinnn]

I did both about a year ago and everyone I was with (18 at the time, with my 18 year old best friend & parents) preferred HDDR by FAR. The food was good at the luau (I'm a vegetarian and they made me something special on the spot because even though I called a couple times they weren't informed) but everyone else liked the food at HDDR better. The show itself was cute, but I think for older girls the HDDR is better. It's very funny (especially with fun participants!!) and the luau, while very cute, is better suited for younger audiences.

 

[emmabemmainc]

I've done both and I liked both. We went to the Luau last year and I had gone to the HDDR years ago. When we go back we're going to HDDR again.

The things I liked about the Luau--food was decent, the show was corny, but entertaining. I also really liked the semi-open atmosphere--the breeze was great and it just felt right.
Like I said, I enjoy both of them--I think the PP's had great points about adult interaction. There is no almost no adult interaction at the Luau--except the dividing the sections and have people yell--and I think they had a song where couples could get up and dance. They also had a Luau dance where they called up all the kids and taught them how to dance.

 

[crazydisneyman]

We just got back from WDW and we did the Luau.

My wife and I both loved the Luau. It was one of our most favorite things that we did on this trip.

I would highly recommend it. If you go each year, then do the Luau this year and HDDR next year. The show is very good and the food was great!

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

We did the Luau last year and HDD last week.

HDD: We had read really great reviews about HDD...WHY? There were 11 of us, and we all came away disappointed, except DFIL (he liked it). It was OKAY...but IMO, definitely not as great as what we thought it would be. The food was not bad, the service was good, the show was JUST OKAY. We had good seats. If I hadn't read it is a MUST-DO, maybe we wouldn't have expected so much.

Luau: Even though I was disappointed in the HDD, I did like it better than the Luau. I thought it was boring except for the second half with the fire thrower. The food here was just okay, too. We had great seats for this one, too.

If you like audience participation, pick HDD. These shows are entirely two different kinds of entertainment. I'm not disappointed I did them, but I don't need to do them again.

 

[letsgoagainsoon]

We did the Luau last year and HDD last week.

HDD: We had read really great reviews about HDD...WHY? There were 11 of us, and we all came away disappointed, except DFIL (he liked it). It was OKAY...but IMO, definitely not as great as what we thought it would be. The food was not bad, the service was good, the show was JUST OKAY. We had good seats. If I hadn't read it is a MUST-DO, maybe we wouldn't have expected so much.

Luau: Even though I was disappointed in the HDD, I did like it better than the Luau. I thought it was boring except for the second half with the fire thrower. The food here was just okay, too. We had great seats for this one, too.

If you like audience participation, pick HDD. These shows are entirely two different kinds of entertainment. I'm not disappointed I did them, but I don't need to do them again.

 

[ilovemickeymost]

I've never done the HDR, but did the Luau 2 yrs ago. I have no idea what has changed since then. I thought the food was very good & the show was fantastic. I've never been to Hawaii, so have no comparision. My DD 12 at the time, leaned over & said, "4 inches of fabric aren't so bad, hugh mom?" She was referring to the dancers & the fire eater, thrower gentleman. I will say I had to agree w/ here. The men & women performing are very nice to look at. So, all the women in your group & men will enjoy.

 

[DVC Jen]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I think we are leaning towards HDD. Like I said we have done both before and enjoyed both - but my gut is telling me we will like HDD even more now that our daughters are older and will understand the slapstick humor. AND - since we are going in June and it rains quite a bit in June we may have better luck with HDD.

I just need to remember to mention my DHs severe allergy to strawberries so something else can be arranged for him.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

I'd pick the HDDR.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Done both. HDDR in my opinion is so much better. HDDR is a lot of fun.

 

[suzicute20]

My DH and I have done both in different years. We enjoyed both. Luau has a lighter faire which we enjoyed. Lots of people think the Luau is corny, but I thought the dancing was good. We did not see Lilo and Stitch there. HDDR is great as well. The food is much more heavy. We had fun at both. I think just like anything else in Disney- if you go in with a good attitude and are willing to go along with the show, you'll have a great time.

 

[CharacterFan]

Having gone to both in September. I'd suggest the Luau. There isn't a lot of Lilo and Stitch. They do sing the song, and talk about Ohana. The show is amazing and the food is good.