Hawaii questions

[Psychodisney]

We've decided to try and get Aulani for next June. I'm nervous about the 7 month window. Should I be? Next question.....what other island would you recommend for a few days? We are a family of 5(18, 16 and 13) who like to keep busy and want to see the best Hawaii has too offer.

 

[disneydenisel]

We've decided to try and get Aulani for next June. I'm nervous about the 7 month window. Should I be? Next question.....what other island would you recommend for a few days? We are a family of 5(18, 16 and 13) who like to keep busy and want to see the best Hawaii has too offer.

We love Maui !

Which week in June are you looking for? Summer is the busy high season in Hawaii because so many families travel during the summer. Are you looking at early June? Early June might be less crowded, so maybe the 7 month window will be fine for that time of the month.

 

[Presley]

The Big Island is my favorite. You can go to Volcanos Park and watch lava ooze into the ocean.

There are many rainforests. If you go to Kona, you can tour the coffee plantations.

They have incredible snorkeling by boat.

They have a tundra, but I never went up there. I don't bring winter clothing to Hawaii.

I live near the ocean in Southern California, so I like the Big Island the best because it has so much stuff that I can't get around here.

 

[Psychodisney]

Decisions, decisions! We're planning on the end of May, early June. I hear mostly about Maui but the big island sounds cool too.

 

[kmccl]

We've decided to try and get Aulani for next June. I'm nervous about the 7 month window. Should I be? Next question.....what other island would you recommend for a few days? We are a family of 5(18, 16 and 13) who like to keep busy and want to see the best Hawaii has too offer.

Not sure about the 7 month window, nobody probably is. I would recommend going to Kauai!!!! I have been to Maui and Kauai and to me, they do not compare. I would choose Kauai over Maui every time. It is much more quiet and peaceful (although that was 15 years ago so it could have changed). From what I hear from others, you can't go wrong, but here is one vote for Kauai. Good luck and have fun!

 

[OhdahLolly]

I just got back from Hawaii a couple of days ago!

I am with the Big Island (which has the best Poke in all of hawaii). Did a few kayaking tours which were awesome, although in my opinion, the beaches are tweleve times more awesome in Oahu.

The big island has a lot to offer if you like driving (volcano's, ATV tours, horseback riding, black sand beaches..). It also has more laid back country type of feel to it.

 

[slowly]

Aloha,

The 7 month window "should" not be too big of an issue based on the amount of Villas and Hotel rooms available. Aulani will have 460 Villas and 359 hotel rooms. With that said, the Villas may be an issue but if you are looking at late May early June it shouldn't be a major issue since most schools get out in June. East Coast kids get out much later. If you were trying to get the Grand CA then that's an issue since there are only 48 Villas to choose from.

As far as the other islands are concerned it really depends on what you are looking for. Peace and quiet: Kauai or Big Island. Hustle and bustle of people and tourists with more options: Oahu(Aulani) or Maui.

 

[juncker]

Knowing what you can get at the 7 month mark is still anybody's guess. On one hand, the property is new so there will be a high initial interest to visit. On the other hand, they've only sold a small percentage of the contracts already, so there aren't that many members able to book at the 11 month mark. This is going to give you less competition to reserve the rooms before you.

My opinion is that if you call right at the 7 month mark that you'll be good. Let us know your results. Good Luck.

 

[DenLo]

Aulani is really an unknown as to how easily you can book at the 7 month window. However, although there might be less Aulani owners, there are less villas available to book. The resort is opening in phases so that restricts the number of villas that can be booked. Also members can only book villas based on the number of villas that have been declared into DVC use. We haven't been able to see what has been declared because the Hawaii website doesn't allow you to look at these documents online. So by 2012, 178 villas should be built, but it doesn't mean than members can reserve all 178 using points. If the resort isn't selling well, DVD might not make another declaration for quite awhile. Right now it looks like phase 1 has been declared. So that limits members to 119 villas. When members cannot book the additional undeclared villas, then they are available for cash reservations when they are ready for occupancy. So it's possible that there will be more cash guests than DVC members staying at Aulani for awhile.

