Hawaii... Book ahead activities, food, etc?

[tlh]

We are going to Hawaii in March. We have reservations at Aulani and booked a few reservations at their restaraunts. When to book Pearl Harbor? What else do I need to book ahead? It is our first trip to Hawaii, so I am not sure what all I should have booked ahead of time. Thanks!

 

[TinkFan74]

I returned from Oahu last month (not Aulani) and I bought a lot of my activities off of groupon. I saved a lot of money. I would also recommend renting a car so you are not bound to shuttles, I got a car from Alamo for $111 all in for a week.

 

[tlh]

Thank you. We do have a car, and as of right now it is I think 185 for 9 days. I keep checking back for cheaper rates!

 

[TinkFan74]

I would definitely look at the Groupons than, I saved about 40% off of what I would have paid without a discount.
https://www.groupon.com/local/honolulu/things-to-do

 

[WDW_Diane]

We are going to Hawaii in March. We have reservations at Aulani and booked a few reservations at their restaraunts. When to book Pearl Harbor? What else do I need to book ahead? It is our first trip to Hawaii, so I am not sure what all I should have booked ahead of time. Thanks!

Go to the US Park Service website now to reserve your free Pearl Harbor tickets. If you are too late, you will need to drive over there super early in the morning--I want to say leave Aulani at 6:00 am if I remember correctly.... to get in the line for the free daily tickets that are extra. Looks like they are booking two months out right now for the free tickets. You can also choose audio tour for $7.50 each.
http://www.recreation.gov/showPage....&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72369&page=memorial

 

[WDW_Diane]

Thank you. We do have a car, and as of right now it is I think 185 for 9 days. I keep checking back for cheaper rates!

What rental agency did you use? We are going back in June. Last time we used discounthawaiicarrental but it wasn't that cheap....we had a large vehicle.

 

[tlh]

I used discountHawaii but there is only two of us and it is just a standard car (Toyota Corolla I think). I think I got the best rate around 5 or 6 months out. Now it is 100 or more for the same time.

 

[jimmytammy]

Following along as we are in the process of hoping to book Aulani for Sept. This will be our 1st trip to Hawaii as well!

 

[southerngirl528]

Tlh, you were so savvy to book that rental car WAY in advance for Hawaii! Good for you!

As a frequent visitor to Hawaii, I always, always advise those planning a trip to book their rental car the moment they know their dates. People look at me funny, but Hawaii is extremely remote and unlike here on the Mainland, the companies can't just have a bunch more cars driven down from Fresno if they need more, you know what i mean? Book the cheapest rate you can find in a car you would be happy with (even if you think the rate is high) and make sure it is a rez that does NOT require pre-payment or a CC to secure, that way you car easily cancel if/when you find a better rate.

CostcoTravel and www.discounthawaiicarrental.com are the 2 places I generally get my best rates for cars. And be sure to read the fine print. Both of these booking companies very often give you a 2nd driver at no additional fee!

 

[CruisingCamper]

Thank you. We do have a car, and as of right now it is I think 185 for 9 days. I keep checking back for cheaper rates!

Where did u get that rate? We are paying a lot more and I would love to find that rate.

 

[southerngirl528]

CruisingCamper, see my post #9. If you are a Costco member, try their travel site. Otherwise try my link above to DCHR.

The important thing about booking a car in Hawaii is to book as far in advance as possible, then keep checking prices. Sometimes the prices will go down as you get very close to the dates. But almost as many times, I have found they will go up, up, UP. If you don't already have something booked, you would be well advised to book NOW.

 

[Anal Annie]

I agree to book your rental car as early as possible and then hawk the booking sites regularly for "sales". Last time I had booked thru Discounthawaii initially but then ran into a cheaper rate thru Costco about 3 months before our trip dates. It was only "on sale" briefly tho and it went back up. I forget what we paid now but I DO think the cars are more $$$ during peak periods and over the summer when most people are vacationing there. There were NO $111 / week deals for early August. You may find that kind of rate for a more off-peak time tho. OH, and I think cars are more expensive on Maui too - we paid almost as much for a 4-day rental on Maui as for our week on Oahu. Supply & demand. You can also check Priceline from time to time and if you run into a super cheap deal there snag it. I played the car rental game weekly.

Definitely try to book your PH tix as early as possible - do it now and GO EARLY. If you're unable to secure a res then you will HAVE to go at the crack of dawn to get a tix. Even when you DO have a res you have to go pick up your tix that morning an hour before your time. If you don't show then those are the tix that are used for the walk-ups of the day. That's why you have to go early if you don't have a res. You're playing a waiting game for those tix that are leftover from those who are late in picking up.

The resort was at 100% occupancy when we went (August) and we didn't feel the need to book meals in advance. We didn't do Ama Ama but DID try Makahiki one evening - decided that afternoon we wanted to go and stopped by the res desk that afternoon & got like a 7:30 or 8:00 time. We also booked Monkey Pod and Roy's online after we arrived and decided which day to go. Could've gotten into Monkey Pod as walk-ups probably BUT would've had a long wait. A res is def. the way to go there.

The only other thing we booked prior to going was our surf lessons on the North Shore. Booked online a month or two out & got a discount direct with the place. Decided to book a 2 hour semi-private lesson with just our family of 3. That was a great decision. There were other "groups" there the day we went and we definitely got a lot more attention and help and one-on-one time this way. (BTW it's a lot harder than it looks!! LOL. It's a lot of paddling! As a 50-something I was doomed but our 17 yo DS who was a swimmer did AWESOME and didn't tire out like we did.) It was fun just to try it and say we did it tho. We went early and then hit the shrimp trucks afterward for lunch.