Aulani at the front or back end of a 10 day stay?

[disneyatheart2]

Hello everyone,

I'm planning for our second trip to Aulani (DH, DS17, DS 13) for August 2015. Our first trip, two years ago, we rented a car and traveled to many of the sights on the island. Since we are traveling from the Chicago area, we think it's best to go again for 10 days; however, we feel 10 days is too long on one island. We are considering visiting 3 days at Maui.

Here are my questions:

1. From your experience, is it cheaper to fly to Honolulu from Chicago or to an airport on Maui? We know we will need to fly between islands.

2. Should we begin or end our trip in Maui? Why?

3. Do you have suggestions as to what part of Maui to stay? If so, what resort do you recommend?

Thank you!

 

[Sur]

United from Chicago to HNL direct is a better fare than connections. Maui second. We rent from private parties.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Usually HNL is the least expensive Hawaii airport to fly into.

On Maui the Kaanapali area is usually the most looked to area for visitors although I've always preferred to stay in the Wailea/Makena/Kihei area in good part because it's on the drier part of the island.

Front or tail end - probably doesn't make too much difference. If you want to take a little time adjusting to the time change I'd probably suggest Aulani first since that's the longer part of your stay. By the time you get to Maui you'd be better adjusted which might work better when visiting a new island. But if you'd prefer to wind down a bit before flying back to Chicago then I'd do Aulani last.

 

[Princess_K]

We did Aulani/Oahu second after Maui, and were so glad! It would have been so hard for us to leave Aulani and go elsewhere.

 

[Anal Annie]

We have always ended our trips on Maui so that's how we did it last summer (we could also get a reasonable flight home to DC from Maui w/o having to go back thru HNL). However I will say that as much as we love Maui we wished we had flipped it this time and finished at Aulani. Unless you splurge on a REALLY nice resort on Maui that can match Aulani you will probably feel a let down if you go to Maui second. Whenever we go back we will end at Aulani. JM2C.

 

[CailinFig]

We frequent maui and oahu a lot. We prefer to end with Aulani because it feels so relaxing and its a nice way to end the trip!

 

[CailinFig]

As far as where to stay, we stay in my IL's timeshare in Kihei right next to Wailea/Makena. Kihei is very busy, but convenient. There is an abundance of timeshare rentals there. (Not as nice as Aulani IMO). Wailea is where some of the most beautiful beaches are on the island, but the hotels/rentals in that area are $$$$.

If you're looking for an area like Ko'Olina, Kaanapali is pretty similar and very nice. It's also convenient to Old Town Lahaina.