First Trip to Aulani Question

[Silver Queen]

We're starting to plan our first trip to Aulani and since we'll be traveling from the east coast we'd like to also go to Maui for a few days while we're "in the neighborhood". For those who are familiar with this area would you recommend going to Maui before or after Aulani? I'm thinking that it might be a good idea to go to Maui first since the resort there might be a bit of a let down after Aulani. Would love to hear the opinions of the Dis folk.

 

[Sur]

I'd suggest Maui after Aulani, depending on the time of year. It's more of a relaxed environment.

Aulani is beautiful, as my grade schoolers put it, early in the morning or very late at night, when most everyone is in bed. The hotel is big, but all those people go where during the day? In the pools, beach, and Aunties.

 

[BillPA]

Don't know if you are aware but you can fly into Honolulu (HNL) and home from Maui (OGG) and take Hawaian Air between the islands. See which route has the better flight times. i.e. fly in to Maui, out of HNL or the reverse. This usually ends up costing less and is less hassle. I don't think it really matters which you do first, I would just go by the ease of flight schedules.

 

[Silver Queen]

Don't know if you are aware but you can fly into Honolulu (HNL) and home from Maui (OGG) and take Hawaian Air between the islands. See which route has the better flight times. i.e. fly in to Maui, out of HNL or the reverse. This usually ends up costing less and is less hassle. I don't think it really matters which you do first, I would just go by the ease of flight schedules.

Thanks, Bill. We're looking into this. We're hoping to fly on points and will have to see if it makes a difference if we fly round trip or two separate flights.

 

[Mazz519]

Would do Maui last, its a much more relaxed island than Honolulu. There are hotels in Maui that are just amazing...stay in Wailea or Kaanapali in Maui, place is great. Aluani is a great place but its far from everything and all the sights. definitely plan a few days just to stay at the resort... theres a lot to do.... We flew into Kauai then to Honolulu and finished in Maui... Flew right out of Maui to home.... have a great time

 

[LisaDKG]

I have just returned from a 2 week trip to Maui in August and I've stayed at Aulani in 2011 and 2014. I have to say that I actually preferred more my trips to Oahu (we usually stay first in Waikiki and then head to Aulani) than I did my trip to Maui. We did stay in a condo while on Maui (in S.Kihei near Wailea and right ON the beach) so it was different than staying in one of the big resorts and is therefore not comparing apples to apples. We did, however, do many day trips all over the island and checked out many of the resorts on Maui's West and South beaches.
I have to say that while I've LOVED my resort stays on Oahu (Outrigger Waikiki and Aulani), the big resorts in Maui did not call my attention at all. I got a much more 'Hawaiian-y' and Polynesian cultural vibe from all the different locations that we explored whilst on Oahu than during our time on Maui. The PPs are right when they say that Maui is a much more laid back island - in fact I found it a little too laid back at times and missed the variety offered by Oahu where you had the options of enjoying a big city, or north shore/surfing towns, Aulani, the amazing Eastern beaches along with more historical and cultural throughout the island.
I really think it depends upon what you are looking for for your Hawaiian experience and what kind of travellers your family are. From my experience, staying at Aulani first and then trying a similarly large resort in Maui would be disappointing - I would consider exploring another area of Oahu first (like Waikiki or the north shore or even Kailua in the East) and ending the trip with a stay at Aulani to relax and enjoy the amenities offered there.

 

[BillPA]

Thanks, Bill. We're looking into this. We're hoping to fly on points and will have to see if it makes a difference if we fly round trip or two separate flights.

You can book with miles to one airport and return from the other. It's called an "open jaw flight" Joint Hawaiian Air frequent Flyer club before you book, then check bags are $15 not $25. Flights from HNL to Maui are running about $80 each way. https://beta.hawaiianairlines.com/
Have a great trip.

 

[Disney_Alli]

Don't know if you are aware but you can fly into Honolulu (HNL) and home from Maui (OGG) and take Hawaian Air between the islands. See which route has the better flight times. i.e. fly in to Maui, out of HNL or the reverse. This usually ends up costing less and is less hassle. I don't think it really matters which you do first, I would just go by the ease of flight schedules.

This is a great tip and exactly what we're looking at doing when we go to Aulani for two nights then move to Maui to finish the week and my parents' time share.