If it's October, it's time for the Haunted Lagoon at the Polynesian Cultural Center. The first four years of Haunted Lagoon were a major success and I'm sure that the 2012 edition will be bigger and better than ever.
Yes, the eerie apparition of the Laie Lady, once known as the beautiful Nalani, has returned to the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC). The ghostly star of PCC's much-anticipated Haunted Lagoon ride has spent the past four years searching for her long lost son to keep her company for all eternity. Last year a new member of her family made an appearance - her murdered husband who was seeking revenge for his murder.
This year, once again, an all new experience, called Haunted Lagoon: Dreams and Nightmares is being presented which will take guests into the Laie Lady's troubled mind as she plunges even more deeply into insanity.
The Haunted Lagoon runs from October 5 to October 31, with canoes departing periodically beginning at 6:30 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday through October 20, and then Monday through Saturday from Oct. 22 to 31, 2012. The box office is open from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., or until tickets sell out.Beginning its fifth Halloween season this year, the Haunted Lagoon has easily become Hawaii's premier haunted attraction, welcoming more than 40,000 each year. Determined to top last year's mega-success, the PCC has turned up the terror with new creatures and has revamped effects - offering even more thrills than ever before. This full-scale production features a cast of more than 100, and includes movie-quality state-of-the-art special effects, animatronics and costumes.
Guests cast off on double-hulled canoes and are taken on journey through the dark waters of the PCC's twisting lagoon. In 2011 the experience was extended to about 45 minutes as a new section starts the scares even before guests board the canoes.
The Haunted Lagoon is not for the faint of heart, so the PCC also offers milder "keiki (children) canoes" for family members of all ages from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aboard each "keiki" canoe is a "lost warrior" who, to protect his passengers, carries a mystical light staff that repels monsters or creatures, including the ghostly Laie Lady.
As the Haunted Lagoon has grown in popularity over the years, booking tickets in advance is almost a must. Seats for the ride are limited and often sell out. Visitor tickets are $25 per adult and $20 fpr children. Tickets for Hawaii residents are $19.95 per adult and $14.50 per child. Check their website for discounted tickets at $13.95 for adults and children.
Polynesian Cultural Center Kamaaina (local resident) Annual Pass holders may ride free on weekdays and for a discounted rate on Saturdays. Guests can also purchase tickets to a Fast Pass line for a shorter wait ($35/adults, $30/children.) From Oct. 5 to Oct. 13, students can take advantage of the Fall Break Special, which is $5 off a ticket when they show a valid student ID.
For more information, ticket availability or reservations, visit www.HauntedLagoon.com or call the Polynesian Cultural Center ticket office toll-free at (800) 367-7060. On Oahu, call (808) 293-3333.
Located in the town of Laie on Oahu's Windward Coast at the start of the North Shore, the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) was founded in 1963 as a non-profit organization. The Center has entertained more than 36 million visitors making it one of Hawaii's most popular paid attractions (Pacific Business News). The Center preserves and portrays the culture, arts and crafts of Polynesia to the rest of the world.
In addition, the PCC has provided financial assistance to nearly 17,000 young people from more than 70 different countries while they attend Brigham Young University-Hawaii. As a non-profit organization, 100 percent of PCC's revenue is used for daily operations and to support education. You can read more about the history of the Polynesian Cultural Center and Mormonism in Hawaii.
My personal recommendation is for visitors to plan an entire day at the Polynesian Cultural Center. It is both and educational and fun experience for the whole family and one of the best ways to learn about the nations and peoples of Polynesia who have found their way to Hawaii and who call it their home today. The PCC features six Polynesian "islands" in a beautifully landscaped, 42-acre setting representing Fiji, Hawaii, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga. Additional island exhibits include the great mo'ai statues and huts of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and the islands of Marquesas.
You'll want to be sure to get a good seat for the afternoon Rainbows of Paradise Canoe Pageant. The Center also offers an excellent evening luau, their award-winning Ali'i Luau and a new after-dinner show Ha: Breath of Life.
You'll likely need more than one visit to see and experience everything.