Is this too Much Aulani?

[MartyParty]

Hot Take: we like Off the Hook.

Right you are, sir! Off the Hook seems to be a hidden gem. Had our arrival and departure day meals there.

 

[mort1331]

My take would be flip your sun and wed. Do Diamond Head early in your trip. Coming from the east coast and big time change means you can book DH for 1st opening, hike when its cooler and sun coming up. You will be awake anyways. Then going to PH mid week when not so busy. My 2cents.

 

[WinterSolider]

Hot Take: we like Off the Hook.

I love ordering from them poolside during lunch hours but I've had really bad luck with slow service at dinner time.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I love ordering from them poolside during lunch hours but I've had really bad luck with slow service at dinner time.

That’s fair.

 

[squeezeplay101]

This will be our 1st time going to Hawaii and Aulani. It will be two adults, my daughter and her friend (both 16). Our plans so far! I am the big planner type. Is below too much Resort time? Is there enough to do in and around the resort, or should we do more on the island? I kind of think Aulani = day at Castaway Cay. I think I am good with 3 days at Castaway Cay. (We just got off the Treasure!) Thanks in advance, any feedback is welcome.

Day 1 - Saturday - Arrive from LAX, Rent Car, Target Stop, Resort by 1:00 PM. Relax at the Aulani | Diner at Monkey Pod
Day 2 - Sunday - Drive to Pearl Harbor. Getting a Passport. Spend full day, Lunch at Restarant 604. Return to Aulani for rest of day
Day 3 - Monday - Resort Day 1 | Aulani Spa for adults | Stars Above Hawaii show.
Day 4 - Tuesday - Visit North Shore | Still figuring out the details. Thinking - learn to surf, Waimea Valley and explore.
Day 5 - Wednesday - Morning 6:00 AM Hike Diamond Head, Byodo In Temple, Kualoa Ranch (Private UTV Ride Along Tour)
Day 6 - Thursday - Resort Day 2 | Evening Sunset Cruise from Ko Olina.
Day 7 - Friday - Resort Day 3 | Ka Wa'a Luau
Day 8 - Saturday - Last Day, Partial Resort Day, or could explore. Fly out back to the East Coast at 9:00 PM

Our family (Me, wife, kids (age 15) and (age 12)) went last month. Not quite as long as you're planning, but close. I am also a big planner-type person, and I think you've got a good list / itinerary that balances fun and relaxing. Aulani is great, but limiting yourself to just the resort may get tedious with so many days. I also think it makes sense to rest after some of those outside adventures, and Aulani is a great place to do so!

Two tips for Pearl Harbor - 1) if you haven't got your Arizona Memorial reservation yet (Reservation.gov), then would recommend doing so. Even if you can't get one, there is a stand-by registration kiosk at the National Park. That was what we did. Took about 15-20 minutes to get called back for stand-by line. 2) Would also snag online reservations for Restuarant 604. It was busy when we went, and they were quoting 30+ minute waits. I was able to snag an online reservation walking up from Pearl Harbor, and was sat within 5 min.

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

You may want to be cautious about preplanning too many offsite activities if you have to drop money ahead of time. Before my first Aulani trip, I overplanned offsite activities, thinking it would be my only trip to Hawaii. Additionally, when we vacation at WDW, DL, or locally, we rarely spend much time at the pool or the beach. Therefore, I didn't expect to spend much time at Aulani. Then, during my first visit, we fell in love with Aulani and decided to cut down on the offsite activities since, fortunately, we didn't pre-purchase any activities except the Paradise Cove luau.

 

[PetePanMan]

It really does depend on how much you like to relax and do things around resort versus tour around. I personally like 3 resort days over the 7 nights (and there is lots to do at resort). Overall, I think you have a nice mix but day 5 seems a bit exhausting. We love North Shore so I recommend you don’t discount that side trip.

 

[bsmcneil]

I think you're pre-booking WAY too much. The spa, the surf lessons, Kualoa Ranch, sunset cruise, lu'au. Those are all fine things to do but you're spending a fortune on pre-scheduled activities that lock your schedule down.

I'd agree. But have a great trip!

 

[WillGan]

This will be our 1st time going to Hawaii and Aulani. It will be two adults, my daughter and her friend (both 16). Our plans so far! I am the big planner type. Is below too much Resort time? Is there enough to do in and around the resort, or should we do more on the island? I kind of think Aulani = day at Castaway Cay. I think I am good with 3 days at Castaway Cay. (We just got off the Treasure!) Thanks in advance, any feedback is welcome.

Day 1 - Saturday - Arrive from LAX, Rent Car, Target Stop, Resort by 1:00 PM. Relax at the Aulani | Diner at Monkey Pod
Day 2 - Sunday - Drive to Pearl Harbor. Getting a Passport. Spend full day, Lunch at Restarant 604. Return to Aulani for rest of day
Day 3 - Monday - Resort Day 1 | Aulani Spa for adults | Stars Above Hawaii show.
Day 4 - Tuesday - Visit North Shore | Still figuring out the details. Thinking - learn to surf, Waimea Valley and explore.
Day 5 - Wednesday - Morning 6:00 AM Hike Diamond Head, Byodo In Temple, Kualoa Ranch (Private UTV Ride Along Tour)
Day 6 - Thursday - Resort Day 2 | Evening Sunset Cruise from Ko Olina.
Day 7 - Friday - Resort Day 3 | Ka Wa'a Luau
Day 8 - Saturday - Last Day, Partial Resort Day, or could explore. Fly out back to the East Coast at 9:00 PM

Sunday, add in the aloha stadium swap meet! You’re right there near the stadium!