Hawaii- Have you ever used a tour group?

[tchrrx]

We are really wanting to go to Hawaii for our 2012 vacation. Since we're not sure whether ABD will be offering a trip, can you recommend another touring group? Thanks!

 

[sayhello]

I've been to Hawaii (Maui) and what I did was a lot of day tours. There are tons of companies that either pick you up at your hotel or at a meeting point, and take you out snorkeling, or on a tour to Haleakala, etc. Somewhere I have the website for a tour operator's association.

I found Hawaii very easy to do that way.

Sayhello

 

[lb4747694]

A tour group isn't really necessary. The important thing you'll have to do is figure out which island fits with what you want to do/see. Each island has it's own personality and offers slightly different things. Figure out what you really want to do (i.e. hike/snorkel/see a volcano), then you can figure out which islands you want to visit.

No tour group will take you to everything that you probably want to see.

 

[knewton64]

A tour group isn't really necessary. The important thing you'll have to do is figure out which island fits with what you want to do/see. Each island has it's own personality and offers slightly different things. Figure out what you really want to do (i.e. hike/snorkel/see a volcano), then you can figure out which islands you want to visit.

No tour group will take you to everything that you probably want to see.

....have fun and take lots and lots of pics & video as the Aloha state has lots to offer.


and when u go - be sure and try some of the native foods.



T.T.F.N.

 

[kristilew]

I would check out Disney's new resort in Hawaii. This is from their website:

Every Aulani Resort excursion is an adventure into the culture and stories of Hawai`i. Whether you want to hike Diamond Head, set sail on a catamaran or learn to surf, visit the Tour Desk to book excursions* — both those exclusive to Aulani Guests, as well as those enjoyed with other island visitors.

Take a cooking class to learn how to prepare Hawaiian fare. Go on a nature hike, visit a museum or hop into a kayak to paddle through the sapphire waters that ripple around you. Some excursions exclusive to Aulani Guests are uniquely designed with special Disney touches that include our storytelling magic. It's a fantastic way to open the door to all that's magical about Hawai`i!

See our Discovery Experiences for ideas on how to personalize your vacation based on your own spirit of adventure.

Looks like it would be easy to have them set you up with anything you'd want to do.

 

[beachbunny]

Hawaii is easy to do on your own. Rent a car and you're set. Insead of a full tour, I would pick and choose among the many day tour options - a sunset dinner cruise, a city tour to get your bearings, etc.

I wouldn't use Aulani as your base. Time is precious while you're on vacation. Aulani is just too far from downtown/Waikiki (up to 2 hours if you hit rush hour traffic) and the tourist attractions. Aulani should be treated more as a destination resort. I'm sure Aulani will offer kayaking, surfing, hula lessons, and other activities on site, but the other stuff like hiking Diamondhead, snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, etc. will be a LONG drive.

 

[Diskidatheart]

I'm leaving for Hawaii in 17 days. It's very easy to get around on your own. As someone mentioned earlier, you need to decide which island(s) are best for you. If you are into nightlife, then Oahu is better. If you're into tropical settings with lots of hiking and snorkeling, Kauai may be a good option. The Big Island has the active volcano. Your best bet is to invest in the book "Hawaii for Dummies" and that will help you decide which island. Trip Advisor is another very good source for activities on each island. It truly is paradise!

 

[sayhello]

I'm leaving for Hawaii in 17 days. It's very easy to get around on your own. As someone mentioned earlier, you need to decide which island(s) are best for you. If you are into nightlife, then Oahu is better. If you're into tropical settings with lots of hiking and snorkeling, Kauai may be a good option. The Big Island has the active volcano. Your best bet is to invest in the book "Hawaii for Dummies" and that will help you decide which island. Trip Advisor is another very good source for activities on each island. It truly is paradise!

TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!

Sayhello

 

[Diskidatheart]

TAKE ME WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!

Sayhello

Only if you take me on your London and Paris trip!

 

[sayhello]

Only if you take me on your London and Paris trip!

Do you think you can fit in my suitcase???

Sayhello

 

[tchrrx]

Thanks to everyone for your input. Really looking forward to the trip if I don't talk myself out of it for the ABD London Paris trip.

 

[knewton64]

I'm leaving for Hawaii in 17 days. It's very easy to get around on your own. As someone mentioned earlier, you need to decide which island(s) are best for you. If you are into nightlife, then Oahu is better. If you're into tropical settings with lots of hiking and snorkeling, Kauai may be a good option. The Big Island has the active volcano. Your best bet is to invest in the book "Hawaii for Dummies" and that will help you decide which island. Trip Advisor is another very good source for activities on each island. It truly is paradise!

