First Trip to Aulani - AMAZING

[nelsonkg]

We just returned from a weeklong trip it was our first stay and we had the best time! The resort is beautiful and the staff was the most friendly we have experienced at any DVC resort. We had a beautiful ocean view. We took full advantage of the time change coming from the East Coast and we were off on early morning adventures every day all over Oahu. We hiked, swam in a waterfall, went on a dolphin safari, zip lined and snorkeled everywhere since we brought our own equipment. We visited so many beautiful beaches and even had a sea turtle swim right by us . We usually returned to the resort in the afternoon around 3 pm when we found it a lot easier to find somewhere to sit and relax by the pool or ocean. We especially never had a problem finding seats on the beach and just walked over to the pool - easy. We loved the food trucks we found everywhere we traveled and also enjoyed the restaurants across the street. Perfect trip - we will be back

 

[alohamom]

We usually returned to the resort in the afternoon around 3 pm when we found it a lot easier to find somewhere to sit and relax by the pool or ocean.

This is what we do as well, we love using Aulani as a home base, it works out perfect for us.

 

[bbn1122]

Thanks for sharing your recent stay.

I will be doing the same thing in 2 weeks. I am a DVC member and it will be my first time at Aulani.

I am taking my two adults sons.

We are using Aulani as our home base to explore the island, but we will certainly take in and enjoy everything the resort has to offer.

Aloha!

 

[iluvdisney]

Love, Love, Loved Aulani! Took my daughter’s family - lots of celebrations to enjoy - it was my daughter’s 50th birthday and 25th Wedding Anniversary - and the twins’ 16th birthday and their brother’s graduation from high school- we had a 3 bedroom GV Oceanside - what a view! Everything about the resort was a WOW - I was recovering from a recent fall and it was easy to relax and take in the sights and sounds of the resort! Kids were having a blast and made a bunch of friends that they hung out with every day - everything put a smile on my face - thanks DVC!

 

[nelsonkg]

Thanks for sharing your recent stay.

I will be doing the same thing in 2 weeks. I am a DVC member and it will be my first time at Aulani.

I am taking my two adults sons.

We are using Aulani as our home base to explore the island, but we will certainly take in and enjoy everything the resort has to offer.

Aloha!

I hope you have the best time

 

[disneycruisedreams]

I would love to hear any suggestions on things to do and visit!!

 

[nelsonkg]

I would love to hear any suggestions on things to do and visit!!

Happy to share what we did!
Nu’uanu Pali Lookout
Kailua Beach (so so beautiful) saw sea turtles
Snows shaved Ice
Hanauma Bay
My Cafe
Food trucks in Hale’iwa
Banzai Bowls
Snorkel Pupukea Beach Sharks Cove
Waimea Valley Botanical Gardens Hike/Waterfall Swim
Waimea Bay Beach (rock jumping) saw monk seals and dolphins
Climbworks Ziplining -trip highlight
Kahuku Food Trucks
Dolphin Safari with Dolphin Excursion in Waianae Boat Harbor saw countless dolphins snorkled
Ate at Eggs n Things, Monkey Pod and Crafthouse 808 across the street all good!
We rented a car and we’re there for 7 nights flew direct out of Boston
Have a great vaca

 

[bookbabe626]

Dolphin Safari with Dolphin Excursion in Waianae Boat Harbor saw countless dolphins snorkled

Was that with this company? How was it? Would you recommend it?

https://dolphinexcursions.com/

 

[moanatime]

9 more days before coming home. We come every year, sometimes twice. So glad you enjoyed the resort. We go to veg now. We have our favorite places to go on the island, but have no itinerary. It's day by day.

 

[nelsonkg]

Was that with this company? How was it? Would you recommend it?

https://dolphinexcursions.com/

Yes this is the company and would definitely recommend. There was a marine biologist on board involved only about 15 passengers. They were very careful and respectful of the Dolphins which is what we were looking for it was a three hour excursion worth every penny you can choose to go in the water or not they provide a really good lunch unlimited non alcoholic beverages Also share a lot of education about dolphins and Hawaiian culture. We had purchased our own snorkel equipment and brought on the trip so we could use it all over the island but they did provide equipment included in the price even prescription mask if you wear glasses!

 

[disneycruisedreams]

Thanks for the list! I would love to do so many of those things!!

 

[nelsonkg]

Thanks for the list! I would love to do so many of those things!!

