First Timer's Trip to Aulani

[rosegold:)]

Hello!

I am taking my very first trip to Hawaii and Aulani this September! We are staying in a 2 bedroom villa (ocean view). Are there any tips for getting a good room (away from elevator, high floor, not near Lu'au, great Ocean view)? I know it's based on availability, but trying to see if there is anything I can ask/request at check-in.

Also, any tips for food, must book experiences, places to go outside of Aulani, or things to avoid, would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks! Very excited!

 

[OKW Lover]

You worded your request perfectly above. Just have that noted on your reservation.

 

[rosegold:)]

Added it, thanks!

 

[WAstateDVCDaddy]

Lots of different wonderful things to do and places to go. You might want to list your interests, favorite foods, etc.

My must do list for first timers:
Food

• Malasadas from Leonard’s Bakery
• Local food (Waiahole Poi Factory, Helena’s, MW Restaurant)
• Poke (Tamara’s Market, Tanioka’s, or tons of others)
• Garlic shrimp from food trucks on North Shore (Giovanni’s or Big Wave)
• Spam Misubi
• Shave Ice (lots of places, but Matsumoto’s is hit or miss)

Things to do

• Pearl Harbor
• Excursion at Kualoa Ranch
• Hike to a waterfall
• Bishop Museum
• Polynesian Cultural Center
• Hike a volcano (Diamond Head or Koko Head)

Avoid:

• Do NOT leave valuables in your car when parked - especially do not park, then transfer things to your trunk.
• Do not eat anything called “Malasadas” which have been sitting around for more than 5 minutes
• Do not eat malasadas from anywhere but Leonard’s when you try them for the first time

In case you couldn’t tell - I’m pretty passionate about malasadas! First place I go whenever I go back to visit family. In fact, I’m headed there in 21 hours… unless the plane gets delayed.

 

[rosegold:)]

Thank you for the tips! I have never heard of Malasadas, so I'm definitely going to try, but only at Leonard's Bakery!!!

We are definitely planning Pearl Harbor and a ton of snorkling. We were trying to find a "swimming with the dolphins," excursion but don't plan to rent a car daily, so the excursion seemed a little far. We are very much looking forward to the food, we LOVE seafood, so definitely any suggestions of restuarants in walking distance for Aulani would be great. Here's to hoping AMA AMA opens up when we are there!

...And have a fantastic trip!!!!! <3

 

[Paul Stupin]

Hello!

I am taking my very first trip to Hawaii and Aulani this September! We are staying in a 2 bedroom villa (ocean view). Are there any tips for getting a good room (away from elevator, high floor, not near Lu'au, great Ocean view)? I know it's based on availability, but trying to see if there is anything I can ask/request at check-in.

Also, any tips for food, must book experiences, places to go outside of Aulani, or things to avoid, would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks! Very excited!

Call the hotel directly with your room request to make sure it’s on your reservation.

 

[Unclelude]

Exciting!

We had our first trip last September!

We tried most of suggestions above. We also had a decent balance of 'cooking' in the villa. Didn't spend time make elaborate meals, just nice easy stuff we liked ( hearty breakfasts are quick and easy ). Tasty Poke from foodland or whatever will last a few days in fridge... There are also 4? grills onsite, they were covid closed when we were there, I think they are back open... Grill tools are available for use... 4-8pm I believe. ( We love to grill out, would have been fun to do that once)

We did Costco run first day to stock up... A handle of Kirkland vodka was $13! Same as in the 48!... If you like to have a few cocktails, waaay cheaper to buy off resort... we never had a single issue having our own drinks around the resort ( any Disney resort for that matter ) Even the ABC across the street is much cheaper.

If you are staying DVC parking is free... I think you said you won't have a car the whole time, but it really makes it nice to explore the island. We used a guided tour app - gypsy tours... We thought it was great. It uses GPS waypoints to drive you around and show you the sites....good narrator.

I guess those are value suggestions... We still did the luau, pearl, diamond head, dole, ate out a bunch etc... Just some ideas to save some cash...

Have fun!

 

[rosegold:)]

Thanks for the suggestions. I saw the Costco on the map, and thought, what a good way to save! We plan to head there on our first day to grab some supplies (and I heard they sell leis there?!!) and food.

I didn't know about the grills that we could use! I guess we have to add a bbq to our list of dinners because that sounds like a fantastic idea!

