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Aulani
Jul 10, 2023 18:22:50 GMT -5
Post by johnb on Jul 10, 2023 18:22:50 GMT -5
Are you going to do this in one day or break the flights into two days? We did PHL-HNL for our honeymoon and I really didn't like the 20+ hour day getting to Hawaii. We will fly all of it in one day. Do not want to drag it out anymore than necessary. You’re counting the time change. Actual airtime is around 12 hrs. Still, will be beat that day. We have a 3 day pre cruise cruisetour scheduled starting that next day. 20 hours was when we left our hotel room to get to the airport in Philadelphia to the time we got to our room on the big island. I think it was actually 22. I swore I'd never travel that distance again, but being able to break the flight into two days should be manageable. |
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Post by a1000monkeys on Jul 11, 2023 4:36:57 GMT -5
Hello! Writing this from a high speed train traveling through the Japan countryside in a lighting storm. Might be a bit bumpy.
Hawaiian airlines serves several East Coast airports. If one is close enough to you, try and do the non stop 10 hour flight. Even economy class is pretty comfy on HA.
Otherwise do one connection in any west coast airport. Going there will be easier than come back so if you are considering a stop over, do it on the way back not on the way there.
I would not recommend more than one island unless you have more than 2 weeks to spare. Even though the flight between islands is short, you’ll still wast most of your day dropping off/picking up rental cars dealing with luggage and airport security. Also, you’ll be jet lagged coming from the east coast so build in an extra wasted day for that.
Think about what you want to do. I have been to Aulani more times I can count. It’s great but it is an expensive place to lay your head. I would suggest 4-5 nights to make the most of the resort and then stay elsewhere to explore.
Marriott KoOlina is a timeshare resort in the Same area as Aulani but rooms are bigger and you can usually get find a cheaper rate than Aulani. Check redweek.com for rentals. Also, June is one of the hardest month to book at Aulani so if you don’t own there you may not find much availability at 7 months. In which case, rent out your points and the rent points from an Aulani owner.
The best variety of food can be found In Waikiki. Waikiki is a city so if your image of Hawaii is secluded beaches and palm trees, it may not be for you. I usually like to do a few nights on one quieter part of the island and then a few In Waikiki. Next month I’m going to Maui to relax on the beach for a week and then going back a few week later to Waikiki for the food.
Last time we were on Oahu we did the Koloa Ranch Atv tour. It was raining and we were a muddy mess but it was a lot of fun. It’s a good hour drive from Aulani in moderate traffic. I’d recommend doing that on A Sunday morning when traffic is low.
If you can give more details of your interest I can give more tips.
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Aulani
Jul 11, 2023 10:00:20 GMT -5
Post by johnb on Jul 11, 2023 10:00:20 GMT -5
At least two chill/resort days.
Pearl Harbor--no
Waikiki--unsure; I've been to plenty of crowded beaches
North shore/food trucks--probably
ATV tour--probably
A few meals outside of Aulani. Roy's Hawaii Kai, maybe Chinatown, wherever has great poke bowls (for DW and DD); still researching other restaurants.
A scenic hike or two.
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Post by stellabutterman on Jul 11, 2023 10:22:06 GMT -5
DH and I are planning on an October 2024 Aulani trip ourselves, so I can't wait to read about your trip. Have a great time!
I was counting on a trip report on the old board for ideas in the future, but that's gone. I think it was tikitwins or something like that.
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Post by bassetbeauty on Jul 14, 2023 9:16:21 GMT -5
The food trucks up north are awesome.
The beaches up north are awesome.
One of the best sunsets I have ever seen was on Makapuu Beach (one of the most northwestern parts of the island)
The shops and surfing areas around Haleiwa are great to explore. Sometimes with just driving around, you can find beaches with NOAA scientists. We were able to watch them tagging two sea turtles. I am typically the planning type, but I found that sometimes it was nice to just get out there and explore with no plans at all.
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Aulani
Aug 7, 2023 18:39:36 GMT -5
Post by minniesueb on Aug 7, 2023 18:39:36 GMT -5
We are heading to Aulani too end of May for DD's HS graduation trip - hopefully 7 month booking cooperates with us!
For those who have stayed before what view did you book? Thinking of Ocean View but that could be roll of the dice as to how good the Ocean View really is -
booking 2 bedroom
Any booking advice or any Hawaii advice much appreciated!!!
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Aulani
Aug 7, 2023 21:32:16 GMT -5
Post by disney54us on Aug 7, 2023 21:32:16 GMT -5
We went on our honeymoon 40 plus years ago. I was a child bride lol. Why oh why. But I was young. Did we go from PHL, to Chicago? It under a hour and half. Then to fly the rest of the way to Hawaii. Going wasn’t bad, the excitement. But coming home.. we felt like cattle. Swore if we every went again we would do a stop over on the way back to Seattle or San Diego. Well that’s scratched as they’re high crime issues. I could never do East coast to HW without a mid way stop and think I need a day or two stop over. And maybe using my points to upgrade to FC.
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Aulani
Aug 8, 2023 7:30:23 GMT -5
Post by minniesueb on Aug 8, 2023 7:30:23 GMT -5
We are NC - going isn't too bad. We paid for emergency row seats going (2 hr layover in LA) & did FC coming back (layover in Phoenix) since it's overnight.
