How did DVC ownership change your trips?

[intamin]

The malasadas at Ted’s are

Yeah and the chocolate haupia pie I'll update the list and I'll try and separate by location as well so it'll be easy to tell which ones are close to Aulani

 

[OKW Lover]

I don't see the Beach House on your list. It's in Haleiwa.

 

[intamin]

I don't see the Beach House on your list. It's in Haleiwa.

The good thing about the list is it's always changing, I'll be sure to add/check it out

 

[atthebeachclub]

We absolutely fell in love with Japan last year and can see ourselves going regularly

Since I also know you are a roller coaster fan, you will need to visit Fuji-Q Highland then! It is nothing like WDW, but they have some big coasters. I went on Fujiyama there while it was still the tallest roller coaster in the world; it's big, and there are even bigger ones now! It's not terribly far from Tokyo.

 

[melissa70]

has anyone here traveled from the East Coast to Aulani? I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii but dread that long flight!

 

[intamin]

Since I also know you are a roller coaster fan, you will need to visit Fuji-Q Highland then! It is nothing like WDW, but they have some big coasters. I went on Fujiyama there while it was still the tallest roller coaster in the world; it's big, and there are even bigger ones now! It's not terribly far from Tokyo.

Oh I made sure I went the first time LOL. Did Eejanaika a couple times since it had no wait and did Fujiyama. Zocon actually surprised me, definitely a fun little family coaster and with the music and lights really made me feel the Japanese influence hahah. Need to hit up Nagashima Spa Land eventually but that's a little harder to get to

 

[intamin]

has anyone here traveled from the East Coast to Aulani? I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii but dread that long flight!

I make the trip regularlyyyy unfortunately. Going there isn't that bad since it's the same day but returning from Hawaii is a killer since by the time you get back it's the next day.. For our upcoming trip though there really weren't any good flights that would get us there by like 12-1 which is when we usually like to arrive so we split it and are flying into LGB and staying at VDH for a couple days to eat some food from home and meet up with friends and then going to AUL from LGB.

Usually though we do do the entire trip in one day typically through Southwest from MCO and then the layover is usually in Dallas or Las Vegas and then do the remainder to Honolulu.

 

[Sprinkles&Sprints]

has anyone here traveled from the East Coast to Aulani? I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii but dread that long flight!

I have - but about two decades ago - we flew from Philly through Chicago to Honolulu. At the time it was my longest flight and it felt pretty brutal.

Over the years I’ve traveled all over for work, so that trip doesn’t seem nearly as hard as others.

We’re planning to go back summer 2027 but we’ll hopefully break up the return trip with a stop in DL.

 

[melissa70]

I make the trip regularlyyyy unfortunately. Going there isn't that bad since it's the same day but returning from Hawaii is a killer since by the time you get back it's the next day.. For our upcoming trip though there really weren't any good flights that would get us there by like 12-1 which is when we usually like to arrive so we split it and are flying into LGB and staying at VDH for a couple days to eat some food from home and meet up with friends and then going to AUL from LGB.

Usually though we do do the entire trip in one day typically through Southwest from MCO and then the layover is usually in Dallas or Las Vegas and then do the remainder to Honolulu.

You must love Aulani to go regularly!

 

[intamin]

You must love Aulani to go regularly!

We do! It's part of the reason why we bought there. We stretch our points since it's just my partner and I for now and just book the hotel room category during the hard to book seasons like summer. But yes, there are many many more Aulani trips to be had still

 

[TheThousandthSoul]

has anyone here traveled from the East Coast to Aulani? I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii but dread that long flight!

I did. Layovers at LAX or SFO. All doable. The red eye on the way back is baaaaad

 

[Chili327]

has anyone here traveled from the East Coast to Aulani? I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii but dread that long flight!

I make the trip regularlyyyy unfortunately. Going there isn't that bad since it's the same day but returning from Hawaii is a killer since by the time you get back it's the next day.. For our upcoming trip though there really weren't any good flights that would get us there by like 12-1 which is when we usually like to arrive so we split it and are flying into LGB and staying at VDH for a couple days to eat some food from home and meet up with friends and then going to AUL from LGB.

Usually though we do do the entire trip in one day typically through Southwest from MCO and then the layover is usually in Dallas or Las Vegas and then do the remainder to Honolulu.

I did. Layovers at LAX or SFO. All doable. The red eye on the way back is baaaaad

Yea I’m thinking a few days at DLR on the way back would help make that not feel so bad.

 

[TheThousandthSoul]

Yea I’m thinking a few days at DLR on the way back would help make that not feel so bad.

Yeah that’s doable.

I’m sure you already know that, the commute between LAX and DLR is a good 45 minutes to 1 hour. There are times where I just give it a go to get in my bed at home ASAP.

