We are going to be staying on the North Shore of Oahu over the 4th of July. I'd like to go see fireworks but I'm not willing to fight traffic and parking for the main display at Ala Moana. So I've identified two other options: (1) Picnic on the Pier at the USS Missouri, where you can see the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam fireworks, normally restricted to military families and their guests or (2) dinner at Aulani (at Makahiki, Ama Ama is already booked up) where we could then stay and see the Disney fireworks.
Pros for each:
USS Missouri - Tickets last year were just $10/pp, I would expect the same or just slightly more this year. The only other cost is the cost of the picnic food and drink we'd need to bring. So a really good deal, and it looks like it's not crazy crowded. And how often do you get the chance in life to see fireworks from a battleship???? I mean, let's just say that could be AWESOME!
Aulani - Better fireworks show: lots of variety and set to music. And DD16 really wants to see Aulani - she'd probably enjoy this activity more, and would spend less time complaining as a result (gotta love teenagers!). We would get dinner, then spend an hour or so before fireworks checking the resort out - and maybe getting an adult beverage for me
Which would also help with the teenage complaining 
Cons for each:
USS Missouri - Fireworks show looks nice, but pretty traditional without much variety and not set to music. We'd have to take a shuttle to/from the Pearl Harbor visitors center, and I'm sure there's a wait for the shuttle back after the fireworks. I would probably feel the need to get there on the earlier side (6 or 6:30) to get a good spot, so we might get bored waiting - they usually have music, you can take mini-tours of the ship, etc. but the teenage complaint factor could be a bit high during the duller moments.
Aulani - Cost would probably end up being $60-70/pp so $140 or so for the two of us. Ouch. Make that OUCH!!! I imagine it will also be lots more crowded trying to watch the fireworks. I watched a video of last years fireworks and for some reason I found the music choices to be less than inspiring.
So - what would you do? The patriot and budget hawk in me says the Missouri is best; the lazy vacationer in me says dinner at Aulani! I'm really on the fence on this one...
ETA: I know about the Turtle Bay fireworks, but for some reason they haven't sparked my interest. I think it's a crowds/parking concern again. I REALLY hate fighting for parking.
Pros for each:
USS Missouri - Tickets last year were just $10/pp, I would expect the same or just slightly more this year. The only other cost is the cost of the picnic food and drink we'd need to bring. So a really good deal, and it looks like it's not crazy crowded. And how often do you get the chance in life to see fireworks from a battleship???? I mean, let's just say that could be AWESOME!
Aulani - Better fireworks show: lots of variety and set to music. And DD16 really wants to see Aulani - she'd probably enjoy this activity more, and would spend less time complaining as a result (gotta love teenagers!). We would get dinner, then spend an hour or so before fireworks checking the resort out - and maybe getting an adult beverage for me
Which would also help with the teenage complaining Cons for each:
USS Missouri - Fireworks show looks nice, but pretty traditional without much variety and not set to music. We'd have to take a shuttle to/from the Pearl Harbor visitors center, and I'm sure there's a wait for the shuttle back after the fireworks. I would probably feel the need to get there on the earlier side (6 or 6:30) to get a good spot, so we might get bored waiting - they usually have music, you can take mini-tours of the ship, etc. but the teenage complaint factor could be a bit high during the duller moments.
Aulani - Cost would probably end up being $60-70/pp so $140 or so for the two of us. Ouch. Make that OUCH!!! I imagine it will also be lots more crowded trying to watch the fireworks. I watched a video of last years fireworks and for some reason I found the music choices to be less than inspiring.
So - what would you do? The patriot and budget hawk in me says the Missouri is best; the lazy vacationer in me says dinner at Aulani! I'm really on the fence on this one...
ETA: I know about the Turtle Bay fireworks, but for some reason they haven't sparked my interest. I think it's a crowds/parking concern again. I REALLY hate fighting for parking.
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