How easy is it to navigate from Aulani to some of the tourist spots?

helenk

I wish I was in Disney World
Joined
Jan 4, 2000
Messages
8,562
My daughter and I will be at Aulani in April. I plan on renting a car at the airport. We definitely want to go to Pearl harbor and perhaps the Dole plantation. Is everything well marked? How about getting from the airport to Aulani? I am nervous about driving in an area that I am unfamiliar with but would like to venture out a bit.
 
well, as I like to say, it's an island, and not a giant one, so you can only get so lost. And there are only 3 major highways, and by "major" only H1 is really a "major" highway, like actual big city highway. So exits are clearly marked.

But from the airport to Aulani you're taking the same highway the whole way. The airport is at the entrance of pearl harbor, so you'll see the signs for the Historic sites as you're driving out. And then Dole is just a very easy drive from Aulani.

I would just look at a map, see how small and close things really are, and sort of start familiarize yourself with the major roads and the layout. I find it really easy to drive here. Going into town and into Waikiki is a different story all together. I am always the driver for my friends because no one wants to do it. I don't find it any worse than driving in any big city. Easier than boston, in my opinion, less traffic than New York. But I wouldn't say that it's for the faint of heart.
 
My iPhone and google maps app were my best friends. I was able to navigate the island pretty well with it's instruction. One thing though. When we were at Pearl Harbor the phone gave confusing directions especially trying to get over to the USS Missouri. I inadvertently ended up on a military road and had to be turned back.

If you don't have a smart phone then you can rent a GPS from the rental car agency. Overall, the roads are not difficult to drive in Oahu. Except Honolulu. Like any big city it's a mess. But, I'll never step foot there again. That was a wasted day for us.
 
Thank you for your replies it sounds as though I should be fine. I joke that I am one of those people that can get lost going around the block.
 

Thank you for your replies it sounds as though I should be fine. I joke that I am one of those people that can get lost going around the block.
there's just only so much "lost". A good way to know where you're going is to judge which side of you the ocean is on and the mountains. But where you're looking to go, the signs are pretty decent. When you're looking at signs though, do not follow signs for Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. The Arizona Memorial isn't actually on the closed base area of Pearl Harbor. And I think that confuses a lot of people.
 
Aulani has some simiple, written directions. I found those invaluable. We don't do well in stressful driving situations, and we had no problems going from Aulani elsewhere.
 
With Google Maps and a paper map from AAA, we had no trouble last week getting around Oahu. Logged 600 miles on the rental car and still did not see everything we wanted to!
 












Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom