Disney Fantasy vs. Aulani

[pierresgirl]

I did a search and didn't see my question answered in a way that pertains to me, nor was I sure where to post it if anyone knows of a better place for me to post please let me know!

Anyways, I'm planning on surprising my family at Christmas with a trip for dh's 50th, our 15th anniversary & dd 15th birthday. So it's for myself, dh, dd15 & ds12. I'm going to do the end of feb and will either do a 7 night cruise on the Fantasy cat 6C OR 7 nights at Disneys Aulani resort standard room in Hawaii.

We have done a 3 & 4 night cruise on the Wonder and love love loved it! my kids talk about going again however they have also talked about Hawaii and wanting to go there. I priced out both and they actually work out to be the same when I factor in flights, car rental & food (for Hawaii) I would love either, I lived there for 3 yrs in my 20's and know my way around.

Anyone have any input? Pros and cons? Thanks so much!!!

 

[neoavatara]

Well, I've done Fantasy, Wonder, and did 10 days at Aulani last year.

Fantasy and Wonder are slightly different experiences because of the ships, but you generally know what you are going to get if you have done a cruise before. I think each ship has its special items to love, so I think going on a new ship would still be great.

As for Aulani; it is a great resort, with a wonderful beach. The swimming area includes a slow river, a large pool, and a smaller snorkel pool with live fish, etc.

Aulani is quite fantastic, though I am unsure if it is worth the price. There are plenty of great resorts in Hawaii, not to mention in Waikiki, so it is just a matter of picking your preference.

If you have specific questions about Aulani, let me know!

 

[pierresgirl]

Well, I've done Fantasy, Wonder, and did 10 days at Aulani last year.

Fantasy and Wonder are slightly different experiences because of the ships, but you generally know what you are going to get if you have done a cruise before. I think each ship has its special items to love, so I think going on a new ship would still be great.

As for Aulani; it is a great resort, with a wonderful beach. The swimming area includes a slow river, a large pool, and a smaller snorkel pool with live fish, etc.

Aulani is quite fantastic, though I am unsure if it is worth the price. There are plenty of great resorts in Hawaii, not to mention in Waikiki, so it is just a matter of picking your preference.

If you have specific questions about Aulani, let me know!

Thanks for answering! Does the Aulani have a luau? Was breakfast included? Did you do any excusions or rent a car? I agree a new ship would be great! Argggg so hard! Lol!

 

[neoavatara]

Aulani, I don't believe, has a luau...but the reason I think is one of the really big luau places on the island is a 3 minute walk down the beach from there. That is what I would recommend ( sorry, can't remember the name; it is right next to the Marriott).

I don't think any of the food was included; at least wasn't for us. I rented a car, because I prefer driving. If you know Oahu, I think a car would be better than the excursions. I did one excursion there because I had other family that didn't have a car ( Pearl Harbor). It was fine, but I like the flexibility of being able to do what you want when you want. It is a personal preference obviously.

There is a character breakfast (kind of modeled after the one on the cruises) that was expensive, but was excellent.

There is a bunch of food places around, and a small grocery near by. If you have a car, the big grocery stores and even walmart are 5 minutes away, and a lot cheaper.

 

[LisaT91403]

Thanks for answering! Does the Aulani have a luau? Was breakfast included? Did you do any excusions or rent a car? I agree a new ship would be great! Argggg so hard! Lol!

I have done two trips to Aulani, but won't be on my first DCL cruise until January. I am a Diamond Member on Royal Caribbean, which means I've done a lot of cruises (including Oasis and Allure). I know that comparing RCCL to DCL is not apples to apples, but I'm trying to give you perspective as to where I'm coming from

Let's start with Aulani. As someone already mentioned, there is no luau. If you really want to go to one, you just take a very quick stroll to the huge one right next door. Aulani has a show called the Starlit Hui, and it's kind of like a luau without the food. They have local Hawaiian entertainers, and then the Disney characters come out at the end. As for food, I have seen rates where breakfast is included, but they don't offer it all the time. Food is very expensive at Aulani (in all of Hawaii, really). We rented a car, but really didn't go off-site much. We visited the North Shore one day, and that was about it. Many people go to Pearl Harbor, but DS was too young for that.

My big question to you is...what do you like to do on vacation? Do you like "activities", or do you like to relax on the beach and/or by the pool? Your kids are too old for the club at Aulani, so there really aren't many activities for them at the resort. This may not matter if they enjoy the lazy river, water slides (the dark one is so much fun!), and beach (kayaking, stand-up paddle boards). You can also go on excursions if you want. But if you are looking for a whole slate of activities all day long, Aulani really isn't the place for that. There also isn't really any entertainment in the evenings at Aulani. They have movies outside on the lawn sometimes, but not much else going on.

Having said all that, I absolutely loved Aulani and plan to go back again. I liked not being on a schedule, and just getting to relax without a bunch of activities going on all the time. We love the pool, and while Fantasy has a small water slide and Aqua Duck, I'm not sure it can compare to the pool complex at Aulani. I loved having a big Villa to stay in instead of a little cabin. Aulani is spacious and beautiful...very different than being on a ship.

