Just back from Aulani!

[nifferearly]

We just got back from an 8 night stay in a 2BR ocean view room. The resort is beautiful! I had expected it to be a one-time trip, but we can't wait to go back!

I debated on ocean view vs pool view. I was unaware that there is a side ocean view, overlooking the JW Marriott. Our view did have lots of ocean in it, but also a street and JW's parking garage (we were over the spa). It was pretty, but we didn't spend much time on the balcony since we couldn't see the sunset. I wouldn't spend the points on oceanview again. It's better to look at the ocean from the infinity hot tub anyway!

My husband got a massage and said it was his best one ever. He almost didn't do it because of the price but afterwards he said it was worth it.

We rented a cabana on checkout day since we had a late flight. It was $260 with DVC discount. We wouldn't usually splurge on something like that, but that was worth it too.

America's Funniest Home Videos was filming the last 2 days we were there. We also saw Steve Harvey and a waitress said he was filming the previous day. Maybe for Family Feud?

If you're doing several sights, get the Go Oahu card from Costco's website. We saved a lot of money with it.

I'll be happy to answer any planning questions that I can.

 

[MyLove4Disney]

We just got back from an 8 night stay in a 2BR ocean view room. The resort is beautiful! I had expected it to be a one-time trip, but we can't wait to go back!

I debated on ocean view vs pool view. I was unaware that there is a side ocean view, overlooking the JW Marriott. Our view did have lots of ocean in it, but also a street and JW's parking garage (we were over the spa). It was pretty, but we didn't spend much time on the balcony since we couldn't see the sunset. I wouldn't spend the points on oceanview again. It's better to look at the ocean from the infinity hot tub anyway!

My husband got a massage and said it was his best one ever. He almost didn't do it because of the price but afterwards he said it was worth it.

We rented a cabana on checkout day since we had a late flight. It was $260 with DVC discount. We wouldn't usually splurge on something like that, but that was worth it too.

America's Funniest Home Videos was filming the last 2 days we were there. We also saw Steve Harvey and a waitress said he was filming the previous day. Maybe for Family Feud?

If you're doing several sights, get the Go Oahu card from Costco's website. We saved a lot of money with it.

I'll be happy to answer any planning questions that I can.

Since you mention the go oahu card, tell me why you thought it helped to save money? I hope you will do a trip report also. I leaving in two weeks from this Thursday. We are doing a standard view 2 bedroom, saved my points.

 

[JGUNTER]

What was the pool temp and ocean temp like this time of year?

 

[ciao_gina]

I would love to hear about the restaurants both on-site and off. Did you go on any excursions? Go to any other beaches?

 

[saintstickets]

Ditto on hoping you do a TR and tell us about your visit. I'll be making our reservations in less than 3 weeks for our 30th anniversary trip in September and can use all the advice you can share. TIA.

 

[nifferearly]

I've never done a trip report, but I guess I'll have to start! I'll work on that once I'm unpacked!

I was concerned about the weather, but pool and ocean temp were fine. I'd say the pool was low 80's and the ocean was high 70's. We had a couple of "cooler" days, but I never needed pants or a long-sleeve shirt even at night.

You pay one price for the Go Oahu card and it let's you do unlimited sights over 3 days (don't have to be consecutive). If you google it, they have a website but it was cheaper through Costco.com. And I don't think you have to be a member of Costco to order. It was $135 each and we did $230 worth of "fees". We did: Movie tour at Kualoa Ranch, USS Missouri, USS Bowfin, Polynesian Cultural Center, Waimea Valley, Wet N Wild, and Germaine's Luau.

We ate in the room more than usual due to the remote location. Didn't try Ama Ama or the buffet (opted to use the money towards a cabana instead). The fish tacos from the fast food place were very good and the shaved ice at the resort was a good value. We really wanted to eat at Roy's in Ko Olina but it's closed due to a fire. Just Tacos, across the street from Aulani, was very good. You can get made to order salads and sandwiches at the Island Grocery in Ko Olina and we'd take them back to watch the sunset on Aulani's beach. Papa John's and Pizza Hut deliver to Aulani - the front desk has phone numbers.

