Questioning my Spirit of Aloha ADR!

[Stephanie239]

Help! I'm questioning SOA... Should we do Ohana and another TS in lieu of this 2 credit? I'm so indecisive! We are staying at the Poly and I made a ressie for SOA our 1st night there. Othere ADR's I have are:

1900 Park Fare, breakfast
Raglan Road, dinner
50's Cafe, lunch
Tutto Italia, lunch


Help! This is hard! Our 1st and last trip 4yrs ago, we brought our RV and stayed at Ft Wilderness (No dining plan). We've had a rough time since....3 hurricanes back to back! Want this to be relaxing and an awesome trip. I'm overthinking this, aren't I??

TIA
Stephanie

 

[Stephanie239]

Just changed Park Fare breakfast to Ohana breakfast. I think my kids will like Ohana's better.

Still debating Aloha.......

 

[dancin Disney style]

We went to SoA on our first time having the DDP. We all really enjoyed it but if I had payed OOP for it I don't think I would have been happy. The service was excellent, in fact we left an extra tip for our server. He was by far the best we had that entire week. The food was fine but nothing special and the same really for the show.

Last year we went to the Hoo Dee Doo Review and absolutely loved it. We still talk about it often. The food was fantastic and so was the service. The show is a little corny but it is a really good laugh. It is just a great all around fun evening. This is one show that we will repeat often regardless of having the DDP or not.

We have also been to Ohana many times and loved it. I think to some degree it gets a bad rap. Other than having to wait a while to be seated we have had no issues there.

 

[Stephanie239]

Thanks for your input! We did Hoopdee our 1st night of our last trip. It was fun and a good way to kick off our vaca. I'm just wondering if our dining credits would be better spent by having dinner at Ohana (to get in the island vibe) and then having another TS. Decisions, decisions!

 

[dancin Disney style]

I think credits are best spent in the way that you want to use them....regardless of how that is. If you feel like you want to try SoA than absolutely do it. Not everyone has the same opinion. I'm not saying I wouldn't go again just that after going to HDDR we prefer that one.

 

[Stephanie239]

Thanks! Guess I could discuss it with the fam and let them choose. It's their trip too afterall! LOL The kids would probably like the show, they are 16, 11 and 7. DH is more interested in good grilled meats and drinks! Think I'll leave it as is for now... Could always do OOP for any other TS meals.

 

[kendzee94]

I just posted this same reply on another thread about someone hating their experience at the Hoop Dee Doo. As I was reading this, it reminded me of the Spirit of Aloha Luau at the Polynesian we did 3 years ago. We started on a 90 some odd degree day, poor service, mediocre food and with the entertainment being dull and just not our cup of tea. We ended up leaving early as we were disappointed all the way around. Definitely felt jipped paying two table service credits. With that being said, we are planning the Hoop De Doo in October, and I hope we have better luck than the other poster did and what we had for the Luau!

Now, to the Ohana's question.... it is on our list of must do's for a table service. Ohanas and Le Cellier are our favorite sit downs. Look at the menus and let the kids decide or at least have some input. Good luck with whatever you decide to do

 

[walkdmc]

I'm assuming you've never done SoA? We did it last year and paid OOP for Cat. 1 seating (we had the DDP but when I booked online, I didn't know you could use it for shows, duh). Even with Cat. 1 seating it was quite boring until the fire twirler guy showed up at the end. I don't even remember the food.

FF to now, we have another ADR for the SoA in June. This time I was smart and used our DDP to pay for it (or will use). So, I was given Cat. 3 seating. Frankly, I cannot imagine sitting through that again, with worse seats. (we are going again to take my mom who has never seen it). So, last week I cancelled. It was a big relief.

BTW, whoever cancelled Park Fare, you're going to miss the Mad Hatter. He must be the biggest hidden gem among the characters, IMO. He's wonderfully crazy and funny, yelling "Happy Unbirthday" and flicking Cheerios off spoons.

 

[Stephanie239]

Thanks everyone! Don't think my decision is any easier, but I will let the family decide. And I didn't cancel Park Fare, yet. Think I'm gonna keep that one! Mad Hatter sounds great. We love mischievious, smart-alecky people/characters

 

[TwiddleDeeTwiddleDum]

you are staying at the Poly, a luau might just be a great way to kick off your trip. Why not try it once?

