Trip Report: First Timer at Aulani

[jtba]

No, we didn't check in online, just went the kiosk, and it asks you to scan your driver's license. It was actually a pretty clever machine, since the reservation was in my name, but it managed to figure out that he was with me and use that reservation (maybe same last name, address?). The computer asks a ton of questions about adding on various insurances (be prepared to have to go through many screens), but then just prints out the rental agreement, and then you walk out to the lot and pick a car. You barely talk to anyone if you don't want to.

thank you. that's very helpful!

 

[wfgamble]

Slightly off the resort, we walked down to Paradise Cove Beach. To get there you have to go out the front of the resort, the same way you go to the ABC store. Then you keep walking until you reach the parking lot before the Luau site. There is a small sandy path public access that leads to the cove. This little beach and cove were so fun. There was a mother/child pair of seas turtles there when we were there and we snorkeled with them. View attachment 159739

Great report! Where did you get your snorkel equipment? Thanks!

 

[DCPhotoGal]

Great report! Where did you get your snorkel equipment? Thanks!

Good question. We carried ours from home. They also sell it at the ABC store right there in Ko Olina, or the next town over has stores like Walmart where you could pick some up.

 

[SplashMom]

Thanks for the report! We are going in early May so lots of good information!

 

[wfgamble]

Good question. We carried ours from home. They also sell it at the ABC store right there in Ko Olina, or the next town over has stores like Walmart where you could pick some up.

Thanks! We have snorkel equipment at home as well but we will just have to see if it will fit in our bags

 

[wfgamble]

Ok, and one other question---your Alamo information was very helpful. We always drive to WDW so I have practically zero experience with car rental. How would I go about finding the best price, discount and deals on rental cars for our 9 day stay? Do you have any tips?

Thanks so much!

 

[Murron]

We are considering a 2018 trip. We love to beach walk, but I gather from all the above that there really is no beach walking? I so love walking literally miles on Vero Beach Fla. The picture seems to show a small lagoon about 1/4 mile?

 

[DCPhotoGal]

Ok, and one other question---your Alamo information was very helpful. We always drive to WDW so I have practically zero experience with car rental. How would I go about finding the best price, discount and deals on rental cars for our 9 day stay? Do you have any tips?

Thanks so much!

Alamo appears to have an agreement with Aulani so you can book your car rental with your hotel. They also have an Alamo location right at Aulani. So I think that's why my travel agent went with them. I'm sure you can find better deals if you shop for them. I usually don't rent cars either as we do a lot of Adventures by Disney where all transportation is included, or WDW with the Magical Express.

 

[DCPhotoGal]

We are considering a 2018 trip. We love to beach walk, but I gather from all the above that there really is no beach walking? I so love walking literally miles on Vero Beach Fla. The picture seems to show a small lagoon about 1/4 mile?

Ko Olina is the resort area where Aulani and a couple other resorts are located. There are 4 lagoons in that area, and there is a wide cement sidewalk that you can walk from Aulani past the other 3 lagoons to the marina at the end. It's a nice view, but not a beach walk in that it's not sandy. The waterfront is mostly rock except in the lagoons, and you can climb along the rocks, but apparently going that way is not only risky from a safety standpoint, the concierge at the hotel said that some is considered private property and would be trespassing. My husband and I climbed out on the rocks a little on the Four Seasons Side. It was really hard to climb and I would definitely recommend good waterproof footwear if you go. I went in flip flops and it was not a good choice

 

[DCPhotoGal]

Thanks! We have snorkel equipment at home as well but we will just have to see if it will fit in our bags

Yes, fitting it in our bags was an issue. I would recommend just bringing the mask/snorkel and leaving the fins. We never used the fins we brought in the lagoon, and I suspect if we had gone out on a boat they would probably provide them.

 

[cmph]

Thanks for posting this! Everyone keeps talking about Roy's for grown-up only dinners, so that had been off our list, but now you have me re-thinking that! My just barely-11yo will be in that awkward Disney-adult age group too. And there has been a lot of negative talk about the rental car shuttle situation, which made me nervous about our May Alamo rental booking. Glad to know that shouldn't be an issue. FYI to those wondering - I price-compared Costco, Aulani's Alamo desk, my travel agent's best rates, etc, and by far http://discounthawaiicarrental.com/ had the best rates. I reserved an SUV for 8 days for $330 w/Alamo via that site. no money upfront whatsoever, so you can cancel if you find something else better. Others had mentioned it on this forum, and I'm glad I looked. My agent could get someone to match that rate... for a teensy car only. So I'm sticking with that. I purposely chose Alamo b/c I figured if there is an issue with the car at some point mid-trip, I can just go to their desk at Aulani.