 

[CamColt]

We were first timers last month. 3 of our highlights were the Luau (VIP), a couples massage at the spa (the spa itself is amazing), and a sunset catamaran cruise from KoOlina Ocean Adventures (20/25 minute walk down the lagoons).

This was our 3rd year of trying to take this trip and ironically, we just added on the spa and sunset cruise, within a few months before we went. Everything else we had planned forever. Had we gone when originally scheduled we wouldn't have done those, so I'm almost glad we had the wait.

 

[WillGan]

Lots of different wonderful things to do and places to go. You might want to list your interests, favorite foods, etc.

My must do list for first timers:
Food

• Malasadas from Leonard’s Bakery
• Local food (Waiahole Poi Factory, Helena’s, MW Restaurant)
• Poke (Tamara’s Market, Tanioka’s, or tons of others)
• Garlic shrimp from food trucks on North Shore (Giovanni’s or Big Wave)
• Spam Misubi
• Shave Ice (lots of places, but Matsumoto’s is hit or miss)

Things to do

• Pearl Harbor
• Excursion at Kualoa Ranch
• Hike to a waterfall
• Bishop Museum
• Polynesian Cultural Center
• Hike a volcano (Diamond Head or Koko Head)

Avoid:

• Do NOT leave valuables in your car when parked - especially do not park, then transfer things to your trunk.
• Do not eat anything called “Malasadas” which have been sitting around for more than 5 minutes
• Do not eat malasadas from anywhere but Leonard’s when you try them for the first time

In case you couldn’t tell - I’m pretty passionate about malasadas! First place I go whenever I go back to visit family. In fact, I’m headed there in 21 hours… unless the plane gets delayed.

One thing that could compete with Leonard’s, Uncle Lani’s Poi Mochi!

 

[rosegold:)]

We were first timers last month. 3 of our highlights were the Luau (VIP), a couples massage at the spa (the spa itself is amazing), and a sunset catamaran cruise from KoOlina Ocean Adventures (20/25 minute walk down the lagoons).

This was our 3rd year of trying to take this trip and ironically, we just added on the spa and sunset cruise, within a few months before we went. Everything else we had planned forever. Had we gone when originally scheduled we wouldn't have done those, so I'm almost glad we had the wait.

What a fantastic way to look at things! We have booked the Luau (and are super excited). The catamaran sounds lovely, thanks for the suggestion!

 

[WAstateDVCDaddy]

We were first timers last month. 3 of our highlights were the Luau (VIP), a couples massage at the spa (the spa itself is amazing), and a sunset catamaran cruise from KoOlina Ocean Adventures (20/25 minute walk down the lagoons).

It’s been sooooooo long since I would’ve qualified as a “first timer”, that I’ve completely forgotten some things. I strongly second the luau and catamaran cruise! Haven’t been to either one in years, but definitely good suggestions. My brother was just raving about the catamaran (Mait’ai I think?) that he and his wife just went on - I’ll have to take the family when my DD’s a little older.

One thing that could compete with Leonard’s, Uncle Lani’s Poi Mochi!

I’m not a big mochi fan, but that sounds like one worth trying!

 

[jimmymc]

My overall Oahu recommendations:

Food:

• Leonard's Malasadas. Try to get to the original Honolulu location, they have more flavors than the truck
• Foodland for your groceries, deli, hot and cold food bar. This is possibly the most local Hawaiian food you can get.
• Kono's BBQ
• Haleiwa Seafood Grill
• Matsumoto's or Kaimana for shave ice. Matsumoto's is the classic but a lot of people like Kaimana better.
• Jax Pizza
• Sunshine Shack for smoothies, acai bowls, and iced coffee
• Zippy's - pretty standard diner but you have to try it once
• Loco Moco BBQ
• Moke's Bread and Breakfast - amazing breakfast

Places to see:

• Pearl Harbor (plus the submarine and USS Missouri)
• Tantalus Lookout
• Diamond Head
• Koko Crater and Botanical Gardens
• Makapu'u Point
• Ka'Ena Point
• Kawela Bay Beach Park
• Waimea Valley
• Banzai Pipeline

 

[joech]

We just came back from a 10 days trip staying in a one bedroom ocean view villa on 11 floor Ewa tower. The room is a short walk from the elevator but far enough to hear any noise from people. View is amazing and I will definitely request the same location for our next trip.

