Reviewed by: BMcGinnis
Cousin Henry (our driver and guide) was fantastic! He made the trip. Very informative, and spoke from experience. Food was good, not amazing, but plentiful. Evening show took awhile to get interesting, but then look out! Fire show was incredible. Don't miss the demonstrations before the luau!! We thought the cost was a little pricy, but the experience was just wonderful.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/07/22 |
Reviewed by: michiru
I participated in the advanced course at Gunstock Ranch with my sister. If you're coming from Waikiki, I think it's easy to aim for the Polynesian Cultural Center as a landmark.
We were asked how much experience we had riding horses, and after doing some trotting in the circle, we set off. After walking along the mountain path, we suddenly broke into a canter through the woods. When the lead horse, Sara, started running, my horse quickly followed suit, and my sister's horse behind me joined in as well.
We ran quite a bit. It was my first time cantering in Western style, and I was a bit worried, but it turned out to be quite easy even with the long stirrups. It felt really good.
While observing the condition of the trail, we then trotted up and down the hills. At the top, Sara picked some guava fruit for us and took some pictures. The descent offered beautiful scenery, so we leisurely walked.
The weather was great, and it was a very fulfilling hour. If I have the chance, I would love to visit Gunstock Ranch again.
ガンストック牧場上級者コースに妹と参加してきました。
ワイキキから行く場合、とりあえずポリネシアカルチャーセンターを目指して行くとわかりやすいと思います。
どれくらい馬に乗っているかを尋ねられ、サークル内で速歩などをして、いざ出発。
山道をてくてく進んだ後、木立の中をいきなり駈歩です。
先頭のサラが走ると、私の馬もすぐに駈歩。私の後ろの妹の馬も一緒に走ります。
結構走りました。ウエスタンの駈歩は初めてで、少し心配しましたが、長い鐙でも走りやすいものなんですね。すごく気持ちよかったです。
道の状態を見ながら、後は速歩で坂道を上ったり下ったり。
頂上では、サラがグアバの実を取ってくれて、写真も撮ってくれました。
下りは景色がいいので、のんびり常歩です。
お天気も良く、とても充実した1時間でした。また機会があれば、もう一度ガンストック牧場を訪れたいです。
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/07/09 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
I would definately recommend the twilight package. Some of the villages are closed and there is not enough time to do EVERYTHING there is to do, but I could not see staying there all day. The best part is the Horizon's night show; this is FANTASTIC and definately worth it. I feel that the cost is a little high, but it's vacation and this an experience you won't get elsewhere.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/07/06 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
This was our second time and again thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Food was good. Staff/students were quite helpful and the performers were certainly talented. Our driver was prompt, knowledgeable and went out of his way to be attentive. We definitely recommend this to families of all ages.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/07/01 |
Reviewed by: Rick
My wife and I were disappointed with the buffet that was served. We were expecting traditional Hawaiian food like Kalua pig - but ended up with chicken. On a more positive note, the Polynesian dancing was good.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/25 |
Reviewed by: Mary & Ron
We, cannot stop talking about our day. Our guide Melody was more than wonderful. We enjoyed her tremendously,she was so knowledgable it was amazing. Everyone should visit this location. Everyone was friendly and nice.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/25 |
Reviewed by: Jose Mendoza
This has been our third luau. We have been to a luau in Kona and the Old Lahaina Luau. This year my family and I decided to attend the luau at the Polynesian center since we had heard so much of it. Unfortunately, we were not impressed and actually disappointed. We were treated better at the other two luau's, such as free alcohol drinks and hospitality overall. Your dinner was good, and the waitress attended us well. We were disappoin- ted with the show. I felt I was watching a Las Vegas show and not a cultural, narrative, Polynesian history show. My family and I love to see the grass skirt dances and you had very little of it. We also did not like the auditorium ambiance and everyone running to get ice cream.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/06/16 |
Reviewed by: jd
This was quite an experience of seeing how life in the islands would have been like. It is quite different than life today.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/05/30 |
Reviewed by: Alan C.
