Spirit of Aloha (Polynesian)

[figarofan]

Has anyone been to this dinner show recently and if so I would love to hear opinions. And I apologize if this has been recently asked.

 

[alan_renfroe]

I"m glad the question was asked. I would like to know also. We have reservations on our upcoming trip, but I am wondering if there might be a better option for dinner.

 

[daisyduck123]

We went on Dec. 22 & enjoyed the show & the food.
We're glad we did it.
We were on the dining plan & had good seats.

**It's not something we plan on doing again soon, because there are other shows we want to see as well (have an ADR for Hoop de Doo Review this summer).

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I went in 2005 and enjoyed it. (I know that is not recent.)

I would suppose that it probably lacked something in authenticity, but as someone that has never been to Hawaii, I really enjoyed it. I do think it would be well worth your while to get seats close to the front. You are not sitting indian style on a beach with 20 people. You are seated in a picnic pavillion that holds 200+ people. The food is really good, but not fantastic as it is being cooked for a lot of people at one time, and the dessert is not special. I would highly suggest it.

I do want to say this to the poster from Jacksonville, Alabama especially.

I'm originally from rural Northwest Alabama, and much enjoyed Spirit of Aloha over the Hoop Dee Doo Review. That is the opposite of most posters.

You may can relate to this...I've been to hillbilly shows, both local productions and at places like Opryland, and grew up on Hee Haw. I've seen hillbillies up close. Why some folks might even say ( I r 1 ). If you got that then ur2. So, Hoop Dee Doo fell kind of flat, not insulted, just unimpressed. Spirit of Aloha was a new adventure with a lot less hype and I enjoyed it much more.

 

[figarofan]

Thank you for all the helpful information. I have decided to stay at the Poly for the last half of a split stay. Although most of my family has been to Hawaii many times (brother lived there for years), my DIL has never been.

I am glad to hear something positive about it, last years it seems everyone was so negative...with the bad food and not authentic part, walking out early, etc.

I am not concerned with authenticity (most of the luaus in Hawaii are not really authentic, either), but I wanted something that was just fun.

As for the food, unless we can order something special, we will just be nibbling on salad or fruit so I am not concerned with that.

I look forward to it. Now as I have never booked, do you ask for seating when you reserve or is it first come first served seating? Do you reserve 180 days in advance?

Thank you so very much daisyduck123 and Mickey'sApprentice for all your help!

 

[Dawn68PA]

There are different prices for different locations. If you have the DDP, you'll be fine and have good seats, no request necessary. I would definately call at the 180 mark.

We really enjoyed this show and were disappointed that we couldn't fit it in for our next trip. The food was awesome!

 

[LISAMWDW]

I've done it and loved it! I've been to Luau's in Hawaii and this one is right up with with those! We're going to the Luau again this year!

 

[mickeynut1]

We did the luau last September and thought the food was excellent and the show was cute I would highly recommend going if you've never been

 

[Minnie & Me]

How is the outdoor seating in September? Wasn't it hot and humid? Are you under a canopy? How long does the dinner last?

 

[daisyduck123]

How long does the dinner last?

Ours lasted exactly 1 hour & 50 minutes. I can't recall what time our seating was...it may have been 7pm & we were out at 8:50...or it may have been 8pm & we were out at 9:50pm.

But you get the idea.

A lady who went to the show before us said her family was there for 2 hours.

 

[alan_renfroe]

I went in 2005 and enjoyed it. (I know that is not recent.)

I would suppose that it probably lacked something in authenticity, but as someone that has never been to Hawaii, I really enjoyed it. I do think it would be well worth your while to get seats close to the front. You are not sitting indian style on a beach with 20 people. You are seated in a picnic pavillion that holds 200+ people. The food is really good, but not fantastic as it is being cooked for a lot of people at one time, and the dessert is not special. I would highly suggest it.

I do want to say this to the poster from Jacksonville, Alabama especially.

I'm originally from rural Northwest Alabama, and much enjoyed Spirit of Aloha over the Hoop Dee Doo Review. That is the opposite of most posters.

