Excursion/tours/confusion!

[glencoe]

I am so out of my box. Like everyone here I consider myself an awesome Disney planner, I know the "ins and outs" and am pretty streamlined. However....Hawaii, I am in a pickle of no clue!

We are arriving on a Monday in July-renting a car and staying at a Marriott on the North Shore until Thurs. (only aulani rooms available for my time frame was ocean view at the 7mos. window and the points were substantial so we cut aulani to 7 days and staying elsewhere for an extra day).

So now I am looking at us driving ourselves and booking ourselves at excursions in that area(snorkeling, sea turtles, surfing, and not sure what other options) for the first few days, then heading down to Aulani on that Thurs. check in early, hang at pool until room ready. Since I heard the weekends get really busy at the resort due to locals getting deals, I decided to do Pearl Harbor on Sat, maybe swap meet. My kids are ages below and would love the Ranch which we will definately do.

So my question (finally) Since we have our own car, should I book our own excursions? If I do, should we just do it on our own or book one of those tours through a local company or....Use Aulani's Excursions that are pre-set etc. We will be at Aulani Thurs-Thurs. I will be posting a different thread on which excursions are worth it as well...

We want to do fun stuff and see the island but also want to hang at the resort alot too!!! Thanks!

 

[alohamom]

@glencoe (My 2 cents for your time at the Marriott)
Well, if you are planning to go to the Polynesian Cultural Center you have chosen the right hotel with the Marriott. It is situated right in front of the Polynesian Cultural Center, you seriously have a 2 minute walk so I would not book that through any one. It has a very good luau so if a luau is something you are thinking of doing that might be an option as well.

As well, Kualoa Ranch is about 20 minutes down the highway from the Marriott Laie so I would just do that on my own as well. There is no need to book that through anyone either (unless you are more comfortable) but it is very laid back and you can make ressies on the website http://www.kualoa.com/

Dole pineapple Plantation and the North Shore town of Haleiwa are about 30-45 minutes from you so you can certainly do that on your own if that was in your planning

One thing you might want to look at is the Oahu Go Card. It is a pre paid excursion and activity pass that you can purchase for a specific number of days that includes quite a few activities

http://www.smartdestinations.com/oa...s/_d_Hio-p1.html?pass=Hio_Prod_Go&allInc=true

or you can get it from Costco if you are a member
https://www.costco.com/Adult-4-Day-Go-Oahu-eCard.product.818272.html

I personally am not a big fan of this pre paid card for our family because 1) we have been to the islands many many times and dont go to most of the attractions any more 2) we are much more laid back and dont like structure on vacation. To get the value out of these cards you kind of need to go-go-go and to us that is not why we go to Hawaii 3) some of the things they offer are limited to "pick one of the following" which are premium activities and the site makes it look like you can go to all of them but you can only do one of 5 so for me that is misleading 4) weather can be a factor in Hawaii so if you have paid ahead of time and you get rained out you may not be able to reschedule during your time on the island or get a refund because your activity is part of the whole Go Card purchase.

However, there are lots of folks who have used the Go Card here on the DisBoards and have really liked having it. Just be sure to research before you purchase.

In your case, even just using the Go Card web site for research might be a good idea because it gives you a sense of activity and excursion prices and help you see what different places offer.


One point I do want to make to you is that your Marriott hotel location is kind of off the beaten path. There really isnt much up there besides the Polynesian Cultural Center. I know there is a Foodland Grocery store and a small shopping center with a McDonalds, Subway and a few other eating options. I like Foodland as a chain in Hawaii because I find they actually have very good produce and the prices are ok during sales. My point is you might want to purchase water, snacks, fruit or whatever there for heading out and about during the day as the Marriott may not have much and what they do have will be pricey.

You might want to search this Aulani section of the Disboards for getting Pearl Habor tickets, I do believe you need to be looking at doing that now.

Dont panic, you will be fine, you have a nice long time on the island and you are not hopping off to another one so you will be able to see and do all that you want without an issue.
Have fun planning, there is loads of info here and lots of Hawaii lovers who are happy to help.

 

[kdonnel]

You have a car, do your own excursions. You can do what you want when. If you want to stay longer somewhere or take a detour you can.

 

[alohamom]

You have a car, do your own excursions. You can do what you want when. If you want to stay longer somewhere or take a detour you can.

I second that. Hawaii is soooo laid back and you kind of loose a bit of that when you have to come and go by someone elses schedule

 

[Aviator621]

The beauty of staying on the North Shore is being able to spend time at all the hidden beaches away form the crowds. For your situation, highly recommend buying the book Oahu Revealed; will give you specific instructions on how to find all those special spots off the beaten path.

