A week on the Fantasy or 4 nights at Aulani for Spring Break 2016?

[bode1025]

Sorry to hijack the thread there. I would love to try Aulani. Where would you be traveling from?

 

[Bree]

Since you are traveling from OH, I would definitely wait until you can be in HI for a longer amount of time. You will lose two full days just from the flight alone (12+ hours!). It's not nearly the same as hopping on a plane to Orlando. HI is a dream of mine, but I won't go less than 10 nights there.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I agree with the PPs that for just 7 nights, I'd do a cruise instead of Aulani. We went to Oahu 2 years ago, also traveling from Ohio, and stayed 8 nights. That was too short for traveling all that distance. If (or when) I go back, it will be for a minimum of 10 nights, but I'd also like to see at least one other island. Oahu was wonderful, but there's so much more to Hawaii.

I personally dislike the location of Aulani and the manmade lagoons. It's somewhat isolated on the west end of the island. The North Shore was beautiful, as was Kailua. I'd stay one of those two places rather than Aulani. But that's just me...

 

[bbn1122]

We are just beginning to plan our trip to Aulani in 2016. We are planning on 7 nights at Aulani and 5 nights on the Big Island of Hawaii. From all my research if you are going to make the trip from Ohio or us...NJ, you definitely should visit at least two islands. As other posters have mentioned the distance and time to get there is a lot. So, a 7 night trip should probably not include the travel days. I would say at least 8-10 days, maybe add on an extra island or a stop over in California. We are actually also planning on stopping in San Fransciso on the way back.....we are going big on this trip. Celebrating two Graduations.

So, I would take the cruise...or plan a longer Hawaii trip.....but only you know what is truly best for your family and budget. For us, this will probably be the only time we can get the whole family to Hawaii....everyone is growing up.

Good luck!

 

[Crystal O_o]

Personally 4 days is to short for us to go to Aulani. So i vote cruise. I plan to go to Aulani for 8 days in 2016, and 2 additional days of travel since I'm in Miami.

 

[3monkeys4me]

I agree that 4 days isn't enough at Aulani. We had 5 days over Christmas (and spent 11 total days on Oahu) and it was not enough! We had plenty of time to see the Oahu sights since we stayed with friends for a week but didn't get enough time relaxing at Aulani. While neither Dh or I are anxious to go back to Oahu we will definitely consider adding a few days at Aulani to either side of a vacation on a diffent Island.

So, I'd vote for a week on the Fantasy.

 

[BuzzLightyearInTampa]

I've been to Hawaii 3 times for work (never to Aulani, but Waikiki). I'd love to go back on vacation, but it is super expensive. I think a gallon of milk was ~$8. Plus, flying to Hawaii from the east coast is like flying to Europe.

I just find a DCL cruise, with all the entertainment and food built into the cost and the fact that we don't have to fly, to be a super-relaxing vacation.

 

[Jkpark]

I would love to hear about Sergio. We are about to go on the Fantasy. I'm requesting our server today.

Sorry for the late reply - I haven't logged in lately. Sergio is from Montenegro and he was great with both the kids and adults. Was very honest in his review of the food, and gave us recommendations for other things not part of main dining. He played with the kids, had their favorites ready, etc. He told me his entire group of tables in early seating were repeat guests who requested him - I felt very lucky to have him. Hoping he is still there when we cruise in December.

 

[artnerds]

If you had asked me this question in September 2014, I would have said cruise, no question, that simple.

Then in October 2014, we went to Hawaii on our honeymoon and stayed at Aulani.

Holy cow. Oahu is SO beautiful. Hawaii is SO unlike any other place I've ever been. Aulani is SO awesome.

If you've never done Hawaii before, I would choose Aulani. (And I'm someone who LOVES cruises. A LOT.)

 

[gumbypee]

I spent 24 hours at aulani and that was more than enough-I actually left early. It bored me. There is only so much beach/pool I can take. Now I did a Hawaiian cruise and saw three islands and that was awesome. If you go to hawaii you need to see more than one island and more than a week but not just at a resort. So I think u made much better choice in cruise option!

 

[Fuhnuh]

If we go to Hawaii, we usually stay at least 9 days, 2-3 night at Aulani and the rest at Waikiki. We also rent a car so we can travel the Island. We have been to Oahu and Aulani six times as a family and really enjoy the island. I think sometimes Oahu and one Island trips get sold short, although I recognize that we all want something a little different out of our trips. We live in Seattle, so the flights are not as hard to take. If I was in Ohio, I would probably prefer the Fantasy, but 3 nights at Aulani and 5-6 nights elsewhere on Oahu with a car would be pretty nice also.

