Aulani and Volcanos?

[pjacobi]

If I were to stay at Aulani, how would I get to Volcanos NP on the Big Island? I looked at the list of excursion, but didn't see anything here: http://www.mousesavers.com/hawaii.html

Does ABD have an excursion to Volcanos or is it easy to plan your own excursion to the Big Island?

The DCL schedule for Hawaii does not have anything during the summer, so the only curise possibility would be NCL Pride of America.


-Paul

 

[tiger4me2]

Just my two cents I would think you would have to book it on your own but maybe others would know more.MHO

 

[el_tigre]

I can't tell you if Aulani arranges excursions to Volcano National Park, but I strongly recommend making it more than just a day trip. If doing it on your own, you have to drive 30+ minutes to HNL, allow at least two hours for the flight (counting check-in), then driving another 45+ from Hilo to the park's entrance and then having to do the reverse at the end of the day. That doesn't leave much time to really experience the park.

If at all possible, you should spend at least a night in Volcano (and I really vote for two). Volcano National Park is just too spectacular and has too much to experience for just a few hour day trip. And visiting it is well worth it.

 

[LukenDC]

Aulani offers guided day trips to some of the other islands, including Hawaii. The excursions are quite long (15+ hours) and expensive (between $300 and $400). I found this information on the Aulani web site.

 

[pjacobi]

I found that Disney doesn't do the off-island activities. It is outsourced to Pleasant Activates (http://pleasantactivities.com/hawaii.cfm)

Is anyone else disappointed that Disney does not make it easy to see the single most unique thing about Hawaii?

If all I wanted was a resort, the Poly is a lot closer and cheaper!


-Paul

 

[el_tigre]

I found that Disney doesn't do the off-island activities. It is outsourced to Pleasant Activates (http://pleasantactivities.com/hawaii.cfm)

Is anyone else disappointed that Disney does not make it easy to see the single most unique thing about Hawaii?

If all I wanted was a resort, the Poly is a lot closer and cheaper!


-Paul

I take it you have never been to Hawaii. The Poly more closely resembles a giant Tiki Room than what you will find on the Islands.

While I can understand your disappointment, Pleasant Activities is a very reputable company in Hawaii. Disney is only going to partner with the best, and I'm sure any excursion offered would be top notch. Besides, with only 360 rooms at Aulani, I don't think Disney has enough consistent demand to arrange tours for every island on a regular basis.

Regardless, Aulani's focus is with O'ahu, and rightfully so IMO. It's like being upset with Disneyworld for not arranging tours for the single most unique thing about Florida, Everglades National Park. You can't be everything to everybody unfortunately.

 

[mmmears]

It's a long way from Aulani to VNP. We were in Kona a few months ago, and it was a full-day's trip to visit the park. (And that is on the same island). I would save it for another trip, or maybe fly from Honolulu to the Big Island for a few days. There are many things to do and see over there.

 

[MickeyisanNDfan]

I just returned from ouahu and did a day tour to the big island. All I wanted to see was the volcanos but i was by myself and didn't want to rent a car. The tour was LONG and went to a lot of places that had nothing to do with volcanos. I think a lot of the tour companys are like this.

If I were with others I would rent a car in Hilo at the airport and drive to the park and see what you want to see. I think it is totally doable in a day. The last flight leaves Hilo at about 8:30pm. The volcano is INCREDIBLE and well worth the trip.

 

[pjacobi]

I have never been to Hawaii and may make a one-in-a-life-time trip. I want to see as much of Hawaii as possible.

To accomplish my travel goals, it appears that I will need to plan several short stays on several islands. When I get to Oahu, Aulani will be among many choices.

Aulani may be a nice resort, but probably does not fit my travel plans for Hawaii.


-Paul

 

[*Fantasia*]

I have never been to Hawaii and may make a one-in-a-life-time trip. I want to see as much of Hawaii as possible.

To accomplish my travel goals, it appears that I will need to plan several short stays on several islands. When I get to Oahu, Aulani will be among many choices.

Aulani may be a nice resort, but probably does not fit my travel plans for Hawaii.


-Paul

Please also visit Haleakala National Park in Maui. They have craters of volcanoes. People go there early in the morning to catch the sunrise at around 5, depending on the time of year. Maui is more quiet and less city like, not like Oahu. I'll see if I can post some pictures of Maui, especially Haleakala. It's been a while since I posted pictures.. so not sure if I still know how.

