Aulani...what MUST you book before you get there?

[luv2sleep]

We will be at Aulani in 4 mos. I am hesitant to book things ahead of time because I don't know what the weather will be like. Can we just wing it when we get there and decide what to do then? Or are there things that must be planned ahead of time because they will be booked up/sold out?

Thanks!

 

[abthomas]

You should prebook Pearl Harbor tickets. They are available online at www.recreation.gov. Cost $1.50 per ticket. There are standby tickets available but for us it was good to have tickets in hand.
Also a spa appointment!

 

[JessLCH]

I guess it depends on whether or not you go during a busy time. We booked Ama Ama for dinner and the character breakfast (would not so again) a month or two in advance of our August stay. We also ate walk in at Ama Ama for lunch twice right at noon.

 

[Girimama33]

I second the spa reservation, if you are thinking of going.
Also, if you are booking cabanas or the Executive Lanai...you should do that early.
The Kualoa Ranch ATV tour can sell out in advance as well.
Ama Ama sunset dinner should be pre-booked.

 

[luv2sleep]

My son is 7. Pearl Harbor although amazing would not be a good choice. I've been a few times and when he's older I'll take him. He's too young to take on an ATV (for my sanity lol). Maybe a spa appointment but that's dependent on him getting into the beach house. Doesn't it get full for open play? He doesn't like organized activities.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Other than Pearl Harbor we've never pre-booked a single thing before a Hawaii trip. Always managed to do just fine.

 

[E&Cmom]

My son is 7. Pearl Harbor although amazing would not be a good choice. I've been a few times and when he's older I'll take him. He's too young to take on an ATV (for my sanity lol). Maybe a spa appointment but that's dependent on him getting into the beach house. Doesn't it get full for open play? He doesn't like organized activities.

We were just there and even over the busy labour day weekend and didn't have any trouble getting my girls in for free play.

I went on the spa tour and asked the woman how long in advance I needed to make an appointment. She said they recommended 24-48hr in advance but if you call the same day they will still see if they can fit you in. Sadly, I never did end up going to the spa.

The only thing I per booked was the character breakfast and dinner at Ama Ama. We ended up cancelling the latter. We walked in to breakfast there twice and lunch once and we seated almost immediately.

 

[jerseygal]

We will be at Aulani in 4 mos. I am hesitant to book things ahead of time because I don't know what the weather will be like. Can we just wing it when we get there and decide what to do then? Or are there things that must be planned ahead of time because they will be booked up/sold out?

Thanks!

If you are interested in dinner st Ama Ama, I would make a reservation there..pretty popular! Can always cancel as it gets closer or once you get there. ENJOY!

 

[aclov]

Agree on the executive lanai and spa. Luau if you are planning on going.

 

[apple9117]

Great tip! We'll definitely book Pearl harbor before we go next year

 

[luv2sleep]

Not interested in the more expensive restaurants there. Trying to save $$ on food. Have done luaus in Hawaii. I know the one at paradise cove is good but they are pricey. Will skip it.

I'll see about the spa when I'm there. It's not a must do and I'd like to see how the beach house goes for my son first.

Thx!!!

 

[luv2sleep]

We were just there and even over the busy labour day weekend and didn't have any trouble getting my girls in for free play. I went on the spa tour and asked the woman how long in advance I needed to make an appointment. She said they recommended 24-48hr in advance but if you call the same day they will still see if they can fit you in. Sadly, I never did end up going to the spa. The only thing I per booked was the character breakfast and dinner at Ama Ama. We ended up cancelling the latter. We walked in to breakfast there twice and lunch once and we seated almost immediately.

Thank you! I'll just wing it when I'm there then. What do they have for the kids to do during open play?

 

[AZMermaid]

I booked my cabana days 10 months out and plan to book AMA AMA and the character breakfast. I want to sign my kids up for Surfs Up with Chip and Dale the same time we are at AMA AMA but I'm not sure how early I can book that.

 

[E&Cmom]

Thank you! I'll just wing it when I'm there then. What do they have for the kids to do during open play?

