Aulani- Few Questions!

[CalifLynn]

On Maui, there is a Walmart, right by the airport. Also, on Maui make sure you try the Shave Ice at Ululani's, in our opinion it is the best on any of the islands and we've been to every island over the last few years. It is in Lahaina right on Front St.

 

[flinkerfrosch]

The 8 hotel rooms are in the waianae tower overlooking the parking garage. There are 2 queen beds and the room is a little bigger than the std studios. Sometime last year dvc has installed microwaves in the hotel rooms. But there is no kitchenette. You have the same paper plates and plastic utensils as the studios. Just run down to the cafe to get more. You are only a short elevator ride away.

Thank you for your info!

Looking over a parking lot isn't exactly what I had in mind, but we don't spend much time in the room anyways.
I'm wondering if I should splurge a bit and go for Pool View Instead?
I am Canadian so every dollar spent we have to add on at least 30% for the exchange rate, so it all adds up SO fast!!
I did want the hotel room though for the 2 beds.
It's great to know we could have a microwave, and some utensil etc...

Thank you again for your help!

 

[flinkerfrosch]

On Maui, there is a Walmart, right by the airport. Also, on Maui make sure you try the Shave Ice at Ululani's, in our opinion it is the best on any of the islands and we've been to every island over the last few years. It is in Lahaina right on Front St.

Awesome, thank you!! Love love love shave ice!!! I wrote that down so we don't forget.
Also great to know their is a Walmart. Walmart is our 'go to place' and so is Costco, but we don't always need the big bulk items.
Just curious- what is your fav Island? This will be our first trip to Hawaii and supposed to be our 'dream trip' but from what I'm reading, I have a feeling we will be back sooner then later!!

 

[CalifLynn]

Awesome, thank you!! Love love love shave ice!!! I wrote that down so we don't forget.
Also great to know their is a Walmart. Walmart is our 'go to place' and so is Costco, but we don't always need the big bulk items.
Just curious- what is your fav Island? This will be our first trip to Hawaii and supposed to be our 'dream trip' but from what I'm reading, I have a feeling we will be back sooner then later!!

We have been to Kauai, Maui and Big Island twice, all within the last 4 years. The addiction started as a last minute trip when we realized we had enough air miles and hotels points for a quick 5 night trip to Kauai right before Christmas, the next year was Maui and we stayed in Wailea, then we fell in love with the big island and went there two years in a row. Both DH and I had been to Oahu, he lived there in the 90s (with the Navy) and I had made a couple trips back in the 80s, so this March will be our first trip back there to take our DD (who is a Disney-a-holic and 15 now). We just dream about Hawaii all the time now and our special "Island Time".

There are things I love (and hate) about each island. For relaxation the Big Island is my fav, but I hate that it is so spread out, DH and I are waiting for DD to go off to college so we can go back to our favorite hotel the Mauna Kea on the big island, but DD feels it is a little "slow" for her. For family time I prefer Maui, it just feels like it is geared towards families, Kaanapali is a great area and I love that it is close to Lahaina (great for restaurants and shops), but if you do end up planning another trip and go back to Maui, check out the Grand Wailea (pricey though). I feel like Kauai is the prettiest (but it gets the most rain), the Napali Coast on Kauai is amazing. We have done so many things on each trip (snorkling, ziplines, stand up paddleboard, whale watching, seeing volcanos, hiking through lava tubes, swimming with dolphins, luaus, segway tours) and as our daughter gets older it is fun to see her pick out what she wants to do each trip, the first year it was all about going ziplining now she is looking forward to the SPA at Aulani! Sorry to ramble so much, but as you can see, this has become an addiction. Enjoy your planning!

 

[flinkerfrosch]

We have been to Kauai, Maui and Big Island twice, all within the last 4 years. The addiction started as a last minute trip when we realized we had enough air miles and hotels points for a quick 5 night trip to Kauai right before Christmas, the next year was Maui and we stayed in Wailea, then we fell in love with the big island and went there two years in a row. Both DH and I had been to Oahu, he lived there in the 90s (with the Navy) and I had made a couple trips back in the 80s, so this March will be our first trip back there to take our DD (who is a Disney-a-holic and 15 now). We just dream about Hawaii all the time now and our special "Island Time".

There are things I love (and hate) about each island. For relaxation the Big Island is my fav, but I hate that it is so spread out, DH and I are waiting for DD to go off to college so we can go back to our favorite hotel the Mauna Kea on the big island, but DD feels it is a little "slow" for her. For family time I prefer Maui, it just feels like it is geared towards families, Kaanapali is a great area and I love that it is close to Lahaina (great for restaurants and shops), but if you do end up planning another trip and go back to Maui, check out the Grand Wailea (pricey though). I feel like Kauai is the prettiest (but it gets the most rain), the Napali Coast on Kauai is amazing. We have done so many things on each trip (snorkling, ziplines, stand up paddleboard, whale watching, seeing volcanos, hiking through lava tubes, swimming with dolphins, luaus, segway tours) and as our daughter gets older it is fun to see her pick out what she wants to do each trip, the first year it was all about going ziplining now she is looking forward to the SPA at Aulani! Sorry to ramble so much, but as you can see, this has become an addiction. Enjoy your planning!

