In ancient Hawaii, there was a religious law that commanded that men and women are to eat separately. There are also several rules that forbade women to eat specific foods. All these changed when King Kamehameha II removed such religious laws and sat down and ate with the rest of the womenfolk. Such was the story of how the luau came to be.
Nowadays, the word luau brings to mind as a party or feast with a bit of Polynesian spice. The word luau originally came from the main dish that is served in traditional feasts — chicken baked in coconut milk and added with taro.
Luaus are traditional Hawaiian parties accompanied by great food and entertainment, and the Wantilan Luau aims to bring that experience to revelers. This dinner show brings you the food, the culture, the dancers… Everything that is Polynesian!
The all-you-can-eat buffet brings to you the different flavors of Polynesian tastes. Enjoy a dinner of sumptuous roasted suckling pig, Pacific “catch of the day,” Hawaiian chicken teriyaki, and some roasted Pacific wahoo. Delicious deserts and tropical fruits are sure to tempt those with a sweet tooth. For those eighteen years old and above, there is an open bar that caters to those with more alcoholic inclinations. There is beer, wine, and mai tais available although the mai tais have not been receiving exactly glowing reviews. Most guests claim that the drinks are too weak, but the food has been receiving great reviews.
Nonetheless, the guests of the Wantilan Luau are treated to a truly Polynesian South Pacific entertainment from fire dancing to hula dancing, proudly brought to you by a small cast of authentic Hawaiian performers, who are only too eager to bring the flavor of the South Pacific to this side of the world. Make sure you come in early so you get to see the entertainers from a good seat.
The Wantilan Luau is available on Saturday nights the whole year round. Tickets are priced at $70 for adults with priority seating, $63 for regular seating. Children ages three to nine years old may enjoy the luau also at $40 for priority seating and $35 for regular seating. Those under the age of three are complimentary.
Despite such a setup, guests are advised to arrive early as there is a “first come first served” protocol. For you to get a good seat, you must arrive before the crowd swells to massive proportions. Even if you have reserved for the show several months in advance, there is a dismal chance of getting a good seat if you come in late, which means you will not enjoy the fire dancers and other entertaining shows as much. The ticket may get you through the door but your key to a good seat is, unfortunately, timeliness.
The Wantilan Luau may not meet the high expectations of those who have attended an authentic luau but for the entertainment value, it delivers rather well. Tickets are rather steep and good seats may be a problem but for those who enjoy a good fire show and a night of hula dancing, the Wantilan Luau may be your best bet in Orlando, Florida.
