Aulani Booked Now Questions

[NancyDVC]

Yeah! I was able to book Aulani for October at our 7 month window (with a few booking glitches but as always the DVC advisor was great)! Being able to speak with the same advisor for subsequent phone calls really helped. It was some sort of IS system glitch.

We are 2 'mature' women who can't wait to get there. My friend has some mobility issues (post replacement of both hips and one knee). So walking long distances is difficult for her.

We booked on NCL's Pride of America for 1 week prior to our stay at Aulani. That way we can see much of Hawaii without having to fly between islands, change hotels, unpack and repack every few days. (It seems to be what many DVC members are doing from our area.) And the ship just returned to service after dry dock with many upgrades! Thank goodness for our AAA travel advisor who has also been wonderful as I drive her crazy with questions cruise, airline booking etc.

Then we are staying 8 nights at Aulani. We want to see Pearl Harbor and some other sights. I have been hovering on the DVC member site checking the tour options for some time to get ideas. Tonight there are now 4 choices for Pearl Harbor tours. The original ones by Pleasant Activities with pick up at Aulani and 2 'new' ones by Royal Star with pick up in Waikiki. Are they changing tour operators? Getting to Waikiki for a pick up early in the morning seems a bit much.

I have also reading the DIS Boards as usual for information. Thank goodness for everyone here. These boards have been my lifesaver in the past!

Has anyone done any of these tours? Are the Royal Star tours through a new tour group? My friend
We do plan to rent a car to pick up groceries, see the Dole Plantation and some other things. I know that I can't book any of these tours yet but I want to be sure what I am doing before I book.

Any other suggestions are welcome.

 

[OKW Lover]

If you are renting a car anyway, get one for two days. Self parking at Aulani is free for DVC members, so you could rent for two days or do two separate one-day rentals.

Pearl Harbor is fairly easy to drive to from Aulani and you can also stop on the way back to pick up groceries, etc. Also, don't book an outside tour of Pearl Harbor. Just go to the National Park Service website and book a time (small convenience fee) yourself. They offer an audio tour that is very good and self-paced.

 

[mommy2eee]

We are going in 3 weeks and my husband has mobility issues with MS. We have rented a scooter from www.ugomobility.com
So far they have been great! Their site has a series of videos on accessibility throughout Oahus attractions.

 

[VolcomPaul]

Yeah! I was able to book Aulani for October at our 7 month window (with a few booking glitches but as always the DVC advisor was great)! Being able to speak with the same advisor for subsequent phone calls really helped. It was some sort of IS system glitch.

We are 2 'mature' women who can't wait to get there. My friend has some mobility issues (post replacement of both hips and one knee). So walking long distances is difficult for her.

We booked on NCL's Pride of America for 1 week prior to our stay at Aulani. That way we can see much of Hawaii without having to fly between islands, change hotels, unpack and repack every few days. (It seems to be what many DVC members are doing from our area.) And the ship just returned to service after dry dock with many upgrades! Thank goodness for our AAA travel advisor who has also been wonderful as I drive her crazy with questions cruise, airline booking etc.

Then we are staying 8 nights at Aulani. We want to see Pearl Harbor and some other sights. I have been hovering on the DVC member site checking the tour options for some time to get ideas. Tonight there are now 4 choices for Pearl Harbor tours. The original ones by Pleasant Activities with pick up at Aulani and 2 'new' ones by Royal Star with pick up in Waikiki. Are they changing tour operators? Getting to Waikiki for a pick up early in the morning seems a bit much.

I have also reading the DIS Boards as usual for information. Thank goodness for everyone here. These boards have been my lifesaver in the past!

Has anyone done any of these tours? Are the Royal Star tours through a new tour group? My friend
We do plan to rent a car to pick up groceries, see the Dole Plantation and some other things. I know that I can't book any of these tours yet but I want to be sure what I am doing before I book.

Any other suggestions are welcome.

You are going to have an AMAZING time! I use to work for NCL on the PoA and it is one of the best ways to see the Hawaiian islands. As for 8 days at Aulani, you two are going to have a blast! Alumni is in Ko'olina which is on the west end of Oahu. I do recommend renting a car. Alumni has a pickup and drop of by Hertz wight at the hotel but its recommended to book in advance. Having your own vehicle is the BEST way to see what Oahu has to offer. Even though its an island, its much bigger then most expect. Also as of the Pearl Harbor tour, if you drive yourself and get there early enough, to see the USS Arizona memorial; its FREE. Also parking isn't hard or that expensive in Waikiki, plus theres plenty of street parking with meters for a few hours, or if your friend has a handicap permit, make sure to bring it with you; parking is free at meters in Hawaii. Anyways I hope you two have a great time, and if you have any questions please feel free to ask me, I use to live in Ko'olina HI and know that island inside and out. Good luck and ALOHA \ooo/

 

[NancyDVC]

mommy2eee,

Thanks for the link! I will check it out. She usually rents an ECV when we are at WDW so this may make it easier for her!

Volcom Paul,
When did you work on PoA? I have a cousin who has worked onboard for a few years.
We have looked at Hertz. It is good to know that we can drop it at Aulani if we want to. I know that the Arizona Memorial is free but the logistics concern me. It's nice to know that parking is free with a HC permit. Yes, she has one and we plan to bring it.

Thanks for the info. I may be getting back to you with more questions.

 

[mommy2eee]

@NancyDVC we have rented at the parks too. We are planning Pearl Harbor as the Arizona memorial is accessible (the others are not). We took advantage of booking the tickets online at the 2month window so we had a guaranteed tour time early (we will be up early as we are from the east coast). The tickets are free but there is a $1.50 per ticket service charge.
We leave in 3 weeks and I'll do a trip report including an accessibility report.

mommy2eee,

Thanks for the link! I will check it out. She usually rents an ECV when we are at WDW so this may make it easier for her!

Volcom Paul,
When did you work on PoA? I have a cousin who has worked onboard for a few years.
We have looked at Hertz. It is good to know that we can drop it at Aulani if we want to. I know that the Arizona Memorial is free but the logistics concern me. It's nice to know that parking is free with a HC permit. Yes, she has one and we plan to bring it.

Thanks for the info. I may be getting back to you with more questions.