Luau

[WinterSolider]

Thanks for all the input, guys. I think I’m such a cheapskate that $190 for me to eat the rolls and dry salad is really hard to imagine. But my husband said not to worry about the price, so I guess I’ll book it.

We won’t have a car so the other Luaus are probably out for us.

If you're moving budget around, I would book a car before the luau in the rank-order priority of things.

 

[SteveH]

Though not Aulani specific, we've done one Luau and enjoyed it. That said we've been on the islands 5 times in recent years and don't feel the need to do another luau again.

 

[AustinTink]

If you're moving budget around, I would book a car before the luau in the rank-order priority of things.

It’s not a vacation if either one of us has to drive. We decided that long ago. We don’t mind splurging on car services on vacation.

 

[AustinTink]

Though not Aulani specific, we've done one Luau and enjoyed it. That said we've been on the islands 5 times in recent years and don't feel the need to do another luau again.

I think that will be our take. We saw a little bit of one from a distance on our last trip and figured we were ok missing it. It was the smaller luau at the Marriott.

I’m sure the one at Aulani is grander, but it will likely be a one and done for us.

 

[laocoholic]

My experience with Aulani vs Tao's -
https://www.disboards.com/threads/luau-recommendations-and-opinions.3952655/post-65694598.

I would go back to Aulani - family of 7.

 

[J-Dog]

It’s not a vacation if either one of us has to drive. We decided that long ago. We don’t mind splurging on car services on vacation.

Unless you really hate driving for some reason, renting a car is cheaper, more efficient, and allows you much more freedom than taking an Uber or a excursion bus every time you want to leave Aulani.

 

[AustinTink]

Unless you really hate driving for some reason, renting a car is cheaper, more efficient, and allows you much more freedom than taking an Uber or an excursion bus every time you want to leave Aulani.

I do really dislike driving. Uber or a town car service works for us pretty much anywhere we travel. My husband spends a couple hours a day in traffic to and from work. He doesn’t want to drive on vacation. Neither do I.

 

[Amyunder]

I love it! So expensive but the location is right there and it is just a really fun evening. We get all dressed up, do photos on the beach, eat and drink everything and enjoy the show. We have done the ones on the north shore and this time they are on a 3 week break when we are there so we are trying the warrior luau... but having to go somewhere and come back is kind of a hassle. Expensive but I think the food is awesome and can't beat it being right there.

 

[WinterSolider]

If someone were going to Hawaii for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, I would say some lu'au is absolutely mandatory and would recommend either the Super Ambassador Package or the Ali'i Lu'au Package at the PCC. They're expensive, but for the price you get a full day of activities, plus the lu'au itself, plus the highly-produced HA: Breath of Life stage show. There are better lu'aus but HA is so good that the PCC package is the best bang for your buck IMO.

We really enjoy Ka' Wa'a as well and think it helps make an Aulani trip feel "complete" but we've done it twice and don't feel like it's absolutely mandatory for us to do again in the foreseeable future.