We have seen HoopDeeDo, pd OOP. Never did the Luau or dining plan so for our August trip we thought, why not? We're still scheduling a TS for every night of our trip & paying OOP for the least expensive one.

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Help! I'm questioning SOA... Should we do Ohana and another TS in lieu of this 2 credit? I'm so indecisive! We are staying at the Poly and I made a ressie for SOA our 1st night there.....
Stephanie

When we stayed at the Poly, going to Spirit of Aloha just added to the whole Polynesian theme and made our stay enjoyable. The show is a little corny... (now Hoop De Doo is REALLY corny and people like that). But there's some good dancing and the fire juggler at the end of the show is awesome! I saw people leaving early because they were bored with the dancing and they missed the best part. I thought the food was quite good. It's not a bad price considering beer and wine are included, all you can eat, some entertainment.

For Spirit of Aloha, we paid (didn't use dining plan) for Category 1 seating and used our dining plan credits for other table service restaurants. The sooner you make the reservation, the better your seats will be (within the category) - see below for how seating assignments are done. If you have category 2 seating and want to use the dining plan, I'd keep it. Category 3 seating seemed far back with a poor view.

I'd get an ADR for 1900 Park Fare again. Mary Poppins was great and the Mad Hatter was hilarious. But we also loved Ohana breakfast. Do both?

If you really like table service, maybe compare the cost of the deluxe dining plan - we found little difference in price compared to the Plus dining plan.

2009 - confirmed with Spirit of Aloha CM that seating assignments within each category are done before you get there.... and based on the number in your party and when you made your ADR. The earlier you make your reservation before the day of your ADR, the better your seating. Seemed to be true, we booked category 1 right on the first day we could (was 90 days then, now 180) and we were right up front.

Enjoy the show and be sure to stay for the fire dancer.

 

[Stephanie239]

When we stayed at the Poly, going to Spirit of Aloha just added to the whole Polynesian theme and made our stay enjoyable. The show is a little corny... (now Hoop De Doo is REALLY corny and people like that). But there's some good dancing and the fire juggler at the end of the show is awesome! I saw people leaving early because they were bored with the dancing and they missed the best part. I thought the food was quite good. It's not a bad price considering beer and wine are included, all you can eat, some entertainment.

For Spirit of Aloha, we paid (didn't use dining plan) for Category 1 seating and used our dining plan credits for other table service restaurants. The sooner you make the reservation, the better your seats will be (within the category) - see below for how seating assignments are done. If you have category 2 seating and want to use the dining plan, I'd keep it. Category 3 seating seemed far back with a poor view.

I'd get an ADR for 1900 Park Fare again. Mary Poppins was great and the Mad Hatter was hilarious. But we also loved Ohana breakfast. Do both?

If you really like table service, maybe compare the cost of the deluxe dining plan - we found little difference in price compared to the Plus dining plan.

2009 - confirmed with Spirit of Aloha CM that seating assignments within each category are done before you get there.... and based on the number in your party and when you made your ADR. The earlier you make your reservation before the day of your ADR, the better your seating. Seemed to be true, we booked category 1 right on the first day we could (was 90 days then, now 180) and we were right up front.

Enjoy the show and be sure to stay for the fire dancer.

Thank you!! I have left my ADR as is. I did cat 1 seating (didn't realize DP was not for cat 1). I'm gonna leave it as is and just pay OOP for it! I also left 1900 Park Fare for a breakfast and have an Ohana bkfast. Feel like I've made good ADRs now Thanks for the reassurance. BTW, showed my kiddos Aloha online and they are super excited about it!

2 weeks and 2 days!!!! Wooohooo!!!

Stephanie

 

[grace&philipsmom]

We stayed at the Poly last year and just like you we decided to do the Luau on our first night to set the mood with the resort. We thought it was nice. We too payed for category one seating, but there was a 2 year old in our party and it was a little long for him. We might try it again in a few years when he is bigger.

