I just booked! OMG... tips please

[BagOLaughs]

Silly post I know but I just booked our honeymoon to Aulani for 5 nights in May.

I actually got a great deal with 30% off the pool view rooms and $50 per night resort credit. I mean it actually made the holiday kinda "value for money"... kinda

I'm so excited to finally be visiting! We live in the UK so its a blooming long way to travel to Hawaii but you only have one honeymoon right? Best to make it something exciting.

I let them know when booking that it was our honeymoon, I've read through so many of the threads here, but are there any other tips for a couple?

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Congrats
We were there end October and are from the UK
You will LOVE it

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Aulani have just started doing a luau a few times a week
It's not cheap but I saw the first show and loved it
Food was good as well

 

[nkereina]

We just went for our honeymoon in September! You will love it.

During our stay at Aulani, we had a rental car which I would highly recommend. We were able to stop at the grocery store and get drinks, snacks, etc. which helped with the budget. We also spent a day in the town of Haleiwa at the North Shore and stopped at the Dole Plantation. We also spent a day at Kualoa Ranch which is on the other side of the island and we did the movie sites tour. We also spent time in Waikiki.

I would also highly recommend doing a couples massage at the Laniwai Spa at Aulani! We felt the price wasn't bad compared to other spas and for what you get. It was awesome - well worth it.

Will you be visiting any other islands? We did Maui and Kauai as well, both were great. My trip report is in my signature!

 

[ehrawn]

Very exciting...for couples, wake up early and catch our gorgeous sunrises. But also stay in bed late and enjoy being together. Congratulations.

 

[BagOLaughs]

Congrats
We were there end October and are from the UK
You will LOVE it

I'm so glad to hear you say that! A lot of the people I know think I'm crazy choosing to stay at a Disney resort in Hawaii, they say but there are so much better amd cheaper resorts.. but they're not "Disney people" if you get my drift. They can be a bit forceful with their opinions sometimes. Haha

Aulani have just started doing a luau a few times a week
It's not cheap but I saw the first show and loved it
Food was good as well

So good to know. I heard about the Luau and it's nice to have 1st hand thoughts that it's worth it. Thanks for the tip!

We just went for our honeymoon in September! You will love it.

During our stay at Aulani, we had a rental car which I would highly recommend. We were able to stop at the grocery store and get drinks, snacks, etc. which helped with the budget. We also spent a day in the town of Haleiwa at the North Shore and stopped at the Dole Plantation. We also spent a day at Kualoa Ranch which is on the other side of the island and we did the movie sites tour. We also spent time in Waikiki.

I would also highly recommend doing a couples massage at the Laniwai Spa at Aulani! We felt the price wasn't bad compared to other spas and for what you get. It was awesome - well worth it.

Will you be visiting any other islands? We did Maui and Kauai as well, both were great. My trip report is in my signature!

Yes well be spending 5 nights in Maui 1st to get over jet lag and do some exploring on that island. All amazing tips. I had thought about doing a couples massage in the spa. Sounds fun!

We probably won't get a car in Oahu, but I'm thinking about it in Maui...

Very exciting...for couples, wake up early and catch our gorgeous sunrises. But also stay in bed late and enjoy being together. Congratulations.

What a good idea! I hadn't thought about the sunrises.

Has anyone done the horse back riding excursion?

 

[nkereina]

We probably won't get a car in Oahu, but I'm thinking about it in Maui...

We did the opposite. We felt there was more to see in Oahu between the North Shore, Waikiki, Kailua, Kualoa Ranch, etc. Plus we used the car to drive us back and forth to the airport, and it opened up more dining options near Ko Olina, as well as the option to stop for groceries, toiletries, etc.

In Maui we stayed at the Westin on Kaanapali Beach. We booked an airport shuttle through Speedishuttle, and all of the Starwood resorts in the Kaanapali area run a free shuttle in the vicinity between resorts and down to Lahaina. We were also walking distance to Whaler's Village. A car may be more necessary if you are not staying in Kaanapali, though.

 

[BagOLaughs]

We did the opposite. We felt there was more to see in Oahu between the North Shore, Waikiki, Kailua, Kualoa Ranch, etc. Plus we used the car to drive us back and forth to the airport, and it opened up more dining options near Ko Olina, as well as the option to stop for groceries, toiletries, etc.

In Maui we stayed at the Westin on Kaanapali Beach. We booked an airport shuttle through Speedishuttle, and all of the Starwood resorts in the Kaanapali area run a free shuttle in the vicinity between resorts and down to Lahaina. We were also walking distance to Whaler's Village. A car may be more necessary if you are not staying in Kaanapali, though.

We are, royal lahaina resort, which is in Kaanapali. Really good to know about the shuttles, I'll have to look into that. Thank you!

I'm still not sure about a car in Oahu, we're only there for 5 nights and I really want to send as much time as possible in the resort. Also we'll be flying to LA for 5 nights after Aulani and I want to be rested and raring to go because we have a busy itinerary once in LA.

 

[Rabb it]

You'll have a blast no matter what, enjoy it!!!

 

[crystal1313]

My favorite memory with my DH at Aulani was enjoying happy hour at Oleo room and dining at Ama Ama. =) Enjoy! You will love it!

 

[OrcMama]

A great place to visit is the Polynesian Cultural Center. A definite must for all visitors It's a bit of a drive (for an island anyway) but the view on the way there is nice. Try to stay for the night show too and pay for the luau/buffet so you can eat there while waiting for the night show. If you'd rather save money then you can do what the locals do and keep a small cooler in your car so you can get your own drinks when you're waiting for the night show or drive 5 minutes down the road to the food places there.