Wow!! My addiction is Disney cruises (been on 15 in 3 years and #16 this March) but Hawaii I can see becoming the new one lol
You've done and seen a lot, lucky you!!
Stupid question, but, what is the Big Island?
We're staying on Kaanapali Beach in Maui and very excited!
I'm doing a ton of reading so we can get as much in as possible in the 20 days we will be in Hawaii, and of course some relaxing as well.
Any other tips you may have, fire away!! Rambling is good and I love it lol
Thanks again

 

[CalifLynn]

Wow!! My addiction is Disney cruises (been on 15 in 3 years and #16 this March) but Hawaii I can see becoming the new one lol
You've done and seen a lot, lucky you!!
Stupid question, but, what is the Big Island?
We're staying on Kaanapali Beach in Maui and very excited!
I'm doing a ton of reading so we can get as much in as possible in the 20 days we will be in Hawaii, and of course some relaxing as well.
Any other tips you may have, fire away!! Rambling is good and I love it lol
Thanks again

The Big Island is the nickname for the Island of Hawaii, it is actually the largest of the Islands but less populated, only has a couple of resort areas and much of the island is lava fields, so not the lushness you think of when you think of Hawaii, but it does have lots to offer and does have areas of lushness too along with volcanos! and snow! and manta rays!

I envy your cruises, still trying to talk DH into a Disney Cruise, but after serving on ships in the Navy he doesn't think a cruise sounds like a vacation, he also doesn't like the thought of being stuck on a boat with that many people, I have a feeling me and my daughter will have to go on one without him one of these days.

 

[Amw1064]

Disney cruising was our thing, until we went to Aulani. We went on our once in a lifetime trip in 2015 and returned for an even better trip in 2016. We are heading back this summer as well with a 3 day stop in Maui at the end. We use Aulani as our home base and did day trips over to Waikiki. I have no desire to stay in that area. (I know others love it)

 

[flinkerfrosch]

The Big Island is the nickname for the Island of Hawaii, it is actually the largest of the Islands but less populated, only has a couple of resort areas and much of the island is lava fields, so not the lushness you think of when you think of Hawaii, but it does have lots to offer and does have areas of lushness too along with volcanos! and snow! and manta rays!

I envy your cruises, still trying to talk DH into a Disney Cruise, but after serving on ships in the Navy he doesn't think a cruise sounds like a vacation, he also doesn't like the thought of being stuck on a boat with that many people, I have a feeling me and my daughter will have to go on one without him one of these days.

The Disney Cruises are amazing and certainly a way to vacation, so I hope your husband agrees and goes with you and your family.
My DH took a year to convince, and once he agreed and did one cruise, he had no problem going on more! He said it was the best vacations he's ever been on
The Big Island sounds amazing! I don't need to see snow though lol..I live near Toronto (Canada) and get enough of it already haha!

 

[flinkerfrosch]

Disney cruising was our thing, until we went to Aulani. We went on our once in a lifetime trip in 2015 and returned for an even better trip in 2016. We are heading back this summer as well with a 3 day stop in Maui at the end. We use Aulani as our home base and did day trips over to Waikiki. I have no desire to stay in that area. (I know others love it)

This is what I'm afraid of lol!
I have a feeling Hawaii is my next addiction!!
This Nov trip is supposed to be our 'once in a lifetime' as well...
I guess I shall see come Nov...hehe

We plan on doing some day trips to Waikiki as well. We prefer to stay at Aulani and drive there.

Have an awesome trip in the summer!!!!

 

[frank808]

For shave ice try ice garden in aiea shopping center. I usually goto waikele and have the shaved ice from the stand in front of lowes. Get it with mochi balls, ice cream and snow cap. Yummy

 

[flinkerfrosch]

For shave ice try ice garden in aiea shopping center. I usually goto waikele and have the shaved ice from the stand in front of lowes. Get it with mochi balls, ice cream and snow cap. Yummy

Thank you frank808!

That sounds delicious!

Is this in Maui or Ohau?

 

[heybets30]

We had room 531, hotel room, booked on points. SUPER close to elevators as it's right in the center area (i.e., not hauling laundry across the building to get to the laundry rooms). MUCH preferred over studio/kitchenette. There was no microwave, so we asked them to bring one in, they did. Ditto what others said - you'll need your own plates/utensils. Same housekeeping rules, not every day service. We paid extra for trash service and extra for linen service on day 3 (we were there 6 days). The rooms are DARK, really DARK. Lots of storage under beds. small table, table on balcony. We were high enough up, we had a lovely view over the parking lot, but high enough we weren't looking into it. Very quiet, since not facing pool.

We were given laundry tokens too since we rented DVC points. You still get sparkly pool band - this made the kids very happy (mine were almost 9 and 6 at the time). We grabbed snacks, but we MUCH prefer to eat out. So, bagels & breakfast noshes only in the hotel room, the rest we ate out. We're in the minority where cooking on vacation is not for us at all, so renting points for the hotel room was PERFECT - no kitchenette needed.

 

[flinkerfrosch]

We had room 531, hotel room, booked on points. SUPER close to elevators as it's right in the center area (i.e., not hauling laundry across the building to get to the laundry rooms). MUCH preferred over studio/kitchenette. There was no microwave, so we asked them to bring one in, they did. Ditto what others said - you'll need your own plates/utensils. Same housekeeping rules, not every day service. We paid extra for trash service and extra for linen service on day 3 (we were there 6 days). The rooms are DARK, really DARK. Lots of storage under beds. small table, table on balcony. We were high enough up, we had a lovely view over the parking lot, but high enough we weren't looking into it. Very quiet, since not facing pool.

We were given laundry tokens too since we rented DVC points. You still get sparkly pool band - this made the kids very happy (mine were almost 9 and 6 at the time). We grabbed snacks, but we MUCH prefer to eat out. So, bagels & breakfast noshes only in the hotel room, the rest we ate out. We're in the minority where cooking on vacation is not for us at all, so renting points for the hotel room was PERFECT - no kitchenette needed.

Awesome, thank you!!

I am going to request a higher floor.

We have to move our dates around now, but still going sometime in Nov, probably the beginning. I'm hoping a hotel room is still available.

Thanks for all your helpful info