Aulani: What's the One Thing You Wish You Knew?

[Pixie_Dust]

KNOWING HOW CROWDED IT WAS! ... It was very hard to enjoy the resort this time around and we had to get up around 5AM to reserve decent pool chairs.

What does that mean,. to "reserve" a pool chair? I hope it doesn't mean like what they say you canNOT do on a cruise, plop down your stuff to block other people from using the chairs even though you are not there at the time? Please tell me there is a more civilized system?

P.S. Just got to the end of this thread, was answered a few posts above, sounds good, I will just have to remember not to keep my towels neatly folded

"We did not learn about the 1 hour pool chair-towel rule until our 4th day. Aulani cast members monitor pool chairs and if it looks like you have not returned to your chair for an hour, they will fold your towel and hang them on the back of the pool chair. This is how you know your chairs are being watched. When you return to your chair, just pull the towels down and that's how they know you have returned. If the towels have not moved after another hour (I think), the cast members will pick up all belongings and take them to the main towel distribution location and you can pick up there."

 

[funhouse8]

I wondered the same thing. There was a promo out there a few months ago for a freebie for Disney Visa Cardholders but it disappeared and I haven't seen it again. I printed the info and will ask when we get there in a few days to see if they will honor it. I'll post back if I can.

Oh please come back and let us know. We leave in three weeks. Can't wait and this would be a great perk. Thanks.

 

[islandtimect]

So it is hard to get pool chars if we go to the pool after breakfast, say 10am? I hate that people save chairs when they aren't there!

 

[CrazyDuck]

What I know that you should know...

Aulani's location makes it susceptible to some of the worst traffic in the nation! If you are traveling from Aulani heading towards Waikiki, you'll want to avoid the freeways between the hours of 5:30am and 8:00am. If you are travelling to Aulani from Waikiki or from the Airport, you'll want to avoid doing so between the hours of 3:00pm and 6:30pm.

- If your travels take to you the North Shore via H2 you'll only experience traffic in the morning and it will be short lived as the H2 exit is not far from where the traffic starts. Coming home from the North Shore you shouldn't see any traffic as any traffic on the H1 would have cleared by the time you reach the H2 interchange. *Special note for travelling on the North Shore. If you are here during the winter months (November - March) and you hear on the news that "Surfs Up", be advised that the traffic on the north shore can be absolutely ridiculous. Traffic on Kamehameha Hwy. often back up well before you even reach Haleiwa town and it may last all the way to Turtle Beach Resort. That's 7-8 miles of traffic going at most 5 miles per hour. So just take that into consideration if you want to go and check out the "epic waves"!

Other notes:
- The traffic times mentioned in the first paragraph apply only to weekdays. Weekends and Holidays traffic is usually light.

- The University of Hawaii has a huge impact on the traffic. When they are in Session (Aug-May) the traffic is at its absolute worst. During the Summer months, winter and Fall breaks traffic is a little lighter, most noticeably going towards Waikiki.

- There are many variables that can, and usually will, make traffic worse. Accidents and Road construction are the usual suspects. Right now there is a lot of construction going on. Follow "Hawaii Department of Transportation" on Facebook to get the latest updates to and lane closures.

 

[SeaPic]

The ABC Store (forget it's other name) across the street in the center with Monkeypod Kitchen is selling Dole Whips currently, I didn't try one because it was before dinner, but might save someone from heading to the Plantation if they really just want a Dole Whip.

Thanks! I'll definitely check this out when we are there next month.

 

[yolie912]

Oh please come back and let us know. We leave in three weeks. Can't wait and this would be a great perk. Thanks.

Nope I tried it and it doesn't work.. Bummer!!

 

[yolie912]

If you ask a pool staff member they will give you your stuff back. There is no saving chairs here. I am here now and it seems it's more enforced in the weekend... If you have questions I will be happy to reply.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

Ty for the awesome post, CrazyDuck! My SIL was in Oahu last year and traffic was so bad she posted on fb that she was "officially over it." Bad traffic is one of the most stressful things ever! (For instance, whenever we get stuck in Bay Area traffic, such as that stretch of I-80 near Berkeley, sometimes at 0-5 mph, it is enough to push DH over the edge and consequently make me frightened and miserable ) I think we can be mentally prepared to spend hours in traffic, theoretically, but it will still bug us when we have to go through it. Any strategies to minimize the craziness are greatly appreciated!.

Is there wifi along all the hwys so we can refer to our app that shows traffic flow? Or is that specific to your carrier? We have Metro PCS. I do not want to pay $15 a day xtra to get nav on the rental car!

What I know that you should know...

Aulani's location makes it susceptible to some of the worst traffic in the nation! If you are traveling from Aulani heading towards Waikiki, you'll want to avoid the freeways between the hours of 5:30am and 8:00am. If you are travelling to Aulani from Waikiki or from the Airport, you'll want to avoid doing so between the hours of 3:00pm and 6:30pm.