 

[Eeyorebabies]

We were going to do a third cruise next year. But since we have already done the Bahamas, and in December we are doing a 7 night Western Carribean on the Fantasy, we will be doing Aulani in December of 2016. We are from Southern California, so it's not as long for us to travel over there.
If you are basing a choice like that on not wanting to have to plan all of the details, well, they have concierge that can do all of that for you (without the cost of paying someone to do it).
Our pros and cons:

Pro Aulani:
Stationary "base" to return home to when the day is done.
More time to explore areas of the island without feeling like we have to rush back to a boat.
More pools and chill time.
No getting kicked off a boat on the last day at 7 am.
More activities to choose with lower prices without the high prices of excursions on a boat.
Kids club
Bigger rooms for half the cost.
More food options and option to make and eat your own food (that could be a con for some lol)
No passports needed, US travel.
Disney service


Con Aulani:
No amusement park nearby to do land and sea
More planning involved
Not as good kids club (activities actually cost money)
No change of scenery
Rental car if wanting to travel
Food isn't included in travel
Travel time to explore different areas of the island
Flight price depending on time of year
Can't book as far out like you can on a cruise

 

[twopeasonepod]

Sorry so late to the party, but here goes....Disclaimer: I am a DVC owner but not a fan of Aulani. I live on O'ahu.

I would totally choose the cruise. Flying to Hawaii from OH sucks (DH is from KY and I've been to KY/WV/OH a dozen times in the last four years). It is not worth it IMO. Aulani to me is boring and on the "bad part" of the island. You will have to travel far to see things I would recommend. We have the 3rd worst traffic in the nation (better than #2 last year and #1 for like four years before that). But here's the kicker...if you are coming here during the Hawaii public schools' spring break, the crowd will be very different from what you are expecting. I won't elaborate, because I'm sure I will offend people, but the people that work at Aulani are not typical "Disney". They are certainly not DCL friendly or worldly. Unrefined is the word I will limit myself to using as a descriptor. And during fall break, a lot of unrefined guests were at the resort. I suggest visiting Aulani during a non-peak time.

 

[jenf22]

Sorry for the late reply - I haven't logged in lately. Sergio is from Montenegro and he was great with both the kids and adults. Was very honest in his review of the food, and gave us recommendations for other things not part of main dining. He played with the kids, had their favorites ready, etc. He told me his entire group of tables in early seating were repeat guests who requested him - I felt very lucky to have him. Hoping he is still there when we cruise in December.

We also had Sergio and he was great. We requested him based on recommendations from the boards (I went looking because the servers on our other cruises drove us crazy).

I would also vote for the cruise over Aulani. I LOVE Hawaii, but I would still pick the Star Wars cruise! I've also heard what the previous poster said - Aulani isn't really in a great location on Oahu. I guess I'd rather visit the Big Island or Maui - we liked both those islands more than Oahu. Just my opinion...

 

[Amw1064]

I will also have to say cruise. My reason is that you are coming from the Eastern time zone and I think you will just be adjusting to the time change when you have to head back. We live in Florida and are going to Aulani this summer but we are staying for 10 nights. That was my minimum to travel that far. You can't go wrong on the Fantasy. It is AWESOME!!!! Try Aulani when you can stay for longer. Have fun!

 

[Praise2Him]

Sorry so late to the party, but here goes....Disclaimer: I am a DVC owner but not a fan of Aulani. I live on O'ahu.

I suggest visiting Aulani during a non-peak time.

When is a non-peak time? Or, in your opinion, the best time to visit Aulani?

 

[twopeasonepod]

When is a non-peak time? Or, in your opinion, the best time to visit Aulani?

Hmmm...not summer, Christmas, or spring or fall break. I'd say May or September would be my suggestions. Public schools start end of July/beginning of August and end in late May. Private schools start late August and end beginning of June.

 

[ratt1345]

I agree, I think that you have a tough choice. DW and I are taking a break this year from cruising to go to Aulani. Unlike an earlier poster, I am finding it exciting trying to figure out where we will go to eat off the Aulani property. We are actually making a list of places and we know that we will not make it to most of them, but that's ok. So we will have to wait until we come back to compare Aulani to a cruise.

 

[cbonebt]

We just got back from Aulani 2 days ago! We stayed 5 nights plus 2 nights in Waikiki. Our trip to Hawaii was so unique from any other vacation, including our Disney cruises. Our kids loved the vacation (they are 10, 7 and 4). You have a tough choice!

Did the kids enjoy the kid clubs? Any tips?

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Did the kids enjoy the kid clubs? Any tips?

Yes, my kids enjoyed Aunty's Beach House. My 10-year-old was probably at the top of the age range (even though it goes up to age 12). The biggest difference between Aulani's kids' club and the clubs on the cruises is that you have to sign up your kids for the free programs at Aunty's in the morning. I had to line up at 7:30 a.m. for an 8:00 opening, and I was about the 30th person in line at that time. But, I had no trouble signing up my daughter for hula lessons with Minnie and my boys for Space Goo with Stitch. I have a trip report: http://www.disboards.com/threads/5-...1-last-day-in-hawaii-updated-3-29-15.3391096/