WDW, DLC and Hawaii

[writersblock]

Trying to figure out the best variation of a trip. We definitely want Hawaii (either land or inter-island cruise) along with a couple of nights at Aulani. Not all travellers are coming from the same location (and I’m from the U.K.) so we are trying to figure out the ideal trip. Has anyone combined WDW (not DLC) with Hawaii? How do you find it?

At the moment we can either all fly into CA and do DLC then fly to Hawaii (and back at the end). But there’s also the potential to fly into Orlando first, do WDW for a week, then fly to CA and do DLC for three days then do Hawaii. Is it reasonable or would this be daft?

Also, which would be the best airport for DLC? Does it change things if I’m international from London?

Thanks in advance!

 

[jdb in AZ]

The John Wayne airport in Orange County (code name SNA) is closest to Disneyland, small and convenient, but most international flights to southern California use LAX.

The only cruise line that does inter-island Hawaii without beginning or ending on the mainland is NCL-Hawaii and they're more of a floating hotel with poor food and worse service than you'd find at a nice resort. We've cruised Hawaii with NCL-Hawaii, and from the mainland on a Disney Cruise, and there's no comparison. If you opt for a land trip, Kauai and Maui are my favorite islands, but you'd need to include Oahu if you want to visit Aulani.

Flying from WDW to Hawaii is 14-18 hours, depending on layovers. I would "have" to get off the plane in Los Angeles and visit Disneyland just to break up the boredom of the flights, especially when you've already flown all the way from London.

 

[Kerrijo]

We've done Hawaii (Maui, then Oahu/Aulani) followed by WDW and would definitely do that again. I could also see us starting with DCL, then HI and finishing WDW. Travel for us typically originates from midwest.

 

[MartyParty]

Trying to figure out the best variation of a trip. We definitely want Hawaii (either land or inter-island cruise) along with a couple of nights at Aulani. Not all travellers are coming from the same location (and I’m from the U.K.) so we are trying to figure out the ideal trip. Has anyone combined WDW (not DLC) with Hawaii? How do you find it?

At the moment we can either all fly into CA and do DLC then fly to Hawaii (and back at the end). But there’s also the potential to fly into Orlando first, do WDW for a week, then fly to CA and do DLC for three days then do Hawaii. Is it reasonable or would this be daft?

Also, which would be the best airport for DLC? Does it change things if I’m international from London?

Thanks in advance!

Wowzer. We've been to all three WDW, DL, and Aulani locations but not all in one trip.

Flights

• I did a quick look, and there are direct flights from London to Los Angeles.
• Also, direct flights from Honolulu to Orlando.
• Prices surpassingly reasonable (less than $1k). Might be because the flight times being longer

I'd have to think through adjusting to different time zones along the way, but if it were me, I think I might get to the middle and start at DL/DCA. Direct flight to LA, direct flight to Honolulu, and direct flight to Orlando. Try and limit airport layovers and connecting flights. Should be plenty of flight choices from Orlando back to the UK. Not sure where your other party is flying from, so that might not work for them.

This also breaks up the constant park to park monotony. Park DL/DCA - Nature Hawaii - Park WDW

Park Time vs HawaiianTime
7 WDW + 3 DL/DCA = 10 days park time
#? days Hawaii

If you've not been to Hawaii, you could easily spend many days there. We've stayed on land and not on a cruise. For us personally I think we'd enjoy being on land and experiencing the local culture, food, and ease of just relaxing.

We love the parks but if I had to skew between parks and time in Hawaii, I'd choose more time in Hawaii.

Good luck with this. Not sure I've shared any enlightenment but maybe it helps. Let us know what you decide. Curious to see how your big adventure comes together.

 

[jimmymc]

It's certainly possible to visit WDW and Hawaii on the same trip if you have the time. Coming from the UK, going to Florida first would help with the time change. Getting from one to the other will take up an entire day, and I don't think there are any direct flights.