Toa Luau vs Polynesian Cultural Center: What luau reigns?

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We weren’t always fans of luaus. The problem was that we kept going to the wrong luaus while living on Oahu. I’ve been looking forward to this review, though. Toa Luau vs Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) is a clash of luau titans. 

Both are authentic Hawaiian luaus, but which one is best for you?

After a couple of years of hearing stellar reviews from readers, we got a chance to visit the Toa Luau in Waimea Valley. We had heard that the production team and some performers were veterans of the Polynesian Cultural Center. After visiting the PCC multiple times, we knew Toa Luau would be a good comparison to the PCC.

Both luaus do not disappoint; they’re both on our list of the Best Oahu Luaus. I will lean on my experience, reviews, and knowledge of luaus to help you book tickets for the Polynesian Cultural Center or the Toa Luau.

See the table below that compares Toa Luau vs Polynesian Cultural Center, then go into the article for details!

Luau	Toa Luau	Polynesian Cultural Center
Location	Waimea Valley, North Shore, Oahu (directions)	Laie, North Shore, Oahu (directions)
Setting	Lush botanical gardens, near a waterfall	Cultural theme park
Duration	3 hours	Full day (can be 6–9+ hours)
Cultural Activities	Hands-on experiences before dinner	Extensive “villages” for Polynesian culture
Food	Plated Hawaiian classics with Western favorites	Buffet dinner featuring Hawaiian dishes and plenty of variety
Audience Size	About 160 guests	Hundreds
Price Range	$135 – $195	$95 (no luau) – $295

Jordan’s Take: Toa Luau vs Polynesian Cultural Center

Book the Toa Luau if you don’t want to spend a whole day at a luau, you want a low-key yet entertaining experience, and enjoy an authentic Hawaiian setting. Our family enjoyed the shorter, more lively experience than the PCC. 

Book the Polynesian Cultural Center (save 10% on luau packages) for a full-day, amusement park-like experience that is immersive in Polynesian games and culture. The most popular PCC packages include the Ali’i Luau and the Ha: Breath of Life show.

We share direct booking links with the Toa Luau and the Polynesian Cultural Center. We are proud to be partners with both luaus, which means we earn a small commission at no cost to you when you book using our links. Thank you for the support and for trusting our reviews.

Best Luau Location and Setting

Erica and I visit the North Shore on every trip to Oahu. It has been our favorite spot on the island since we lived in Ko Olina Resorts. We’d drive up on Saturdays to swim at Waimea Bay, eat at Jenny’s Shrimp Truck in Hale’iwa, and maybe squeeze in a hike. The North Shore is our place to escape Kapolei and Honolulu’s bustle. 

These two luaus are both on Oahu’s North Shore, rounding out all the great things to do on Oahu’s North Shore.

If you have a good sense of which luau is right for you, check out these additional resources:
– We have a full Polynesian Cultural Center review, an in-depth review of the Super Ambassador Luau Package (their most expensive ticket), and we compare the Ali’i Luau package vs the Gateway Buffet.
– Dive into our full Toa Luau review here.

Toa Luau Location & Setting

The Toa Luau is located in Waimea Valley. Waimea Valley alone is worth a visit, as it is the safest spot for a waterfall swim on Oahu. The lush valley is home to a Hawaiian-owned and operated non-profit. The valley is a botanical garden with an authentic Hawaiian village, taro patches, cultural demonstrations, local crafts, farmers market, and more. There is even an ancient heiau (temple) on the hill overlooking the valley, the Pu’u O Mahuka Heiau State Historic Site. See our video below for information on visiting the heiau.

As the MC at the Toa Luau told us, “They stopped human sacrifices at the heiau during COVID.”

See our video below on touring Waimea Valley. Your Toa Luau ticket includes access to Waimea Valley and the waterfall swim within seven days of the luau. That is a great deal! 

