Aloha! Welcome to Hawaii. Whether this is your first time to the 50th state or you are a seasoned traveler to the islands, you are looking for tips and tricks to turn your stay at Aulani into a magical island escape.
If you are heading to Ko’Olina or other Oahu resorts, you’ll find good information about island touring, travel seasons, and general information. However, this blog is focused on those heading to Disney’s Resort.
Why a blog focused on Aulani travelers? Disney made a brilliant move in creating Aulani. It has dropped the prospects of a Hawaiian Holiday from the cost realm of a sub-orbital space flight into something more approachable. This is especially true for the many Disney Vacation Club members living on the US East Coast and throughout Europe. As a Californian, we can jump on a flight in the morning and be kicking back with sand in our toes before sunset. However, flying from New York to Honolulu is a 10-hour non-stop flight through 6 time zones. All without the need for a passport. For many Disney Vacation Club members, planning a quick getaway to the Florida parks is simple. But take the time change, travel time, costs, and unknowns of an island holiday, and these same travel pros melt under a sea of questions. To ease some confusion and focus your plans, grab your laptop. There are lots of resource links throughout this article.
General Planning
First, in planning your trip, I recommend ordering a copy of the Oahu Revealed Guidebook. This guide , along with its companions for Big Island, Kauai, and Maui, provide the best write ups, information, and secret places to visit on each of the islands. These books are written and curated by island residents and include the best information on local eateries, explore the best beaches, and ways to enjoy the tourist top tourist locations like a local.
The guidebooks also have an app titled “Hawaii Revealed.” If you aren’t comfortable searching local websites for tips and tricks, buy the app subscription along with the book as it has the most current information on island experiences, food, and festivals.
Where is Aulani?
Contrary to popular belief, Aulani is not in Waikiki. The Disney Resort is located in Kapolei, 30 miles from the iconic beach. Kapolei is a quiet bedroom community for Honolulu and while there are several top end resorts along the beach, Kapolei is a quiet alternative to the bustle of Honolulu.
What Time of Year is best to visit?
There’s really no bad time to visit Hawaii. Having said that, the islands do experience seasons. Not like readers in the Northeast expect. Mostly, the different seasons can bring wetter days, rougher surf, and cooler water. Oahu is sheltered from the full force of the Alaskan fronts, keeping the water warmer than Kauai in winter.
While hurricane season is in the late summer months, the trade winds normally keep tropical force destruction to a minimum. The water temperature helps as well. This doesn’t mean a tropical storm won’t blow through your Aulani vacation. But it’s uncommon.
Spring can bring beautiful days, but the water is still bathed in winter’s chill (normally dipping to the high 70’s) and an Alaskan front lost in the tropics can bring measurable cold rain.
Historically, Christmas and New Years are very busy on the islands. Scores of empty nesters, families, and couples avoiding their relatives and the annual blizzard descend on the islands for the holidays.
Summer is high season. Prices are higher and resorts are more crowded. While all seasons at Aulani bring families with children to the resort, summer is the season where large bands of kids of every age roam the pools and lagoons.
Honestly, the best time of year to enjoy the islands with lower crowds in September. But…know that’s prime tropical storm season. Even if a Category 5 doesn’t blow through the islands, summer and early fall often equate to daily afternoon cloud bursts. The liquid sunshine normally doesn’t last long and you’ll be back on the beach in a matter of minutes.
How many days should I plan to stay?
This is the million-dollar question. To adequately determine the length of your Hawaiian Holiday, you need to answer the following questions:
- How long is the flight to Hawaii? – The longer the flight, the more time it will take for you to recover from the journey and really enjoy yourself.
- How much vacation time do you have?
- Do you want to relax on the beach, visit the sites, or both?
Please don’t sell your trip short. I’ve worked with too many people who want to fly in, spend 3 or 4 days, and see Pearl Harbor, the Dole Plantation, Bishop Museum, Waikiki, Hanauma Bay, and the Polynesian Cultural Center. No! Don’t do this to yourself. You’ll return home exhausted with a blur of photos you don’t remember taking.
Yes, it’s an island. But sights are more spread out than you think. Traffic doesn’t move fast. Kapolei is a drive from every single sight you want to visit. Furthermore, Honolulu Culture runs on island time. When planning an outing, allow transit time along with time to stop and enjoy the places you visit.
Plus, one of the most memorable things about visiting Hawaii is stopping at a roadside fruit stand, finding a cute off-the-beaten-path town, and just enjoying the culture.
I highly recommend no less than 7 days on Oahu if you’ve never been before. It’ll allow you to schedule the sights leisurely and still allow time to enjoy Aulani. After all, if you’re never at the resort, why stay there?
Pools, Beach, and Fun around the resort
Disney has done a nice job building a beach resort for everyone. The beach lagoon has no surf, allowing even the most tentative swimmers the chance to experience the Hawaiian waters. The main pool is gorgeous. The water slide and lazy river are fun for guests of all ages. Then there are the adult only pools, hot tubs, and the infinity pool. If you want to lounge in the water, you are sure to find a favorite place.