Awesome, we are from New Zealand and the Horizons show certainly made us proud to be part of Polynesia
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/05/26 |
Reviewed by: Richard
I had returned after twenty five years and the Center was as good as ever! My traveling companion was visiting for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed the day, luau and show. A great day recommended for all visitors to the island of Oahu.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/05/13 |
Reviewed by: Geraldine Robinson
A wonderful day - our second visit - and should not be missed. Entertaining & informative. The "Horizons" show is fantastic, particularly the Fire Dance.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/05/11 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
A very good event to go to. Good food, good show and hundrreds of your closest friends
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/05/07 |
Reviewed by: LL
I was told this was the most authentic luau on Oahu. The actually dinner was a bit crowded and the stage show was too loud and pretty boring. The buffet offered a variety of dishes but I had to eat from the kids side because that menu only offered the vegetarian option that actually had nutritional value.
When booking this trip it would have been nice to know up front that the cultural center was run by mormons so therefore there was no alcohol or caffeine available. The night show was worth seeing...very well done...just as good as a play in NYC.
Our driver picked us up 15 minutes late then proceeded to wait another 20 for 2 people who were on the list and were not there yet. Because of this we were unable to get the tour of the center that we paid for and they would not issue us tickets to come again some other day. If I could do it all over again I would go the full day, pack food and see the evening show. Probably rent a car and take a break down the street on the beach.
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| Attended as: | Families |
| Posted on: | 2008/04/17 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
Good!
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/04/16 |
Reviewed by: Melinda Hulett, Arkansas
Nice activity for all ages.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/03/29 |
Reviewed by: lsg family
This is definately educational for the kids. We had a great time...the show was great.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/03/25 |
Reviewed by: Joni Giacomino
This experience was wonderful and educational. Our tour guide Mon was fantastic and very informative. He took extra time with my 7 year old and encouraged her to participate in activities. The Horizon show was spectacular. I can't wait to go back to Hawaii to visit the center again.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/03/24 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
Great activity for the family. Entertained the kids (7 and 10) as well as the adults.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/03/23 |
Reviewed by: Terry Gordon
Exceeded our expectations. Never a dull moment from twelve noon to the end of the show. Be sure you get a guide. The guest-participation activities were a particular treat -- spear-throwing, poi ball twirling, drums, it was all great fun. And the evening show was truly spectacular. This was well worth the money and well worth the trip to the North side of the island.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/03/22 |
Reviewed by: ハワイでは必ず乗馬ファミリー
We are a family that always goes horseback riding in Hawaii. So far, we have ridden in one place on Kauai, three places on Oahu, one place on Molokai, one place on Maui, and one place on the Big Island. This year, we were planning to go horseback riding on Lanai, but we learned that Gunstock Ranch started offering rides last year. Considering the time saved by not having to travel to another island, we quickly booked an afternoon ride online.
After passing through Kahuku from the North Shore, we spotted the sign on the right after about five minutes! We turned right and climbed a bit up the mountain, arriving at a ranch that was completely untouched by tourism. Immediately, friendly dogs and sheep came to greet us. We made our way past the horses that were grazing in the back and found the guides, all of whom were women. After chatting, we learned that they were Mrs. Smith, the ranch owner, her daughter, and a part-time worker from Colorado who came to study at a university in Hawaii.
Although they didn't speak any Japanese, it felt like visiting a neighbor's house for check-in, creating a very homey atmosphere. As we started riding, it felt as if we had chartered the entire experience just for our family. We passed through the rodeo practice area and the training area for the horses, navigating through trees that made us feel like we were in an orchard. While riding, we picked and ate guava, and after climbing for an hour, we reached a viewpoint overlooking the North Shore, Kahuku, and the northeastern sea. We took commemorative photos and videos with this beautiful scenery as our backdrop, watching the sunset behind the mountains as it illuminated the southern part of Kahuku while chatting with our guide on the way back down to the ranch center in 30 minutes.
I wouldn't recommend this for first-time overseas riders, but for those who are tired of touristy horseback riding and can speak a little English, I think this is the best place on Oahu. We were treated to a beautiful sunset that made us forget we were even on Oahu.