When we went to the Toa Luau, we made a day out of it. We arrived two hours before the luau to explore the valley, see the waterfall (closed due to lack of rain on our luau visit), and play ancient Hawaiian games. 

The setting for the Toa Luau is a pavilion in Waimea Valley, connected to the main visitor center. The luau starts in the courtyard for activities, games, and demonstrations. The setting is serene, with large jungle trees and valley views. 

The stage and dinner seating are in the open-air pavilion. It has a high, wooden beam ceiling and two seating levels. It is a small pavilion, so every seat has a good view of the stage. 

The pavilion and the Waimea Valley visitor center are getting dated, as I’d guess they were built in the 1970s. However, they are in good shape and have a vintage feel without feeling rundown.

Polynesian Cultural Center Location & Setting

The Polynesian Cultural Center is located in Laie, near the northern tip of Oahu. In ancient Hawaii, Laie was home to a pu’uhonua, a place of refuge. Violators of the kapu system (Hawaii’s religion) could escape punishment or death by fleeing to the sanctuary. 

In the mid-1800s, Church of Latter-day Saints (LDS) members purchased the land surrounding Laie to start a sugar and taro plantation. Today, the town is home to a large population of Mormons, with a temple, Brigham Young University, and the Polynesian Cultural Center. The LDS community is a big part of the PCC as they serve as the authentic performers and employees of the park and luau.

See our 11 Things to Do in Laie for things to do near the PCC.

The Polynesian Cultural Center’s location has a north shore feel, with the small town of Laie between the ocean and the lush mountains. 

The PCC is an expansive 42-acre cultural theme park in the center of Laie. It has amusement park vibes, which is a big reason why we never visited it when we lived on Oahu. The fake waterfalls, man-made waterway at its center, and villages resemble Disney parks.

While the park’s design isn’t authentic, the employees and performers use the space to create an authentic Polynesian experience. They make the villages come alive with songs, dances, and traditional games. 

The luau setting is a large, theater-like open-air pavilion. The buffet line is in the back, and the stage is down below. The tables are on levels, allowing a good view of the stage. We were toward the back and no one in our family had an issue. Get the Ambassador Package if you want front row seats!

Winner on Location & Setting for Toa Luau vs Polynesian Cultural Center: Toa Luau

Lūʻau is the proper Hawaiian spelling. Lūʻau is spelled with a kahakō [ō] and an ‘okina [‘]. A kahakō designates a long vowel sound (aahh), and an ‘okina represents a glottal stop. I am omitting the kahakō and ‘okina in Kāʻanapali to ease reading.

Thinking of staying nearby?
– Decide if you should stay on the North Shore, in Ko Olina, or Waikiki.
– Check out the best hotels and vacation rentals on the North Shore.
– If you have kids, these are the best family hotels on the island.

Price Comparison

Price may be your biggest deciding factor between Toa Luau vs Polynesian Cultural Center. The PCC is more expensive as it offers more in the luau packages. The PCC provides access to the Islands of Polynesia (island villages), a luau, and a Vegas-style production show at the end. 

While most Hawaii luaus can’t compete with the extra show and the Islands of Polynesia on pricing, the Toa Luau is more comparable because you can access Waimea Valley.

While a ticket to Waimea Valley is only $26.50 per adult, the authentic Hawaiian village and botanical garden make it our favorite North Shore stop.

The closest price comparison is the Toa Luau Silver Package, which costs $135, compared to the PCC’s Ali’i Luau Package, which costs $195. 

Toa Luau vs Polynesian Cultural Center: Toa Luau is $65 cheaper

Both packages provide an authentic Hawaiian experience with a traditional luau show. 

Toa Luau Pricing

Toa Luau, like most Oahu luaus, sells ticket tiers. The Gold Package is an upgrade from the Silver Package in that the Gold has table seating closer to the stage. You will be seated on the lower level, closer to the stage. Gold includes two drink tickets, compared to one with the Silver ticket.