From the DVC News, http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/aulani-villas/1288-early-aulani-facts-and-figures

Resort Opening

Phase I (209 hotel rooms, 119 villas): August 29, 2011
Phase II (138 hotel rooms, 178 villas): December 29, 2011
Phase III (404 villas): February 28, 2013

 

[Golden Rose]

For visiting a second island after Oahu, your best choice really depends on what your vision of your vacation is. If you want to relax in a lush paradise, you're better off on Maui or Kauai. Maui is more touristy and built up than Kauai; both are very beautiful and offer some unique sights and activities. The Fern Grotto on Kauai isn't as spectacular as it used to be (or at least it wasn't the last time I was there), but it is still very beautiful and unique. The "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" is also pretty spectacular. On the other hand, Maui lets you drive the stunning road to Hana, watch the sunrise over Haleakala, do fabulous snorkeling, and go whale-watching some of the year.

The Big Island has more to do and more diversity, but large parts of it are less beautiful if you don't find lots of black lava rock beautiful. Volcanoes National Park is fascinating. You can walk through lava tunnels, see volcanoes, and sometimes see active lava flows. Going to the Visitor's Center of the Mauna Kea Observatory at night lets you participate in some of the most remarkable stargazing possible for non-professionals. You can also visit black sand beaches, large sea turtles (most of the year), giant banyan trees, and botanic gardens. There is a lot to do, and some of the things to do can't be experienced many other places in the world.

Honestly, you can't really go wrong. Hawaii is beautiful. There is more to do that you would want to, or could possibly, do on one trip. You'll have a wonderful time whatever you choose

 

[OurDogCisco]

We go to Hawaii usually once a year or sometimes twice a year. We've been going for about 16 years. I can't comment on the Big Island as we have not been there yet but we've visited Maui, Kauai and Oahu many times. We've stayed at the Marriott that is right next door to the Aulani resort twice. To me Kauai and Maui are very similar. Both islands offer great snorkeling adventures, horseback riding, shows, shopping, restuarants, views of the ocean and scenic roads. Maui has the road to Hana and the Haleakala National park where Kauai has the Na Pali coast & the Pacifici Grand Canyon. Both islands are very beautiful. So, you really can't go wrong with either one. I prefer Kauai over Maui because I like the more laid back feel of the island. It doesn't feel as touristy as Maui does. I also love snorkeling on Kauai as well. I like the area called Tunnels as the water is less choppy than Maui. Now, Maui has some great shopping and restuarnts. My favorite restaurant on all of the Maui is Mama' Fish house. Good luck deciding... because once you go once you might get hooked like us and go every year.

 

[Psychodisney]

Thanks for all the input. All of the islands sound great. We like touristy things but not necessarily shopping. I'd like to do the sunrise thing, my kids would like to see volcanoes.
I'm feeling OK about the 7 month window. We do want a 2BR. Looking at the layout of the resort, do you think the "ocean view" is worth it? They look angled to me.

 

[GoofItUp]

Here's one more thought...if you'd like a "taste" of the different islands, you could book a cruise. We stayed at the Marriott Ko Olina that is now next door to Aulani when we visited in 2006. We then did an NCL cruise that visited the other islands. We were able to book a tour on the Road to Hana, hike at Volacano Natl Park, visit coffee plantation on Kauai, hit the black sand beaches on Maui, etc. It was a great trip and let us see a little of all of it.

Also, if your kids are interested in surf lessons, my DH and brother booked a lesson with Hawaiian Fire surf school. I was pregnant at the time and couldn't surf, so I lounged on the beach and watched. It is at a more secluded beach and was really neat. I would recommend checking them out if you're interested in that sort of thing.

Have fun!

 

[sssteele]

Might try 7 month booking for May 2012.

 

[Psychodisney]

The cruise idea is interesting. Unfortunately, all I found was 7 days. 4 or 5 days would fit my loose plan better.

