Hi Everyone,
As promised, the following is my attempt at a trip review. My wife and I recently stayed at Aulani from 3/10-3/16 then on to Disneyland for two days to break the trip up and avoid jetlag, as we live in TN (Thanks Kevin). If I miss anything I will post again and if you have any questions feel free to ask!
Saturday March 10th
The wife and I flew out of Nashville around 11am. We had an insanely long flight, as we went up to Minneapolis, over to Seattle, and down to Honolulu. While this was an instense 14-15 hours of traveling, it was good to be able to break up the long flight, stretch our legs, and get some food. This was also good due to us arriving in Honolulu at 930 PM and being able to go straight to bed. This allows you to go ahead and get on Hawaii time with your sleep schedule.
We flew Alaska Airlines from Seattle to Honolulu and they are a good airline. They offered a small digital player for $14 that you could watch moves/tv/etc. which really helped shorten the flight. Overall we recommend the airline.
Arriving in Hawaii we were tired but excited to be there. As soon as we got our luggage we walked outside and met our shuttle. I cant say enough good things about Hawaii 123 shuttle and our driver Mark. His number is 808-224-3704. Besides being an outstanding shuttle service, they are also the most economical, costing me $58 for both of us each way. This seems a whole lot cheaper than Disney's transportation or a taxi. Call him, use him, and thank me later!
We arrived and they presented us with leis, which is a great touch. Check-in was a breeze and we were floored with the beauty of the resort. I am not going to spoil it but words cannot describe. We walked around for a little bit then went to bed. We had a Studio Room with a std. view. This room is wonderful and spacious and we were very happy. Our room was also handicap accessible and it seemed to have all the features that would entail.
Sunday March 11
So we wake up at 5:30 since we weren't used to the time difference, however this was better than 3 or 4 AM that some folks told us they woke up at. We walked around the resort in awe. After getting somewhat acclimated, we go workout. The workout room is a good one and has a good amount of treadmills, elipticals, bikes, and a good assortment of weights. After our workout (and me seeing my Seminoles win the ACC, yea!) we chilled out in some of the common area waiting for our breakfast RSVP at Makahiki. They had local experts out talking about the resort and Hawaii, so we had a nice convo with one.
Then we ate breakfast.....
The best breakfast buffet we have ever had!
I can't describe how good the character buffet at Makahiki is, my wife LOVES The Kitchen at Hard Rock in Universal, but this place outdoes it. After your photo with Mickey, the feast begins. Not only is the diversity of the buffet great (Loco Moco, Dim Sum, etc.) but the quality is outstanding. My wife still craves the Eggs Benedict. I am a very thrifty (tightwad) person. I have to be given the amount of trips we go on. With tip this meal was $75 and I didn't mind at all. I cant say enough good things.
After breakfast we rehabilitated then got ready for our first excursion, the Manoa Valley rainforest hike. This was a great trip as all the exotic plants were neat to see and the waterfall was beautiful. The company provided boots, snacks, and sunblock/bug spray. The guides were really nice and informative. The start of the hike was near downtown Honolulu, so they drove us downtown and showed us some sights there (state capitol, the palace, etc.) That tour was great in itself. Overall we reccomend that excursion.
So we get back to the hotel and walk across the street to the ABC store for dinner (Thanks Kevin). Our plan for this trip (and most of them) is to eat one expensive meal and one cheap meal per day. The ABC store offered hot items, sandwiches, salads,etc. all at very good prices for B,L,D. They also had great prices on groceries, accessories, souveniers, and alcohol. If you are a beer drinker, go to ABC and buy a 6 pack for $9 which is the price of one beer at Aulani. You will save a bunch of $$ and thank me later! I tried the local Kona beer that was brewed with coconut. Also, make sure and buy a bottle opener there as well as i felt like a jerk asking the bartender at Aulani to keep opening my beer. Anyhow, having this store right across the street is wonderful and very conveinent.
We got back to the resort that night exhausted. We went and listened to storytelling that night which was pretty entertaining. We ended up crashing around 9PM.
Okay folks my hands and brain are cramping so I will continue this review tomorrow. Sorry about being so long winded, but I want to have all the details. Hit me with questions.
