Polynesian Luau Questions

[rigsby25]

My daughter is turning 18 on our first night this trip. She wants to go to the luau for her birthday. I read the description and it didn't sound that appetizing, and I was wondering if it would be open in November (11-14). I read that if the temperature goes under 50 they cancel it. Can any one who has been there tell me if it is worth the 49.00 per person and how was the food? And how is the temperature at night in November?

 

[gigi1313]

personally, we were not impressed w/the luau (we went three years ago though)... it was just so/so... food was plentiful, but not outstanding... entertainment was also plentiful but not outstanding... drinks were plentiful but your dd is not legal drinking age, so that doesn't help!

on the flip side... if you have not been (and even if you have!) suggest the Hoop Dee Doo Revue... that is an outstanding show and meal!

good luck and happy early bday to your daughter!

 

[flyball]

I agree wholeheartedly with the previous poster. We went in August '03 and were very disappointed. (We also went a long time ago when the show focused solely on the dancing, and that show was much better.) The show was pretty lame and humorless. The food was nothing special, and I really wish we had spent our time and money elsewhere. On the other hand, we've been to the Hoop De Doo twice and thought it was hysterical both times. You'll hear differing opinions on this topic, so you may just have to bite the bullet and see for yourselves. Your daughter may enjoy it. (By the way, our daughters were 10 and 12 when we saw it last Aug. and they were not impressed.)

 

[kathyseb]

We were there last month. I will pass on what my husband said: "I am surprised that Disney would allow that quality of food to be served".
We were told to arrive at least 15 minutes before the 8:00 PM show started. What we were not told is they do not start seating until 8:00 PM.
So that kind of upset us while we stood in line. And the people behind us were muttering the same comments.
The people in front of us said they go to this dinner show everytime they are at WDW.
After the show was over, we were wondering why they keep going back year after year. Unless, unlike us, maybe they only go to WDW after five years or so.
The food was OK. The price of the ticket includes wine, beer, pop, water and coffee. Any other type of drink you want is extra.

The show was good. Granted the story line was lame, but the fire dancers were really good.
This was our first dinner show, so I have nothing else to compare it to.
Will we go back? Probably not.
I have already deleted my edition of the AllEars Newsletter that had a detailed review of the Poly resort, including the dinner show. Maybe someone that still has theirs can send it your way. His review of the dinner was about the same as the other posters.

 

[rigsby25]

Not only that, but it will cost us an extra 200.00 that we hadn't counted on. I'll ask her about the hoop de do but I don't think thats her style right now. She's not into "food" so much as she wanted a luau experience. But I'll pass your comments on to her. Maybe we'll think of something else to make the day special for her.

 

[mom2rb]

We went on our honeymoon and it was the only dissapointment of the trip. We liked the show (this was the old one) but the food was so bad.

 

[wdw_dine_junkie]

We thought the show was slow and boring. Until the fire dancer at the end and that was pretty good. The food is just okay.

Hard to say what the weather will be in November. Could be hot and it could be chilly. Florida weather is so unpredictable. Especially this year with all these hurricanes!

 

[gigi1313]

just because the show is called the "spirit of aloha luau" it is *NOT* (imo) a *LUAU EXPERIENCE* it is a dinner show... i pictured a luau experience to be what you see in the movies or on tv when depicting hawaii (even the brady bunch had a luau experience in their show)... this is a dinner show where you sit at long tables, do not get flower leis, strangers on either side of you, and platters of food (not authentic polynesian either that i recall... i was expecting more of a pig roast or something!)... you don't learn the hula, there's no hula minnie mouse (like on an old video we have)... just a dinner show... it's hard to explain, but it's not a luau like i had expected... and i would hate for your dd to be disappointed on her bday...

perhaps another option would be o'hana w/the flaming sticks of meat (that's more "luau" to me than the spirit of aloha was) and possibly a window table to see the fireworks from magic kingdom?

good luck whatever you decide... and ENJOY!

 

[pamole]

Since it's your DD's b-day request, I thought she deserved hearing the good comments too...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=651560

You only turn 18 once!

