Friday Family Fun - Spirit of Aloha

It's time once again to take a look at activities that can be done outside the theme parks at Walt Disney World!  Previously I've talked about boating, miniature golf, and bicycling - all relatively inexpensive activities that you and your family could enjoy on non-theme park days.  Today we'll look at an activity that is not as inexpensive, but could be done on either a theme-park or non-theme park day:  Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show.  The show is performed nightly at Disney's Polynesian Resort. 

As a family, we have enjoyed this show twice in the past 18 years:  once on our honeymoon, and then again in 2004 while on vacation prior to the arrival of my daughter.  (I'd say it was time to see it again!)  The first time we saw it - while on our honeymoon - was part of a non-theme park day.  We had spent the day leisurely enjoying boating with a romantic picnic lunch, shopping and other fun stuff.  The second time we saw it, with our boys, was part of a theme-park day.  We had spent the day in the nearby Magic Kingdom, taking the boat from the park over to the Polynesian when it was time - then returning back to the Magic Kingdom via Monorail. after the show concluded. 

Like the two other dinner show opportunities at Walt Disney World, the Spirit of Aloha includes an all-you-care-to-eat feast, featuring tastes and delights from Polynesia, and beer and wine are included for those over 21.  It features enchanting music, costumes, and authentic dances. Our favorites were the two different fire-dancers.  They were really cool!

As I mentioned previously, this show is not as inexpensive an activity as some of the others I have previously highlighted - but it is an experience that is well worth it, at least once. The cost per person depends on the seating location, and whether you choose to attend during peak or non-peak periods.  But no matter which show you attend, tax and gratuity are already included in the price.  For an adult, it currently costs between about $55 - $75.  Kids (3-9) are less, coming in between about $30 - $40 - and of course the littlest kids (under 2) are free.  If you are a Tables in Wonderland cardholder, you can save 20% off the cost.  And if you are on vacation using the Disney Dining Plan, you could exchange 2 Table Service Credits per person for entry into the show.  


The luau has been running at Walt Disney World nearly since the resort first opened.  Originally performed on the shores of the Polynesian Resort, a few months later being moved into a specially designed area within the protected shelter of what has become to be known as Luau Cove. It is a very popular show, usually selling out pretty quickly, so securing reservations early is key.  Reservations are available as many as 180 days in advance. So prior planning is important.