Dancer in the Spirit of
Aloha show
by Dave Marx

Aloha! The Spirit of Aloha Dinner is an exotic, South Pacific-style celebration of color, style, history, music, and dance. Everything you expect from a luau is here—women in “grass” skirts, men in face paint, fire dancers, traditional music, plus a little bit of Elvis—showcasing the cultures and traditions of Polynesia and connecting them all to the modern Hawaii seen in Lilo and Stitch. The show is held together by Auntie Wini, the heart of a group of young islanders who have learned to love traditional values including ’ohana (family). The show is held nightly in Luau Cove, an outdoor stage surrounded by a torch-lit garden. Upon arrival, guests are presented with a complimentary lei and entertained in the garden before dinner. While you wait for the show, you can buy drinks and souvenirs and have a family photo taken. Guests are seated at long, wooden tables that fan out from the stage, all under shelter in the event of rain.

The all-you-care-to-eat meal, served family-style for your party, includes tropical mixed greens with mango-poppyseed dressing, pineapple-coconut bread, honey-lime slaw, soba noodle slaw, fresh pineapple, aloha pulled pork, Polynesian pork ribs, roasted chicken, vegetable medley, ginger rice, and warm pineapple bread pudding with caramel sauce for dessert. Included with your meal is your choice of unlimited soda, lemonade, coffee, iced tea, milk, beer (Bud and Bud Light Draft), and wine (house red, white, and rosé). Specialty drinks are extra. The show begins after dinner with Hawaiian music and plenty of South Seas dancing by both men and women. Kids are quite welcome at the Luau—young ones will be invited on stage for a special dance number. A photo is taken before the show, and the photo is saved to your My Disney Experience account (the print photo packages are no longer offered table-side).

Prices vary by seat category—cheapest seats are in category 3 (extreme far left or right of the stage on the lower level, or on the upper level) at $66/adults and $39/kids 3–9 (prices include taxes and gratuities). Category 2 seats are $74/adults and $44/kids 3–9 and are located on the left or right side of the stage, or on the upper level tables in the center-rear. Category 1 premium seats are $78/adults and $46/kids 3–9, located front and/or center on the lower level. Disney Dining Plan credits are accepted here (two credits per person) for categories 2 and 3 only. The two-hour shows are held at 5:15 pm and 8:00 pm, Tuesdays through Saturdays. We prefer the later seating as the darkness adds to the mystique and romance of the show. Ask about discounts for the late show. In the cooler months, the late show may be canceled.

Make your reservations early (up to 180 days in advance)—they book up quick. Full payment is required with your reservation, refundable up to 48 hours prior to the show.

GETTING TO THE POLYNESIAN DINNER SHOW

To get to the Polynesian dinner show, either drive directly to the Polynesian Village Resort or take the monorail from the Magic Kingdom or Epcot. From other parks and resorts, bus to the Magic Kingdom and take the monorail (daytime) or bus to Disney Springs and transfer to a Polynesian Village bus. Once inside the resort, follow signs to Luau Cove. Allow plenty of time for travel, especially if coming from another resort.