Ohana luau Yes or No..???

[nicolem05]

Ok I need someone to set the record straight on the luau. I booked this a while back for my husband and I to spend one of our kid free nights out. I was excited that I booked in tier 1.
Now after reading all the reviews I am wondering if I should ditch it and try to book something else.
Is the food as bad as the reviews claim?
Is the entertainment as awful as reported?
Is the wine completely unpalatable?

Is this a fun couples night out or a huge waste of money?

Thank you

 

[DISNEY1975]

I have been several times, always loved it...

I went last night for the first time in a couple of years. The show was horrible. It was not the story of all the Polynesian islands anymore.

The food and waitstaff were excellent as usual. I would think twice about going any time soon.

 

[ilandrazdsw]

Oh, NO! I the show isn't worth it? That was the main reason we were going!!! I have DS5 and DD3...would they enjoy it or is it better to plan for something else?

 

[glo]

I went a year and a half ago and loved it. I would do it again, in a heart beat! Food was good, not to die for but good. Service was excellent, and the show was awesome!

 

[nicolem05]

Thank you for the input.. I was really excited until I read the review I found through here where three local luaus were compared (WDW, Seaworld, and another I forget) WDW's luau came out the worst... made me start thinking twice.. glad to hear from the poster who was there last night.. we are going in a week and I read similar complaints about the show. My husband and I have are hoping to have a fun night out with reasonably good food and entertainment.. I might have to start trying to come up with plan b

 

[jenjersnap]

Is the food as bad as the reviews claim? Yes
Is the entertainment as awful as reported? Yes
Is the wine completely unpalatable? Yes

Sorry ...

 

[frdeb1999]

Honestly we have done the show several times and have always enjoyed it. Are you going to get authentic Hawaiian luau...no. But it is fun, food has always been good, and so has service. Parts are cheesy, but then so are alot of other disney shows. Don't drink wine so can't help you on that. But we'd deffinately do it again.

 

[EpcotBeauty]

The food is mediocre at best but more often than not, sucks....sorry. The show is lame, lame, lame. It is nothing like the Luau of days gone by.

 

[kirbsam]

we like it. food is good. wait staff was very attentive. try to get more than one or two free beers at hddr. impossible. at luau, we got more than our share. show is good and entertains the kids.

 

[Aimeedyan]

You booked Spirit of Aloha Polynesian Luau, not 'Ohana, right? They are two different things.

I went to the Luau many years ago before they changed it; it has gotten consistently poor reviews since the change so we won't return. For dinner shows, I think Hoop De Doo is the better choice. If you think your family will enjoy the Luau, then I'd stick with it and be sure to post a review when you return!

BTW - the Luau was changed to be more kid centered, with Stitch and Lilo. Are you sure you want to do that for your one night without kids? (that is another reason why we won't go - I hate Stitch! =) )

 

[Clotho]

BTW - the Luau was changed to be more kid centered, with Stitch and Lilo. Are you sure you want to do that for your one night without kids? )

Unless this happened in the last year, this isn't accurate. 'Ohana has a Stitch and Lilo character breakfast, but the Luau does not have Disney animated characters in it.

To the OP, I can't recommend AGAINST it enough. It is the worst disappointment we have had in Disney, hands down. When something is bad, we say, "That was SO Spirit of Aloha." Food poor, service was awful, show was lame. And I agree with others that if I had a night away from the kids, I would NOT go to this show anyway. I would go someplace more adult-centered.

 

[snookiedoodles]

The food is mediocre at best but more often than not, sucks....sorry. The show is lame, lame, lame. It is nothing like the Luau of days gone by.

I second that. Lame, Lame, Lame. Nothing like the luau of days gone by.

Not worth the money.

Food OK

But the show-----just bad.....and dumb.

 

[nicolem05]

Ok that settles it no Spirit of Aloha for us.. I guess I will post on the ADR thread and maybe someone who knows they will enjoy it will be happy to score the ADr
I love the "that's so spirit of Aloha"!! hahaha I laughed so hard.

My hubby and I do have a reservation for Cali Grille on our other kid free night (bringing grandma was our best idea yet! lol) I thought it would be perfect since I booked our dinner during the fireworks but I hear that is a zoo too! LOL You think all the time I spend reading these boards I should be able to plan a fun adult night out!

Thanks again for all the reviews!

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Ok that settles it no Spirit of Aloha for us.. I guess I will post on the ADR thread and maybe someone who knows they will enjoy it will be happy to score the ADr
I love the "that's so spirit of Aloha"!! hahaha I laughed so hard.

My hubby and I do have a reservation for Cali Grille on our other kid free night (bringing grandma was our best idea yet! lol) I thought it would be perfect since I booked our dinner during the fireworks but I hear that is a zoo too! LOL You think all the time I spend reading these boards I should be able to plan a fun adult night out!

Thanks again for all the reviews!

Try Ohana instead if you still want Polynesian-style food at a sit-down dinner. It's all you care to eat & the servers bring the food to you. I've heard it's fabulous & we have ADRs there for March 2009. It's not open bar, but they do have wine, beer, & cocktails available.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Unless this happened in the last year, this isn't accurate. 'Ohana has a Stitch and Lilo character breakfast, but the Luau does not have Disney animated characters in it.

I don't recall when it changed, and maybe it changed back already, but I thought at one point they added Lilo to it. This is what allearsnet.com says:

Celebrate the spirit of aloha, as well as the sights, sounds and tastes of timeless Polynesia. Enjoy traditional Polynesia music as well as the Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride from Lilo and Stitch in an open air theatre.

That's what I was going from. Looks like it's bad with or without characters anyways, which is too bad because it once was a really good show.

 

[M-I-C-K-E-Y]

IMO, if you're staying at the Polynesian and want to make this part of your overall experience, then yes, do it - once! If you're not staying there, I'd skip it!

 

[Clotho]

I don't recall when it changed, and maybe it changed back already, but I thought at one point they added Lilo to it. This is what allearsnet.com says:

Celebrate the spirit of aloha, as well as the sights, sounds and tastes of timeless Polynesia. Enjoy traditional Polynesia music as well as the Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride from Lilo and Stitch in an open air theatre.

That's what I was going from. Looks like it's bad with or without characters anyways, which is too bad because it once was a really good show.

I can see how that could be confusing. They sing and dance that song, but no characters.