Paradise Cove Luau vs. Old Lahaina Luau

[AKBeagleMom]

Has anyone experienced (or have knowledge of) both the Paradise Cove Luau and Old Lahaina Luau?

 

I'm trying to decide between the two. OLL has some really good reviews, but PCL is offered as a shore excursion. I'd like a comparison of the two.

 

I think I'm leaning toward the OLL since that will be a less busy day for us...but I'm not sure how far OLL is from where the ship ports in Lahaina?

 

TIA for any assistance/insight!

[CruisingGoddess]

I was trying to decide what luau to do during our entire trip and found the columnist on About.com said she considered the Old Lahaina Luau THE BEST LUAU in all of the Hawaiian islands:

 

As a three time attendee, I can attest that this is, by far, the best luau that you will find anywhere in the islands. It offers the most delicious and authentic food and the most well-produced and choreographed entertainment. If you only attend one luau while you're in Hawaii, be sure to attend the Old Lahaina Luau on Maui.

 

It's also the only luau Frommer's Hawaii 2010 gave it's own little callout box in the book.

 

Those sold it for me. :)

[vbmom87]

Anyone care to name the perhaps 2nd best Luau in Hawaii? We will likely be on the POA. Our priority in Maui is to drive the Road to Hana on our full day there. I read on past threads that it is not a good idea to plan both on the same day. I am not willing to forgo the RTH for a luau, no matter how good it is. Our priority at our vacation destinations is always scenery. So, we will have to book a luau someplace else. We will be spending some time in Oahu, so that would work out well. Or perhaps in Kauai? Any recommendations if you can't do the Old Lahaina Luau?

[CruisingGoddess]

Anyone care to name the perhaps 2nd best Luau in Hawaii? We will likely be on the POA. Our priority in Maui is to drive the Road to Hana on our full day there. I read on past threads that it is not a good idea to plan both on the same day. I am not willing to forgo the RTH for a luau, no matter how good it is. Our priority at our vacation destinations is always scenery. So, we will have to book a luau someplace else. We will be spending some time in Oahu, so that would work out well. Or perhaps in Kauai? Any recommendations if you can't do the Old Lahaina Luau?

 

This link mentions the columnist's favorite 3 luaus on each island:

 

http://gohawaii.about.com/od/luau/tp/best_luau_in_hawaii.htm

 

Frommer's Hawaii mentions Kona Village Luau on the Big Island as a favorite and, unlike Old Lahaina Luau, they have fire-dancing. :D

 

Paradise Cove in Oahu is also a favorite on these boards. These are some luau threads I've been following here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1107822

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1081810

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=995109

[vbmom87]

This link mentions the columnist's favorite 3 luaus on each island:

 

http://gohawaii.about.com/od/luau/tp/best_luau_in_hawaii.htm

 

Frommer's Hawaii mentions Kona Village Luau on the Big Island as a favorite and, unlike Old Lahaina Luau, they have fire-dancing. :D

 

Paradise Cove in Oahu is also a favorite on these boards. These are some luau threads I've been following here:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1107822

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1081810

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=995109

 

Thanks Rebecca for all the links. I bookmarked this thread so I can check them out later. I have done quite a bit of reading in books, online, and on this website. However, the more I read, the more confused I get. In case this is our only trip to Hawaii, I would like to make good choices. I think I am actually more interested in the show after the dinner than I am in the meal itself. I don't know if anyone would have a different recommendation if my priority is really the show. My husband and sister are pretty fussy eaters and probably won't find much to eat anywhere. I am a vegetarian, so I know my choices will be limited too. I just need a bite to eat with a great production show after. If this makes a different in recommendation, I would appreciate hearing from anyone who might have a thought on this.

 

Rebecca, I see you on the Alaska boards too. How wonderful that you can be planning two amazing vacations!!!

 

mary

[CruisingGoddess]

Thanks Rebecca for all the links. I bookmarked this thread so I can check them out later. I have done quite a bit of reading in books, online, and on this website. However, the more I read, the more confused I get. In case this is our only trip to Hawaii, I would like to make good choices. I think I am actually more interested in the show after the dinner than I am in the meal itself. I don't know if anyone would have a different recommendation if my priority is really the show. My husband and sister are pretty fussy eaters and probably won't find much to eat anywhere. I am a vegetarian, so I know my choices will be limited too. I just need a bite to eat with a great production show after. If this makes a different in recommendation, I would appreciate hearing from anyone who might have a thought on this.

 

Rebecca, I see you on the Alaska boards too. How wonderful that you can be planning two amazing vacations!!!

 

mary

 

Yes, I recognize you from the Alaska boards too! We went a little overboard this year with both vacations. I'm pretty much draining my vacation time!

 

I hope someone can chime in about the luaus for you!

[fsupharm77]

We are planning on doing the Feast at Lele. From what we have been able to find it is run by the same people as OLL, but it is more of a sit down dining Luau, where the other is buffet style. It is a little pricier, but we prefer to be somewhere were there are less kids around and it's more intimate. Don't need kids around to remind us of our kids back home, we will be missing them enough at that point.