Aulani/Oahu Plans

[amym2]

We're not going to Aulani until October, but I'm a planner! It will be me, DH, DS11, DD9, and my FIL. DH and I have been to Oahu (stayed at JW Marriott), but Hawaii is new to the others. We'll be at Aulani for 5 nights (plane arrives 2pm) and then Kauai for 5 nights. We're not really sit around on the beach people, so although we definitely want to make sure we have plenty of time to enjoy Aulani, we also want to do some sightseeing. We'll have a car.

I know for sure that DH, DS, and FIL will do Pearl Harbor. I've been and DD would be bored, so we may stay behind and have a spa day. Any advice on what's good for a mom and a 9yo to do together at the spa?

We definitely want to go to the PCC, since DH and I didn't do that. Wondering if we could combine that with some time on the North Shore? We want to hit a shrimp truck and shave ice (we did Giovanni's and Matsumoto's last time). Would it be better to do that for an early lunch and then do PCC, or should we do PCC and then the North Shore (I'd assume most things close early on the North Shore?). We don't have much interest in doing the night activities at PCC, so we'll probably just get the general admission tickets. How much time should we plan to be there?

Last time, we wanted to go to Hanauma Bay (sp?) but we didn't have time. Is it a good place to snorkel with kids, or is there a better place? The kids are decent swimmers, although DS will probably just want to play in the sand. He isn't as much of a water kid, but DD really wants to see turtles. Is there a place to rent snorkel equipment? We snorkeled in the Ko Olina lagoons last time and didn't see much of anything.

We hiked Diamond Head and did Waikiki last time and don't have any interest in doing those this time. We also did the Punchbowl and that might interest FIL. Maybe they could do that after Pearl Harbor?

Is the Dole Plantation worth a visit with kids? We all love pineapple, except for DD.

Anything else we shouldn't miss?

 

[Dean]

We're not going to Aulani until October, but I'm a planner! It will be me, DH, DS11, DD9, and my FIL. DH and I have been to Oahu (stayed at JW Marriott), but Hawaii is new to the others. We'll be at Aulani for 5 nights (plane arrives 2pm) and then Kauai for 5 nights. We're not really sit around on the beach people, so although we definitely want to make sure we have plenty of time to enjoy Aulani, we also want to do some sightseeing. We'll have a car.

I know for sure that DH, DS, and FIL will do Pearl Harbor. I've been and DD would be bored, so we may stay behind and have a spa day. Any advice on what's good for a mom and a 9yo to do together at the spa?

We definitely want to go to the PCC, since DH and I didn't do that. Wondering if we could combine that with some time on the North Shore? We want to hit a shrimp truck and shave ice (we did Giovanni's and Matsumoto's last time). Would it be better to do that for an early lunch and then do PCC, or should we do PCC and then the North Shore (I'd assume most things close early on the North Shore?). We don't have much interest in doing the night activities at PCC, so we'll probably just get the general admission tickets. How much time should we plan to be there?

Last time, we wanted to go to Hanauma Bay (sp?) but we didn't have time. Is it a good place to snorkel with kids, or is there a better place? The kids are decent swimmers, although DS will probably just want to play in the sand. He isn't as much of a water kid, but DD really wants to see turtles. Is there a place to rent snorkel equipment? We snorkeled in the Ko Olina lagoons last time and didn't see much of anything.

We hiked Diamond Head and did Waikiki last time and don't have any interest in doing those this time. We also did the Punchbowl and that might interest FIL. Maybe they could do that after Pearl Harbor?

Is the Dole Plantation worth a visit with kids? We all love pineapple, except for DD.

Anything else we shouldn't miss?

You can make a day of it to the PCC by stopping at the Dole Plantation on the way up and then Haleiwa for lunch before hitting the PCC since they don't open until around noon. It'll be a long day, esp if you do the show as well. The entertainment book has a discount for buy one get one regular admission to the PCC and they will credit you when you arrive to your CC you used for any packages. They will take this off all the regular packages.

Make sure you get your reservations and tickets for the Arizona ahead of time. I'd also suggest the Missouri and air museum combo and say the submarine is a hit or miss item to me.

Sea Life Park is a nice water park which you could combine with a visit to Hanauma Bay.

Where are you staying on Kauai? I'd highly recommend the following restaurants from our stays this past summer. Keoki's paradise on the South Shore and Duke's by the Marriott Kauai Beach Club are GREAT TS restaurants. Keoki's had a very good early bird and we were able to combine our free Hula Pie with that. They also had a mint/chocolate chip Hula Pie that was very good. Free Hula Pie at Duke's as well. Hukilau Lanai was excellent as well. The Shrimp Station in Kapaa (they have 2 locations the other in Waimea) was great as a counter service though it's proximity to a busy road might put some off. The hotest shrimp I ever had, had to cook for 5 minutes before I could get any peeled. The Korean BBQ across the street from the Shrimp Station was the best Kalbi ribs I've every had by far. In Waimea, we've eaten twice at the Wrangler and found it very good both times. I'd stay away from the Bull Shed. Kauai Pasta was simply OK. I don't know the north shore options very well.

You may want to consider a Luau on Kauai, they are generally considered better than the ones on Oahu. There is a Roy's on both islands, you may be able to pick up discounted gift cards for these, I can get them for 10% off through our CU.

 

[amym2]

Thanks for your input, Dean! I hadn't thought about Sea Life Park. Kids would probably enjoy that.

Not sure yet where we're staying on Kauai (want to reserve Aulani at 7mo out before reserving Kauai). We're hoping to rent a 3bdrm house (house not condo) in either Poipu or Kapaa. I will definitely keep your restaurant suggestions in mind!