 

[pumba]

we went to the Luau three weeks ago and we had a great time. Our son, wife, and two grandkids 4 and 5 years old and my husband and myself..we had tier 1 and we soooooo enjoyed it.....but others may not have enjoyed it as much as we did....
The food was pretty good too...When we first sat down and after they took our drink order, I was looking for the butter to put on the bread...none...but the bread was so delicious ...no one needed anything to put on it......I wish I had the recipe for it...
The kids enjoyed it and that was the reason for us getting this reservation..COSTLY out of pocket but we are glad that we did it..

 

[TDC Nala]

Checked out the menu for the luau last weekend and it looked pretty boring. I haven't actually tried it though. I'd only go if I was interested in the show (and I'm not) because the food definitely didn't look interesting.

Also, if the reservation is for your first night there and you are flying in, you should consider flight delays. If you miss your reservation you will forfeit what you've already paid for it or at least a no-show fee.

I don't suggest that anyone book a reservation with a no-show fee on an arrival day when arriving by air unless there is at least 5 hours between flight arrival and the reservation. (For the luau, staying at the Poly or another monorail resort you could cut that a bit closer)

 

[Pixie Princess]

Thanks everyone! Don't think my decision is any easier, but I will let the family decide. And I didn't cancel Park Fare, yet. Think I'm gonna keep that one! Mad Hatter sounds great. We love mischievious, smart-alecky people/characters

You'll enjoy this. Our best interaction was with Tigger. He kept coming to the table, and "pouring" himself coffee. He also kept trying to take food from my DD. It was great!

I have to agree about HDDR. It is awesome! We do it every trip. I paid OOP for it last trip, and it was worth every cent. I'm starting question my decison to forego it on our trip in Oct. to do SOA. I've always wanted to do SOA, and my DD is a baton twirler who has just started to twirl fire. She's very excited about the fire dancer. She knows it's not quite the same as what she does, but its fire so it is close enough for her.

 

[arcticdisneylovers]

We did SOA in January and we really enjoyed it. BUt we considering doing Ohana instead next time. I'm torn because we really like SOA and we hope the food we be as good at Ohana's.

 

[agravette]

We went to the Aloha show last September and it was okay because we had free dining. We actually enjoyed the food but the show was not that great. Maybe it was because our seats were off to the side, far in the back. This year we are returning during free dining and we've scheduled Hoop dee doo. I am very excited about this! We also ate breakfast at Ohana's and my kids loved it! Another place we really enjoyed that has excellent food is Mama Melrose's at Hollywood Studios. One more suggestion is the Crystal Palace breakfast with Pooh. Both it and Mama Melrose's are just one table service and they are fabulous!

 

[Stephanie239]

We went to the Aloha show last September and it was okay because we had free dining. We actually enjoyed the food but the show was not that great. Maybe it was because our seats were off to the side, far in the back. This year we are returning during free dining and we've scheduled Hoop dee doo. I am very excited about this! We also ate breakfast at Ohana's and my kids loved it! Another place we really enjoyed that has excellent food is Mama Melrose's at Hollywood Studios. One more suggestion is the Crystal Palace breakfast with Pooh. Both it and Mama Melrose's are just one table service and they are fabulous!

We did Hoop dee doo last trip (which was our 1st visit to WDW, btw!) We had a great time My sister raves about Mama Melrose....maybe I'll go with it also. 2 weeks & 1 Day!!! I'm so ready to go!

 

[DisneyFamily123]

Sometimes corny can be fun. Spirit of Aloha - I know the story line was corny....but I thought the dancing was very enjoyable... and there was some "eye candy" for the men and women. Food was good and plenty. Beer and wine unlimited. And the show really just adds to enjoying the whole Polynesian theme at this resort. And as everyone says, the fire juggler was just great and worth the price of admission alone!

Hoop-Dee-Doo - I really didn't think this would be fun... but my DS4 laughed non-stop the whole time. Our waitress was great. She joked with us every visit to the table with a rough country-western accent and attitude! She gave DS4 a stool to sit higher for a better view and he loved that. When the food came out, at the same time, all the waiters/waitresses slammed the buckets of chicken on the tables. I wasn't expecting that and nearly jumped out of my seat! I jokingly complained about my beer glass having a hole in it (it was empty) and she brought 3 pitchers of beer all at the same time and slammed them on the table! Just all good, rowdy, cowboy kind of fun! The show was very funny, much better than is seen in the videos.