Need advice on Polynesian Cultural Center & Go O'ahu card

[nisky]

1) We'll be in Waikiki this summer for 2 1/2 days before a cruise without a car. What is the best way for us to see the Polynesian Cultural Center as a day activity? We are also wondering if this is also a good option for a luau or if we should consider a different one.

 

2) Has anyone used the Go O'ahu card? We wonder if this is a good option for our pre-cruise visit.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

nisky

[rstephenrrtx]

1) We'll be in Waikiki this summer for 2 1/2 days before a cruise without a car. What is the best way for us to see the Polynesian Cultural Center as a day activity? We are also wondering if this is also a good option for a luau or if we should consider a different one.

 

2) Has anyone used the Go O'ahu card? We wonder if this is a good option for our pre-cruise visit.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

nisky

Good question. Same situation. The PCC offers an island circle tour with the luau that gives r/t from Waikiki hotels. Is that good?

 

 

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[millineumwoman]

We are buying the go Oahu card through costco as they give the card cheaper and you pay for 3 days and the 4th for free and includes the luau at the Polynesian centre .transport is not included but there is the bus. Taxi will be approx $80 each way but when you book the luau at the Polynesian centre ask about including the transport

 

 

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[punkincc]

1) We'll be in Waikiki this summer for 2 1/2 days before a cruise without a car. What is the best way for us to see the Polynesian Cultural Center as a day activity? We are also wondering if this is also a good option for a luau or if we should consider a different one.

 

2) Has anyone used the Go O'ahu card? We wonder if this is a good option for our pre-cruise visit.

 

Thanks in advance!

 

nisky

 

It is a pretty easy and very scenic drive up to the PCC if you do a day rental. If not that, I'd just book tickets which included round trip transportation from your hotel. There are many many tour companies which offer these. Roberts is a very well known and respected one. The PCC may offer packages with transportation direct from their website.

 

I'd look at the reviews for Luaus under Trip Advisor. The main criticism for the PCC dinner and show is that it is not really a luau, just a dinner, and then you walk elsewhere for the show. Not the same experience you'd get at many others. I believe it is possible to do just the PCC with option of one or the other or none for the dinner/show. You may want to skip the dinner and show and just book another of the Luaus offered in the area for a different day. There are two or three others with excellent reviews which would provide more of a luau experience, and they may all provide transportation.

Edited February 27, 2016 by punkincc

[punkincc]

We are buying the go Oahu card through costco as they give the card cheaper and you pay for 3 days and the 4th for free and includes the luau at the Polynesian centre .transport is not included but there is the bus. Taxi will be approx $80 each way but when you book the luau at the Polynesian centre ask about including the transport

 

 

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Most tours to the the PCC will offer a cheap roundtrip transportation option. $80 for a taxi would be crazy. IMO the bus would not be a good idea. Maybe someone will chime in who knows how long this trip by bus would take one way and round trip. Is it even still running after the show is over?

[punkincc]

Good question. Same situation. The PCC offers an island circle tour with the luau that gives r/t from Waikiki hotels. Is that good?

 

 

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Many people do a one day car rental and do their own circle island tour. The driving is very easy once you get away from Waikiki. This gives you the opportunity to spend as much time here and there as you wish. There is much to see on the North and Windward coasts, and it really deserves a full day, or most of one.

 

The PCC as well, is usually a full day experience with the option for a meal and show in the evening with transportation included. If a tour is combining both of these, the Circle tour plus the PCC, you are going to be short changed somewhere, IMO.

[nisky]

It is a pretty easy and very scenic drive up to the PCC if you do a day rental. If not that, I'd just book tickets which included round trip transportation from your hotel. There are many many tour companies which offer these. Roberts is a very well known and respected one. The PCC may offer packages with transportation direct from their website.

 

I'd look at the reviews for Luaus under Trip Advisor. The main criticism for the PCC dinner and show is that it is not really a luau, just a dinner, and then you walk elsewhere for the show. Not the same experience you'd get at many others. I believe it is possible to do just the PCC with option of one or the other or none for the dinner/show. You may want to skip the dinner and show and just book another of the Luaus offered in the area for a different day. There are two or three others with excellent reviews which would provide more of a luau experience, and they may all provide transportation.

 

Thanks for your helpful suggestions

nisky

[rstephenrrtx]

Many people do a one day car rental and do their own circle island tour. The driving is very easy once you get away from Waikiki. This gives you the opportunity to spend as much time here and there as you wish. There is much to see on the North and Windward coasts, and it really deserves a full day, or most of one.

 

The PCC as well, is usually a full day experience with the option for a meal and show in the evening with transportation included. If a tour is combining both of these, the Circle tour plus the PCC, you are going to be short changed somewhere, IMO.

We went ahead and booked the PCC circle tour. Eventually I can post a review here...we don't go until June.

 

Thx!

 

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[FranknBeans]

We have done PCC a couple times and like their add on tour of North Shore plus there buses are fairly new and comfortable. If you do the whole day at PCC I highly recommend the bus as its a long hot tiring day. But well worth the money and time. You will be back to your hotel about 9:30ish.

 

I would definitely do a package that includes a guide in order to get you to all the events in a timely manner as there i think five Pacific islands that participate. Look at the VIP packages because it will give you VIP seating at each shaded stop.

For night time I would skip their Luau and do their show Ha Breath of Life that has gotten rave reviews since it started playing and it too will give you vip seating and escort to dinner. For dinner they put on a great buffet including king crab, shrimps roast beef all this in there newel y reno'd banquet area.

If you do a vip package it will also include a behind the scene tour plus you'll receive colorful brochers books and a DVD of the show.

As others have stated forget there luau and look at a couple that are offered in Maui.

 

I can't stress enough that this day is worth every penny and is well planned out.

 

This is a 30 plus acre property has lots of shaded seating throughout for a rest.

 

You can also read 5 stars reviews at TripAdvisor here is link

 

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g60656-d1083842-Reviews-Polynesian_Cultural_Center-Laie_Oahu_Hawaii.html

[nisky]

We have done PCC a couple times and like their add on tour of North Shore plus there buses are fairly new and comfortable. If you do the whole day at PCC I highly recommend the bus as its a long hot tiring day. But well worth the money and time. You will be back to your hotel about 9:30ish.

 

I would definitely do a package that includes a guide in order to get you to all the events in a timely manner as there i think five Pacific islands that participate. Look at the VIP packages because it will give you VIP seating at each shaded stop.

For night time I would skip their Luau and do their show Ha Breath of Life that has gotten rave reviews since it started playing and it too will give you vip seating and escort to dinner. For dinner they put on a great buffet including king crab, shrimps roast beef all this in there newel y reno'd banquet area.

If you do a vip package it will also include a behind the scene tour plus you'll receive colorful brochers books and a DVD of the show.

As others have stated forget there luau and look at a couple that are offered in Maui.

 

I can't stress enough that this day is worth every penny and is well planned out.

 

This is a 30 plus acre property has lots of shaded seating throughout for a rest.

 

You can also read 5 stars reviews at TripAdvisor here is link

 

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g60656-d1083842-Reviews-Polynesian_Cultural_Center-Laie_Oahu_Hawaii.html

 

Great info. Thanks. I'm not sure we can afford the Vip tour, but we will look at it.

[FranknBeans]

Great info. Thanks. I'm not sure we can afford the Vip tour, but we will look at it.

 

 

The VIP package is really is a huge bang for your buck.