How Many Nights Suggested at Aulani?

[jcolvin5]

Experienced WDW family looking for advice from those that have experience with DL and Aulani trips. I am working on a schedule that would encompass DL/DCA and Aulani for a total of 14 nights (10-24 Oct 2026). It will be our first trip to each location. Having said that, we are very familiar with other Hawaiian islands and the SoCal area in general. Meaning, we are focusing our attention on O'ahu while at Aulani and the Anaheim area only.

The DL/DCA portion will be our family of 4 (daughters 11 and 9 at that time). Aulani will include my wife's parents. We will not be renting a car, unless needed for day trips while at Aulani.

Potential Itinerary
10-12 Oct :Stay at VDH 1BR (cash purchase)
Concerned about the holiday weekend, so keeping this leg of the stay short. Maybe park hop for a day just to get eyes on the ground and get a feel for the parks?

12-20 Oct: Aulani (use points)
Would love a GV OV, but may need to settle for 2BR OV and a Studio OV to make the points work. Will have to secure at 7 months since we do not own at Aulani.
Would love to explore worthy areas of O'ahu.

20-24 Oct: Stay at GCH 1BR (cash purchase)
Would use this time to really enjoy the parks. Definitely attend Oogie Boogie Bash.

I've watched many videos/read many opinions of what's available at each location. Length of stay is really what I'm having the most difficulty with. We would like add DL/DCA and Aulani trips in the future, so I don't expect this will be a one and done.

Any feedback and/or conversation is welcomed and appreciated!

 

[VGCgroupie]

I think this is a good plan, getting to DLR is easier than Aulani so I wouldn't dedicate more time to DLR. The only thing to keep in mind is October OBB dates can be hard to get to be sure to be ready when tickets go on sale.

In order to explore Oahu you will need a car. Personally I wouldn't explore Waikiki it's just not family friendly imo. The north shore I have heard is very nice I havent been yet. Kualoa Ranch is a must do. You can rent a car at Aulani if you wont need it the whole time.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Experienced WDW family looking for advice from those that have experience with DL and Aulani trips. I am working on a schedule that would encompass DL/DCA and Aulani for a total of 14 nights (10-24 Oct 2026). It will be our first trip to each location. Having said that, we are very familiar with other Hawaiian islands and the SoCal area in general. Meaning, we are focusing our attention on O'ahu while at Aulani and the Anaheim area only.

The DL/DCA portion will be our family of 4 (daughters 11 and 9 at that time). Aulani will include my wife's parents. We will not be renting a car, unless needed for day trips while at Aulani.

Potential Itinerary
10-12 Oct :Stay at VDH 1BR (cash purchase)
Concerned about the holiday weekend, so keeping this leg of the stay short. Maybe park hop for a day just to get eyes on the ground and get a feel for the parks?

12-20 Oct: Aulani (use points)
Would love a GV OV, but may need to settle for 2BR OV and a Studio OV to make the points work. Will have to secure at 7 months since we do not own at Aulani.
Would love to explore worthy areas of O'ahu.

20-24 Oct: Stay at GCH 1BR (cash purchase)
Would use this time to really enjoy the parks. Definitely attend Oogie Boogie Bash.

I've watched many videos/read many opinions of what's available at each location. Length of stay is really what I'm having the most difficulty with. We would like add DL/DCA and Aulani trips in the future, so I don't expect this will be a one and done.

Any feedback and/or conversation is welcomed and appreciated!

My feedback is that it looks like a fantastic trip! Good luck with the GV availability, it will spoil you!

 

[Girlstar30]

We were thinking about 6 nights in Aulani and 10 days in the big island, should we do aulani for more than 6 nights?

 

[Wedgeout]

Our first trip to Aulani during an April was 8 nights. Figured go all that way, might as well stay a bit. I’d consider a rental from airport. A lot of places to explore. DVC points, self park is free.

Plus having a kitchen, it was convenient having a Target & Costco right down the highway. We did a middle splurge pool/garden category 2 bedroom dedicated. Perfect vacation.

 

[jcolvin5]

I think this is a good plan, getting to DLR is easier than Aulani so I wouldn't dedicate more time to DLR. The only thing to keep in mind is October OBB dates can be hard to get to be sure to be ready when tickets go on sale.

In order to explore Oahu you will need a car. Personally I wouldn't explore Waikiki it's just not family friendly imo. The north shore I have heard is very nice I havent been yet. Kualoa Ranch is a must do. You can rent a car at Aulani if you wont need it the whole time.

Appreciate the OBB tip. I wish being WDW passholders gave us a little head start, but I'll make sure I am at the ready when it opens up to gen pop.

I'm the kind of person who needs to experience the places to really get a good feel for it. It's hard for me to wrap my head around it until I'm fully immersed in it. A big part of why I want to experience both VDH and GCH. Opinions seem split down the middle on preference. Having said that, i have not met a Disney resort that I wouldn't return to.

We moved from NorCal a dozen years ago now before our girls were born, but still have quite a few of my wife's family members throughout the best coast. It'll be nice to add additional variety to our Disney trips!

 

[jcolvin5]

My feedback is that it looks like a fantastic trip! Good luck with the GV availability, it will spoil you!

Thank you! And that's what I'm afraid of.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Thank you! And that's what I'm afraid of.

It’s how we ended up with 950 Aulani points!

 

[jcolvin5]

It’s how we ended up with 950 Aulani points!

Do you live out west? If we still lived out there, I think we would own there as well. The travel from Ohio isn't as convenient, unfortunately.
But I do look at those Aulani resale contracts quite often!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Do you live out west? If we still lived out there, I think we would own there as well. The travel from Ohio isn't as convenient, unfortunately.
But I do look at those Aulani resale contracts quite often!

I do…. 6ish hr direct flight…. same as Orlando….

 

[jcolvin5]

Our first trip to Aulani during an April was 8 nights. Figured go all that way, might as well stay a bit. I’d consider a rental from airport. A lot of places to explore. DVC points, self park is free.

Plus having a kitchen, it was convenient having a Target & Costco right down the highway. We did a middle splurge pool/garden category 2 bedroom dedicated. Perfect vacation.

That's great! Your thoughts on the resort? Love it or just like it? Length of stay too short/too long?

We've been to the other islands a few times. Exploring each has been a major highlight of each trip so I can see the pull to getting out. of the resort for at least a few of the days.

 

[jcolvin5]

I do…. 6ish hr direct flight…. same as Orlando….

Ah, love those direct flights

That sounds like a great setup! I can see the dilemma though. More options, NEED more points!!