As promised, the following is my attempt at a trip review. My wife and I recently stayed at Aulani from 3/10-3/16 then on to Disneyland for two days to break the trip up and avoid jetlag, as we live in TN (Thanks Kevin). If I miss anything I will post again and if you have any questions feel free to ask!
Saturday March 10th
The wife and I flew out of Nashville around 11am. We had an insanely long flight, as we went up to Minneapolis, over to Seattle, and down to Honolulu. While this was an instense 14-15 hours of traveling, it was good to be able to break up the long flight, stretch our legs, and get some food. This was also good due to us arriving in Honolulu at 930 PM and being able to go straight to bed. This allows you to go ahead and get on Hawaii time with your sleep schedule.
We flew Alaska Airlines from Seattle to Honolulu and they are a good airline. They offered a small digital player for $14 that you could watch moves/tv/etc. which really helped shorten the flight. Overall we recommend the airline.
Arriving in Hawaii we were tired but excited to be there. As soon as we got our luggage we walked outside and met our shuttle. I cant say enough good things about Hawaii 123 shuttle and our driver Mark. His number is 808-224-3704. Besides being an outstanding shuttle service, they are also the most economical, costing me $58 for both of us each way. This seems a whole lot cheaper than Disney's transportation or a taxi. Call him, use him, and thank me later!
We arrived and they presented us with leis, which is a great touch. Check-in was a breeze and we were floored with the beauty of the resort. I am not going to spoil it but words cannot describe. We walked around for a little bit then went to bed. We had a Studio Room with a std. view. This room is wonderful and spacious and we were very happy. Our room was also handicap accessible and it seemed to have all the features that would entail.
Sunday March 11
So we wake up at 5:30 since we weren't used to the time difference, however this was better than 3 or 4 AM that some folks told us they woke up at. We walked around the resort in awe. After getting somewhat acclimated, we go workout. The workout room is a good one and has a good amount of treadmills, elipticals, bikes, and a good assortment of weights. After our workout (and me seeing my Seminoles win the ACC, yea!) we chilled out in some of the common area waiting for our breakfast RSVP at Makahiki. They had local experts out talking about the resort and Hawaii, so we had a nice convo with one.
Then we ate breakfast.....
The best breakfast buffet we have ever had!
I can't describe how good the character buffet at Makahiki is, my wife LOVES The Kitchen at Hard Rock in Universal, but this place outdoes it. After your photo with Mickey, the feast begins. Not only is the diversity of the buffet great (Loco Moco, Dim Sum, etc.) but the quality is outstanding. My wife still craves the Eggs Benedict. I am a very thrifty (tightwad) person. I have to be given the amount of trips we go on. With tip this meal was $75 and I didn't mind at all. I cant say enough good things.
After breakfast we rehabilitated then got ready for our first excursion, the Manoa Valley rainforest hike. This was a great trip as all the exotic plants were neat to see and the waterfall was beautiful. The company provided boots, snacks, and sunblock/bug spray. The guides were really nice and informative. The start of the hike was near downtown Honolulu, so they drove us downtown and showed us some sights there (state capitol, the palace, etc.) That tour was great in itself. Overall we reccomend that excursion.
So we get back to the hotel and walk across the street to the ABC store for dinner (Thanks Kevin). Our plan for this trip (and most of them) is to eat one expensive meal and one cheap meal per day. The ABC store offered hot items, sandwiches, salads,etc. all at very good prices for B,L,D. They also had great prices on groceries, accessories, souveniers, and alcohol. If you are a beer drinker, go to ABC and buy a 6 pack for $9 which is the price of one beer at Aulani. You will save a bunch of $$ and thank me later! I tried the local Kona beer that was brewed with coconut. Also, make sure and buy a bottle opener there as well as i felt like a jerk asking the bartender at Aulani to keep opening my beer. Anyhow, having this store right across the street is wonderful and very conveinent.
We got back to the resort that night exhausted. We went and listened to storytelling that night which was pretty entertaining. We ended up crashing around 9PM.
Okay folks my hands and brain are cramping so I will continue this review tomorrow. Sorry about being so long winded, but I want to have all the details. Hit me with questions.