Questions about Aulani

[Minnie824]

We're thinking of going to Aulani in March next year. Has anyone been at this time? How's the weather? Also, we'd like to do a luau and wondering if the resort has one? And tours/excursions? Anything that anyone has done here that you'd recommend? We'd like to do a dolphin swim somewhere, and I was thinking of a day trip to Maui? Thanks for any info!

 

[crostorfer]

No answers, but I'll bump for you. I keep trying to get a quote for Aulani from Dreams Unlimited, but for the past two weeks there has been a disclaimer up that they aren't accepting new reservations at the moment.

 

[SenorGreg]

We're thinking of going to Aulani in March next year. Has anyone been at this time? How's the weather? Also, we'd like to do a luau and wondering if the resort has one? And tours/excursions? Anything that anyone has done here that you'd recommend? We'd like to do a dolphin swim somewhere, and I was thinking of a day trip to Maui? Thanks for any info!

I have not been in March, but almost every time of year has had pleasant weather when I have been to Hawaii. Many resort and hotel buildings are open air, so it cannot get THAT cold.

In terms of Luau, Aulani does not offer a traditional one. They do a smaller show at the resort, but my understanding was that it is not a luau. That said, not far away at all is Paradise Cove Luau, you may even be able to walk it.

Hope that helps.

Greg

 

[1EvilQueenfan]

Aulani does a night show called starlite hui (spelling might be wrong), which isn't a luau. The Paradise Cove luau is in walking distance from Aulani, we did it last year and thought it was good. We bought the entertainment book for Hawaii and they had a coupon in it. I don't remember how much it was maybe 20% off. We did one of the upper packages where we were seated in an upper box and they brought us the food. We did Germaine's Luau a few years ago. I know Aulani has an excursion for Germaine's Luau that can be with or without transportation. Hope this helps.

Jodi

 

[Pakey]

You do not want to do a day trip to Maui. By the time you do airport security twice you've eaten up a good chunk of the day. And Maui's airport is not close to the areas you'd probably want to see so you'd have to add in all of the car travel time.

I've been to Hawaii twice in March and I have had one day of rain on each of those 2 vacations.

 

[abdgeek]

You may want to visit Aulani's website(go to activities and look at excursions and daily 'Iwa) to get an idea of all the excursions and daily activities they offer. I was there last July and only did one of the Aulani excursions(Polynesian Cultural Center) because, at the time, most required you to get to Waikiki to pick up the tour. Aulani has since gotten more tour companies to make the drive to Aulani to pick up their guests for certain excursions.

As a PP said, the Paradise Cove Luau is a 10 minute walk from Aulani. The excursions page also lists Germaine's Luau and another one. Check tripadvisor reviews to see which one is best for your family. The Polynesian Cultural Center has a luau but it wasn't included in the Aulani excursion, ambassador dining(prime rib buffet) was. However, some people changed their dining once they got to PCC to the luau. Aulani has the Starlit Lui which has the music but no food. Even if you go to a luau, this is something you should see also--it's free and it's good.

I rented a car at Aulani for three days and did the following things on my own: Pearl Harbor, Bishop Museum, Honolulu Academy of the Arts, 'Iolani Palace, and Diamond Head. I did PCC with Aulani and was glad I did because we were gone for about 12 hours. The Ha, Breath of Life show is great! PCC is an hour away and we made quick stops at the North Shore and Dole Plantation on our way there. I wasn't impressed with Dole and was glad I hadn't put it on my itinerary!

There's a lot to do on Oahu and you won't be able to do it all in one trip. Pick your must haves and plan on coming back.

 

[parrotheadlois]

We're going in March - this March!

My sister went to Hawaii last March - they island hopped and it rained almost every day. I figure that just can't happen two years in a row!

We'll be able to answer your questions when we get back!
We're staying on points - 8 nights in a studio (ocean view), last 3 nights are in a 1BR (standard view).
We're renting a car - got a good price using Costco travel ($225 for the entire trip for a Ford Escape (or similar)
We're planning on NOT dining at Aulani (due to not so good food reports), we'll put that car to good use.
We're still trying to decide which luau - they all seem to have plus and minuses.
Maybe we should do PCC like abdgeek did (through Aulani).
We also want to go to the North Shore (and find one of the food trucks).
We have an Entertainment book with a coupon for at least one of them

Good questions for March - I'll be looking forward to the answers!

 

[Anal Annie]

We're thinking of going to Aulani in March next year. Has anyone been at this time? How's the weather? Also, we'd like to do a luau and wondering if the resort has one? And tours/excursions? Anything that anyone has done here that you'd recommend? We'd like to do a dolphin swim somewhere, and I was thinking of a day trip to Maui? Thanks for any info!

I have been to Hawaii 4 times and have my 5th trip planned for this coming August. We are spending 7 nights at Aulani and 3 nights on Maui. Personally we really enjoy Maui the most of all the islands and feel it's much too far to go (and too expensive to GET THERE) to not island hop...but having done both day trips and true island hopping where we stay on multiple islands I would highly recommend trying to add a few nights on Maui rather than just a day trip if you can. Each island has its own personality and has a lot to offer. As another poster mentioned, you CAN eat up a lot of time just going to / from so if you DO decide to only do a "day trip" then be sure to go early and stay until evening so you can have a full day on the island.

We always do our luau's on Maui...the Polynesian Cultural Center (PCC) mentioned by some other posters is a full day excursion on the other side of the island. I went once, on my first trip to Hawaii and had no desire to ever go again (it was easily a 10 or 12 hour day). It is operated by the Church of Latter Day Saints and offers no alcohol. So while they DO have a very nice Polynesian show at the end of the night it is not a luau in a traditional sense if that's what you're hoping for...

March should be a good time to catch some whale watching excursions as the whales migrate back to Alaska in the late winter / spring.