“The popularity of the show led us to create a new pavilion to keep up with the demand,” says McDaniel. “Wantilan means gathering place, so it was fitting that this became the name for our South Pacific luau and dinner
show venue. Just like in the islands, we often found ourselves at the
mercy of Mother Nature. Now, with the completion of the new pavilion, the show can go on in almost type of weather. Fans will keep guests cool in the summer and the covered pavilion will offer protection during the rainy season.”

Royal Pacific Resort’s captivating Wantilan Luau is a culinary and musical journey through the islands of the South Pacific. Native dancers take guests on a thrilling tour of the islands. The host regales the audience with all the stories behind the dances, from the rapid hip movement of the Tahitian hula to the romantic hand gestures of the Hawaiian hula. Guests are dazzled by the dancers’ colorful costumes, a face-tattooed Maori warrior from New Zealand and the breathtaking Samoan fire dance. Throughout the evening, hula dancers entice audience members to join in the fun and learn the hula.

Wantilan Luau’s menu features pit-roasted suckling pig with spiced rum-soaked pineapple puree, guava barbeque short ribs, whole roasted South Pacific wahoo, lomi lomi chicken with Maui onions, tropical fruits, plus mai tais, beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages. For younger guests who might not yet have a taste for the exotic, Wantilan Luau offers a separate kid’s buffet featuring chicken fingers, macaroni and cheese and pizza.

The Wantilan Luau is held every Saturday night year-round. An additional Friday night show runs from May through early September.Royal Pacific Resort is one of three Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando Resort, including Portofino Bay Hotel and Hard Rock Hotel. Each hotel is located within walking distance of Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme parks and the Universal CityWalk entertainment complex.