 

[davidhr]

has anyone here traveled from the East Coast to Aulani? I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii but dread that long flight!

We do. We had a fantastic trip last year and we are going back next year again. We plan to go every two years.

The flight there is fine, coming back is the issue so we get premium select for those flights (and coming back from Asia).

 

[OKW Lover]

has anyone here traveled from the East Coast to Aulani? I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii but dread that long flight!

We have been going to Aulani every ~2 years or so from FL and before that from MA. So far we've taken 7 trips there but I may have miss counted.

Yes, the flight is long. No getting around that. Two strategies are to break up the flight or to just go with a non-stop. First method is to fly 5 hours to California, typically LAX, and then a second 5 hour flight to HNL. The second method is to take a non-stop ~10 hour flight from a major east coast hub.

I find taking a 5-hour flight is hard enough, but having to then face another 5-hour flight is really daunting. So if we can swing it we go with the non-stop and try to sleep through most of it. Definitely the way to go on the return flight - a red-eye where sleep is more likely.

 

[RichVIII]

Joining 11 years ago, I feel like we are in Phase II of ownership. We started staying off-site using hotel points. My MIL decided to take us for a trip and we stayed at BLT in a 1 BR since she has mobility issues. We were hooked. Purchased a year later. We are long-weekend warriors in general since but when you have DVC and go for multiple short-trips, APs make sense and suddenly APs make you want more trips. More trips = more points. More trips, more trying different experiences (and spending more money since the room is already paid for). Daddy daughter trips. Mommy daughter trips. Mom and friend trips. More trips to see more off property resorts. We have been to all the offsites and really wanted to hate Aulani as east coasters. We loved it and even went back for Christmas. That said, we have been taking our DD to more non-disney places and overseas while she is old enough and still not in college. We mistakenly booked our first Disney cruise (other than the COVID one that got cancelled) to Europe. That hooked us on DCL. On the plane now flying to our second DCL of this year (Alaska DCL this summer) and a few days at the world. Like others, bigger rooms and more relaxed. You asked for honest - we aren’t saving any money… ha ha ha. We are sucked in. I am sure once DD graduates HS we will enter Phase III of ownership. Incredibly grateful for all of it.

 

[melissa70]

Joining 11 years ago, I feel like we are in Phase II of ownership. We started staying off-site using hotel points. My MIL decided to take us for a trip and we stayed at BLT in a 1 BR since she has mobility issues. We were hooked. Purchased a year later. We are long-weekend warriors in general since but when you have DVC and go for multiple short-trips, APs make sense and suddenly APs make you want more trips. More trips = more points. More trips, more trying different experiences (and spending more money since the room is already paid for). Daddy daughter trips. Mommy daughter trips. Mom and friend trips. More trips to see more off property resorts. We have been to all the offsites and really wanted to hate Aulani as east coasters. We loved it and even went back for Christmas. That said, we have been taking our DD to more non-disney places and overseas while she is old enough and still not in college. We mistakenly booked our first Disney cruise (other than the COVID one that got cancelled) to Europe. That hooked us on DCL. On the plane now flying to our second DCL of this year (Alaska DCL this summer) and a few days at the world. Like others, bigger rooms and more relaxed. You asked for honest - we aren’t saving any money… ha ha ha. We are sucked in. I am sure once DD graduates HS we will enter Phase III of ownership. Incredibly grateful for all of it.

Pleasures aren’t supposed to save money!

 

[RichVIII]

Pleasures aren’t supposed to save money!

But the signs say save on vacations! Ha ha ha . Disney math at its finest

 

[JackosinDIS]

has anyone here traveled from the East Coast to Aulani? I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii but dread that long flight!

We are doing London to Hawaii in August! Fun! Fortunately we have enough Avios to avoid economy. We are breaking the trip up on the way home with a 3 day stay at VGC.

 

[fluffybunny88]

The main difference for us was locations we stayed. Our trips are primarily just my wife and I. Pre DVC we were caribbean beach people, now, we just love exploring all of the different resorts. I prefer not to do split stays, but last couple of trips we have done split stays because of points and availability. This upcoming trip we are at bay lake for 4 nights, then riveria for 2. We are self employed and black friday sales are huge for us, so we already have plans for the riveria portion of our trip to take it very easy, and the last day, basically no parks and then dinner at topolinos. Pre DVC I don't think we would ever plan for that low key.

We also are staying in a 1 bedroom this trip, which we usually don't but we have plans to go to MK the one night we are at BLT that isn't a party to see fireworks and starlight, our dinner plans for that evening are salad and grilled cheese sandwiches cooked in the room. As weird as that may sound, its something simple, good, and we aren't gonna be cooking all evening long.

We have also had some family come on a couple of trips and having the option of a 2 bedroom was absolutely amazing.

I guess bottom line, just a lot more relaxed, and we don't feel the need to do everything every trip.