New to Aulani - Questions

[likesdisney]

Sorry if this is an often repeated question, but before I get too far involved in a trip to Aulani, I'd like to make sure it's the right decision.
First and more importantly, I won't have a car (don't have a license to drive) Is it possible to visit Oahu without a car or is it really a necessity to stay in the area?
Second, just curious but is there a dining plan other than the Ulu Café quick service type one?
Thanks for the help.

 

[OKW Lover]

First and more importantly, I won't have a car (don't have a license to drive) Is it possible to visit Oahu without a car or is it really a necessity to stay in the area?

It really depends on what you want to do. If you're just interested in spending time at Aulani, then no car is needed. If you just want to go to some of the more popular things (Pearl Harbor, Waikiki) then you could book a tour or simply take a cab/uber/lyft for them. If you really want to explore the island on your own, then a car is probably the only answer.

Second, just curious but is there a dining plan other than the Ulu Café quick service type one?

No.

 

[disnygirl55]

Yes, I believe you can do it, but it's going to be expensive, though depending on your itinerary, maybe not too much more expensive than renting a car. A cab or shuttle can take you to Aulani (I would do an Internet search to find one that might not cost you an arm and a leg..... and to make a reservation, since perhaps a cab won't want to drive you all the way out to Ko' Olina, but not sure about that). It is several miles, and at least a half hour or a bit more from the airport. As far as touring the island goes, you can book through Disney or contract with the tour companies themselves. You may find that options are a bit limited. For instance, we ziplined at Climbworks, and I don't know that they had any type of tour or shuttle service, and a cab to the other side of the island or to the North Shore would be expensive, if not impossible to negotiate.

But I know you'd be able to do it with some planning. After all, many married people honeymoon in O'ahu, and at least when I was younger, it was hard to rent a car if you were under 25 years old. Don't write off a trip yet. You can find a way and have lots of fun. If the ocean and Aulani are your main objectives, you'll not find it too hard.

 

[jillt2ph]

Have you thought about doing a few days in Waikiki first? We did that this time, and I found it was much better! We stayed at the Marriott Courtyard for 2 nights and bought the multiday Waikiki Trolley ticket. There are 4 different routes, in addition to one that just goes around the main area in Waikiki.