Polynesian Luau: your opinion?

[SandraVB79]

I'll be at WDW with my mom, and her big dream is going to Hawaii, although I don't think that will happen (being forever on a plane, 12 hour time difference, ...).

However, what I can do, is take her to the Luau at the Poly (provided they have still two seats left...)

Some of you must have been there, how bad/ good is it?

 

[minie_meese]

I've been to the Disney luau and it is not my favorite, but I've also been to 3 different Hawaiian luaus. The Disney show is ok and not that different from what we saw at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu - some corny stuff, some decent dancing and the Samoan fire twirler. The walk through the result grounds is beautiful and the luau setting is similar to the really large luaus in Hawaii but the food is not even close. You won't get pit roasted pork or taro rolls, instead you get teriyaki chicken and ribs.

My 12 yr old niece really wants to see the luau during their November Disney trip and I did not recommend it to my sister, but when I saw the look on my niece's face as she talked about seeing video of the dancers and fire twirler I changed my mind. She's never been to Hawaii and probably won't for a long time. She's only been to Disney 1 day. This will be part of the Disney magic for her and the teriyaki ribs won't matter.

I say go for it if you can get a reservation.

 

[ntsammy5]

I've been to the Disney luau and it is not my favorite, but I've also been to 3 different Hawaiian luaus. The Disney show is ok and not that different from what we saw at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Oahu

My experience also. It's OK. DS(28) and his GF went last September and they loved it.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Subscribing, would like to hear about the Luau also!

 

[SandraVB79]

WHAT is it exactly?
I mean, I know it's a show and they feed you, but I have no idea what exactly to expect. There are hula-girls, right? That's the stereotype-idea we have about Polynesia/ Hawaii

 

[ntsammy5]

http://www.intercot.com/infocentral/dining/dinnershows.asp#Luau

Look on Allearnet also.

 

[jtnsami]

I thought the show was great. My kids loved it. The food was ok. I wouldn't pay that much to go back again. We may do HDD next time.

 

[calliemom]

Love, love, love the luau at the Poly. Have been to one in Hawaii as well, and I can honestly say that Disney has done a great job with this particular dinner show. Hokey? yes but still a great show for all. We have been twice in the last 2 years and are already booked for our last night on our upcoming trip. A great way to end our vacation at Disney. Oh and we find the ribs and salad absolutely fantastic! Can you tell we love the luau at the Poly??

 

[SandraVB79]

I will call tonight (once I'm home, I don't think my client will like me calling transatlantic on his account, haha!) and see if it's available. And then I'll have to move other ADRs around, argh!

I hope my mom will like it, I hope she'll feel a little bit in Hawaii

 

[calliemom]

I will call tonight (once I'm home, I don't think my client will like me calling transatlantic on his account, haha!) and see if it's available. And then I'll have to move other ADRs around, argh!

I hope my mom will like it, I hope she'll feel a little bit in Hawaii

Good choice Sandra....I'm sure your mom will absolutely love it! Good luck moving other ADR's around, and your mom will certainly appreciate your efforts knowing her love for Hawaii.

 

[beachblanket]

I went to the Poly Luau a long time ago (1973 I think) as a teen. The seating setup, show and menu were different then, so I don't have useful personal feeback to give.

However, here and elsewhere on line I've read a ton of more recent reviews, so for what it's worth these are the general themes I've seen in them:

• Even those who enjoy it say it's pricey given the deliverable. Or put another way, there are better dinner show values in Orlando. If you are fixed on going to a luau, the Wantilan Luau at the Royal Pacific at Universal (which has a more authentic menu, e.g. real pit-roasted pig and Pacific whaoo) is less expensive and seems to get overall better reviews than the one at the Poly (here's a somewhat cheesecakey preview: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RYSpg0QiNfY).
• Service seems to be very uneven - most of the loudest complaints I've seen about the Poly Luau are in reference to slow or impersonal waiters. Some theorize that happens because working as waitstaff at the Luau is for whatever reason a "very-low-on-the-totem-pole" role at WDW.
• Buying the top end seating is a risk - some of those tables are way off to the side, while others in the second price level (in the rear middle) actually have better views.
• If you go to the Poly Luau, get there early - the "seating management" approach leaves much to be desired, and things get worse closer to show time.

 

[SandraVB79]

Thank you for that advice.

While the one at Universal sounds good too, I'm afraid that is not possible. We won't have a car while at Disney, only upon arrival at Orlando, in order to be able to drive to Cape Canaveral. The first night, arrival night, could be an option, but I don't think we'll feel like going to a dinner show after having been 10+ hours on an airplane + 6 hours time difference.
But that pig sounds yummy.... mmmm

Also, being from Belgium, we see service different as Americans. Hey, we never even get drink refills, so getting one, even after half an hour, is a real thrill

Pricey... let's say we are lucky, the USD is freaking cheap! The exchange rate cover a large part of that bill

I do realize it's not the best meal/ show at WDW. I just wanted to be sure they won't poison us
I'm trying to do special things for my mom, it's her first time at WDW and will probably be the last for a very long time. She takes care of her parents, and because of her health, can't leave them alone for too long. It'll be the last time she'll be able to do a "big trip". That's also one of the reasons a real Hawaii trip isn't really possible.

I wanted to be sure it was somewhat good, and there would be Hula girls Hey, we want to see the stereo-type! (you can't imagine how thrilled we were to see a real cowboy in texas, and a life guard at Santa Monica beach, lol!)

 

[stitchlover]

Oh you will love it! My DH and DD (11 yo) love the Luau. We have done it the past two years. We are going to skip it in March '08 mainly because we will be in Hawaii in June '08 and going to one there!

 

[ntsammy5]

I'm trying to do special things for my mom, it's her first time at WDW and will probably be the last for a very long time.

 

[SandraVB79]

It's booked!
October 27, 5:15, Tier 1!!!!!

And I was lucky, because I was able to get another time for the LTT-dinner I had already scheduled on that moment, lucky me!!!!

I'm so excited about it!