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

[buzzgirls&dad]

We were thinking about stopping at Target or Walmart to do a little shopping. I was wondering if either of these stores had alcohol. Not just beer or wine. We want to make a few tropical drinks while we're there. If neither of these stores has say Rum, can you recommend a liquor store? Tia

 

[Disney Dreams]

We were thinking about stopping at Target or Walmart to do a little shopping. I was wondering if either of these stores had alcohol. Not just beer or wine. We want to make a few tropical drinks while we're there. If neither of these stores has say Rum, can you recommend a liquor store? Tia

Target has alcohol.

- Dreams

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We were thinking about stopping at Target or Walmart to do a little shopping. I was wondering if either of these stores had alcohol. Not just beer or wine. We want to make a few tropical drinks while we're there. If neither of these stores has say Rum, can you recommend a liquor store? Tia

Heading south past the Walmart (and before the Target) you will find a Publix on the right. In that shopping center is a liquor store. I know for sure they have Tequila

 

[gjl]

Removed

 

[buzzgirls&dad]

Thank you, added to my notes.

 

[brenbrady]

I went on VRBO and found a nice, refurbished one bedroom condo in the Ilakai Building. It's right on the water looking out at the marina, has a great central location with a view of the evening fireworks. I am hoping we like it!

We also are staying at the Ilakai in Februry and we rented two bedroom with my sister and brother in law. Our friends have a one bedroom. Love the location, having been to oahu before but never stayed at the Ilakai.
We also went through VRBO. When are you going to be there?

 

[lodge]

Oh man do I love you guys for sharing this info!

 

[DrChuck23]

We were thinking about stopping at Target or Walmart to do a little shopping. I was wondering if either of these stores had alcohol. Not just beer or wine. We want to make a few tropical drinks while we're there. If neither of these stores has say Rum, can you recommend a liquor store? Tia

Costco also has liquor (including the premixed margarita bottles available currently across the country) and is a 5min drive from Aulani. For those without a car, there is a "convenience store" across the street but definitely a price gouger. Still beats $10 drinks at the bar though.

For those interested in the USS Arizona, they only give out something like 500 tickets per day (they are free). In June, we showed up on a weekday maybe 20min after they open (7:30 I believe) and all tickets were already given out. I think the prepaid tours may count against this total so maybe we just picked the wrong day.

For those who have never been to Hawaii before, remember the time zone change- you will be waking up at 5am and ready for bed by 8pm the first few days you are there so plan accordingly (see some great sunrises and few people are at the lagoon early in the morning though).

Lastly, the "maze" at the Dole Plantation is a total waste. The train ride is okay especially if you have kids.

 

[amym2]

Costco also has liquor (including the premixed margarita bottles available currently across the country) and is a 5min drive from Aulani. For those without a car, there is a "convenience store" across the street but definitely a price gouger. Still beats $10 drinks at the bar though.

For those interested in the USS Arizona, they only give out something like 500 tickets per day (they are free). In June, we showed up on a weekday maybe 20min after they open (7:30 I believe) and all tickets were already given out. I think the prepaid tours may count against this total so maybe we just picked the wrong day.

For those who have never been to Hawaii before, remember the time zone change- you will be waking up at 5am and ready for bed by 8pm the first few days you are there so plan accordingly (see some great sunrises and few people are at the lagoon early in the morning though).

Lastly, the "maze" at the Dole Plantation is a total waste. The train ride is okay especially if you have kids.

Ditto the time difference reminder, although we actually did really well coming from the Eastern time zone. We were up at 4am the first day and 6-7am every day after. We were in bed between 9 and 10 every night, so that wasn't too bad. Our kids (11 and 9) did way better than I expected. Coming home was pretty miserable, though.

And ditto the maze remark. We did it because it's what the kids wanted to do, but 2 minutes in and they were arguing about which way to go. It was the only time it really felt hot during our visit- no shade. Good thing was that it was an excuse to get a Dole Whip after!

 

[Cinderpamela]

I went on VRBO and found a nice, refurbished one bedroom condo in the Ilakai Building. It's right on the water looking out at the marina, has a great central location with a view of the evening fireworks. I am hoping we like it!

We also are staying at the Ilakai in Februry and we rented two bedroom with my sister and brother in law. Our friends have a one bedroom. Love the location, having been to oahu before but never stayed at the Ilakai.
We also went through VRBO. When are you going to be there?

We are there in December so I can report back!

 

[JacksGirlz]

Bump

Any other tips/tricks? We'll be at Aulani in March.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thanks for the bump, JacksGirlz - otherwise I would never have found this great thread!

 

[AJaquins]

We went back in September. I spent time in the lazy river almost every single day. We really wished we could've stayed longer. Next time we're staying for 10 days instead of 7. We had a studio and after 2 days realized we should've gotten a 1 bedroom. The food is expensive and being able to cook our own meals would've been a lot better.

We rented our car thru discounthawaiicarrentals.com and got a car with Alamo. We ended up with a Lincoln Town car upgraded from a Full-size car because that's all they had. Definitely get the fuel fill up from Alamo it was well worth not having to get gas at 4:30am and it was way less than having to fill up at a gas station. The shuttle was easy to find and super easy to get to the car rental location.

