Hi everyone! I'm so glad I found this board. The information has been super helpful. Last week I booked our family's trip to Aulani for the week after Christmas. Thanks to tips here I feel like I have good expectations but I still have some questions.
We are a family of four: Myself and DH in our late 40s, teen SS who will be a senior in high school, and DS who will be five years old at the time of our trip. We are not DVS members or Disney fanatics, but I am a fan of the quality "Disney experience" as experienced at the parks. This will be our first Disney resort trip anywhere, and our first trip to Hawaii.
Here's what I have so far, thanks to tips from you folks:
Now for my questions:
I'm sure I will have more questions, and I'm open to suggestions for things I haven't thought of yet. Thanks so much! We are excited about the trip!
P.S. I'd add an avatar, but the system won't let me...
We are a family of four: Myself and DH in our late 40s, teen SS who will be a senior in high school, and DS who will be five years old at the time of our trip. We are not DVS members or Disney fanatics, but I am a fan of the quality "Disney experience" as experienced at the parks. This will be our first Disney resort trip anywhere, and our first trip to Hawaii.
Here's what I have so far, thanks to tips from you folks:
- Booked a 1 bed villa, island garden view. Planning to request room XX83, XX77 or XX71 on a higher floor.
- Will book a car from Alamo so we get free parking at the resort.
- Will stop for groceries at Costco/Target/Safeway on the way to the resort.
- Will splurge for a cabana for at least one day (probably the day after we arrive).
- Will pre-register my son for Auntie's Beach House at 90 days out.
- Will take advantage of the Photo Pass program for great photos of the whole family, especially at sunset.
- Probably will not pay for a Character Breakfast because there are plenty of other character activities available. Unless they say Stitch will be there. I love Stitch and so does my son.
Now for my questions:
- When is the right time to reserve a cabana? Can I do it now? Do I wait until 90 days out?
- When and how do I make the room request? Are they generally honored for non-DVS folks? Do I just call and ask for the request to be added to my reservation?
- Is the on-site luau worth it, or should we try one of the others on the island? If so, which one?
- Are the lines for towels, etc. really as awful as some of the reviews I've read elsewhere? What do you think they will be like during the time immediately after Christmas?
- What about Auntie's Beach house? I read some online stories about having to get up at 7:30am to get in line for a spot, but then other people tell me they never had to wait. What's the deal with that?
- How are the teen activities? Our teen is more of a "nerd" (his term!), not athletic and not the beach-sitting type. He is quite social though, loves board games and sometimes enjoys crafts.
- How are the in-room TV movie offerings? I haven't seen that discussed anywhere. I would think Disney would provide their movies for free, but maybe I'm expecting too much? We could bring one less screen if I know there are plenty of free movies for my son to watch.
I'm sure I will have more questions, and I'm open to suggestions for things I haven't thought of yet. Thanks so much! We are excited about the trip!
P.S. I'd add an avatar, but the system won't let me...