Checking in to Aulani today!

[KaTFacer]

I work the graveyard shift, and another long night in Vegas just got better when I snuck online and saw we can check in online for our trip to Aulani now! My wife is a baker and the Super Bowl is bigger here than New Years Eve is, so I know she is dreading work today, but I get to come home the hero and have everything set up. This is our first DVC trip, and honestly this is the reason we joined. We are celebrating our 10th anniversary a bit early, and we are taking my parents to help them celebrate their 45th a bit late. For Valentines Day we have a sunset dinner cruise planned, but other than that, Pearl Harbor is our only known stop after we check in. (My Dad, wife and I are all veterans) We are renting a car and going to the Aloha Stadium swap meet after we arrive, the military commissary to pick up supplies then a farmers market that night. Anyone else have any tips for this time of year specifically? We are debating between whale watching, the waves at North Shore or the ATV excursion at the ranch (name escapes me right now)

 

[kkmcan]

I don't have any tips but I am so excited for you! We check in mid March for our first trip there! Keep us updated with your thoughts and advice when you get there.

 

[Pooh2]

Have a wonderful trip!

 

[Cinderpamela]

I work the graveyard shift, and another long night in Vegas just got better when I snuck online and saw we can check in online for our trip to Aulani now! My wife is a baker and the Super Bowl is bigger here than New Years Eve is, so I know she is dreading work today, but I get to come home the hero and have everything set up. This is our first DVC trip, and honestly this is the reason we joined. We are celebrating our 10th anniversary a bit early, and we are taking my parents to help them celebrate their 45th a bit late. For Valentines Day we have a sunset dinner cruise planned, but other than that, Pearl Harbor is our only known stop after we check in. (My Dad, wife and I are all veterans) We are renting a car and going to the Aloha Stadium swap meet after we arrive, the military commissary to pick up supplies then a farmers market that night. Anyone else have any tips for this time of year specifically? We are debating between whale watching, the waves at North Shore or the ATV excursion at the ranch (name escapes me right now)

That sounds like a fabulous trip!!

Don't miss the North Shore, its a great day trip. While there be sure to stop at one of the Shrimp trucks and get some shave ice at Matsumoto's. We also had a great dinner up there at Cholo's- great Mexican food and margaritas.

On my list for next time is to dine at the Turtle Bay Resort, there is a casual beachside restauraunt there that got a really good write up in Sunset Magazine. It's called Ola at Turtle Bay Resort: http://www.turtlebayresort.com/resort/restaurants/olas/

We also had a great time hiking Diamond Head. Its not too strenuous of a hike and the view at the top makes it all worth it.

This is a great site that describes the hike and what to expect:
http://www.lavasurfer.com/info/hikediamondhead.html

 

[KaTFacer]

We made our first trip to Hawaii right after we got married, but unfortunately, I played basketball one month before we got married and completely ruptured my left Achilles' tendon. My wife's number one thing she wanted to do was hike Diamondhead, and I got off crutches while we were there. I was still in a walking boot, off crutches for only two days when we went thee to site see. Then to site see a little higher. And higher... On our video camera she kept apologizing to my mom, stressing it wasn't her idea to keep going. Yep, in a walking boot we made it to the top, I turned and looked at her and said "I promised you we would climb this!" And yes, I was right back on crutches... Sometimes being stubborn is a bad thing! We are skipping the hike this time because while I am healthy now, my parents can't make that climb.

 

[deedisneydream97]

Have a great trip! We didn't get to do the ranch ATV thing this time....next time. The name escapes me right now too....but if you go directly to their website it lists all of their tours. If your parents don't want to do the ATV or horseback riding things, they also have a large vehicle that fits many that also does the tour. We just didn't feel like driving over to the other side of the island again for this. Traffic is a monster during the week.

If you walk over to the cove in front of Paradise cove there is some nice snorkleing there, along with a couple of smaller sea turtles on the rocks (sometimes, but not all). It is not an easy walk (you have to be careful climbing on the rocky wall alongside a fence that keeps you off private property). A be careful of some coral in the water.....so glad we bought water shoes.

Again, have fun. There is so much to do on the island. It is beautiful.

 

[tinibee]

Hope you have a great vacation! Quick question, where is the farmers market you mentioned? That sounds fun!

I can't offer much more advice for your itinerary. We also want to hit the swap meet for cheap souvenirs, the Arizona memorial and the commissary for cheaper groceries After that we scheduled a lot of laying around on the beach, not doing much and enjoying the resort!

 

[cel_disney]

We are planning our trip to Aulani for just before valentines day 2015! I have been to Hawaii 3 times the week you will be there - the North Shore Beachs/Waves are not to be missed!

We will be doing north shore and the Whale watch next year because my kids are pretty obsessed with marine life as am I.

The one thing I always remember about our February trips compared to our April ones is that the weather isn't perfect - it could be rainy or windy so dress in layers and don't set yourself up for disappointment if you can't sit out by the pool in skimpy clothing all day every day...

 

[jerseygal]

We are REALLY LOOKING FORWARD to doing the ATV's at the Kuloa Ranch!
Can't wait....THANKS FOR THE "TRAFFIC TIP"!!!

Enjoy your special vacation!!!!