Aulani Newbie's Plan

[JM735]

Hello! I’m a longtime reader of the DIS boards, but this is my first post.

Here’s the background… Our group will be me, my other half and his parents. We will be going to Aulani in January 2018 and staying ten nights in a two-bedroom villa using points. This is the first trip to Hawaii for each of us. Who knows what will happen in the future, but we are planning this trip as if it will be our only visit to Hawaii. At least for the foreseeable future! So, we are seeking that balance of relaxation and seeing the sites. We all enjoy dining experiences so that has also driven our planning.

Below is the current activity and meal plan. Meals not listed will mostly be in the room or something casual/convenient. We will also grab some 'can't miss' snacks from places such as Leonard's Bakery and Matsumoto Shave Ice.

Please offer any recommendations and thanks in advance!

Tuesday, Jan 9: Arrive HNL 2:15 p.m.; Dinner: Monkeypod
Wednesday, Jan 10: Breakfast: Makahiki; Lunch: Kona Brewing Co.; Costco/Target; Dinner: Ama Ama
Thursday, Jan 11: Pearl Harbor (8a-2p); Dinner: Haleiwa Beach House
Friday, Jan 12: Cabana/Resort time; Dinner: Aulani Luau
Saturday, Jan 13: Oahu Private Tours: North Shore (8a - 2p); Dinner: Roy's (Hawaii Kai)
Sunday, Jan 14: Brunch: Hoku's
Monday, Jan 15: Breakfast: Ama Ama; Oahu Private Tours: South Side Tour (8a-2p); Dinner: Michel's at Colony Surf
Tuesday, Jan 16: Diamond Head (9a-11a); Lunch: Nico's Pier 38; Dinner: Makahiki
Wednesday, Jan 17: Kualoa Ranch (9a-11:30p); Lunch: Kualoa Ranch Buffet; Climbworks Zipline (2p-5p)
Thursday, Jan 18: Cabana/Resort time
Friday, Jan 19: Lunch: Ama Ama; Depart HNL 4:55 p.m.

 

[nkereina]

Looks like you have a good plan! One tip - make a reservation on Open Table for Monkeypod! We made one right before walking over there and were seated immediately. Those without one had about a 45 minute wait. If your plans another night change, Monkeypod also has great happy hour specials. We ate there twice which I wasn't planning on, both times it was delicious.

For your Thursday 1/11 day, Pearl Harbor is in one direction and Haleiwa Beach House is in the North Shore, in the opposite direction of Aulani. About an hour's drive from one to the other, not including traffic. Just keep that in mind. Also, are you doing all the tours at Pearl Harbor? We just did the Arizona and were there for about 3.5 hours.

Are you planning any time in Waikiki? It looks like you may have time on your Diamond Head day. Keep this in mind though - we wore athletic clothes to hike Diamond Head and were very sweaty and gross afterward. We were staying in Waikiki at the time so we were able to go back and shower. We would not have wanted to do much else after our hike. I'm not familiar with Nico's Pier 38, but would recommend a casual stop for lunch after Diamond Head.

If you have time on your North Shore day, I highly recommend stopping by one of the shrimp trucks or Kono's for lunch. Kono's pork bomber was one of the best things we ate all trip!

 

[buffettgirl]

In addition to what was said about the Thursday , the same goes for Saturday. North Shore and Aulaui and Hawaii KAi are all in different areas. There is a Roy's right in Ko'olina and there is a Roy's in Waikiki, all much closer. On Wednesday you're going to also be in Hawaii Kai for Kona - are you doing something else that day too?

 

[JM735]

Thanks for the feedback! These are the things we want to hear about.

I figured ten days would be plenty, but since we want to get enough resort time, the days fill up quickly! And the traffic sounds like a major issue. I’m torn on whether it is better to have a few busier days (potentially driving across the island) versus more mixed days with venturing out in the morning and staying at Aulani in the afternoon, or vice versa.

One tip - make a reservation on Open Table for Monkeypod! We made one right before walking over there and were seated immediately. Those without one had about a 45 minute wait. If your plans another night change, Monkeypod also has great happy hour specials. We ate there twice which I wasn't planning on, both times it was delicious.

Good tip on Monkeypod reservation. I definitely plan on taking advantage of happy hour specials!!

Also, are you doing all the tours at Pearl Harbor? We just did the Arizona and were there for about 3.5 hours.

