I need objective advice about the Polynesian Cultural Center.
 

I have read many negative reviews about the Polynesian Cultural Center. I plan a trip soon to Oahu and really planned to go for the day and purchase the Ambassador package for the good seats to the Horizon show and the decent dinner without Luau. Can anyone please tell me if their experiences in an objective way? I don't mind touristy as long as I learn something. After all the PCC was not meant for locals to learn how to may Poi, right? I just hate to decide not to go and miss out on something worth a visit. I have read in another thread that Waemea Falls is more worth a day visit more than PCC. Any thoughts on that and what we could do there to fill up a days time??

It's true, the PCC was not developed to teach the locals how to make poi. It was developed to provide a financial subsidy to the nearby Mormon missionary college.

I've always enjoyed the PCC. The tours of the different countries are fun and informative. The luau is cheesey, but entertaining. If you've never been to one, you need do it at least once. At the end of each demo, they do thank the audience for supporting their education - a BYU branch next to PCC. No one has ever asked for donations (admission covers that) and never felt obligated to donate or listen to a spiel. That said, there is a "temple" that I've heard, if you go for the tour, is a full on lesson on the Mormon religion.

Read the Fodors thread about the biggest tourist ripoffs. I have never been but many seem to agree that PCC is one of the biggest.

We went both to Waimea Falls and the PCC on a recent trip to Oahu. They are very different places. Waimea Falls is an arboretum and bird sanctuary where you could wander almost alone, whereas the PCC is a theme park with tons of people everywhere. It depends on your taste. If you like Disney parks, you probably will like the PCC. If found it somewhat contrived and I don't like standing in lines and being herded in groups. The nighttime show is good, but doesn't stand out in my mind as one of the highlights of our trip.

wtgirl I am confused here, are you thinking that anyone who does not like the Polynesian Cultural center is not being Objective? I will top my last post. I have been twice, once because it is widely advertised in Hawaii, I gave it a shot and a second time because I thought I had been too hard on it in here. Felt bad about taking business away from Hawaii with rants against. I would not tell someone without children to go to PCC, to be quite honest. When I had my own nieces and nephews on the island I would not take them. I did not want fire walkers puting out fires on their butts to be the impression they were left with about Samoa. You could take kids but talk to them about inappropriate skits. Skits that make the islander a clown. The skits are better now then they were when I went 10 years ago. I Loved the presention in the Maori building and the guide on sight was very informative (July 2003). But they still had the idiot firewalker in the evening show. I was very disappointed I thought it was a dated approach. Takes credibility away from the park if you ask me. Its a theme park though not really a cultural center and there are better examples of hula for free in Waikiki.

If you know what you are getting than sure you can still learn something at PCC. Asking the representatives and guides questions is another way to learn about the respective cultures. I found the representatives on the specific island sights were more informative than the student guide assigned to walk around with us. I got a lot of "I don't know" when asking her very basic historical questions about her home country. I agree with the Waimea falls idea only I think it no longer offers cultural exhibits. I was last there in July03 and that was the case.

You really want to read "the concise history of the Hawaiian Islands". The Hawaii story by Queen Liloukilani. In doing so you will read about historical sights that your travel agent will not refer you too. It won't be fire twirlers and celophan hula skirts but you will be touching Hawaii's past. You will see locals at these sights and where ever reverent exhibits/demonstrations of ancient Hawaii can be found (Bishop Museum).

Hi, I was the one that visited as a 10 year old (see the biggest rip off posts.)

I completely agree with Sarah about the "clownish" feel of some of the activities and shows.

Even at 10, I had the feeling many of the performers were going through the motions and weren't that interested. While I did learn something about Polynesian culture, I felt the skits and shows were more exploitative than cultural. However, having said that, there seem to be many others who have enjoyed this place.

I was surprised at how much it cost reading the intitial post in the "rip off" thread, and I have to say OBJECTIVELY that I don't think what I saw there was worth it.

I did go to Waemea Falls during the same trip and I got much more out of that than the PCC, even though there wasn't as much "information" there.

"I found the representatives on the specific island sights were more informative than the student guide assigned to walk around with us. I got a lot of "I don't know" when asking her very basic historical questions about her home country."

IMHO, this is objective evidence that the place exists primarily as a fundriser rather than for cultural preservation -- even the guides don't know their own country's basic history.

We went last fall (2003) and enjoyed PCC. We saw plenty of other cheesy things in Oahu, but this was a refreshing change. A friend of mine who is Hawaiian had a high opinion of it and urged us to make sure and visit. We found it interesting & a hands-on way to learn about the many different cultures in the islands. We didn't do the meals - just a walk around the grounds one day.

Ok, for one I am not Mormon and didn't realize until all these posts that what I had seen was helping to fund a Mormon educational program. So that certainly isn't a factor when visiting. Obviously I don't pay attention (according to my wife) at my own Lutheran church either (so that is a factor too! :)

I thought it was similar style to most "touristy" places that are created solely for income, among them DisneyWorld. We did do the luau and thought it was fun, since we had never been to one. Would I go again.... no, not unless going with someone who hadn't been there. Would I recommend going? I don't think its going to knock your socks off... but it had educational value and and some of the "islands" that you visit had some fun shows or programs.

