Rumor - Spirit of Aloha dinner show will not be returning to the Polynesian

[crazy4wdw]

There are several rumors floating around Disney fan sites today that claim Disney management has decided to permanently close the Spirit of Aloha dinner show at the Polynesian Resort. Supposedly management felt the the profit margins for the show were not high enough to warrant bringing the show back to the Poly.

 

[MrWonderful]

If true, not surprising. Wouldn't want anything to put those executive bonuses at risk...!!

 

[SteveH]

If true the new Di$ney strikes again. I've still never forgiven them for cancelling Off Kilter though.

 

[Tess]

While I wasn't a fan, BTDT a few times and no need to return, it seems a fitting part of The Polynesian vibe and I am sure it will be missed. Another bit of Disney history biting the dust. . .makes me fear for HDDR.

 

[gottalovepluto]

While I wasn't a fan, BTDT a few times and no need to return, it seems a fitting part of The Polynesian vibe and I am sure it will be missed. Another bit of Disney history biting the dust. . .makes me fear for HDDR.

I feel like the cost to Disney for HDDR is less than the Luau so maybe it still has a chance? I haven’t done the Luau but it looks like HDDR has a smaller cast and doesn’t have things like the fire dancer (I can’t imagine the insurance bill that came along with that was cheap).

 

[jim01]

It is a shame it is going away, I remember going to that as a kid. But it seemed like people didn't like it very much compared to Hoop de Doo. They still have the space there so they maybe they are planning a different type of show?

 

[Jadyreen1282]

I heard they are both done. No facts just conjecture I assumed. Also heard Jelly R and Yehaa Bob gone too. No facts. Bob stated that they have to be offered their jobs back by contract but I am guessing that won't stop Disney from ditching them.

Edit: Bob is coming back! Maybe everything will be back.

It's a whole new world. We are all going to have to expect less and less.

 

[DisneyHardin]

That's too bad. We went to the Luau a few years ago and enjoyed it. It was a one and done for us, but it was fun to cross it off the list.

 

[SteveH]

...We are all going to have to expect less and less.

I agree, but you forgot the next part, "and pay more and more."

 

[Boopuff]

I'll stand by my thought: no one should accept the current state of Disney, if we all go, then the big wigs know people will come, if we stay home, wait for the full-fledged experience, that would force the hand to start bringing things back. Fans love of Disney are killing bringing back the full enjoyment.

 

[mitsukoshi samurai]

I feel like the cost to Disney for HDDR is less than the Luau so maybe it still has a chance? I haven’t done the Luau but it looks like HDDR has a smaller cast and doesn’t have things like the fire dancer (I can’t imagine the insurance bill that came along with that was cheap).

plus HDDR is indoors avoiding weather cancellations

 

[B-Ride]

If true the new Di$ney strikes again. I've still never forgiven them for cancelling Off Kilter though.

The magic has been replaced by the profit.

 

[Marthasor]

That one hurts. While I understand SOA wasn't the original show that opened with the Poly in 1971, the luau at Poly is part of WDW history.

 

[goofy4prez]

I get the "it's a business and the need to make a profit." I owned a business for many years. I also understand there is a large number of Disney loyalists who are true apologists for every thing that Disney does. But there is a balance to profit and guest experience. What Disney has been doing lately is like buying a car from the manufacturer and then being told that tires used to come with it but now you have to pay extra for it. I am really close to the breaking point and really have some thinking to do whether I'm keeping my WDW vacation in February or spending my vacation money somewhere else.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Meh, this was also a one and done for us as well. To us it was a poor show, food wasn't near as good as HDDR and I can also see why it wouldn't have a good profit margin. Can't blame then for closing it.

 

[Disneypapa]

I will miss the show. My family has attended twice over a period of 20 years and enjoyed it both times.

 

[vinotinto]

We never saw it and I always lamented that Poly did not have a true Signature and instead only had this show.

There are two things I wish: 1) For Poly to get a true signature restaurant. 2) For entertainment to return to WDW. Love HDDR! Love live entertainment! it NEEDS to come back.

This is the first time in more than 10 years that I have not been to WDW within the past year and have ZERO plans to visit again. There just isn’t enough entertainment to make me want to visit. Sad.

 

[Tonberry]

I wouldn't be surprised if they turned that area into a new Poly DVD area and built a new longhouse there.

 

[Pens Fan]

I wouldn't be surprised if they turned that area into a new Poly DVD area and built a new longhouse there.

There is a thread over on wdwmagic right now speculating on this exact thing. Though the rumor there is that it's going to be a DVC tower. While it's still firmly in the rumor category, even Martin (their "insider of all insiders") has said he wouldn't be surprised if it happened.

This will not be a popular opinion and it's based solely on my selfish wants. My husband and I went to the luau years ago and it was definitely a one and done for us. It was cute, but nowhere near worth the cost in our humble opinions. We are DVC owners and love the Poly, but have little to no interest in studios and not nearly enough points to blow them all on the bungalows. So if they did add a DVC building there and they added in 1 and 2 BR's? I'd be pretty darn happy about that. The main reason we didn't buy at the Poly was their lack of 1 and 2 BR's, and I don't think we are the only ones that feel that way.

 

[cgattis]

. Though the rumor there is that it's going to be a DVC tower.

That would totally blow the whole theme of “Polynesian Village” right out of the water. Guess they can always drop the “village” part again.

FWIW, we thought the show itself was pretty high quality. I’d say it was comparable in price snd food quality to a Hawaiian luau, but obviously a little lacking in the show part (by direct comparison only). We’ve never done HDDR and had no plans on this trip, but now I’m kinda worried…..we really should’ve done that last time we stayed at WL and ridden the boat over.