help with planning

[mhingher]

We're looking into traveling to Hawaii in 2018 to celebrate my 40th and my mom's 70th birthdays. My parents as well as my husband and I are both DVC members and would like to spend time at Aulani. My group will consist of me, my husband, 2 daughters (around 11 and 7) and my parents. I have never been to Hawaii and I have a lot of questions that I hope someone can help me with.

1. When is the best time of year to go (both weather-wise and economically)? I don't mind taking my kids out of school.

2. How long would the ideal trip be? We will be traveling from NJ so there will be time change adjustments.

3. How many nights should would be ideal at Aulani? I was thinking 4 nights there and 5-6 nights in Maui?

4. Any other suggestions?

Thanks so much! Even though this trip is a long time away I'm excited to start planning

 

[mhingher]

Can anyone offer any suggestions/tips?

 

[ngl]

Technically, rainy season in HI is Nov-Mar. However, like with us here in FL, the rain may just be for a period of the day. I previously lived in Hawaii and if I did not have to deal with school breaks now, I would say Sept or Oct would be a great time to go. End of Sept is especially low crowds (this goes for WDW too!)

While Maui is beautiful, I have always preferred Oahu over it. Lots of golf in Maui if you are into that. For the age of your kids, I think they would prefer more time at Aulani than any resort in Maui (not that they do not have childrens' activities at Maui resorts but nothing is quite like Disney when it comes to kids )

It is a long trip from the East coast so I would go no less than 6-7 nights. The first few days you will find yourself up at 4-5am and want to go to bed by 7pm lol!

Hope that helps!

 

[Soccerluvinmama]

We're looking into traveling to Hawaii in 2018 to celebrate my 40th and my mom's 70th birthdays. My parents as well as my husband and I are both DVC members and would like to spend time at Aulani. My group will consist of me, my husband, 2 daughters (around 11 and 7) and my parents. I have never been to Hawaii and I have a lot of questions that I hope someone can help me with.

1. When is the best time of year to go (both weather-wise and economically)? I don't mind taking my kids out of school.

2. How long would the ideal trip be? We will be traveling from NJ so there will be time change adjustments.

3. How many nights should would be ideal at Aulani? I was thinking 4 nights there and 5-6 nights in Maui?

4. Any other suggestions?

Thanks so much! Even though this trip is a long time away I'm excited to start planning

Hands down, our favorite time of year to go is in February!! We usually go President's Week when the kids are on vacation, so it's a bit crowded. But the week after, the crowds are much much better! What I love about Hawaii in February is that it's warm, high 70's low 80's, and not scorching hot! Only once in five years have I had issues with rain during that time, and the storms came in and left relatively quickly. Why I also love February is because this is when the Humpbacks are in the area!! I LOVE seeing the whales!

As far as how long to stay, that depends on what you want to do. If you plan on exploring Oahu, then I would say 5 days is probably not long enough. We stay for 10 and it's never enough Aulani is an amazing resort, and you're not going to want to leave. I'm not sure if 4 nights gives you enough "resort days". But, again, it depends how much you plan on being away exploring.

As far as other suggestions, explore this board and you will come up with some real gems! Lots of good information here.

 

[vikequeen]

I am not sure on best time of year, and it has been awhile since I was on Maui. But I think the length of visit you are proposing (overall) is the minimum I would do from the east coast. I come from the midwest and the time change is brutal. I also think you may wish you had more time at Aulani. There is so much to do on the island and Aulani in particular for kids that age (mine are about the same age) Last year we stayed 8 nights on Oahu and didn't feel it was long enough, so added one more night this trip. And we are not island hopping.