Aloha Aulani

Check out our review of the luau.

The KA WA’A luau currently occurs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, though sometimes the schedule may vary.   Disney describes it here: “Experience an exhilarating and enchanting journey through Hawaiian history—and discover its deep cultural roots in canoe (waʻa) exploration, which brought the first ancient explorers to the shores of Ko Olina.”

Seating options:

• General Seating – $175/adult, $104/child (ages 3 through 9).  Children under 3 are free.
  • Includes a lei and all beverages (alcoholic and otherwise).
  • Seats aren’t assigned until your arrival at the lū‘au and seating starts 10 minutes after preferred seating.

• Preferred Seating – $204/adult, $124/child (ages 3 through 9). Children under 3 are free.
  • Includes a lei, all beverages (alcoholic and otherwise), early check in, up-front priority seats, and a free welcome photo.
  • Preferred seating starts 10 minutes before general seating.

Prices for both include gratuities, but not taxes.  Preferred seating is assigned based on booking order.  The only real advantage to preferred seating is that your seats are assigned and are in the area closest to the stage.  The only other advantages compared to general seating are “early check-in” which means you get in 10 minutes before everyone else, and a “complimentary welcome photo.”  You don’t actually get a printed photo, instead, you get a photopass card which enables you to download the photo later.

Preferred seating checks in through an entrance in the Ewa tower near the elevators.  General seating check in on the opposite side of the Halawai lawn, near the BBQ area.  If you are in general seating, your table is not reserved, so if getting close to the stage is important to you, get there early as the first parties in line will be seated closest to the stage behind the preferred seating.

During the summer (July through August), the luau check in time is 5:30pm for premium seating and 5:40 for general seating.  For the rest of the year, check in is at 5pm and 5:10pm respectively.

Dress code:

Casual attire recommended.

MEN: Baseball caps/ board shorts/ swimsuits/ ripped or torn jeans/ tank tops and sleeveless shirts are NOT ALLOWED

WOMEN: baseball caps, swimsuits, and ripped or torn jeans are NOT ALLOWED

How to book:

To book the luau, you can call 844-284-7644 between 8AM and 5PM HST daily, or you can go to https://www.disneyaulani.com/activities/luau/ and select either the preferred or general seating options on the right side of the page.   These links will take you off the Aulani site to a booking page.  On that page, you will select from the available dates along with the number of adults, children, and infants in your group and then you will be asked for your credit card information.

How far out you can book seems to vary and isn’t explicitly stated.  We were able to book over six months out for when we went in late November (we booked May 12 for November 26), but when I just checked now (mid May), bookings were only available through the end of October, with the first reservations available in late August.  Reservations are a necessity as there is typically no availability inside of two months.  We tried to get an earlier booking, but there was nothing available during our dates.  We’ve been able to snag day of reservations by asking at the Holoholo desk (roughly across the lobby from the front desk).  I had better luck calling them at 844-284-7644 or 808-674-6320 as the people at the desks were always on the phone.  We asked to be placed on a waiting list in case of openings.  They told us that if there were openings they would call us by 1pm, and if they didn’t call, there was nothing available.  They called us at 1:02pm!  We don’t expect this to work at busy times of the year, but it is worth a shot if you have your heart set on the Luau.

Cancellation policy:

48 hours cancellations are required for a full refund.  Partial refunds are not given.

You can expect pre-show activity demonstrations such as flower arranging and taro pounding.  This is followed by an introduction and an opening chant (called an oli).  The meal includes a buffet of “authentic island fare” and of course, the entertainment.  Platforms are distributed throughout the dining area upon which dancers perform, so no matter where you sit, you’ll have a good view of some of the action.

Things to be aware of:

• The lū‘au will be cancelled if there is heavy or steady rain, but will continue for sprinkles/passing showers.  The seating area and stage are not covered.
• The entire experience from check-in to completion takes about 3 hours.
• Aulani used to offer validated parking for the luau for non-guests, this is no longer advertised.
• Sign language interpreters can be requested by calling 844-284-7644 at least 14 days in advance of your lū‘au reservation.
• Menu is subject to change.
• Payment is due at booking.
• Cancellation policy: up to 48 hours in advance will get you a full refund.
• If you have any dietary restrictions, call the reservation line and ask for a note to be placed on your luau reservation.  The chef may need to call you a day or so in advance if they have any questions.
• Reservations are limited to groups between 2 and 10 people.

Our review of the luau can be found here.