Narcoosee's or Aloha Dinner Show???

[Mickey1976]

Hi Everyone! This is my first post on the boards and I was looking for some information about where to eat for our anniversary. We will be at WDW for our 5 year anniversary with our 2 1/2 year old DD. At first I thought to book Narcoossee's but then got thinking about booking the Aloha Dinner Show. Both are two table credits, correct? Opinions on both? We were thinking of getting the surf and turf at Narcoossee's. Thoughts? Is it true that at the Aloha it's all you can drink? What sort of seating do you get for two table credits? Sorry for all the questions, this is our first time at WDW (well first time for DH and third time for me but I was there when I was little and we never stayed on property). TIA!!!

 

[clc053103]

Would DD be into the Aloha show? Comparing food to food, Narcoosee's offerings are superior. You also get a nice view of fireworks at the MK and the electric parade on the lagoon. However, DD might enjoy the Aloha show more. We have all boys in our families so the luau isn't on our list, but I have friends with daughters who loved it.

 

[Mickey1976]

Thank you so much for your reply! I think DD would like the show, she's pretty easy going and I think would like it. It's so hard to decide what to do! Any other opinions? THANKS!!

 

[OhioWDWDuo]

We have done both and I would choose Narcoossee's, hands-down! Although we are a couple with no kids (yet). We stayed at the Poly for our 1st anniversary (wanting to re-create our Hawaiian honeymoon, Disney-style), and I was so looking forward to the show. It was disappointing all around. We arrived early (as we were told), and as the earlier show ran long for some reason, we stood in a sea of people as they set up for the next seating. It was hot, crowded, and chaotic. We had 1st Tier seating and they were excellent seats! The food was cold and disappointing. Our server was also not good- he disappeared for most of our time there. If I'm remembering correctly, it was unlimited beer and wine but both were very cheap in quality. And with our server, we were lucky to get any! The first part of the show was very hokey and we didn't enjoy it at all. The luau part of the show was better. We had issues with people from the back coming up and standing in front of our seats, blocking our view. Even when CMs asked these people to take their seats, they still returned!

I believe you can get only Tier 2 and 3 seating using the DDP (and it takes 2 credits). We paid for it OOP because we wanted Tier 1 seats. It was definitely not worth the price we paid.

I've seen good reviews for Spirit of Aloha, so maybe we caught it on a bad night. But we will not be back to give it another chance.

We've never had a bad experience at Narcoossee's, on the other hand (and we've been there 4 times- another one coming next month!). The surf and turf is good but the whole Maine lobster is excellent. The almond-crusted cheesecake is to die for! If you time your ADR for Wishes, you will able to see it from the restaurant. They have a nice covered deck that faces MK and the music is piped in. It's very romantic! We've seen plenty of young children there. Definitely worth 2 dining credits! Narcoossee's is on our must-do list for every Disney trip.

Whatever you choose, have a great time and congrats!

 

[IWISHFORDISNEY]

We love Narcoossee's. I celebrated my 40th birthday there last year and we are returning for our Anniversary next week. The food was outstanding and we had great service for a very large party. It is my new favorite place to eat in all of Disney.

The Luau was kind of boring, the food was terrible and it was HOT due to it being outside. I dont think we will ever do it again.

 

[goofygal531]

Narcoossee's

The food and service are fantastic!

It's very family friendly for a 2TS restaurant. It's loud and noisy, and the dress code is beachy casual.

The surf and turf is delicious, so is their seafood bisque soup! Oh and the almond-crusted cheesecake is to die for!

The Luau is the worst dinner show on WDW property! The food and the show was awful. Now, HDDR is a family favorite. My 2 year old even enjoyed it.

 

[mommy22pumpkins]

I would say give the Luau a try. It is great fun and definitely a relaxing and fun atmosphere for kids and adults alike. We have gone twice and would love to go back again sometime if budget allows. I enjoyed Narcooses's as well as we have eaten here several times also. The food is definitely superior here- but if you're looking for overall atmosphere and an experience you won't forget- the Luau is definitely the way to go

 

[Chevyscool]

Narcoossee's by far. You could bring DD along and still feel like you're having a grown-up meal...the food at Narcoossee's is so good IMO, much better than the ADS.

Also, you could book your Annv. dinner around Wishes, since it's such a great view from Narcoossee's. And then, you have the option of sticking around for the Electrical Water Pagent, (which our family just loves).

Narcoossee's is a must do for us every trip...we've been luckey everytime we've gone...great food, service, drinks and atmosphere.

Plus, if you really wanted to treat yourself (especially since it's a special occasion), you could order something from the GF Bakery, which you can have sent to a GF restaurant, for an extra special treat.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Can't help with the Luau since we only went once and that was years ago. Show was ok--food very ordinary.
Narcoossee's is a good spot and I'd definately go there.

 

[adventure_woman]

I also have a 2 1/2 yr old. I haven't done either - but after the research I have found, it seems that a lot of people say the Luau runs long, especially for a little one. The rest of the family is going to the Luau this time and DD and I are going to Narcossee's.

 

[CoP Luv]

Narcossee's!!!! The food is so much better and the atmosphere is a wonderful place to celebrate!! I tend to dress up more when we go there so I personally feel like it is a more elegant dining option.

This is my parent's favorite restaurant and my dad just celebrated his bday there last month!

 

[Mickey1976]

Thank you so much everyone!!! I much appreciate all your replies! It's such a hard decision...DH and I were just talking about it today. Part of me feels that we can do a nice restaurant anytime but can we do a luau dinner show anytime? But the better food appeals to me, as does watching the fireworks and not having DD sit for so long as she would have to at the show. Pros and cons to both I guess! This is sooooo hard! I'm seriously stuck in the middle...

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Thank you so much everyone!!! I much appreciate all your replies! It's such a hard decision...DH and I were just talking about it today. Part of me feels that we can do a nice restaurant anytime but can we do a luau dinner show anytime? But the better food appeals to me, as does watching the fireworks and not having DD sit for so long as she would have to at the show. Pros and cons to both I guess! This is sooooo hard! I'm seriously stuck in the middle...

The "Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show" is hardly an authentic luau these days. The quality has gone sharply down over the decades, and the food is truly mediocre. Honestly, I was very excited to see the luau for the first time when I was 8 years old - it was the most boring thing of my life. And since then, the show has been retooled (not in a good way).

For an awesome Hawaiian feast, go to Ohana for dinner. For a truly fabulous meal with a beautiful view of the lagoon, do Narcoossee's.

 

[septbaby]

Nacoossee's

It is a nice restaurant, with great food and easy atmosphere. There is a deck right outside that is great for a "time out" and also a fantastic place to watch the Electric Water Parade (DD should love this colorful show) as well as Wishes (fireworks show from at the Magic Kingdom).

One problem with the Luau, it can be cancelled due to rain. At that point you'd have to scramble to make other arrangements for dinner and use up the 2Ts credits before ending your trip.

Narcoossee's is safe and fantastic, an easy place to be with a 2yo. We had a 5/6yo with us and he really enjoyed it. He called his Mickey pasta dish "the best ever". They manage to make even simple pasta, cheese and sauce look great in elegant Mickey arranged dishes, very cute.

 

[Mickey1976]

Thank you everyone! Perhaps we'll save our Luau experience to Hawaii!

 

[jimmalru80]

Can't help with the Luau since we only went once and that was years ago. Show was ok--food very ordinary.
Narcoossee's is a good spot and I'd definately go there.

That's exactly our situation and that is what I would suggest as well.