DLR/Aulani combo trip?

[texasgingerbread]

I've been to Aulani...what questions do you have? Are you island hopping in Hawaii or staying on Oahu the entire time?

 

[sgrap]

I've been to Aulani...what questions do you have? Are you island hopping in Hawaii or staying on Oahu the entire time?

Thank you! We are just in the very beginning stages of thinking/planning, so I don't know enough to have too many questions yet. I would think we would probably just be staying on Oahu. General suggestions for length of stay and things to do would be great. Thank you!

 

[corinne76]

I live on Oahu. If you have any questions outside of Aulani (though I have stayed there a few times) I'd love to help

 

[texasgingerbread]

Sounds like Corinne76 has you covered since they live there. From a tourist perspective, I can help. My parents were missionaries at The Polynesian Cultural Center for 18 months so we went out and visited them as well as island hopped, etc.

My personal suggestion would be to stay 4 days at Aulani, but really it depends on your touring style and what you're wanting to do. How long do you want to "resort live"?

Oahu is so spread out yet close, but traffic can be a beat down and remember the road speed limits are very low so it takes forever to get somewhere.

Aulani is perfect for "immerse yourself" and "resort living". If you are going to tour the island, etc. I would do a part stay. Stay at Aulani for resort living, hotel hop to where you want to do your island touring.

I would not miss the character breakfast, Goofy's pool party, Rainbow Reef (worth every penny), fire pit storytelling, and movie nights. If you are not going to another Luau then go ahead and do their Starlight Hui but it is weak compared to the others. If you have a car, one interstate exit closer to the city are shops, grocery stores, etc. and a great fresh eatery called Aloha Salads...we loved this place and went back several times.

What we liked on Oahu:
1. MUST DO the Night Show called "Ha" at Polynesian Cultural Center! SOOOO fabulous. Also, the PCC is awesome. The canoe show at 2:30 is pretty much a glimpse of some of the things you'll see at night. Visiting each island was fun and they have a kids area in each for them to do, make, etc. The fire guy is awesome!
2. Liliha Bakery - get a cocoa puff....to die for...it's like a creme puff but with chocolate and some other yummy kind of yumminess. (Leonard's Bakery gets a ton of good reviews too we ate at both and like Liliha better...if you go to Leonard's get the malasaladas)
3. Gotta eat at Giovanni's Shrimp Truck on your way to the North Shore, and gotta check out the famous Matsumoto's Shaved Ice (just past North Shore)
4. If you want a traditional "plate meal" try Papa Ole's on your way to the North Shore in Hauula or try Da Kitchen (we ate here on Maui but I think Oahu has one).
5. On your way to the North Shore take a pit stop at Turtle Bay resort or even take a half day and swim here. You'll see the giant sea turtles right up on the beach. We were there in April and also saw the whales migrating right off the beach!
6. Pearl Harbor (duh). I would allow 3 hours for this…arrive 1 hour early and you can do audio tour…I would pay for audio it was GOOD…and then see the movie and take boat out to Arizona. Make sure and pre-book tickets if on season.
7. Makapuu Point Lighthouse Overlook...beautiful…hike around to lighthouse if you want.
8. Waimanalo Beach (beautiful water and white sand here…thought it was the prettiest on the isle)

If Time:
1. Diamond Head Crater hike...this is worth doing if you go FIRST thing. If you get a late start, skip it. It's hot! Beautiful views at the top and a little slippery. Lots and lots and lots of steps but my 4 year olds did it just fine.
2. Edozuki Noodle House (Ramen noodles and super yummy)

What we'd skip next time:
1. North Shore Tacos
2. Dole Plantation
3. Bishop Museum
4. Waimea Falls
5. Chinatown (tiny and practially non-existent)
6. Waikiki Beach or Ala Moano Beach Park (traffic is HORRENDOUS...think LA and then it's worse...and there are so many gorgeous beaches, why visit this one due to the hype?)

 

[texasgingerbread]

I live on Oahu. If you have any questions outside of Aulani (though I have stayed there a few times) I'd love to help

I'm sure my suggestions will be quite different from a local.