A marine reef environment allows guests the opportunity to snorkel in a protected environment, free of tidal surge, surf, or ocean predator. Book early for this popular attraction!
Aulani’s staff is always changing, adding, and deleting programming. Check the Aulani app prior to arrival for information. Once at the resort, the concierge can assist you with ideas, reservations, and plans.
Stepping away from the water
Aulani offers some unique programming for everyone in your group. Star parties allow you to peer into the heavens from the crystal clear Hawaiian night sky while Fireside Mo’olelo brings traditional story to life. Ka wa’a is a luau experience like no other and, while pricey, is a truly memorable experience. Even those who have suffered through a multitude of luaus through the years will enjoy this evening of entertainment and feast.
Eating Off Site
The area immediately around Aulani has some excellent restaurants including Monkey Pod, Longhi’s, Mina’s Fish House, and Roy’s. They also cater to the resort guests, s they are pricey and can be booked for months.
Kapolei is a bedroom community to Honolulu and while there are lots of chain restaurants around, you will find some local eateries. Ask the concierge, your housekeeping staff, and google for some recommendations.
Honolulu is a large city with multiple neighborhoods flush with excellent local eateries. Local Hawaiian fare, sushi, and ribs can be found everywhere on the island. My recommendation is to ask locals where they like to eat. Don’t be shocked when some say McDonalds or Subway. Hawaiian Islanders are still in love with the ever increasing mainland food options. But some folks will tell you about their Aunt’s corner bakery where the malasadas are freshly baked all day or their brother’s local restaurant with the best Kalua pork ribs you’ll ever eat. Ask around and go explore.
Stocking Up your unit with and without a car
Don’t have a car but need a market run? Uber into Kapolei where you’ll find markets, Target, and…Costco. It’s not a long ride and you can stock your unit for the week. Costco also delivers as does Amazon Fresh. Check with the front desk at Aulani on the best way to have items delivered to your unit. Many repeat guests actually place their order for delivery the day of their arrival. It’s a great way to save money and allow you to spend some time chilling in your unit in the evening.
Is Aulani a good place to take kids?
In a word – yes! Of course I believe children benefit from travelling in general. If you have little ones, Aulani is a great way to introduce them to a different culture, exotic food, and instill in them a lifelong love of travel without getting too far afield. Once you’ve experienced Aulani with your kids, who knows what far off place you’ll visit next!
Getting to and From the airport to the resort
While Hawaii is a part of the US, the islands conform to a more laidback lifestyle. Public transit exists, but it is inefficient to the outlying areas, including Kapolei. Your best option for transportation to the resort is a rental car. If you want to explore the island beyond Aulani and its immediate surroundings, a rental car is a must.
Rentals are available at the airport for the duration of your stay. You may choose to only rent a vehicle for a couple days. In that case, you should consult the concierge at Aulani prior to your arrival to find options on rental cars in the Kapolei area. You can also use Turo, a member service that is basically the car rental equivalent of AirBnB. If you choose the latter, check your insurance at home to verify what your insurance covers prior to booking through Turo as you might need additional coverage through Turo for your rental.
Like all big cities, a variety of transportation types to and from the airport including Uber, Lyft, limousine companies, taxi service, and shared shuttles await you. Check the web for current rates and booking information. Trip Advisor and Booking.com have information on airport transportation as well.
Hele Hele Shuttle Service operates shared shuttles to Honolulu Airport from Aulani. The going rate at the time of this publication was $24 per person each way and $10 for children under 3 each way. https://www.heleheleshuttle.com/
Island Touring Options
The best way to maximize your Hawaiian Experience is to get out of Aulani and tour the island. There are plenty of entertainment and sightseeing options in Honolulu from sipping cocktails iconic Waikiki Beach to watching the surfers tackle the big waves along the north shore to soaking in history at Pearl Harbor. For full write ups and detailed touring plans, use your Oahu Revealed Guidebook. Tripadvisor can also point you toward good day trips around the island.
Waikiki is a hopping restaurant, shopping, and night club districts that traditionally attracts visitors from around the world. Head over to Duke’s Barefoot Bar on a Sunday afternoon and enjoy sipping tropical drinks on the beach while listening to Henry Kapono, a wonderful local artist. Shop at a variety of local, tourist, and high end boutiques. Spending an afternoon and evening in Waikiki is well worth your time.
Maybe snorkeling is on your list. Haunama Bay is the most popular place to snorkel on Oahu. When I was a kid living in the islands, this Bay was terribly overpopulated and the reef was barely hanging on to life. Today I’m glad to see there is no more free access to the Bay. While visitors might be put off by the entrance fee, know that those funds go to protect the marine environment for generations to come.
Hiking anyone? Diamond Head Crater is a popular hiking place. It’s a bit challenging in the hot tropical sun so take water and wear sunscreen. Don’t forget your camera. The views from the crater rim are spectacular. There are other coastal and interior hikes around the island. Check https://www.hawaii-guide.com/oahu/hiking-trails or All Trails for current trail access information.