You are welcome. Everything on the list did not disappoint! Overall the trip exceeded our expectations

 

[bbn1122]

Happy to share what we did!
Nu’uanu Pali Lookout
Kailua Beach (so so beautiful) saw sea turtles
Snows shaved Ice
Hanauma Bay
My Cafe
Food trucks in Hale’iwa
Banzai Bowls
Snorkel Pupukea Beach Sharks Cove
Waimea Valley Botanical Gardens Hike/Waterfall Swim
Waimea Bay Beach (rock jumping) saw monk seals and dolphins
Climbworks Ziplining -trip highlight
Kahuku Food Trucks
Dolphin Safari with Dolphin Excursion in Waianae Boat Harbor saw countless dolphins snorkled
Ate at Eggs n Things, Monkey Pod and Crafthouse 808 across the street all good!
We rented a car and we’re there for 7 nights flew direct out of Boston
Have a great vaca

My family leaves Friday for Hawaii, we will be at Aulani for 7 nights and in Waikiki Beach before and after.

Thanks for this list, many of the things you did are on our list too.... We too are renting a car to get around.

How was traffic getting places? We are planning on heading out early most days and coming back after lunch to enjoy the resort!

Aloha!

 

[WinterSolider]

My family leaves Friday for Hawaii, we will be at Aulani for 7 nights and in Waikiki Beach before and after.

Thanks for this list, many of the things you did are on our list too.... We too are renting a car to get around.

How was traffic getting places? We are planning on heading out early most days and coming back after lunch to enjoy the resort!

Aloha!

You have to get out extremely early to beat the traffic. We hiked Diamond Head at 6am and we sat in some traffic even then. Weekday traffic is much worse than weekend, so if you have anything to do in Honolulu you might want to do it on Saturday or Sunday.

 

[nelsonkg]

My family leaves Friday for Hawaii, we will be at Aulani for 7 nights and in Waikiki Beach before and after.

Thanks for this list, many of the things you did are on our list too.... We too are renting a car to get around.

How was traffic getting places? We are planning on heading out early most days and coming back after lunch to enjoy the resort!

Aloha!

We were usually on the road around 8:30 and did fine with traffic. Because we came from the East Coast we were up early and out the door early it wasn’t intentional but it worked out well for us. We tackled different areas of the island and had pretty loose itineraries except for the pre-paid experiences we had such as the dolphin encounter and zip lining. I expected the worst traffic to be when we headed to Kailua beach but that was not the worst traffic the worst traffic was from Aulani to Hanauma Bay. Taking everything into account I never felt the traffic was stressful then again I’m used to Boston traffic lol. We easily made it back to the resort between 2 and 3 o’clock I never felt rushed on the trip at all.

 

[GrimGrinningGuy]

We were usually on the road around 8:30 and did fine with traffic. Because we came from the East Coast we were up early and out the door early it wasn’t intentional but it worked out well for us. We tackled different areas of the island and had pretty loose itineraries except for the pre-paid experiences we had such as the dolphin encounter and zip lining. I expected the worst traffic to be when we headed to Kailua beach but that was not the worst traffic the worst traffic was from Aulani to Hanauma Bay. Taking everything into account I never felt the traffic was stressful then again I’m used to Boston traffic lol. We easily made it back to the resort between 2 and 3 o’clock I never felt rushed on the trip at all.

Is it mostly highway driving?

 

[OKW Lover]

Is it mostly highway driving?

Not really. There are basically three "highways" on 'Oahu but those mostly go across the island. To see the island best you'll be on more local roadways.

 

[bbn1122]

We were usually on the road around 8:30 and did fine with traffic. Because we came from the East Coast we were up early and out the door early it wasn’t intentional but it worked out well for us. We tackled different areas of the island and had pretty loose itineraries except for the pre-paid experiences we had such as the dolphin encounter and zip lining. I expected the worst traffic to be when we headed to Kailua beach but that was not the worst traffic the worst traffic was from Aulani to Hanauma Bay. Taking everything into account I never felt the traffic was stressful then again I’m used to Boston traffic lol. We easily made it back to the resort between 2 and 3 o’clock I never felt rushed on the trip at all.

I live about an hour south of NYC, where I used to work. So, traffic no problem. LOL

I am planning to do almost the same thing as you did.

So, much to do, so little time. But I do want to slow it down and just enjoy Hawaii!

Thanks again.