Pre-Trip Planning for Aulani in Sept. 2017

[MightyDuck001]

I'm so crazy excited for my first ever trip to Hawaii, I've been watching Saved By the Bell Hawaiian Style, Gidget Goes Hawaiian, and Blue Hawaii on a loop. No kids on this trip, just me and my girlfriend.

Dates: 9/1 to 9/16. Planned so far:
9/1 JFK to HNL on Hawaiian airlines then connecting HNL to LIH for 3 days in Kauai. Staying at the Grand Hyatt Kauai for the Kauai Half Marathon on Sunday. (I got a crazy good rate for the hotel through the half marathon that's almost 50% off for an ocean view room and I wanted to do the half anyway so it seemed to work out perfectly.)
9/4 LIH to HNL and to Aulani! I booked an Ocean View Studio for 300 DVC points right at the 7 month mark. Because we get there on Labor Day I saved points and had no trouble booking the room. If I wanted a cheaper view category, though, those were only partial availability when I booked in February. I followed my own rule of thumb when it comes to booking DVC rooms on points: budget enough points for the more expensive view category to up my odds of getting a reservation.

After that, I'm not 100% certain about what the plan is. I know the GF wants to work remotely a few days because she's never been away from work for 2 whole weeks and it's making her a little nervous/anxious. I appreciate that she's doing this for me and I'm debating reserving a cabana or something for her so she can work by the pool as a surprise--any thoughts? How's the wifi?

Up next: Price Tag

 

[MightyDuck001]

I know people like to know the bottom line for how much things cost so I thought I'd include that information as well as I have it.

Air
$876 - Direct flight from JFK to HNL round trip on Hawaiian Airlines.
I would've waited out for a lower fare but I knew exactly which seats I wanted so I just went ahead and bought it when those started selling out (I wanted extra comfort, bulkhead, 2 seats together). I saved $90 by buying the ticket through JetBlue's website instead of through Hawaiian and got 3x the points on my JetBlue card.
+$190 each way for extra comfort seats = $280
I splurged for the first time ever and paid the extra for the extra comfort seats. That flight is a long time to be on a plane and I used a site I found on here to pick mine: https://www.seatguru.com/
Airfare total for one round trip ticket: $1156
Bottom line: I paid more to get exactly what I wanted which is becoming a big theme for this trip.

Car Rental
Costco car rental, economy car, Budget, 9/1-9/4 on Kauai: $136.36
Costco car rental, convertible, Alamo, 9/4-9/16 on Oahu: $556.53
I keep checking on car rental prices just in case the price goes down.

 

[alohamom]

@MightyDuck001 -sounds like you are on the right track. You were really smart to take advantage of the discount at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. It is honestly such a lovely resort but it is expensive for sure. The lobby is similar to the one at Aulani in that it has the large open area looking out to the grounds, pools and ocean beyond. The first time we entered that lobby there was a gentle trade wind and the sun was setting, it was absolutely stunning. I am not sure what your flight times are but it sounds like a really long travel day if you are going JFK to HNL, then on to Kauai. That flight is only about 20 mins but it is the time in between that adds up. Plus it is about a half hour drive to the resort from the airport. It is really good you have the extra day in between the flights and the marathon.

Just keep checking those car rentals but I think you got a very good price for a convertible on Oahu for that length of time.

Another movie you might like that features Kauai is "Honeymoon in Vegas". About 1/3 of it takes place on Kauai and there is a really funny scene with Nicholas Cage at the Lihue Kauai Airport trying to say a Hawaiian street name that is full of vowels. It is here in the trailer

and much of the new King Kong movie that opens this month was filmed up in Kualoa Ranch on Oahu. Actually many movies are filmed on Kauai and Oahu, I love when I can identify places and things when watching, so much fun.

The wifi by the pools at Aulani is good but my kids found it slightly better in the rooms. Others on this board might be able to comment on the cabanas and the wifi. Maybe talk to the resort staff and ask if some are better than others and they can help you find a cabana that would be suitable. I think it is a great idea to do that for her...

 

[Brians_myth]

Have fun! The island is a great escape, especially if it is just the two of you.

 

[cgattis]

@MightyDuck001 -sounds like you are on the right track. You were really smart to take advantage of the discount at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. It is honestly such a lovely resort but it is expensive for sure. The lobby is similar to the one at Aulani in that it has the large open area looking out to the grounds, pools and ocean beyond. The first time we entered that lobby there was a gentle trade wind and the sun was setting, it was absolutely stunning. I am not sure what your flight times are but it sounds like a really long travel day if you are going JFK to HNL, then on to Kauai. That flight is only about 20 mins but it is the time in between that adds up. Plus it is about a half hour drive to the resort from the airport. It is really good you have the extra day in between the flights and the marathon.

Just keep checking those car rentals but I think you got a very good price for a convertible on Oahu for that length of time.

Another movie you might like that features Kauai is "Honeymoon in Vegas". About 1/3 of it takes place on Kauai and there is a really funny scene with Nicholas Cage at the Lihue Kauai Airport trying to say a Hawaiian street name that is full of vowels. It is here in the trailer

and much of the new King Kong movie that opens this month was filmed up in Kualoa Ranch on Oahu. Actually many movies are filmed on Kauai and Oahu, I love when I can identify places and things when watching, so much fun.

The wifi by the pools at Aulani is good but my kids found it slightly better in the rooms. Others on this board might be able to comment on the cabanas and the wifi. Maybe talk to the resort staff and ask if some are better than others and they can help you find a cabana that would be suitable. I think it is a great idea to do that for her...

