twodogs
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2012
- Messages
- 3,700
We just returned from our first stay at Aulani, 8 nights. I want to write a trip report, but don't have time just yet to do it justice. However, I know some others are traveling early this summer and had asked for a review of the sitter service, so I am going to post it now so it may help others.
We used the service as we (DH, my parents and I) were planning an all-day trip to Pearl Harbor. Kids were +/- about going (they are 8 and 10), and I did't want them to rush my parents through it. PH was a bucket list item for them, and one of the primary reasons for this trip and for choosing Oahu, since my dad is a retired military pilot.
I contacted the sitter service by phone about 2 months prior to the date needed, and although Aulani's site recommends booking at least 24 hours in advance, the sitter service said they get booked up weeks in advance, particularly in summer. So bottom line, as soon as you know your plans, book it. You can cancel up to 8 hours prior if needed.
I had to leave a message but Jenn Hew quickly returned the call and took all of our information. She emailed me the same day with the name of the sitter (Ashley), as well as a short form to fill out. The form notes that they can't take the kids swimming in pools or ocean while sitting.
There is a 4 hour minimum, and then they charge you in 1/2 hour increments after that. They don't charge you until the day is completed, so you just need to give them a ball park time that you will return. Since we were going to PH for 9AM Arizona tickets, we wanted to leave Aulani no later than 7AM. We had the sitter scheduled to arrive at 06:30. The day before, the service called to confirm our room number, and the sitter came straight to the room.
She was very sweet, and brought a big bag of crafts and activities. She gave the kids breakfast from our kitchen after we left, as planned. They made pineapple beaded key rings from her craft bag. I had looked at the Iwa the night before, and asked her to take the kids down around 7:45 to the Pau Hana room to register for the Canoe Racing activity, since activities had been filling up before they even got through the line at 0800. She did this as well as took them to the paper craft activity/bag designing activity that I asked her to check out (cost $25 extra, but she texted me to make sure price was ok). She was extremely familiar with Aulani and the entire process, since she sits there often. They got into the Canoe activity and they really enjoyed it.
While we were gone, she (on her own!) called the character line, and took them to meet all the characters for the day. She took lots and lots of photos on her phone, which she sent throughout the day, as well as kept up with our Photopass card so we would have those photos too. At the end of the day, she even went to the gift shop and added all of the Canoe Racing pictures onto our Photopass card. YEA!! At that point in the trip, I hadn't even figured out how to add pictures from the group events to our card...
She was strict with the girls about re-applying sunblock every 2 hours (again, her rule, which I thought was a good one), and had them wear their hats. They did go in the ocean to race the canoes, but I had asked her before we left if this was ok, and she said it was.
She took the kids to check out a movie for the night at Pau Hana (again, on her own but I was very happy she did), so they were ready with that when we got back at around 5pm. They also did the Scavenger Hunt, and the girls said she showed them some really cool things since she has done it many times. We left the kids key cards with her, and they had charging enabled. This made it easy for her to pay for the bag-making activity and their lunches/treats.
Charges for the sitter service went straight to my credit card, and we did give her a cash tip, though I don't know if that is standard or not. She paid for her own lunch and parking, though we offered to cover these things.
Overall it was a very positive experience and I would definitely use this service again. She seemed very responsible, fun, engaged and knowledgable about Aulani.
We used the service as we (DH, my parents and I) were planning an all-day trip to Pearl Harbor. Kids were +/- about going (they are 8 and 10), and I did't want them to rush my parents through it. PH was a bucket list item for them, and one of the primary reasons for this trip and for choosing Oahu, since my dad is a retired military pilot.
I contacted the sitter service by phone about 2 months prior to the date needed, and although Aulani's site recommends booking at least 24 hours in advance, the sitter service said they get booked up weeks in advance, particularly in summer. So bottom line, as soon as you know your plans, book it. You can cancel up to 8 hours prior if needed.
I had to leave a message but Jenn Hew quickly returned the call and took all of our information. She emailed me the same day with the name of the sitter (Ashley), as well as a short form to fill out. The form notes that they can't take the kids swimming in pools or ocean while sitting.
There is a 4 hour minimum, and then they charge you in 1/2 hour increments after that. They don't charge you until the day is completed, so you just need to give them a ball park time that you will return. Since we were going to PH for 9AM Arizona tickets, we wanted to leave Aulani no later than 7AM. We had the sitter scheduled to arrive at 06:30. The day before, the service called to confirm our room number, and the sitter came straight to the room.
She was very sweet, and brought a big bag of crafts and activities. She gave the kids breakfast from our kitchen after we left, as planned. They made pineapple beaded key rings from her craft bag. I had looked at the Iwa the night before, and asked her to take the kids down around 7:45 to the Pau Hana room to register for the Canoe Racing activity, since activities had been filling up before they even got through the line at 0800. She did this as well as took them to the paper craft activity/bag designing activity that I asked her to check out (cost $25 extra, but she texted me to make sure price was ok). She was extremely familiar with Aulani and the entire process, since she sits there often. They got into the Canoe activity and they really enjoyed it.
While we were gone, she (on her own!) called the character line, and took them to meet all the characters for the day. She took lots and lots of photos on her phone, which she sent throughout the day, as well as kept up with our Photopass card so we would have those photos too. At the end of the day, she even went to the gift shop and added all of the Canoe Racing pictures onto our Photopass card. YEA!! At that point in the trip, I hadn't even figured out how to add pictures from the group events to our card...
She was strict with the girls about re-applying sunblock every 2 hours (again, her rule, which I thought was a good one), and had them wear their hats. They did go in the ocean to race the canoes, but I had asked her before we left if this was ok, and she said it was.
She took the kids to check out a movie for the night at Pau Hana (again, on her own but I was very happy she did), so they were ready with that when we got back at around 5pm. They also did the Scavenger Hunt, and the girls said she showed them some really cool things since she has done it many times. We left the kids key cards with her, and they had charging enabled. This made it easy for her to pay for the bag-making activity and their lunches/treats.
Charges for the sitter service went straight to my credit card, and we did give her a cash tip, though I don't know if that is standard or not. She paid for her own lunch and parking, though we offered to cover these things.
Overall it was a very positive experience and I would definitely use this service again. She seemed very responsible, fun, engaged and knowledgable about Aulani.
