Preliminary Itenerary

[Disneydad14]

Hello i am starting to plan my October Aulani trip. I will be going with my daughter who is 5 year old and my wife. I wanted to get the communities feedback. TI have left two days blank for now becasue I am unsure. If anyone has any must see things , or eat restuarants that might be convenient to add i would apprecaite all the help i can get. Thanks to everyone in advance.

Day 1: Arrival:
Low key , pool , beach day. Relaxing and getting settled.
Day 2: Explore Hononlulu
We like cities so go to the middle of the city ( I think Moana Center is where the internet says to start). Walk around get lunch, go to a beach , etc.
Day 3: Resort Day:
Character Breakfast, resort acitvites. Aulani Luaua
Day 4: Pearl Harbor
Leave to go visit pearl harbor in the morning. Would like some input on here on what could be a additional activity while we are already off the resort?
Day 5: Resort Day
Another casual resort day
Day 6: ??
Day 7 : ???

 

[Douglas Dubh]

We did Pearl Harbor first, then drove to the Dole Plantation and the North Shore another day, and the punchbowl and Waikiki one of our last days, with a resort day between each. I wouldn’t have minded going to the Polynesian Culture Center, but nobody I was with wanted to pay that much for the luau.

 

[abdgeek]

Hello i am starting to plan my October Aulani trip. I will be going with my daughter who is 5 year old and my wife. I wanted to get the communities feedback. TI have left two days blank for now becasue I am unsure. If anyone has any must see things , or eat restuarants that might be convenient to add i would apprecaite all the help i can get. Thanks to everyone in advance.

Day 1: Arrival:
Low key , pool , beach day. Relaxing and getting settled.
Day 2: Explore Hononlulu
We like cities so go to the middle of the city ( I think Moana Center is where the internet says to start). Walk around get lunch, go to a beach , etc.
Day 3: Resort Day:
Character Breakfast, resort acitvites. Aulani Luaua
Day 4: Pearl Harbor
Leave to go visit pearl harbor in the morning. Would like some input on here on what could be a additional activity while we are already off the resort?
Day 5: Resort Day
Another casual resort day
Day 6: ??
Day 7 : ???

You have a nice start to your itinerary. Without knowing what you like to do, below are some suggestions:

Day 2: IMO Moana Center is on the edge of downtown Honolulu. My recommendation would be to go to the Royal Hawaiian Center and park in a garage nearby for about $10 for the day. Parking at the Royal Hawaiian Center garage is more expensive. From there, you are on the main drag with all the shops and restaurants on Kalakaua Avenue. You’re also one block from Waikiki Beach and all the activities there. If you’re industrious, you can walk down to the zoo or the other areas past the Duke statue.

Day 4: Pearl Harbor— Entrance to the Arizona Memorial is free, but requires a timed ticket. You can purchase online for a fee or wait until you arrive at Pearl Harbor. However, parking is limited at the site and the timed ticket you receive may be for hours later. There are other things to see, but they require an extra fee. No bags permitted inside. Please make sure you read the policies before visiting. If you plan to get tickets the site, arrive as early to opening as possible so that your wait isn’t long to see the memorial.

Day 6: North Shore—Depending on traffic, can be a 2 hour drive from Aulani; Polynesian Cultural Center; Kualoa Ranch—the site of many movies; Each of these activities would be the only thing you do on that day.

Day 7: anything listed on Day 6 or snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. If going on your own, requires a reservation. Can be challenging to get. However, can get tour there with drop off. Read all policies on website first. No entry after 1:30 pm and park closes at 4pm.

You can also hike Diamond Head. It does require reservations and, depending on how fast you hike, only takes a couple hours.

Happy planning.

 

[WinterSolider]

As a general tip, I would recommend that you not try to get your body fully onto Hawaii time. Coming from the mainland, you're going to want to go to bed early and wake up early. Embrace that. Things close early in the evenings anyways, so get yourself to bed and then take advantage of the fact that you'll be waking up early so you can beat traffic and crowds. As a very simple example, when we got to the Byodo-In Temple, it was completely empty and beautiful and we had the place to ourselves for almost an hour. When we left, there were at least 10 tour buses in the parking lot.

We've done Aulani 3 times and this is what we're planning for our upcoming 4th trip (not in order).