 

[DizDragonfly]

If you are looking for a private tour with a local guide, I highly recommend Oahu Private Tours. We are here now and spent the last two days with Cannon as our guide. We had the BEST time and saw so much of the island!

 

[pangyal]

If you are looking for a private tour with a local guide, I highly recommend Oahu Private Tours. We are here now and spent the last two days with Cannon as our guide. We had the BEST time and saw so much of the island!

Ha! We also had Cannon last month and he was beyond amazing! We were shocked to learn how young he was for how mature he acted .

I also very very highly recommend Oahu Private Tours, which was a tip I received on this board, so thank you guys! It was a very casual and not over programmed tour that changed throughout the day depending on our mood and interests.

 

[glencoe]

alohamom thank you and thanks to everyone else. I spent yesterday with my oahu map and book, and searched the web. I decided to go solo for alot of the stuff, bought the oahu go card through my costco membership which will save us tons since we will be doing alot of the stuff from the card. Just deciding if we really want to go to a luau or catamaran boat excursion.
The luau's seem so big, stadium like, are they all like that?
I booked surfing lessons for my sons and daughter since they really want to do that and we will do zip-lining at the ranch, horseback riding for two of us and movie tours. I also found beaches that have awesome snorkeling which we will have our own stuff so we can hit that as much as possible too.
I hope to get all the north shore stuff done in the first 3 days while we are staying up there. Then when we get to aulani we will do one day at pearl harbor, maybe the swap meet? Plus more snorkeling by the electric plant (can't remember the name of that area right now), since that doesn't seem too far from aulani/pearl harbor (sort of a triangle?).

Of course I feel more comfortable now that I have started planning, now last question. Do you have to book dining at Aulani months in advance like disney or can we wing it when we get there? I hear so many mixed about eating on premises and alot go off, I wanted to see how it goes after our first meals there.
Thanks again!!

 

[nkereina]

We did the North Shore, Dole Plantation, Kailua and Kualoa Ranch on our own (over the course of two days). We used Oahu Nature Tours for Diamond Head and Discover Hawaii Tours for Pearl Habor & the Aloha Swap Meet. Both of the organized tours we did included transportation from our Waikiki hotel, but they may have alternative transportation options or the ability to meet up with the tour. Both were great, would recommend either company.

 

[alohamom]

Plus more snorkeling by the electric plant (can't remember the name of that area right now), since that doesn't seem too far from aulani/pearl harbor (sort of a triangle?).

Just fyi-Electric Beach is great if you are strong swimmers and experienced snorkelers. You are correct in that it is fairly close to Aulani but use caution there, it is basically open ocean-here is a link with more detailed info http://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/snorkeling-kahe-point.html
One of the places we just LOVE for snorkelling up in the North Shore is "Sharks Cove" and "Three Tables". Since you have a few days up that way you might want to give them a try. They are beside each other just north of Waimea Bay/Valley and across the highway from Foodland and the gas station. The proper name is Pupukea, here is a link for more info http://www.hawaiisnorkelingguide.com/sharks_cove.html and http://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/snorkeling-sharks-cove.html

Do you have to book dining at Aulani months in advance like disney or can we wing it when we get there? I hear so many mixed about eating on premises and alot go off, I wanted to see how it goes after our first meals there.

If a sunset dinner at Ama Ama is important to you then I would try and book a ressie there. You can check the sunsets here https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/honolulu but if sunset is 6:30 you might want to make a 5:30 reservation to be sure you get settled in before the sun sets

 

[jujubiee4]

alohamom thank you and thanks to everyone else. I spent yesterday with my oahu map and book, and searched the web. I decided to go solo for alot of the stuff, bought the oahu go card through my costco membership which will save us tons since we will be doing alot of the stuff from the card. Just deciding if we really want to go to a luau or catamaran boat excursion.
The luau's seem so big, stadium like, are they all like that?
I booked surfing lessons for my sons and daughter since they really want to do that and we will do zip-lining at the ranch, horseback riding for two of us and movie tours. I also found beaches that have awesome snorkeling which we will have our own stuff so we can hit that as much as possible too.
I hope to get all the north shore stuff done in the first 3 days while we are staying up there. Then when we get to aulani we will do one day at pearl harbor, maybe the swap meet? Plus more snorkeling by the electric plant (can't remember the name of that area right now), since that doesn't seem too far from aulani/pearl harbor (sort of a triangle?).

Of course I feel more comfortable now that I have started planning, now last question. Do you have to book dining at Aulani months in advance like disney or can we wing it when we get there? I hear so many mixed about eating on premises and alot go off, I wanted to see how it goes after our first meals there.
Thanks again!!