How much did your girls hate Aunty's? I know the 11yo isn't going to be super-thrilled, but she'll give it a try for the pre-reg activities with her 7yo brother.

 

[DCPhotoGal]

How much did your girls hate Aunty's? I know the 11yo isn't going to be super-thrilled, but she'll give it a try for the pre-reg activities with her 7yo brother.

They didn't hate Aunty's but when the weather is nice and they have a great pool right at the hotel, it's hard to justify putting them inside doing crafts. They did enjoy the pre-teen activity they went to. But otherwise they were old enough just to play on their own at the pool, so we let them wander around the resort on their own and didn't really need Aunty's to occupy them.

 

[BCV23]

Thank you for taking the time to write such a thorough review. What did the adults enjoy at Roy's? Did you notice an early bird dinner menu there? Many years ago when we were at the Marriott before Aulani was built, I think something like that was offered although we never made it there.

 

[DCPhotoGal]

Thank you for taking the time to write such a thorough review. What did the adults enjoy at Roy's? Did you notice an early bird dinner menu there? Many years ago when we were at the Marriott before Aulani was built, I think something like that was offered although we never made it there.

I had the “Classic Duet”| Roy’s Classic Macadamia Nut Crusted Mekajiki & Misoyaki Marinated Butterfish. My husband had the Trio of Treasures. I think there was a happy hour menu, but our reservation was for later. We made a reservation on Open Table just a little while before heading over. We also used Open Table for a Monkeypod reservation.

 

[micminmom]

Anyone else have experience with letting young teen/pre-teens have a little freedom at Aulani?

They didn't hate Aunty's but when the weather is nice and they have a great pool right at the hotel, it's hard to justify putting them inside doing crafts. They did enjoy the pre-teen activity they went to. But otherwise they were old enough just to play on their own at the pool, so we let them wander around the resort on their own and didn't really need Aunty's to occupy them.

 

[DCPhotoGal]

Anyone else have experience with letting young teen/pre-teens have a little freedom at Aulani?

I will add that both of my girls are competitive swimmers so they have a lot of confidence in the water. Plus they have each other so they weren't alone. I believe the pool rules stated that kids under the age of 12 needed to be supervised in the water.

 

[Gorechick]

I will add that both of my girls are competitive swimmers so they have a lot of confidence in the water. Plus they have each other so they weren't alone. I believe the pool rules stated that kids under the age of 12 needed to be supervised in the water.

I let DD10 occasionally go in the main pool, Menehune bridge area, lazy river, water slide, and walk around the area alone while I was at my chair or getting food, etc... She's an ok swimmer and knew to stay near shallow waters. DH and I were nearby but didn't sit and watch her the whole time. She often found friends in the pool to talk and play with.

 

[DISFANSHAN]

Loved your report! We are going to Aulani at the end of July. We plan on doing a Pearl Harbor/Swap Meet morning as well. Can you tell me how much time you spent at Pearl Harbor, and when you arrived at the Swap Meet, was everything still open? I've read that some of the vendors at the Swap Meet close up in the early afternoon and although I wouldn't want to cut my Pearl Harbor touring time short, I don't want to arrive at the Swap Meet too late either.
Thanks!

 

[mathgeek]

Pearl Harbor/Swap Meet
I took the advice of many previous posters and planned my trip to Honolulu on a weekend to avoid traffic. I booked my Pearl Harbor "free" tickets online the day they opened up and got 9am tickets. One thing I didn't realize is that you need to arrive and claim your tickets 1 hours before that. So we needed to leave Aulani by 7:20 for the 9am tour. It ended up working out well because we got an early start before it was too hot and arrived by 8am to see the flag-raising ceremony. In the hour before our tour we walked around the museum and the grounds. There is plenty to read. Then the tour starts with a movie that gives background on Pearl Harbor with actual video footage from the event. My girls are 10 and 12, and I don't think this tour is something I would take much younger children on. It is definitely something that is meant to be taken with respect and solemnly, and I think younger kids may now understand that. Then there is a short boat ride over to the Arizona Memorial. Of note, no purses are allowed. I had a clear waterproof iphone case with a strap that I was able to fit my cash and ID in and used that.

How was the 9 am time for the tour? I'm planning on booking my ticket in advance, and that's what time I think I'd like to get. Any earlier and I'm getting up way too early for vacation, and I still want to be able to have time later in the day to do other things. And how was it on the weekend? Right now I'm looking at going on a Sunday, but I've read to avoid it on weekends, where you had apparently read otherwise.

 

[BCV23]

Thanks for your reply. Your entree sounds very good.