I wouldn't watch an entire Nicholas Cage movie for a free week at Aulani, but that clip was hilarious Thabks for the LOL at my desk....heehee

 

[alohamom]

I wouldn't watch an entire Nicholas Cage movie for a free week at Aulani, but that clip was hilarious Thabks for the LOL at my desk....heehee

no kidding @cgattis, I cant stand him either. That movie is kind of slow to start but the end it won me over. The scenes in Hawaii are great and of course young Bruno Mars as an Elvis is too cute.

 

[hilarys]

Sorry, I don't want to turn your whole PTR into a "you must watch", but since you still have 6 months.... binge watch the new Hawaii 5-0 and all of Lost. It is so fun to drive around the island and recognize spots from filming. If you are a super fan of LOST, there is an incredible tour that you can take that is run by other super fans (KOS Tours). We have done it twice and likely will take a different version of it this year now that my daughter is also a super fan.

 

[kdonnel]

Sorry, I don't want to turn your whole PTR into a "you must watch", but since you still have 6 months.... binge watch the new Hawaii 5-0 and all of Lost. It is so fun to drive around the island and recognize spots from filming. If you are a super fan of LOST, there is an incredible tour that you can take that is run by other super fans (KOS Tours). We have done it twice and likely will take a different version of it this year now that my daughter is also a super fan.

This time around I am going to swim in Robin Masters turtle pond (Magnum PI). Back in 2014 we didn't time it right and arrived at the nearest beach park at high tide. Couldn't make it from the beach park to the pond. This time we will get there at low tide.

It is fun finding filming locations.

 

[MightyDuck001]

@MightyDuck001 -sounds like you are on the right track. You were really smart to take advantage of the discount at the Grand Hyatt Kauai. It is honestly such a lovely resort but it is expensive for sure. The lobby is similar to the one at Aulani in that it has the large open area looking out to the grounds, pools and ocean beyond. The first time we entered that lobby there was a gentle trade wind and the sun was setting, it was absolutely stunning. I am not sure what your flight times are but it sounds like a really long travel day if you are going JFK to HNL, then on to Kauai. That flight is only about 20 mins but it is the time in between that adds up. Plus it is about a half hour drive to the resort from the airport. It is really good you have the extra day in between the flights and the marathon.

Just keep checking those car rentals but I think you got a very good price for a convertible on Oahu for that length of time.

Sorry, I don't want to turn your whole PTR into a "you must watch", but since you still have 6 months.... binge watch the new Hawaii 5-0 and all of Lost. It is so fun to drive around the island and recognize spots from filming. If you are a super fan of LOST, there is an incredible tour that you can take that is run by other super fans (KOS Tours). We have done it twice and likely will take a different version of it this year now that my daughter is also a super fan.

Thanks everyone for the recommendations, 100% keep them coming!! I love marathoning Hawaii movies/shows to get in the mood. I decided to head to Aulani while watching Hawaii 5-0 during a blizzard last year!

 

[MightyDuck001]

Planning: Kauai

I'm trying to plan how long of a layover to do at HNL before connecting to Lihue. We're supposed to land at 3:00pm and there's a 4:00pm Hawaiian flight to Lihue but given that last night's flight didn't land til 4:53, I'm not sure that's enough time... The plan so far:

Day 1: Catamaran tour of Na Pali coast line with Blue Dolphin tours. Trip starts at 7am and comes with a continental breakfast and I'm thinking we'll be up early for the time change anyway since we're coming from the East Coast. Then spend the rest of the day lazying it up by the pool and bib pick up it at the hotel so I don't even have to go anywhere to get my number.
Day 2: Kauai Half Marathon maybe go see Waimea Canyon but rest of the time being lazy at the hotel.
Day 3: A flight between 12 and 3 back to HNL and drive to Aulani. Any thoughts? I was thinking we could spend the morning at the hotel or go see Waimea Canyon since the room won't be ready til the afternoon anyway. I did a sunset time reservation at AMA AMA (6:00pm) but I can always skip it this night if the flight is delayed, etc.

Dining
The GF is a big beer fan, so I've been trying to find breweries we can go have lunch or dinner at. On Kauai I found two with good reviews that we'll maybe hit up for lunch or dinner since the hotel prices are crazy high: Kauai Beer and Kauai Island Brewery.

 

[alohamom]

Planning: Kauai

I'm trying to plan how long of a layover to do at HNL before connecting to Lihue. We're supposed to land at 3:00pm and there's a 4:00pm Hawaiian flight to Lihue but given that last night's flight didn't land til 4:53, I'm not sure that's enough time...

I would take the next flight, you want to make sure there is time for your bags to connect as well but since you are coming in on Hawaiian Airlines it will be less of an issue because I assume you are going to go out to Lihue on Hawaiian as well.

Planning: Kauai
Day 1: Catamaran tour of Na Pali coast line with Blue Dolphin tours. Trip starts at 7am and comes with a continental breakfast and I'm thinking we'll be up early for the time change anyway since we're coming from the East Coast. Then spend the rest of the day lazying it up by the pool and bib pick up it at the hotel so I don't even have to go anywhere to get my number.

Yup-that first day dont be surprised if your eyes pop open before your alarm! The bib pick up at the hotel is perfect, that worked out great.

Day 3: A flight between 12 and 3 back to HNL and drive to Aulani. Any thoughts? I was thinking we could spend the morning at the hotel or go see Waimea Canyon since the room won't be ready til the afternoon anyway. I did a sunset time reservation at AMA AMA (6:00pm) but I can always skip it this night if the flight is delayed, etc.

Keep in mind the traffic between HNL and Aulani, it can get really really busy toward the middle of the afternoon till early evening. However, I think you are actually coming in on Labor Day itself so that might not be as big a factor as on a regular work day. On a regular day, if you land at HNL at 3:00 it would take you till 3:45/4:00ish to actually get out onto the freeway but then it can take an hour to get to Aulani if the traffic is bad putting you there close to 5:00. You might just make your sunset ressie!