• Day 1 - Arrival. Coming from the East Coast so nothing planned other than early bed and MAYBE one or two adults will run out to get groceries while the kids sleep and the other adults unpack
• Pearl Harbor full day
• Diamond Head 6am, then Waikiki/Honolulu/Leonard's Bakery
• Hike in the morning (Ka'ena Point), resort in the afternoon
• Hike in the morning (Aiea Loop Trail), resort in the afternoon
• Kualoa Ranch, lunch at Yummy Huli Huli Chicken
• Full resort day
• Full resort day

I personally don't love the North Shore, it's mostly just shops. The Polynesian Cultural Center is great but it's expensive and we did it last time so we opted for Kualoa Ranch this time instead. We've done both, and enjoy both, but wanted to pick one or the other to not get too carried away on cost.

Dole Plantation is fun but be aware that it's an EXTREMELY kitsch/cheesy tourist trap. If you can embrace it that way, you'll enjoy it. If not, it'll just annoy you. That's one place that you definitely want to "rope drop" because once the tour buses show up from the Waikiki hotels, it gets super crowded.

A hidden gem we found is the Hawaiian Railway Society where you ride a dumpy little historical train along the coast. We had a blast. But again, this isn't an elegant or elevated experience, you have to embrace it for what it is.

 

[Skywalker3]

As a general tip, I would recommend that you not try to get your body fully onto Hawaii time. Coming from the mainland, you're going to want to go to bed early and wake up early. Embrace that. Things close early in the evenings anyways, so get yourself to bed and then take advantage of the fact that you'll be waking up early so you can beat traffic and crowds. As a very simple example, when we got to the Byodo-In Temple, it was completely empty and beautiful and we had the place to ourselves for almost an hour. When we left, there were at least 10 tour buses in the parking lot.

We've done Aulani 3 times and this is what we're planning for our upcoming 4th trip (not in order).

• Day 1 - Arrival. Coming from the East Coast so nothing planned other than early bed and MAYBE one or two adults will run out to get groceries while the kids sleep and the other adults unpack
• Pearl Harbor full day
• Diamond Head 6am, then Waikiki/Honolulu/Leonard's Bakery
• Hike in the morning (Ka'ena Point), resort in the afternoon
• Hike in the morning (Aiea Loop Trail), resort in the afternoon
• Kualoa Ranch, lunch at Yummy Huli Huli Chicken
• Full resort day
• Full resort day

We ended up at Keaiwa park, near the Aiea Trailhead, by accident. It was our second day of the trip, after our Pearl Harbor visit, and DH put the wrong address in Waze, ended up at the end of the road up there. It looked like SUCH a nice trail. DS really wanted to get out and do it, but we were all needing to eat, and didn't get a chance to go back.....we did get a few pictures at the Keaiwa Heiau. was so nice up there. I really wish we'd gone back and done the Aiea hike.

 

[WinterSolider]

We ended up at Keaiwa park, near the Aiea Trailhead, by accident. It was our second day of the trip, after our Pearl Harbor visit, and DH put the wrong address in Waze, ended up at the end of the road up there. It looked like SUCH a nice trail. DS really wanted to get out and do it, but we were all needing to eat, and didn't get a chance to go back.....we did get a few pictures at the Keaiwa Heiau. was so nice up there. I really wish we'd gone back and done the Aiea hike.

It's probably right on the edge of my kids' patience level for a hike at around 5 miles, but I think we can do it. We did the Kilauea Iki trail and Thurston Lava Tube on the Big Island and that was just over 4 miles and they did great, so we're going to give this one a try next.

 

[Disneydad14]

You have a nice start to your itinerary. Without knowing what you like to do, below are some suggestions:

Day 2: IMO Moana Center is on the edge of downtown Honolulu. My recommendation would be to go to the Royal Hawaiian Center and park in a garage nearby for about $10 for the day. Parking at the Royal Hawaiian Center garage is more expensive. From there, you are on the main drag with all the shops and restaurants on Kalakaua Avenue. You’re also one block from Waikiki Beach and all the activities there. If you’re industrious, you can walk down to the zoo or the other areas past the Duke statue.

Day 4: Pearl Harbor— Entrance to the Arizona Memorial is free, but requires a timed ticket. You can purchase online for a fee or wait until you arrive at Pearl Harbor. However, parking is limited at the site and the timed ticket you receive may be for hours later. There are other things to see, but they require an extra fee. No bags permitted inside. Please make sure you read the policies before visiting. If you plan to get tickets the site, arrive as early to opening as possible so that your wait isn’t long to see the memorial.

