I recommend the cocktail-only option. The food at most luau’s is only okay, and certainly not worth the significant price increase to have access to the buffet.
The cocktail-only option also lets you show up hours after most of the attendees. The doors open around 5pm, but showing up at 6:15pm or even later is fine if you aren’t eating dinner. There was no line at all for us at 6pm, and also no more sun/heat - really the perfect time in October.
The drinks available are limited in selection, but strong. You have a choice of a mai tai, a pina colada, the usual simple liquor + a mixer drinks, and beer/wine.
The seats for cocktail-only are at the very back, but the venue is small so it is still easy to see everything. Being at the very back, you can also stand for a better view with out obstructing anyone else’s experience.
The show starts at 6:45pm and ends at 7:30pm. It’s short, but entertaining.
If you choose to get your picture taken, a print is $20 and a digital copy is $50. The photographer was very patient, he tried 5 times to get a picture of us where my boyfriend didn’t have his eyes closed. It was a losing battle.