 

[el_tigre]

I have never been to Hawaii and may make a one-in-a-life-time trip. I want to see as much of Hawaii as possible.

To accomplish my travel goals, it appears that I will need to plan several short stays on several islands. When I get to Oahu, Aulani will be among many choices.

Aulani may be a nice resort, but probably does not fit my travel plans for Hawaii.


-Paul

I think you are on the right track. Aulani is in a more isolated part of the island and is probably more well suited for a guest looking to spend more resort time.

For a once-in-a-lifetime trip, my one recommendation is not to bite off more than you can chew. I know you want to see everything, but if you try to see all the islands in too short of an itinerary, you won't see enough of anything. I would strongly recommend staying no less than four nights for any island you'll visit. So, for an eight day trip for example, I would choose the Big Island and either Maui or Oahu. That said, the North Shore of Kauai is my favorite place on Earth and would be my definition of the ultimate paradise. Whereever you choose to go, you'll have a great trip regardless.

 

[Mouse14]

i spent a week there in febuary for my honeymoon, as mentioned before there are no volcanoes on the island with aulani, and the do out source most of their tours, ie Pearl Harbor... still good tours just not real sure how they get to the other island volcanoes...

 

[*Fantasia*]

Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawaii

 

[gamerlovesdisney]

If you want to see a sampler of all the islands, try taking a cruise around the islands. Norweigian cruise lines has a 7 day cruise going to all the main islands. And yes, they even have shore excursions to the Volcanic National Park (and at night, when cruising around the big island, you get to see the lava going into the ocean-very cool). I've done the cruise 3 times now, and see new things with each cruise, including humpback whales that on one occassion put on a show for the entire ship. Traveling between the islands by plane is very expensive and time consuming, so going by cruise ship is so much easier. Sure, it's not Disney, but it is worth a trip!

 

[pjacobi]

The only Hawaii cruise that would fit school vacation schedule is NCL Pride of America. How does that ship compare with Magic/Wonder?


-Paul

 

[Haley]

The only Hawaii cruise that would fit school vacation schedule is NCL Pride of America. How does that ship compare with Magic/Wonder?


-Paul

BIG BIG difference...

 

[taaren]

As a local, I can tell you that if you're planning on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii, one week is too short. Each island has its own personality and unique things to see, and each one should take 3-4 days minimum. If you want a taste of each to whet your appetite, then the cruise might be the way to go. If you only have a week and want to cover as much 'ground' as possible without sacrificing quality vacation time and sightseeing, I'd recommend picking two, fly into one, then out from the other and splitting your time between them. Island hopping is time consuming, you easily lose a half day by the time you head from a resort to an airport (which are on the opposite sides of the islands from the airports which are located in the towns where people live and work and don't mind the noise and air pollution), check in, get off the plane and collect your luggage and head to your new resort.

Growing up here I have cousins on two of the islands (Big Island and Oahu), have lived on two (Maui and Oahu), and had relatives with a timeshare on the last (Kauai). Still haven't seen it all (of course I don't spend a lot of my vacation time here either). Kauai and Big Island are the most rural and natural, though they all have spectacular natural vistas to offer. Maui is the best balance between nature and civilization, and Oahu has the most historical sites to visit and civilization, but it is mostly city (except for Aulani and the North Shore).

Aulani is gorgeous and does present a very nice Disneyfied version of Hawaii, and if you want a beach vacation its top notch. However if you're looking for a more Hawaiian/natural experience based on our geological wonders, the Big Island and Maui are probably the way to go.

BTW, "day tripping" to another island in Hawaii really is something best done for business. Not a pleasant experience for a vacation unless you're thinking about launching to Lanai from Maui because that's a quick ferry ride.

 

[mmmears]

I have never been to Hawaii and may make a one-in-a-life-time trip. I want to see as much of Hawaii as possible.

To accomplish my travel goals, it appears that I will need to plan several short stays on several islands. When I get to Oahu, Aulani will be among many choices.

Aulani may be a nice resort, but probably does not fit my travel plans for Hawaii.


-Paul

I agree with what you are thinking. Aulani (from what I hear from friends) is a great Disney-fied beach resort in Hawaii, with some Hawaiian culture thrown in. If you want to really see Hawaii, I'd advise you go to Kauai and see the Na Pali Coast and Waimea Canyon, and that you go to the Big Island and go to Hawaii Volcanos Nat'l Park. Maui is also quite beautiful... I don't know that it can be done in one trip (unless it's a long one), but the islands are far enough apart that you need to take a plane to go from one to another.