Aulani trip report

bubbles1812

Well-Known Member
Out of curiosity, I know your trip report isn't over, but did you go offsite to do things... I know you mentioned did things while at the Hilton but more asking if you went out while you were at Aulani? Obviously Disney is going for the all inclusive thing but at the same time, it's Hawaii and there are some amazing things to see! (My favs were hiking Diamond Head, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and snorkeling in a bay whose name escapes me right now. Pearl Harbor was also very cool. Hope you maybe experienced some of those while at the Hilton. And if you did, I'd love to know what you liked). Not knocking if you didn't, understand some just go to the resorts. But just was curious. Unlike say at WDW, I wouldn't view visiting Oahu as something where I would want to be "in the bubble" at all times but that is my personal preference.
 

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
Out of curiosity, I know your trip report isn't over, but did you go offsite to do things... I know you mentioned did things while at the Hilton but more asking if you went out while you were at Aulani? Obviously Disney is going for the all inclusive thing but at the same time, it's Hawaii and there are some amazing things to see! (My favs were hiking Diamond Head, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and snorkeling in a bay whose name escapes me right now. Pearl Harbor was also very cool. Hope you maybe experienced some of those while at the Hilton. And if you did, I'd love to know what you liked). Not knocking if you didn't, understand some just go to the resorts. But just was curious. Unlike say at WDW, I wouldn't view visiting Oahu as something where I would want to be "in the bubble" at all times but that is my personal preference.
Good question. Yes absolutely we went off site to do stuff. Unlike in WDW where you can be in that bubble, Hawaii is about the whole experience. We did Pearl Harbor, we climbed Diamond Head, we did Honolulu, we did the zoo at Honolulu, we visited the Dole plantation... Actually, we went off Aulani while we were there as my uncle only joined us for the week that we were at Aulani due to the adults per room limits. We rented a car and did some sightseeing. I will be posting some pictures later. I was thinking tomorrow, but I just remembered I have something I have to do tomorrow, so it'll probably be later tonight. Next up is Pearl Harbor.

I will admit, there was one day where my group was going sightseeing, and I had an ear infection when I was out there from too much water in my ears, so I stayed at the resort while they went sightseeing. Next trip, I'm going to try snorkeling in other areas besides that lagoon. I'd never been snorkeling before, so I had to get comfortable in a tame area first.
 

bubbles1812

Well-Known Member
Good question. Yes absolutely we went off site to do stuff. Unlike in WDW where you can be in that bubble, Hawaii is about the whole experience. We did Pearl Harbor, we climbed Diamond Head, we did Honolulu, we did the zoo at Honolulu, we visited the Dole plantation... Actually, we went off Aulani while we were there as my uncle only joined us for the week that we were at Aulani due to the adults per room limits. We rented a car and did some sightseeing. I will be posting some pictures later. I was thinking tomorrow, but I just remembered I have something I have to do tomorrow, so it'll probably be later tonight. Next up is Pearl Harbor.

I will admit, there was one day where my group was going sightseeing, and I had an ear infection when I was out there from too much water in my ears, so I stayed at the resort while they went sightseeing. Next trip, I'm going to try snorkeling in other areas besides that lagoon. I'd never been snorkeling before, so I had to get comfortable in a tame area first.

I remembered the name of the place we went snorkeling! It's called Hanauma Bay! I'd suggest that you/your parents take a look :) I remember it was a really great place. We actually saw a dolphin, and my greatest memory was following around two sea turtles for a very long time. Just advice for the snorkeling, wherever you go. Get there as early as possible (I'm talking if they open at 7, get there at 7, ect). Throughout the day, sand gets kicked up as more people come and it makes the water cloudy. It's clearest in the mornings since the sand has had all night to settle, and the animals tend to be in closer to the shore. Most species go out into the ocean during the day and return at night.
 

