Coordinating Check Out and Flight Home

[Mom22Ds]

We are staying at Aulani in June and I found what I think is a pretty good fare and I want to book it but I'm trying to decide what time to fly home. The return flight I'm looking at in at 8 in the evening, but I know we have to check out of our room in the morning. Does Aulani let you use the facilities after you check out, and what do you do with your bags?

 

[nkereina]

Yes you can use anything up until midnight of your check-out day. After you check-out of your room, Bell Services can store your bags until you leave. Aulani also has a one time use lounge/change room that has showers and amenities so you can change and freshen up before your flight. It can get busy so just plan accordingly if you use that.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

We left on a red eye flight too, about the same time. We used the departure day lounge to get cleaned up and changed before we left. Hung out and watched some tv in there to kill some time too. It was very easy. Have a great trip!

 

[kailuagirl]

I would not book an early flight. Traffic heading out of the area in the early morning is pretty bad. With a later flight, it will be much better. You will be going against the traffic

 

[Disney_Fan_01]

I would not book an early flight. Traffic heading out of the area in the early morning is pretty bad. With a later flight, it will be much better. You will be going against the traffic

I have a related question to this. We have our flight back at 9:30 PM. What time should we think about leaving Aulani to get to the airport. We will also be dropping off our car at the airport.

 

[nkereina]

I have a related question to this. We have our flight back at 9:30 PM. What time should we think about leaving Aulani to get to the airport. We will also be dropping off our car at the airport.

What day of the week? We had a 4pm flight home on a Friday. We left Aulani around 12:30pm, because we had no idea what kind of traffic to expect and how long it would take to return our rental car. We returned our car at Alamo and it took less than 5 minutes. Couldn't have been easier or faster. We were at the airport by 1:30, which was too early. It wasn't all that busy and security went quick. In your case, you'd be going to the airport possibly during the end of rush hour, so perhaps someone else can comment on that.

 

[Disney_Fan_01]

What day of the week? We had a 4pm flight home on a Friday. We left Aulani around 12:30pm, because we had no idea what kind of traffic to expect and how long it would take to return our rental car. We returned our car at Alamo and it took less than 5 minutes. Couldn't have been easier or faster. We were at the airport by 1:30, which was too early. It wasn't all that busy and security went quick. In your case, you'd be going to the airport possibly during the end of rush hour, so perhaps someone else can comment on that.

Thanks, we will be flying back on Wednesday, May 31st.

 

[happymommy]

We're at the Marriott, and our return flight is a 8:30pm I think. I just booked our room for an extra night, so we could take our time and have the room all day, then pack up in the afternoon instead of rushing that morning. I figure my DD will take a nap (she needs her sleep) and I bet DH will too!

 

[alohamom]

I have a related question to this. We have our flight back at 9:30 PM. What time should we think about leaving Aulani to get to the airport. We will also be dropping off our car at the airport.

I think you want to make sure you are at the airport with time to spare because we have had the security lines be super long OR super short, just depends on how many flights are leaving. One thing I would note though is not much is open at that time in the airport, especially to eat so what we have done in the past is leave Aulani about 3.5 hours ahead of our scheduled night flight and stop just before the airport at a little strip mall called the Moanalua Shopping Centre that has a Panda Express, Ruby Tuesdays, Starbucks, Koa Pancake house, Jack in the Box, Mcds and a Chevron. This is where we gas up the rental car before the return. It is about 6 minutes from the Airport, if that. Just off of the highway on a street called Valkenburgh. That way we have already gotten through any traffic that may have kept us from being on time and we can gauge when to leave for the car rental return.


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We are staying at Aulani in June and I found what I think is a pretty good fare and I want to book it but I'm trying to decide what time to fly home. The return flight I'm looking at in at 8 in the evening, but I know we have to check out of our room in the morning. Does Aulani let you use the facilities after you check out, and what do you do with your bags?

Both times we have stayed at Aulani we have requested late check outs on the day of. Both times we were given some time, not a lot but some. First time it was until 1:00 and the second time we were given about an extra hour. Even if this isnt the full day it is a plan to keep in mind.

 

[cgattis]

If we have a 7:30 am flight out of HNL on a weekday, what time should we leave Aulani? 5:00 am? Would that be plenty of time (including car return) barring any major unforeseen event? I would rather hear 5:30.... but shoot me straight!!

 

[happymommy]

If we have a 7:30 am flight out of HNL on a weekday, what time should we leave Aulani? 5:00 am? Would that be plenty of time (including car return) barring any major unforeseen event? I would rather hear 5:30.... but shoot me straight!!

Honestly, if it were me, I'd be on my way by 5:00. You have to return a rental car, then take the shuttle. Is it interisland or to the mainland? Mainland, I'd rather have at least 90 minutes. It's 30 to the airport, then return, allow another 30 minutes at least. That alone to me is cutting it close. We usually allow 2 1/2 plus hours coming home. You just never know.