 

[robinb]

Originally posted by gigi1313
just because the show is called the "spirit of aloha luau" it is *NOT* (imo) a *LUAU EXPERIENCE* it is a dinner show

We have been to "real" luaus in Hawaii and the Spirit of Aloha show in WDW just this past August.

* Both shows have a band that plays during dinner and both have dancers who perform traditional Polynesian dances, including the fire dance.

* The Spirit of Aloha has a hokey story line to move the show along v/s a Polynesian variety show format.

* Both shows seat you "family style" at a table with other people, even more so at a traditional luau. The WDW seating is more private and the traditional seating is more like a wedding reception with 8-12 person tables.

* A traditional luau is a pig roast with a buffet and all you can drink mai-tais. The Spirit of Aloha's food is served on a platter (like the Hoop dee Doo) and is all you can eat with all you can drink beer or wine.

* You receive silk flower leis at both shows, although you can usually buy real flower ones at a traditional luau.

* Both shows celebrate special occasions. Both teach the hula and sing the Hawaiian Wedding Song. At the Spirit of Aloha the hula is taught to people celebrating birthdays, anniversaries and then again to children.

* Both shows will take your picture before the luau and try to sell it to you during the show .


I think the OP's 18 year old DD will love it, if only for the hunky eye candy .

 

[ValDisney]

Thank you Pamole for giving the positive review link. We are going on dec 30 . I was getting a little weary when I read all the negative reviews.
My children will be 5 and 8 and I'm sure my daughter will love the show.
Its something different and I'm looking foward to it. I already got us matching outfits at the disney store so if anything we'll have some really cool family pictures of that night.
Valerie

 

[cavecricket]

hey!
i liked the luau, however i was not overly impressed. I have been to DW 26 times now and 8/03 was my first time at the luau.
The fire dancer was the most interesting part of the show, its all you can eat but its is served and they dont come back too many times, if you go, right about mid show you will be looking for a nice drink, get the pele`s fire punch!!! (best part of the whole experience) oh and another thing to consider if it rains it gets canceled and in the off season the only do a couple shows per week so you may not be able to rebook also be sure to get to the poly early so you will get your picture and lei . Every other time we have done the HoopDeeDoo which I would recommend to anyone! this has 3 shows per night all week long.... indoors so weather doesnt matter, and the food keeps coming !!! best bang for your buck!

 

[jellymanoffspring]

We went to the SOA this July for my dd 15th birthday.

Our family of 5 loved the show......the "storyline" was cute (some called it hokey..but at we are at Disney..Mickeys House..it was cute!!))
The Cast had great voices...and they invited all birthday guests up to learn the hula( my Daughter claims to be embarrassed but she loved it!) Wedding and anniversary couples get a special song ..... and the highlight of the show is the last act when they perform traditional dances.....
The CM waiting the tables were great......plenty of food and it was good (not rave worthy , but good!!!) The staff made a "bed " for my 2 year old when she fell asleep and brought plenty of drinks.....(she even brought me a surprise wine to go!!)

The family picture they took before the show is the best shot of all 5 of us that I have.......worth every penny!!

It was a great night..... go for the entertainment , don't expect culinary wonders.......but a good meal though......

The only downside to celebrating a Bday there is that the only thing special is the group hula.......not a special cake or dessert....

We had a bday lunch at the wilderness Lodge WC and they had some fun with my DD (and all of us also) and brought a special dessert.....
Happy 18th birthday to your daughter
Carol

 

[gigi1313]

Originally posted by robinb

* You receive silk flower leis at both shows, although you can usually buy real flower ones at a traditional luau.

you do/did? we did not... trust me, i clearly remember my dd crying about it allllll night! (it was the one thing she was looking forward to)

 

[mirlow]

We had a great time at the Luau.
August 6th 2004 Trip Report.
It was a little hot while standing in line, but once we sat down I never noticed the heat. We had a great time at the show. I thought the food was very good. The show went by pretty fast. The kids were entertained all the way up until the end. Chris came over to our table to ask how everything was. He was so nice. They even gave us a little cake. We were to full to eat it. We shared it with the table next to us. I just thought the whole experience was a lot of fun. I didn't expect the atmosphere to be as nice as it was.