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
I remembered the name of the place we went snorkeling! It's called Hanauma Bay! I'd suggest that you/your parents take a look :) I remember it was a really great place. We actually saw a dolphin, and my greatest memory was following around two sea turtles for a very long time. Just advice for the snorkeling, wherever you go. Get there as early as possible (I'm talking if they open at 7, get there at 7, ect). Throughout the day, sand gets kicked up as more people come and it makes the water cloudy. It's clearest in the mornings since the sand has had all night to settle, and the animals tend to be in closer to the shore. Most species go out into the ocean during the day and return at night.
You mean this?
DSC02844.JPG

Yes that's exactly where we were thinking! You have to pay to get in, so we didn't go down onto the beach last time, but we're going to this time. :) It looks pretty tame and there seems to be a reef out there.
 

bubbles1812

Well-Known Member
You mean this?
DSC02844.JPG

Yes that's exactly where we were thinking! You have to pay to get in, so we didn't go down onto the beach last time, but we're going to this time. :) It looks pretty tame and there seems to be a reef out there.
Yes I think that is it. I remember it not being too expensive, and honestly the price of admission was so worth it. I'm a good swimmer but remember even my friends who weren't had no issues, and yes there was a reef! :) If you want to see the sea turtles, they are a bit farther out into the bay but not that far. Getting up early sucks but seriously cant recommend enough to get there early. The water is clear, the animals are still around, and it's nice not having to share the water space with a ton of people even though it is a sizeable bay. If I remember correctly, they provide you with at least the snorkel mask and breathing thingie too.
 

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
Yes I think that is it. I remember it not being too expensive, and honestly the price of admission was so worth it. I'm a good swimmer but remember even my friends who weren't had no issues, and yes there was a reef! :) If you want to see the sea turtles, they are a bit farther out into the bay but not that far. Getting up early sucks but seriously cant recommend enough to get there early. The water is clear, the animals are still around, and it's nice not having to share the water space with a ton of people even though it is a sizeable bay. If I remember correctly, they provide you with at least the snorkel mask and breathing thingie too.
Haha, you must have seen some of my posts about how I feel about mornings! Not an issue, I was up by 8am, usually earlier every day I was out there. I'm a strong swimmer; I would only have to take one more course and I could be a lifeguard. My parents were very strict about the swimming lessons, and I'm so grateful now! It was more them than me getting nervous out in the water. They refused to snorkel; both of them hate breathing through a tube. They tried it at Typhoon Lagoon before I was born and they couldn't get out fast enough:rolleyes: . I didn't mind; with my asthma, I'm used to breathing through a tube with my medications. My uncle was actually the one who gave me snorkeling instruction since he has a scuba license.

I have my own mask and tube. We went to an ABC store and picked one up for $20 since I was out in the reef at Aulani every day that we were by the pool pretty much, but I'd probably purchase some fins too. Not that we thought when we went that we'd be back in just one short year. I think admission was $5 last time. We didn't do it because that was a day when we were just going to a bunch of beaches, but I'd like to spend the day out there next time. Unfortunately, I only have 8 days out there as opposed to two weeks (it's a two part trip that begins in Disneyland), but there's some stuff I'd like to do, and that's one of them.
 

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
Sorry guys, it might be until Saturday until you get more pictures. I promise there will be more! I just don't have time. But if you post questions, I have time for those.
 

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
I was there for a week in January of 2012 and 2013. I live in New York and I hope it will be a yearly escape from the cold Winter blues.
Ah, the winter blues;) . Yeah, we were planning on making it an every 3 years thing, except we're going back in June, lol. Just kind of worked out that way. We only go in June into July though because it would be too hard for my brother and me to come back and try to adjust to going to school with jet lag. I mean, I start college, so hopefully that means later classes (I hope, it had better be), but he has to get up at 6:30. We head down to WDW to escape the winter blues. My parents went to Oahu when my mom was preggo with me and I understand it's a nice time to visit, but a bit cloudier than in the summer. Water is a bit cooler too, am I correct?

What did you think about the restaurants? They got bad reviews at first, but I enjoyed them.
 