 

[nkereina]

Both times we have stayed at Aulani we have requested late check outs on the day of. Both times we were given some time, not a lot but some. First time it was until 1:00 and the second time we were given about an extra hour. Even if this isnt the full day it is a plan to keep in mind.

I requested late check out on a Friday in September and they told me no. I really just needed 30 minutes past check out time so we could brush our teeth after breakfast, before heading to the airport, and they told me no to that and that my only option was to pay $150 to keep the room until 3pm. We didn't pay to keep the room, but that may be a feasible option for someone willing to pay it.

If we have a 7:30 am flight out of HNL on a weekday, what time should we leave Aulani? 5:00 am? Would that be plenty of time (including car return) barring any major unforeseen event? I would rather hear 5:30.... but shoot me straight!!

I agree with PP - 5am at the latest. We left early to go to Kualoa Ranch and we caught traffic due to an accident that set us almost 30 minutes behind. I do like to overestimate and be early, so I'd probably leave even earlier.

 

[Disney_Fan_01]

I think you want to make sure you are at the airport with time to spare because we have had the security lines be super long OR super short, just depends on how many flights are leaving. One thing I would note though is not much is open at that time in the airport, especially to eat so what we have done in the past is leave Aulani about 3.5 hours ahead of our scheduled night flight and stop just before the airport at a little strip mall called the Moanalua Shopping Centre that has a Panda Express, Ruby Tuesdays, Starbucks, Koa Pancake house, Jack in the Box, Mcds and a Chevron. This is where we gas up the rental car before the return. It is about 6 minutes from the Airport, if that. Just off of the highway on a street called Valkenburgh. That way we have already gotten through any traffic that may have kept us from being on time and we can gauge when to leave for the car rental return.

Thanks for the tip about the gas stop. My plan is to have early dinner at Ulu cafe and leave Aulani around 6:30 PM with the hope to drop-off the car and get to the airport by 8 PM. Hope there won't be traffic in that direction at that time.
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Both times we have stayed at Aulani we have requested late check outs on the day of. Both times we were given some time, not a lot but some. First time it was until 1:00 and the second time we were given about an extra hour. Even if this isnt the full day it is a plan to keep in mind.

 

[Disney_Fan_01]

I requested late check out on a Friday in September and they told me no. I really just needed 30 minutes past check out time so we could brush our teeth after breakfast, before heading to the airport, and they told me no to that and that my only option was to pay $150 to keep the room until 3pm. We didn't pay to keep the room, but that may be a feasible option for someone willing to pay it.

Thanks for the tip. We might consider paying $150 for late check-out. How far in advance do we need to let the resort know about our intention for late-checkout. Can we decide a day before checking-out or will it be something we need to decide upon check-in?

I agree with PP - 5am at the latest. We left early to go to Kualoa Ranch and we caught traffic due to an accident that set us almost 30 minutes behind. I do like to overestimate and be early, so I'd probably leave even earlier.

 

[kailuagirl]

I have a related question to this. We have our flight back at 9:30 PM. What time should we think about leaving Aulani to get to the airport. We will also be dropping off our car at the airport.

What day of the week do you leave on? Friday traffic is the worst. I'd say maybe between 6 and 6:30. It will take you give or take just say 40 minutes to get to the airport, could be more, could be less. You shouldn't hit any traffic until you get to around the Pearl City or stadium area if its a weekday. Security lines can be unfortunately long and slow sometimes. We live on the Windward Side and always leave 2.5 hours before our flight. It takes about 25 minutes to get to the airport. Rarely do we have wait time once there. Last couple of times there wasn't even time to sit down at the gate, they are were already boarding.

 

[kailuagirl]

I requested late check out on a Friday in September and they told me no. I really just needed 30 minutes past check out time so we could brush our teeth after breakfast, before heading to the airport, and they told me no to that and that my only option was to pay $150 to keep the room until 3pm. We didn't pay to keep the room, but that may be a feasible option for someone willing to pay it.



I agree with PP - 5am at the latest. We left early to go to Kualoa Ranch and we caught traffic due to an accident that set us almost 30 minutes behind. I do like to overestimate and be early, so I'd probably leave even earlier.

I also agree, 5 am at the latest. You will be going in the direction of everyone trying to get to work and school and they have to leave really early due to the traffic. There is basically only one road out of there.

 

[cgattis]

Well, that's not what I hoped to hear but I appreciate the honesty. Just can't miss our flight. Anyway, we always just get up and GO on departure day--it's too sad to linger!

 

[nkereina]

@Disney_Fan_01 if you want to request late check-out for the additional fee, it may behoove you to do it earlier in your stay, before others have the chance to request it as well. I don't think there's a cut-off though, per se. We asked the morning of our check-out day and were offered this option for the fee. But whether or not the option is available will solely depend on how many check-outs and check-ins they have, it's not offered all the time.