Family of 6 going in June with many questions

[catzle]

1. Daughter has celiac. Can I ship a box of stuff ahead with snacks etc. for her?

2. I see a car rental for 6 for one day is $500 from Aulani? Seems really high?

3. Luau - Thinking of doing? Thought on VIP?

4. Excursion over to the Arizona? Seems to be about $360 for a a family of 6. Thoughts

5. Two daughters want to do a surfing lesson. Best place etc.

6. Best way to get to Costco first day without renting a car

7. Best way to get to Hanauma Bay for a few hours one morning?

Thank you for any help you can give me!

 

[Tracy Pratt]

I haven't actually been yet but we have a mini van rental through Costco..300 for a whole week. We are doing all excursions by ourselves. Driving ourselves I mean.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

I would think that if you are planning to go to Costco, a car rental will be a necessary expense. We were glad that we went ahead with the rental car while at Aulani. My little girl got sick and we ended up at the urgent care and we were glad to be able to just take her. Also, we got a little stir crazy and were able to go explore the island a bit. We also used Costco car rental and it was very reasonable, the parking fees are vicious though.

 

[catzle]

Just booked a car rental through Costco, mini van, $150 a day. We are going to rent for three days. It seems to be if we don't use it it just cancels and we don't owe any money?

 

[EagleRockTony]

Just booked a car rental through Costco, mini van, $150 a day. We are going to rent for three days. It seems to be if we don't use it it just cancels and we don't owe any money?

and you can keep checking the Costco website. The rates can fluctuate a lot. If a better rate is available, just rebook then cancel the more expensive reservation.

 

[buffettgirl]

So now that you have a car, going to Pearl Harbor and seeing the arizona is free. You don't have to actually pay for anything unless you want some extras. For many people, the basic is absolutely what you'd want.

And now that you have a car, you can just drive down to Hanauma bay. Try not to drive that way during morning rush hour though, it will take you hours.

 

[cleophus12]

My DD (22) took a surfing lesson and loved it. We found a Groupon for Blue Rush Surf school and booked with them. Instructor met us right on time on the beach in Haleiwa. Only had two others in her group so lots of personal instruction. She was up on the second or third try. Loved it and we got some great pics.

 

[cgattis]

My DD (22) took a surfing lesson and loved it. We found a Groupon for Blue Rush Surf school and booked with them. Instructor met us right on time on the beach in Haleiwa. Only had two others in her group so lots of personal instruction. She was up on the second or third try. Loved it and we got some great pics.

Total photo nerd question here, but...what length lens did you need to get decent surf pics? I don't have a feel for how far off the beach they will be. I'm sure it varies greatly beach to beach and by time of year, but in general....TIA!

 

[Elima2015]

Are you picking up/dropping off your minivan at the Alamo at the airport? $150 a day seems very high. We have been twice and rented a minivan for $340-$380 for an entire week through Alamo via Costco with drop off/pick up at HNL.

I would think you could send non-perishables in advance, but would definitely check with Aulani first. I know they can't store cold food - we asked to leave some once for family arriving the next day and they said no. You could also fill part of a suitcase with food if needed. We traveled with someone with celiac in February and he found most of his usual safe items at the grocery store and the resort was really accommodating at the sit down restaurants.

 

[cleophus12]

No idea about the lens, although I don't think my husband carried the big lens on this trip. I think he just used his "normal" one whatever that is. At the beach we went to, the surfers were not that far away.

 

[longboard55]

I would get the car for the whole time, they will be cheaper at the airport.

Group surf lessons are really the best. Cheaper and you get time to rest between waves. Oahu is a great place to try surfing, do not miss it.

Everyone should do a luau but they are already overpriced, I would not spend more. If you go to paradise cove you can beat the Waikiki busses and get good seats.

Don't forget to hike up diamondhead

 

[longboard55]

Total photo nerd question here, but...what length lens did you need to get decent surf pics? I don't have a feel for how far off the beach they will be. I'm sure it varies greatly beach to beach and by time of year, but in general....TIA!

Most of the schools will take the pictures and sell them after the lesson. You really have to buy them, they are priceless. They use the huge lenses the professionals use

 

[cgattis]

Most of the schools will take the pictures and sell them after the lesson. You really have to buy them, they are priceless. They use the huge lenses the professionals use

Well, the problem is (according to some of the schools I've talked to), some of the photo guys don't show up until later in the morning (you know, like the Disney waterpark ones.......ugh) and an early lesson will probably work best for us.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

Are you picking up/dropping off your minivan at the Alamo at the airport? $150 a day seems very high. We have been twice and rented a minivan for $340-$380 for an entire week through Alamo via Costco with drop off/pick up at HNL.