 

[keighttf]

We have been to Aulani twice, once on our Honeymoon. I would also recommend the couples massage at the spa. Expensive but one of our favorite things we did. You don't need a car. We didn't have one either time. We used Speedi shuttle to and from the airport. It did take a little while but got us where we needed to be. We also took a surf lesson that we booked online through the Aulani resort and enjoyed that even though we were horrible at it.

 

[Midoria]

Yes well be spending 5 nights in Maui 1st to get over jet lag and do some exploring on that island. All amazing tips. I had thought about doing a couples massage in the spa. Sounds fun!

We probably won't get a car in Oahu, but I'm thinking about it in Maui...

I generally recommend Maui for honeymooning couples because something about it is more conducive to romance. I can't put my finger on it, but it's the only Hawaiian island I've been to where I felt weird not being a part of a couple. It doesn't make much sense because families abound, but I've been there 4 or 5 times now, and it's been a consistent feeling.

A car is a must on Maui if you want to see anything other than Kaanapali Beach (which is basically a chain of resorts) or Front Street (which can be walked in the span of 15 minutes if you don't shop). Hana Highway, Haleakala National Park, the Ali'i Lavender Farm, the winery, etc., are only accessible by car or tour bus.

If possible, go to the Old Lahaina Luau. I find it's more authentic than the ones on Oahu (if authenticity is something you're interested in - not everyone needs that to enjoy their experience). Also, please consider visiting Haleakala for the sunrise or sunset. It's an incomparable experience and there is nothing like it on Oahu. Just please bring winter clothing if you decide to go because the elevation already makes it sweater weather during the day but with no sun, it's literally like 40-something degrees. Still worth it!

I hope you enjoy your visit, and congrats!

 

[BagOLaughs]

If possible, go to the Old Lahaina Luau. I find it's more authentic than the ones on Oahu (if authenticity is something you're interested in - not everyone needs that to enjoy their experience). Also, please consider visiting Haleakala for the sunrise or sunset. It's an incomparable experience and there is nothing like it on Oahu. Just please bring winter clothing if you decide to go because the elevation already makes it sweater weather during the day but with no sun, it's literally like 40-something degrees. Still worth it!

Amazing tips thank you so much, this is why I come on the Dis. Always such nice people with useful things to do. The whole reason we're going to Maui is for "authenticity" and also because Aulani is super expensive.

 

[Midoria]

Amazing tips thank you so much, this is why I come on the Dis. Always such nice people with useful things to do. The whole reason we're going to Maui is for "authenticity" and also because Aulani is super expensive.

No problem. I love helping people. Let me know if you have questions. If I don't know, I can always ask!

 

[Midoria]

Double post.

 

[happymommy]

A great place to visit is the Polynesian Cultural Center. A definite must for all visitors It's a bit of a drive (for an island anyway) but the view on the way there is nice. Try to stay for the night show too and pay for the luau/buffet so you can eat there while waiting for the night show. If you'd rather save money then you can do what the locals do and keep a small cooler in your car so you can get your own drinks when you're waiting for the night show or drive 5 minutes down the road to the food places there.

Take it from someone who used to be local: especially at the PCC, do NOT leave anything in your car. Even the trunk, unless you put it in your trunk before you park there. There are folks that watch for this and will break into your car. It happened to me even.

At the flea market, we do this though, just to have cold water. It's safer there at the stadium, but not at the PCC.

 

[Janrantoo2]

I generally recommend Maui for honeymooning couples because something about it is more conducive to romance. I can't put my finger on it, but it's the only Hawaiian island I've been to where I felt weird not being a part of a couple. It doesn't make much sense because families abound, but I've been there 4 or 5 times now, and it's been a consistent feeling.

 

[Janrantoo2]

I've been to Maui approximately 15 times. My shortest trip was 5 days, longest was 1 month. I've gone once as a couple(1st trip) and the rest as a single with friends or family. I've had 1 family reunion and gone to 2 weddings. For my 50th, I saved $$ & vacation time so I could splurge and stay 1 month. I've never felt out of place because I wasn't part if a romantic couple. There are so many things to do that it's hard to fit everything in on a 2 week trip and still have leisure time. As you can probably tell, I love Maui the way most Disney fans love anything Disney related.

 

[Midoria]

I've been to Maui approximately 15 times. My shortest trip was 5 days, longest was 1 month. I've gone once as a couple(1st trip) and the rest as a single with friends or family. I've had 1 family reunion and gone to 2 weddings. For my 50th, I saved $$ & vacation time so I could splurge and stay 1 month. I've never felt out of place because I wasn't part if a romantic couple. There are so many things to do that it's hard to fit everything in on a 2 week trip and still have leisure time. As you can probably tell, I love Maui the way most Disney fans love anything Disney related.

I didn't feel awkward every time I went to Maui. I only mean it was that, when I did get that feeling, it was always on Maui and never any other island - and I've been all of the main ones save Lanani because it doesn't have any reasonable hotel accommodations.

You have an extremely strong connection to Maui, and that's something too special for most people to really experience. For me 7 weeks (which is how much time my 5 visits amounts to when added up) was more than enough. I do admit this stems from being a resident of the state. Going to another island is more like going to another town for us.

In terms of how much time a visitor needs, that's relative. Most activities like kitschy shows, luaus, water sports, hikes, plantations, snorkeling, golfing, zip lining, hiking trails, and countless other things have counterparts on the other islands. When I advise people who are island hopping, I usually suggest they focus on things that aren't generally found on other islands. For Maui, that's all the things I named in my earlier post. But on the other side of the coin, many people don't mind duplicating activities because a change of location can make something feel new and exciting. It all comes down to your previous travel experience and what you hope to get out of your vacation.