 

[Indiana Scott]

If you do nothing else on Oahu, check out Pearl Harbor. Seriously, it's an amazing, surreal experience. Go on-line and get reservations (free) for the Arizona and if your into aviation at all, get the whole package that includes the various museums, battle ship Missouri and tour the submarine "Blue Fin".
Allow a minimum of 4~6 hours and if you do the museums start early and take the whole day.

 

[corinne76]

I'm sure my suggestions will be quite different from a local.

LOL. your suggestions are great! We've stayed at Aulani a few times and since we're from here, we fully immerse ourselves there. We spend the weekend and don't leave.

Chantilly frosting tops the cocoa puffs.
Leonards has the best malasadas. They're main location in on Kapahulu, close to Waikiki.
If you venture to Waikele Premium Outlets for some shopping, there is a Leonards truck there too.
if you're going to drive out to Waimanalo Beach, consider visting Hanauma Bay. It's an enclosed bay and the tropical fish swim all around you.

OP, since most of your time is likely going to be at Aulani, I'd personally skip things like the zoo (My kids love going there, but it's got NOTHING on SD zoo), Bishop Museum, Waikiki Aquarium (cute, small, we're done in an hour -- not worth the drive to Waikiki to be honest)

Are you driving or relying on tours?

 

[dolphingirl47]

If there is anything off the top of your head that would be good to know, I'd love to hear when you have the time

If you are a DVC Member, make sure you sign up for the sunset mingle if you are there on a Friday. This takes place on the Rainbow Reef patio and includes appetizers and drinks.

We loved the Happy Hour at the Olelo Room and made a few meals out of their appetizers during that time.

We absolutely adored Rainbow Reef. There is a fish feeding twice a day and they look for volunteers to help with this, which is an amazing experience. Rainbow Reef is chilly. We had brought our wetsuits and they were very welcome in Rainbow Reef.

Make sure to make time for the Menehune Adventure Trail. It is aimed at families with children, but we had a ball.

If you enjoy swimming/ snorkeling, try all four of the lagoons. Lagoon three is a shallow coral reef and absolutely fascinating.

Away from the resort, Pearl Harbor, Byodo-In and Kualoa Ranch were all highlights. We never made it to Honolulu and did not feel we had missed anything. We did not really rate the Dole Plantation and Waimea Falls did not quite live up to me expectations.

I would recommend a snorkeling excursion either from Ko'Olina marina or Waianae. We have used Dolphin Excursions in Waianae on our first trip to Oahu and saw a ton of spinner dolphins and turtles. We used Ko'Olina Ocean Adventures from Ko'Olina Marina last year. We did not get to see any dolphins, but so loads of amazing fish and I would recommend both operators.

Oh, here's one to start: how many days do you recommend at Aulani?

We were there for 10 days and felt that this was an ideal number allowing us to explore the surround area and really appreciate everything the resort has to offer.

Corinna

 

[sweethannah]

sorry! Wrong place

 

[aulanidreamer]

We so love Aulani and can't wait until our next trip. I disagree about the luau experience. I have been to several "real" luau's including paradise cove next door and PCC. I would totally skip them both again and just stay at Aulani for their free show. It isn't perfect but it was fun and free. The others are expensive and the food is terrible. Plus PCC is on the exact opposite side of the island and a long drive. There are many other things I would rather spend my time and money on. I felt like PCC was the biggest waste of time and money.

We love the Northshore and Waimanalo, but avoid we Waikiki. Traffic is worse than you think. Pearl Harbor is a must, especially if you never have been. We did a dolphin/whale cruise last year and had high hopes but the water was too rough to snorkel and was just a miserable trip. I think that was just bad luck with the weather that day, we might give it another try someday. We like stay on the east or north side of the island for a few days before checking into Aulani, which I would highly recommend. One you get to the resort you just hate to leave.

 

[sgrap]

We so love Aulani and can't wait until our next trip. I disagree about the luau experience. I have been to several "real" luau's including paradise cove next door and PCC. I would totally skip them both again and just stay at Aulani for their free show. It isn't perfect but it was fun and free. The others are expensive and the food is terrible. Plus PCC is on the exact opposite side of the island and a long drive. There are many other things I would rather spend my time and money on. I felt like PCC was the biggest waste of time and money.

