Polynesian Cultural Center - Circle Island Tour

[Disney Dreams]

Hi Everyone,

We are curious if anyone here has done this and if you would do it again.

We are looking at doing the following:

8am - 12:30pm PCC Circle Island Tour
12:30pm - 5:30pm PCC Villages
5:30pm - ? Prime Dinner Buffet
? - ? Ha! Show

It seems like a very long day, but with the potential to be a fun, sight-seeing, educational, entertaining day.

We will have a car, but DH usually drives and he commented about not feeling able to sight-see while driving. Thus, the tour.

We appreciate any input and / or comments from first-hand experience you may have had.

Thanks!

- Dreams and DH

 

[NC State Tigger]

Is this an excursion you will book thru Aulani? Sounds like a lot for one day. I've tried to find it on the website, but I have trouble finding information about their excursions.

I'd also be interested in others feedback on this excursion. Is it one that needs a certain number of guests registered or they cancel it? What does it cost for adults and children? Minimum age---we have a 3 yr old in our group and she is too young for many excursions.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Is this an excursion you will book thru Aulani? Sounds like a lot for one day. I've tried to find it on the website, but I have trouble finding information about their excursions.

I'd also be interested in others feedback on this excursion. Is it one that needs a certain number of guests registered or they cancel it? What does it cost for adults and children? Minimum age---we have a 3 yr old in our group and she is too young for many excursions.

It's direct through the PCC.

- Dreams

 

[Scoobydoo76]

If you have a car I would do everything on your own. I would split the Circle Island tour off offered by the PCC into three days. If you take the tour with the group you are going to be on their time, waiting for people and not truly experiencing each stop because of time restraints. I may be wrong, but I do not believe you will be allowed to snorkel at Haunama Bay or take a swim on the North Shore. With the money that you save on the tour you can possibly upgrade to better seating and food at PCC.

There is so much you can experience on Oahu. On our last trip we spent a day experiencing the Byodo-In Temple and Nu’uana Pali Lookout in the morning followed by a visit to the PCC. That took an entire day. The next day we further explored the island taking time at the Dole Plantation, Matsumoto Shave Ice, Wiamea Falls, Bonzi Pipeline, Giovanni’s Shrimp truck and enjoyed swimming at Waikiki Beach. We spent a third morning climbing Diamond Head and snorkeling at Haunama Bay.

Have fun and good luck with your planning!

 

[Dean]

Hi Everyone,

We are curious if anyone here has done this and if you would do it again.

We are looking at doing the following:

8am - 12:30pm PCC Circle Island Tour
12:30pm - 5:30pm PCC Villages
5:30pm - ? Prime Dinner Buffet
? - ? Ha! Show

It seems like a very long day, but with the potential to be a fun, sight-seeing, educational, entertaining day.

We will have a car, but DH usually drives and he commented about not feeling able to sight-see while driving. Thus, the tour.

We appreciate any input and / or comments from first-hand experience you may have had.

Thanks!

- Dreams and DH

I wouldn't do it personally. I'd do the PCC then do any tours on your own. There is a circle island bus that some recommend. Personally I wouldn't do the Ko'Olina area without a car.

 

[MrsG]

We rented a car. Driving around the island is very easy. I agree with the others. I wouldn't do the island tour the same day. I really don't think you need an island tour at all, but if you want take one, I'd do it on a different day.
The day we did the PCC, which was fabulous by the way, we did the Dole Plantation in the morning and then drove to the PCC. We did the prime rib dinner and the show which was spectacular. This is a do not miss on Oahu.

 

[Fratthouse]

I agree with the others that if possible, I would definitely recommend doing the driving tour on my own. Almost every scenic lookout has a place to pull off and park the car, so your husband will be able to take in a lot of the sights. Plus, there is just too much to see and experience to have to take it all in in 4 hours and on someone else's time schedule. You can google Oahu island tours and there are many options for driving directions and detailed instructions about where to stop. DH and I spent an entire day doing the driving tour around the island and it was OUR FAVORITE DAY of the vacation.

We also toured the PCC, did the dinner, and the HA! breath of life show. It was enjoyable - the park is beautifully landscaped, fun to tour, and very educational. And the price seemed pretty reasonable considering it included dinner and an evening show. The show was good - not necessarily Broadway caliber (or even the same level as the shows at WDW), but worth seeing since the price is included in your ticket. Our theory was that the actors / stage hands were students from the nearby university. But it had great staging, costumes, and effects.

One additional thought - I think they labeled our dinner at PCC a "luau". We did this instead of one of the other traditional luaus on the island, which I would not recommend. The food was fine (buffet - style, with typical luau food), but nothing amazing. The entertainment was ok, but I don't think it was the same caliber as what you'd experience at a traditional luau. If you're interested in experiencing a luau show, I would recommend booking somewhere else.