Aulani?

[quesyrah]

We just booked for February.

I’m looking for recs for transportation between HNL and the resort.

Also looking for opinions on preferred vs general seating for the luau. Preferred doesn’t look worth the extra $$? Is the luau itself worth it?

[callmekd]

HeleHele shuttle was fabulous!
Rental car at the airport is awful (our friends waited 3 hours to get their car). I’ve read similar experiences on FB.
We did the preferred seating because it was our anniversary and we wanted the kids to be up close so they could see. If we went again, I don’t know if I would spend the extra money.

(We were there in June)

[quesyrah]

Sept 15, 2022 22:21:40 GMT -5 callmekd said:

HeleHele shuttle was fabulous!
Rental car at the airport is awful (our friends waited 3 hours to get their car). I’ve read similar experiences on FB.
We did the preferred seating because it was our anniversary and we wanted the kids to be up close so they could see. If we went again, I don’t know if I would spend the extra money.

(We were there in June)

Thank you!

I have been reading review that post Covid, preferred seating is better because of how they have the tables spaced.

This is my H and kids first (and probably only) time to HI and I just want to make sure they can see the show.

[jaycee]

A rental car is almost always recommended on the disboards message board while staying at Aulani. We did a rental car, too, and it was a must-have for us. Aulani is super far away from everything else on the island. If you want to experience any unique restaurants, Pearl Harbor, other adventures, you'll need a car. So, we did a rental car in January 2020 from HNL to Aulani and had no issues.

We purchased the preferred seating. It included early entry, first in line for food and better seating. If we had to do it again, we would probably do general. It was great, but probably not worth the extra money.

You'll have the best time!

[quesyrah]

Sept 17, 2022 14:40:24 GMT -5 jaycee said:

A rental car is almost always recommended on the disboards message board while staying at Aulani. We did a rental car, too, and it was a must-have for us. Aulani is super far away from everything else on the island. If you want to experience any unique restaurants, Pearl Harbor, other adventures, you'll need a car. So, we did a rental car in January 2020 from HNL to Aulani and had no issues.

We purchased the preferred seating. It included early entry, first in line for food and better seating. If we had to do it again, we would probably do general. It was great, but probably not worth the extra money.

You'll have the best time!

Oh, hmm. We weren’t planning to rent a car. It’s well over $1,000 (we’ll be there 8 days) plus the daily parking fee at the resort is pretty high.

We were thinking we could Uber or use public transport for less. Are those not good options?

[redheadk]

Sept 18, 2022 11:46:10 GMT -5 quesyrah said:

Sept 17, 2022 14:40:24 GMT -5 jaycee said:

A rental car is almost always recommended on the disboards message board while staying at Aulani. We did a rental car, too, and it was a must-have for us. Aulani is super far away from everything else on the island. If you want to experience any unique restaurants, Pearl Harbor, other adventures, you'll need a car. So, we did a rental car in January 2020 from HNL to Aulani and had no issues.

We purchased the preferred seating. It included early entry, first in line for food and better seating. If we had to do it again, we would probably do general. It was great, but probably not worth the extra money.

You'll have the best time!

Oh, hmm. We weren’t planning to rent a car. It’s well over $1,000 (we’ll be there 8 days) plus the daily parking fee at the resort is pretty high.

We were thinking we could Uber or use public transport for less. Are those not good options?

It depends on what you want to get out of your trip. If you want to leave the resort to see Hawaii then you will need a car. If you mostly want to spend time at the resort and the immediate area around it, you can get by without one. But it is not feasible to use uber or public transportation to really see the island. Aulani is pretty far from everything. You can take tours but they aren't cheap. 

This is my favorite car rental agency for Hawaii; we've used them for years. A 2nd driver is included, free of charge. Cheaper than Costco Travel! www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/en-us/

[quesyrah]

Sept 18, 2022 12:39:43 GMT -5 redheadk said:

Sept 18, 2022 11:46:10 GMT -5 quesyrah said:

Oh, hmm. We weren’t planning to rent a car. It’s well over $1,000 (we’ll be there 8 days) plus the daily parking fee at the resort is pretty high.

We were thinking we could Uber or use public transport for less. Are those not good options?

It depends on what you want to get out of your trip. If you want to leave the resort to see Hawaii then you will need a car. If you mostly want to spend time at the resort and the immediate area around it, you can get by without one. But it is not feasible to use uber or public transportation to really see the island. Aulani is pretty far from everything. You can take tours but they aren't cheap. 

This is my favorite car rental agency for Hawaii; we've used them for years. A 2nd driver is included, free of charge. Cheaper than Costco Travel! www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/en-us/

Ok, thanks. That’s good to know. We are just starting to plan out activities. I didn’t know it was far from most things.

[redheadk]

Sept 18, 2022 16:40:27 GMT -5 quesyrah said:

Sept 18, 2022 12:39:43 GMT -5 redheadk said:

It depends on what you want to get out of your trip. If you want to leave the resort to see Hawaii then you will need a car. If you mostly want to spend time at the resort and the immediate area around it, you can get by without one. But it is not feasible to use uber or public transportation to really see the island. Aulani is pretty far from everything. You can take tours but they aren't cheap. 

This is my favorite car rental agency for Hawaii; we've used them for years. A 2nd driver is included, free of charge. Cheaper than Costco Travel! www.discounthawaiicarrental.com/en-us/

Ok, thanks. That’s good to know. We are just starting to plan out activities. I didn’t know it was far from most things.

