Aulani transportation

[PinMan]

what are some of the things you would plan to do on your stay here ?

 

[JLS]

Pin Man:

If I had a week in Aulani, I would probably spend my time doing something like this:

2 days: Enjoy resort/beach
1 day: USS Arizona and Pearl Harbor and spend afternoon in Waikiki area, dinner on Waikiki beach (Sheraton, Westin or Royal Hawaiian are good choices)
1 day: Drive to Kailua (over H3), drive around area and go to Kailua Beach park or Lanikai beach, rent kayak and enjoy the area
1 day: Drive around North Shore, do Waimea Bay park and the botanical gardens near there, visit shrimp trucks
1 day: Visit Polynesian Cultural Center
1 day: Drive to Hanauma Bay early in the morning for snorkeling, in the afternoon climb Diamond Head

There is a week and you would be busy. For all but the first two days you would need a car.

 

[dianeschlicht]

If you do not rent a car at Aulani you are going to miss out on a lot of amazing things that the island has to offer. I can't imagine never venturing away from the resort while you are there, unless you have already seen everything on Oahu. It is a mistake, IMO, to spend thousands of dollars to fly to Hawaii and thousands to stay at Aulani and then skip a rental car and lock yourself out of a ton of great sightseeing because of a few hundred dollars for a car. Its expensive but its just part of the cost of going there.

I totally agree! In fact, it's why we likely will NOT stay at Aulani on our next planned Hawaii trip for 2013. It's not in the location I want or that's convenient, so I'll probably end up with either a VRBO place or trade to another timeshare on a different island. I don't want to spend a whole week on Oahu anyway. I'd rather spend one week on Hawaii, one on Kauai, and a few days on Oahu. Since Aulani is not on the side of the island I want to be on for Oahu, I'll skip it and stay elsewhere.

 

[luvdisney24]

I didn't see this mentioned, or maybe I missed it but you can do a daily rental at the Aulani through Alamo. I did a lot of research and taking a car service round trip plus renting a car on-site for 2 days is cheaper than renting a car for 5 days and paying the $35 per night car rental fee. This is for mid-November.

 

[mkymsehi]

Alamo has a location at Aulani (location code is HNLR72).

Also, look at the COSTCO travel link for additional discount links for codes and coupons.

 

[mkymsehi]

What hours are considered rush hour? Thanks!

ANY DAYLIGHT HOURS. I kid you not. Traffic is thick from 6 am to 6:30 pm. Evenings are the best times on the H-1 freeway.

 

[sam_001]

a coworker said to rent a car and even Disney says to rent a car from the airport my coworker said it is going to cost about $70.00 from the airport to the resort if you take a taxi you still have options at the resort they have a tour desk and Alamo rental car which is cheaper renting a car or taking a tour from the resort

 

[Euchre_U]

I know, I know - you make it to HNL, and you're worried about what the gas prices are? Just wondered if there were any DVC'ers local that could give us a ballpark on the current (post Labor Day) gas prices and where the best (cheapest) prices usually are? I heard Costco in Ko Olina was the cheapest; any other thoughts?

 

[rchristiansen]

We booked over spring break with our DVC points for 2012. I really don't want to rent a car and drive after being 12 hours on a plane. It's not like arriving at Orlando where I'm fresh and ready to go. I don't want to have to worry about my transportation. Also, while I'm there, I'm planning on spending quite a bit of time at the resort and taking advantage of the excursions' transportation. The way I look at it is: this is my vacation and I want to be pampered and relax. Also, most of us are spending upwards of $1,000 per person on airfare just to GET there --- the thought of nickel and diming my way through this trip by cooking in my own room and eating at restaurants that are less expensive went out the door a long time ago when I saw the airfare prices. No matter how you do Aulani, it's expensive.

So, I was wondering about other transfer services - town car, shuttle etc. Anyone know anything about these as an alternative to a taxi?

 

[spleen]

I know, I know - you make it to HNL, and you're worried about what the gas prices are? Just wondered if there were any DVC'ers local that could give us a ballpark on the current (post Labor Day) gas prices and where the best (cheapest) prices usually are? I heard Costco in Ko Olina was the cheapest; any other thoughts?

Costco Gas is almost always the cheapest gas available on island (unless you have military PX privileges and can get gas on base and even then it tends to be close if not more expensive at times). Regular unleaded is hovering around $3.87/gallon currently at Costco.

 

[luvdisney24]

We booked over spring break with our DVC points for 2012. I really don't want to rent a car and drive after being 12 hours on a plane. It's not like arriving at Orlando where I'm fresh and ready to go. I don't want to have to worry about my transportation. Also, while I'm there, I'm planning on spending quite a bit of time at the resort and taking advantage of the excursions' transportation. The way I look at it is: this is my vacation and I want to be pampered and relax. Also, most of us are spending upwards of $1,000 per person on airfare just to GET there --- the thought of nickel and diming my way through this trip by cooking in my own room and eating at restaurants that are less expensive went out the door a long time ago when I saw the airfare prices. No matter how you do Aulani, it's expensive.

So, I was wondering about other transfer services - town car, shuttle etc. Anyone know anything about these as an alternative to a taxi?

The car service that Disney recommends charges $239 round trip. I found another one that is $140 round trip. The $239 one will meet you at the gate and help you with your luggage. The $140 will meet you outside of baggage claim. For the differnce of $99 I'll carry my luggage outside! That will probably cover at least 2 cocktails...right?

 

[Magic3forme]

we were just in Hawaii in June. ( at the Marriott right next door and did a tour at Aulani). I would say you absolutely need a car!! our rates kept getting lower as our trip approached.. so keep checking the rental car prices.
When we went in June, gas was around $4 gallon. The 2 things we found most expensive were milk and bread. There is a Target between the hotel and airport. the prices in the sales ad were the same in HI too, I was suprised.

All the resorts charge 25 or more a day to park. (for DVC it is free.)

 

[rchristiansen]

The car service that Disney recommends charges $239 round trip. I found another one that is $140 round trip. The $239 one will meet you at the gate and help you with your luggage. The $140 will meet you outside of baggage claim. For the differnce of $99 I'll carry my luggage outside! That will probably cover at least 2 cocktails...right?

Can you tell us what company Disney recommended? When DH called to book the reservation he asked about transportation and Disney's only response was: "Call a taxi or take the city bus" Um, yeah, right. I'm NOT taking the bus.

 

[luvdisney24]

Can you tell us what company Disney recommended? When DH called to book the reservation he asked about transportation and Disney's only response was: "Call a taxi or take the city bus" Um, yeah, right. I'm NOT taking the bus.

Disney recommended Cloud Nine Limousine.

 

[Euchre_U]

Costco Gas is almost always the cheapest gas available on island (unless you have military PX privileges and can get gas on base and even then it tends to be close if not more expensive at times). Regular unleaded is hovering around $3.87/gallon currently at Costco.

Thanks, SPLEEN! Gas is $3.35/gal +/- in North Texas, so I was expecting gas on Oahu to be north of $4.00/gal. We have our rental car - so we can explore the island. My wife and I have driven all around The Big Island, and we would like to do the same on Oahu with family now.

 

[rparmfamily]

You will find that gas is a little more on the neighbor islands. I'm paying $4.06 right now for premium on the military base and Costco is usually the same price. But I doubt any of you plan on using premium for rental cars LOL!