Packing for Aulani

[KiminChicago]

So we leave in 12 days and I'm trying to figure out what I need to pack. My kids tend to wear flipflops when we go to pools or water parks around here, but I'm wondering if we wouldn't be better off with water shoes. Can someone who has been to Aulani tell me what the beach area is like? Will we be comfortable walking into the water barefoot or would we appreciate having a little more protection?

Also, should we pack beach towels? At Hilton Head, towels are provided for the beach, I'm assuming it's the same in Hawaii? My other options are to wait until we get there and purchase towels and ship them back home after our vacation or to try and pack some of the (many) towels we have here at home. I'm trying to limit our baggage to carry-ons because we're changing planes twice and I don't want our luggage to get left behind (thank goodness we can pack light since we'll have a washer and dryer, lol!).

 

[dreaming4disney]

We went with one large checked bag and then the five of us each had a carryon. There are towels at the pool area. flip flops or water shoes would work. There is a lagoon, so maybe water shoes would be better? We were fine with flip flops. Its very casual so no need to bring dress clothes and if you have a villa you can do some wash while you are there.

 

[PetePanMan]

either flip flops (slippers in Hawaii) or water shoes would be fine. Beach in water and out is sandy.

 

[DenLo]

If you are only swimming at Aulani's beach then flip flops are fine. If you swim or snorkel on Oahu's north shore I would have water shoes as sometimes the are more rocks and less soft sand. I prefer water shoes as even walking on the hot sand is not something I would like to in flip flops.

 

[southerngirl528]

Good advice from all, especially the advice that Hawaii is very casual. You really do not need anything remotely dressy unless you are going to one of a tiny handful of elite restaurants on Oahu that are still more formal. You do not need more than resort/cruise casual even at AMA AMA for dinner. (Dressy across Hawaii would be a nice sundress or capris and top for ladies, dressier shorts and a button down Aloha shirt or Tommy Bahama style shirt for men.)

 

[Anal Annie]

I brought flip flops and closed tennis shoes for all of us for some of our excursions (if you ride ATV's or zip line you'll need tennis shoes). We mostly wore flip flops & sandals tho. I did not bring water shoes but wish I'd had them (or Keens) for wading in the tidal pool areas when we were looking for the sea turtles up the beach from Aulani. If you have both then bring both would be my advice.

 

[KiminChicago]

I was definitely planning on bringing flipflops if for no other reason than walking around in our villa but it sounds like the water shoes wouldn't be a bad thing to include too. Does anyone have any advice regarding beach towels? Do they have decent sized ones or are we better off bringing our own?

 

[Anal Annie]

I was definitely planning on bringing flipflops if for no other reason than walking around in our villa but it sounds like the water shoes wouldn't be a bad thing to include too. Does anyone have any advice regarding beach towels? Do they have decent sized ones or are we better off bringing our own?

They just use the standard size towels like they use everywhere else - so like bath size - not huge. BUT there is no limit to how many you can take and you can just drop them into a towel return or exchange them for fresh ones at any time so I DEFINITELY would not waste precious suitcase weight and space on bringing towels!! Just use the ones there. The towel hut places open at 8:00 am so you can get them in the evening to bring on any early excursions you may plan if you need to leave the resort early or if you want to have one thing crossed off your list for the mornings.

 

[bnk1120]

Don't bring towels. You won't need water shoes. My husband's sandals and my sunglasses were STOLEN from the pool area, so don't leave anything out!

 

[AZMermaid]

I agree you do not need towels. Flip Flops should be fine but if you own water shoes, we appreciated having them, especially around the Menehune Bridge (if your kids are young). If your kids are castle builders, I would throw in at least a couple shovels, they ran out of the free beach toys and I was glad to have brought some from home.

 

[PlutoFan10]

Just to clarify.....there is a counter in the pool area near Rainbow Reef where you show your room key card. They will give you a wrist band to wear and give you towels for your family. As mentioned, you drop the towels in marked bins when you are done with them. It is important to keep the wrist band on all day. They will not give you a second band.

 

[PlutoFan10]

Also, the towels are a decent size. I did not see people using towels other than those provided. Really not worth using suitcase space for towels. Have a wonderful trip! It's a fantastic resort -- gorgeous!

 

[disBOBney]

I agree with everyone else, don't pack towels. If you are going to do any hiking excursions closed shoes are suggested, other wise sandals or flip flops work great. If you go to any black sand beaches the sand is very rough, so water shoes may have been more comfortable but who wants to carry extra shoes with them.

 

[yeahdisney]

Either will do. We found the concrete very hot. If we did not have shoes on we ran shade to shade.