Hawaii ?s

[JENR]

We are thinking about maybe doing Hawaii this fall. I called member services and they do have availablity for my dates. I have never been and have alot of questions. Could someone please help me. I can fly straight through from Newark to Honolulu. I have heard of some going to California first, is this something that I should do? Also, how far is the airport from the resort? Is there enough to do on that island or would we need to go to another island? Should we go to another island and if so, which one? Again any info you can give me would be great. I am completely new to this and not sure what to do.

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

The direct flight is really a personal preference. There's one flight a day from Newark to Honolulu so it really depends on if the times/price work for you.

I've never been to Aulani but have been to the islands several times. IMO, it would be a waste to go all the way to Hawaii and just see Oahu. Oahu is actually my least favorite island. Each island has something different to offer and it really depends on what you're looking for.

 

[Rob S.]

IMO, it would be a waste to go all the way to Hawaii and just see Oahu. Oahu is actually my least favorite island. Each island has something different to offer and it really depends on what you're looking for.

I agree with this, and Oahu is also my lest favorite island. However, I just went to Hawaii for a week and spent the whole time on Oahu (at Aulani) .

If you plan on island hopping, plan on spending at least 3 to 4 days (or more) on each island. For me, the ideal trip is 2 weeks long visiting 3 different islands. In all my trips to Hawaii I have never really spent any time on Oahu so I decided to check it out at a more relaxed pace while at Aulani.

Another bit of advise I would add is to fly direct whenever possible.

 

[mouseaider]

We were at Aulani in April but my trip reports are on another site. I couldn't take the time to do them here too.

You can read along with them starting here.

We found plenty to do on Oahu and we still enjoyed the resort.

 

[marx]

We are thinking about maybe doing Hawaii this fall. I called member services and they do have availablity for my dates. I have never been and have alot of questions. Could someone please help me. I can fly straight through from Newark to Honolulu. I have heard of some going to California first, is this something that I should do? Also, how far is the airport from the resort? Is there enough to do on that island or would we need to go to another island? Should we go to another island and if so, which one? Again any info you can give me would be great. I am completely new to this and not sure what to do.

We traveled to Oahu on United from Newark in April on nonstops. Coming home, the nonstop is preferable as it is overnight and you'll (hopefully) be sleeping. Heading to Oahu, it is your preference on handeling a long flight. We (including 6 & 8 year olds) prefered the nonstop to Oahu as the personal in flight entertainment kept everyone engaged most of the time.

We have been to Hawaii three times now. If you asked us before Aulani if one island was enough, I would have said probably not. But, having just spent 8 days in Aulani and another 5 in Waikiki I think staying on just Oahu and fully experiencing Aulani is enough.

While in Waikiki we spent a day climbing Diamond Head, snorkling in Hanauma Bay and visiting the Halona Blow Hole. We wanted to also spend time at the beach in Kailua, but ran out of time. We also spent a day driving to the North Shore stopping at the Dole Plantation (never again), shrimp trucks (Mackys and Giovanis), shaved ice (Aoki) and some of the beaches (including turtle beach, where we saw many turtles). We also spent time shopping in Waikiki (half a day) and on the beach there. Another fantastic drive (especially in the convertable we rented) was a loop road ending at Puu Ualaka State Wayside.

The Aulani resort has so much to offer. Of the 8 days there we spent just two off site (Pearl Harbor and the Aloha Flee Market) plus an evening at Germaine's Luau. Aulani had so much to do that I wish I could have spent another day or two there.

 

[Disneypapa]

There is plenty to do on Oahu, but like others have said, you have come a long way not to visit one of the other islands. For me and my spouse, we spent a few days on the Big Island and did a tour of the Volcanos State Park (my car and helicopter. On Oahu, a must see is Pearl Harbor, Polynesian Cultural Center, Diamond Head amoung other activities.

Have a great time!