The Wantilan Luau at Universal Orlando Resort is the perfect end to a Royal Pacific day. The show and dinner have everything you would want from a Polynesian luau, but here are a few things that will make your visit the best.
Photos by Matt Roseboom
The Wantilan dinner show luau is currently held every Saturday evening at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando. If you’re not staying at the hotel or even on Universal Orlando Resort property, you can still attend and get your parking validated; it’s open to locals and visitors alike.
Wantilan Luau Overview
5:30-6 p.m. Check-in and Pre-show
6 p.m. Seating opens, then buffet starts
Table service available until 7 p.m. Buffet open until 7:30 p.m. Bar service available until 7:45 p.m.
7-8 p.m. Showtime
Checking in
The evening starts with checking in at the outdoor hut on the resort’s ground floor. Although the main show is under cover, you will be exposed to the elements when checking in, so keep it in mind in case of rain and heat. Loews invited us to see the show on a perfect February evening. While rain won’t affect the show itself because it’s under a cover, a very hot evening may, so keep that in mind when booking.
We arrived right at 5:30, so we had to wait to check in. They did let us know that only one of us needs to check in, so the rest of your party can enjoy the pre-show activities, which consisted of a couple of performers teaching guests how to do hula dances, swing poi balls, and juggle flower sticks. If you don’t care about watching or participating, I suggest arriving a little later so you don’t have to wait in line.
Of course, each guest gets a lei put around their neck as they arrive.
Seating
Once the seating area opens, guests are welcome to find their table and get a drink while they wait for the buffet to start. A band plays some appropriate luau music on stage.
You’ll be seated at one of the long tables with other guests (unless you have a large party and can take up the whole table). The saying goes, “there’s no bad seat”, and that applies here too, as everyone should have a good view of the stage. But the closer you are, the more engaging the show will be for you, so I suggest sitting as close as you can. The closest seats are priced at a premium, but they also include a souvenir tiki mug.
The Food
The food is served buffet-style, all-you-can-eat, at the back of the theater. We enjoyed all the food we tried, which included a number of Polynesian-inspired dishes and desserts. There’s also a kids’ table with chicken nuggets, pizza, and more, which adults are welcome to eat as well.
Drinks can be ordered from your server or from the bartender near the buffet. Adults 21 and older can enjoy unlimited mai tais, beer, and wine. Kids and non-drinkers can have fruit punch or lemonade. Tea, coffee, and non-alcoholic mai tais are also listed on their official website as being available, but we didn’t see them being offered.
The buffet starts about an hour before the show, and is available until about a half-hour into the show. Keep in mind there are only two one-person restrooms available at the luau, so the lines can get long. You could go into the hotel to use the bathrooms, but it’s a bit of a walk.
The Show
The show opened with an “Aloha” welcome and quick shout-outs for birthdays and anniversaries. The host explained that “Aloha” means hello, goodbye, and love, inviting everyone to embrace the moment together.
The show’s story placed us in the romantic “golden age of travel,” following the travels of Captain Jake, a seaboat pilot who carried travelers across the South Seas. We “journeyed through Polynesia” with him, “stopping at different islands” to experience their traditions and dance throughout the show.
I like how they tied the Royal Pacific Resort’s backstory into the luau’s story. Captain Jake is the Royal Pacific Airways pilot of the seaplane that resort guests see when taking boat transportation to the theme parks and CityWalk. There’s also a bar and restaurant named after him at the hotel. We aren’t sure if it’s the same Jake, but if you remember the old Jaws ride, guests were riding on Captain Jake’s Amity Boat Tours.
The show lasts about an hour.
Wantilan Luau Highlights
Hawaii: An audience hula lesson to “Hukilau,” teaching the basic kaholo step and “hula hands.”
Tahiti: The energetic ‘ote’a with fast hip movements and drums.
Aotearoa New Zealand: A storm forces an “emergency landing,” during which a Maori warrior demonstrates the taiaha and welcomes us with a koha offering to show peaceful intent.
Samoa: Crowd interaction with Chief Launi, a quick rhythm lesson, a kava moment symbolizing unity, and of course, a Siva Afi fire-knife dance.
The finale tied the journey together with a mahalo, celebrating “the exhilarating songs of Samoa … the glorious culture of Tahiti … the heart-pounding drums of Tonga … the amazing warriors of Aotearoa, New Zealand … and of course, the elegance and grace of Hawaii.”
Yes, there is some audience participation during the show, but they didn’t pick anyone who didn’t want to get onstage. After the show, the main cast comes out to the nearby fire pit to pose with you for photos on your camera.
We really enjoyed the Wantilan Luau. It has everything you would want and expect out of a luau. I definitely recommend it as part of the Royal Pacific Resort’s vibe if you’re staying there, or if you want a night out. Tickets for the luau are $99 per adult and $45 per child. Premium seats are $20 more. Gratuities are all included, and parking can be validated. More information and tickets can be found here.
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