 

[taaren]

For your other island, here's the thoughts from a local (warning: I've only lived on 2 of the islands, Oahu and Maui, but have relatives on 2 other major ones: Kauai and Big Island. Have yet to step foot on Lanai or Molokai so won't comment on those.)
Maui is a happy medium between industrialized/built up Oahu and rural/provincial Big Island. We love visiting my cousins on the Big Island for New Year's since they have the best fireworks, but on the Big Island there's a lot lot lot of LAVA fields. And more lava fields. However, the big selling points there are A) Kilauea, an active volcano, which sometimes erupts and you can see magma coming out of the earth (I've only seen it oozing, but its pretty awesome - they let you withing several yards of certain areas many times). Probably one of the more 'unspoiled' and underdeveloped islands. Its also BIG, with 5 volcanoes which means lotsa driving if you like that. The islands look small but when you're driving around volcanoes it takes awhile since you can't go from point A to B easily. Also slightly cheaper than Maui.
Kauai is also pretty rural, and less developed, has the world's wettest spot with cool rainforests. You'll probably get a better feel for "Old Hawaii" here, but not as many modern conveniences (ie. no Costco or Walmart or really malls so if shopping is a priority, not so much here, also kinda bad if you're hoping to cook a lot and don't want to spend an arm and a leg on groceries), not as many restaurant choices, etc.
All the major islands offer wonderful beaches, helicopter rides, etc, etc. And the part of the island you choose to visit makes a difference (Hana vs Lahaina vs Kaanapali vs Wailea vs Kihei all very different vacations, some more accessible to each other than others).
So it really depends on taste - you'll have some fabulous restaurant choices about a half hour drive from Aulani in Honolulu that will get you a good feel for the island that is developed, and for me I really like civilization. But if you're looking for a more undeveloped area with a small-town feel, then Big Island or Kauai. If you were going to one island, definitely Maui because its the best of both worlds, but since you're already going to see the city on Oahu, perhaps Kauai might be a good second choice since its the opposite of Oahu. Unless you don't plan on leaving the Disney resort on Oahu, in that case come to Maui. Or want to attempt to see Kilauea. More developed = more to do, but also loses some small town charm.
Sorry if I confused you more. PM me if you have any specific questions I can help with.

 

[spleen]

Kauai is also pretty rural, and less developed, has the world's wettest spot with cool rainforests. You'll probably get a better feel for "Old Hawaii" here, but not as many modern conveniences (ie. no Costco or Walmart or really malls so if shopping is a priority, not so much here, also kinda bad if you're hoping to cook a lot and don't want to spend an arm and a leg on groceries), not as many restaurant choices, etc.

ummm ... Kauai most certainly does have Costco and Wal-mart - we stock up there all the time (and fill up gas at Costco Gas) when we visit Kauai.

In general, Kauai is more rural, more rustic - not much in terms of nightlife. If you want nightlife in terms of clubbing/lounges, you're looking at Oahu and Maui (in that order). But I think of Kauai as a more back to nature, laid back type of vacation, Maui as being a more touristy, active type of vacation, and the Big Island as having the volcano(s) and very high end hotels (and a few cheap ones).

 

[Psychodisney]

Taaren....Thanks for the info. Excellent point about city vs. undeveloped and getting a taste of each. Nightlife isn't really important to us travelling withthe family. We would like to do a luau but I don't see any other big nighttime stuff in our plans.

 

[taaren]

ummm ... Kauai most certainly does have Costco and Wal-mart - we stock up there all the time (and fill up gas at Costco Gas) when we visit Kauai.

In general, Kauai is more rural, more rustic - not much in terms of nightlife. If you want nightlife in terms of clubbing/lounges, you're looking at Oahu and Maui (in that order). But I think of Kauai as a more back to nature, laid back type of vacation, Maui as being a more touristy, active type of vacation, and the Big Island as having the volcano(s) and very high end hotels (and a few cheap ones).

Wow, they got a Costco gas before us! That ! Sorry haven't been to Kauai in several years, didn't realize they had some of the big box stores now! We have a Costco here but no gas station yet ...

 

[lilpooh108]

In general, Kauai is more rural, more rustic - not much in terms of nightlife. If you want nightlife in terms of clubbing/lounges, you're looking at Oahu and Maui (in that order). But I think of Kauai as a more back to nature, laid back type of vacation, Maui as being a more touristy, active type of vacation, and the Big Island as having the volcano(s) and very high end hotels (and a few cheap ones).

There certainly IS nightlife! I went with a bunch of friends years and years ago when we were 20 and all we found was line-dancing in a sad little bar, in a strip mall. We livened it up for them...for about 45 minutes.