Day 6: North Shore—Depending on traffic, can be a 2 hour drive from Aulani; Polynesian Cultural Center; Kualoa Ranch—the site of many movies; Each of these activities would be the only thing you do on that day.

Day 7: anything listed on Day 6 or snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. If going on your own, requires a reservation. Can be challenging to get. However, can get tour there with drop off. Read all policies on website first. No entry after 1:30 pm and park closes at 4pm.

You can also hike Diamond Head. It does require reservations and, depending on how fast you hike, only takes a couple hours.

Happy planning.

Thank you . I was thinking of using uber but your itenarsry seems like it would require a car . Do you think it’s worth it to rent ?

 

[Disneydad14]

As a general tip, I would recommend that you not try to get your body fully onto Hawaii time. Coming from the mainland, you're going to want to go to bed early and wake up early. Embrace that. Things close early in the evenings anyways, so get yourself to bed and then take advantage of the fact that you'll be waking up early so you can beat traffic and crowds. As a very simple example, when we got to the Byodo-In Temple, it was completely empty and beautiful and we had the place to ourselves for almost an hour. When we left, there were at least 10 tour buses in the parking lot.

We've done Aulani 3 times and this is what we're planning for our upcoming 4th trip (not in order).

• Day 1 - Arrival. Coming from the East Coast so nothing planned other than early bed and MAYBE one or two adults will run out to get groceries while the kids sleep and the other adults unpack
• Pearl Harbor full day
• Diamond Head 6am, then Waikiki/Honolulu/Leonard's Bakery
• Hike in the morning (Ka'ena Point), resort in the afternoon
• Hike in the morning (Aiea Loop Trail), resort in the afternoon
• Kualoa Ranch, lunch at Yummy Huli Huli Chicken
• Full resort day
• Full resort day

I personally don't love the North Shore, it's mostly just shops. The Polynesian Cultural Center is great but it's expensive and we did it last time so we opted for Kualoa Ranch this time instead. We've done both, and enjoy both, but wanted to pick one or the other to not get too carried away on cost.

Dole Plantation is fun but be aware that it's an EXTREMELY kitsch/cheesy tourist trap. If you can embrace it that way, you'll enjoy it. If not, it'll just annoy you. That's one place that you definitely want to "rope drop" because once the tour buses show up from the Waikiki hotels, it gets super crowded.

A hidden gem we found is the Hawaiian Railway Society where you ride a dumpy little historical train along the coast. We had a blast. But again, this isn't an elegant or elevated experience, you have to embrace it for what it is.

How old are your children ? My daughter is 5 and I’d love to hike but she gets bored easily with hiking

 

[WinterSolider]

Thank you . I was thinking of using uber but your itenarsry seems like it would require a car . Do you think it’s worth it to rent ?

You absolutely need a car.

How old are your children ? My daughter is 5 and I’d love to hike but she gets bored easily with hiking

10, 7, and 4. I think it would be hard with just a 5 year old. My kids do very well but it's mostly because they entertain each other by turning the hike into an adventure game. I think the average five year old could definitely handle Diamond Head, as it's very short.

 

[abdgeek]

Thank you . I was thinking of using uber but your itenarsry seems like it would require a car . Do you think it’s worth it to rent ?

You should definitely rent a car. Aulani is in Ko Olina and you will find it challenging to get an Uber there. While you may be able to get an Uber around Waikiki, getting one to some of the sites from there will be very expensive. Hawaii is one of the areas I don’t ever rely on getting an Uber to get around. If renting a car, make your reservation well in advance because they do sell out. Aulani has a car rental place on site. I normally rent from them and only for the days I know I’ll be leaving the resort to sightsee. Here’s the link to the Aulani page which lists shuttle options. I normally pay for the Hele Hele Shuttle to/from the airport and do my sightseeing on consecutive days to minimize the amount of time I have the car and don’t use it. Unless your reservation qualifies for free parking, self parking is $40 a day at Aulani.

 

[OKW Lover]

You should definitely rent a car. Aulani is in Ko Olina and you will find it challenging to get an Uber there.

We've always found it easy to get an Uber there. There are so many other resorts in the area that the drivers know there is a demand for their service.

