Aulani ~ top "outings" to do with children

[Brancaneve]

My kids were the same age as your children when we stayed at Aulani two years ago. Frankly, my kids did not want to leave the resort! Between the pools, beach, Auntie's house and the amazing room, they kept turning down offers to explore the island.

I thought our plan was pretty fantastic and would do it again. We flew in and stayed tat the Hyatt place in Waikiki. The following morning we did our basic sightseeing: Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head. By the time we were done it was time to check in to Aulani, we had taken care of a few tourist spots. We actually didn't explore until about day four which by then was a good break from the sun and sand. My kids really liked the movie site tour which was reasonably priced. Have fun!

 

[jabberwock1]

It is on the opposite side of Honolulu. We actually arrived around 230-3pm, not early in the morning as some recommend. This avoids the morning traffic. It was a slightly overcast day but not all clouds. It was not super hot on the hike, not crowded at all on the trail and afterwards we went and ate at the Kona Brewery restaurant in Hawaii Kai before heading home.

Thanks! If we are not inspired to go early, maybe will we consider it a good option if we get an overcast day. When we get to Aulani, we will have already spent a week on the Big Island and we are planning for that to be the more active part of our vacation.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

We spend seven nights at Sunset Beach in a vacation rental before our three days in Aulani. We plan to do all the touristy things before heading to the resort. We have traveled to Oahu before and have some favorite activities. It would be fun to take the coastal highway from the Diamond Head area to Haleiwa. You can stop at various places along the way. The lighthouse is a fun area. We usually also hike to Pele's Chair there. Kailua or Lanikai Beach are two of the most beautiful beaches in the world. There are some good breakfast/lunch spots near there. (Boots and Kimos or Cinnamons). Stop to tour the Korean Temple. Then start heading north again. Stop at the Mac Farm (fun, touristy shop). You can go to Leonard's and grab some marsalas and have fun at the beach park overlooking Chinaman's Hat. Continue north...plenty of beaches, fruit stands and food trucks. You can hit turtle beach and the north shore snorkeling spots, if you are going in the summer. Of course these beaches are great surfing spots if you go in Winter. Then roam the shops and have dinner in Haleiwa. Finish you day trip with a stop at one of the shave ice shops.

We are very interested to hear of activities at Aulani. We signed our youngest daughter up for Fish are Friends. Anyone have a review? Any recommendations for teen activities? We have one parent reservation for dinner at AMA AMA. Is the character breakfast worth it or are the character meets enough? Thx!

 

[jaimeadk]

Would it be less busy to visit the north shore during the week rather than on the weekend or is timing not really an issue?

 

[luv2sleep]

What time of day are the turtles usually out at that north shore beach?

 

[amym2]

What time of day are the turtles usually out at that north shore beach?

We were there around noon in Oct and there were tons of them. On our first trip in Sept years ago we were there late afternoon and there weren't any. Not sure if time of day, year, etc makes a difference or if we just got really lucky this time.

 

[amym2]

The turtle beach we went to didn't have changing rooms or chairs to rent as a pp mentioned, nor was it a very swimmable beach (too rocky). There were volunteers there to guard the turtles when they came onto the beach. Maybe the pp was talking about the beach at the Turtle Bay resort? Not sure, maybe someone else knows?

 

[ptea]

We were at "turtle beach" today. There was one turtle on the beach at about 12:30 and the volunteer "honu guardian" said that they usually come up on the beach around 1 or 2 and will stay for several hours. We also saw several swimming in the water near shore. Later in the afternoon when we were heading back in the other direction, there were no turtles out.

The volunteer said that that is the only beach where they have volunteers everyday to help keep the turtles safe from onlookers.

Hope that helps!

 

[J&K'sPrincessMommy]

Great thread! We head down in August and I have only booked Ama Ama for 1 dinner and the character breakfast. I too am not trying to over-plan.
Can someone tell me more about Hawaiian Fire? Costs with Disney vs on your own?

 

[dtauer]

Regarding the turtles, we saw one occasionally on the beach, but the best we saw was with KoOlina Ocean Adventures which another poster mentioned. Not only were the fish amazing, but we swam within a group of turtles in the wild on this tour as well. I'm sure they can't guarantee a great outing every time, but the fish and number of turtles we saw was amazing. Very close to Aulani, longish walk or short drive.

For kids, ours enjoyed a lot of things that don't cost much money. Most of these can be googled to get further details.

Manoa Falls hike - a real hike, muddy, hilly, but not technical

Tantalus Drive/Round top drive - paved road to some of the best viewing areas on the island

Kaena Point hike from the South West side near Aulani

Chinatown - a "cultural" experience

Punchbowl

Koko crater - are you in shape?

Makapuu Lighthouse Trail - paved, semi-steep, great views

Pali lookout - enjoy the lookout and then take the deserted road down to the right past the road closed sign - this was the old road through the mountain and a great hike

H3 - yes, a highway is an attraction. The H3 goes through the mountain with amazing engineering - look at the details of how they built it before you go on it to truly appreciate the scope of this highway. Also look for the Stairway to Heaven as you go from West to East near the tunnel

On Oahu, almost every mile is a new beach. Our kids enjoy doing a loop around the island stopping at the beaches. Each has it's own personality, some for swimming, some for rock jumping, some for kite flying, some for parasailing etc.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Great thread! We head down in August and I have only booked Ama Ama for 1 dinner and the character breakfast. I too am not trying to over-plan.
Can someone tell me more about Hawaiian Fire? Costs with Disney vs on your own?

Here is the link to their website:
http://www.hawaiianfire.com/Irons/

We booked directly through Hawaii Fire for our family of 4 to all surf and were told that if we paid cash that morning at pick up we would also get a cash discount ..... I have no idea how much Disney charged to book it through them.