If you are visiting in the winter months, you might want to head out on a whale watching cruise. Check at Aulani’s Conceige desk to see if the whales are in the area as they migrate. If you’ve never seen one of these gentle giants in person, it can be a life changing experience. If you have children, this could be the highlight of their trip.
Ziplining anyone? There are multiple operators on the island but I personally like Climb Works the best. Located on the north shore, Climb works operates on a working farm. You enjoy guided ziplining on an array of different types of lines all while sampling some of the locally grown berries and fruits. https://www.climbworks.com/
While you are heading on your north shore zipline tour with Climb works, why not stop at the Dole Plantation. It’s right along the way. It’s touristy but worth an hour or two. While there, hop on board the Pineapple Express and take a ride back in time to the plantation days when the fields were filled with pineapple as far as the eye could see. A walk through the botanical gardens is an enjoyable, self-guided stroll through tropical paradise. Download the app and listen to stories from the early days of the plantation, the plants growing along the paths, and all the crops grown and sold throughout the years.
A quick browse through the gift shop might just the place to find something to take home to your friends. Also in the gift shop, you can enjoy demonstrations on pineapple cutting and growing as well as other crop production. Check the schedule on their website to see what’s offered the day of your visit.
And what trip to the Dole Plantation would be complete without a serving of Dole Whip? This is one of the few places outside Disney where guests can indulge in pineapple soft serve. Take the plunge if you’ve never tried it. Don’t blame me if your next trip to Disneyland includes standing in an hour line for more Dole Whip!!
Finally, no trip to Oahu would be complete without learning a bit of history. For that, there’s Pearl Harbor. This is an absolute experience for everyone. Even if you hate history, don’t enjoy museums, or have no connection to the event. It’s absolutely beautiful, sobering, and unforgettable. Be sure to engage with on the of Ranger Presentations during your visit. The park rangers are excellent interpreters and will enhance your experience. Make reservations and go. Even if the memorial site is closed, the visitor complex is outstanding. Gazing on the white memorial quietly marking the watery grave of over 1,000 men is a site you will never forget.
Island Touring with Kids
Young children will love swimming in the shelter of Waikiki Beach, exploring the Dole Pineapple Plantation, and eating as much Hawaiian Shave Ice and mom and dad will allow!
For older kids and teens, a surf lesson is an absolute must! Aulani offers introductory surf lessons in the lagoon. There are also multiple operators at Waikiki that will get your kiddos our there hanging ten in no time. And what a photo op! Your kid on a surfboard with Diamond Head Crater in the background.
If surfing is a bit daunting for your young ones, head out on a traditional outrigger canoe or a sunset cruise off Waikiki Beach.
Want to see marine life without jumping in the ocean? Spend a day at Sea Life Park. This marine park is Hawaii’s answer to Sea World. https://www.sealifeparkhawaii.com/
If you want to escape the sun for an afternoon and soak up some Hawaiian Culture and History, the Bishop Museum (bishopmuseum.org) is a great experience. If you’re really into the Polynesian Culture, a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center is a fantastic way to learn how these marine cultures moved throughout the South Pacific and settled the islands. https://www.polynesia.com/
Island Hopping
Many people consider island hopping on their Hawaiian Vacation. Each island has its own unique vibe, activities, and experiences. Below is a completely unscientific list of highlights for the other major islands.
Big Island – Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (active volcanoes!), Kona Coast, Waikoloa Resorts, black sand beach, green sand beach
Maui – luxury resorts along glistening white sand beaches, fantastic golf, Hana (and the road there), the Seven Pools, Haleakala Crater, Charles Lindbergh’s gravesite (if you’re interested in aviation history, this is the top reason to go to Maui!).
Kauai – secret hike-to beaches, rugged hikes, Hawaii as you picture it in your dreams, and more movie locations than you would believe. Raiders of the Lost Ark, Honeymoon in Vegas, Six Days, Seven Nights, Jurassic Park, Blue Hawaii, the list goes on.
My recommendation is to spend no less than 4 days minimum on each of the islands. Honestly, if you really love hiking and exploring, you could easily spend a couple weeks on each island. Don’t try to island hop all 4 major islands in a week. Best to stay on Oahu for that week.
Yes, flying to Hawaii is expensive and can take a long time from the eastern US. Yes, you want to maximize what you see and experience. Before you book a bunch of inter-island flights, think about what you want to get out of your Hawaiian Experience. Sometimes it’s best to stay in one place and explore it more thoroughly than to bounce from place to place. This is your Hawaiian Vacation. A chance to explore but also relax. It’s not the trip to recreate “If it’s Tuesday It Must Be Belgium.”
In conclusion, your Hawaiian Vacation at Aulani can be as active or relaxing as you wish. You could spend 5 days at Aulani and never leave the resort. You can also spend 2 months in Hawaii and still not fully experience every beach, hiking trail, and restaurant. Do as much or as little as you want. And eat as much Hawaiian Shave Ice as possible. Aloha!