I have a couple of questions, having done some research for our upcoming trip:
1. I've read on some websites that it's best to wait to get to Hawaii and buy flip flops, water shoes, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen as they are all (except sunscreen) cheaper. Do you find this to be true? I mean, we will bring what we have from home, but with six of us, I know we don't have enough as of right now. Sunscreen, we were told, is better to buy there (don't remember the reason why).
When we went to Target I found the water shoes to be more expensive.... like $30, locally I can get pairs for more like $15-$20.... so I would not recommend buying water shoes there. My DH did by a nice pair of flip flops but prices were not lower, if anything, it's Hawaii, so things are often more expensive due to shipping costs.
2. Beach toys - Should we buy our own or does Aulani have enough for when it is crowded?
They have some beach toys but I cannot speak to their inventory during busy times. We were there over Christmas, it was very busy , my kids were able to get buckets and such to play with no problem.
3. Family dinners - I can not, for the life of me, find the information online. At one time someone had a link to the dinner options/prices, but I've looked through so many boards, I can't find it.
Here is the link to the posts of menu photos from over on the Aulani Villas and Views thread. It comes up when you do a search of that specific thread by entering "family meals"--page down to post 319
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=47305423&highlight=family+meals#post47305423
4. The lines at Aunty's - is that JUST for the extra activities or do you have to get in line to even let your child attend?
cant answer that as my kids are teens. Hopefully others can help.
5. BBQ - I understand there are bbq areas - is there seating in that area as well? Say, if we wanted to bbq and just eat outside...are there picnic benches or something of that sort?
There are a few long picnic like tables down to the one side of the 4 grills but there is not a lot of seating.
I think that's it for now =)
Thanks!!