July crowds & Traveling to Pearl Harbor

[Violet123]

We are planning to travel to Oahu next summer and I really want to stay at Aulani for a few nights. I was hoping we could hop to another island after that because I don't think Oahu is going to be my husband's favorite - he hates big cities. Tell me about drive time from Aulani to see attractions such as Pearl Harbor? Will it be burdensome to stay at Aulani and travel into Waikiki to see Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, etc. How are the crowds at Aulani in July? Will we have to get up at the crack of dawn to get a chair by the pool or beach?

 

[dcassetta]

The Pearl Harbor visitor center is about 20 miles from Aulani. It can be a quick drive, but traffic closer to Honolulu can also be challenging.

I highly recommend going early in the day when the visitor center opens as you will have a better experience. The visitor center is free and does not require reservations (at least at this time), but can be very busy. I highly recommend the tour out to the Arizona Memorial and the tour of Ford Island. Read the information at the NPS carefully to see when those reservations open. https://www.nps.gov/perl/index.htm

Diamond Head is about 15 miles from Pearl and you would have to go through Honolulu. It opens really early and you might have time to see Diamond Head before going to Pearl. We did not walk rapidly and took time at the top for pictures and did the round trip in about 2 1/2 hours. Early morning will be cooler and less crowded, go on a weekday if possible.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

We are planning to travel to Oahu next summer and I really want to stay at Aulani for a few nights. I was hoping we could hop to another island after that because I don't think Oahu is going to be my husband's favorite - he hates big cities.

I wouldn't island hop unless your trip is at least two weeks long. The airport and logistics are just such a hassle that I'd prefer to avoid. Oahu has one city, Honolulu, but you can easily fill 10+ days without ever setting foot there once you've left the airport. I'm very much like your husband... I hate big cities but I love Aulani precisely because it isn't in one.

Tell me about drive time from Aulani to see attractions such as Pearl Harbor? Will it be burdensome to stay at Aulani and travel into Waikiki to see Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, etc.

Drive time is much worse during the work week than on the weekend. During the weekend, you can get in and out very quickly. At Diamond Head, it's recommended that you get there as close as possible to opening at 6am. You want to beat 1) the heat, 2) the tour buses that show up from Waikiki, and 3) the traffic. I would recommend doing it early in the trip before you've fully adjusted to the time change and it's easier to wake up early.

Pearl Harbor is incredible and I recommend the "Passport to Pearl Harbor" that includes the battleship, the submarine, the Arizona memorial, and the aviation museum. We did a full open-to-close day and still didn't see everything.

How are the crowds at Aulani in July? Will we have to get up at the crack of dawn to get a chair by the pool or beach?

People always say it's a problem but I haven't experienced it. My trips have been with parties of 8 and I've never had a problem getting chairs together at reasonable times. (early to mid-morning, but not crack of dawn early). But don't forget, you're going to have some jetlag so getting up "at the crack of dawn" is a lot easier than it sounds.

I've never seen beach chairs be a problem, and I've only seen pool chairs be a problem if you show up mid-afternoon.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Diamond Head is kind of a meh hike.

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

Like your husband and CaptainAmerica, I hate visiting big cities, especially on vacation. I am a big Disney bubble person. I am fine staying in Aulani/Oahu for a week. I like that Honolulu and Waikiki are within reasonable driving distance of Aulani because it offers more diverse dining options.

I don't have problems with driving to Waikiki from Aulani because I plan around rush hour or allow for extra time during rush hour.

If you go to Pearl Harbor, parking on weekends can be challenging, so if you can, go early.