Aulani with a baby

[KateP85]

We're going to be at Aulani from June 26th to July 3rd, and we'll have a 3-year old and a 13 week old baby with us. I'm having a hard time finding answers to some questions (in all honesty, they're probably here somewhere but I'm a little sleep deprived!) Hoping someone can help me!

1. The best place to rent a car? We're staying on DVC points so parking a car is free, right? I really can't see how we could by without a rental car to get out and get supplies, see the island, etc.

2. I assume Aulani will have basic baby supplies like wipes and diapers for sale, but I also assume they'll be pricey. Is there a better place to pick that stuff up? We'll bring some with us, but at 13 weeks baby will go through a lot and I'm not keen on bringing a whole suitcase full of diapers with us!

3. We've been to Oahu before (pre-kids) but stayed in Honolulu. Is there anything on this side of the island we should be doing or anywhere we should go? We've done Pearl Harbor and won't be going again, but we like getting out, I think we might get bored just being at Aulani for a week.

I'm sure I have more questions but as I said, I'm sleep deprived and cant think of the rest. Thanks in advance for any help guys!

 

[crystal1313]

As far as I know, if you stay on points, parking is free. There is a Target, Walmart, Safeway and Costco all nearby Aulani where you could pick up more diapers. There is also a fancy ABC store across the street from Aulani.

Here is the link to babysitting services, if you and your husband want a nice night out. I think the prices are reasonable. https://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/rooms-offers/in-room-options/childcare/

 

[jtba]

We're going to be at Aulani from June 26th to July 3rd, and we'll have a 3-year old and a 13 week old baby with us. I'm having a hard time finding answers to some questions (in all honesty, they're probably here somewhere but I'm a little sleep deprived!) Hoping someone can help me!

my family was there last week and we saw lots of babies, so yours will be in good company!

1. The best place to rent a car? We're staying on DVC points so parking a car is free, right? I really can't see how we could by without a rental car to get out and get supplies, see the island, etc.

we picked up our rental car from the Honolulu airport. we checked in online the night before and got the computer print out. then after getting off the plane, we retrieved our luggage, hopped on the Alamo shuttle bus at the curb, took the 5-minute ride, got off the bus, handed the print out to the attendant in the lot (skipping over the lines in the office and by the kiosk), picked out our car and were out of there within 5 minutes. after we got to the hotel, we handed the key over to the valet. he gave us a receipt, unloaded the luggage, and returned the car for us. couldn't be easier than that.

on day 4 of our trip we also rented a car from the on-site Alamo counter within the hotel. it was a small office, but there was only one person ahead of us. the rate was a little higher than getting it from the airport, but it was so easy. pick up and return within the hotel. with your baby and 3-yr-old, this is the way to go.

2. I assume Aulani will have basic baby supplies like wipes and diapers for sale, but I also assume they'll be pricey. Is there a better place to pick that stuff up? We'll bring some with us, but at 13 weeks baby will go through a lot and I'm not keen on bringing a whole suitcase full of diapers with us!

if you get a rental car, you can go to target, costco, and/or safeway en route to aulani. they are only 1 or 2 exits before aulani, an easy location. you'll have lots of choices there.

3. We've been to Oahu before (pre-kids) but stayed in Honolulu. Is there anything on this side of the island we should be doing or anywhere we should go? We've done Pearl Harbor and won't be going again, but we like getting out, I think we might get bored just being at Aulani for a week.

please see my thread about the sea turtles just a 10-minute walk from aulani. your 3-yr-old will probably get a kick out of it. we went to another beach, ka'ena point, about a 35-minute drive away at the northwest point of the island (we rented the car on day 4 specifically for that), and it was great too. HOWEVER, the waves were very strong and there was a rip tides warning, so i would not recommend it for your little ones. just walk 10 minutes to the turtle place. it's another lagoon just like the one at aulani. the waves will be much more gentle and safe for all of you. i'm sure others have additional recommendations, but those are the only two places we ventured to during our 5-night stay last week.

definitely pre-register your 3-yr-old for aunty's beach house, btw. you will be able to select up to three complementary activities, then, depending on your length of stay, the staff will assign you a few of them (we stayed 5 nights and got 2; someone else stayed 8 and got 3). you'll want to do this at 90 days prior to arrival so you can ensure a spot. otherwise you'll have to be up at 7:30 to get in line, and you probably won't want to do that on your vacation.

 

[StefR]

I have no advice but I'm considering doing this later this year when my second child is born (my daughter is also 3). I'd love to know how your trip went and if you felt the long flight was worth the trip!

 

[KateP85]

I have no advice but I'm considering doing this later this year when my second child is born (my daughter is also 3). I'd love to know how your trip went and if you felt the long flight was worth the trip!

I will absolutely report back for you! I'm guessing the baby will be the easier traveler, I'm more concerned about the 3-year old holding up OK! I'll take lots of notes for you.

