Aulani, Disneyland, or both

[Leleluvsdis]

I am starting to plan my 30th birthday trip for 2015. Yeah, I know it is a ways away and there is no way to get a precise price, but hey, this is going to be big, and we have got to start saving now. When we travel, it will be me- 30, DH-34, Baby-2, My mom-70, and my dad- 74.

I had said I wanted to go to Disneyland, but now I am debating doing a split trip. Which would you do. Wednesday-Monday DL, Monday-Saturday Aulani, or Thursday-Saturday at DL.

We are on the east coast, so the chances of going to DL again are slim, as well as, going to Aulani. We had debating on doing a cruise, but having a 2 year old, it would be much more expensive, and we fear we would be much more limited on what we could do, as opposed to waiting until their a little older.

I know the DL/Aulani trip would be more expensive, but based on what I have priced, it isn't a huge difference. The biggest factor is going to be the cost of flights.

So, with all of that said, faced with the decision, which would you choose, and why? Thank you for your help in advance!!

 

[ludari]

I am starting to plan my 30th birthday trip for 2015. Yeah, I know it is a ways away and there is no way to get a precise price, but hey, this is going to be big, and we have got to start saving now. When we travel, it will be me- 30, DH-34, Baby-2, My mom-70, and my dad- 74.

I had said I wanted to go to Disneyland, but now I am debating doing a split trip. Which would you do. Wednesday-Monday DL, Monday-Saturday Aulani, or Thursday-Saturday at DL.

We are on the east coast, so the chances of going to DL again are slim, as well as, going to Aulani. We had debating on doing a cruise, but having a 2 year old, it would be much more expensive, and we fear we would be much more limited on what we could do, as opposed to waiting until their a little older.

I know the DL/Aulani trip would be more expensive, but based on what I have priced, it isn't a huge difference. The biggest factor is going to be the cost of flights.

So, with all of that said, faced with the decision, which would you choose, and why? Thank you for your help in advance!!

Looking at your situation and just having returned from Aulani a few weeks ago my first response would be do both. I have been visiting Disneyland since I was a kid and as much as I enjoy visiting the DLR parks I think your group of primarily adults will enjoy visiting Aulani. I would stay at Aulani from Monday-Saturday and DLR parks from Saturday to Tuesday. Staying at Aulani during the week should be less expensive and you can save money by staying at one of many local hotels near Disneyland on the weekend. If I had to choose one place I would pick Aulani.

 

[stacieps]

We leave in 3 1/2 weeks to do both (me, DD 16, and DS 13). We'll be on Oahu (combo Marriott/Aulani) from Friday-Sunday (9 nights), then DL (GCV) Sunday-Friday (5 nights). We're also from the east coast (NH), so I thought going to DL at the end of the trip would help with the time change coming home.

I watched flights for a while and had researched what "good" rates were. I budgeted $1,000pp (figuring summer would be on the higher end of rates). Ended up paying $850pp (booked r/t BOS-LAX and separate r/t LAX-HNL).

Good luck with your planning!

 

[Cinderpamela]

I agree with ludari! If you can swing it, do both!

For the last DIS unplugged (5/21) they were broadcasting from Aulani and they recommended that it would be easier for east coasters to do a few days at DLR to get acclimated to the time difference, and also to break up that long flight. If you haven't watched the broadcast yet you may want to. It got me really excited for our trip in December.

 

[amym2]

With a two year old, there won't be much time changing, you'll likely be staying close to the time at home and just dealing with it (ie up at 3am to bed at 6pm). Personally I'd wait for Aulani until your little one is older. I'm sure people have taken their 2yo there and had a great time, but I'd be stressed having to watch my kid around the pool and ocean the whole time. With family, I'm sure you could get a break, but I wouldn't want to burden the grandparents with too much babysitting, I'd want them to enjoy the resort, too.

If you've never been to San Diego, I'd do a DLR/San Diego trip. Your 2yo would love the SD Zoo and you could even do Sea World. We did that trip a few years ago (our kids were 8 and 6) and loved it. You don't really need more than 3 or 4 days for DLR.