Polynesian Luau?

[macfam5]

Who has done the Spirit of Aloha Show? Is it worth the $$? How was the food?

 

[gshumaker]

We did it 2 years ago - loved it - lots of food and it was all very good!!

We were on free DDP so the price was not an issue to us.

 

[DisCopper]

We did the Spirit of Aloha show a couple years ago and had a terrible time.

They didn't handle the crowds well at all: we arrived before they started seating and were jam-packed in a massive crowd of people. When they did start seating, it was a stampede to get in. People were literally being shoved. One of my friends said, "What are we, at Universal?" There was no attempt to move the diners in any sort of logical manner. By the time we made it to the table, everyone in the group was hot and stressed out.

The food was fair- I don't remember exactly what we ate, because it was nothing special. Certainly not a memorable dining experience.

The show was dumb. Sorry to those who like it. I realize we're at Disney and nearly everything is directed to kids, but we expected the luau to be a step up and a little bit more "adult." I've been to luau's in Hawaii- they are usually very family friendly, but at the same time they manage to have a largely adult crowd. The Disney version is definitely aimed at kids. The adults in our group were all bored (and these are folks that love Disney!).

Over the years, I've seen very mixed reviews. Many people really love the show, but many others are like me and couldn't be dragged back.

 

[1gr8mouse]

We liked it.......it was a few years ago....Food was good....pulled pork was outstanding!!!! When we went it included drinks/cocktails.....show was pretty good...but was a disney show......our kids got to go on stage and learn to dance....after the show.....all in all we would do it again......they take familly pictures before you go in, we bought ours and have it hanging in the family room to this day!!!
FYI, we did the Backyard BBQ too.....that I would never do again...that was terrible for us.....nasty hot dogs, all food was cold, country line dancing etc.
each to their own I guess....

 

[Think Pink Tink]

It was GREAT! We stayed at the Poly so we wanted to see the show. The food was good...coconut pinapple bread, polynesian salad, pineapple for apps, then fried rice, spare ribs and chicken for the main course and some chocolate/raspberry volcano thing for dessert. It melted in my mouth. Also all you could drink bud or bud light, wine or soft drinks.

We've been to Hawaii and saw traditional luaus...this show definately had alot of similarities!!! We thought it was worth it!

 

[Peggy Jean]

We were there about a 2 weeks ago. We had the DDE and we got 20% off our entire bill. But we also had a particular place to be seated. Regardless we still could see well. The show was entertaining a little more contemporary, our last visit was in 1997, so it was somewhat different,a s was the food.

We could not get enough of the coconut bread and the pineapple was delicious, so much so that my DS21, sked for an extra serving. There was salad, pineapple, coconut bread for appetizers, then came chicken which was very moist and tasty, rice, average, veggies, ribs, really good. DH had a couple beers and I imbibed in a couple glasses of wine. Dessert was a big deal, sort of showy like a baked Alaska with the waitstaff parading around with steaming volcanoes. And the dessert was a mousselike chocolate raspberry yummy.

 

[ROEDISNEY]

Haven't seen it in years but it was great!

 

[Eventer98]

Saw it last year and the food was delicious! DH does not like eating outside though (never will admit why) but he made it through. We would definitely go back! The bread was our favorite part.

 

[devine]

we saw it in 05, yes it was a long time ago but we loved it, good food, & fun show. It was my mom favorite thing from our whole trip

 

[Contemporary_Man]

I used to be a big supporter of the Luau, but we haven't enjoyed our last two trips. That being said, I would certainly reccommend everyone to try it at least once.

 

[Luv2Roam]

I agree, try at least once.
We have done it twice. The most recent as last January. And I was leary about January weather. We lucked out. A storm did come through, but brief and just before the show ended. They did shorten the show a bit. But we only realized that since we had seen it before. Otherwise we would not have noticed.
This last time we got discounted seats in the Cinderella section, which was in the back.
I would suggest getting better seating if this is your first and possibly only time, esp if you want to take photos or videos.
There are AP discounts, in case anyone is your group is an AP-er.

The couple we were with last January had been to it once -- and it was so long ago Mike Douglas was hosting a show from there.
They are picky eaters and they LOVED it.

 

[disneypolybride2008]

we ate there in April 2006. The ribs were very good, there wasnt much variety though, Ohana was WAY better for food. I really didnt like having to sit at a table with other people though. It was like we were part of their family only without the conversation. The entertainment was ok, for a lot of the time though it was just the stereo on. We left early, tip was included so that was a bonus. I would go there again only if we could have our own table like at Ohana.

 

[buzz1fan]

Does anyone know how long the show is? Our kids will be 5 and 2, and I think we plan on staying at the Poly next August 2009.

 

[Ron from Michigan]

We have done it several times and always enjoyed the show and food.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

We are doing this in August with the kids. DH has wanted to do this for along time.
Thanks everyone.

 

[mickeynut1]

We always wanted to do the luau and decided to go for it when we had our first stay at the Poly last September....and we loved it.....both the food and the show were great . If it's something that is of interest to you, I suggest giving it a try and form your own conclusions as you will get many different responses....some people hate it, while others (like us) love it, while still others think it's just ok. I read alot of bad reviews on it when I was thinking of booking it and I'm so glad I took the initiative to just give it a try for myself . We were there during free dining but we opted to pay for tier 1 seating rather than use 2 TS credits, and we couldn't have asked for better seats.....we were right up front by the stage and had a great view of everything . The luau isn't something we'll do every year, but we will go back again sometime . We thought it was well worth the money. I say it's something to try atleast once .

 

[pinktink23]

If the idea of a luau interests you, then i think you should go for it and try it. I had been wanting to go to this forever and finally went for the 1st time last Aug. I loved loved loved it and am so glad I finally got a chance to see it (and didn't listen to the nay-sayers on the board!).

The show is slightly cheesy, but its a luau for goodness sakes! Also, I am a very picky eater and I found many things that I liked to eat there. Especially the pineapple.

I was on the DDP, but I paid OOP for this one. I got category 1 seating, and although they are a bit more expensive i reccommend splurging. The Category 1 seats are much better than some others you could end up in.

 

[macfam5]

Thanks everyone for all of your opinions. We have decided to go ahead and give it a try. I will be sure to offer my own opinion after we go in December. Sure hope the weather is good..

 

[frdeb1999]

I think you will enjoy it very much. We have done it a few times in different cat's of seating and have'nt ever had what we'd consider a bad view. The food is very good. Although the service can be lax at times. Unless you want the pix they take prior I would'nt go as early as they reccomend. You end up standing and waiting quite a while if you do. We still always enjoy it whenever we go. Hope you have a wonderful time in Dec!

 

[macfam5]

I think you will enjoy it very much. We have done it a few times in different cat's of seating and have'nt ever had what we'd consider a bad view. The food is very good. Although the service can be lax at times. Unless you want the pix they take prior I would'nt go as early as they reccomend. You end up standing and waiting quite a while if you do. We still always enjoy it whenever we go. Hope you have a wonderful time in Dec!

Since we are staying at the Poly, they told us to be there 30 minutes before hand. Is the pic included in the price or is it optional to buy?