Although many things have returned to somewhat “normal” in Disney World, we’re still waiting for some restaurants and shows to reopen.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
One show located at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has been closed since March 2020, but before that it featured dinner AND entertainment, with performances celebrating Polynesian traditions. We just received an update about the future for this show, and you might be disappointed by this news.
The Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort featured an all-you-care-to-enjoy menu paired with a luau including hula traditions, fire dancing, drumming, and more. Located in Luau Cove, this dinner show was performed in an open-air covered theater, where you could enjoy dishes such as fresh pineapple, Aloha Pulled Pork, Polynesian Barbecued Pork Ribs, Pineapple Guava Cake, and more.
Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
We’ve been waiting for an update about the reopening of Spirit of Aloha, which has been closed since 2020, and today Disney confirmed that the show has been closed permanently.
Luau Show at Spirit of Aloha
According to Disney, the show is closing because there is a new Disney Vacation Club development planned for the Polynesian Resort, which will include more rooms, recreational activities, and dining. These new plans are dedicated to “honoring the past while furthering the resort story.”
©Disney
Shows and rides come and go in Disney World often, but it’s never easy saying goodbye. Keep reading DFB for more Disney World news and updates.
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How can you have the Polynesian without the Spirit of Aloha? So very sad
So sad to hear the news…have seen the show several times and was looking forward to seeing it again. The Aloha dinner show will be missed!!!
This is especially painful as I had reservations for my first ever time at this event…on March 23, 2020. I hate that I will never get to see it and partake of that buffet.
The Spirit of Aloha has been part of the Polynesian since the beginning. While something that most don’t repeat, it was a right of passage for many as I can still recall my first visit in the late 1970s. Seeing people going and returning from the luau is just a part of being around the Poly in the evenings. It is sad that many things that create that magic in WDW are being removed one by one. This is being sacrificed for a building that isn’t needed and eliminates the graceful transition between the Grand and the Polynesian. It is unfortunate to see how so much imagineering has departed from exterior architecture of the resorts. This is a generic look that can be found across the country.
A special thanks to all those involved in the luau as they were appreciated and valued by so many guests during the years. They can join the Grand Floridian orchestra as just one more group that wasn’t appreciated enough by leadership.
Dinner show entertainment is nice…BUT more rooms…just think of the money they will bring in! Get those dancers off the lawn and start building DVC units!
Very sad
We were hoping the show would open up by summer. Guess not. It does feel like Polynesian is becoming less Polynesian. Still really missing Ohana Character Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch! I am getting a bad vibe-feeling about it. It is not even listed under character dining as (temporarily unavailable) like other character meals are. Seems to me like it would be an awesome meal to have Mickey and friends, Lilo, Stitch, Moana, Maui be at meals at Polynesian. What do I know? If it doesn’t come back my kids will be disappointed. Lilo and Stitch is their favorite movie. Stitch is their favorite character. If it doesn’t come back, hopefully we can find Stitch in the parks somewhere.
This is terrible. More rooms to a resort that is already overcrowded is definitely not in the guest best interest. You can’t get near O’hana and the pool is packed. Bob Cheepo (the new CEO) needs to go…Disneyworld is no longer the Happiest place. Another long standing WDW tradition is leaving us. is Hoop to do Review next. They need more dinner shows, not less. I am very disappointed….very disappointed…very disappointed…
Another way Disney has found to change DW from a resort area to another amusement park. The “Spirit of Aloha” was a first night show for many of our vacations. Our flight would arrive in the middle of the day and we would stay at the Poly . This allowed us to enjoy the resort amenities or go for boat rides and then just walk to the show in the evening have a dinner and then walk back to our room. VERY RELAXING and a great start to our vacation. Now you will be able to start your vacation by admiring a condominium building.
I just can’t stand how WDW has gone from being about “magic” and “happy” and entertainment quality, to being so openly about money, money, money! The new building at the Poly is totally incongruous with the theming, low and relaxed, and will absolutely RUIN the landscape. Not to mention the killing of the Luau Dinner Shows!!! Are they committed to showing cultural diversity or just building on every square inch of land with no concern for the impact on those crowds who pay for all of this? Please Disney, THINK AGAIN!!!
Our family did the Spirit of Aloha show in June 1992 and we loved it. I was hoping to take my grandchildren there this April when we go. I am heartbroken. Some things need to be left alone.
I’m really starting to hate Disney now. They literally made running every single thing, bit by bit by bit. This particular loss is huge. We went to the luau every year, it was my favorite thing. I watched it go from a spectacular show to a much simplified show (was already sad about that), and they took away the volcano mousse dessert (sad again) and now just gone altogether! Literally makes me sick. I’m ready to be DONE with them. If there is nothing left of what I came to Disney for, then why go?
The inexperienced people running WALT’S company are doing their best at ruining Walt’s wonderful gift to everyone!
I guess people hate change, I’ve seen this show probably 15+ times, yes it was okay , I can’t say I will miss it and if they create something new why would people get upset? Nothing last forever. I’ve seen it enough to say I’ve enjoyed the show while it was there and glad I got to see it.
@Chris – they aren’t creating something new other than more DVC rooms 😡 . Luaus have been going on for centuries in Hawaii. Should we not be sad to see the culture and tradition go? Not all of us can get to Hawaii to see these things and we appreciated that they brought it to us. Is there a luau somewhere else in Orlando? I don’t think so. I get that you won’t miss it, but just like maybe your favorite food, which I’m sure you’ve eaten thousands of times, and would probably miss if you could never have it again, some of us will be missing it. The traditional music, dances, costumes and culture are precious gems and the people of Hawaii wouldn’t say, “welp, we’re tired of this, let’s do something new” and just throw the whole thing out. The Polynesian Resort is about POLYNESIA. What is POLYNESIA without their music and dance? Smh. It’s just toooooo sad.
We love Epcot and Hollywood Studios so usually stay at our Beach Club Villas, but now that we have young grandchildren who love The Magic Kingdom the best I was thinking how fun it would be to stay at the Polynesian (as paid hotel guests no less). Well, I guess not. I liked the low profile buildings (I loved the original Disneyland hotel’s 2-story buildings and stayed there may times), but now there is going to be giant tower sticking up like a sore thumb, I liked the idea of watching the fireworks from the beach, but now I understand the view and the ambience has been spoiled by the construction of the overwater rooms – water that you can’t even go in – and now the luau, which truly fit with the theme, has been torn out to construct the tall building , which is totally out of place. What a shame.
This is horribly sad to me. I was just trying to make a reservation for our upcoming trip. We have been going to “The Spirit of Aloha every time we go to Disney (which is a lot.) This was an all time favorite and EVERY ONE OF US from the grandparents to the children enjoyed this. What an absolute shame. Every year we are closer to selling off our DVC membership. Disney is not what it used to be at all.
OH NO!!! Please someone tell me this is NOT true. Disney, please please bring this back. This show is YOUR BEST FEATURE of all. I was just beginning to plan a trip for this, now I’m reconsidering.
Unfortunately it is true, Vickie. The entire building has been demolished. 🙁