We went to Walmart to get groceries and water and ended up finding some really good priced souvenirs also-they have a really large selection, you can find the same souvenirs in touristy shops for much more.

We ended up eating at Denny's almost every day and they recognize you after a couple of days. There were a lot of locals and they were nice to talk to. It was only 2 miles away from the resort. We also tried fried pies at McDonald's and the coconut (haupia) pie was awesome.

Defiantly go to Pearl Harbor and reserve tickets ahead of time for the USS Arizona memorial on the government website. It only costs $1.50 booking fee and if you do it early enough you have your pick of times instead of wondering if you can get a spot. We went over on the 1st boat of the day and it was so quiet. They have the tickets available for you at will call when you get there-you just have to pick them up 1 hour ahead of time-there is museums and exhibits to look at while you wait. You for sure want to go on the weekend as the traffic during the week going into Honolulu is horrible. We experienced both and would've preferred the weekend traffic.

We also went to Aloha stadium-which is right across from Pearl Harbor for the Swap meet. We got some really good deals on luggage, Hawaiian shirts, fabric, and many other things. Make sure to Barter cause there are several booths that carry the same things.

The island time will get you and by day 3 or 4 we just wanted to stay at the resort and just relax. The pool area is so relaxing and you just want to enjoy it. We also took tours of the DVC 1 bedroom/2 bedroom lock-off while we were there and were also able to tour a grand villa that was so beautiful. It definitely convinced my father in law that we needed a 1 bedroom next time.

We also did Dole plantation and enjoyed dole whip and the train ride. We also drove to North shore afterwards its only another 10-15 minute drive past the plantation.

 

[disneybirds]

There are lots of good suggestions on here. The only other thing that I can add is to book a cabana if you leave late the last day. On the day we were leaving, the place was crazy. There wasn't a pool chair to be found anywhere. We ended up leaving the resort and heading to Kualoa Ranch. We had fun, but it would have been nice to stay at the resort for one more day.

 

[JacksGirlz]

There are lots of good suggestions on here. The only other thing that I can add is to book a cabana if you leave late the last day. On the day we were leaving, the place was crazy. There wasn't a pool chair to be found anywhere. We ended up leaving the resort and heading to Kualoa Ranch. We had fun, but it would have been nice to stay at the resort for one more day.

Thanks for the idea. I was thinking that DD15 and I might spend the day at the spa for this same reason.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Thanks for the idea. I was thinking that DD15 and I might spend the day at the spa for this same reason.

The spa on the last day is actually a really good idea!

On our last day we did not have a flight out until 9pm so we spent the day on the pool deck. The plan was to use the departure lounge that is set aside for members on their last day.

But when it came time for us to head to the departure lounge to use the locker room showers and get cleaned up to go, it was clear that many others had the same plan! There were at least 5-6 women in line for showers --- only 2 showers, 2 sinks, & 2 bathroom stalls with around 12 women trying to jockey for position.
DH said it was the same in the Mens locker room so he and DS's decided to forgo showers.

I am thinking that if we have that type of late flight situation again, I would rather get a day pass for the spa and get cleaned up there with low stress!

 

[yitbos96bb]

Off topic but do you know what the day pass cost is for the spa?

The spa on the last day is actually a really good idea!

On our last day we did not have a flight out until 9pm so we spent the day on the pool deck. The plan was to use the departure lounge that is set aside for members on their last day.

But when it came time for us to head to the departure lounge to use the locker room showers and get cleaned up to go, it was clear that many others had the same plan! There were at least 5-6 women in line for showers --- only 2 showers, 2 sinks, & 2 bathroom stalls with around 12 women trying to jockey for position.
DH said it was the same in the Mens locker room so he and DS's decided to forgo showers.

I am thinking that if we have that type of late flight situation again, I would rather get a day pass for the spa and get cleaned up there with low stress!

 

[jerseygal]

Disneybird...Did you go horseback riding or do ATV at Kuloa Ranch?
Also, did you do the excursion through Aulani or just "go on your own"?
Looking forward to doing the ATV's...Looks like SO MUCH FUN!
Have watched a You Tube Video and the scenery looks BEAUTIFUL!

If you "went on your own", did you go to the private beach there, enjoy the beach, and did you do the barbeque by any chance? Wanted to know your impressions of the beach and barbeque if you did those 2 things at the Ranch....

THANKS!

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

Off topic but do you know what the day pass cost is for the spa?

We tried to get a day pass at the spa last time (the outside area was open just 1 day then closed remainder of our trip) and they told us no passes. You had to book at least a 50 min treatment and salon services didn't count. Maybe the girl was wrong, but we didn't ask again since it was closed (and decided not to get a treatment that day).

 

[Doingitagain]

Disneybird...Did you go horseback riding or do ATV at Kuloa Ranch?
Also, did you do the excursion through Aulani or just "go on your own"?
Looking forward to doing the ATV's...Looks like SO MUCH FUN!
Have watched a You Tube Video and the scenery looks BEAUTIFUL!

If you "went on your own", did you go to the private beach there, enjoy the beach, and did you do the barbeque by any chance? Wanted to know your impressions of the beach and barbeque if you did those 2 things at the Ranch....

THANKS!

Our family of four adults did the ATV at the ranch, through Disney. Loved it!!!