Booked first trip to Aulani

[cdnjason]

We're going next April, for spring break. Any recommendations?

Sorry, I know nothing about planning further, now that the room and flights are booked. What reservations should I be looking into before our trip?

Thanks to all for any assistance.

 

[crystal1313]

Hi! So exciting! If you have kids, you can register them 90 days out for Aunty's. I think dining is 180 days out, but you can check on the website. Also, if you want to reserve a cabana or Ama Ama casabellas, I would call now and see if you can reserve. Have a great time!!

 

[cdnjason]

Thanks. Yes, two DDs, who will be 5 and 6 when we travel. I think Aunty's is a must for my kids. If i register them 90 days out, do I need to pick which days they will go to Aunty's while there?

Which restaurants do you recommend? Do I need to book them 180 days out, like WDW? Sorry, I'm a newbie to Hawaii.

 

[crystal1313]

Hi, when you register them for Aunty's online, you can choose the free activities you want. We were there 7 nights and got 3 free activities. Then a couple days after registering, I got an email with the dates and times of the free activities we got into. I didn't feel the need to change the days or times of the events, but have read that others have called to switch if the free activity overlapped with an excursion. You can also drop in for play. We were there in July and never had an issue with Aunty's being full for drop in, but I have read others having an issue. We would just pop in and see if they had room for our boys and they always did.

We are not buffet people, so we never tried the buffet. If you plan on doing that, I would get a reservation. Seems to fill up fast for the character dining. We made reservations for Ama Ama for breakfast two mornings and for dinner twice, once for us and once for my parents (both had our anniversary dinners there). When I made our dinner reservations, it was less than 180 days and only fairly early times were available (5:00, 5:30pm). We didn't mind. For Monkeypod across the street, we made a reservation the same day that we dined and never had an issue. I just hopped on the website and it looks like you can book a reservation up to early March as of now.

 

[85glht]

Not sure if it is your budget but I recommend renting a car. Lots to see and you can come and go on your own terms.

 

[cdnjason]

Hi, when you register them for Aunty's online, you can choose the free activities you want. We were there 7 nights and got 3 free activities. Then a couple days after registering, I got an email with the dates and times of the free activities we got into. I didn't feel the need to change the days or times of the events, but have read that others have called to switch if the free activity overlapped with an excursion. You can also drop in for play. We were there in July and never had an issue with Aunty's being full for drop in, but I have read others having an issue. We would just pop in and see if they had room for our boys and they always did.

We are not buffet people, so we never tried the buffet. If you plan on doing that, I would get a reservation. Seems to fill up fast for the character dining. We made reservations for Ama Ama for breakfast two mornings and for dinner twice, once for us and once for my parents (both had our anniversary dinners there). When I made our dinner reservations, it was less than 180 days and only fairly early times were available (5:00, 5:30pm). We didn't mind. For Monkeypod across the street, we made a reservation the same day that we dined and never had an issue. I just hopped on the website and it looks like you can book a reservation up to early March as of now.

THANK YOU so much for the insight.

Not sure if it is your budget but I recommend renting a car. Lots to see and you can come and go on your own terms.

Oh, yes. I already reserved an SUV. We plan on touring the island some. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[crystal1313]

@cdnjason search the Aulani forum for other Aunty's threads. Tons of great info! This forum really helped our planning SO much!

 

[85glht]

Oh, yes. I already reserved an SUV. We plan on touring the island some. Thanks for the recommendation.

Perfect!! Some of my recommendations, Waikiki beach and area for shopping, Hamanuma bay for snorkeling and take a ride to the north shore. Pearl Harbor and if you like battleships, the Missouri is docked right near the Arizona Memorial..... Although access to this is on Ford Island.

Have fun!!

 

[crystal1313]

Found the thread I was talking about for Aunty's:

http://disboards.com/threads/auntys-free-activities-registration.3489715/

=)