Aulani for Teenagers

[ProudMommyof2]

I have scoured tripadvisor and there are tons of reviews with families with the under 12 set. Can't get much info on the teen scene. We are considering a April or August 2015 trip with our then 16 and almost 14 year olds. Obviously, just being in Hawaii will be amazing, but is there enough at Aulani to separate it from the other resorts for teens, like there seems to be for younger kids at Aunty's?

 

[Cinderpamela]

I have scoured tripadvisor and there are tons of reviews with families with the under 12 set. Can't get much info on the teen scene. We are considering a April or August 2015 trip with our then 16 and almost 14 year olds. Obviously, just being in Hawaii will be amazing, but is there enough at Aulani to separate it from the other resorts for teens, like there seems to be for younger kids at Aunty's?

I am not sure what other resorts for teens you would be refering to? Honestly curious to know what other resorts have that.

When we were at Aulani there were lots of teen and full family activities that teens might be interested in pretty much every day that are listed on the Daily Iwa (the daily schedule that is put out and can be picked up at the front desk each morning).

Its really just kind of dependent on what your teens are into. Its certainly not as much as what is offered for kids at Aunties Beach House.

Every day we would pick up the Daily Ewa and I would try and talk my teen boys into trying some of the teen specific activities that were listed. There were usually around 4-5 listed daily specifically for teens. DS (16) did wind up going to the Teen Animation Studio activity one night from 8:30-9:30 and enjoyed it. There were around 12 other teens that participated.
We really wanted to do the Ukelele class but the timing never worked for us.

Just to throw out some of the Teen (or 'OPIO as they were called in the Daily Iwa) activity options that appeared on our various Daily Iwa's ....
They had a:
-teen athletic boot camp on certain days at 11am
-a teen Sunset Mele on the beach on one day at 5:45
-frozen yogurt socials
-beach games
-Teen Aloha House Party
-Teen Island Beach Challenge
-Teen Activity Game Night

just to name a few.

The most memorable thing that our boys just loved was the surf lessons we scheduled with Hawaiian Fire.... that was an absolute blast for our whole family! http://www.hawaiianfire.com/Irons/

Hope that helps!

 

[kkmcan]

I'm interested in teen activities as well. Our kids will be 17 and 14 when we are there in March. They never were into the clubs when we cruised so I don't expect them to want to go participate much but I am hoping they will at least pick 1 or 2 things to try out. I think my dd will be interested in ukulele lessons as she's currently learning guitar. And maybe the ice cream social would appeal to both of them.

 

[Anal Annie]

My DS always loved the kids clubs on the DCL's we did in the past but the last time we went on a cruise he was 14 - this summer he will be 17 so I am not anticipating he will be so into the activities they have. I think when we're not doing family activities like Pearl Harbor or surf lessons (which we're planning to do on the North Shore) he will likely be glued to his iPad, much like at home.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

I am not sure what other resorts for teens you would be refering to? Honestly curious to know what other resorts have that.

When we were at Aulani there were lots of teen and full family activities that teens might be interested in pretty much every day that are listed on the Daily Iwa (the daily schedule that is put out and can be picked up at the front desk each morning).

Its really just kind of dependent on what your teens are into. Its certainly not as much as what is offered for kids at Aunties Beach House.

Every day we would pick up the Daily Ewa and I would try and talk my teen boys into trying some of the teen specific activities that were listed. There were usually around 4-5 listed daily specifically for teens. DS (16) did wind up going to the Teen Animation Studio activity one night from 8:30-9:30 and enjoyed it. There were around 12 other teens that participated.
We really wanted to do the Ukelele class but the timing never worked for us.

Just to throw out some of the Teen (or 'OPIO as they were called in the Daily Iwa) activity options that appeared on our various Daily Iwa's ....
They had a:
-teen athletic boot camp on certain days at 11am
-a teen Sunset Mele on the beach on one day at 5:45
-frozen yogurt socials
-beach games
-Teen Aloha House Party
-Teen Island Beach Challenge
-Teen Activity Game Night

just to name a few.

The most memorable thing that our boys just loved was the surf lessons we scheduled with Hawaiian Fire.... that was an absolute blast for our whole family! http://www.hawaiianfire.com/Irons/

Hope that helps!

I don't have any info on specific resorts with better teen programming. I have read that staying in Waikiki and having the ability to walk to sights and activities has its allure. However, the cost of Aulani compared to other resorts, including villa resorts, does separate it, IMHO. I don't mind paying the premium if their is additional value, as with DCL. Teens may not utilize the offerings on DCL but there are a ton of them. A lot of reviews mention the kids programming as a major plus for families with kids 12 and under. I can not find many reviews that mention the same for teens. In fact, I have read trip reports that mention that the activities are not great. I was just looking for more input.
Thanks,
Pam