We love the Northshore and Waimanalo, but avoid we Waikiki. Traffic is worse than you think. Pearl Harbor is a must, especially if you never have been. We did a dolphin/whale cruise last year and had high hopes but the water was too rough to snorkel and was just a miserable trip. I think that was just bad luck with the weather that day, we might give it another try someday. We like stay on the east or north side of the island for a few days before checking into Aulani, which I would highly recommend. One you get to the resort you just hate to leave.

Thank you!

 

[sgrap]

If you are a DVC Member, make sure you sign up for the sunset mingle if you are there on a Friday. This takes place on the Rainbow Reef patio and includes appetizers and drinks.

We loved the Happy Hour at the Olelo Room and made a few meals out of their appetizers during that time.

We absolutely adored Rainbow Reef. There is a fish feeding twice a day and they look for volunteers to help with this, which is an amazing experience. Rainbow Reef is chilly. We had brought our wetsuits and they were very welcome in Rainbow Reef.

Make sure to make time for the Menehune Adventure Trail. It is aimed at families with children, but we had a ball.

If you enjoy swimming/ snorkeling, try all four of the lagoons. Lagoon three is a shallow coral reef and absolutely fascinating.

Away from the resort, Pearl Harbor, Byodo-In and Kualoa Ranch were all highlights. We never made it to Honolulu and did not feel we had missed anything. We did not really rate the Dole Plantation and Waimea Falls did not quite live up to me expectations.

I would recommend a snorkeling excursion either from Ko'Olina marina or Waianae. We have used Dolphin Excursions in Waianae on our first trip to Oahu and saw a ton of spinner dolphins and turtles. We used Ko'Olina Ocean Adventures from Ko'Olina Marina last year. We did not get to see any dolphins, but so loads of amazing fish and I would recommend both operators.



We were there for 10 days and felt that this was an ideal number allowing us to explore the surround area and really appreciate everything the resort has to offer.

Corinna

Thank you for all the great tips!

 

[Scootypuffjr]

Just got back from our DLR/Aulani combo trip. If you prepurchase the DLR photopas+ CD it will include your Aulani photos, but you have to call the photopass phone number because the website will not process it. The CM I
spoke with pushed it through and I didn't even have to ask (he just did it). Let me know if I can answer any questions for you.

 

[CateinPhoenix]

For souveniers you can't beat the flea marketing/swap shop at the University stadium. I believe it is on Saturdays and Sundays. We went on a Sunday.

We really enjoyed the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Dole Plantation and got a trolley pass to explore Waikiki.

 

[corinne76]

For souveniers you can't beat the flea marketing/swap shop at the University stadium. I believe it is on Saturdays and Sundays. We went on a Sunday.

We really enjoyed the Polynesian Cultural Center, the Dole Plantation and got a trolley pass to explore Waikiki.

The Swap Meat is also open Wednesdays

 

[ashleysev]

We're trying to decide if we want to do this type of trip, too. We'll be at DL in May for the Tinker Bell Half Marathon.

 

[Indiana Scott]

I've been to Aulani...what questions do you have? Are you island hopping in Hawaii or staying on Oahu the entire time?

Where at the resort can you get a dole whip?
When we visited the resort an employee we asked had never heard of them but others say they are indeed available at Aulani.

Thx!

 

[Scootypuffjr]

Where at the resort can you get a dole whip?
When we visited the resort an employee we asked had never heard of them but others say they are indeed available at Aulani.

Thx!

They are down by the pool in the Lava Shack.

 

[kailuagirl]

I also live on Oahu and have stayed at Aulani.

Everyone's opinion of what is fun to do on Oahu is different. But you can ask away with me too with any questions

 

[kailuagirl]

On a side note, our weather here with El Nino is just down right crazy. I've never seen anything like it in my 40 years living here. But I will say, Aulani is on the dryer side of the island so while it could be pouring in Waimanalo, Aulani could be beautiful