See our tables below for details on Toa Luau’s pricing compared to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Note that adult tickets are 21+ as they include drink tickets.

Package	Price
Silver	$135
Gold	$165
VIP	$195

Polynesian Cultural Center Pricing

We did our best to simplify the PCC’s pricing so you can compare it to the Toa Laua. Here are things to consider when you see the PCC luau packages.

The PCC packages vary in price based on the experience level of their three main attractions: 

• Islands of Polynesia
• Dinner: Gateway Buffet vs Ali’i Luau
• Hā: Breath of Life Show

The main differences in the packages are the following:

• The luau packages come with a guided tour of the islands. Ali’i has a group tour and the Super Ambassador level has a private tour. No other packages include the luau or tours.
• The Gateway Buffet has live music but does not include the luau.
• More expensive packages have better seats.

Package	Price
Islands of Polynesia (no luau or show)	$95
Islands of Polynesia & Hā: Breath of Life show (no luau)	$125
Gateway Buffet (no luau)	$150
Ali’i Luau Package	$195
Super Ambassador Luau Package	$295

Winner on Pricing: Toa Luau

The Toa Luau and the Polynesian Cultural Center made our list of the Best Luaus in Hawaii. Watch our video below to see both luaus to help you decide between Toa Luau vs Polynesian Cultural Center.

Staying nearby? Fill your itinerary with some more great things to do:
– Give your wallet a break with these free things to do on the North Shore.
– Here’s our master list of the best activities on the North Shore.
– Going on a circle island tour or staying at the Courtyard Oahu North Shore? See what there is to do in Laie.

Size & Atmosphere

The Toa Luau offers a smaller, more intimate gathering at their venue. The performers take on numerous roles during the luau. They set up the venue, teach you the Polynesian games, lead the demonstrations, serve dinner, and perform in the show. They are smiling, super friendly, and genuinely enjoy their jobs.

Their attitude and interactions with the small audience create a warm and inviting space. Numerous guests were willing to get on stage for competitions and lessons during our show. Maybe it was the drinks or the atmosphere, but everyone was having fun.

I estimate that the Toa Luau has 16 tables with 10 guests per table—about 160 people in attendance.

The Polynesian Cultural Center is orders of magnitude larger than the Toa Luau, with a few hundred in attendance at the Ali’i Luau (large pavilion) and double for Hā: Breath of Life (amphitheater). The PCC does its best to create a warm atmosphere in the theatrical setting.

The performers have years of experience; many have been dancing hula on stage at the PCC since childhood. They welcome honeymooners and anniversary couples on stage for a special dance. Kids come up on the stage for a hula lesson. It all adds to a warm experience. 

Winner on Size & Atmosphere: Toa Luau

I have to give the point to Toa Luau on this one. Its intimate size makes for a fun and interactive environment. Their MC cracked jokes, and the performers were buddies on stage. 

I was expecting the larger size at the PCC, but the theater show was more formal and professional, which didn’t create a warm atmosphere.

Did you know Hawaiians didn’t have a luau? Learn about luaus, the food, what to wear, and more in our video below.

Cultural Experience & Activities

Toa Luau and the Polynesian Cultural Center excel at cultural experiences and activities. 

Upon arrival at the Toa Luau, you have your choice of activities to watch or get involved in. Grab a drink with your drink ticket, and have some fun. This is also a good time for pictures.

We participated in the following Polynesian activities:

• Coconut husking
• Headband weaving
• Knife dancing (learning to spin a stick)
• Paint on tattoos
• Māori poi ball twirling
• Hula lessons

After the activities, Toa Luau’s MC talked story and led some demonstrations as all the guests gathered around the outdoor, traditional cooking fire. The cooks (men were only allowed to cook in Hawaii) shared how to milk a coconut, climb a coconut tree, cook on an umu (above-ground oven). 

The traditional kava ceremony was held in the pavilion as dinner was served. Samples of kava were passed around for those interested in tasting.