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Aulani
Aug 8, 2023 21:09:38 GMT -5
Post by Capt Kia on Aug 8, 2023 21:09:38 GMT -5
We went last year as a family of 4. We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (not dvc members any more). We did 5 days in Oahu and the 7 days in Maui. At Oahu we did the Polynesian Cultural Center and Koala Ranch ATV all in 1 day. It was an hour+ to get there from downtown. I just looked and it is 1+ from Aulani. Both were FANTASTIC and would do it again in a heartbeat. BUT it is a long day. We also did Pearl Harbor and make sure you sign up EXACTLY when it allows for the day you want to go and see the Arizona.
Funny that when we got back to the states and decompressed we said Hawaii was one and done, mostly because of the flight home, connected in DFW both ways and home was a red-eye. But now we are planning a big trip for my retirement in 2025, I've missed a lot of the kids growing up (firefighter for 26 years) I let them choose where they want to go. Kids and wife unanimously chose to go back to Hawaii. With a stop for 3 days at DL, kids have never been.
So I will be back to the planning drawing board here shortly. Thinking of Kauai this next time.
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Aulani
Aug 9, 2023 17:04:01 GMT -5
Post by SuzanneSLO on Aug 9, 2023 17:04:01 GMT -5
Hearts go out to those impacted by the devastating wild fires on the Big Island and particularly Maui. Reports are that 6 people have died in Maui and some have been forced to evacuate into the ocean to escape the flames in historic Lahaina. In one video, I saw the James Coleman gallery on Front Street in Lahaina surrounded by smoke with flames nearby. Coleman was a Disney background artist and has also produced artworks for Disney.
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Aulani
Aug 11, 2023 9:51:05 GMT -5
Post by ratfan on Aug 11, 2023 9:51:05 GMT -5
Hearts go out to those impacted by the devastating wild fires on the Big Island and particularly Maui. Reports are that 6 people have died in Maui and some have been forced to evacuate into the ocean to escape the flames in historic Lahaina. In one video, I saw the James Coleman gallery on Front Street in Lahaina surrounded by smoke with flames nearby. Coleman was a Disney background artist and has also produced artworks for Disney. Unfortunately 6 deaths appears to have been a premature estimate by officials.  |
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Post by brp on Aug 11, 2023 9:59:34 GMT -5
Hearts go out to those impacted by the devastating wild fires on the Big Island and particularly Maui. Reports are that 6 people have died in Maui and some have been forced to evacuate into the ocean to escape the flames in historic Lahaina. In one video, I saw the James Coleman gallery on Front Street in Lahaina surrounded by smoke with flames nearby. Coleman was a Disney background artist and has also produced artworks for Disney. Unfortunately 6 deaths appears to have been a premature estimate by officials. No. it was the known count at the time, as was announced. The current total I've heard is 55, and that is, unfortunately, expected to increase. They are not making estimates. They are providing available data.
Thoughts are definitely with the residents of Hawaii, Maui and Lahaini, in particular.
Cheers.
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Post by Wiltony on Aug 11, 2023 10:53:41 GMT -5
So sad to hear about Maui and Lahaini.
Our trip to Aulani in Feb 2022 was phenomenal. Just the wife and I. She says it was one of her top 3 trips ever, if not the best one. We rented a convertible, did Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, and a sunset cruise, had a quirky late-night dinner at a downtown Denny's in Waikiki, had some horrible street ice cream walking back to the car, laid by the pool and in the lazy river at the resort, etc. We have planned a return trip over thanksgiving with all the kids (7 of us total).
Here are some of my thoughts/recommendations
- Yes 100% rent a car
- There is a Costco and target about 10 mins away, take advantage for groceries and other supplies. There is a walmart a little further away, but I do not recommend visiting. It's in a sketchy area.
- We didn't at the time, but you now need to reserve a time to visit Diamond Head. Make sure you look it up online and reserve a slot ahead of time. Diamond Head was not *that* intense of a hike, but it was still occasionally rigorous, and if you're not in shape, plan to take it slow. But the 360 degree view at the top was worth it!
- Aulani lies in a special resort area called "Ko Olina" which comprises 4 man-made lagoons. The Four Seasons is next door, and there is a walking path that goes around the lagoons and you can stroll around and visit the other resorts.
- The Pacific Ocean is cold
- We have not gone before, but this Nov we have booked a day to visit the highly recommended Waimea Bay/Beach/Valley/Botanical Gardens/Falls and the corresponding Toa Luau. This is all on the north side of the Island. I'll let you know how it goes, but I have high expectations!
- Some new terminology that I hadn't experienced before is "Windward" and "Leeward." On Oahu, Aulani is on the far southwest edge of the island, and this is the "protected" Leeward side. The Windward side of the island is the eastern side, from which the prevailing winds originate.
- Pearl Harbor was worth a visit if you've never been. Even though it sounds disrespectful, I will say the USS Arizona was less interesting than I thought it would be. Of course we remained solemn and respectful during our visit as it is literally a gravesite for many sailors, but there wasn't much to observe/read/learn while over there visiting.
- I would like to visit the USS Missouri, but haven't planned that yet.
- I would also recommend some kind of cruise/sailing trip to get out on the water. It's pretty cool to be out there and look back on the island from the ocean and/or see the sunset while there.
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