You may can relate to this...I've been to hillbilly shows, both local productions and at places like Opryland, and grew up on Hee Haw. I've seen hillbillies up close. Why some folks might even say ( I r 1 ). If you got that then ur2. So, Hoop Dee Doo fell kind of flat, not insulted, just unimpressed. Spirit of Aloha was a new adventure with a lot less hype and I enjoyed it much more.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!! We have ADRs for Spirit of Aloha AND HDDR. Based on your comments, I am strongly considering cancelling the HDDR plan so that we can eat at Epcot one night and have good seats for IllumiNations. HDDR didn't seem that great to me anyway, but everyone has been telling me that we should do it.

Alan

 

[DaveClan]

I wouldn't say that HDDR is anything special. Hard to justify paying $59 for strawberry shortcake.

I enjoyed the luau and am actually going to it again on May 20th. Good luck!

 

[DisKate]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if you get a free photo at Spirit of Aloha like you do at CRT?

Thanks,

Katie

 

[KrisTX]

Great thread timing! I was on hold with dining and realized that I should do this since we are staying at the Poly and have not done it yet. Came straight here to search fast and it was on the front page! What timing! I was able to read the comments and get my date straight while he processed all my other requests. I got exactly what I wanted dates and times for 8/11-18 vacation. They even had CRT still available. But we are passing this time since my 8 year old princess is too old - so she says

Oh and the CM was helpful, quick, kind and thorough!

 

[daisyduck123]

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if you get a free photo at Spirit of Aloha like you do at CRT?

Thanks,

Katie

We got the same kind of photo package that you get at Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana's breakfast, etc.

 

[madamy]

I miss the Mickey Luau they had years ago, but the show is fun the food is decent and some alcoholic drinks are included, looks like they got rid of the tropical frozen drinks that used to be included in the price. However it was always hard to get more than one or two during the show. Despite my whining we won't miss it for our up coming trip.

 

[DisKate]

We got the same kind of photo package that you get at Chef Mickey's, 'Ohana's breakfast, etc.

Does it cost extra? And if so, does anyone know the cost?

 

[daisyduck123]

Does it cost extra? And if so, does anyone know the cost?

No.
They take everyone's photo prior to entering "Luau Cove" (I think that's the name). To my knowledge, everyone received the photo package & we did not pay extra.

**Edited to add...oops! According to the poster below, I was wrong. Sorry! I don't recall paying, but I guess we did.

 

[mystikgarden]

We went last Thursday. The food was ok. The bread they serve however is is AWESOME!! We sat in category 3 and pretty close to the stage. The show was kind of slow and was not entertaining enough for my 3yro dd and we left early. The photo package was not included (which we paid 2TS's for this dinner) The photo package which came with an 8x10 and 4 5x7's were 31.95! I thought it should have come included like at CRT. I would suggest trying something different if spending oop or 2 Ts credits. We had Hollywood Brown Derby fantasmic pkg. and it was one of the best meals and shows we had!

 

[Joshua_me]

Thank you for all the helpful information. I have decided to stay at the Poly for the last half of a split stay.
I look forward to it. Now as I have never booked, do you ask for seating when you reserve or is it first come first served seating? Do you reserve 180 days in advance?

I'm glad to hear that you are staying at The Poly.

I'm usually 'on the fence' about recommending this show, as the food and the show itself are just 'OK' in our opinion.

But, when you are staying at The Poly, there is a little something extra magical about it. Being able to take that short and beautiful walk from your room to the luau is a delightful thing. Having everything so close by, and having it sort of extend the 'Polynesian experience' is certainly worth trying at least once.

As for the seating: There are three levels, or 'tiers' to the seating area, I forget which is which, but basically the more you pay, the closer to the stage your table will be. But closer does not necessarily guarantee you a great seat, as the seating area extends all the way out on either side to just past the edges of the stage. So in theory, you could be in the front row but not have the greatest view. Still, I think it's worth the bit of extra money for the chance at the prime seats.

I believe you can reserve them up to 180 days ahead, but I'd double check on that one.

As for the quality of the food... Well, you might want to have a little snack before hand....