Aulani without kids

[SFDeb]

Just want to see and be...two nights in early February. Heard it's not that great without kids. Heard things shut down early? Can I cab to close adult activities?

 

[PackYourPixieDust]

My husband and I went when the resort first opened without kids. We loved it. But I'm an early riser and not a big late night girl. There was live music outside several nights of the week but I think it only went until like 10. There is a marina and some other hotels in the K'Olina resort area. If check to see what else happens there to see if there's late night activities. Otherwise just enjoy the resort for 2 days and do your partying after (or before.)

 

[nkereina]

We're spending time at Aulani on our honeymoon, no kids. I've heard the same about the lack of evening activities, so I planned for this. One night, we'll be going to Paradise Cove luau. Another day we plan to sleep in and spend the day at the beach/pool, so we'll do a later dinner/drinks either at Monkeypod or next door at the Marriott. Another day we are planning a spa treatment for the evening since its open til 8pm. We also plan to catch the resort's show Starlit Hui one night. On two other days, we'll be venturing to the North Shore and venturing to Kualoa Ranch, so we'll be leaving early and coming back late. I'm hoping to avoid any evening "boredom" with this schedule!

 

[buffettgirl]

Just want to see and be...two nights in early February. Heard it's not that great without kids. Heard things shut down early? Can I cab to close adult activities?

It really depends on what you're interested in and what you mean by late night. If you're looking for some bar hopping, bands, and great nightlife, and late night food, then you'd probably have a much better time down in waikiki. If you're ok turning in around 10..then sure Aulani.

 

[ngl]

Funny, I was thinking about this exact situation while we were at Aulani last week with our kids (ages 7 & 5)! It was our first visit and saw some people with "honeymooner" tshirts, etc and thought if I would have liked that way back when before kids. I think, as others have said, it really depends on what you are looking for. It is a beautiful resort...however, before kids I am not sure I would have picked this as a spot to go. There is no question this is a place geared towards families. Beaches are full of kids digging, running, etc. It is not made for serene sun soaking, in my opinion. Sure there were adult only areas but have to say, even in those areas I saw kids going in and out. The onsite restaurants were only open until 9:30 and believe the one late bar was open until 11. Pools close at 8pm. Hot tubs 10pm.

As others mentioned, for 2 nights you may want to experience it. Back in my days before kids, I probably would have opted something less of the family element and more of the couple element. Aulani is not the latter in my opinion. Before kids we stayed in Waikiki when in Honolulu (Hilton Hawaiian Village) and would recommend that simply bc of more to do around there. Hope this helps!!!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The pools shut down early, even the adult only pool and waterfall spa (that spa is awesome though). Disney tends to cater to the early to bed, early to rise group. The Olelo Room is pretty cool and is open later. There is not a whole lot in the area. Some restaurants across the street, some were open later, others had live music. If you're looking for clubs and dancing and very late nights, you won't find that. There's a luau down the road if you've never been to one. For only 2 nights it might be worth a try but if you don't want to be surrounded by families with kids, pick a different place.

 

[southerngirl528]

Just want to see and be...two nights in early February. Heard it's not that great without kids. Heard things shut down early? Can I cab to close adult activities?

DH & I have stayed at Aulani 3 times without any kids and we LOVE it!! We are planning our next trip now, again just for 2 of us. We love to eat at AMA AMA for the first 2 meals of the day as opposed to dinner. We see fewer kids but the main reason we do this is because of that VIEW! The Laniwai Spa is fabulous, and the adult pool area is very nice. The beach on the protected lagoon is rarely as busy as the chairs around the main pools. We very much enjoy the outstanding live Hawaiian music in the lounges each night. Love it all.

As for the "early" stuff I think one thing folks really forget is the time difference. You THINK you will be up as late as you are at home, but that is highly unlikely unless you are staying for over a week to acclimate. We are on east coast time so Hawaii is 5 hours earlier than us during the winter and SIX hours earlier when we are on Daylight Savings Time, which HI does not participate in. I'm a night owl but when it is 8pm in Hawaii my body says it is either 1 or 2am!!! The reason lots of Hawaii resorts don't have really late night options is because NO ONE attends!! They are all worn out and in bed!!!

I agree that if someone is a "partier" or wants to go clubbing that Waikiki/Honolulu would be a better option.

 

[Mom2disneygirls]

Funny, I was thinking about this exact situation while we were at Aulani last week with our kids (ages 7 & 5)! It was our first visit and saw some people with "honeymooner" tshirts, etc and thought if I would have liked that way back when before kids. I think, as others have said, it really depends on what you are looking for. It is a beautiful resort...however, before kids I am not sure I would have picked this as a spot to go. There is no question this is a place geared towards families. Beaches are full of kids digging, running, etc. It is not made for serene sun soaking, in my opinion. Sure there were adult only areas but have to say, even in those areas I saw kids going in and out. The onsite restaurants were only open until 9:30 and believe the one late bar was open until 11. Pools close at 8pm. Hot tubs 10pm.

As others mentioned, for 2 nights you may want to experience it. Back in my days before kids, I probably would have opted something less of the family element and more of the couple element. Aulani is not the latter in my opinion. Before kids we stayed in Waikiki when in Honolulu (Hilton Hawaiian Village) and would recommend that simply bc of more to do around there. Hope this helps!!!

Yes I agree. We went to the Four Seasons Maui for our honeymoon and always said we'd return to Hawaii someday with our kids (surprisingly the Four Seasons even had a good number of kids but not like Disney). So flash forward 15 years and with 3 kids Disney fans and food allergies (which Disney ROCKS on) we knew Aulani had to be our destination. Super excited but not sure it wold be my first choice without kids.... but then Im coming from east coast perhaps if I was just coming from CA?

 

[vikequeen]

Yes I agree. We went to the Four Seasons Maui for our honeymoon and always said we'd return to Hawaii someday with our kids (surprisingly the Four Seasons even had a good number of kids but not like Disney). So flash forward 15 years and with 3 kids Disney fans and food allergies (which Disney ROCKS on) we knew Aulani had to be our destination. Super excited but not sure it wold be my first choice without kids.... but then Im coming from east coast perhaps if I was just coming from CA?

Off topic but yes aren't they awesome on food allergies? That's part of why we became such Dw lovers and even bought DVC!