Southampton11968

Active Member
The restaurants where good and I enjoyed them too. The best meal of the week was at Roy's which is a very quick walk across the street at the Ko Olina Golf Resort. It's well worth the quick walk over. The had a wonderful prix fixe with appetizer, entree and desert at a great price for a quality restaurant. If you haven't tried it, do!
 

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
The restaurants where good and I enjoyed them too. The best meal of the week was at Roy's which is a very quick walk across the street at the Ko Olina Golf Resort. It's well worth the quick walk over. The had a wonderful prix fixe with appetizer, entree and desert at a great price for a quality restaurant. If you haven't tried it, do!
Great! I will keep that in mind! Did you try the restaurants at Aulani? (Ama Ama and Malihiki) Also, Just Tacos? It's right across the street at that little center. It looks like a dump, but the food is great. Also, there's a ton of it, so one entree feeds two at least. It was also a cheaper meal.
 

Southampton11968

Active Member
Tried both at Aulani, did the buffet twice. I like Just Tacos, went there both trips. There is another new restaurant in that center that is very good, forgot the name but it's well worth the walk over.
 

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
Tried both at Aulani, did the buffet twice. I like Just Tacos, went there both trips. There is another new restaurant in that center that is very good, forgot the name but it's well worth the walk over.
Now I have to tell my dad that. While he was eating it, he said, "Oh, this is really good," but then afterwards he complained he didn't like it. So now the standing joke around here is that we're eating, "Just tacos". Lol, my uncle thought he was being ridiculous too, so my mother and I were glad it wasn't just us.

I thought I heard something about a new restaurant. We rent a car so we just drive over. We'll check it out. Thanks.
 

Hot Lava

Well-Known Member
We flew United nonstop from Dulles to Honolulu.

There is a direct flight from DC to Honolulu? I had no idea! Whenever I have flown to Hawaii and have had to have a layover (from different starting airports), the best layovers are in Denver and SF. LAX is just a hellhole. Although you likely see famous people. But if you are on the East Coast, a direct nonstop would be a great thing.

Shame about the pineapple allergy. The pineapple there is like nothing you get on the mainland.

Roy's restaurants are terrific! I liked the beer that was also brewed especially for them by Mehana (although not sure that brewery even exists anymore). You do know there is a Roy's in B'more, right?
 

StarWarsGirl

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
In the Parks
No
There is a direct flight from DC to Honolulu? I had no idea! Whenever I have flown to Hawaii and have had to have a layover (from different starting airports), the best layovers are in Denver and SF. LAX is just a hellhole. Although you likely see famous people. But if you are on the East Coast, a direct nonstop would be a great thing.

Shame about the pineapple allergy. The pineapple there is like nothing you get on the mainland.

Roy's restaurants are terrific! I liked the beer that was also brewed especially for them by Mehana (although not sure that brewery even exists anymore). You do know there is a Roy's in B'more, right?
Yes there is a direct flight. It's on United Airlines. There's one every day at 1 pm. I think they also do one from New York, but I'm not sure. It was cheaper that way than flying with stopso_O. This year we're not doing it since we're going to Disneyland first. We'll fly to Denver and change planes before heading back to BWI. When we calculated it out, the flight to LAX is cheaper from BWI. That one will be non stop on Southwest.

I know! I used to be able to eat pineapple which is the sad thing. I could have other Hawaiian food. I absolutely loved the coconut syrup. The rest of my group enjoyed pineapple without me:(.

Yes, there is a Roy's in balmer. But it's located down in Baltimore City. I'm from Baltimore County.;) You have to allot an hour of travel time to get down to the city, so we usually only go down there for events and such. If we eat out, there's a lot of good local restaurants in the county. There's also a PF Changs, a Hard Rock Cafe, and a Cheesecake Factory in Baltimore too and we went to all three of those out there;) I've never been to the Hard Rock Cafe here or the PF Changs, and I've only been to our Cheesecake Factory once.
 

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