The Polynesian Cultural Center has far more options for cultural experiences and activities. Arrive when the PCC opens to tour the Islands of Polynesia. These are the island villages of Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, Fiji, Aotearoa (New Zealand), and Tonga.

Walk through the park to enter each island for daytime demonstrations and exhibits. Some activities are ongoing, like making a fire in Samoa or the tititorea stick throwing game in Aotearoa. While some demonstrations have starting times, like hula lessons and live performances. 

Truly, there is too much to see and do from opening time to the start of the luau. We missed some of the island villages and activities on our first visit, which gave us things to do on our second visit to the PCC.

You can also take a canoe ride on the man-made lagoon inside the PCC. The day at the PCC culminates in the  Hā: Breath of Life show at the end. The show is a tour through the cultures and traditions of Polynesia. 

Winner on Culture & Activities: Polynesian Cultural Center

The PCC is one of the top sites in Hawaii for the Polynesian experience it provides. FYI, Pearl Harbor Memorial and the PCC are the most visited sites in Hawaii.

The quantity, quality, and scope of its cultural activities are impressive. You will learn about the Polynesian islands’ marvelous traditions from people born and raised on those islands.

The PCC claims to offer the “most authentic Hawaiian experience.” While they make a good case for this, I prefer the Toa Luau for its Hawaiian experience in Waimea Valley.

Best Luaus on Oahu: See our full list of our favorite Oahu Luaus. Oahu has excellent luaus, and many are closer to Waikiki. Consider booking Experience Nutridge Luau for an intimate luau or Queens Waikiki Luau for the best-priced luau on Oahu.

Food & Dining Experience

This one is the closest factor on the Toa Luau vs Polynesian Cultural Center argument!

Our family was very impressed with the food quality at the Toa Luau. The luau is table service, no buffet here. Traditional Hawaiian luau food is served with more Western options.

Here is the Toa Luau menu:

• Pupukea Green Salad  – Mixed Greens, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber, Candied Mac Nuts & Papaya Seed Dressing
• Island Mac Salad
• Kalua Pork
• Lomi Tomate
• Grilled Shoyu BBQ Chicken
• White Rice with Furikake
• House-Made Haupia
• Local fruits
• White cake with coconut frosting
• Water and Iced Tea

Once your drink tickets are spent, the cash bar takes cash or a credit card. I found the drinks to be well-priced and of good quality. They have local beers on draught. 

The Polynesian Cultural Center serves a buffet dinner at its Ali’i Luau and Gateway Buffet. The buffet is long and includes a variety of Polynesian and Western dishes. There is something for everyone on the buffet. 

The food was fresh, abundant, and delicious. I enjoyed their poke, and the kids were awed by their dessert table.

Alcoholic drinks are not served at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Upon arrival at the Ali’i Luau, guests are greeted with a non-alcoholic pina colada in a pineapple. That was delicious.

Do you want to see what is served at a luau? Watch our Hawaii Food Experiences below for luau food and where to get it on Oahu if you don’t want to attend a luau.

Table Seating: Toa vs PCC

At the Toa Luau, you will be seated at a table of 10 people. Your family of four will have the chance to meet six other folks from across the country.

The Ali’i Luau at the PCC has tables per reservation. Our family of four was seated at a four-top while couples could share a table.

Imu Ceremony: Toa vs PCC

An imu ceremony involves cooking a pig in an underground oven. The luau cooks unearth the pig and serve it.

During our visit to the Toa Luau, there was no imu ceremony. 

The Toa Luau does not prepare or serve an imu-cooked pig for its kalua pork. We didn’t see an imu on the property, and this would be logistically challenging with their two shows a day. 

The PCC has an imu ceremony. They cook multiple pigs in traditional Imus. You can watch the unearthing, and then the cooks serve the pigs at the buffet. 

Most luaus cut the pig in the back, not at the PCC, where they have the whole pig on the table for cutting and serving. That might not be for everyone!

