Ali’i Luau vs Gateway Buffet: How to Decide
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Read about our affiliate policies here.
Before our first trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center, we were confused about the different dinners, luau packages, and shows. Let’s compare the Ali’i Luau vs Gateway Buffet for the best experience for you.
The Ali’i Luau is an all-you-can-eat Polynesian buffet with a live luau performance of storytelling, dancing, and song while you dine. The Gateway Buffet isn’t a luau but an all-you-can-eat buffet with musicians playing island songs in a relaxed banquet hall.
The Gateway Buffet is the most popular dinner ticket at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Most people choose the buffet because the tickets are cheaper than the Ali’i Luau and many go to the HA: Breath of Life show after the Gateway Buffet. Therefore, they get to see a Polynesian performance with knife-dancing, 100 Polynesian performers, and special effects while saving money on the traditional luau.
You can book directly with the Polynesian Cultural Center through the button below. Also, save 10% or more with their seasonal promotions.
If you’re undecided, let’s get into the details of the Alii Luau vs Gateway Buffet. The Polynesian Cultural Center gives details but doesn’t describe the experience.
Ali’i Luau vs Gateway Buffet Overview
From a high level, here is what you can expect at the Ali’i Luau vs Gateway Buffet.
Currently, the Polynesian Cultural Center is selling tickets to the Ali’i Luau and the Gateway Buffet that includes the Islands of Polynesia self-guided tour. You can’t get the dining options without including the six island nation tour.
Lūʻau & Dinner Options | Hours | Location | Performance | Dining | Cost* |
Ali’i Luau | 4:30 – 6:30 | Hale Aloha | Song, Dance, Storytelling | Buffet with imu pig unearthed | $195 |
Gateway Buffet | 4:00 – 7:00 (arrive anytime) | Gateway Restaurant | Live Music | Buffet | $145 |
*Ticket prices and packages may change. The price listed is the standard, adult price. Children 4 – 11 years old are discounted. Using our booking button to save 10% or more!
You can choose to buy tickets to the Islands of Polynesia for $90 and then eat at the Hukilau Marketplace. The Hukilau Marketplace is a shopping and dining center at the entrance to the PCC.
The Hukilau Marketplace has Pounders Restaurant, Tita’s Grill, Guadalajara Grill, Sweet as Ice Cream, and Elie’s Smoothie Shack.
Our Polynesian Cultural Center Review compares all the ticket packages if you’re looking for a more in-depth comparison.
Ali’i Luau vs Gateway Buffet: What to Expect
The Ali’i Luau is far different from the Gateway Buffet in terms of the venue and the luau show. The all-you-can-eat buffet is different in that the Ali’i Luau includes imu pua’a pork (unearthing of the pig and carving station) and a few different meat entrees compared to the Gateway Buffet.
First, what is a traditional luau in Hawaii? There are two main components of a luau: the feast and the entertainment.
Most luaus follow the same format, which includes arrival and pre-show entertainment, a dinner (buffet, family style, or plated), and then the main luau show. Luaus typically last 2-3 hours, though the Polynesian Cultural Center can be made into a full-day affair.
We share the history of the Lūʻau, what to wear, and Hawaii cultural alternatives in our 14 Best Luaus in Hawaii: our honest review.
Ali’i Luau vs Gateway Buffet Live Music
The Ali’i Luau is rich in traditional Hawaiian dancing and songs. The Master of Ceremonies takes you into the story of the last Hawaiian monarch, Queen Lili’uokalani.
Through her life’s story, they perform dances and sing along with musicians. The luau doesn’t have the fast-paced energy of a Samoan knife dance or the gyrating hips of Tahitian dancers.
Ali’i Luau is very much a family luau. The costumes, dance, and stories are made to capture the interests of the whole family. The luau is interactive as children are welcomed on stage for a song. Those celebrating their honeymoon or anniversary are invited on stage for a dance. And, dads can have some fun trying out some moves.
The Gateway Buffet does not include a luau performance. You won’t find elaborate costumes or dancing in the banquet hall. You will be able to enjoy musicians playing classic island music as you dine.
While you can purchase flowered lei at the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Ali’i Luau does include a lei greeting.
Ali’i Luau vs Gateway Buffet Venue
Another big difference between the Ali’i Luau vs Gateway Buffet was the venue. The Ali’i Luau is held in the Hale Aloha, a large pavilion.
With amphitheater seating, protection from the rain yet open on the sides to feel the island breeze, and the stage at the center with a gorgeous waterfall lagoon as the backdrop, it is a nice place to dine and enjoy the show.
Many luaus in Hawaii get criticized for poor views from the table. As they are held at resorts, they don’t have amphitheater seating. A person in front of you can block the show.
The Gateway Buffet is held in a large banquet hall near the entrance to the Islands of Polynesia. The newly built Gateway restaurant features a 360o mural. You will find a long buffet with cooks grilling up fresh food on one side and table seating across the hall.
Oahu has some of the best luaus in Hawaii, explore our other three favorite Oahu luaus.
Ali’i Luau vs Gateway Buffet Food
For the Ali’i Luau vs Gateway Buffet, we couldn’t tell a big difference in the food. Both offer all-you-can buffets. Grab your plate and pick from a large selection of Asian Pacific and American dishes.
The biggest difference was the Ali’i Luau included a traditional imu pua’a pig or a pig cooked in an underground oven. As the Ali’i Luau is a luau and not just a buffet, they will perform the ceremony of bringing the pig(s) into the hale (house) and having carving tables for the kalua pork.
You will find all the famous and delicious luau dishes at both buffets. Some of my personal favorites is poke, kalua pork, fish, poi, and anything with taro in it. I like how the PCC lists dietary restrictions for the Gateway Buffet menu on its website below.
Islands of Polynesia
We always recommend people make a day of the Polynesian Cultural Center as the PCC is located on Oahu’s North Shore (click for directions). It is 65 minutes from Waikiki and 75 minutes from Ko Olina and the Disney Resort, Aulani. Be there when the gates open at 12:30 as our favorite part was the Islands of Polynesia.
The Islands of Polynesia is a cultural amusement area. With a large artificial river winding through six Polynesian nations, you can spend the afternoon learning about Tahiti, Hawaii, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, and Aotearoa.
Our family loved the Island Villages or Islands of Polynesia for the activities and the shows. Our son could try to light a fire rubbing sticks in Samoa or practice a throwing game in Aoteroa. Plus, each nation has small shows of storytelling, culture sharing, and traditional dance. It is like mini-luau performances all afternoon.
Therefore, if your family spends the day watching the Island Villages’ shows, they may not be ready to sit through a two-hour luau. Or you may have to rush to get to the luau when it starts at 4:30.
We wish we had more time to explore and attend the shows in the Islands of Polynesia.
Main Take-Away for Ali’i Luau vs Gateway Buffet
If you’re coming to the Polynesian Cultural Center to explore the Island Villages and/or HA: Breath of Life show, then that is a lot of dancing and singing already. The Gateway Buffet will provide a rich Polynesian culinary experience without making you feel like you missed out on the luau.
The Gateway Buffet plus the Islands of Polynesia plus the HA: Breath of Life show will provide the Hawaii luau experience you desired.
If you enjoy dinner shows, or you’re worried your kids won’t make it through the evening show, then the Ali’i Luau is an entertaining complement to the Islands of Polynesia.
Whatever you choose, you will have a fun-filled day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Book below to save 10% on your tickets.
Now, let us help you with more things to do on Oahu, Hawaii.