Anyone have any ideas on how to do Hawaii on a strict budget?

[rparmfamily]

Hale Koa---

Well, the first night we were put in the "old" tower, and it was pretty bad honestly. I called immediately and asked to be switched to the Maile Tower. MUCH NICER. The Maile tower is mostly or all smoke free, something the other tower is not. The older tower smelled horrible, like stale smoke. Our room was clean in the older tower but just so badly in need of a remodel. Wallpaper was peeling, carpet was gross and wore out, it was dingy and smelly. But, like I mentioned, I called and asked to be switched, which they did the next day. Maile was much nicer, we totally enjoyed our stay after that! The Maile tower was built in 1995 and so it's much newer and nicer. I think the other tower hadn't been updated in nearly 20 years, judging by the decor of the room. We enjoyed the resturants, they weren't to-die-for good, but the prices were excellent compared to the rest of Hawaii and the food was good. I loved that they don't charge for room service!! (other than gratuity) The grounds are beautiful and I really felt like I was at my own resort and not in Waikiki. We did the Luau too and it was very good. Food was great at the luau. The common areas of the hotel (lobby, pools, etc) were beautiful and very well taken care of. I have high (disney) standards too LOL!

 

[Skatermom23]

Hale Koa---

Well, the first night we were put in the "old" tower, and it was pretty bad honestly. I called immediately and asked to be switched to the Maile Tower. MUCH NICER. The Maile tower is mostly or all smoke free, something the other tower is not. The older tower smelled horrible, like stale smoke. Our room was clean in the older tower but just so badly in need of a remodel. Wallpaper was peeling, carpet was gross and wore out, it was dingy and smelly. But, like I mentioned, I called and asked to be switched, which they did the next day. Maile was much nicer, we totally enjoyed our stay after that! The Maile tower was built in 1995 and so it's much newer and nicer. I think the other tower hadn't been updated in nearly 20 years, judging by the decor of the room. We enjoyed the resturants, they weren't to-die-for good, but the prices were excellent compared to the rest of Hawaii and the food was good. I loved that they don't charge for room service!! (other than gratuity) The grounds are beautiful and I really felt like I was at my own resort and not in Waikiki. We did the Luau too and it was very good. Food was great at the luau. The common areas of the hotel (lobby, pools, etc) were beautiful and very well taken care of. I have high (disney) standards too LOL!

We arrive around 3pm so I hope I have a good chance of getting rooms in the Maile tower. I have never stayed in the other one. Since we will be there for 10 nights hopefully they will give me what I request from the beginning. Otherwise they will get to know me very well! I do like that they guarantee connecting rooms. A lot of hotels say they can't.

How was the beach water? Everything all clear for that now?

 

[rparmfamily]

Well, from what I understand, the state has given the all-clear for the water in Waikiki, but I had several locals tell me to avoid it still, people feel the state is rushing to approve the water because it doesn't want to lose tourist $$. I have small children and several people mentioned just avoiding it. So we did, which stunk, because we had this beautiful beach right at our hotel and we didn't use it. We did go for walks down the boardwalk area, and my kids used the pool nearly everyday, but for beaches, we went to the north shore (too rough) and the best one was the lagoons at Ko'Olina (near the new Marriot timeshares).

Good luck! If you get the bad tower (you'll know it!) just switch. They were very accommodationg to my request to switch towers. We just had to wait until the next day.

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

I was referred to this thread from the Community Baords. Lots of great info. We are staying in Waikiki for 7 nights. Flying in from LAX. Booked package through AAA as air was so much now and the package was only a few dollars more than the air alone. All our time will be on Oahu. Was planning to do Sea Life Park but based on the posts here we will probably pass. I have done the Polenisian (sp) Cultural Center before so probably won't head back there either though I loved it. I am looking to do something different with my kids (DS10 & DD8) but not to expensive. Was thinking of getting the multi-day Trolly pass but not sure it is worth it. Has anyone done this before? May just rent a car for one day. We can walk or take the bus other days. Staying at the Aqua Bamboo Hotel and Spa. Anyone stayed there? AAA package was via Pleasant Hawaiian but it also includes a 30.00 pp voucher to be used for tours.

 

[TinkerbellTris]

You can definatly do Oahu on a budget, and have a great time. Sea Life park was really not that bad. However, I chose a package to swim with a dolphin and that was the only reason we were at the park, I really didn't do a lot there ther than the swim with the dolphin, fed some sea lions, watched the dolphin show and left. The Waikiki Zoo is great, as is the aquarium. The marketplace is nice and free. If your kids are in to snorkeling definatly do Hunama Bay (sorry my spelling is rough) I believe it was like $16 pp and included all the gear and transport. There are packages you can buy that include a dinner cruise, submarine ride (kids would love this), and sea life park and many other variations, for like $140 pp. But you get 3 activities. There is also a real good magic show on the waikiki strip. And there's always the beach! Oh and the Dole plantation has a fantastic maze, it's really fun for kids. Have a great trip!
Oahu 2001 Pacific Beach Resort
Oahu/ Maui 2003 Coral Reef Hotel, Maui Banyan's Condos.

 

[DMRick]

subscribing. We are hoping to go in October.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

subscribing. We are hoping to go in October.

someone posted on a Hawaii thread that they are going in Oct.


We are going in Oct.

Maybe the first ever DIS Meet in Paradise?

 

[twinkles]

Has anyone found any good rates on car rentals. We are going to Kauai in July...need to book my car this week. If anyone knows of anything let me
know.

 

[swilshire]

Has anyone found any good rates on car rentals. We are going to Kauai in July...need to book my car this week. If anyone knows of anything let me
know.