My girls basically did crafts, played on the computers and wii,and watched movies which is pretty typical of them. They also played outside in the play area. There is a play structure and some outside things like balls, hula hoops. They also have these cool interactive screen games but I don't know if my girls played with them. They didn't bother with the dress up area since they have outgrown those type of things.

My 7 year old didn't want to do any of the group activities since she is very shy and rather do things on her own but my 11 year old took part in the volcano class, Stitch's Space Goo, Tween Hawaiian crafts and the Keiki Hula.

Every morning they had an open house so you can check out Aunty's before leaving your child there.

 

[rlk]

This is the play area behind Aunties Beach House.

 

[luv2sleep]

My girls basically did crafts, played on the computers and wii,and watched movies which is pretty typical of them. They also played outside in the play area. There is a play structure and some outside things like balls, hula hoops. They also have these cool interactive screen games but I don't know if my girls played with them. They didn't bother with the dress up area since they have outgrown those type of things. My 7 year old didn't want to do any of the group activities since she is very shy and rather do things on her own but my 11 year old took part in the volcano class, Stitch's Space Goo, Tween Hawaiian crafts and the Keiki Hula. Every morning they had an open house so you can check out Aunty's before leaving your child there.

Can they choose open play during organized activities?

 

[E&Cmom]

Can they choose open play during organized activities?

Yes! I always had both my girls at Aunty's at the same time so while my eldest was at the organized activity my youngest just played.

 

[luv2sleep]

Yes! I always had both my girls at Aunty's at the same time so while my eldest was at the organized activity my youngest just played.

Great! Thanks!

 

[drmrchk]

Can I bug you E&C mom? My girls are 5 and 8.....is the 8yo old enough for the tween crafts? Was the space goo cool and worth it? I read lots of stuff about the long check in lines and I worry that by the time I got the girls into they wouldn't want to stay after waiting in line. Any thoughts? We'll be there over NYE, so very busy for the first 3-4 days of our 6 :/

My girls basically did crafts, played on the computers and wii,and watched movies which is pretty typical of them. They also played outside in the play area. There is a play structure and some outside things like balls, hula hoops. They also have these cool interactive screen games but I don't know if my girls played with them. They didn't bother with the dress up area since they have outgrown those type of things.

My 7 year old didn't want to do any of the group activities since she is very shy and rather do things on her own but my 11 year old took part in the volcano class, Stitch's Space Goo, Tween Hawaiian crafts and the Keiki Hula.

Every morning they had an open house so you can check out Aunty's before leaving your child there.

 

[E&Cmom]

Can I bug you E&C mom? My girls are 5 and 8.....is the 8yo old enough for the tween crafts? Was the space goo cool and worth it? I read lots of stuff about the long check in lines and I worry that by the time I got the girls into they wouldn't want to stay after waiting in line. Any thoughts? We'll be there over NYE, so very busy for the first 3-4 days of our 6 :/

Hi

The tween crafts are only for 11-12 year olds so unfortunately your daughter won' be able to attend. They do do unscheduled crafts at Aunty's throughout the day. My girls often came out with crafts.

As for the Space goo, it depends on the child. my 11 year old loved it but my 7 year old ended up not staying. She is shyer and for some reason didn't want to put on the lab coat and glasses. my 11 year old had a blast though. She scientist was hilarious and Stitch comes in to visit. They had a photographer there so we got some great photo pass shots.

We were there over the long weekend until the Thursday. Honestly, I didn't sign the girls up for anything until the long weekend had past. We went to Ama Ama for breakfast the day after we arrived and I saw the big lineup. The Thursday Dh went down right before 8M and got them in. Even one dat we went down at 6PM and asked if there was room for the volcano class at 7:30. They put DD on the waiting list and she got in. Again this was when the crowds had left.

The activities are not offered right after you sign the up but often later in the day so they do not have to be there when you sign them up. Only one parent needs to be there to sign them up. I believe the earliest classes were usually after 10:00. There is an open house in the mornings.