At Aulani - First Impressions

[jekjones1558]

i know it seems like a lot, but this trip is my mom's bucket list item. We would get in early on the arrival day, like 9:45 so I figure we are at the resort by noon. Definitely have time to either chill at the resort, or go and explore... I am still debating the PCC. We were not going to do the luau there, but we could definitely get in the dole plantation and the north shore exploration potentially that day. Gotta find out if mom wants to do the missouri, I wasn't fascinated by it, but she might be, but if so, that would be on the pearl harbor day. Figured we could get in a few more small things that day, but need to look at a map and find out where they are. Might even be able to get Waikiki in on that day. I highly doubt we would be hiking diamond head as my mom turns 65 this year.

We also have the red eye on the way home, so would not leave until like 7pm so have time on departure day to chill as well.

Does Aulani hold bags like the rest of Disney resorts? So we could drop off our bags and then go explore until the room is ready?

I still haven't gotten mom's approval on this trip, she is having some trepidation about leaving my handicapped father with my husband. I had to remind her she had the same concern when she left him with me the first time.

Had we to do it over again I would skip PCC. The evening show is good, I even like it better than any luau I've seen. But it doesn't finish until 9:00 and then you have to drive halfway around Oahu to get back. It makes for a very long day.
Don't rule out Diamond Head. I am 66 and did fine. It is HOT. Bring water!

 

[Anal Annie]

i know it seems like a lot, but this trip is my mom's bucket list item. We would get in early on the arrival day, like 9:45 so I figure we are at the resort by noon. Definitely have time to either chill at the resort, or go and explore... I am still debating the PCC. We were not going to do the luau there, but we could definitely get in the dole plantation and the north shore exploration potentially that day. Gotta find out if mom wants to do the missouri, I wasn't fascinated by it, but she might be, but if so, that would be on the pearl harbor day. Figured we could get in a few more small things that day, but need to look at a map and find out where they are. Might even be able to get Waikiki in on that day. I highly doubt we would be hiking diamond head as my mom turns 65 this year.

We also have the red eye on the way home, so would not leave until like 7pm so have time on departure day to chill as well.

Does Aulani hold bags like the rest of Disney resorts? So we could drop off our bags and then go explore until the room is ready?

I still haven't gotten mom's approval on this trip, she is having some trepidation about leaving my handicapped father with my husband. I had to remind her she had the same concern when she left him with me the first time.

I'm with Jean...I think you have too much planned for the amount of time you are planning and I would defintely bag going to the PCC. I went on my first trip to Hawaii and it was THE longest day and way over priced plus I felt very out of place and uncomfortable the whole day. I would never recommend it to anyone...esp. if you are not going for the show.....that would be the highlight of it. JM2C.

 

[amym2]

We actually enjoyed the PCC, but then we had two kids with us. It kind of reminded me of EP with visiting the different countries for entertainment and activities. The canoe pageant was pretty neat as well. With the BOGO one coupon in the Entertainment Book, it was definitely a better deal. We did the Dole Plantation, some North Shore stops (Turtle Beach, Giovanni's Shrimp Truck), and the PCC in one day. We really could have skipped the Dole Plantation, but the kids wanted to do the maze. We didn't stay for the show at the PCC, so we were back by dinner time.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Yes! Would love to know about Fia Fia as well. I'm booked at that laua.

Thanks

How far in advance did you book fia fia?

Thanks!

 

[Mickey Mantle]

How far in advance did you book fia fia? Thanks!

I booked January 15 for the February 11th show. We were right in front on the right side of the stage. Both my son, my daughter, and myself were invited on stage during the show.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

I booked January 15 for the February 11th show. We were right in front on the right side of the stage. Both my son, my daughter, and myself were invited on stage during the show.

Thank you! So I can wait awhile!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

PCC and Pearl Harbor are the two main things I remember seeing when we visited Oahu when I was 9 or 10 so I think it's worth it. Dole Plantation - I remember that from other islands but that's back when they used to have pineapple and sugar cane fields all over hawaii. These days I think that might be the one I'd skip if having to decide between it and PCC.

 

[yolie912]

I booked January 15 for the February 11th show. We were right in front on the right side of the stage. Both my son, my daughter, and myself were invited on stage during the show.

Did you like it?

 

[shortypots]

Just booked 5 nights there in September. Very excited. Got a oceanview studio from sept 13-sept 18. This is my mom's 65th birthday present from me and my husband.

Working on my schedule now. our flight gets in around 1 pm, so I figure we will be at the resort between 3-4pm. I was hoping we could go to mass at st judes, then grab some dinner around the resort and chill out. Any recommendations for reasonably priced food around there that is Hawaiian?

 

[shortypots]

Also where is the best place to park if I wanted to visit Waikiki beach?

 

[shortypots]

Another question, does anyone know if the PCC tour for the ambassador luau includes stops at the Dole Plantation, or do they just point at it while they pass it? If I get the tour for a little more money from Aulani, then my mom and I can drink as much as we want and not worry about who is driving. Thanks!

 

[Mickey Mantle]

Did you like it?

Yeah it was fun. Kids loved it, my wife had fun. It's good entertainment if you have never been to a Luau before, which I hadn't.

 

[Mickey Mantle]

PCC and Pearl Harbor are the two main things I remember seeing when we visited Oahu when I was 9 or 10 so I think it's worth it. Dole Plantation - I remember that from other islands but that's back when they used to have pineapple and sugar cane fields all over hawaii. These days I think that might be the one I'd skip if having to decide between it and PCC.

The people who I talked to at home that had done the Dole Plantation over the years said to skip it. "cheesy tourist trap" is how one friend described it. So I just drive right on by. I hear the Dole whip is tasty though.

 

[jekjones1558]

Also where is the best place to park if I wanted to visit Waikiki beach?

Go on a weekend and save yourself big traffic headaches. Waikiki Shopping Center has $5 parking from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sat. and Sun. Other times it is $2.50/half hour, so that is a bargain and it is close to Waikiki. We went on Sunday after hiking Diamond Head in the morning. We ate at Duke's right on the beach at Outrigger Waikiki. They have a great Sunday brunch until 3:00 or so that is only $15.95. Lots of nice salads and some meat items plus made to order pasta---a real steal and you can't beat the view.

 

[jekjones1558]

The people who I talked to at home that had done the Dole Plantation over the years said to skip it. "cheesy tourist trap" is how one friend described it. So I just drive right on by. I hear the Dole whip is tasty though.

We stopped at Dole on the way to the North Shore. Didn't do the tour. Took photos of the pineapples growing near the store and had Dole Whip with pineapple topping. Only stayed about 25 minutes and thought it was fine for what we did.

 

[Bunless]

Another question, does anyone know if the PCC tour for the ambassador luau includes stops at the Dole Plantation, or do they just point at it while they pass it? If I get the tour for a little more money from Aulani, then my mom and I can drink as much as we want and not worry about who is driving. Thanks!

There is no booze at PCC.

 

[Anal Annie]

Another question, does anyone know if the PCC tour for the ambassador luau includes stops at the Dole Plantation, or do they just point at it while they pass it? If I get the tour for a little more money from Aulani, then my mom and I can drink as much as we want and not worry about who is driving. Thanks!

Ummm…the PCC is run by the Mormon Church so it's on the prim & proper side. You'll be drinking kool-aid & fruit punch over there.

 

[shortypots]

Wow, didn't know that, that makes me feel better about driving it after the luau.