The best one I found for minivans in June was both Dollar and Thrifty using a COM6 code.

Sheila

 

[twinkles]

The best one I found for minivans in June was both Dollar and Thrifty using a COM6 code.

Sheila

Thanks! I'll give it a try and see what I get.

 

[Skatermom23]

You can definatly do Oahu on a budget, and have a great time. Sea Life park was really not that bad. However, I chose a package to swim with a dolphin and that was the only reason we were at the park, I really didn't do a lot there ther than the swim with the dolphin, fed some sea lions, watched the dolphin show and left. .

Can you tell me more about this? DD wants to swim with the dolphins, the dolphin adventure, I think and DS wants to swim with the sea lions. How many people were in the group and do you think it was worth the money?

 

[loisg1]

Twinkles,

Where are you staying in HI? We're going in August. Were you able to get any great rates? We'd like to stay at the Marriott Waikiki Beach Resort.

Also, where do folks find the codes for the rental cars? DH wants to rent a convertible.

Thanks!

Lois

PS Has anyone ever used Orbitz... is it reliable and is there a fee for cancellation?

 

[TinkerbellTris]

It was worth the money. You get a souvenier picture of you and the dolphin, and then a group picture. They also give you a book on dolphins, as well as a Dolphin training certificate. The group had like 15 people in it. I remember we called a day ahead to reserve, and they had like 2 maybe 3 times they were doing the "swim with dolphins" in the day. The park is rather small, but it was the most memorable day for me. I don't recall any swim with the sea lions though. But there was a swim with the sting rays. I almost did this one too but the time slots all filled up before I could book it. We watched it though and it looked really cool. I think you are in like 2 maybe 3 feet of water, they provide the snorkle equiptment. I think it was like $50 or so. This was during our 2001 trip so prices may have went up. ALso I think it was like $5.00 to feed the sea lions.....it was really fun also. The park for being small has beautiful views it sits on a hill that overlooks the ocean, very pretty. October will be beautiful, we did our 2003 trip in October.

 

[Skatermom23]

Has anyone found any good rates on car rentals. We are going to Kauai in July...need to book my car this week. If anyone knows of anything let me
know.

I had a car reserved through Hertz with AAA for $450 for 11 days in July. I did some surfing around today and got a quote of $329 with Budget using a code I found, U023869. So much for AAA!

 

[Skatermom23]

It was worth the money. You get a souvenier picture of you and the dolphin, and then a group picture. They also give you a book on dolphins, as well as a Dolphin training certificate. The group had like 15 people in it. I remember we called a day ahead to reserve, and they had like 2 maybe 3 times they were doing the "swim with dolphins" in the day. The park is rather small, but it was the most memorable day for me. I don't recall any swim with the sea lions though. But there was a swim with the sting rays. I almost did this one too but the time slots all filled up before I could book it. We watched it though and it looked really cool. I think you are in like 2 maybe 3 feet of water, they provide the snorkle equiptment. I think it was like $50 or so. This was during our 2001 trip so prices may have went up. ALso I think it was like $5.00 to feed the sea lions.....it was really fun also. The park for being small has beautiful views it sits on a hill that overlooks the ocean, very pretty. October will be beautiful, we did our 2003 trip in October.

Thanks for the info! DD really wants to do this and I checked the web site and there is a swim with the sea lions for DS. There appears to be two different options for the dolphins...one is for ages 13 and up and the other is for the younger crowd. DD will have just turned 13 so maybe we will do that one.

 

[my3kids]

Has anyone found any good rates on car rentals. We are going to Kauai in July...need to book my car this week. If anyone knows of anything let me
know.

I got a great rate from Costco's link to Alamo just last week for Kauai in June. I posted my great Alamo find here because I thought there might be an across the board sale.

We started out at a 13 day full size SUV at about $650, then from Costco went to $550 where it stayed for almost the entire time. Last week I checked and got $450. With Costco they include an extra driver for free which Alamo usually charges $8 a day for.

Before I rechecked with Costco I got a great rate on Hotwire; actually a little less. But I stuck with Costco since I knew we could both drive the car without any additional fee.

 

[Daisysmom]

I went to Oahu last year. I agree that the Waikiki area is very crowded. I stayed in the Sheraton there, but spent most of my time away from that beach. I LOVED the Ko'Olina lagoons. There is a guide book called "Oahu Revealed" that is excellent. Actually, the authors, have written a "Revealed" book for each of the islands. It is a must buy for whichever island you go to.

I would definitely recommend staying on one island, but checking out another one or two for a day trip or overnight just to see it while you are there. Also, there is a farmers' market at the College (by the zoo) on Waikiki every Saturday, and it is a lot of fun and you can get great bargains and food.

Have a wonderful time - I would love to go again.

 

[Skatermom23]

I got a great rate from Costco's link to Alamo just last week for Kauai in June. I posted my great Alamo find here because I thought there might be an across the board sale.

We started out at a 13 day full size SUV at about $650, then from Costco went to $550 where it stayed for almost the entire time. Last week I checked and got $450. With Costco they include an extra driver for free which Alamo usually charges $8 a day for.

Before I rechecked with Costco I got a great rate on Hotwire; actually a little less. But I stuck with Costco since I knew we could both drive the car without any additional fee.

I didn't think to check Costco so I will do that today. I don't know about all rental companies but Budget doesn't charge for the extra driver if it is a spouse or significant other.

 

[twinkles]

Thanks everyone! I will be trying all codes provided plus doing some research on my own. I'll let you know what I get and the price.

 

[loisg1]

Daisysmom, thanks for the recommendation of "Oahu Revealed". Went to Barnes and Noble and it definitely seemed to be the best of the ones they offered!