I would think you could send non-perishables in advance, but would definitely check with Aulani first. I know they can't store cold food - we asked to leave some once for family arriving the next day and they said no. You could also fill part of a suitcase with food if needed. We traveled with someone with celiac in February and he found most of his usual safe items at the grocery store and the resort was really accommodating at the sit down restaurants.

Thank you for this reassurance. We are going in June, and I too have a child with celiac. I am curious about Ulu Cafe, and Aulani is vague in their email responses to my questions.

 

[Elima2015]

Thank you for this reassurance. We are going in June, and I too have a child with celiac. I am curious about Ulu Cafe, and Aulani is vague in their email responses to my questions.

Ulu was definitely the hardest to find out the celiac safe foods and there weren't many options. The salads come with the croutons in a separate container, so that was easy. The daily hot plate was usually safe - rice or mashed potatoes, vegetables, protein (I would ask about the sauce on the protein as that wasn't always clearly safe). The F'Real milkshakes were fine. The Makahiki buffet was easy and while we didn't dine at Ama Ama, we were told that the chef would come out and discuss the menu and other avaiable options directly with us. We were also told the chef at the buffet would do the same, but it wasn't needed for the person in our group with celiac. Monkeypod was also a good choice.

 

[MeeskaMooska13]

Ulu was definitely the hardest to find out the celiac safe foods and there weren't many options. The salads come with the croutons in a separate container, so that was easy. The daily hot plate was usually safe - rice or mashed potatoes, vegetables, protein (I would ask about the sauce on the protein as that wasn't always clearly safe). The F'Real milkshakes were fine. The Makahiki buffet was easy and while we didn't dine at Ama Ama, we were told that the chef would come out and discuss the menu and other avaiable options directly with us. We were also told the chef at the buffet would do the same, but it wasn't needed for the person in our group with celiac. Monkeypod was also a good choice.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

 

[buffettgirl]

We had family there last year, teenager with celiac and Ama Ama brought out some delicious items for her. Completely gluten free menu and they talked about every item - the waiters seemed very informed.

 

[happymommy]

1. Daughter has celiac. Can I ship a box of stuff ahead with snacks etc. for her? Sure, but can you pack a suitcase with safe snacks?

2. I see a car rental for 6 for one day is $500 from Aulani? Seems really high? I'd rent a minivan the whole time if it were me. I'm a frequent visitor but stay at the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club. No way would I ever not have a car. $500 for a one day rental is insane. I have a full size car booked for a month this summer for less than $1,000. That even kills me.

3. Luau - Thinking of doing? Thought on VIP? Paradise Cove Luau is long. I did it when we lived on Oahu, but in Kailua which is an hour drive. I was falling asleep towards the end! It's nice that it is a short walk, so those in your party that want to stay up late (factoring in time change) I'd recommend the mid price one. Also if you buy the Entertainment Book it's 25% off for up to 4 adults (I just bought the book for our next trip).

4. Excursion over to the Arizona? Seems to be about $360 for a a family of 6. Thoughts This is free. Just drive over early and go. No freaking way I'd pay for it, and I've been so many times (took guests when we lived there).

5. Two daughters want to do a surfing lesson. Best place etc.

6. Best way to get to Costco first day without renting a car RENT A CAR

7. Best way to get to Hanauma Bay for a few hours one morning? Go freaking early. It's far and there is traffic in Honolulu like well, DC or LA. And honestly, snorkeling in the lagoons is nice and not so touristy (well, it is at Aulani but not like Hanauma Bay).

Thank you for any help you can give me!

I would rent a car, minivan, from the airport, and have it. You will need a car. We go for 2 weeks normally, and next summer I'm going for a month. I pick up a car at the airport and keep it. We find literally almost every day we run to Target, out to lunch, big Costco trip, or to pick up something, or I need a pedicure (yes, happens), but no way would I not have a car. Rentals from the airport are usually pretty cheap anyway (when we lived there the first year we only had one car, so when we had visitors we used to get a car at the airport for them).

Don't miss the flea market at the stadium! It's Wed , Sat, and Sun. Go early - it gets hot! We always go multiple times.

 

[glencoe]

I have a celiac as well and was happy when I booked ressies at the hotel online it was very similiar to when I book at WDW in that the "gluten free/wheat allergy) box was available to check!! Otherwise we will have a full kitchen if needed.

I also got the "Oahu Revealed" book which has been enormously helpful for planning my own excursions and finding snorkeling spots, we are bringing our own stuff and I also got the go oahu card which has saved us alot. My biggest help was getting a good map of oahu so I can plan our excursions in the same locations on certain days so we are not driving all over the island in one day!!

 

[mrp4352]

Another vote for Oahu Revealed here! Fantastic resource!