Koa Pancake House in Kapolei was good for breakfast. We did Sunday Brunch at the Halekulani hotel in Waikiki and it was wonderful! $57/adult and $29/child, but I thought it was totally worth it. Our table was about 20 feet from the ocean. You have to make reservations far in advance, though. Halekulani is also a nice place to have a few drinks while watching the sunset.

 

[nifferearly]

Beaches - we spent most of our time at Ko Olina. It's a great beach. Stopped at Waimea Bay on the North Shore, which had decent changing facilities.

Excursions - we did a Pearl Harbor/City Tour with VIP because I bought a groupon. I'm glad we did this tour even though we had a car because the driver added a lot of background and history.

All of our other sightseeing was on our own. We ended up canceling some things, like a catamaran cruise, because the resort was so nice.

I'm really glad we did Kualoa Ranch and Waimea Valley on the North Shore. You hike to a waterfall at Waimea Valley and can go swimming at it. Very pretty. The USS Missouri and USS Bowfin were also worth seeing.

We really enjoyed the swap meet at Aloha Stadium. It's about 20 minutes from Aulani and is on Sat, Sun & Weds. Lots of nice souvenirs and great prices.

 

[cad8689]

Thanks for the info on your trip. I'm making notes. Like Bob B we too are planning to go in September so I will be making reservations in a few weeks. We will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary and taking our three children and their spouses along. I am hoping to book a 2 bedroom pool view. I read that you can see the ocean from the fifth floor. I also will reserve 2 standard view studios. Do any of you think I will be able to get these rooms close to the 2 bedroom pool view room? I'm hoping to I get all these rooms at the 7 month window. Cross your fingers.

 

[living20057]

I've never done a trip report, but I guess I'll have to start! I'll work on that once I'm unpacked!

I was concerned about the weather, but pool and ocean temp were fine. I'd say the pool was low 80's and the ocean was high 70's. We had a couple of "cooler" days, but I never needed pants or a long-sleeve shirt even at night.

You pay one price for the Go Oahu card and it let's you do unlimited sights over 3 days (don't have to be consecutive). If you google it, they have a website but it was cheaper through Costco.com. And I don't think you have to be a member of Costco to order. It was $135 each and we did $230 worth of "fees". We did: Movie tour at Kualoa Ranch, USS Missouri, USS Bowfin, Polynesian Cultural Center, Waimea Valley, Wet N Wild, and Germaine's Luau.

We ate in the room more than usual due to the remote location. Didn't try Ama Ama or the buffet (opted to use the money towards a cabana instead). The fish tacos from the fast food place were very good and the shaved ice at the resort was a good value. We really wanted to eat at Roy's in Ko Olina but it's closed due to a fire. Just Tacos, across the street from Aulani, was very good. You can get made to order salads and sandwiches at the Island Grocery in Ko Olina and we'd take them back to watch the sunset on Aulani's beach. Papa John's and Pizza Hut deliver to Aulani - the front desk has phone numbers.

Koa Pancake House in Kapolei was good for breakfast. We did Sunday Brunch at the Halekulani hotel in Waikiki and it was wonderful! $57/adult and $29/child, but I thought it was totally worth it. Our table was about 20 feet from the ocean. You have to make reservations far in advance, though. Halekulani is also a nice place to have a few drinks while watching the sunset.

The delivery options are good to know.

 

[rmonty02]

Thanks for your tips! Did you have any little ones with you? I'm trying to figure out how many outings my 5 & 7 year old boys can handle. And pizza delivery just went on my meal plan

 

[nifferearly]

My son recently turned 7. We were there 8 days and stayed at the resort one full day and also our last travel day (left at 4 for the airport). The other days we were out sightseeing from around 7:30/8 to anywhere from 2 to 5 in the afternoon. He did great and had lots of fun. He was very interested in Pearl Harbor (really liked going on the USS Bowfin). North Shore beaches, swimming at the Waimea waterfall, hiking Diamond Head, and Wet N Wild were his favorites. Of course, we did have his DS along for the driving which helped.

