What to do in Oahu the day before checking in to Aulani?

[4DisneyAddicts]

We (myself, DH, and three boys 9-16) are flying in to Honolulu the afternoon before our Aulani check in day.
Need advice on the following:

Reasonably priced hotel to stay in (must be clean)

I am renting a car at the airport for our entire stay, so we will have a car.
I was thinking we would get our food shopping done the next morning before heading to Aulani. Assuming our room won't be ready, will they be able to hold our food in a refrigerated area until we can get to the room?

Will we be able to use the pool area and parking if we arrive the morning of our reservation?

Is there anything in the Honolulu area that we could do before going to Aulani, saving us a trip back to Honolulu while we are staying at the resort? We want to do Pearl Harbor, but we will most likely wait until the rest of our party joins us and do it later in the week.

 

[Girimama33]

Most hotels are in the $250 + range in Waikiki for clean and decent...that is probably where I would go. The Outrigger Beach or Reef are good options. I also like the Hilton on Kuhio. It would be a good time to explore the area. I personally love Waikiki. You can go to the zoo or aquarium, eat at Duke's and have a Mai Tai at the Halekulani Hotel.

You can arrive prior to check in time in order to enjoy the pools and amenities. We have a casabella booked for our check in day next month and I have to claim it by 9 am.
They will also hold and refrigerate groceries for you.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

You can arrive prior to check in time in order to enjoy the pools and amenities. We have a casabella booked for our check in day next month and I have to claim it by 9 am.

Slightly off topic - do you have to claim your casabella by 9am? We've booked one for most days of our stay, just so we don't have to rush down to the pool each morning to get our spot. I know they are available from 9am, but can we not just get there when we choose?

On topic - we have opted to stay at the Outrigger Waikiki before Aulani, so that we are close by to diamond head to hike the volcano early morning, and we opted for outrigger to sample Dukes - I've heard some great things about the food/views there and that is in the Outrigger hotel, so it seemed ideal

 

[cedricandsophie]

It's an easy drive to go up to diamond head or around t the north shore before headng to Aulani. Just look at a map. Eat at a shrimp truck along the way for lunch. Or stop at Waimea falls and take a hike. You can even swim there too. I'm sure you can use the pool and facilities once you check in at aulani even if room is not ready.

 

[minnie10]

We are also arriving a day early. I have booked the Illima Hotel ( I understand not great nor fancy, but clean and good location according to Trip Advisor.) I was able to book for $130 total. Since we will only be here for a short amount of time, I feel it should be fine. Also, free parking. We plan to awake at 6 A.M. ( coming from southeast) and grab breakfast and then my two teens want to surf Waikiki beach. We did this 3 years ago and had a great time. We figure if we hit the beach by 8 and surf for an hour or so, we should still have plenty of time to shower and check out on time. We are then heading for Aloha Stadium for the swap meet as this will be on a Saturday and one of the days this is open. Then we will head towards Aulani. We will wait on groceries until we go out for dinner back an exit from Aulani.

 

[Girimama33]

Slightly off topic - do you have to claim your casabella by 9am? We've booked one for most days of our stay, just so we don't have to rush down to the pool each morning to get our spot. I know they are available from 9am, but can we not just get there when we choose?

I imagine the casabellas have a window like the cabanas and executive lanai. There was an hour window (starting at 9) you had to check in and pay for it by before it was forfeited to someone else.

 

[4DisneyAddicts]

Thanks everyone!

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

We are going to hike Diamond Head in the morning before we head over to Aulani. It's much closer to Waikiki.

 

[amystevekai&bump]

I imagine the casabellas have a window like the cabanas and executive lanai. There was an hour window (starting at 9) you had to check in and pay for it by before it was forfeited to someone else.

Thank you that's helpful to know

 

[Anal Annie]

Another vote for the Outrigger Waikiki. Great location right on the beach and Duke's right downstairs for dinner!! Can't go wrong for moderately priced digs for 1 night (tho they will charge you for parking). We have also stayed at the Outrigger Reef before too. It's OK as well but the Waikiki is just a notch nicer...

 

[DisneyFave]

Another vote for Outrigger Reef! Loved that place. I'd drive to Lanikai Beach -- muuuuch less crowded than Waikiki, which I thought was overrun with tourists and not relaxing. The towns of Lanikai and Kailua are soooo quiant and adorable, and the water on those beaches has an amazing turquoise color. Would be a good first-day excursion if you're too tired to drive all the way to the North Shore.

 

[alohamom]

Not sure when you are looking to stay in Waikiki but I am on the Outrigger mailing list and I got this today (feb 11)
http://www.outrigger.com/specials/w...epage_tile_right0-waikiki_72_hr_sale-20150210
Waikiki 72-hour Sale. Up to 65% Off.
Book by February 13. Travel March 1 - June 20, 2015

I think the location of Outrigger Waikiki Beach hotel is awesome and the Outrigger Reef id good too (beach isnt quite as nice there but still ok) There are no resort fees either which are any where between 20-35 a night elsewhere.

 

[lucy0558]

We are arriving the afternoon before also. I've been wary of booking tours or sight seeing the next morning with our luggage in our vehicles based upon the many warnings of leaving valuables (luggage) in them. Am I being overly cautious?

 

[JoeA]

We are arriving the afternoon before also. I've been wary of booking tours or sight seeing the next morning with our luggage in our vehicles based upon the many warnings of leaving valuables (luggage) in them. Am I being overly cautious?

Never leave valuables in your car. If nothing else leave them at the hotel and pick them up before heading gonext resort.

 

[Dean]

You'll be tired after your trip and valet parking is usually required and expensive in Waikiki. Personally I'd just get one of the hotels close to the airport and get up early then go exploring with whatever you decide. I'm pretty sure most of those have a free shuttle so you could even wait and pick up the car the next morning if you wanted. With the time change you'll likely but up EARLY anyway. I'd second the recommendations about vehicle safety. Sometimes the rental companies recommend you leave the car unlocked and the window's down to be clear there's nothing there. That way you don't get a broken window. I wouldn't get too ambitious trying to get much done that day, esp if you don't have previous HI experience. Maybe just drive into Waikiki down Ala Moana (if you don't stay there) or just go out exploring the Waikiki area if you do stay there. Regardless I wouldn't try to do more than one thing that morning before heading to Ko'Olina. Sometimes just getting a few miles can take hours on Oahu in the busier areas if you pick the wrong time and day.

 

[lucy0558]

Thanks for the feedback! We may just enjoy some scenery and take in the Round Top Drive before heading to Aulani. Can't wait

 

[hopeful4fl]

Guys,
From your posts it would seem Oahu has a crime problem. Should I be concerned beyond just car thefts?

 

[Dean]

Guys,
From your posts it would seem Oahu has a crime problem. Should I be concerned beyond just car thefts?

Not really any more than most similar places, just use common sense and precautions that are appropriate everywhere. The smash and grab has been very high historically at places like the beach parks.

 

[sharona]

Another vote for Outrigger WaikikI, one of the few where you can reserve a room with 2 beds and a sleep sofa. You'll be right on a safe beach for the kids to swim and there are plenty of places to eat nearby or in the hotel itself.