 

[rosegold:)]

My overall Oahu recommendations:

Food:

• Leonard's Malasadas. Try to get to the original Honolulu location, they have more flavors than the truck
• Foodland for your groceries, deli, hot and cold food bar. This is possibly the most local Hawaiian food you can get.
• Kono's BBQ
• Haleiwa Seafood Grill
• Matsumoto's or Kaimana for shave ice. Matsumoto's is the classic but a lot of people like Kaimana better.
• Jax Pizza
• Sunshine Shack for smoothies, acai bowls, and iced coffee
• Zippy's - pretty standard diner but you have to try it once
• Loco Moco BBQ
• Moke's Bread and Breakfast - amazing breakfast

Places to see:

• Pearl Harbor (plus the submarine and USS Missouri)
• Tantalus Lookout
• Diamond Head
• Koko Crater and Botanical Gardens
• Makapu'u Point
• Ka'Ena Point
• Kawela Bay Beach Park
• Waimea Valley
• Banzai Pipeline

Thank you for the suggestions. We are big foodies, so we will definitely be hitting up a lot of these suggestions! We are looking forward to trying the local cruisine.

We just came back from a 10 days trip staying in a one bedroom ocean view villa on 11 floor Ewa tower. The room is a short walk from the elevator but far enough to hear any noise from people. View is amazing and I will definitely request the same location for our next trip.

Stunning view! That must have been a spectacular trip!

 

[WillGan]

It’s been sooooooo long since I would’ve qualified as a “first timer”, that I’ve completely forgotten some things. I strongly second the luau and catamaran cruise! Haven’t been to either one in years, but definitely good suggestions. My brother was just raving about the catamaran (Mait’ai I think?) that he and his wife just went on - I’ll have to take the family when my DD’s a little older.


I’m not a big mochi fan, but that sounds like one worth trying!

If you’ve never tried it before, you have no idea! Good luck though!

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

Hello!

I am taking my very first trip to Hawaii and Aulani this September! We are staying in a 2 bedroom villa (ocean view). Are there any tips for getting a good room (away from elevator, high floor, not near Lu'au, great Ocean view)? I know it's based on availability, but trying to see if there is anything I can ask/request at check-in.

Also, any tips for food, must book experiences, places to go outside of Aulani, or things to avoid, would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks! Very excited!

I loved the view from my recent trip. It was Ocean View facing the pool area on 15th Floor of Waianae.

I always order groceries from Foodland with success.

If you want a break from the Hawaiian food, we had great relatively inexpensive Japanese cuisine at Marguame Udon in Waikiki, Tanaka Ramen in Kapolei, and Curry House Coco Ichibanya in Kapolei.

 

[joech]

Thank you for the suggestions. We are big foodies, so we will definitely be hitting up a lot of these suggestions! We are looking forward to trying the local cruisine.

Stunning view! That must have been a spectacular trip!

Trip was amazing. Since you are a big foodies, you should take a trip up to North Shore to try some food truck offering. We tried the Da bald guy, Haleiwa Bowls and Romy’s shrimp hut one day and we ended up going up again a few days later, but we skipped the shrimp truck on the second day. The 1st 2 pictures are the meal from Da bald guy.

There are lots of options down in Waikiki and we tried out Marugame udon, Monosan and Morimoto Asia and they are all amazing. Parking down in Waikiki can be a challenge. But if you dine in Monosan and Morimoto Asia, you can park in the hotel parking lot and the restaurant will validate your parking up to 3 hours.

 

[rosegold:)]

Trip was amazing. Since you are a big foodies, you should take a trip up to North Shore to try some food truck offering. We tried the Da bald guy, Haleiwa Bowls and Romy’s shrimp hut one day and we ended up going up again a few days later, but we skipped the shrimp truck on the second day. The 1st 2 pictures are the meal from Da bald guy.

There are lots of options down in Waikiki and we tried out Marugame udon, Monosan and Morimoto Asia and they are all amazing. Parking down in Waikiki can be a challenge. But if you dine in Monosan and Morimoto Asia, you can park in the hotel parking lot and the restaurant will validate your parking up to 3 hours.

Oh my, the pictures got my mouth watering That looks like some delicious food. Thanks for all the recommendations, I might just have to add the North Shore to my iternerary now

 

[disneylandlocal]

I loved the view from my recent trip. It was Ocean View facing the pool area on 15th Floor of Waianae.

I always order groceries from Foodland with success.

If you want a break from the Hawaiian food, we had great relatively inexpensive Japanese cuisine at Marguame Udon in Waikiki, Tanaka Ramen in Kapolei, and Curry House Coco Ichibanya in Kapolei.

Does foodland deliver to the resort?