Spirit of Aloha Luau was a lot of fun!

[minniebride]

Don't go. This is the worst rip off at Disney ever! We booked tier 1 and were seated at a table in the front where the salad was wilting nicely in the sun when we arrived. On a positive note, the bread was warm. Then our sweaty waitress came to take our drink order. She returned 15 minutes later with our drinks (table of 4). They do not offer to change plates between courses, so if you like a clean plate when your main dish comes, you're out of luck. Then the main course was delivered by our even sweatier waitress. The ribs were fatty and rubbery and the family style chicken needed to be ripped apart by me into sections my family could handle. I couldn't stand anymore so I talked to a manager and we got a full refund and left immediately. The entertainment was amateurish but the performers put their hearts into it, we didn't make it past the first two performances so it may have gotten better. I'm cured of ever trying a Disney dinner show ever again!

It sounds like alot of your complaints were due to the weather and not the actual Luau. I'm sure the entire place (staff and guests) were sweaty if the weather was so hot that the sun wilted the salad. I've been to 2 other family style restaurants at WDW and I don't remember the plates being replaced like at a buffet.

 

[imchatti]

I have not been to the luau in over 30 years, but plan to go in February. I have been to the Hoop de Doo twice in the past year. At the Hoop de Doo they have a salad plate on top of your dinner plate and remove the salad plate when you are done. I would guess that they do the same at the luau . Maybe the poster who complained about the dish not being replaced thought that the bottom dish was a "charger" or something. At the Hoop de Doo we were also given clean plates for our dessert. I can't imagine Disney doing things so differently at the two dinner shows.

Just my two cents.

 

[LiliJ]

I am very happy to read the good review of the Luau as my sister wants to go to the Luau during our trip in September, but, due to all the bad reviews I was hesitant. I have, just today, booked the Luau dinner for the Tuesday during our trip.

 

[AnnaS]

For everyone going before our October trip, please stop by to post a quick review.

Thank you :O)

 

[chocolateMinnie]

I have not been to the luau in over 30 years, but plan to go in February. I have been to the Hoop de Doo twice in the past year. At the Hoop de Doo they have a salad plate on top of your dinner plate and remove the salad plate when you are done. I would guess that they do the same at the luau . Maybe the poster who complained about the dish not being replaced thought that the bottom dish was a "charger" or something. At the Hoop de Doo we were also given clean plates for our dessert. I can't imagine Disney doing things so differently at the two dinner shows.

Just my two cents.

we have always had two plates at hddr but last year at SOA (our first time) we definitely only had one plate (except for dessert) to be honest we didnt even think about it as being Brits we struggle at every meal with one lot of silverware - what is that all about and we will never ever
cope with sweet and savoury breakfast items sharing a plate what is that all about?
Loved SOA though and may well go again in 2012

 

[JustCallMeMommy]

I'm glad to read the good review; like you, I have read quite a few negative ones. SOA sounds right up my family's alley so we've attempted to try it out. We had reservations in December that were colded out (like rained out, but due to temperature), so we have reservations for September now. Can't wait!

 

[srauchbauer]

like the other posters, i am so glad to here the positive reviews, we are going in October and hoping to make great memories. While reading the other posts I noticed people writing that beer and wine are included in the price, is this correct? If it makes a difference we are on the dining plan.


Also wondering about gratutity because we are on the dining plan do we need to bring some $$ for tipping?
tia

 

[Rox.jea]

My husband & I LOVED IT!!!!

 

[AnnaS]

like the other posters, i am so glad to here the positive reviews, we are going in October and hoping to make great memories. While reading the other posts I noticed people writing that beer and wine are included in the price, is this correct? If it makes a difference we are on the dining plan.


Also wondering about gratutity because we are on the dining plan do we need to bring some $$ for tipping?
tia

Don't forget to write a review when you get back.

I was going ask about tipping. We are not on the dining plan but I think I read on allearsnet that the price we paid includes gratuity. Does anyone leave an additional tip?

 

[AnnaS]

My husband & I LOVED IT!!!!

Glad to read this. Can't wait for ours. I have wanted to try it for years and no one ever wanted to pay for it in advance and we could never get a reservation when we were there (after they changed their mind, lol). This group agreed!

 

[Rox.jea]

Glad to read this. Can't wait for ours. I have wanted to try it for years and no one ever wanted to pay for it in advance and we could never get a reservation when we were there (after they changed their mind, lol). This group agreed!

Aloha Anna!
Good for you! I know it can be a lot of $ after paying for the entire trip. It's like, all the add ons can turn people off. But it Is worth it to me! I now use 2 credits on the dining plan to pay for the shows. I have been to all 3 & think they need some new ones! Maybe one for each Deluxe Resort! I would pay! They are fun & ur wine or beer is included, which is nice.

 

[angierae]

Glad to see a positive review! We recently upgraded to DxDP (free dining next March/April) and we weren't going to do this with just regular DDP but now that we have Deluxe we're definitely going. I'm a huge fan of luau and firespinning. Thank you for your review!

 

[LiliJ]

Went to the Luau 2 weeks ago, my sister and I loved it. The food was very good, better than the food we got at O'Hana, to my surprise. We preferred the second half of the show with the more traditional feel to the first half. The first half was actually a bit of a let down, and I was very happy when they started the second half with the traditional dances. If the entire show had stayed/continued as it started I might have walked out, the second half made all the difference - it was actually excellent. The guy with the fire was very good and fun to watch except his requests for applause (or more applause.)

 

[Disney owl]

thanks for the review, nice to read a positive one.

 

[pumba]

I loved the chicken and especially the salad and bread.......heck we loved all of it..
The two young grandkids were given hot dogs and mac and cheese but still they enjoyed the buffet too..
We would definitely do this again ...

 

[AnnaS]

Went to the Luau 2 weeks ago, my sister and I loved it. The food was very good, better than the food we got at O'Hana, to my surprise. We preferred the second half of the show with the more traditional feel to the first half. The first half was actually a bit of a let down, and I was very happy when they started the second half with the traditional dances. If the entire show had stayed/continued as it started I might have walked out, the second half made all the difference - it was actually excellent. The guy with the fire was very good and fun to watch except his requests for applause (or more applause.)

Thank you so much for posting. I was hoping there would be a review or two from someone before our trip coming up. Happy to read a positive one and I hope we are not too bored with the first half, lol. We will be 9 people. Will report back with my thoughts.

Anyone else been recently?

 

[Cmarie123]

We have never done the luau and are considering for our next trip. Thanks for all of the information!

 

[AnnaS]

I forgot about this thread - we have been back a few months now of course.

We were 10 people and enjoyed it very much. The first half did drag some. The food was very good. I did not try the dessert. Not something I would do yearly but every few years. We are actually ready for HDR again.

 

[wrrock]

I don't know why you have heard bad reviews about that place. The experience is awesome. I mostly go to Disney for the 'experience.' Sure the food is part of the overall equation. But having live dancers while you eat traditional food can't be beat.

 

[kkproulx]

I'm SO glad I seen this thread and have read positive remarks about this show! This is our 5th trip and I am surprising the family with this one. Cannot wait now!