I hope you come back and tell us how it went. This is exactly what I am planning to do later in the year.
We could not get the two extra nights added to Aulani reservation so I was bummed. We figured on going
to the North Shore anyway so now we also made reservation at Marriott because we will be hitting
the PCC Dole and a full day (or two) at Kuoala Ranch and snorkeling /beach time. This should
definitely take up the 2 nights 3 days before Aulani. However I can't wait to hear how it went for you.

Please let us know

 

[glencoe]

T

Just fyi-Electric Beach is great if you are strong swimmers and experienced snorkelers. You are correct in that it is fairly close to Aulani but use caution there, it is basically open ocean-here is a link with more detailed info http://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/snorkeling-kahe-point.html
One of the places we just LOVE for snorkelling up in the North Shore is "Sharks Cove" and "Three Tables". Since you have a few days up that way you might want to give them a try. They are beside each other just north of Waimea Bay/Valley and across the highway from Foodland and the gas station. The proper name is Pupukea, here is a link for more info http://www.hawaiisnorkelingguide.com/sharks_cove.html and http://www.tropicalsnorkeling.com/snorkeling-sharks-cove.html



If a sunset dinner at Ama Ama is important to you then I would try and book a ressie there. You can check the sunsets here https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/honolulu but if sunset is 6:30 you might want to make a 5:30 reservation to be sure you get settled in before the sun sets

Thank you!! I had heard about the electric beach being for strong swimmers/snorkelers. My husband might be out but my kids are swimmers and I had lived in the Bahamas for a stint and snorkeled every day, I will see how we do our first few times out before I let the family go there!!! I am at work and some of your links are blocked- I guess my school thinks they are scandolous!! I will have to wait until I get home to read further!! I have been researching the Oahu Revealed book as well some good websites. When I get the plan I will post it and you can critique it and tell me where I am going wrong!!
Last quick question....We are landing at 2:30pm in Honolulu-renting our car and heading towards the hotel in Laie. I was thinking of switching it to something more in the mix of stuff, but I was able to get a room to fit 5 (two queens and a pull out) which is hard to come by unless it is disney, so we are staying. With that being said, would it be too much to do the luau that night at the Polynesian center? I am still not sure we want to do the luau...seems so big. Not sure if my Celiac son can eat any of the food either.

Thanks again!

 

[alohamom]

If you are landing at HNL around 2:30 it will probably be around 3:15 to 4:00 before you are headed towards Laie and it is going to take a good hour or more to get up there. That puts you there about 5ish or later and I think that is really pushing it to get tot he PCC luau, especially on a travel day. I am not sure where you are coming in from but if there is any time change that will also factor into this. You might also want to stop and get water/drinks and snacks on the way at a Target, Walmart or Costco or even stop in the general HNL area to eat a meal before you head up to Laie. It has been over 20 years since I attended the PCC luau so as far as the meal itself goes, someone else is better qualified to comment on that. I do remember the show had a stadium feel to it but I know you can get a premium package that puts you very close to the stage.

 

[DizDragonfly]

Ha! We also had Cannon last month and he was beyond amazing! We were shocked to learn how young he was for how mature he acted .

We thought the same thing! We had a great time and laughed all day long!

 

[happymommy]

I would advise against the luau on arrival day. Not sure what coast you're coming from, but taking into consideration the time change, travel time, renting your car, driving, maybe stop at a store for drinks, checking in, you may be too tired!

We come from the East Coast, and so travel time is roughly 12 hours, and I often shop at Target after we get checked into Ko Olina (we stay at the Marriott), and I'm a zombie. We travel light so I pick up a lot of things the first day to get us through and then Costco the next day, but we're so wiped out. We just want to relax and settle in a bit.

We've always done everything on our own but we lived there years ago (son was born there). Most of the time, though, we're relaxing and enjoying the resort. Each trip we do maybe one new thing (I took the kids on the Atlantis submarine ride one trip, which was so fun, and I couldn't believe I had never done it while living there). We also loved the Bishop Museum one trip. My DD loved the Waikiki Aquarium, but it's not a "must do" for Aulani guests - so freaking far but we were out and about for the day. We always go to the Flea Market at the stadium at least twice. Pearl Harbor - took my kids 6 trips before I brought them. It was great since they were older (I knew then they were young they would be either bored or my ADHD son would not be fun with it).