I've actually been surprised to read all the negative reaction to the PCC. I took my 2 children a few years ago (they were about 14 & 11 at the time) and we all enjoyed it. As a matter of fact, my kids wanted to go back again, so we went a 2nd day (free return admission within a certain number of days included in the initial ticket price). We didn't do the luau because my daughter is a very picky eater and I knew I'd just be throwing money away for her meal (plus, she'd be hungry). We did, however, go to the show later and really enjoyed that as well. As far as the complaints about the center benefitting the Mormon religion, I didn't have a problem with that at all. If I hadn't known, in advance, that it was connected to the Mormons, I wouldn't have known from our visit. I understand that there is a tram tour that stops at the Mormon temple, but I chose not to do that, so no problem for me.

btw, ever since we went to PCC, my daughter has got Samoa as one of her top places that she'd like to visit.

Thank you so much! I think I did receive some great objective responses. Sarah, I sure don't think in order to be objective you have to be positive. I just wanted negative views to be supported with facts rather than being an opinionated "it sucked" remark. I have come to the conclusion that I would probably enjoy it. I like Disney.I also like cruise line entertainment everytime they sing "Hot, Hot, Hot" in dining room even after 15 cruises! (ha, a child at heart) But, I also like getting into real culture off the beaten track. I suppose if I take the PCC for what it is then I will have fun. I would love to hear more insight. I think this will be a more informative thread for those thinking of a visit.

I'm not Mormon but have friends who are. As I understand it from them, the PCC had two goals. First, and most important, was creating funding for many of the students from Pacific islands to get an education they would not otherwise get. Second was to preserve and publicise some of the customs and traditions of Pacific islands that were in danger of being lost.

I have not been to the PCC in many years so I cannot comment on the experience now. I do have friends who went this spring and they were impressed by it and by the geniouness of the student actors and guides.

As for the negative comments about it being in business to make a profit, when I took economics in college, I gained the impression that with very few exceptions, EVERY business in the US has as it's primary purpose, profit for its owners.

LOL, dwooddon, your college economics course forgot to mention that as 501(c)3 corporations, churches are forbidden from turning a profit.

There really can't be any doubt that the PCC helps fund the Mormon church in some fashion.

But what really got me was the blatantly prostelitizing we were FORCED to endure when we took that tram tour to the temple. No mention was made of such a thing. We just thought we were going to get a history of the place.

Instead we saw what I can only call an indoctination film into the mormon religion. We were even told to fill out a card at the end of the presentation.

Yes, we could have walked out, but the Temple is so far from the PCC main area, we didn't want to walk.

Anonymous: I, too, am ROTFLMAO. The operations of a 503(c) cannot make a reportable profit; however, 503(c)'s can and do invest in other businesses or their own subsidiaries that are profit making entities as a method of raising funds for their core reason for being.

I don't know if they still hold an ownership position but the Mormon church saved Walt Disney from bankruptcy when he was building Disneyland and owned a 10% interest in it for several years after it opened. That may have been the church itself or it may have been a financial subsidiary. In any event, it was church money.

I also know that many non-profits are only non-profit because they plow what would otherwise be profits back into the purpose for which they are chartered (i.e. education).

I still see nothing wrong with creating a "profit making" attraction to serve a noble purpose such as the PCC. Otherwise, there would not be the many research organizations making profits to benefit universities nor would there be something as simple as my favorite ice cream store at Utah State which plows their profits back into agricultural education programs.

We seem to be hijacking the original poster's question. Maybe we should get back to the tourism value of the PCC.

Yes, you're right, we should. I guess the bottom line is that it's mostly for entertainment and providing employment for the students, rather than for transmitting actual history lessons to the guides. Since wtggirl has already reported-in that she enjoys Disney and cruises, I think she's all set here.

I visited Oahu about 30 years ago and loved the PCC. Since then I have visited the other islands and have seen many wonderful authentic presentations - With that said I visited the island again this summer with my family. I was anxious to take my daughter to the PCC - she's about the same age I was when I first went - she loved it. Parts may seem hokey to some, but there are many authentic presentations that are wonderful to watch - especially if you are visiting with kids. And I never felt like it was a "church" thing. The students always were appreciative - I never saw anyone accept a donation or tip during the day programs. Go and enjoy! Then go visit the North Shore and enjoy the beach!!

If I were taking children, I'd go no earlier than 3 PM, see the Villages, etc., and do the luau or buffet dinner and the wonderful evening show. Just adults? Then I'd go about 5 or so, talk a walk around, have dinner or the luau, and see the show. A whole day there would be way too much, IMO, but the evening show is magnificent!

I've enjoyed the Polynesian Cultural Center. I would love to go again. I loved the luau shows, food, tours, etc.. I'd definitely go again. Surprised there were negative reviews?