Aulani transportation

[chrisd596]

Any idea from a/port, think it's about 17 miles. What kind of transportation from a/port to resort and about how much would it be?

Also, does it look like you would need a car to get around the area during a week long stay?

Going 11/13-11/19 what would the weather be during that time?

Car rentals running around $270. Don't look like there's many options like renting a car for a few days and then dropping it off somewhere close to the resort???

Thanks

Chris

 

[bwvBound]

Personally, I feel a rental car is needed. There is much to do/see on the island and I don't plan on paying "excursion rates" to leave the resort. Keep watching rates on the rental cars. For our Aulani visit in Sept, I booked a full size car rental, 8 nights at $175 total (all taxes/fees included). I probably could have done better -- but it was "good enough" and I was simply tired of checking rates ;-)

 

[chrisd596]

Good point. I thought $270 is way too high for 7 days, but it's Hawaii.

Since you've been there, what's the surrounding areas around the resort. Is it isolated or are there stores etc near bye.

Thanks

Chris

 

[bwvBound]

Ko Olina is a mixed use golf community with shops, dining, homes, hotels and timeshare. Yes, there will be some shopping but I expect it to be pricey! Interactive Map of the Ko Olina property: Link. Click through the site for ideas on shopping, dining and activities.

Ko Olina, last I visited in early '09, was fairly remote from other development. There was little or nothing outside the property gates.

 

[CarolynK]

Ko Olina is a mixed use golf community with shops, dining, homes, hotels and timeshare. Yes, there will be some shopping but I expect it to be pricey! Interactive Map of the Ko Olina property: Link. Click through the site for ideas on shopping, dining and activities.

Ko Olina, last I visited in early '09, was fairly remote from other development. There was little or nothing outside the property gates.

We're going this December, thanks for the link! We're also pricing car rentals (mostly go w/National) and last time we looked, ~$500! Granted, it is Christmas, but we're going to keep checking back.

 

[dvc_john]

The town of Kapolei is just a few miles before getting to Ko Olina. There you will find typical suburban type things like restaurants, strip malls, supermarkets, movies, etc.

 

[Anal Annie]

You don't need a car if you're staying in Waikiki but you would need one to stay at Aulani. Car rentals in Hawaii are very expensive. Try also checking deals thru Costco.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Dw & I joined friends in a stay last July at Ko Olina Marriott, right beside Aulani. We rented a car at the airport. Our $58 a day car ended up costing about $120.00 per day after insurance they insisted we had to have to take the car, and local taxes.

The drive from the airport is about 30 minutes; there is an ABC store across from Aulani, and a few Hotel resort type stores in each of the hotels at Ko Olina, but for the most part you will want a car. There is a resort trolley that is free (other than tipping the driver) that runs from resort to resort, and I believe it also runs to one of the local non-resort restaurants. It keeps a timely schedule that you can depend on.

There are many neat things to see, many on the north coast that will take you an hour or more to get to. Seeing the sea turtles is certainly one of them; eating at one of the many the shrimp trucks is another, along with secluded beaches (a few), old archeology sites, and eating a Dole Whip on the veranda of the old original Dole Plantation come to mind.

Please remember that parking your rental at the resort is also pricey - I believe it was $40.00 per day. Parking the car by myself, which was a long walk, or valet parking, was the same price; only the tip added to the difference in cost. Aulani has a parking deck attached on the north side. I have no idea what they will charge for parking.

 

[Anal Annie]

Please remember that parking your rental at the resort is also pricey - I believe it was $40.00 per day. Parking the car by myself, which was a long walk, or valet parking, was the same price; only the tip added to the difference in cost. Aulani has a parking deck attached on the north side. I have no idea what they will charge for parking.

$40 / day?! WOW! That's almost as much as the rental itself!! I know we had to pay when we parked at the Sheraton at Black Rock (on Maui) the last time we went but I think it was closer to about $15 / day. Anxious to hear what they charge...let's hope it's a freebie perk for DVC members!!

 

[chrisd596]

Dinzy Dad:

That's a lot of great info for me to know. I appreciate your thoughts, thanks.

Chris

 

[kbeam]

I read somewhere that parking will be free for DVC members.

 

[kbeam]

http://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/about-aulani/guest-services/

 

[chrisd596]

Way to go kbeam with comp parking. Now let's work on reasonable car rental prices. Says you can rent car right at resort. So for a 6 day trip, I might want the car 4 of the days and do resort beach relaxing for the other two days.

Need to crunch the numbers as to what it costs getting transportation from a/port to resort vs. having the car the entire trip.

Thanks

Chris

 

[bwvBound]

Need to crunch the numbers as to what it costs getting transportation from a/port to resort vs. having the car the entire trip.

You might want to explore the Go Oahu activity card? One of the bonus features of certain multi-day cards is a 1-day rental car (covers the rental car fee but not taxes, insurance). Link: http://www.smartdestinations.com/oa...r_Hio_Att_Dollar_Rent_A_Car_Bonus_Offer_.html

I ran across the link when researching activities for our upcoming trip. I glanced through it but haven't yet made a decision.

 

[thewelts]

I am going to Aulani in December as a DVC "guest" (renting points). I spoke to the folks at Aulani today and they confirmed that ONLY DVC members will be offered free self-park... This benefit will NOT be extended to DVC guests.

I'm hoping this might change over the next few months. Please keep me posted.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I am going to Aulani in December as a DVC "guest" (renting points). I spoke to the folks at Aulani today and they confirmed that ONLY DVC members will be offered free self-park... This benefit will NOT be extended to DVC guests.

I'm hoping this might change over the next few months. Please keep me posted.

So you aren't actually a guest if you compensated the member for the reservation. You are only a guest if you get the reservation gratis from the member or you join the member on their trip.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

Someone at Aulani told me today that parking costs $35 per night. I was inquiring about a room only res, not DVC. But, I thought I'd post this piece of parking info here anyway.

 

[beachbunny]

I just returned from Aulani. Definitely rent a car. There is one mini-mall with a mini-mart and two take out places (Just Tacos and a plate lunch place) across the street. There is also a couple of resorts nearby. But that's it. The nearest community with a Target and Costco is Kapolei which is six miles away. Airport is about 11 miles away. Waikiki is about 20 miles away.

 

[beachbunny]

Yes, valet parking was $35 a night. I'm not DVC.

 

[mkymsehi]

The public self parking is $35 for the day, but if you spend $35 on food, drink, or souvenirs it's free for 4 hours (that's what the valet attendant told us).

COMPLETELY free to DVC members, even if not staying on property. I just showed them my blue DVC card, and they validated for my ticket. I was there for about 6 1/2 hours, and had no extra fee.