Luau at Ko Olina or Polynesian Cultural Center?

[infamazz]

Split stay between Aulani and Marriott Ko Olina and trying to decide on which luau to do. Fia Fia would be easy and close, but I've been planning to take a day and to everything at Polynesian Cultural Center. Will be myself, husband, and 16 year old daughter. Think she would really like PCC for everything else they have to offer.

Comments? Thanks.

I've been to both. The luau (show portion) at the PCC is very entertaining and worth it. The PCC luau (food portion) is a disaster. It reminds me of my college cafeteria if my cafeteria had worse food. Think all you can eat buffet at one of those way-way-off the strip buffets in Vegas and you'll have the right image.

The Ko Olina luau, both show and food, were very impressive as well. I will give the edge to the show to the PCC, but the food at Ko Olina was so much better than PCC, that it's not even a contest. Try to go to the PCC for just the show, then catch the Ko Olina luau in full.

 

[DeniseM]

I've been to both. The luau (show portion) at the PCC is very entertaining and worth it. The PCC luau (food portion) is a disaster.

Just to clarify - the show is not part of the luau - it is a separate performance.

 

[JIMinNC]

Are there luaus anyone would recommend on either Maui or Kauai also? Maybe I should save it for there, since we'll be fairly busy in Oahu.

Old Lahaina Luau is the best by far, in my opinion

 

[taffy19]

We have usually been there in November, December, January or February. We have never had a problem booking the Old Lahaina Luau several days in advance. Occasionally our first choice night would be sold out, bit we have always been able to get an alternate date that works for us.

You need to book earlier during spring break and during the summer holidays too when the children are out of school.

We really enjoyed going to the Old Lahaina Luau too but I still recommend to see the evening show at the Polynesian Cultural Center but forget about the Luau as Denise suggested.

The evening show is a big production of song and dance but telling a story too. We went to visit the villages during the day and it was rainin hard but they gave us parkas to wear.

We stayed dry during the evening show but I am not so sure about the performers. It looked to me that they were in the open so got drenched but it didn't seem to affect the fire dancers as the torches stayed on.

We booked the guided tour at our hotel so got the best seating at all the island villages and also at night for the evening show but it would have been better to sit a little further back but still in the middle.

The Luau was included too but I would skip that because it isn't as personal like it is at the Old Lahaina Luau or at the Fia Fia show at the Marriott, I guess. I never saw it there but we saw the Chief's Luau at Sea Life Park by the same company and we enjoyed that Luau and performance too. Their fire dance show was amazing but doesn't belong to the Hawaiian Culture but nice to see with the ocean in the background.

 

[taffy19]

Old Lahaina Luau is the best by far, in my opinion

Beautiful pictures, JIMinNC, and the first picture shows how much more personal the Luau is at the Old Lahaina Luau than at the Polynesian Cultural Center plus the setting is beautiful too right on the ocean.

 

[dioxide45]

Has anyone done the Luau at Aulani? How does it compare to Fia Fia? They are both on Tuesday, so it would be one or the other. We are considering going to the one at Aulani instead of Fia Fia if outside guests can attend?

 

[hangloose]

How far in advance do we have to book Fia Fia? Going in Feb.

 

[Swice]

OLL on Maui is the best and is hard to get during busy tourist times. If you've never been to Hawaii, this is what you imagine it "should" be. They are known for roasting the pig in the ground. The food is plentiful and better than most and also a wide variety including some "authentic" tastes.
Fia Fia is just plain enjoyable and "fun." The food is catered from the Marriott. I would call it "better than average banquet food."
We opted for the "show" at PCC and it was a bit more theatrical with higher level of production values-- and a larger cast. We had heard the food was okay, and from what we were able to see, we're glad we skipped it.

Each of the above are slightly different.

At some point, you get what you pay for. Obviously, the more expensive ones are probably going to have more cast members and a wider variety of food and "pre-show" activities/demonstrations. At some point, they are all "touristy." ...and that's fine. In Alaska, you go to a lumberjack show or a gold miners show. In other places, there's The Dolly Parton Stampede or Pirate Show, or Medieval Times. In Orlando, there's SeaWorld's dinner with Shamau, Disney's Hoop de Doo Revue or Universal's Caribbean Carnaval. It's all touristy. In Hawaii, it stopped being authentic a long time ago.
Just stay away from the bargain ones.

 

[brianfox]

thanks, I will look into both of the others.

If Fia Fia is outdoors on the beach, what stops people from just watching the show, without partaking of the luau food?

My husband is not anxious to do any luau, he has been before and says the food is usually just "meh" as I have read a lot of reviews that say the same thing, sadly.

It definitely is possible to watch Fia Fia without buying a ticket. The show takes place on the "Great Lawn", and during the show the lawn area is surrounded by vendors making it difficult to stop and watch the show from the grass level. However, you can view the show from above the waterfall, along the circular walkway between Hale Naia and Hale Kona. There is also a great viewing area near the checkin desk, with tables and chairs. People tend to snag those early in the day and stay through the show. Granted, you'll be watching the show form a 90 degree view. You'd think those two areas would be continually clogged with people, but I have found they are not.

 

[JCerniglow]

we did paradise cove and enjoyed it very much