Post #749357 by kkocka on Mon, Aug 17, 2015 2:56 PM

They probably have plenty of diamond mugs (blue) left. There's only word of mouth and whatever the bartenders remember to tell you about it being available. It's $30, same as the event which kinda blows as I don't think it's a $30 mug. There's no drink with or for it, just the mug itself. With that, let me throw down my review:

I had zero complaints about the food - small portions but it was buffet style and you could eat your gluttonous ass off if you wanted. I didn't expect a luau pig or anything grander because I know this is a Disney event. The show itself was great - the performers nailed everything, and given that I selected the late showing meant that the fire dance would be especially great in the dark.

We were fortunate to be waiting in the front of the line so that when it was time to sit, we could be selective and park ourselves right up front. The experience probably wouldn't be quite as great if you were late and had to sit along the back, but the stage is laid out as such to where I think you'd have a decent show. If you really were unhappy you simply could have stood along the sides of the event.

The featured "diamond" cocktail was particularly disgusting. From what I gathered, the original recipe was basically the Tahitian Terrace Punch plus rum - not exactly that, but it wouldn't have mattered if it was. It was told to me by a bartender that the recipe was "salvaged" although I still think it was awful and something Smith & Cross was unable to save. I got a Big Wave lager for my second drink.

The gifts at the end is where the misleading information and lack of communication between Disney Parks Blog and Food & Beverages hit yet again. According to the blog, we'd receive the swizzle sticks in which we received none. Now it's silly to get upset about a little stick perhaps, but to be honest I looked forward to it more than the mug, haha. Anyway, speaking of the mug, there was more miscommunication: people were under the impression that you could buy a second minty/white colored mug ala Mahaloween 2014. Apparently those were off limits and you could only buy the second, blue, edition at $30 a piece. I skipped this because I trusted the public's hunch that they'd be available at Trader Sam's the next day, which they were. Unfortunately for me, my discount meant jack because they charged gratuity to it due to not having a system in place for this particular mug. How do you add gratuity to a non-food item? Anyway the mugs are average to me and I partly dislike them because they're designed by the same artist that did last Mahaloween's print and I am just envious that he gets these jobs.

Speaking of the print, it's a giant step forward from Mahaloween 2014. Don't even get me started about the Mahaloween print as just thinking about it drives me nuts. Although this Tahitian Terrace print is much improved, I will probably part ways with it and sell it to somebody that wants to give it a home. On eBay.

The "Diamond Luau" lei is where I was skeptical most, at first. Turns out the thing was just a dark brown bead/nut lei with an attached card featuring the event's information. Not bad, even if it's just a basic lei once the card is removed. I am glad to hold onto this. Much better than the Mahaloween $2 "Trader Sam's Panama Hat" that was just from Oriental Trading Company.

Overall, the event was MUCH improved on how it was run. There's still some blame to go around regarding communication and "putting out." Clarification needs to be made regarding all future mugs, and if an item is to be included, it should be included or never mentioned at all. As always, because I'm a sucker, I will probably do another event like this in the future. I'm glad I've learned my lesson though and don't buy additional mugs when they're offered because they're guaranteed to at least be slightly cheaper the next day.