First timer advice

[Amb87]

Hi! The hubby and I are headed to Aulani in about a week. We have two young kids and this is our first time away from them for more than a couple of non-work hours, ever. The in-laws are graciously babysitting so that we can celebrate passing our medical specialty boards as a couple. We’d love any and all advice on how to make this trip special.

Here are the details:
-3 days, Aulani only
-not planning to rent a car
-priority #1 is to relax, but in a float-around kind of way; not really into spas
-we’re both foodies and love a good cocktail
-we’re new DVC members

Questions we have:
-Is there must-try food and drink at the resort?
-What activities are best for couples?
-is there anything special we have to do to optimize pool time (I heard something about wristbands)?

Thanks for your wisdom! I’m used to being the WDW expert in my circle, but this is a totally different world- hopefully in a good way

 

[pinkxray]

We have only been once and traveled with our little kids so not too sure about what to do as a couple. I just wanted to say congratulations on passing your specialty boards! That is definitely a reason to celebrate.

Our family went to Aulani a few weeks ago and Dh and I did a date night. Our teen was babysitting the little kids in the room so we just had dinner at Makihiki. It was ok, nothing special. We decided next time to try dinner at Four Seasons. Definitely check out the options at the Four Seasons and the Marriott Beach beach club down the path. They are both an easy walk.

You do need a wrist band for the pools. They open at 8am and there is usually a line right when it options to get them(any of the pool stands that hand out towels gives bracelets)
You can get them the evening before but I’m not sure after what time. We ended up picking them up each evening before we headed up to the room.

One thing I wish we got a chance to do was hang out in the adults only hot tub. It was usually empty or not many people when we walked by. It has a beautiful view overlooking the beach.

 

[jkips]

Definitely hit up the happy hour at the Four Seasons next door. They have great sangria and little bites

 

[Paul Stupin]

Hi! The hubby and I are headed to Aulani in about a week. We have two young kids and this is our first time away from them for more than a couple of non-work hours, ever. The in-laws are graciously babysitting so that we can celebrate passing our medical specialty boards as a couple. We’d love any and all advice on how to make this trip special.

Here are the details:
-3 days, Aulani only
-not planning to rent a car
-priority #1 is to relax, but in a float-around kind of way; not really into spas
-we’re both foodies and love a good cocktail
-we’re new DVC members

Questions we have:
-Is there must-try food and drink at the resort?
-What activities are best for couples?
-is there anything special we have to do to optimize pool time (I heard something about wristbands)?

Thanks for your wisdom! I’m used to being the WDW expert in my circle, but this is a totally different world- hopefully in a good way

For must try food, Mina’s Fish House, right next door at The Four Seasons, is for us the best restaurant in Ko Olina. It’s a 2-3 minute walk on the beach path. It’s pricey but amazing. The Olelo room on property has fun drinks, music and good sushi.

In terms of activities, we mostly just love vegging on the beach, and walking up to the pool every once in a while for the slides and lazy river. The stand up paddle boarding in the lagoon is super fun, as is the snorkeling. It’s not the greatest snorkeling ever, but the left side of the lagoon has rocks and very visible fish, and it’s a quick activity to do on the beach.

We also loved the star gazing and the Story Teller by the pool at night. Rainbow Reef is Aulani’s for a fee snorkeling area. It’s by the pool, man made, kind of like an enormous aquarium, and chock full of sea creatures. It’s kind of worth doing once, but the fish brush up against you so be forwarned you might be grossed out! I think you can get a couple’s massage but we’ve never done it. Lastly, the beach walk past all the lagoons at night is one of our favorite things too.

 

[Paul Stupin]

Oh yeah! The adults only hot tub at sunset!

 

[WAstateDVCDaddy]

Make reservations (we’ll ahead of time) for a cabana ($$$) or a casabella ($$) - you can get them in quieter areas, and they provide some privacy, and a spot you can camp out all day at.

They get booked up well in advance, so call ahead. If there isn’t anything available, you can ask when you arrive, and there are often cancellations the day before - but beware of getting one in a noisier area like the menehune bridge area.

 

[Amb87]

Thanks everyone!! Appreciate the info! I’m so excited!