Dole Whip.......

I have a sudden hankering for a Dole Whip.




have fun on your vacation - let us know how it went.



T.T.F.N.

 

[Gigi22]

Agreed with the PPs. Hawaii is very easy to do on your own. IMO you should plan to spend at least 10 days there--there's a significant time change to get over. We split our 2 week land holiday into two 7 day portions, spending one week in Honolulu and flying to Maui for the other week. I suggest you consider a car rental for at least part of the time you are there.

 

[serenita05]

We did a cruise of the islands and stayed two extra days in maui.

 

[gayb]

If you decide to travel with a tour group you will almost certainly find that you pack a lot into your days. If you want to see and do the most possible things in the least possible time, then an organized tour may be your best bet.

 

[mrosen]

Hawaii is easy to do on your own. Rent a car and you're set. Insead of a full tour, I would pick and choose among the many day tour options - a sunset dinner cruise, a city tour to get your bearings, etc.

I wouldn't use Aulani as your base. Time is precious while you're on vacation. Aulani is just too far from downtown/Waikiki (up to 2 hours if you hit rush hour traffic) and the tourist attractions. Aulani should be treated more as a destination resort. I'm sure Aulani will offer kayaking, surfing, hula lessons, and other activities on site, but the other stuff like hiking Diamondhead, snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, etc. will be a LONG drive.

How far can the drives be? We are looking to book at Aulani in the fall to stay for a week and would get a rental car. Figured we would spend time at the resort and then do some day trips out to see Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, Dole Plantation, go downtown Honolulu, Waikiki, etc. When is rush hour traffic? I'm trying to understand better what the downsides are and if for our mix of vacation plans if we would have an issue. We have 2 kids and they would want time at the beach, pool, etc in addition to our going off the resort to visit some of these other areas.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Many, many years ago my mother took me and my two younger brothers (16, 13, & 8 at the time) to Hawaii for a vacation on a Tauck tour. I was a stubborn 16 year old and was excited to see other people on a tour...only to find out the next YOUNGest person was a couple on their honeymoon IN THEIR 40s! Everyone was in their 70s & 80s. I was pretty mad at the time and then I found out that everyone was SO cool! While I would have liked to hang out with kids my own age, it was a fun time. We even have family that live there but the tour gave us the opportunity to go to 5 islands and tons of unique tours with a group of people we enjoyed being with (after my initial teenage shock ).

So yes, you can do Hawaii on your own easily but a tour is also fun. Tauck was great and I believe they now have the 'bridges' tours that cater to families with kids (if you would rather do that).

Have fun!

 

[beachbunny]

It's 20 miles into town, 30 miles to Hanauma Bay which is east of downtown. Rush hour is any time between 5:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Most of the million plus population of Honolulu live west of downtown so you may be making the morning and evening commute with them. I wouldn't want to waste my time sitting in traffic during my vacation.

I would split my stay between Aulani and a Waikiki hotel. I've been to Aulani to see the construction. Aside from the two resorts and a golf course, there is nothing else within 10 miles of Ko Olina.

 

[Big Willie]

I leave for Hawaii again on Sunday (work related). Beach Bunny hits it on the head. Disney's location on Ohau does nothing for me. Aside from the Paradise Cove Luau and my fav Walmart I rarely go over that way. I guess it tailor-made to keep you on the resort.

For touring the Waikiki hotels have hundreds of choice. We never used them however. Ohau has three main interstates (H1, H2 and H3 ) and really only four main streets. On the negative side traffic twice a day is a standstill going in and out of Waikiki.

Your touring style matters most. If like a leisure minibus tour with 15-30 minutes stops then choose the groups. If you want to linger or only want to visit certain spots...venture on your own.

****Maui. There are spot in Maui I would only do as a tour. The Road to Hana, Black Sand Beaches, Sunrise

E komo mai

 

[lb4747694]

It's 20 miles into town, 30 miles to Hanauma Bay which is east of downtown. Rush hour is any time between 5:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Most of the million plus population of Honolulu live west of downtown so you may be making the morning and evening commute with them. I wouldn't want to waste my time sitting in traffic during my vacation.

I would split my stay between Aulani and a Waikiki hotel. I've been to Aulani to see the construction. Aside from the two resorts and a golf course, there is nothing else within 10 miles of Ko Olina.

+1

Maybe a better way to think about it is where else in the world would you stay in a hotel where most of the things you want to do are 20-30 miles away. It's a big waste of time. And don't forget, the locals are never really in a hurry to get anywhere, so traffic moves much slower in Hawaii.

Oahu isn't a very large island, but that doesn't mean that everything is close by.