Just back from Aulani - Any Questions?

[fsufan53]

Hey Everyone

Wife and I just stayed 7 nights/6 days at Aulani. Of the 6 days, we spent 4 primarily at resort/resort area and the other 2 we were out (1 doing the Pearl Harbor Tour and the other we hiked Diamond Head and drove around Waikiki.)

If anyone has any questions I will do my best to answer. I also saved several of the IWA's if anyone is interested I can try to load them on.

 

[OKW Lover]

Would love to see the IWA's. We leave in less than 6 weeks!

Please tell us about your travel party (adults, children, etc) and if you found any particularly memorable meals or activities.

 

[jtba]

i'm curious whether you found any discrepancies between the Iwa's posted online (halfway down the page on the right) vs. the paper version.

 

[Vernie822]

Yay, welcome back!

I'd like to know what you thought of resort food. We're thinking of doing most breakfasts/some lunches in our villa (studio, so we're ok with some breakfast bars and sandwiches), and dinners offsite or at the hotel restaurants. I am trying to figure out what to budget for food via Disney gift cards, and what to budget for food via cash.

I'd also love to know what you thought of the off-site stuff you did. We're planning on Diamondhead/Waikiki and Pearl Harbor as well.

THANKS!

 

[OKW Lover]

We're wondering about in-room dining. From our past visits I know that you can order a complete dinner, which you then cook in your unit. Did you try that? How was it?

 

[ktlm]

We are looking at booking a family vacation to Aulani soon. We have never been to Hawaii before and we are debating doing a few days at Aulani and then possibly going to either Maui or the Big Island for the rest of our trip. What are your thoughts on the length of time to stay at Aulani? We don't plan on doing Pearl Harbor. My daughter is 10, so I don't think that Aunty's Beach House time will be any kind of factor as it is mostly for younger kids, and even though it goes to age 12, I think she will feel too old for it.

 

[KathyTX]

Photos, please!!!

 

[jtba]

also, does Ulu Cafe sell different stuff for breakfast vs. lunch?

 

[jtba]

also, does Ulu Cafe sell different stuff for breakfast vs. lunch?

never mind. found the menu online. looks like breakfast is 6:30-11 a.m., and other dishes are from 11 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.

 

[vikequeen]

We just got home from a 10 day stay at aulani with Ds 8 and Ds 11. They went to one activity at auntys but most of the kids I saw were younger. The resort is beautiful and has a lot to do. Length of stay for me depends on time of year you are there. We have decided we would not stay there that long again, particularly not at such a busy time of year. Next time we will spend a Few days at aulani and then island hop. There were so many people everywhere all the time that although it was a very nice vacation, it was not as relaxing as we hoped it would be. By the end my kids were sick of the pool. Also would depend on whether you have been to Oahu recently? If so that also might suggest to me that a shorter stay would be appropriate. Finally how far is your flight?

 

[ggc]

I'm new here and may take some heat for this but, Aulani is such a small part of Hawaii. The re$ort is away from it all. Ju$t like WDW, $tay on the property.
Our first trip was back in '73, long before Disney had eyes on that market. On our latest trip, we visited Aulani and while the resort is spectacular it is not what I am looking for. Do yourself a favor and book Aulani for a bit and THEN See Hawaii. Get a car and drive. Oahu has a lot to see and explore beside the west side of the island. You are doing yourself a major disservice by hanging out at Aulani and saying I went to Hawaii. The north shore, Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Waikiki, Dukes for breakfast, Hy's steakhouse for a fabulous meal the list goes on and on.
The other islands offer more, much more than Oahu. If you have any interest in the natural beauty of the islands spend a few weeks, maybe more and explore. Great whale watching just offshore from Lahaina, the "blackest of black" lava on the Big Island and the laid back island of Kauai. Did I mention waterfalls?
Each island is different and has a unique way of saying paradise.
We are avid fans of the Fort and spend a fair amount of time there with the kids and now grand children.
But, if I had to choose... Maui and Mama's Fish House, just the other side of Paia, the best !!! Sorry Victoria and Alberts, been there and done that.
GGC