Note that I think Aulani feels like Hawaii with a touch of Disney. If you really want to be immersed in Disney, Aulani might not do it for you, as it's not over-the-top with the Disney stuff.

I'm not sure you can go wrong either way. Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

 

[xlxo]

We have done a 3 & 4 night cruise on the Wonder and love love loved it! my kids talk about going again however they have also talked about Hawaii and wanting to go there. I priced out both and they actually work out to be the same when I factor in flights, car rental & food (for Hawaii) I would love either, I lived there for 3 yrs in my 20's and know my way around.

Anyone have any input? Pros and cons? Thanks so much!!!

Cruise vs Aulani.... If you can't decide... what about cruising in Hawaii on the Wonder?

 

[pierresgirl]

Aulani, I don't believe, has a luau...but the reason I think is one of the really big luau places on the island is a 3 minute walk down the beach from there. That is what I would recommend ( sorry, can't remember the name; it is right next to the Marriott).
.

There is a bunch of food places around, and a small grocery near by. If you have a car, the big grocery stores and even walmart are 5 minutes away, and a lot cheaper.

Good to know! I wonder if it was Germaine's Luau, they had the biggest one when I lived there.

 

[pierresgirl]

Let's start with Aulani. As someone already mentioned, there is no luau. If you really want to go to one, you just take a very quick stroll to the huge one right next door. Aulani has a show called the Starlit Hui, and it's kind of like a luau without the food. They have local Hawaiian entertainers, and then the Disney characters come out at the end.

My big question to you is...what do you like to do on vacation? Do you like "activities", or do you like to relax on the beach and/or by the pool? Your kids are too old for the club at Aulani, so there really aren't many activities for them at the resort. This may not matter if they enjoy the lazy river, water slides (the dark one is so much fun!), and beach (kayaking, stand-up paddle boards). You can also go on excursions if you want. But if you are looking for a whole slate of activities all day long, Aulani really isn't the place for that. There also isn't really any entertainment in the evenings at Aulani. They have movies outside on the lawn sometimes, but not much else going on.

Having said all that, I absolutely loved Aulani and plan to go back again. I liked not being on a schedule, and just getting to relax without a bunch of activities going on all the time. We love the pool, and while Fantasy has a small water slide and Aqua Duck, I'm not sure it can compare to the pool complex at Aulani. I loved having a big Villa to stay in instead of a little cabin. Aulani is spacious and beautiful...very different than being on a ship.

Note that I think Aulani feels like Hawaii with a touch of Disney. If you really want to be immersed in Disney, Aulani might not do it for you, as it's not over-the-top with the Disney stuff.

I'm not sure you can go wrong either way. Feel free to ask any questions you may have.

I saw the Starlit Hui & was wondering so thanks for letting me know there was no food. You made some really great points in terms of activities! My kids love a waterpark that's for sure I like that you said Aulani is Hawaii with a touch of Disney, makes sense! I can't say my kids are into the characters anymore other than a quick pic but they do love the access to food all day

 

[pierresgirl]

Cruise vs Aulani.... If you can't decide... what about cruising in Hawaii on the Wonder?

OMG now that would be the best! Only problem is that t's 10 days next Sept. Prolly twice the money too. I'd love that though

 

[longboard55]

Paradise Cove Luau is the one near Aulani. We go to Waikiki a couple times a year, we also go to disneyworld once a year. Our first cruise is coming up.

I will say everyone loves Hawaii, no place on earth like it. But I would think a big group at Aulani would get very expensive, everything costs

 

[neoavatara]

Paradise Cove Luau is the one near Aulani. We go to Waikiki a couple times a year, we also go to disneyworld once a year. Our first cruise is coming up.

I will say everyone loves Hawaii, no place on earth like it. But I would think a big group at Aulani would get very expensive, everything costs

Yes, Paradise Cove...thank you, I couldn't remember. It was quite good.

And yes, a big group at Aulani can get very expensive.

 

[gumbypee]

I was bored to tears at aulani. Now if you rent a car and see rest oh hawaii maybe not so bad but ten days stuck at a resort? I would go insane... Personally. I like to see the world. One day at beach and pool is more than enough for me So it depends on your family and you know them Everything costly at aulani and hawaii in general. Character buffet breakfast like $35!!!

Plus no free food like a cruise

 

[LisaT91403]

I was bored to tears at aulani. Now if you rent a car and see rest oh hawaii maybe not so bad but ten days stuck at a resort? I would go insane... Personally. I like to see the world. One day at beach and pool is more than enough for me So it depends on your family and you know them Everything costly at aulani and hawaii in general. Character buffet breakfast like $35!!!

Plus no free food like a cruise

Different strokes! We've done 5 or 6 days (twice) sitting by the pool, playing on the beach, riding water slides, kayaking, snorkeling...and wished we could have stayed longer. But we are also the type that will go on a cruise and skip almost all of the activities, other than some shows at night and a game of Bingo here and there. I guess that's why there are different types of vacations in the world!

