Questions for first time visit to Aulani

[ehrawn]

The commissary is the cheapest place to shop on island, but Target is pretty comparable with some of the necessities. If you have base access, I would go to the NEX in Pearl Harbor as it should be closest to the resort.

Not true in all cases. We've found Costco prices to be comparable to the commissaries for many items and, in most cases, to have better quality fresh produce. Depending on the quantities your family will eat and how long your stay is, Costco may be the better choice. Obviously, you aren't going to want to buy double jumbo pack of mustard, but we tend to only stock up on staples while we are on vacation so Costco usually is the best choice for us; things like yogurt and fresh fruit. Also, Schofield's Commissary is a few miles closer to the resort, not that it matters since Costco is less than 4 miles away.

 

[mrswillson]

Not true in all cases. We've found Costco prices to be comparable to the commissaries for many items and, in most cases, to have better quality fresh produce. Depending on the quantities your family will eat and how long your stay is, Costco may be the better choice. Obviously, you aren't going to want to buy double jumbo pack of mustard, but we tend to only stock up on staples while we are on vacation so Costco usually is the best choice for us; things like yogurt and fresh fruit. Also, Schofield's Commissary is a few miles closer to the resort, not that it matters since Costco is less than 4 miles away.

Absolutely, I agree. Costco would be the cheapest option however as a young married couple that doesn't have a membership (or for others who don't) the commissary would be the next best option (if you have a military ID/base access). Otherwise Target's prices are comparable, however everything is considerably higher than the mainland.

 

[MouseOfCards]

I just came back from Aulani.
1) No free airport shuttle except with certain cash package deals.
2) We rented a car for shopping and going off property for some sightseeing.Self parking is free for DVC members staying on points. Valet parking is charged for all guests. The only exception is DVC members staying on points who have a valid Handicapped parking permit. If you rent a car ask at the valet fro directions. They have preprinted cards with directions to nearly everywhere as well as return directions!
3) We shopped at Foodland in Kapolei based on recommendations from some of the CMs. If you give the cashier a 10 digit phone number (no they will not call or text you) you get the Maikai/sale prices. We found their sale prices to be pretty good. A 2 liter bottle of Hawaiian Spring water was $ .99 vs $1.99 elsewhere. And a rotisserie chicken was $6.99 comparable to home with the Maikai discount. We saw a loaf of Arnold's Oat Bran bread for $7.69 at the ABC store which was $5.49 at Foodland and $4.50 at home.
4) No kids here but we were able to reserve some activities the same day-tours of Aulani and a Sunset Photography class. Uncle's Storytelling was not crowded and seats were easy to get. You do need reservations for the character meals and Ama' Ama.
5) The Daily 'Iwa is available at the front desk, concierge desk, tour desk and DVC Preview Center among other places between 5:00 and 7:00 each evening for the next day. Pick it up in the evening and see what is scheduled for the next day. Many of the CMs know what days certain activities are usually scheduled. Ask at Aunty's Beach House, The Pau Hana Room or Guest Services. The activities are divided into Families, Kids and Tweens. Any activities with an * have an additional charge.
6) Additonal activities not to be missed. The Valor in the Pacific National Monument with the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial. You can make your reservations on line at recreation.gov. Just search for USS Arizona. There is a $1.50 per ticket online fee. Get the audio tour for $7.50. It makes the entire experience worth it. You can listen to the audio tour in any order. They give you a map with the stops and there are reminder markers at each stop so you know what portion you will be setting the player for. We went on a Sunday with an 8:00 tour time. It did get more crowded later but there is much less traffic on the weekends. We also met 2 Pearl Harbor Survivors at the gift shop. They each had a short bio that they gave out and allowed us to take pictures with them. They also were eager to answer questions and especially talk to kids. If your kids have history classes or projects that involve WW 2 this would be a great opportunity for them.
You will be there after the formal 75th Anniversary Commemoration so there may not be huge crowds. Get an early ticket time because the shuttle boats to the USS Arizona are run by the Navy and if they decide that it is too windy, which can happen especially later in the day, the Navy will stop the boats for safety reasons. There is so much more to do at the visitors center than just the movie and visit to the USS Arizona. You can also get tickets to visit the USS Bowfin, a submarine and the USS Missouri, the ship where Japan signed the surrender. You must be bussed to teh USS Missouri from the visitors center. And the audio tour has not only a narration but recollections from survivors oth military and civilian in their own words.
As for prices in general we saw 'meal deals at Burger King for $10.50 and up. The same meals at home run $6.50-$8.00. If you want to eat or shop at local places ask the CMs. They live there. Most of them grew up in the area and know where to go to eat or shop. That is how we found Foodland and several local eateries serving Hawaiian food.

Thanks for the info, especially the specific prices!

 

[JulieNMM]

Hi everyone, we will be going to Hawaii for the first time in July with my DD (15yo)'s dance group. We are scheduled for a 4-day tour that includes things like a luau, Dole plantation visit, Pearl Harbor visit, Polynesian Culture Center visit. We will be staying at a Holiday Inn, I think, in Honolulu. My question is: Should we plan to stay a few days at Aulani afterward? I'm thinking that the dance tour will not have a lot of down time or time for sightseeing or going to the beach. I think that if you are going to Hawaii, you need to go the beach, right? How many days would you suggest? And once we're at Aulani, what is there to do there? Is it mostly just relaxing by the pools and beaches and then eating, and maybe having a spa treatment?

Thanks in advance for your insight!

 

[Elima2015]

Hi everyone, we will be going to Hawaii for the first time in July with my DD (15yo)'s dance group. We are scheduled for a 4-day tour that includes things like a luau, Dole plantation visit, Pearl Harbor visit, Polynesian Culture Center visit. We will be staying at a Holiday Inn, I think, in Honolulu. My question is: Should we plan to stay a few days at Aulani afterward? I'm thinking that the dance tour will not have a lot of down time or time for sightseeing or going to the beach. I think that if you are going to Hawaii, you need to go the beach, right? How many days would you suggest? And once we're at Aulani, what is there to do there? Is it mostly just relaxing by the pools and beaches and then eating, and maybe having a spa treatment?

Thanks in advance for your insight!

I would definitely add on a relaxing stay! Once you've spent all the money and time to get over to HI, I'd make a family vacation out of it. I would go for an additional 4 or so nights and completely chill - lots of pool and beach time. It seems like you will have had a busy 4 days sightseeing, so I wouldn't feel like I'd need to keep going out and seeing things, though there is plenty to do in Oahu. In my opinion most of the activities at Aulani are geared toward younger children, so not sure your 15yo DD will have a ton of interest in doing much of the organized options. It is a beautiful resort though. I *think* that if we had teenagers and our plan was beach and pool for that portion of our stay, I'd probably look into renting a condo or house on the North Shore. Or, if they really thrived on activity, I'd look at Waikiki. We have very young children so Aulani is a wonderful vacation for us. So, I would definitely stay longer...whether you go to Aulani or not is up to your family's preferences.