ハワイでは必ず乗馬をするファミリー家族です。今までにカウアイ島で1箇所、オアフ島で3箇所、モロカイ島で1箇所、マウイ島で1箇所、ハワイ島で1箇所、今年はラナイ島で乗馬でもしようと計画していたところ、ここガンストック牧場で昨年からやり始めたとの情報を得、わざわざ離島まで行って乗馬することを考えればかなりの時間の節約と考えさっそくネットでアフタヌーン乗馬を予約。ノースからカフクを通り過ぎ約5分ぐらいで右手に看板発見!右折して山側にすこし登るとまったく観光化されていない牧場のたたずまい、早速人懐こいワンちゃんや羊がよって来て歓迎ムード、奥へ放牧されている馬さんたちをよけながら先に進みガイドさん?たちを発見、みなさん女性でお話をしたら牧場主のスミス婦人とそのお嬢さんとコロラド州からハワイの大学へ来たアルバイトのお嬢さんの3人でした。まったく日本語は通じませんがまるでとなりの家へ遊びに行きチェックインも、アットホームな感じ、早速乗馬し我々家族だけのまるでチャーターしたみたいな一行は一路ロデオ練習場や馬を乗馬用になれさせる練習場を通り過ぎ山へ谷へ果樹園と思わせる木々の中を通り過ぎ馬上からグアバをもぎとり食べながら又山へ、1時間も登ると北はノースショアーからカフクそして北東の海海、この景色をバックに記念写真とビデオを撮り、山陰にかくれた太陽の夕日が先のカフクの南を照らすのを見ながらガイドとおしゃべりをしながら牧場中心地へ30分で下山。初めての海外乗馬の方にはお勧め出来ないが、観光乗馬に飽きた方、少し英語がお話できる方にはオアフ島では1番良いところと思います。オアフ島にいる事を忘れてしまいそうなきれいなサンセットを見させていただきました。
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/03/15 |
Reviewed by: JLP - ILLINOIS
IT WAS A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. THE STAFF IS FRIENDLY AND EFFICIENT. WONDERFUL MEMORIES.
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/02/26 |
Reviewed by: Honey Mooners
We enjoyed the variety of cultural events but felt there was just not enough time to fully appreciate the time spent. Our Guide was excellent and we remember her still. Lena
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/02/22 |
Reviewed by: Billy
Very enjoyable. Just overall, it takes a lot of time from leaving hotel, to getting back to hotel. Thanks again!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/02/20 |
Reviewed by: C. L. Kennedy
Educational, fun, and very enjoyable an experience the whole family can enjoy.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/01/15 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
Enjoyed the day. Our tour guide was Paina and he was great. Informative and helpful. The luau is pretty standard fair but loved the evening show. The shows on the various "islands" were fun also.
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/01/14 |
Reviewed by: Mr. Anonymous
it was everything i expected and more. the show was awsome, the villiages were great. the food was marvalous. get there early for the brunch. its great too. the staff were very knowledgeable and very friendly. they are all natives. our guide was from the netherlands and he was friendly and would go all out for you. deffinatly take the super ambasitor tour. you experience so much more and up close and personal...
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/01/13 |
Reviewed by: nat
half day is enough to be there. we had fun!
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| Attended as: | Families with Young Children |
| Posted on: | 2008/01/12 |
Reviewed by: Shaina
This is a must see for anyone visiting the island of Oahu! The Luau is a feast and the Horizons show is a spectacular way to end the evening. I would suggest that those planning their itinerary, schedule this event on their last night in Hawaii, so as to end with a bang.
Also, those traveling with children will find the tour of the different villages to be extremely educational.
Remember to bring extra cash for browsing the gift shops, tipping your servers, and just in case you want to purchase that DVD recording of the Horizons show to give the folks back home a taste of the whole fantastic experience!
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| Attended as: | Friends |
| Posted on: | 2008/01/10 |
Reviewed by: N. Lemke
Guides are excellent. There is something going on all the time. Too much to see in 1 day. We'll definitely go back. The Luau was fantastic and the Horizons show was outstanding!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2008/01/06 |
Reviewed by: Elly from Massachusetts
My husband and I spent the day at the Cultural Ctr. the day after Christmas. Our tour escort "Cousin Will" picked us up at our hotel and guided us through the various villages throughout the day. It was an educational day and a lot of fun as well. We learned so much about the different cultures, their language, their dance and their stories. The luau was fun and tasty. The Horizon's show was a spectacular finale of the day, the best show on the island of Oahu. I would recommend this experience for any first timers to the islands of Hawaii. And it's true that you can't see everything in one day. I wish we could have stayed longer. Enjoy!
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| Attended as: | Couples |
| Posted on: | 2007/12/31 |
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