Poly Luau or Hoop Dee Doo - Help me decide

[BAST]

We are going back to WDW in August with our two kids DD7 and DD5. We want to do one of the dinner shows and I cannot decide which one (my wife wants to do Luau but I have read many bad reviews) to do.

Please tell me you experiences good/ bad with these. Also, which one will a 5 and 7 year old like best??

 

[JMD]

Personally I would go to the Hoopy Doo. I think its a better show for the kids, and I love the food. Fried Chicken, ribs, Baked beans....what else do you need?

 

[kimisabella]

We went to the Hoop Dee Doo last month, loved it! My dd5 had the best time. We were a group of 9 consisting of my parents, my sister, her husband, son 5 months, and my dh31, dd5, and dd1. My dd5 wasnt really thrilled with the chicken and ribs so they brought her a plate of macaroni and cheese, but they also rattled off a bunch of other things that were available for her to choose from. The food was very good, show was funny, I'm really glad we did it, everyone really enjoyed themselves. Definatley go for it.

 

[littleprincessmom]

I KNOW i am in the MINORITY on this one (ok, I may be THE lone dissenter), but I'd consider Luau. We've been to both in the past year and actually preferred the Luau. Our DDs LOVE to dance and they enjoyed the entire show but especially the part where the kids get to get up on the stage and dance the hula. I realize that a family of boys (or at least many boys, as i realize that is a stereotypical comment!) or older girls or girls who don't like to dance may enjoy HDDR more but my DDs preferred Spirit of Aloha, hands down. They loved the flower leas (sp?) for their hair and still play with them.

However, if your DDs don't care about dress up or dance, they may prefer HDDR. We enjoyed both. whatever you choose, just remember it is Disney. Go with a positive attitude and it will be magical!

 

[magicmouse2]

I vote for the Luau - we loved it especially when the kids were invited up to hula.
I thought the food was good too.

 

[MarkLem]

I was not impressed at Hoop Dee Doo, and I know that I'm in the manority. Food was very average, show just didn't appeal to me, long trip to get there and a wait to get back after the show.

 

[square pond]

We have been to both and while we loved the show a the Luau (my husband especially liked the girls in the grass skirts!!) We thought the food at the Hoop Dee Doo was much better! If you have picky eaters this might be a better choice for you. I hope you have a great time at which ever one you pick!

 

[GDUL]

Here's a vote for Hoop Dee Doo. We went last June with an 8 y.o. nephew, 4 y.o. niece, and 2 y.o. niece. They (and we - 15 in our party!) had a blast!

Gary

 

[ValDisney]

I went to the Luau om dec 31.. ds (5) and dd(8) along w my friends and their dd(8) and dd(6).. Everyone loved it. The girls went on stage in the skirts but my son did not. He still liked it. It was also nice going to the beach after and watching the fireworks.

 

[StormalongKay]

Wow! Alot more votes than I expected for the Luau but I wonder how many of those posters have done both and can therefore compare. We've done the HDD twice (last time our kids were 5, 4 & 3) and I've done the Luau once (admittedly many years ago). But I'd have to say that my vote would be for the HDD and I think your 7 year old would still find it appealing. The food is very kid-friendly, fried chicken, biscuits, baked beans, salad and strawberry shortcake to die for! The slapstick humor and the dancing keep the pace up and our kids never lost interest. At the end, they hand a washboard to every child (and interested adult!) and the kids have a ball running their spoons up and down and making alot of noise! They pick adults and kids from the audience to participate in the show - its just great fun!
Not that the luau is not, but if I could only do just one, I'd go with the HDD! The luau definitely had a more relaxed atmosphere and I don't think my kids would prefer the food. But, as with all things in WDW, done well - so maybe you should book BOTH!!!

Have a great trip!

 

[StormalongKay]

Wow! Alot more votes than I expected for the Luau but I wonder how many of those posters have done both and can therefore compare. We've done the HDD twice (last time our kids were 5, 4 & 3) and I've done the Luau once (admittedly many years ago). But I'd have to say that my vote would be for the HDD and I think your 7 year old would still find it appealing. The food is very kid-friendly, fried chicken, biscuits, baked beans, salad and strawberry shortcake to die for! The slapstick humor and the dancing keep the pace up and our kids never lost interest. At the end, they hand a washboard to every child (and interested adult!) and the kids have a ball running their spoons up and down and making alot of noise! They pick adults and kids from the audience to participate in the show - its just great fun!
Not that the luau is not, but if I could only do just one, I'd go with the HDD! The luau definitely had a more relaxed atmosphere and I don't think my kids would prefer the food. But, as with all things in WDW, done well - so maybe you should book BOTH!!!

Have a great trip!