 

[KateP85]

my family was there last week and we saw lots of babies, so yours will be in good company!



we picked up our rental car from the Honolulu airport. we checked in online the night before and got the computer print out. then after getting off the plane, we retrieved our luggage, hopped on the Alamo shuttle bus at the curb, took the 5-minute ride, got off the bus, handed the print out to the attendant in the lot (skipping over the lines in the office and by the kiosk), picked out our car and were out of there within 5 minutes. after we got to the hotel, we handed the key over to the valet. he gave us a receipt, unloaded the luggage, and returned the car for us. couldn't be easier than that.

on day 4 of our trip we also rented a car from the on-site Alamo counter within the hotel. it was a small office, but there was only one person ahead of us. the rate was a little higher than getting it from the airport, but it was so easy. pick up and return within the hotel. with your baby and 3-yr-old, this is the way to go.



if you get a rental car, you can go to target, costco, and/or safeway en route to aulani. they are only 1 or 2 exits before aulani, an easy location. you'll have lots of choices there.



please see my thread about the sea turtles just a 10-minute walk from aulani. your 3-yr-old will probably get a kick out of it. we went to another beach, ka'ena point, about a 35-minute drive away at the northwest point of the island (we rented the car on day 4 specifically for that), and it was great too. HOWEVER, the waves were very strong and there was a rip tides warning, so i would not recommend it for your little ones. just walk 10 minutes to the turtle place. it's another lagoon just like the one at aulani. the waves will be much more gentle and safe for all of you. i'm sure others have additional recommendations, but those are the only two places we ventured to during our 5-night stay last week.

definitely pre-register your 3-yr-old for aunty's beach house, btw. you will be able to select up to three complementary activities, then, depending on your length of stay, the staff will assign you a few of them (we stayed 5 nights and got 2; someone else stayed 8 and got 3). you'll want to do this at 90 days prior to arrival so you can ensure a spot. otherwise you'll have to be up at 7:30 to get in line, and you probably won't want to do that on your vacation.

So I think we're just going to rent a car from Aulani the days we want to go somewhere, that seems easier.

I pre-registered DS3 for Aunty's Beach House this morning, and I picked out the 3 complimentary activities. When do they assign those to you (or however many you're allocated?) I'm going to call today to try to get DS3 signed up for the premium activities, I think he'll like those.

 

[StefR]

Thanks @KateP85

I've taken my 3 year old all over the world and she is a pretty easy traveler - its the baby that can't be pacified with extra tv time or toys that scares me!! And dealing with both double scares me. But I'm really curious about Aulani and the end of my maternity leave might be the perfect time to try it.

 

[crystal1313]

I signed up last Tuesday for Aunty's and got a response back late Thursday night with the confirmation for the 3 activities I picked. I have also heard people waiting more than a week to get a response. So it doesn't seem very consistent. Hope that helps!

 

[CailinFig]

I registered on a Monday morning and received my reservation the following Wednesday afternoon.

Definitely pass by Target on your way up from Honolulu to pick up baby supplies!

 

[famlovesmickey]

For Aunty's I registered on Sunday, April 10 and heard back on Tuesday, April 19.

 

[KateP85]

Just heard back from Aunty's today, we got the three activities we requested but two of the times probably won't work for us. Is there anywhere I can find a description of what each activity involves?

All the cabanas are booked up for while we're there, which is a shame - we really wanted somewhere quiet in the shade for baby to be able to sleep. I guess we'll keep trying in case anyone cancels, and if not, I guess we saved some money!

 

[jtba]

Just heard back from Aunty's today, we got the three activities we requested but two of the times probably won't work for us. Is there anywhere I can find a description of what each activity involves?

yes, you can see all of them here: https://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/activities/auntys-beach-house/

 

[crystal1313]

Just heard back from Aunty's today, we got the three activities we requested but two of the times probably won't work for us. Is there anywhere I can find a description of what each activity involves?

All the cabanas are booked up for while we're there, which is a shame - we really wanted somewhere quiet in the shade for baby to be able to sleep. I guess we'll keep trying in case anyone cancels, and if not, I guess we saved some money!

I think you can call and request different days/times if what they assigned you does not work.

I would keep calling and see if anyone cancels since you don't prepay. I also read that if people don't show up by 10am, they open the cabana up to rent. Maybe as a back up, you could rent the casabellas on the beach in the morning? That's what we plan on doing the days we could not rent the casabellas near Ama Ama.

 

[twodogs]

The casabella's rent the day-of, first come, first served, so if someone is willing to get up early and get in line, you can hopefully get one and have a shady place for the baby. You can call and try to change the times of the Aunty's activities; I think many people here have reported success with that. But I would try to call ASAP as the reservations for Aunty's opened for your trip timeframe about a month ago, and it is a busy time in summer (and against the 4th of July holiday as well).

 

[KateP85]

yes, you can see all of them here: https://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/activities/auntys-beach-house/

Sigh, thank you so much. I really should look on the website for this stuff before asking here!

 

[jtba]

Sigh, thank you so much. I really should look on the website for this stuff before asking here!

hey, i still remember those hazy, sleep-deprived days with a newborn! no worries.