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

[blondietink]

I have been told that it is worth renting a car as cab fares add up very quickly and there is so much to do on the island.

Yes, there is so much to do on Oahu that renting a car is an excellent idea. Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, North Shore, etc. are all worth seeing. If you are staying on DVC points, parking is free at Aulani. Otherwise there is a charge. Good rates are found at discounthawaiicarrental.com. I am told Costco has good rates also, but we are not members as there aren't any Costco's around here.

 

[wanderlust7]

Does anyone know if the coffee pots in the villas use basket filters or cone filters? We are hoping to bring some supplies from home for our trip.

They use the basket type.

 

[Bastion72]

Finally going back to Hawaii after 11 years away. I was stationed there 7 years and worked at the Coast Guard base right up the road from Aulani. We're heading there on the 6th of sept. for a week. I just found out about the grills and am pretty excited to grill some fresh fish. Are there shuttles available to get to the shopping center in Kapolei? The movie theater? Etc. Thanks for all the tips.

 

[Mtkgal]

I can't remember if this was already mentioned or not, but if shopping at Target, they do not supply bags. You either need to bring your own or buy the reusable ones there.

The cheapest Macadamia nuts ended up being from a vendor at the swap meet. I wish I had known what a good deal they were, I would have purchased more there. They even had the flavored ones. The caramel glazed ones are awesome!

Actually everything at the swap meet was a great deal. Saw many of the same exact items throughout the island for twice as much as the vendors at the swap offered.

 

[Bastion72]

BTW The swap meet is at Aloha Stadium. Thanks for reminding me.

http://www.alohastadiumswapmeet.net/

 

[NancyDVC]

This is a great thread! We are planning to go in October, 2016. We plan on arriving on a Friday staying in Honolulu one night then taking the 7 day cruise on NCL's Pride of America to see some other islands. Then we plan on 8 nights at Aulani. My DBFF has some mobility issues so we plan on doing some excursions through the resort (Pearl Harbor and the Polynesian Cultural Center) and some things on our own. We will be renting a car.
Someone mentioned that the seating at the Starlit Hui was on grass mats. Are there chairs available for those who can not sit on the ground? If you go to the beach where the sea turtles are is it easier to walk along the beach or along the path in front of the resorts?

 

[Girimama33]

There are some chairs available to watch Starlit Hui. You need to get there early to claim those. The beaches where the turtles/monk seals are in front/behind the new Four Seasons. The path ends at the end of the lagoon for Aulani and the FS. There is no path there...only sand and/or rocks.

Sounds like an amazing trip. Happy planning!

 

[jtkboston]

For all you aviation enthusiasts, the lagoon beach is a great place to watch planes approaching HNL airport in the landing pattern.

 

[nkereina]

Any tips/reviews for the Spa at Aulani? Thinking about doing a couples package (we're honeymooning) but of course it's pricey, so would love to know if its worth it!

 

[jtkboston]

Also, I wish I'd known that I'll be spending on airfare for return visits!

 

[Bastion72]

Another question. Are there salt and pepper shakers in the rooms? We plan on doing some cooking and making a list of things we might need.

 

[carissa1970]

Another question. Are there salt and pepper shakers in the rooms? We plan on doing some cooking and making a list of things we might need.

I can't remember! We brought our own seasonings in a divided pill container. But I do know that you can get butter, sugar, salt, and pepper, in packets or ask at the restaurants.

 

[NancyDVC]

Thanks Girimama33. Nice to know we won't have to stand.

 

[wanderlust7]

Another question. Are there salt and pepper shakers in the rooms? We plan on doing some cooking and making a list of things we might need.

No salt or pepper, I remember looking when we were making our grocery list.

 

[Bastion72]

carissa1970 That's a great idea.

Thanks Wanderlust7. I'll pack some, or just cruise by the restaurant.

 

[cinderella78]

The spa is WONDERFUL! Make sure to take time before or after your treatment to enjoy the hydrotherapy garden. It's definitely worth it.

 

[cinderella78]

Has anyone noticed that they post the daily iwa up on the aulani website? I was just looking around today and saw the next few days posted.

With that said, I saw that they now charge for a bunch of the fitness classes They used to be free, now they are $15 per class. Does anyone know when they started to consider the yoga classes a premium activity?

 

[southerngirl528]

Aloha Cinderella78. I didn't think they charged for yoga and just went to the Aulani website to see. Here's a link that says it's complimentary:

https://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/activities/yoga-on-the-beach/

It does appear that some of the "specialty" yoga classes do have a charge?

 

[cinderella78]

Maybe it was just the ones they listed on the daily iwa that were an extra charge. I hope so because I really enjoyed starting my day with yoga on the beach. Thanks for checking.

-Heidi

 

[southerngirl528]

You're welcome, Heidi! Hope your choice of yoga class is complimentary! The Daily Iwa is great, just don't forget to pick up the next day's version the evening before. They do not deliver them to your room. Have fun!