We are leaning toward doing a few of the tours at Pearl Harbor – definitely the Arizona and the Bowfin. The Missouri and Pacific Aviation museum are more undecided based on time and how that day goes (crowds, weather, etc.).

Are you planning any time in Waikiki? It looks like you may have time on your Diamond Head day. Keep this in mind though - we wore athletic clothes to hike Diamond Head and were very sweaty and gross afterward. We were staying in Waikiki at the time so we were able to go back and shower. We would not have wanted to do much else after our hike. I'm not familiar with Nico's Pier 38, but would recommend a casual stop for lunch after Diamond Head.

That’s a valid question. Maybe I’ll pack an extra box of Wet Ones to refresh!! I believe that Nico’s Pier 38 is more casual, but that’s something we will think about.

North Shore and Aulaui and Hawaii KAi are all in different areas. There is a Roy's right in Ko'olina and there is a Roy's in Waikiki, all much closer.

I read or heard somewhere that the Roy’s in Hawaii Kai has a better view/ambiance. Maybe that’s not the case though, or not worth the extra driving. I’ll check into the Ko Olina one!

On Wednesday you're going to also be in Hawaii Kai for Kona - are you doing something else that day too?

Kona is up in the air right now since it’s only a pub and not actually brewed there. But it still sounds fun and seemed like we might be able to make it there and back mid-day without as much traffic. Only other plan that afternoon is to hit the stores to stock up on some food.

 

[buffettgirl]

The roys in Hawaii kai has a nice view, but really it's all about the same as the others, food wise. I don't know that I'd drive there JUST for the better view.

On the other hand, I do routinely drive to Kona just to eat, because it's yummy and I've never had a bad meal there.

 

[alldiz]

Looks like a good plan and like PP's have said driving more might be a concern.
I also am using Oahu private tours for our July trip to north shore. I will have to check out that south side tour. We are only at aulani 5 nights so just want to enjoy resort mostly. We are doing Cruise around island after so more touring then.

Question if u make a reservation at monkeypod for happy hour is that ok?
Do they reserve bar area or is happy hour specials good in whole restaurant?
Thanks
Kerri

 

[JM735]

The roys in Hawaii kai has a nice view, but really it's all about the same as the others, food wise. I don't know that I'd drive there JUST for the better view.

On the other hand, I do routinely drive to Kona just to eat, because it's yummy and I've never had a bad meal there.

Thanks again for your advice! I think we will go with the Ko Olina Roy's - more resort time before dinner. Also, I'm glad to hear you've had good experiences at Kona - I don't remember seeing it mentioned very much on the boards.

 

[JM735]

Looks like a good plan and like PP's have said driving more might be a concern.
I also am using Oahu private tours for our July trip to north shore. I will have to check out that south side tour.

We were originally going to do the North Shore and Pearl Harbor tours through Oahu Private tours, but they no longer offer the Pearl Harbor one, so we are going to do that on our own. Based on the descriptions on their website, both the North and South tours sound like they will hit a lot of the sites we want to see. But with the added benefits of their knowledge and them doing the driving!! I'm hoping we may hit one of the lunch places nkereina mentioned in her post above.

 

[nkereina]

I’m torn on whether it is better to have a few busier days (potentially driving across the island) versus more mixed days with venturing out in the morning and staying at Aulani in the afternoon, or vice versa.

We had busy days and resort days. On our days of sightseeing, I planned it regionally to limit the driving around - we had one full day in the North Shore which included Dole and Waimea Valley, along with Matsumoto's. We had lunch there as well and would have had time for dinner at Haleiwa Beach House but opted to go elsewhere. On the second day, we had a full day on the windward side of the island which included Kualoa Ranch and Kailua. We would have had time to do a Waikiki day which could include Diamond Head, beach, shopping, etc. but we stayed in Waikiki before getting to Aulani. As I mentioned, Pearl Harbor only took us a few hours one morning but we only did the Arizona. Another option could be to spend the morning at Pearl Harbor and the rest of the day in Waikiki, maybe skipping Diamond Head all together. We are glad we did Diamond Head but honestly, the hike was a touch harder than we expected (not hard but we were essentially expecting a walk in the park so to speak), the paths were also crowded and in the direct sun. If you don't get there early, you may also have trouble parking. The views at the top were gorgeous but we saw a lot of gorgeous views in Hawaii, and it was very crowded at the top as well. We aren't hiking kind of people to begin with, so its something we probably wouldn't do again if we ever go back.