slo’s WEDNESDAY 9/21 poll - Luau

[slo]

Since I have Moana on my mind, with my recent movie review, i ask you…..

Have you ever been to a Luau?
Authentic where you witness the pig coming out of the pit oven in the ground or a themed dinner show like what used to be at The Poly or something in between those two?
(multiple choice)


For Me…..I’ve been to an authentic luau in Hawaii and also the luau at The Poly. If you’ve never been to a true Luau where poi is served and you eat pig that’s been cooking in a ground oven pit all day, I strongly encourage you to try and do this some day - it’s an unforgettable experience. The Poly luau was a lot of fun and a good substitute for a real luau (it still surprises me that this was discontinued). If you ever have a chance to do to something like this somewhere else I encourage that too - lots of fun!

 

[WDWEPCOT]

Someday !! The Poly was a joke my opinion - went several times over the years - it only got worse - would love to go to a real one !

 

[Kitty 34]

I went to something similar at Dunn River Falls in Jamaica.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Like you, Sandy, we've been to those two. A real one in Hawaii and the dinner show at the Polynesian.

The real one was great, a very nice experience. We still talk about it today, about 40 years later.

The Polynesian show was fun, especially when the performers got Vince, then 22 years old, up on the stage with a few other audience members for some fun dancing stuff.

 

[design_mom]

The closest I've been is the luau at the Poly. Going to Hawaii is on my bucket list though. We had planned to go for our 25th wedding anniversary, but COVID ruined that plan. (And my husband is NOT a fan of traveling, so hopefully I'll convince him to reschedule, but it'll be a struggle.)

 

[easyas123]

I've never been to one, however we have cooked a pig (and a deer) in a pit before. Takes a lot of prep but it really turns out nice.

 

[Schneewittchen37]

I struggled with this one.

I've been to a luau in Hawaii. I'll say it was in between authentic and a dinner show, because there were some traditional elements. The kids loved it. The food was good. The show was great. The scenery was amazing. We definitely learned a little bit. Before the show and dinner, there were some activities that gave everything context. I also learned that poi is revolting. Very important lesson.

Anyway, it was the "Paradise Cove Luau". It claims to be Hawaii's "best". Whatever that means. https://www.paradisecove.com/

If I can get my act together, I'm supposed to be buying tickets for the Wantilan Luau at Universal Orlando. Looking forward to that. We're heading there in November again because I'm angry at WDW.

 

[RedAngie]

In Hawaii, but it was more tourist dinner show than authentic. It was on the grounds of our hotel. I wasn’t impressed.

 

[luvnwdwgal]

Never been to one and really don’t care to. If it weren’t for my social anxiety I’m sure I would feel differently.

 

[ronandannette]

I struggled with this one.

I've been to a luau in Hawaii. I'll say it was in between authentic and a dinner show, because there were some traditional elements. The kids loved it. The food was good. The show was great. The scenery was amazing. We definitely learned a little bit. Before the show and dinner, there were some activities that gave everything context. I also learned that poi is revolting. Very important lesson.

Anyway, it was the "Paradise Cove Luau". It claims to be Hawaii's "best". Whatever that means. https://www.paradisecove.com/

If I can get my act together, I'm supposed to be buying tickets for the Wantilan Luau at Universal Orlando. Looking forward to that. We're heading there in November again because I'm angry at WDW.

This, exactly. I don’t know how “authentic” it was, but on our single trip to Hawaii, attending a luau was definitely a must-do. We loved our evening at Paradise Cove and took in everything it had to offer, including me dancing the hula on stage (with other audience members) in a coconut bra. Memories!!

 

[slo]

Like you, Sandy, we've been to those two. A real one in Hawaii and the dinner show at the Polynesian.

The real one was great, a very nice experience. We still talk about it today, about 40 years later.

The Polynesian show was fun, especially when the performers got Vince, then 22 years old, up on the stage with a few other audience members for some fun dancing stuff.

This happened to me - I was one of the chosen to go onstage - it was embarrassing and fun at the same time.

Here’s some pictures for all to look at. Please disregard the glare - these photos are in a photo album

Oldest DD was 4yrs old and it was 2002. Youngest DD was not born yet. We bought DD her little luau outfit at The Poly gift shop that is no longer there - she was so proud of her outfit and I gotta admit - she was pretty darn cute.




Me on stage .
Why did I not leave the Fanny pack at the table? Not a good look - LOL!

 

[Moliphino]

We went to the one at the Polynesian about 30 years ago. I think that's it.

 

[georgina]

Twice in Hawaii. Once at our hotel on our honeymoon in 1987, once on a family vacation in 2016 which was more authentic.

 

[DisneyHardin]

We went to the Poly Luau about 5 years ago.

 

[LoveSpringsteen]

I’ve never been to a luau, but would definitely go if given an opportunity.

 

[AppleDumpling]

I too have been to a luau in Hawaii and also the show at the Polynesian. Both were over 30 years ago, so I don’t remember much detail, but we did enjoy them.

 

[SandyinMonterey]

I have been to a luau in Hawaii and did the luau show at the Poly when we got married at WDW, it was our rehearsal dinner.

 

[Dan Murphy]

This happened to me - I was one of the chosen to go onstage - it was embarrassing and fun at the same time.

Here’s some pictures for all to look at. Please disregard the glare - these photos are in a photo album

Oldest DD was 4yrs old and it was 2002. Youngest DD was not born yet. We bought DD her little luau outfit at The Poly gift shop that is no longer there - she was so proud of her outfit and I gotta admit - she was pretty darn cute.

View attachment 703976View attachment 703977

View attachment 703978
Me on stage .
Why did I not leave the Fanny pack at the table? Not a good look - LOL!

View attachment 703979View attachment 703980View attachment 703981

It looks like you are directing the band there in that 4th picture, Sandy.

I remember you and Steph from around that time at the Chicago meets.

 

[barkley]

went to the touristy one at a maui hotel once that was fairly authentic BUT the better one was one we attended through some type of education and cultural center on maui. it was a combination of the traditional but also had areas set up with a combination of demonstrations and hands on learning about various aspects of historical island life and culture.

 

[CynBeth]

We have been twice to one in Hawaii and once at the Poly.