Aulani Planning help

[Wildernessbride2005]

I'm beginning to plan a trip for February of 2015. It will be DH, myself, and another couple. We are all DVC members.

How difficult is it to book at the 7 month point. We would like two studios. Is this a good time of year to go? What are the pros and cons of that time? My friend had thought just was a great time for whale watching. I am completely clueless about this. We are coming from the east coast, so may like to lay over in Disneyland for a couple of days.

I see there is a Hawaiin tax charged nightly. How much is that generally? Are there grocery stores close by to pick up breakfast and lunch foods? Would you recommend renting a car? We do plan on touring Pearl Harbor. What other sites are must dos.

Thanks for any help. I'm sure I will have many more questions. Is there a better place on this site for planning help?

 

[amym2]

You will love Aulani! We were there in October and fell in love with it!

We booked at 7mos, but we were booking for October and for a 2bdrm. I wouldn't think you'd have problems as long as you book the first day you are able to, but I don't know much about crowds in Feb.

I can't remember exactly how much the tax was, but it was not much. Yes, you will absolutely want to rent a car to explore the island. We paid $160 for a full-size for 5 nights (including taxes and fees). It would cost you close to that to get 4 adults just to Aulani and back from the airport.

If you have any interest in surfing lessons, my DD did a lesson with Hawaiian Fire Surf School and loved it. They pick you up at Aulani (or you can meet them at the beach). Definitely tour Pearl Harbor, and a visit to the Punchbowl (American Cemetery) is memorable as well. Definitely plan to drive to the North Shore to check out Haleiwa Town, Turtle Beach, and the shrimp trucks. We did the Polynesian Cultural Center as well, which was pretty touristy but fun. We stopped at the Dole Plantation, which was definitely touristy but a nice stop on the way to the North Shore. We didn't make it there, but the snorkeling at Hanauma Bay is supposed to be great.

There isn't a separate forum for Aulani, but if you read through here, there are quite a few posts about the resorts and Oahu sites. I'd recommend getting the Oahu Revealed (I think it may have a different name... blue cover) guide book for Oahu.

 

[lawboy2001]

Here is a link to a discussion of the formula for the transient accommodations tax:

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37760707&postcount=2

 

[deedisneydream97]

Agree on the Oahu Revealed book. Excellent. Also Richard Sullivan's Driving and Discovering Hawaii Oahu edition. Yes, you must rent a car. You are DVC members, so you won't have to pay the $25 (?) per day parking fee at the resort. Keep haunting the dollar rent a car site and grab a deal when you see one (you can always cancel). Previously we got a midsize for $320 total for 12 days. Others have had success with hawaiincarrental dot com or something like that.

The whales come around end of Nov. thru march or april I believe. We also booked at 7 months out our previous trip (january) with no problems. Not sure about Feb...may be harder because of presidents weekend or winter breaks for schools. Ocean view rooms are nice, but next time around we are saving points by doing standard view for a few nights, followed by island view. there are wonderful views of the ocean from all over the resort.

Have fun with the planning! You might want to check out "trip reports" further down on the DVC board here.

 

[CailinFig]

Are there grocery stores close by to pick up breakfast and lunch foods? Would you recommend renting a car?

There's a Target and Costco on your way up from the airport to stock up on groceries, etc. I would definitely recommend a car if you're going to explore the rest of Oahu!

 

[deedisneydream97]

Forgot to mention there is also a Safeway a few miles before the resort. I had applied on-line ahead of time to get a Safeway card (gives you additional discounts like an A&P Card or Winn Dixie card). We looked at their on-line ad before we left to help make our list. The Target was okay....but I don't think it was a Super Target (may have changed). There is also a wonderful produce store in the same plaza as the Target. And the ABC store across the street from the resort has a pretty good deli counter with all kinds of selections for "make your own" type salads....my chicken ceasar lasted me for two lunches. It is a little pricier than Safeway, but very convenient as you can walk there in five minutes.