 

[ktlm]

We just got home from a 10 day stay at aulani with Ds 8 and Ds 11. They went to one activity at auntys but most of the kids I saw were younger. The resort is beautiful and has a lot to do. Length of stay for me depends on time of year you are there. We have decided we would not stay there that long again, particularly not at such a busy time of year. Next time we will spend a Few days at aulani and then island hop. There were so many people everywhere all the time that although it was a very nice vacation, it was not as relaxing as we hoped it would be. By the end my kids were sick of the pool. Also would depend on whether you have been to Oahu recently? If so that also might suggest to me that a shorter stay would be appropriate. Finally how far is your flight?

Thanks! That is very helpful. Our total flight time will be at least 10 hours- probably more like 12 or 13. We've never been to Hawaii, but were it not for Aulani, we probably would pick a different island. I'm thinking maybe 5 nights/4 full days at Aulani and then 5 nights/4 full days somewhere on Maui?

 

[Vernie822]

I'm new here and may take some heat for this but, Aulani is such a small part of Hawaii. The re$ort is away from it all. Ju$t like WDW, $tay on the property.
Our first trip was back in '73, long before Disney had eyes on that market. On our latest trip, we visited Aulani and while the resort is spectacular it is not what I am looking for. Do yourself a favor and book Aulani for a bit and THEN See Hawaii. Get a car and drive. Oahu has a lot to see and explore beside the west side of the island. You are doing yourself a major disservice by hanging out at Aulani and saying I went to Hawaii. The north shore, Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Waikiki, Dukes for breakfast, Hy's steakhouse for a fabulous meal the list goes on and on.
The other islands offer more, much more than Oahu. If you have any interest in the natural beauty of the islands spend a few weeks, maybe more and explore. Great whale watching just offshore from Lahaina, the "blackest of black" lava on the Big Island and the laid back island of Kauai. Did I mention waterfalls?
Each island is different and has a unique way of saying paradise.
We are avid fans of the Fort and spend a fair amount of time there with the kids and now grand children.
But, if I had to choose... Maui and Mama's Fish House, just the other side of Paia, the best !!! Sorry Victoria and Alberts, been there and done that.
GGC

OOOOH, I have heard Mama's Fish House is good!

We have a resort credit for our Maui stay (Grand Wailea) and we are thinking of trying Humuhumunukunukuapua'a - figured it would be a good use of our credit and we can enjoy a nice meal. Do you think Mama's is worth it as well?!

 

[CateinPhoenix]

I'm new here and may take some heat for this but, Aulani is such a small part of Hawaii. The re$ort is away from it all. Ju$t like WDW, $tay on the property.
Our first trip was back in '73, long before Disney had eyes on that market. On our latest trip, we visited Aulani and while the resort is spectacular it is not what I am looking for. Do yourself a favor and book Aulani for a bit and THEN See Hawaii. Get a car and drive. Oahu has a lot to see and explore beside the west side of the island. You are doing yourself a major disservice by hanging out at Aulani and saying I went to Hawaii. The north shore, Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Waikiki, Dukes for breakfast, Hy's steakhouse for a fabulous meal the list goes on and on.
The other islands offer more, much more than Oahu. If you have any interest in the natural beauty of the islands spend a few weeks, maybe more and explore. Great whale watching just offshore from Lahaina, the "blackest of black" lava on the Big Island and the laid back island of Kauai. Did I mention waterfalls?
Each island is different and has a unique way of saying paradise.
We are avid fans of the Fort and spend a fair amount of time there with the kids and now grand children.
But, if I had to choose... Maui and Mama's Fish House, just the other side of Paia, the best !!! Sorry Victoria and Alberts, been there and done that.
GGC

Don't forget Leonard's bakery for the masaladas!
http://www.leonardshawaii.com/

 

[vikequeen]

Thanks! That is very helpful. Our total flight time will be at least 10 hours- probably more like 12 or 13. We've never been to Hawaii, but were it not for Aulani, we probably would pick a different island. I'm thinking maybe 5 nights/4 full days at Aulani and then 5 nights/4 full days somewhere on Maui?

