TRIP ITINERARY

[Misty341]

This is my first time posting here, I have been planning my family's first trip to Hawaii for the last couple of months. This is a surprise trip for my boyfriend for is 30th birthday and our 6 year old son, we will be there from April 11th to April 21st.

Any feedback is much appreciated

Day 1
We arrive in Honolulu 2:44pm, we will be staying at Waikiki Park Heights April 11-15
*figure we will grocery shop and relax the remainder of the day

Day 2
Moke's Brad & Breakfast for breakfast

Then explore Sandy Beach, Hanauma Bay, Halona Blowhole & Manoa Falls

Dinner Nico Pier 38

Day 3
Diamond Head early AM

Reservations The Pig & The Lady for 11:00

Pearl Harbor 2:00

Day 4
Day tour to the Big Island (Discover Hawaii Tours)

Day 5
Check out of Waikiki Park and head to Aulani
Relax and explore the resort

Day 6
Head to Hawaii Shark encounter for 8:30 (Haleiwa)
Kono's for lunch
Explore Waimea Bay/Falls Shark Cove & Sunset Beach

Day 7
Kualoa Ranch (ATV & Jungle Tour)
Lunch Try to find a good food truck
Dinner Reservation Roy's 5:00

Day 8
Helicopter Tour (Blue Hawaiian) 9:45
Lunch Tasty Shack
Paradise Cove Luau

Day 9
Resort Day
Spa 11:30
Aunty's for the little Chip & Dales Surf's Up
Dinner: I have narrowed it doe to three options for dinner for the boyfriend and I
-Longhi's KO Olina
-Fish House
-NOE

Day 10
Free Day
Lunch Mokeypod

Day 11

Last day (Resort Day)
Fly out at 9:52 pm

 

[Elima2015]

Your trip sounds like a blast! What an awesome surprise!

My only thought in reading the itinerary is it is a busy trip with a fair amount of driving around the island. Which is totally fine if that fits the way you and your family enjoy your vacations. My kids would revolt being on-the-go and in the car nearly every day so we would need to plan more days with zero scheduled activities other than playing at the pool/beach at the resort (and maybe an Auntie's activity).

 

[Amw1064]

I think you need more Aulani time or free days. That is alot packed in and 10 days will fly by.

 

[DisneyWorldbuff]

I agree, it's too fun to spend the day at Aulani. We had to drag ourselves away from the pool and lagoon when it started getting dark. Plan a few resort days, you won't regret it!

 

[PattiPB]

I'm going for the same amount of time, but am not planning as many excursions as you are. We're hoping to enjoy the amenities at Aulani, too.

No matter what, it'll be awesome!

 

[Misty341]

I wish my family loved to just chill out and relax but the six year is one of those that gets bored extremely easy so we are always on the go lol.

 

[cgattis]

We haven't been, but I thought I understood from reading here that if your child is at Aulani, they want you on property (or like right across the street). That could be incorrect OR those places could be that close...just offering that up. I'm sure others here can give you better info!

 

[happymommy]

I'm not sure you will make it to Pearl Harbor at 2:00 after hiking Diamond Head. Do you have tickets ahead of time?

We usually do Pearl Harbor very early in the morning, then the flea market for an hour or so, then lunch on the way back. Or Pearl Harbor then lunch - the kids loved the submarine tour ahead of time too.

Day 2, Hanauma Bay and Kailua Beach are on opposite sides of the island (I used to live in Kailua), so that is a lot of driving (leaving little time to stop and enjoy). I would rather just do Hanauma Bay for snorkeling, then "maybe" Kailua Beach.

 

[Misty341]

I'm not sure you will make it to Pearl Harbor at 2:00 after hiking Diamond Head. Do you have tickets ahead of time?

We usually do Pearl Harbor very early in the morning, then the flea market for an hour or so, then lunch on the way back. Or Pearl Harbor then lunch - the kids loved the submarine tour ahead of time too.

Day 2, Hanauma Bay and Kailua Beach are on opposite sides of the island (I used to live in Kailua), so that is a lot of driving (leaving little time to stop and enjoy). I would rather just do Hanauma Bay for snorkeling, then "maybe" Kailua Beach.

Thanks for the info I will take out Kailua beach... I didn't realize it was on different sides

And yes for Pearl Harbor I got us tickets already

Is there anything I missed that is a must see? This is a once in a lifetime trip for us that is why we have so much going on... I don't want to miss anything

 

[happymommy]

Don't forget to spend time relaxing and enjoying it!