 

[Psychodisney]

We did Hanauma Bay with our kids 18, 16, and 13. It is a beautiful place. We went in the afternoon. Crowds were not bad but the wind made the water a bit choppy. I don't know if was the tide at that time of day, but I found the reef to be shallow. Felt like we were right on top of the coral which made me a little nervous.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for your input, Dean! I hadn't thought about Sea Life Park. Kids would probably enjoy that.

Not sure yet where we're staying on Kauai (want to reserve Aulani at 7mo out before reserving Kauai). We're hoping to rent a 3bdrm house (house not condo) in either Poipu or Kapaa. I will definitely keep your restaurant suggestions in mind!

Other additions to the list would include the Pali Lookout, National Cemetery of the Pacific, China town, and there are a number of museums. Tour books for both islands would be the Wizard Publications books, Oahu Revealed and Ultimate Kauai, plus there is now an iphone app for both islands with essentially the same info.

 

[amym2]

Other additions to the list would include the Pali Lookout, National Cemetery of the Pacific, China town, and there are a number of museums. Tour books for both islands would be the Wizard Publications books, Oahu Revealed and Ultimate Kauai, plus there is now an iphone app for both islands with essentially the same info.

I have both of those books. Love that series! I'll have to look into the apps. Thanks!

 

[Dean]

I have both of those books. Love that series! I'll have to look into the apps. Thanks!

This last trip we had old versions of the books so I just bought the apps for Kauai and Maui. The app wasn't out yet for Oahu and the new book for Oahu came out just days before our trip. I ended up buying it and they shipped it directly to our hotel. Now the app is out as well. They live on Oahu and are very nice people.

One other thing I'll mention in case it interests you. If your group is such that adults can get away without the kids or you want to take your kids to a high cost very nice place, Hy's steakhouse is wonderful. Actually the reason I mention it is they have a musician there who I've met and has become a friend. His name is Audi Kimura and he's in the style of James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg. He's normally there Wed to Sat in the bar. The setup for their bar is that that have bar tables but they also have a portion of their normal seating that shares the bar area so you could make a reservation and request that if you wanted for dinner. Normally we just sit at a Bar table and get a salad or apply because our main goal is to see and hear Audy but it does give you options. One of my receptionists daughter is getting married and when I played a given song for her, she wanted to use it in their wedding and I plan to use it in a vow renewal. I know your time is limited and you have other things going on but it's a wonderful couple's getaway.

 

[Disney_Ohana]

We're not going to Aulani until October, but I'm a planner! It will be me, DH, DS11, DD9, and my FIL. DH and I have been to Oahu (stayed at JW Marriott), but Hawaii is new to the others. We'll be at Aulani for 5 nights (plane arrives 2pm) and then Kauai for 5 nights. We're not really sit around on the beach people, so although we definitely want to make sure we have plenty of time to enjoy Aulani, we also want to do some sightseeing. We'll have a car.

I know for sure that DH, DS, and FIL will do Pearl Harbor. I've been and DD would be bored, so we may stay behind and have a spa day. Any advice on what's good for a mom and a 9yo to do together at the spa?

We definitely want to go to the PCC, since DH and I didn't do that. Wondering if we could combine that with some time on the North Shore? We want to hit a shrimp truck and shave ice (we did Giovanni's and Matsumoto's last time). Would it be better to do that for an early lunch and then do PCC, or should we do PCC and then the North Shore (I'd assume most things close early on the North Shore?). We don't have much interest in doing the night activities at PCC, so we'll probably just get the general admission tickets. How much time should we plan to be there?

Last time, we wanted to go to Hanauma Bay (sp?) but we didn't have time. Is it a good place to snorkel with kids, or is there a better place? The kids are decent swimmers, although DS will probably just want to play in the sand. He isn't as much of a water kid, but DD really wants to see turtles. Is there a place to rent snorkel equipment? We snorkeled in the Ko Olina lagoons last time and didn't see much of anything.

We hiked Diamond Head and did Waikiki last time and don't have any interest in doing those this time. We also did the Punchbowl and that might interest FIL. Maybe they could do that after Pearl Harbor?

Is the Dole Plantation worth a visit with kids? We all love pineapple, except for DD.

Anything else we shouldn't miss?

I'd skip Hanauma Bay & I'd recommend a boat tour in Kaneohe Bay. I see tours there all the time & I grew up in the Bay & we see tons of turtles & fish. I think Kualoa Ranch offers a couple of fun tours as well as horseback riding. http://www.kualoa.com/

I don't think Dole Plantation is really worth it. There's a large maze there but thats about it.

 

[amym2]

I'd skip Hanauma Bay & I'd recommend a boat tour in Kaneohe Bay. I see tours there all the time & I grew up in the Bay & we see tons of turtles & fish. I think Kualoa Ranch offers a couple of fun tours as well as horseback riding. http://www.kualoa.com/

I don't think Dole Plantation is really worth it. There's a large maze there but thats about it.

Thanks! I just looked into the Kualoa Ranch tours, but unfortunately DD will only be 9 and won't be old enough for the horseback riding (and of course ATV tours are out, too). Wondering if the Movie Sites tour is any good, or if we'd be better off doing something like that on Kauai instead.

Looks like the boat tour is just riding on the boat, no snorkeling? Can't find much info on it. I think we'd probably rather snorkel. Is there somewhere closer to Aulani that has decent snorkeling?

 

[aclov]

Other additions to the list would include the Pali Lookout, National Cemetery of the Pacific, China town, and there are a number of museums. Tour books for both islands would be the Wizard Publications books, Oahu Revealed and Ultimate Kauai, plus there is now an iphone app for both islands with essentially the same info.

Just downloaded Oahu Revealed it was $5.99, thanks for the suggestion!