Be cautious if you go to Electric Beach. There, as well as the PCC and Pearl Harbor, car break-in's are a daily thing (our car was broken into at PCC and it was a junker so I actually told the security guy I wish they had just stolen it!). We did snorkeling there with a dolphin snorkel trip for Ko Olina - that was a fun time and I do recommend it, although we did the morning one which was chilly! I would have done an afternoon one, but one of our friends that we were with has super sun sensitivity so he wanted morning. I froze (and it was summer). They do go to Electric Beach and swim with spinner dolphins - even my DD who was like under 10 I think loved it - my kids love the water.

 

[jujubiee4]

T


Thank you!! I had heard about the electric beach being for strong swimmers/snorkelers. My husband might be out but my kids are swimmers and I had lived in the Bahamas for a stint and snorkeled every day, I will see how we do our first few times out before I let the family go there!!! I am at work and some of your links are blocked- I guess my school thinks they are scandolous!! I will have to wait until I get home to read further!! I have been researching the Oahu Revealed book as well some good websites. When I get the plan I will post it and you can critique it and tell me where I am going wrong!!
Last quick question....We are landing at 2:30pm in Honolulu-renting our car and heading towards the hotel in Laie. I was thinking of switching it to something more in the mix of stuff, but I was able to get a room to fit 5 (two queens and a pull out) which is hard to come by unless it is disney, so we are staying. With that being said, would it be too much to do the luau that night at the Polynesian center? I am still not sure we want to do the luau...seems so big. Not sure if my Celiac son can eat any of the food either.

Thanks again!

Doing my research i think you should reserve a whole day for Polynesian Culture Center. I havent
been there in a few years and my kids have never been but even getting there at opening (noon?)
up until dinner we still did not see everything. Might as well get your moneys worth.

We will be going also but the next day after arriving. For me it was cheaper to pay or the luau there
combined with the whole center than the one offered other places.

Hoping there is a decent beach in North Shore not too far from hotel we can hit after arriving because
i know i wont want to drive far after flying.

 

[alohamom]

Hoping there is a decent beach in North Shore not too far from hotel we can hit after arriving because
i know i wont want to drive far after flying.

@jujubiee4 there are lots of great beaches up there however I am not sure when you are going. If it is winter months the surf can be crazy up there making lots of beaches unswimmable. Kuilima coves at Turtle Bay (which is just up and around the tip from the Marriott) are pretty good year round and there is lots of parking in the lots that are part of the resort community. Otherwise, you have many choices including up the road about 5 minutes is Malaekahana http://www.to-hawaii.com/oahu/beaches/malaekahana-bay.php and there is Laie Beach Park even closer but there are nicer beaches in other areas of Oahu.

 

[glencoe]

Doing my research i think you should reserve a whole day for Polynesian Culture Center. I havent
been there in a few years and my kids have never been but even getting there at opening (noon?)
up until dinner we still did not see everything. Might as well get your moneys worth.

We will be going also but the next day after arriving. For me it was cheaper to pay or the luau there
combined with the whole center than the one offered other places.

Hoping there is a decent beach in North Shore not too far from hotel we can hit after arriving because
i know i wont want to drive far after flying.

A whole day for PCC? My 14 yr, 17, and 21 yr old wants zip lining, snorkeling, swimming, mountain biking, and surfing. Is the PCC a little low key? We plan on doing most high energy stuff the first few days at Marriot, then getting to aulani and chilling most of the time. It seems like a beautiful place but a whole day-what is there to do there besides walk the gardens. We do enjoy the outdoors and have some amazing places here (not tropical I am near NYC) but I was thinking half day maybe-after the ranch? Thanks again!!

 

[jujubiee4]

Hmm well you want to get your moneys worth. Your itinerary sounds a lot like ours. I'm taking
my 18 and 21 yr old girls. That first night we are having dinner at Turtle bay to meet
with a friend. The next day I booked Kualoa Ranch for them to do the 2 hour ATV
and the jungle expedition and some other tour. The next day they are going back
to zipline and do the secret beach day. 3rd day Polynesian. 4th day wake up go snorkeling
and get a surf lesson in then head to Aulani.

The Poly is so expensive i want to get every dime's worth. It's only open from noon until
the show starts at 6pm (or evening).

I'm lucky as growing up we went to Hawaii every other summer so I can take it or
leave it. My daughters on the other hand.........get excited at just the thought of going.

My husband not excited at all.....because of the cost.

 

[jujubiee4]

@alohamom...leaving day after Christmas. 3 or 4 days North Shore area then 6 days
Aulani.

I just read some trip reports of North Shore In Dec/Jan . People said it rained a lot. Is this
a bad time to go? First time i have ever been to Hawaii in the winter time. Is laying on beach
doable? My kids are all about NO pool just beach time.


What about Aulani? The weather rainy late Dec/Early Jan?

Ugh...now im second and third guessing spending New Years in Hawaii