We like going to the flea market at the stadium. It's held on Wed, Sat, and Sun only. Go early - it gets quite hot. Lots of fun stuff like tee shirts, beach towels, sarongs, homemade soaps and things. Locals shop there too, not just tourists. Also good for dried fruits and nuts.

We own at the Marriott, and I've read very mixed reviews on Longhi's. It's quite pricey for what it is. That being said, we cook dinners in most nights (if we eat out, it's more often lunch or we get carry out). But we go every other year for a longer trip (usually two weeks but next summer I'm going for a month).

Roy's is good but very expensive too. I enjoyed our dinner there, but prefer casual dining.

If you like sushi, our favorite place is Sushi Bay right in Kapolei by Safeway.

 

[alldiz]

Welcome to the Dis
Sounds amazing and I give you credit for trying to see so much of beautiful Oahu...... but that sounds like way too busy of an itinerary.
Are you a WDW park "commando" ? If so it should work for you.
But Hawaii just feels like it should be more relaxing. Being how beautiful Aulani is I think more time there will be appreciated.
Happy planning.... that's half the fun
Kerri

 

[hilarys]

Sounds like a great trip. On Day 10 my suggestion would be to switch you Monkeypod lunch to a dinner - that way you can just hang out at the resort/pools without interruption. Make sure to include time to do the Menehune Adventure at the Resort - it will be great for your active 6 year old.

If you are staying in a DVC villa stop at Target or Safeway on your way up to Aulani. It is so nice to be able to have breakfast and some lunches in the villa.

 

[happymommy]

Just wanted to add: our facebook group (Marriott Ko Olina owners) has numerous negative reviews of Longhi's. I just read another one this morning, so I would urge looking elsewhere for dinner. My experience at Kolohe's has been bad each time over the years, so I won't go there either (sad that there is nothing good at my own resort, but we do cook or know good places in town to go to).

 

[Misty341]

Just wanted to add: our facebook group (Marriott Ko Olina owners) has numerous negative reviews of Longhi's. I just read another one this morning, so I would urge looking elsewhere for dinner. My experience at Kolohe's has been bad each time over the years, so I won't go there either (sad that there is nothing good at my own resort, but we do cook or know good places in town to go to).

Thank u so much for letting me know I am going cancel longhi's... any suggestions on nice experience close to the hotels besides roys

 

[nkereina]

Day 3 - Diamond Head tired us out some and we were VERY gross and sweaty when we were done. We absolutely needed to come back to the hotel and relax, shower, and change before heading out to do anything else. We could have done Pearl Harbor in the afternoon but we would not have had time for a lunch reservation in between.

Day 6 - Kono's is amazing! One of my favorite meals of our trip!

Day 7 - Will you be going to the North Shore after Kualoa Ranch? I believe that's where the food trucks are predominant. We didn't see any around the Ranch. I agree with a PP that going to Kailua after Kualoa might be a good option. I'd also suggest having the lunch buffet at the Ranch too. It was delicious! Reasonably priced. The meat is from animals raised at the Ranch, and all of it is fresh.

Day 9 - We did a 10am spa treatment to maximize our resort time. We did the hydrotherapy gardens from 9-10, our treatment from 10-11, and then we were out enjoying the pool by 11:30. Just something to keep in mind if you want to add resort time in.

 

[happymommy]

Thank u so much for letting me know I am going cancel longhi's... any suggestions on nice experience close to the hotels besides roys

For our trips, we are casual the whole time (don't dress up at all), so mostly eat out very casual (in Kailua, we love Willow Tree for Hawaiian style Korean food - my husband is Korean and we love it - very casual diner style place but very clean). We've actually gone to Outback Steakhouse once for an early dinner - it was really good and inexpensive too! I think it was right in Kapolei.

If you want a special dinner, you could see if you can get a reservation at chef Alan Wong's place. Our friends snagged one, and said it was one of the best meals they've ever had. It's on King's St. in Honolulu. http://www.alanwongs.com/alan-wong’s-honolulu

Choices for upscale places are pretty limited in Kapolei - maybe look into the Four Seasons spots? Pricey, though.

We just prefer to be super casual and I grill meals a lot. To us, that's a beach vacation!

 

[OKW Lover]

our facebook group (Marriott Ko Olina owners) has numerous negative reviews of Longhi's.

Good to know. I'm assuming that these reviews are for the location at the Marriott. We've dined at the Longhi's in Waikiki and thought it was pretty good. Not great, but certainly good.