As for "free" food on a cruise...it's not really free. It's included in the very high price you pay for the cruise. For example, we are sailing Fantasy the first week of January, 2015. If I price out Aulani for the same dates, and select a Garden View room (not ocean view, but also not the "standard" aka parking lot view)...I would save over $1300 vs. the cost of my Fantasy cruise. The Aulani rate also includes breakfast each day. That means I'd have a $1300 budget for food at Aulani to break even vs. costs of the cruise. The food is not really free...it's $1300 for the week

 

[gumbypee]

Someone just commented about access to food all day-I was referring to that. Of course you are "paying for everything" on a cruise. But you can't just grab a slice of pizza at aulani like you can on a cruise. That's all

Actually I had very difficult time finding plain food at aulani just more fyi

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Hi--we just got off the Fantasy a few weeks ago, and we're going to Aulani in March. So I can't really compare the two yet.

However, Aulani just recently came out with its "winter specials" that are 4 nights for the price of 3, or 30% off stays of 5 nights or longer. The special also includes a free breakfast for everyone in the room. Not sure if you factored that special into your cost.

Good luck deciding!

 

[BCV2003]

I have cruised on the Dream a few times and been to Aulani. If I had my choice, I would choose Aulani over the cruise.

I think Aulani would be more special and since you know the island somewhat you will know where to take them. We explored every morning and saw most of the island and then spent every afternoon at the resort. We did think food was particularly that expensive except for at the resort.

We did the luau at the Marriott next door but I think they have stopped doing that one from what I have heard. That one was very nice though. The other one close is Paradise Cove.

We mostly ate local and I can't say that we spent more than we did at home for similar meals and we don't live in a resort area. For example, when we ate at the mexican place across the street it was about $40 for dinner for two of us, including drinks.

Basically,I just think you will experience a lot more at Aulani especially since you lived there for a few years and you will be able to share that with your children.

We also got a fanastic deal on a rental car during our stay through Costco. My husband was set on renting a jeep and we paid less than $200 for 8 days when we first started pricing it out they were over $500. Gas prices at the time also weren't any more than say any big city like Chicago.

 

[AquaDame]

Personally the Fantasy gets my vote. She is our favourite ship and Aulani has a lot of expenses that you don't think of, such as the high price of food in the islands. Gas is also high, and frankly Oahu has been our least favourite island (we have been on Kauai, Maui & the big island also). Hawaii is full of super beaches, even nicer than the one Aulani sits on. We tend to stray far from our base on any island, so its hard for me to see spending so much on Aulani and staying AT Aulani. Don't get me wrong, we stayed back when it opened late 2011 on our honeymoon for a couple of nights, but that is when we wanted to stay close to the resort and relax. We then got our sightseeing and fine dining on from a much cheaper place in Waikiki (or via VRBO in the case of the other islands).

 

[algae]

Depends on the vacation you want, to some extent. We love both and would like to do both multiple times in the near future. Here's a summary from our point of view:

DCL: a go, go, go fun and excitement vacation
- lot's of constant fun and activity. We're exhausted after every DCL sailing we take
- you are on the ship's time for dining and excursions and shows and all
- great stage shows
- pretty good food on-board
- as much Disney as you can handle and then some more

Aulani: a laid-back and relaxing vacation
- not as many things as DCL to do on-site, but you have a huge island to explore
- much more flexbile schedule for doing everyhing
- Puka Dogs! (kinda)
- starlit hui was ok: a luau without the food, but the pre-show activities were interesting
- great food that is expensive and not included. Make sure to get the early-bird appetizers at Olelo that are cheap and can be a meal
- don't have to worry about getting back by all-aboard time
- just enough Disney to feel special, but not inundated by it
- FYI, we're told that Aulani used DCL as an operating model with kids' clubs, adult areas, daily schedules and stuff.

Picking one over the other is difficult, but I'd lean towards Aulani at this moment. But, that might only be because we've already had 2 DCL sailings this year.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

We've been blessed to stay at Aulani twice and to cruise on the Wonder twice. We absolutely looooooved both. I would pick the Fantasy. There is so much to do for every family member on the cruise.....Aulani is amazing but I do think your kids might prefer what is offered on the Fantasy. The food options are VERY limited at Aulani, and I think it might drive me a little nuts if we stayed there for a week. Also, I would say that some water activites on Oahu may be limited in February due to the high surf. For example, snorkeling at Sharks Cove on the North Shore is a must do for me, but I wouldn't be able to do that in February.

Do your kids get along and like to do stuff together or do they like making new friends on the cruise and hanging with new friends? That is a biggie for us. Our 14yo DD enjoys Aulani but doesn't love it. Cruising is her favorite thing in the entire world!

DH would pick Aulani because he is all about Hawaii. The rest of us would choose the cruise.

Good luck! And big congrats on those family milestones.

 

[longboard55]

The Marriott use to have Fifi with the Chief as emcee and story teller, it was small but very popular, I guess too popular casue they chief moved his luau to sealife park and is now called the chiefs luau.