Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show: Luau Definitely Wows!

Guest Review by Mousin’ About Co-Author, Dann Hazel (October 24, 2010)

            If you explore the Internet for guest reviews of Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, you’ll find many pans, but little praise. Though I hadn’t experienced the luau since 1991, I took a small group of students to enjoy the dinner show in October 2010 for the 8:00 p.m. show. (An earlier show occurs at 5:15 p.m. each afternoon.) Because I didn’t consider the show in 1991 to be very memorable, I had rather low expectations for this performance, as well.

            First of all, the show isn’t cheap. The worst seats in Luau Cove start around $35.00, with close-to-the-stage seats about $65.00. Even the best seats—which were purchased for my six students and chaperones—don’t guarantee an unobstructed view, as there are poles supporting the ceiling that may get in your way. My seat provided just such a view, but I found it not too inconvenient to reposition my chair to get a better stage view.

            Secondly, Internet criticism about the Disney silliness of the first part of the show is not totally without merit. However, neither I nor my students found it very off-putting. Auntie Winnie could be a bit overbearing, but the musicians were excellent—and the short appearances by a variety of Polynesian performers while the audience feasted made a lot of sense. I don’t think it would have been a good idea for the “meat and potatoes” of the show to happen while guests were enjoying their dinner. Still, the birthday celebration for a character with whom the audience had very little chance to identify made little sense to me.

            It’s a good idea to queue up for the show about 30-40 minutes prior to showtime, despite the fact that you won’t be seated until 8:00 p.m. (or 5:15, if you’ve chosen the earlier performance). Crowds accumulate pretty quickly, and the farther back you are in the line, the longer it will take for you to be seated. Be sure to have someone along with you whose company and conversation you enjoy! Also, the walk from the Ceremonial House (lobby) to Luau Cove can be taxing for guests who have mobility issues. One of our chaperones walks with a cane because of a previous leg and foot injury. Usually, she navigates fairly easily, as long as there are plenty of opportunities for a short rest. Unfortunately, there are no benches on the way to Luau Cove, nor in the queue area—making for a taxing situation for our chaperone.

            As the queue snakes toward Luau Cove, a Disney PhotoPass photographer snaps several photos of you along with your party. These photos make an appearance toward the end of your meal, so stay tuned.

            Once seating begins, the festivities begin quite quickly. The feast is served family-style, with lots of salad (slathered with heavenly mango poppyseed dressing), fresh pineapple, and coconut-pineapple bread waiting for you as soon as you are seated. Because the dinner show’s meal is served family-style, you are always welcome to ask for more of your favorite items. As you enjoy your appetizers, your server takes your drink order—wine and beer are included in the price, if you so choose—though pitchers of water are placed on your table to keep your thirst quenched as you are waiting for your drinks. As you enjoy your appetizers, Aunt Minnie introduces several of the principal characters in the show, as well as providing a few “teaser” Hawaiian dances.

            You’re given just enough time to enjoy your appetizers before your server brings the entrée and side items. In addition to Polynesian rice (cooked perfectly, and perfectly seasoned) and fresh steamed vegetables (carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower), your platter is loaded with barbecue ribs and grilled chicken (both dark and white meat). I’ve never developed a taste for ribs, but the adults in the party who have told me they were delicious. From experience, I can say the chicken was superb, as well. I’m not sure what seasonings were used, but they complemented the fire-roasted chicken superbly.

            The show continues while you eat, but it is mostly music with occasional appearances by the cast in short vignettes. During the meal, they do not remain on the stage long enough to really interfere with the enjoyment of your food. But when dessert is announced—with great fanfare, consisting of each server carrying a platter containing a smoking volcano—the really authentic part of the show is about to begin. Unfortunately, though the menu notes that your “mini-volcanoes” are chocolate mousse, they taste nothing like the real thing. There was something disappointingly artificial about the dessert—and when teenagers who’ll generally eat anything note they don’t like the dessert, you know there’s a problem. The bottom line, though, is that the luau’s dessert was the only culinary disappointment—and to be honest, I was so full by then, I didn’t really care (even though I am generally a chocolate fiend!).

            During dessert, PhotoPass cast members bring photo packages to each party’s table, with the invitation to purchase—nope, your luau price does not include your pictures, the way the character dining venues often do. The package consists of an 8 X 10 photo of your party, with another 8 X 10 photo of the dinner show cast. Four 4 X 5 versions of the 8 X 10 photo of your party are also included. I had heard before the performance that the price was $40.00. That was not the case, and we opted to make the purchase for $29.95 (plus tax).

            While guests are pushing their mini-volcanoes away and deciding whether to purchase their photo packages, the lights go down, an announcement is made that cautions parents to keep their children seated during the final 45 minutes of the show, and a series of performances by dancers displaying authentic Hawaiian dances (including various hulas) begins. At this point, the show becomes riveting. The earlier silly touches are eliminated (though there are a few opportunities for guests to join dancers on stage), and guests are in awe at the contrast of gentle and vigorous swaying that represents each of the Hawaiian Islands . In fact, a few dances border on bellicose aggression! Even a sweet romantic interlude is included between the spirited sequences.

            Then, the fire dancer appears—and he essentially brings down the house!  I can’t help but think that the darkness of the later performance must showcase his talents much better than the daylight of the earlier show. Magic Kingdom ’s Halloween fireworks were being ignited while he performed, and though we could see some of the exploding shells above Luau Hut, no one cared. His performance was just that powerful. I am still amazed at the speed with which he twirled a fiery baton—oops, make that two fiery batons during one portion of his performance. Several of my students actually rose to their feet to give him a standing ovation during curtain call. And to think that I was concerned that these teens would consider this experience too hokey!

            Obviously, I highly recommend this experience. I like Spirit of Aloha even more than the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue (and certainly the food is better). If you attend with the realization that you’ll need to get a real dessert somewhere else, you’ll be satisfied with the rest of the experience.

            I also read online that the wait staff at the Spirit of Aloha didn’t care about quality of service because they were already getting their tip (which is included in the price of the show). That was NOT my experience. Our server appeared to be very concerned about our satisfaction. No one had to wait very long for beverage refills, and she was proactive in determining whether we wanted more of any of the food. (By the way, you tell your server which menu items you wish to have “seconds” of, and she brings only what you ask for.)  Not once did she seem impatient, even with our teens, and she even indulged in a bit of teasing with several members of our party.

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