Show Aloha Land @ Aloha Stadium — Local services in Oʻahu

This is an honest review based on my experience and opinion with no intentions of insulting the people behind the production of this event. Just my thoughts/suggestions that may be considered as ideas of improvement for the next event🤙

First off entering the Aloha stadium from the ticket gate was confusing. Soon as you enter the gate the direction sign is on the driver side but difficult to see when a vehicle is blocking your view. They should place additional signs outside of the entrance along the fence. At least we'll read the sign (while in traffic) and know which gate to go before entry. Luckily my wife saw the sign and we needed to merge into the other lane for the drive thru event. That entry point was cluttered.

Soon as we got to the gate and verified our pass. We were told (by the gate attendant) to stay and follow the line in front of us that will lead to the drive-thru. It was a single line that every vehicle (including walk-ins) had to merge into.

However, we noticed a few cars were driving passed us creating a 2nd lane. Some cars that were in the front and back of us drove out of line and followed. My first thought, "it's probably for the park/walk-in" which make sense. But as the line moved further down we noticed the securities were parked ahead blocking the 2nd lane, and immediately the first thing came to mind - the cars that drove out of line would have to cut in front or exit the stadium. Sure enough, a couple of cars decided cut in line and others would exit. The one's that cut had no remorse. It's not fair for everyone who remained in line waiting patiently which was literally backed up from the gate. This a major issue that can cause tensions to flare up but also prevented with proper settings in place. Good thing security was present but some people would still burst into anger. They should create a second lane. Maybe there was the night before but that day it was only one.

Now to the fun part! The drive-thru entrance is ghetto. I could've built (or hired a craftsmen) a decent patio and red chair for Santa (Yes, with a cooling system hidden). First impression was disappointing and the folks selling popcorn should've dressed as elves. I mean there was no effort creating that entry. It felt as if I was at the swat meet again...but I still bought popcorn (2x). From that point to the end (and I'm just being honest) it's literally a Wal-Mart drive-thru displaying their cheap lightings. Nothing unique in terms of expecting a different theme transitioning - all the same except the tunnels and Christmas trees. It would've been nice to have a different theme and setup on every turn. Yes, there was different characters or shapes, but same product. Top of that the construction equipment and lighting storage should've been kept hidden. The exposure was a cringe.

Overall the drive-thru event was dull and sloppy. But I know it can be done better for the same cost they've invested.

As for the walk-in event, parking galore! That's probably my only favorite part of the entire event. The walk-in is much better than the drive-thru. There's multiple activities involved especially for kids. But if I were to make an adjustment - I would convert the drive-thru for the train ride instead. Keep the cheap lightings and routes in place. That's a good trade-off! But add more trains/carts. Other than that the walk-in was decent and that's where I placed my 3-star.

We'll pay a visit again next...

We did just the drive thru as it would’ve ben cost-prohibitive for 5 of us to do everything. We loved this last year as a welcome relief from COVID restrictions, but the massive price hike this year was a little too much. The drive thru was still great though. Biggest drawback was the lack of signage and/or directions. On the way in, we got in the “wrong” lane to check in for drive through only, and they made us back up and re-enter at lane “2”, where the attendant simply scanned our ticket (unclear why that couldn’t happen at any of the lanes). Then after getting in, there was again no signage to direct cars to either parking or the drive through entrance. We, of course ended up in the wrong one and had to ask someone to let us cut-in once we finally got to a parking attendant who tried to direct us to the lot. Beautiful show….could use some improved...

Not worth the cost. Each person needs a ticket… but they’re all the same price. Plus you pay for parking. It’s also rain or shine, no refunds, no exchanges. The forecast had me stressed but it’s been good weather (about the only luck we had so far). All the hype about the zip line and it’s closed. Unless the intent was the watch the workers “test it”… in that case, I guess it was a success.

It looks nice when you’re passing by (it really does!) but it’s just a lit up suckhole for your money.

Unless you’ve never Christmas’ed before or don’t plan on Christmas’ing again in the future…. Then have fun and...