You can also look into renting a car at the resort for just part of your trip. The day rate can be higher but you could still save money if you don't want one for the whole trip. 

[quesyrah]

Sept 18, 2022 17:15:16 GMT -5 redheadk said:

Sept 18, 2022 16:40:27 GMT -5 quesyrah said:

Ok, thanks. That’s good to know. We are just starting to plan out activities. I didn’t know it was far from most things.

You can also look into renting a car at the resort for just part of your trip. The day rate can be higher but you could still save money if you don't want one for the whole trip. 

Oh that’s a great idea! For sure we want to visit Diamond Head, the Dole Plantation and Pearl Harbor.

Once the kids find out about the trip we’ll get their input too on what they want to see. That will help us decide if maybe we can just rent a car for 2-3 days from the hotel.

[jaycee]

Here is the message board I was referencing for Aulani. I also have our itinerary that lists what we did, information, research I did, etc. for when we stayed at Aulani in January 2020 and my sons were 7 and 10 at the time. If you want that, I could send it to you.

www.disboards.com/forums/aulani-a-disney-resort-spa.198/

Regarding the transportation issue again, there could not possibly be any public transport that far out.  I don't want to say for sure there isn't but once you see where it is, you'll doubt it too.  I also would be surprised if ubers would go out that far and if they did, it would be $$$.  Some tour places might pick up from a hotel in that area and bring you to another part of the island.  I do wonder, though, if you factor in cost of an uber or whatever from HNL to Aulani both ways, the cost of other tours and other things, it might be close to what you'd pay for a rental car.

[quesyrah]

Sept 18, 2022 21:40:49 GMT -5 jaycee said:

Here is the message board I was referencing for Aulani. I also have our itinerary that lists what we did, information, research I did, etc. for when we stayed at Aulani in January 2020 and my sons were 7 and 10 at the time. If you want that, I could send it to you.

www.disboards.com/forums/aulani-a-disney-resort-spa.198/

Regarding the transportation issue again, there could not possibly be any public transport that far out.  I don't want to say for sure there isn't but once you see where it is, you'll doubt it too.  I also would be surprised if ubers would go out that far and if they did, it would be $$$.  Some tour places might pick up from a hotel in that area and bring you to another part of the island.  I do wonder, though, if you factor in cost of an uber or whatever from HNL to Aulani both ways, the cost of other tours and other things, it might be close to what you'd pay for a rental car.

Thank you!

We are definitely reconsidering a rental car. I really had no idea how far out Aulani was.

[redheadk]

If it helps, you really need a rental car in Hawaii, regardless of where you stay. Some people make do without one if they stay in Waikiki but you'll miss so much of the island that way.


In addition to your list, you may want to go up to the north shore (unless the waves are insane because then it will be packed), visit Waimea Valley, and see the sites up there. You'll pass the Dole Plantation so can do all that in one day pretty easily. On the east side, we like visiting the Byodo-In Temple and Kailua Beach. Since you'll be there in February, you should consider a whale watching tour. Not as good as the ones from Maui but still cool! You can also snorkel at Hanauma Bay but you'll need a reservation. Hanauma Bay is on the south side of the island and you'll need a car to get there.

[lishie]

Sept 19, 2022 10:54:43 GMT -5 quesyrah said:

Sept 18, 2022 21:40:49 GMT -5 jaycee said:

Here is the message board I was referencing for Aulani. I also have our itinerary that lists what we did, information, research I did, etc. for when we stayed at Aulani in January 2020 and my sons were 7 and 10 at the time. If you want that, I could send it to you.

www.disboards.com/forums/aulani-a-disney-resort-spa.198/

Regarding the transportation issue again, there could not possibly be any public transport that far out.  I don't want to say for sure there isn't but once you see where it is, you'll doubt it too.  I also would be surprised if ubers would go out that far and if they did, it would be $$$.  Some tour places might pick up from a hotel in that area and bring you to another part of the island.  I do wonder, though, if you factor in cost of an uber or whatever from HNL to Aulani both ways, the cost of other tours and other things, it might be close to what you'd pay for a rental car.

Thank you!

We are definitely reconsidering a rental car. I really had no idea how far out Aulani was.

We own DVC at Aulani and love it there. You'll have an amazing trip. If you're renting DVC points rather than paying cash for the resort, the parking would be included in what you're paying, as it's part of our dues.

Keep checking on the rental car prices. We're going skiing at Park City over Christmas. I booked an SUV early from costco just to be sure we had a large vehicle that fits skis. I've been periodically checking prices and the rental has dropped from $1000 when we booked it to $500. May be worth reserving something that you can easily cancel and rebook. 

[quesyrah]

Sept 20, 2022 8:58:56 GMT -5 lishie said:

Sept 19, 2022 10:54:43 GMT -5 quesyrah said:

Thank you!

We are definitely reconsidering a rental car. I really had no idea how far out Aulani was.

We own DVC at Aulani and love it there. You'll have an amazing trip. If you're renting DVC points rather than paying cash for the resort, the parking would be included in what you're paying, as it's part of our dues.

Keep checking on the rental car prices. We're going skiing at Park City over Christmas. I booked an SUV early from costco just to be sure we had a large vehicle that fits skis. I've been periodically checking prices and the rental has dropped from $1000 when we booked it to $500. May be worth reserving something that you can easily cancel and rebook. 

We thought about renting DVC but ultimately DH got a better deal through work (the room may not be better as it’s just a standard ocean view room, but the price fit our budget).