Budget Gods! What's an afforable way to see Aulani!

[ellochka]

Just looking for March I could get 5 days for 1500 and change I'm thinking why not?

Are you planning to go for just 5 nights? Hawaii is really far, this is why I would recommend a longer stay. Your per day cost is going to be very expensive with a 5 night stay.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Are you planning to go for just 5 nights? Hawaii is really far, this is why I would recommend a longer stay. Your per day cost is going to be very expensive with a 5 night stay.

Elaborate what you mean by this.

I get two ten day vacations per year. I really want to do Hawaii and I was thinking a cruise because the food is included and I get to see many islands.

However I just want to go to Aulani...it just seems so magic, and the perfect place if you were going to "do Hawaii".

 

[crisi]

Elaborate what you mean by this.

I get two ten day vacations per year. I really want to do Hawaii and I was thinking a cruise because the food is included and I get to see many islands.

However I just want to go to Aulani...it just seems so magic, and the perfect place if you were going to "do Hawaii".

With Hawaii you lose a day and a half - almost two - in travel each way. The flight wipes you out - its long and not comfortable.

Hawaii is functionally for tourists four islands - many people choose to island hop - doing more than one island per trip - because the initial airfare is so expensive and the time it took to get there expensive. So the average trip is often longer because once you are there, you might as well see it.

We did ten days - seven on the islands and three worth of travel. And too short - we should have spent another two on the Big Island (we spent two).

For me, the perfect place to "do Hawaii" isn't a single resort on a single island - to sit on a tropical beach can be done much cheaper without the long plane ride in the Carribean or Mexico. Hawaii is about seeing Hawaii - the cruise or taking a small plane. Its about taking a tour of the volcanos or driving around to see the scenery.

 

[aprincessatlast]

Elaborate what you mean by this.

I get two ten day vacations per year. I really want to do Hawaii and I was thinking a cruise because the food is included and I get to see many islands.

However I just want to go to Aulani...it just seems so magic, and the perfect place if you were going to "do Hawaii".

Have you read many of the reviews for Aulani? I would like to visit because I am a Disney fan but beyond that I would not be pining to stay at the resort. You have to remember each island is different and has its own little personality. If you talk to people who vacation in Hawaii a lot it seems everyone has a "favorite" island because to them it is the one that embodies the Hawaii feel. Aulani is on an island that is favored the least by many many people. I am not saying it would not be fun, but perfect place to "do Hawaii"? I would not be so sure about, perhaps the Disney way to "do Hawaii".?

I would just choose one Island and get the feel for it. I am not sure how you would really enjoy Hawaii if you were running from island to Island to get in each tourist attraction. (I know some people do this but it is not for everyone) Part of the allure of Hawaii is the laid back feel and soaking in the Aloha spirit.

The part about cost per day going up if you stay shorter. Think of WDW and their magic your way tickets. If you stay 4 days it is not much more to stay 10 as the cost of the ticket is minimal and why not you already flew all the way there.

 

[kelly622]

Don't be discouraged - anything is possible. Agree about the credit card sign ups and use of miles, that will save you a ton! We went this past summer during peak time and found that 5 nights was ideal. Yes it's on the other side of the island, but there is plenty to do and it's positively spectacular. My one big tip: we were not able to rent points for our dates. I waited for a 25% off code for cheaptickets.com and used it to book a 1 bedroom villa for significant savings. Enjoy every moment!

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Can you visit Aulani when you go to Hawaii? Like could you tour the resort or stay for a day to get pictures with Minnie and Mickey??

Thanks for your advise I love this place.

 

[mich311e]

We traveled to Oahu last summer for a week. I have only a few budget tips since we had a free place to stay with family. We bought our airfare outright and seemed to get a good price.

We did rent a car and we rented through:
http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/
We ended up with a car from Alamo, which is probably one of the cheaper rental places near the airport. It is slightly off-site from the airport so you have to take a shuttle there. We requested a compact and were able to pick from what was available on the lot. We were excited to have an Altima for the week. I definitely recommend having a car.

We went to the luau, http://www.paradisecoveluau.org/ right next to Aulani. It is truly out there, not much around. So my only experience with Aulani is driving by it.

I definitely recommend this place: http://www.hawaiiansurfadventures.com/
They do surf lessons but we did a canoe tour and it was awesome! Hanauma Bay is close by. http://www.hanaumabaystatepark.com/

And if you decide to do Pearl Harbor be sure to get the free tickets on their website EARLY. I don't know how early they give them out, maybe 2 or 3 months. We didn't end up getting any tickets to go out to see the memorial. We did go to the visitor center and there was plenty to see.

That doesn't help you with your budget trip to Aulani, but if you are going to travel all the way to Hawaii you may want to see some sites! And most of them aren't right near Aulani.

 

[ellochka]

Elaborate what you mean by this.

I get two ten day vacations per year. I really want to do Hawaii and I was thinking a cruise because the food is included and I get to see many islands.

However I just want to go to Aulani...it just seems so magic, and the perfect place if you were going to "do Hawaii".

Between the travel time, the time difference and the cost of travel, it makes no sense to go to Hawaii for a short period of time. Well, maybe if you are flying from Alaska or LA. Let's say, you two get budget tickets for $1,000 each. That's $200 per person per day to travel there if you go for 5 days, or $100 a day if you go for 10 days. Compare that to the cost of accommodations. My recommendation for anywhere in HI is 7 to 14 days.

I would also save enough money for the activities, because just being in Hawaii and not doing much is just not the same (our Maui trip was a babymoon, and while nice and relaxing, it just did not have the blast we had in Oahu). I really was going to "do Hawaii" once, so the deed is done, and I don't have to return, but every activity was fun, and half of them were amazing. I would totally go back. And then you want to take a couple of days to relax from it all... So, just the musts, like Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, Kailua, North Shore, Polynesian Cultural Center, and Waikiki/Diamond Head will take up five full days.