That sounds like a good split to me. given your distance and the fact that you haven't been there before, I would absolutely split between islands. I totally agree with ggc. Aulani is fun ( particularly for the kids), but there is no way I would fly to Hawaii and spend all of my time at the resort. We did several day trips, so didn't spend all of our time there. Based on our experience on the trip we just got back from, I would likely go to Maui first. It depends on where you are staying and flight times though. My reasoning is that Aulani has a great and somewhat unique lounge that you can use to shower etc. after you checkout. We did this on Tuesday and took a redeye home, which essentially gave us an extra day in Hawaii without any extra cost. Our flight time is 8.5 direct, and about 10-12 with connections, depending on layover. I haven't seen a lounge like that at other places, but maybe i just missed it. If there is no way you would use that option, then I would likely go to Oahu/Aulani first as I think Maui might be more relaxing. but honestly would be highly dependent on flight times/cost, and there is no "right" answer. We went to Oahu last year and this year, so happy to try to answer any other questions if I can help with your trip. I'm about to post a trip report on our vacation. I think you will love it. I'm slightly depressed back home now (hence my visit to these boards, even though I won't be back to Hawaii for a few years

 

[ggc]

LOL Vernie
With a credit at the Grand Wailea, you're still ahead so at least two nights at Mama's. Get a table near the ocean side and enjoy the view.
Is it worth it, you betcha...Let us know how Humuhumu...is.
When you are at the GW look upslope of Haleakala and you might see Maui's winery, way up the mountain.
Try to visit, some very good wines from pineapples. The "A"llways "B"ring "C"ash stores usually have the Maui wine also.
Kimos in Lahaina is another great place to eat. Right along the water on Front St..

I remember Leonard's. We bumped into it just driving around. Recall some tasty treats.
That's the best part, finding those new places and just enjoying the moment.

 

[DCPhotoGal]

also, does Ulu Cafe sell different stuff for breakfast vs. lunch?

We are just back from Aulani as well. Ulu Cafe has a different breakfast and lunch menu. We enjoyed their flatbreads, and I think they changed those up meal-to-meal. It was a nice easy place to grab food, plus we were there often to refill mugs.

 

[DCPhotoGal]

We are looking at booking a family vacation to Aulani soon. We have never been to Hawaii before and we are debating doing a few days at Aulani and then possibly going to either Maui or the Big Island for the rest of our trip. What are your thoughts on the length of time to stay at Aulani? We don't plan on doing Pearl Harbor. My daughter is 10, so I don't think that Aunty's Beach House time will be any kind of factor as it is mostly for younger kids, and even though it goes to age 12, I think she will feel too old for it.

My daughters are 10 (almost 11) and 12 years old. We just got back and I took them to Aunty's for the Aloha party. They felt pretty old. But Aunty's offered a special "preteen" craft activity one evening for just 10-12 year olds and they enjoyed that. That activity didn't require preregistration either, so we didn't have to line up in the AM, they just had to show up. So check the schedule for the preteen activities, your daughter might enjoy it.

 

[BCV23]

Hey Everyone

Wife and I just stayed 7 nights/6 days at Aulani. Of the 6 days, we spent 4 primarily at resort/resort area and the other 2 we were out (1 doing the Pearl Harbor Tour and the other we hiked Diamond Head and drove around Waikiki.)

If anyone has any questions I will do my best to answer. I also saved several of the IWA's if anyone is interested I can try to load them on.

Did you enjoy your stay? Which restaurants in the resort and area did you enjoy?

 

[Gorechick]

My favorite lunch from Ulu was splitting the turkey wrap, a bag of chips, and Mickey brownie with DD10. We had the refillable mugs for drinks.