- If your travels take to you the North Shore via H2 you'll only experience traffic in the morning and it will be short lived as the H2 exit is not far from where the traffic starts. Coming home from the North Shore you shouldn't see any traffic as any traffic on the H1 would have cleared by the time you reach the H2 interchange. *Special note for travelling on the North Shore. If you are here during the winter months (November - March) and you hear on the news that "Surfs Up", be advised that the traffic on the north shore can be absolutely ridiculous. Traffic on Kamehameha Hwy. often back up well before you even reach Haleiwa town and it may last all the way to Turtle Beach Resort. That's 7-8 miles of traffic going at most 5 miles per hour. So just take that into consideration if you want to go and check out the "epic waves"!

Other notes:
- The traffic times mentioned in the first paragraph apply only to weekdays. Weekends and Holidays traffic is usually light.

- The University of Hawaii has a huge impact on the traffic. When they are in Session (Aug-May) the traffic is at its absolute worst. During the Summer months, winter and Fall breaks traffic is a little lighter, most noticeably going towards Waikiki.

- There are many variables that can, and usually will, make traffic worse. Accidents and Road construction are the usual suspects. Right now there is a lot of construction going on. Follow "Hawaii Department of Transportation" on Facebook to get the latest updates to and lane closures.

 

[OKW Lover]

Our experience with traffic on Oahu is that its only bad between the airport and Waikiki. Heading to Aulani or other parts of the island aren't a problem at all.

 

[CailinFig]

I think the traffic is bad on weekdays at the times mentioned by the previous poster. It just depends where you are heading when locals are going to/leaving work.

We went to Aulani last October and there was no mention re:1 hour rule. I only knew about bc of the dis boards. Our last trip this past April they asked me if I knew about it every time we received our bands.

 

[jliehr]

Our experience with traffic on Oahu is that its only bad between the airport and Waikiki. Heading to Aulani or other parts of the island aren't a problem at all.

Trying to get to Aulani in the afternoon rush hour is a pain, North Shore can get backed up as well with people pulling on and off the road to park with the beaches with people stopping to let them in or out. We took about 35 minutes to drive 10 miles close to Laniakea (Turtle) Beach

 

[manning]

Coming home from either the Bahamas or Aruba, I "stuck" a banana to eat while waiting for the plane on the way home in a carryon not knowing...

I was flagged going through security and the bag was thoroughly checked...I WILL NEVER do that again...SCARY!

You could have brought the banana in..but it would have had to be stored in your stomach. I believe fresh fruit is not allowed to be brought in.

 

[jerseygal]

I had been tasting and "dreaming" of WDW favorite, DOLE WHIP!

Was told that ABC Store across street from Aulani had Dole Whip...
I am a Dole Whip Lover, but this was not "quite" the Dole Whip that I was yearning for...Almost thin like pineapple sherbert...No "creamy" taste like at WDW!
Ice Cream Shop next to Island Coffee right by Monkeypod MUCH BETTER!!!YUM!

 

[WDW_Diane]

I had been tasting and "dreaming" of WDW favorite, DOLE WHIP! Was told that ABC Store across street from Aulani had Dole Whip... I am a Dole Whip Lover, but this was not "quite" the Dole Whip that I was yearning for...Almost thin like pineapple sherbert...No "creamy" taste like at WDW! Ice Cream Shop next to Island Coffee right by Monkeypod MUCH BETTER!!!YUM!

Had a similar experience at Peets Coffee on Waikiki Beach, I think it was at the Sheraton. Was better than what you had, though. We were there to board a catamaran out back, which was totally wonderful.

 

[WDW_Diane]

Wish I had known that I'd dream of a return trip DAILY. Really! Driving to Destin this year to see what all the fuss us about. Can't compare, I'm sure. Will be back to Aulani by 2017, if not sooner.

 

[carissa1970]

Wish I had known that I'd dream of a return trip DAILY. Really! Driving to Destin this year to see what all the fuss us about. Can't compare, I'm sure. Will be back to Aulani by 2017, if not sooner.

You should start a thread afterward with your opinions on Destin. I've heard a lot of people talking about it on here, and it would be cheaper for us than Hawaii!

 

[amypetecar]

I had been tasting and "dreaming" of WDW favorite, DOLE WHIP!

Was told that ABC Store across street from Aulani had Dole Whip...
I am a Dole Whip Lover, but this was not "quite" the Dole Whip that I was yearning for...Almost thin like pineapple sherbert...No "creamy" taste like at WDW!
Ice Cream Shop next to Island Coffee right by Monkeypod MUCH BETTER!!!YUM!

The best dole whip ive had on the planet is on the same island at the Dole Plantation!

I know its heresy, but it was WAAAYYYYYY better than in adventureland.

 

[OKW Lover]

The best dole whip ive had on the planet is on the same island at the Dole Plantation!

I know its heresy, but it was WAAAYYYYYY better than in adventureland.

That was our experience as well!

 

[WDW_Diane]

You should start a thread afterward with your opinions on Destin. I've heard a lot of people talking about it on here, and it would be cheaper for us than Hawaii!

Hmm, I might do that. Yes, it will be waaaay cheaper than Hawaii. It won't have the Hawaiian vibe, though. Thanks!

 

[yolie912]

I had it at the Dole Plantation with the waffle cone and it was pretty awesome!!