 

[MsChristy12]

I also recommend you renting a car.

If your daughter is okay with longer car ride, drive over to the east side of Oahu and perhaps visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, Byodo-In Temple and the Macadamia nut farm. For the Polynesian Cultural Center, it's not required to do the luau to be on site or pay admission to visit, unless you want to see all the island villages (we didn't do it so not sure how it is or how long it takes). We really do enjoy the drive on that side of the island. You get see more of the real Hawaii, more country, it's refreshing from Honolulu. On your way back, maybe stop at Kaneohe and grab some local food for dinner. It's not a short drive, but worth it IMO.

 

[WillGan]

Hello i am starting to plan my October Aulani trip. I will be going with my daughter who is 5 year old and my wife. I wanted to get the communities feedback. TI have left two days blank for now becasue I am unsure. If anyone has any must see things , or eat restuarants that might be convenient to add i would apprecaite all the help i can get. Thanks to everyone in advance.

Day 1: Arrival:
Low key , pool , beach day. Relaxing and getting settled.
Day 2: Explore Hononlulu
We like cities so go to the middle of the city ( I think Moana Center is where the internet says to start). Walk around get lunch, go to a beach , etc.
Day 3: Resort Day:
Character Breakfast, resort acitvites. Aulani Luaua
Day 4: Pearl Harbor
Leave to go visit pearl harbor in the morning. Would like some input on here on what could be a additional activity while we are already off the resort?
Day 5: Resort Day
Another casual resort day
Day 6: ??
Day 7 : ???

Tie in Pearl Harbor with Aloha Stadium Swap Meet. It’s on Wed/Sat/Sun.

 

[WillGan]

Hello i am starting to plan my October Aulani trip. I will be going with my daughter who is 5 year old and my wife. I wanted to get the communities feedback. TI have left two days blank for now becasue I am unsure. If anyone has any must see things , or eat restuarants that might be convenient to add i would apprecaite all the help i can get. Thanks to everyone in advance.

Day 1: Arrival:
Low key , pool , beach day. Relaxing and getting settled.
Day 2: Explore Hononlulu
We like cities so go to the middle of the city ( I think Moana Center is where the internet says to start). Walk around get lunch, go to a beach , etc.
Day 3: Resort Day:
Character Breakfast, resort acitvites. Aulani Luaua
Day 4: Pearl Harbor
Leave to go visit pearl harbor in the morning. Would like some input on here on what could be a additional activity while we are already off the resort?
Day 5: Resort Day
Another casual resort day
Day 6: ??
Day 7 : ???

Visit Kailua town and enjoy the beaches out there. That’s a day.

Visit Haleiwa town and enjoy the sights of the North Shore. If the water is still mellow (surf pumps in winter), enjoy some water therapy at Haleiwa Beach or one of the spots around there. That could be anywhere from half a day to a full day if you want to include more activities like the poly cultural center or Kualoa Ranch.

 

[WillGan]

Hello i am starting to plan my October Aulani trip. I will be going with my daughter who is 5 year old and my wife. I wanted to get the communities feedback. TI have left two days blank for now becasue I am unsure. If anyone has any must see things , or eat restuarants that might be convenient to add i would apprecaite all the help i can get. Thanks to everyone in advance.

Day 1: Arrival:
Low key , pool , beach day. Relaxing and getting settled.
Day 2: Explore Hononlulu
We like cities so go to the middle of the city ( I think Moana Center is where the internet says to start). Walk around get lunch, go to a beach , etc.
Day 3: Resort Day:
Character Breakfast, resort acitvites. Aulani Luaua
Day 4: Pearl Harbor
Leave to go visit pearl harbor in the morning. Would like some input on here on what could be a additional activity while we are already off the resort?
Day 5: Resort Day
Another casual resort day
Day 6: ??
Day 7 : ???

Saw other posts who shared their itenerary. Best tip I can give, always try to tie in your Pearl Harbor visit with the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet. If your schedule allows, you knock out two major tourist attractions in a 4-5 hour span. The ASSS is open on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday from 8-3.

 

[WinterSolider]

Tie in Pearl Harbor with Aloha Stadium Swap Meet. It’s on Wed/Sat/Sun.

We got to Pearl Harbor before it opened and we ran out of time to see everything before it closed.

If you just want to visit the Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor can be quick. But if you want to do the ships and museums, it's a full day by itself.