Michelle smith
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Dec 31, 2016
Like you, I have searched and dug deep int every board and message there is to learn all the ins and outs of Aulani. Since I have yet to see any post about how to start and a what to do, I figured I'd start a post and share my journey from start to finish with you; in hopes someone might gain helpful insight to planning an amazing vacation.
Allow me to start by saying I am a full time working mom and I am very organized and love to plan. Everything I am about to share with you, will help organize and condense all the information you are finding into one great place and useful tool. I am not here to promote anything but my knowledge as I spent countless hours asking questions and some people were down right rude that you asked something that maybe posted somewhere in the dark dark hole of the forums. I am just here to help.
There is no right or wrong place to start however when I started my journey a few months back on Aulani planning, I started with dates. We have two children yet to be in High School so as a family we take advantage of pulling kids out of school for a week to capitalize on lower costs and less crowds. Originally our hearts were set on a Disney Cruise but due to things beyond our control, we moved the plan to Aulani late in the game. As you may have already read, renting DVC points from various companies can be beneficial and worth the cost. We did not have this option due to how late we were planning (you really need at least 6 months notice). We did however watch the Deals on Aulani website and were able to book a great deal that included a $150 gift card, free car rental for one day and transportation to and from airport. After factoring that along with what would cost us for renting during when we wish to go, there was only a $127 dollar difference in price. So we were not missing out on too much. Another room type and view may have changed that along with free parking but again we had little planning and options.
Once you have nailed your dates and reserved your room, the fun begins. And so do the questions and at times overwhelming information you find. The next thing to start planning for is flights. I recommend downloading the Hopper app on your phone. It will alert you for price drops, give you a prediction of prices increasing or decreasing and you can save several itineraries from different airports at a time.We have the pleasure of being near 4 very convenient airports withing 45 minute drive. Note, not all airlines are watched through this app.That is why I also recommend things like skyscanner, airline email sign up etc... You will want to have several sources to find the best price. Hawaiian airlines happens to be on Hopper so when prices dropped to $306 round trip from San Diego to Honolulu, we jumped on it right away. SCORE!
Now on to planning and I recommend getting yourself a notebook with pocket. This is to write down all the incredible notes, tip and information you want to remember. Like the one below:
I found this at Staples and it has a hard plastic cover to prevent damage. See the pocket to the left, this is where I have kept all the goodies I am about to tell you further in this post. The first page on the right has a note section already started with all thing Aulani. I have started to compile things I want to remember to do, see, try or explore while at the resort. These are things I have found on Disboards, Facebook pages, pinterest and blogs. I have placed sticky tabs and labeled pages to write notes on. There is an Aulani page, Places to Visit page sectioned off by area of island as well as where to eat around there, Pack List page, Trip Info page; like car rentals, hotel stay, flight information and excursions, then there is a Research page which I basically keep notes on things to look up that I read somewhere along the way. See here:
I like to use color to keep things pretty. This little notebook in now where I keep all thing Aulani whenever I read a posting or find information . I write it down in my book. I may not do everything but at least I can bring it with me while there and have everything in one location when planning my vacation. Notice that I sectioned my pages to location on the Places to Visit tab. On the top I put things to see and then on the bottom of the section where to eat. Also used different colors. Turquoise for food, orange for shave ice and black for things to see. I may be a little OCD.
We are less than 30 days away from arrival and can't wait...... I'll let this post sit for a little before moving on to my next bits of information. Maybe a day or so. That way if you have any questions I am happy to answer.
Allow me to start by saying I am a full time working mom and I am very organized and love to plan. Everything I am about to share with you, will help organize and condense all the information you are finding into one great place and useful tool. I am not here to promote anything but my knowledge as I spent countless hours asking questions and some people were down right rude that you asked something that maybe posted somewhere in the dark dark hole of the forums. I am just here to help.
There is no right or wrong place to start however when I started my journey a few months back on Aulani planning, I started with dates. We have two children yet to be in High School so as a family we take advantage of pulling kids out of school for a week to capitalize on lower costs and less crowds. Originally our hearts were set on a Disney Cruise but due to things beyond our control, we moved the plan to Aulani late in the game. As you may have already read, renting DVC points from various companies can be beneficial and worth the cost. We did not have this option due to how late we were planning (you really need at least 6 months notice). We did however watch the Deals on Aulani website and were able to book a great deal that included a $150 gift card, free car rental for one day and transportation to and from airport. After factoring that along with what would cost us for renting during when we wish to go, there was only a $127 dollar difference in price. So we were not missing out on too much. Another room type and view may have changed that along with free parking but again we had little planning and options.
Once you have nailed your dates and reserved your room, the fun begins. And so do the questions and at times overwhelming information you find. The next thing to start planning for is flights. I recommend downloading the Hopper app on your phone. It will alert you for price drops, give you a prediction of prices increasing or decreasing and you can save several itineraries from different airports at a time.We have the pleasure of being near 4 very convenient airports withing 45 minute drive. Note, not all airlines are watched through this app.That is why I also recommend things like skyscanner, airline email sign up etc... You will want to have several sources to find the best price. Hawaiian airlines happens to be on Hopper so when prices dropped to $306 round trip from San Diego to Honolulu, we jumped on it right away. SCORE!
Now on to planning and I recommend getting yourself a notebook with pocket. This is to write down all the incredible notes, tip and information you want to remember. Like the one below:
I found this at Staples and it has a hard plastic cover to prevent damage. See the pocket to the left, this is where I have kept all the goodies I am about to tell you further in this post. The first page on the right has a note section already started with all thing Aulani. I have started to compile things I want to remember to do, see, try or explore while at the resort. These are things I have found on Disboards, Facebook pages, pinterest and blogs. I have placed sticky tabs and labeled pages to write notes on. There is an Aulani page, Places to Visit page sectioned off by area of island as well as where to eat around there, Pack List page, Trip Info page; like car rentals, hotel stay, flight information and excursions, then there is a Research page which I basically keep notes on things to look up that I read somewhere along the way. See here:
I like to use color to keep things pretty. This little notebook in now where I keep all thing Aulani whenever I read a posting or find information . I write it down in my book. I may not do everything but at least I can bring it with me while there and have everything in one location when planning my vacation. Notice that I sectioned my pages to location on the Places to Visit tab. On the top I put things to see and then on the bottom of the section where to eat. Also used different colors. Turquoise for food, orange for shave ice and black for things to see. I may be a little OCD.
We are less than 30 days away from arrival and can't wait...... I'll let this post sit for a little before moving on to my next bits of information. Maybe a day or so. That way if you have any questions I am happy to answer.