Winner on Food & Dining: Polynesian Cultural Center

This one is close to a draw, as it depends on your dining experience. While I enjoyed the food and table service at the Toa Luau, I preferred the variety of food at the PCC’s buffet. I also enjoy seeing an imu ceremony, as that is an authentic Hawaiian experience.

I also enjoy the private dining table. We enjoy meeting new people, but with our young kids, having our own table is nice.

Entertainment & Performances

The Toa Luau has a fantastic group of performers and drummers. The whole team is energetic, funny, and wonderful dancers. The show was more memorable than other luaus we’ve visited. 

The Toa luau is a Polynesian show. The performance will take you to the main Polynesian islands to show their style of dancing. The luau mixes in an MC who provides stories and jokes between islands. This luau performance is standard in Hawaii. What makes it good is the small venue, drummers, and the quality performers.

The PCC hosts a fire knife dancing competition yearly, and the Toa Luau’s fire-knife dancer was a winner. The fire knife dancing in the small venue required a safety net to be put up; yeah, it is thrilling. Then, all the performers get involved in a massive fire knife show as the climactic ending.

The Ali’i Luau at the PCC is a performance centered around the last sovereign of the Hawaiian Kingdom, Queen Liliʻuokalani. Ali’i means chief in Hawaiian. 

The show is more traditional in Hawaiian dance, the hula. The dinner show has classic, authentic Hawaiian songs and oli (chants) with opportunities for the audience to get involved. The luau show is more subdued than Toa Luau; the energetic performance is the Hā: Breath of Life Show. 

The Hā: Breath of Life show is the big production at the end. It features fire-knife dancing, pyrotechnics, lighting, and stadium seating. This is a uniquely PCC experience.

Having a live band is not a given at an Oahu luau, but both luaus have a professional group of musicians. 

I liked the group of drummers at the Toa Luau as this felt more authentic. Part of the luau show was having the drummers show off their types of drums and their talent. That was unique.

Winner of Entertainment & Performance: Polynesian Cultural Center

Your ticket to the PCC includes a luau dinner show and a professionally produced Polynesian extravaganza. A traditional luau cannot compete with that!

The Hā: Breath of Life show may not be possible if you have a baby or a toddler. After a long day at the park, luau, and dinner, they may not stay awake for the final show.

Time Commitment

The Toa Luau requires far less time commitment than the Polynesian Cultural Center. It is a more traditional 2.5-hour duration.

The best part of the Toa Luau is that they offer two shows a day—a rare occurrence in the luau world. They have a 12:30 PM matinee and a 5:00 PM evening show. 

The matinee is excellent for families, those battling jet lag, and those taking a bus or Uber to Waimea Valley. On the North Shore, More Ubers and buses are available during the day than late at night.

Toa Luau Schedule for 5 PM Show:

• 4:45 PM Check-in
• 5-6:30 PM Cultural Demonstrations
• 6:30-7:30 PM Luau Dinner Buffet
• 7:30-8:30 PM Polynesian Show
• 8:30 PM Aloha and Farewell

The Polynesian Cultural Center opens at noon for Ambassador pass holders and 12:30 PM for other ticket holders. We recommend arriving at opening as there is so much to see and do at the park. Expect to leave around 9 PM when the Hā: Breath of Life show ends.

Prefer to stick to Waikiki? Here are some activities you won’t have to leave the neighborhood to do:

Best For… (Recommendations by Traveler Type)

What type of Hawaii vacationer are you on this trip? On the Polynesian Cultural Center vs Toa Luau debate, this is another way to compare the two for your trip.

