Hoop-de-doo vs Spirit of Aloha

[yesdnil]

Hello! I'm in early stages of pre-planning for our next trip (Nov '19). We'll be staying at CCV (hopefully I can book a 2BR with no issues) and we will not be using a dining plan.

I want to do a dinner show, and I'm torn between hoop-de-doo and the luau. Slightly leaning toward hoop-de-doo because it gets such great reviews, but I'm not sure it's totally my cup of tea.

Please give me whatever advice you have!

Our travel party will be my parents (~60yo, they've done the luau on a previous trip), DH & I (~30yo, we've done neither), and DD (2yo)

 

[jvz82]

I've never done Spirit of Aloha.

But both times I've been to HDDR have been the most amazing nights of my life. The memories we made there are unbelievable! We're going to book it for our November 2018 trip, first time I'll be taking my own kids so I am so excited to introduce them to it!

 

[JerseyJanice]

The Spirit of Aloha was a one-and-done for me. The food was totally pedestrian—like what your corporate Aramark cafeteria would serve on Hawaiian Day. The show was difficult to follow and really boring in some spots. Can’t recommend it.

I have never done Hoop De Doo, but I would like to experience it one day. It sounds fun, and I know people IRL who go every trip.

 

[yesdnil]

But both times I've been to HDDR have been the most amazing nights of my life. The memories we made there are unbelievable!

Thanks for this! What made it so fun for you? Do you think it'll be entertaining for my kiddo, who'll be only 2 at the time?

The food was totally pedestrian—like what your corporate Aramark cafeteria would serve on Hawaiian Day.

Ouch!

 

[mattsnyder9]

same predicament for july of '19....have two daughters, will be 7 and 4, I'm sure 7 year old will love hoop dee doo but will my 4 year old even get the humor? They've never been to a luau and are really into Moana, so just keep going back n forth on this one. I personally would rather see hoop dee doo, but this trip is for them.

 

[tinkerbella16]

We've done both but HDDR is a must do every trip. It is a lot of fun and the food is great. It is the one night of every trip that we look forward to the most.

 

[Shelleyfs]

We did Spirit of Aloha once. I can't imagine ever doing it again. HDDR we do every couple of years. We love it! The kids love the show and the food. It's one of the places that the whole family finds something they love about it. We already have it booked for our next trip!

 

[pattyw]

We've done both but HDDR we've done many times whereas Spirit of Aloha only once. I would choose HDDR!!

 

[chocolateMinnie]

We enjoyed both but one trip to SOA was enough. We went to HDDR twice and considering going again next trip.
SOA the seating is outside so you are very weather dependent although the area is covered. We found them to be a bit drink restrictive. Not plentiful for the adults and basically found it hard to provide juice or bottled water for the kids rather than soda (which we were happy to pay extra for).
The entertainment was fine until the end with the fire eater which was amazing.
The food was ok except for the dessert which was awful.
HDDR ridiculously silly entertainment but we were in stitches all night.
Food was a basic menu but so well cooked.
Additional soft drinks were easily available to buy and they were happy to bring the kids masses of ice cream.
The drinks the first time we tried a couple of glasses of wine and a couple of sangria and had to halt additional delivery. Had no issues with us switching to soda and coffee.
The second trip we both drank beer and they brought it by the pitcher.

 

[dismoose23]

I have been going to HDDR ever since I was little and still enjoy it. DW and I did SOA for our honeymoon in 2016. The food was good and we enjoyed the show, but we do not feel the need to go back. HDDR would be my vote.

 

[drwadadli]

I have done the HDDR several times and each time it has been a lot of fun. I have done the SOA several times when I was a kid but like everyone has written prior...once you have done, then you don't need to do it again. A few years back, I took my wife to the HDDR and she has talked about how much fun it was ever since. We are talking about doing it when we go in December 2019 (15 years since the first time she went). I have asked her several times if she wants to do the SOA but her comment "Aren't all luaus the same?" and the answer is yes. Seen one luau, seen them all.

 

[mattsnyder9]

thank you all, hoop dee doo it is! Can't wait!

 

[dreamit]

Thanks for this! What made it so fun for you? Do you think it'll be entertaining for my kiddo, who'll be only 2 at the time?

In my opinion, the show would be entertaining for a 2yo. It's upbeat and fast- paced with singing and dancing that I think would keep the attention of a 2yo. Additionally, you're served dinner and dessert during the show's "intermissions", so you're not needing your child to stay quiet and focused on the entertainment for the duration of your time at the HDDMR.
I can't fully describe how much my entire family loves this show. I've attended three times. Accompanying me at different times was my husband, my sister, my son when he was 22, my niece when she was 7, and my daughter when she was 8, 10, and 11 years old. It's one of my daughters favorite activities at WDW.

 

[DisneyFansInNYC]

We do the HDDR each trip and have been for years. It never gets old. We love it old and young.

 

[drwadadli]

thank you all, hoop dee doo it is! Can't wait!

Hope you have a great time and let us know what you thought of the dinner and show

 

[wishuponastar1984]

same predicament for july of '19....have two daughters, will be 7 and 4, I'm sure 7 year old will love hoop dee doo but will my 4 year old even get the humor? They've never been to a luau and are really into Moana, so just keep going back n forth on this one. I personally would rather see hoop dee doo, but this trip is for them.

Just because the 4 year old might not get the humor I am sure they would still enjoy the singing and dancing. The other factor for me would be your time of year. I would not want to sit outside in July for SOA. We love HDDR but SOA was one and done. If you have ever been to Hawaii and been to a real luau you will be REALLY disappointed.

 

[mattsnyder9]

Yes, many of you have convinced me to do HDDR, also great call on thinking about the weather. Now I need to decide which category to seat us in.

 

[EdmondD]

like what your corporate Aramark cafeteria would serve on Hawaiian Day

I love this.

 

[Jadyreen1282]

thank you all, hoop dee doo it is! Can't wait!

Hope you love the hokie pokie!

 

[NYCgrrl]

same predicament for july of '19....have two daughters, will be 7 and 4, I'm sure 7 year old will love hoop dee doo but will my 4 year old even get the humor? They've never been to a luau and are really into Moana, so just keep going back n forth on this one. I personally would rather see hoop dee doo, but this trip is for them.

Spend the money on HDDR; both adults and children will enjoy it.
This summer, I'm taking 3 kiddos there who range in age between 9 and 1 years of age. The younger ones already told the older one it was a hoot.
They also still talk about the 6 year older who apparently had already seen the show a few years and knew the dialogue by heart.