Polynesian Luau or Hoop-de-Do?

[bellybaby6]

We just booked our 1st WDW trip for Jan 2008!

Now we're trying to decide where to eat! So which dinner show is best? DH is leaning toward Luau but I want to go to 'Ohana. Is it too similair? Also I thought Hoop-de might be better with the kids. DS is 5 yo & DD is 4 yo. TIA!


Sabrina

 

[Joan1]

Our family enjoys the hoop de doo more

My kids were bored at the Spirit of Aloha because while you are eating there isn't anything happening. There is a short skit when everyone first gets settled and then while dessert is being served they start the show. The best part of the Luau was the fire twirler at the end. The rest of the show was ok and kids were bored

At the hoop de doo the show begins almost immediately and they only take a 5 minute break in the middle. For us it keeps the kids better entertained and they love the show. We are going again next week, we don't go everytime we are at Disney but usually every couple of years

 

[Fall1]

I second the hoop de doo. It's so much fun and has great spirit. If you are going to Ohana anyway definitey do the hoop.

 

[my2princessgirls]

We have done both and I would most definitely vote for HDD!! Much better than the luau for both the food and the show. Our girls LOVED HDD last spring (they were 4 1/2 and almost 3 at the time). They smiled and laughed the entire show! My oldest has requested to go back again next year.

 

[disneyfan4u]

We did not like the Polynesian Luau at all. We felt we wasted our time on that. The food was not to good either. We go to the Hoop-De-Doo In December. So I can't advise on that one. Have Fun!

 

[mickeystoontown]

We've done the Hoop Dee Doo two years in a row. and enjoyed it both times.

The food at the luau doesn't get the greatest reviews and just doesn't sound that great to me. I have also heard that the show can be cancelled quite suddenly if it rains which means you are left without a place to eat that night.

The Hoop Dee Doo Review has lots of singing, dancing, music and lots and lots of corny jokes. It's a blast.

The food is served family style and has been quite good during both of our visits. You'll be served either cornbread or rolls, salad, fried chicken, baked beans, bbq ribs, corn on the cob and strawberry shortcakes. An assortment of drinks are offered but if you are on the dining plan, only non-alcoholic drinks are on the plan.

Also, if you go to the Hoop Dee Doo, you can walk around Fort Wilderness and shop in the store. They have coon skin caps, Fort Wilderness t-shirts and other woodsy/Western themed items.

 

[haley123]

I love the luau. I haven't tried hoop dee doo yet though.

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

We really liked HDD on last trip, Luau not so much - in fact no so much that we are staying at the Poly this time and not doing it. The show was okay - some parts better than others (as always with any show) but the energy and enthusiasm behind the HDD was missing - food is food with these things, it's really about the service and the show and HDD was much, much better. My DS13 LOVED the pineapple bread, one of his food memories from last trip but we all opted out, even DD10 who dressed up as in a grass skirt etc last time. We were on the floor last time with HDD so had action all around the table, I understand now though that with the DDP you are in the nether regions so that is why we chose not to do it this time. Being in the action again is part of the excitement.

 

[Simba22]

We like the show portion of the Luau but the food was not very good. As a matter of fact, we both kind of hated it. We have never done HDDR thought

 

[audisight]

I have done both and I must say the Hoop is by far the better if the two. You will have so much fun there. But beware you will be singing the songs from the Hoop for a long time

 

[karliebug]

Definitely the HDD, the food is better, the show is better, and your kids will have a blast! My kids were bored at the luau but we must do HDDR every trip now!

 

[frdeb1999]

I'd go for the HDD. We have done both and my kids deffinately prefer HDD! The food, service and show are fantastic. It's lots of fun no matter what age you are!

 

[Cloudless Nights]

I have done both twice, and I have to go with HDD also. The food is much better than the Luau and so is the show in general.

 

[bassoon2]

Hoop de Doo is a blast. Fun for young kids.
Luaua is okay but a bit strung out.

We just booked our 1st WDW trip for Jan 2008!

Now we're trying to decide where to eat! So which dinner show is best? DH is leaning toward Luau but I want to go to 'Ohana. Is it too similair? Also I thought Hoop-de might be better with the kids. DS is 5 yo & DD is 4 yo. TIA!


Sabrina

 

[eeyorefan74]

Another vote for the Hoop De Doo. Everyone in the family will enjoy it. The luau was okay, but I'd rather go to Ohana.

 

[ElizabethB]

The food is better at the luau. HDD was pretty much inedible when we were there a year ago. Kids seemed to enjoy HDD more, although I think your kids are a bit young to appreciate the corny jokes about f*rts and whatnot. For adults, we would always pick the luau over HDD, which is rather lame when all is said and done. With the luau, you get to see some really talented musicians and dancers.

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

To the OP: keep in mind that 'OHana and the Luau are 2 different things. The Luau is an outside dinner show. 'OHana is a restaurant located inside the Polynesian - it's one of our favorite Disney restaurants and in my opinion, is a must do!! The serve meat skewars (pork, steak, turkey, sausage) cooked over an open flame, with salad, chicken wings, shrimp, & potatoes for sides/appetizers and a WONDERFUL banana foster bread pudding for dessert. This meal is served family-style at a set price.

As for the shows, we haven't been to either one so I won't comment on that.

 

[DizznyChick]

hoop dee doo hoop dee doo-now i have that song in my head
this is my favorite thing to do at disney