• Families with young children: Toa Luau
• Families with children over 8 years old: Polynesian Cultural Center
• Romantic vacation: Neither! See our list of Hawaii Honeymoon Things to Do
• Culture enthusiasts: Polynesian Cultural Center
• Large family or family reunion trip to Hawaii: Polynesian Cultural Center
• Budget-conscious travelers: Toa Luau
• Time-limited visitors: Toa Luau
• First-time Hawaii visitors: Toa Luau
• First luau experience: Toa Luau
• No rental car on Oahu: Polynesian Cultural Center

Transportation & Accessibility

Getting to the Toa Luau can be tricky. For the evening show, make sure to leave Waikiki or Honolulu by 3:30 PM to avoid rush hour traffic. 

Toa Luau does not provide transportation, but you can book a private shuttle here.

Click for Google Map directions to the Toa Luau in Waimea Valley.

The Polynesian Cultural Center is also a long drive from Waikiki but you will have less chance of hitting traffic as you will most likely drive through Kaneohe and be leaving after morning rush hour. 

Click here for Google Map directions to the PCC in Laie.

The PCC provides motor coach pickup from Waikiki. For $28, you can meet at a pickup location near your hotel and receive a guided tour as you drive to the PCC.

Motor coach pickup is at 10:30 AM and drop off is at 10:30 PM if you stay for Hā. There is also a return service after the Luau, getting you back to Waikiki around 7:30 PM.

​​Our Verdict

When comparing the Toa Luau vs Polynesian Cultural Center, the right choice is based on how much time you want to spend at the luau. I considered many criteria, but the most significant factor for me is time.

Visiting the PCC is more than a luau. It is an interactive cultural experience at a park that ends with a Vegas-style Polynesian show. It will take up a full day on your itinerary. 

We prefer the Toa Luau for the entertainment and culture they pack into a 2.5-hour luau show. 

If this is your first luau, Toa Luau will set a high bar for future luaus.

FAQs on Toa Luau vs Polynesian Cultural Center

If this long Toa Luau vs PCC review didn’t answer all your questions, here are some FAQs on the two luaus.

1. Is alcohol served at either luau? 

The PCC does not serve alcohol. The Toa Luau provides drink tickets, and they have a cash bar. The Toa Luau bar serves beer and premium cocktails.

2. Can you visit the PCC without attending the luau?

You can visit the Hukilau Market without a ticket to the PCC. Located at the park’s entrance, the Hukilau Market has restaurants, souvenir stands, food trucks, and shops. 

You can also purchase tickets for the Islands of Polynesia only ($95) or the Islands and Hā: Breath of Life ($125). These tickets do not include access to the Ali’i Luau or the Gateway Buffet. You can eat in Laie or go to the Hukilau Market. 

3. Is Toa Luau suitable for young kids?

The Toa Luau is suitable for young kids. We brought our three-year-old and seven-year-old to the luau. They had a great time and did not ask to leave early. The stories, jokes, and activities were suitable for young kids. Here are more of our favorite things to do on Oahu with kids.

4. Can you see the waterfall at Waimea Valley as part of the Toa Luau experience?

You can arrive before the Toa Luau begins to see the waterfall at Waimea Valley, or you can come back within seven days. Entering Waimea Valley was simple on our luau ticket. If you’re a waterfall enthusiast, check out the best accessible waterfalls on Oahu.

There are showers and changing facilities at Waimea Valley so you can go swimming and get changed for the Toa Luau.

5. What do you wear to the luau?

Casual wear to aloha wear is recommended. Bathing suits are not allowed for the PCC or the Toa Luau.

When to Book the Luau

Both of these luaus are popular on Oahu. Book early is our motto!

We recommend booking tickets three weeks in advance for the Toa Luau to get the time and date you want. Book a month in advance during the busy summer and Christmas holidays. 

For the Polynesian Cultural Center, we recommend booking a month in advance to get the luau package you like. During the summer season, packages can sell out a month or more in advance.

Now that you have decided between the PCC and Toa Luau, it is time to book! Book direct with both luaus at the links below. 

There is so much to see and do around Oahu that it can be overwhelming. Explore our curated tours and activities on Oahu in our Tours & Activities Directory. Filter by price, activity, and location!

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