Here is the info that they gave in the email they sent out after I booked:

Pick up 8am at Aulani $ 498.44 /cash discount=$440.00

Plus $50 cash for photos

Bring:

Bring a towel, extra change of clothes, a water bottle and sunblock. Although we do provide water, there is no food or beverage for purchase at the beach, so feel free to bring a snack if you think you might get hungry. Do not bring valuables like expensive jewelry since they are easily lost in the ocean and sand

*8am pick up Aulani

Tips for First Time Surfers

S – Sit on your board while waiting for the waves.
P – Pace your time in the water. Limit it to 30 minutes.
I – Insist on a knowledgeable surfing instructor.
N – Notice signs of pain and discomfort in your back.
E – Exit the water and seek immediate medical attention if you experience pain or weakness.

Total: $440.00 Cash discount paid to the Van Driver upon your hotel pick up.

Hotel: Disney Aulani Resort

Pick-up location & time: 8:00 a.m. @ Disney Aulani Resort - Front entrance of the hotel.

Our white Hawaiian Fire Passenger van will be picking you up in your designated pick up location. Please allow our driver a 5-10 minute grace period due

to traffic or other pick up problems. Having trouble finding the pick up location? Ask your hotel front desk to direct you to the pick up location designated

by our office and they will be happy to assist you. Don't forget to wear your swim gear, bring a towel, sunscreen and a change of clothing, as well as

snacks or drinks, if desired. Should you need assistance, please contact the Hawaiian Fire office at (808) 737-3473.



Cancellation policy: We require a 24 hour cancellation notice prior to your lesson to ensure that no charges occur on the reservation credit card. Cancellation needs to be called in to the Hawaiian Fire office. Any surf lesson canceled after the cancellation period will be charged in full on your credit card, including Hawaii State tax. Credit cards will be charged the day before the lesson once the 24 hr cancellation period has passed.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

We spend seven nights at Sunset Beach in a vacation rental before our three days in Aulani. We plan to do all the touristy things before heading to the resort. We have traveled to Oahu before and have some favorite activities. It would be fun to take the coastal highway from the Diamond Head area to Haleiwa. You can stop at various places along the way. The lighthouse is a fun area. We usually also hike to Pele's Chair there. Kailua or Lanikai Beach are two of the most beautiful beaches in the world. There are some good breakfast/lunch spots near there. (Boots and Kimos or Cinnamons). Stop to tour the Korean Temple. Then start heading north again. Stop at the Mac Farm (fun, touristy shop). You can go to Leonard's and grab some marsalas and have fun at the beach park overlooking Chinaman's Hat. Continue north...plenty of beaches, fruit stands and food trucks. You can hit turtle beach and the north shore snorkeling spots, if you are going in the summer. Of course these beaches are great surfing spots if you go in Winter. Then roam the shops and have dinner in Haleiwa. Finish you day trip with a stop at one of the shave ice shops.

We are very interested to hear of activities at Aulani. We signed our youngest daughter up for Fish are Friends. Anyone have a review? Any recommendations for teen activities? We have one parent reservation for dinner at AMA AMA. Is the character breakfast worth it or are the character meets enough? Thx!

Is the chinaman hat and temple closer to Waikiki or Aulani?

Thanks!

 

[lovetotraveltx]

My kids liked hiking diamond head. The hikers were 8, 6 and 4yo. They thought it was cools to be inside an old volcano. It's 5 per car to park.

They also like the waves at other beaches- the lagoons don't really have them. They dot really swim in them, but can spend hours running towards them and away from them as the waves come on shore.

Turtle beach is a little harder to get to now because they put up barriers at the "parking lot" but it's pretty cool. You can also walk past the Marriott where the sharks an rays are and follow a path to a more rocky beach that sometimes has turtles and also little tide pools in the rocks to see crabs and other small fish.

Enjoy

Which Marriott is everyone talking about with army's and sharks and where are they in the hotel.

There are 2 different marriotts walking distance from Aulani?

Thank you!

 

[Cinderpamela]

Is the chinaman hat and temple closer to Waikiki or Aulani?

Thanks!

East of Honolulu so closer to Waikiki. Aulani is on the south western side of the island.

Here is a map that may help:
http://www.pleasantholidays.com/PleasantHolidaysWeb/Hawaii-VirtualTour-Oahu

The sites you are asking about are on the "windward coast".

 

[Cinderpamela]

Which Marriott is everyone talking about with army's and sharks and where are they in the hotel.

There are 2 different marriotts walking distance from Aulani?

Thank you!

The J W Marriott-Ihilani that is the one right next door to Aulani, not the one that is a few coves down. You just walk over there and past their pool area and the pools with the sharks and such are off to the left.
Just ask if you dont see them.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

The J W Marriott-Ihilani that is the one right next door to Aulani, not the one that is a few coves down. You just walk over there and past their pool area and the pools with the sharks and such are off to the left.
Just ask if you dont see them.

Is it the JW Marriott?

 

[lovetotraveltx]

East of Honolulu so closer to Waikiki. Aulani is on the south western side of the island.

Here is a map that may help:
http://www.pleasantholidays.com/PleasantHolidaysWeb/Hawaii-VirtualTour-Oahu

The sites you are asking about are on the "windward coast".

Thank you! We will be spending 2 nights in Waikiki first so it will be easier from there

 

[Pixie_Dust]

I am loving this thread. Even tho we don't have children there are so many good hints about things to do/ how to get around. Thanks, all!

Is there a thread for Aulani w/out kids, does that make a difference in the activities?

 

[luv2sleep]

Can't post it. Sorry.

 

[luv2sleep]

Accidental duplicate.