Going to Hawaii with 2 kids! Visiting Aulani but then what?

[esquared221]

DH is being sent to Hawaii for most of the month of July (for work) and the kids and I are coming along. We dont know many specifics yet but most of the guys get put up in Discovery Bay in Honolulu. We are planning on visiting Aulani while we are there but for those that have been there what other kid-friendly activities are there on the island of Oahu? DD is 7 and DS is 3. What's a must-do while at Aulani? Any info on good beaches (I'm sure they're all pretty awesome), activities, kid friendly restaurants and absolute must-haves for packing are appreciated! Ty!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

1. Buy a good guidebook.
2. Check out online resources, such as tripadvisor.com.

 

[AZMermaid]

We are going to Aulani next summer with my then 3 and 4.5 year olds. If you are not staying at Aulani, you can walk around and go down to the beach, but you can not go to the pools. There is a character breakfast you could do as well.

Since we are staying at Aulani, we are likely not doing anything in the Honolulu area, but there is a Pirate Boat cruise that looks super fun!

We do plan on going to the Dole Plantation and riding the train and doing the maze. Reviews on this are mixed, but it is on the way to North Shore and the main complaint seems to be that it is hokey, but with little ones, that should be fine! Plus- they have Dole Whips!

 

[esquared221]

We def want to visit the Dole plantation too. My mom went last year and said that you've never tasted pineapple until you've tried it that fresh Plus Dole Whip? I'm sold!

 

[amym2]

Our kids were 9 and 11 when we were at Aulani last year. We did the garden maze at the Dole Plantation (wouldn't recommend it with a 3yo). They would probably enjoy the train there. And yes, the fresh pineapple was yummy (although you can get it all around the island). There's a huge gift shop with yummy treats and all sorts of pineapple stuff. It was a good stop on the way to the North Shore.

On the North Shore, stop at Turtle Beach (different than Turtle Bay where the resort is). We saw TONS of turtles and one came up onto the beach.

We did the Polynesian Cultural Center and enjoyed it. I'd definitely take a stroller for the 3yo. There were various activities and a show in each country. The float parade was really neat. Some people complain about the PCC, but we enjoyed the experience. We used a BOGO coupon from the Entertainment Book. We didn't do the luau, dinner, etc.

While on the North Shore, stop for lunch at one of the shrimp trucks (we like Giovanni's) and for shave ice in Haleiwa Town.

DS (11 at the time), DH, and FIL did Pearl Harbor (I'd been before) but I'm not sure I'd do that with a 7yo and 3yo.

We didn't spend much time in Honolulu, but I hear the zoo is pretty good. The beach is Waikiki is one of the top rated. All of Hawaii's beaches are public so anyone can use them (same at Aulani, although the chairs are reserved for guests). The lagoons at Aulani are good for little ones.

If I were you, I'd consider spending at least one night at Aulani so your kids can use the pools, lazy river, etc.

Most restaurants are kid friendly and casual. We really liked Monkey Pod across the street from Aulani. And definitely get some malasadas at Leonard's in Honolulu.

We like the "Revealed" Hawaii guide books. They have blue covers and there's one for each island. They have lots of restaurant and activity reviews and well as driving guides with stops along the way.

 

[disneyjunebug]

We did Oahu last Fall with our then 10 year old. We stayed out at Ko'Olina, where Aulani is and it is wonderful! Parking at Aulani is about $35 just to visit, but I think if you buy food, souvenirs, etc., they give it back to you. Monkeypods is across the street from Aulani and it is superb.

I got an App for my phone that provided information on a circle tour of the island. It would let you know what you are looking at, what was near, history of the area, etc. Some of our favorite things were going to Iolani Palace and touring it, riding the Hop On-Hop off bus into downtown Waikiki (you can park for free at Ala Moana Mall and catch it there), going to the Dole Plantation -- A Dole Whip sundae with chocolate is awesome!, eating at the Shrimp Trucks along the North Shore and just enjoying the whole island. When we were there, Pearl Harbour was closed due to the government shut down, so we are just going to have to go back again!

You might want to look at the tripadvisor pages for Hawaii. Lots of wonderful people that would be happy to help you plan!

 

[Casemily]

Just an add on about Pearl Harbor. If you are interested in seeing Pearl Harbor I strongly suggest checking out the parks website. Reservations in advance are recommended and they really restrict what you can bring in. We had to leave the diaper bag in the car for example. Lots of info on the website.

 

[esquared221]

Thanks for all the great recommendations! Sounds like having some shrimp on the North Shore is a MUST

At some point in time we'll see Pearl Harbor at least to some extent. My husband works for the shipyard here in NH and that's where he will be working for the duration of our trip. Even if we don't do the official tour he'll probably just drive us around and point stuff out (for the areas he has clearance for of course).

 

[prettylittlelady]

Aloha! I just saw this (haven't been on the boards in a while) and I currently live on Oahu.

Waikiki Beach is nice but can get very crowded. Ala Moana beach park is nice (and is right across the street from the Ala Moana center, the big open air mall which I love...maybe because it has a Disney store ) The Ko'olina lagoons are very peaceful and quiet and Aulani is beautiful. Kailua beach park is nice from what I hear but I usually frequent the beaches on MCBH. (Marine Corps Base Hawaii) Turtle Beach, like somebody else mentioned..you will see a lot of turtles but make sure not to touch them and keep your distance. (It's a state law.) You may also see Hawaiian monk seals on some beaches but they are protected under the same law as the turtles.

The Honolulu Zoo is one of our favorite places to visit with the kids! Dole Planation is nice and you can grab a dole whip there. It can get crowded quickly there, though..just like everywhere else. The train ride there is nice but can be a long wait.

If you are looking for a place to get out of the heat, there is an ice skating rink near Aloha stadium. (Yes..ice skating in Hawaii! My oldest dd takes lessons there)

Pearl Harbor is a must but be prepared to not carry any bags in. We did Pearl Harbor when we first moved here with a 1 yr old, 2 yr old and 3 yr old. Rimpac will be going on next month so the base will be quite busy..however the USS Arizona Memorial (among other sights in the PH area) are not on the base.


Most restaurants out here are kid friendly. And some must haves to pack..definitely sunscreen, sunglasses, bathing suits, flip flops (they call them slippers here), "summer" clothes and an umbrella if you can fit it.

There is more I can think of but feel like I've written a book so I will stop for now.