 

[ddhoeg]

Thanks for taking the time to post your comments OP.

What exactly did you get as part of the cabana? Was that a full day or half day? Did you pay a tip on top of that? Food offerings?

 

[nifferearly]

The cabana had 2 chairs and a loveseat in it and 2 really nice loungers in front of it. There was a ceiling fan, a fridge, a locking drawer and a TV. Also had a curtain for changing in it. They gave you 6 bottles of water and the waitress brought out a really nice fruit tray mid-morning and some small desserts in late afternoon. You could bring in your own food & beverages to keep in the fridge. There was a menu that included the fast food options but they also had a few other items available. Our waitress was really nice and came around often. We didn't feel any pressure to order from her, though. I also didn't feel pressure to tip, but I gave her $15 (we spent $30 during the day) because she checked on us so much.

We had the cabana from 9 to 6. I was told it was $275, with a 10% DVC discount. My total was $259, so there must have been tax on top of it. If you want to do it, I'd book early and request cabana #1. It's close to the main pool and restrooms and also has an awesome ocean view. We were in #2, but no one ever showed up in 1 so we still got the view. Our waitress told us Steve Harvey had it. We saw him walking past once, but I guess he didn't want to use his cabana that day. Worked out great for us!

We would normally not spend so much money on this, but we all felt it was totally worth it. Perfect for the last day, since we didn't have a hotel room.

 

[dato63]

Did your son use Aunty's Beach house at all? On their website it says to make reservations to be sure there is space. . .I was curious how hard it was to have space, how far ahead you book, etc.

Great tip on the cabana, I like the idea of renting it on the last day due to a late flight.

 

[Zoom]

Can the Cabanas be rented half-day or have just full day? Thanks!

 

[CrazyDuck]

The cabannas can be booked for half days... I forget the details exactly but it was something like 8-1 or 1-6... When we stayed there over a weekend back in October we rented a cabanna for the full day and specifically asked for Cabanna #1 which we got. It really is the best one there... Closest to the Ocean, the infinity jacuzzis and the pool.... If you have kids there are a couple of cabannas near the kids play area as well...

 

[nifferearly]

Did your son use Aunty's Beach house at all? On their website it says to make reservations to be sure there is space. . .I was curious how hard it was to have space, how far ahead you book, etc.

Great tip on the cabana, I like the idea of renting it on the last day due to a late flight.

I toured Aunty's with my son and then he used it one day for a couple of hours. It is very nice. Kids can play anywhere but they had one half set up for under 5 and the other half for older kids. Also a fenced in backyard for the kids. It was very similar to on a cruise line, with the wristband and same check in/out procedures.

We walked up 5 minutes before a scheduled program started and he got in. From what I saw, you could come and go as you pleased without reservations. Even if the volcano program he attended was full, I think we could have still left him in the house doing other things.

 

[Frontside720]

Sounds great!!!

 

[dato63]

I toured Aunty's with my son and then he used it one day for a couple of hours. It is very nice. Kids can play anywhere but they had one half set up for under 5 and the other half for older kids. Also a fenced in backyard for the kids. It was very similar to on a cruise line, with the wristband and same check in/out procedures.

We walked up 5 minutes before a scheduled program started and he got in. From what I saw, you could come and go as you pleased without reservations. Even if the volcano program he attended was full, I think we could have still left him in the house doing other things.

Very helpful. Thank you for the information!

 

[1-disneyfan]

Thank you so much for all the wonderful information! I just booked my family (me, husband, DD8 & DN20) vacation for August 26-September 2 1 bedroom standard view. My husband just finished getting his Master's and all he wanted to do was go to Hawaii. We are all sooo very excited, now I can pass along your information to them all.

Kris