What we've learned in our two trips.

[shanfam]

Tips:
We have gone several times and never have we rented a car.
We use Cloud 9 Car Service - Peter - 1-808-841-7999. They pick us up at the airport and bring us back to the airport. Way cheaper than a taxi as its a ways out there.

Aunties Beach House
- Pre-Register for Auntie Beach House Online
- Sign up for Premium Auntie Beach House Activities - these are not included in your stay but are an additional cost. My son age 8 enjoyed the Chip & Dale Beach Party and Fish & Friends.
- Auntie Beach House - the night before in your room or by the front desk you will find the itinerary for the next day. Have your kids pick and choose what activities they would like to participate in - like the Stitches Space Goo. These activities you will need to sign up for in advance on the day they are offered. I suggest you get in line as soon as the Aunties opens or before (a line will form earlier than it opens) to reserve your kids spot. They fill up very fast as these are awesome activities.
- If you are traveling with another family or other members in your family link all the kids together as then only one person has to get up and stand in line for activities - that one person can register all of them.

Dining
- Make reservations at least for dinner if you want to eat on property or else where.
- Down the beachfront walkway there is a Dukes and a Chucks or maybe it's Chops at the Westin
- Across the street - Monkey Pod (kid friendly), Sushi, Pizza -- Monkey Pod you will need reservations and its delicious.
- Golf Course - Roy's - walking distance (tasty) We booked the Chip and Dale Beach Party and had a nice dinner over there.
- ABC store - almost a full grocery store - great for buying food for the room. We generally eat breakfast in our room so we get everything there.

Activities
- I DO NOT recommend the Luau that is OFF site that the Aulani recommends- its okay but it very much a cattle call. We haven't been but I have heard lots of great stuff about the Westin one - there is a shuttle you can ride from the Aulani to the Western or its in walking distance.
- We love to look for the menhunie - ask about this when checking in.
- Community Center - near the locker rooms - right by the BIG stars has great family activities.
- We enjoy the fireside talks at night by the campfire - near the beach.
- We have not participated in any other off site activities offered by the resort because they offer so much on site and our son LOVES Aunties. We truly have to limit his time there.
- The Starlight Hun on the lawn behind the hotel is pretty cool

BEST ADVICE:
Really plan out dinners and make reservations.
The character breakfast in my opinion is a waste of $$. It's super pricey for breakfast (who's going to eat $50 worth of breakfast food) and all the characters are out and about during the day.

Near By - Taxi Ride Away
Costco and REAL Grocery Store

Surprisingly all the food onsite is super good. The quick serve by the kiddie area has great daily specials.

 

[CruisingCamper]

Thank you for your information. We check in on Feb 4th and we can't wait! We have rented a car, and so far, I haven't made any dining reservations because we don't really have a our days planned yet. I hate to plan them...I want this to be a relaxing trip

 

[shanfam]

Thank you for your information. We check in on Feb 4th and we can't wait! We have rented a car, and so far, I haven't made any dining reservations because we don't really have a our days planned yet. I hate to plan them...I want this to be a relaxing trip

My philosophy is you can make them then cancel then but if you don't make them you will have to wait.

 

[CruisingCamper]

My philosophy is you can make them then cancel then but if you don't make them you will have to wait.

Great point!

 

[CruisingCamper]

Did you request a certain room? or building? I was wondering if I should request one or not. I have seen lots of posts about it. We have reserved a One Bedroom Ocean View. Won't they all be good? Or no?

 

[shanfam]

Did you request a certain room? or building? I was wondering if I should request one or not. I have seen lots of posts about it. We have reserved a One Bedroom Ocean View. Won't they all be good? Or no?

We always stay in a one bedroom villa. There are two towers. We have stayed far down one tower • good view. Last time we stayed in one directly above the lobby on like the 9 th floor - straight on ocean view.

 

[CruisingCamper]

We always stay in a one bedroom villa. There are two towers. We have stayed far down one tower • good view. Last time we stayed in one directly above the lobby on like the 9 th floor - straight on ocean view.

I think that would be better to stay above the lobby and it's probably closer to everything?

 

[shanfam]

I think that would be better to stay above the lobby and it's probably closer to everything?

Actually the Aulani is very walking friendly. Everything is very close and very accessible. Its a wonderful walk and gives your family a chance to search and discover the grounds. Magical things are all around and looking for the hidden Menuhines. Nothing is too far apart.

 

[tikisunset77]

Some of my favorite memories at Aulani were our daily walks by the lagoons. The grassy treed areas are great for our little guys. There is a breakfast buffet at the Marriott timeshare -Longboards I think it is called and you eat outside looking at the beach-simple fare and I believe the price was just a bit more than if we had eaten by the pool at Aulani. It was nice to explore a new hotel without having to drive anywhere.
No reservations required for the breakfast buffet. The last time we were at Aulani we didn't have any reservations except for 1 and we couldn't get a table
at busy times.

 

[ngl]

This was a very helpful post. I love how you hit the highlights of your trips and the condensed review. it is perfect. We are going in March (first visit) and was curious about what to request room-wise (2 bed ocean view) and there is a long thread on it but very hard to figure out. Sounds like there really isn't a "bad" location.

 

[Regan117]

We have the three-bedroom grand villa and the two-bedroom villa April 27-May 7. My husband and I are treating all 17 members of our family and very much looking forward to it! I've been to Hawaii several times bit this will be my first time staying at Aulani. Thanks for the tips - not sure we will use Aunty's but it's good info to have.

 

[vikequeen]

FYI, we stayed at the Marriott last spring, and will back at Aulani this spring. We really enjoyed the Marriott Luau. it is a short walk from Aulani (we did it last year). We plan to go back to that luau again this trip if we can. Thanks for the tips!

 

[vikequeen]

One question -- did you use any cabanas on your stay? We are wondering about how readily reservations are available. My research suggests you need to book the morning of (unless you are getting the super pricey ones, some of those book in advance).

 

[jtba]

FYI, we stayed at the Marriott last spring, and will back at Aulani this spring. We really enjoyed the Marriott Luau. it is a short walk from Aulani (we did it last year). We plan to go back to that luau again this trip if we can. Thanks for the tips!

i read that the Marriott is currently under renovation to be rebranded Four Seasons, and it won't be completed until May. so the luau may not take place if you're there before its done.

 

[vikequeen]

The one under renovation is the resort to the right of Aulani (if you are in Aulani looking at the ocean). To the left, a bit further down, is the Marriott that includes vacation club. That is where we stayed and enjoyed the luau. Although I believe it is also under renovation now as they were adding another tower to the facility.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

How much is the Marriott luau I was either gonna do that or paradice cove

 

[vikequeen]

It is the Fia Fia luau. I don't remember how much it cost. just tried to search and couldn't find anything but a number to call. I did find this scathing commentary on paradise cove, so guess I will stay away from that one

https://www.hawaiidiscount.com/oahu/luaus/paradise-cove-hawaiian-buffet.htm

 

[shanfam]

One question -- did you use any cabanas on your stay? We are wondering about how readily reservations are available. My research suggests you need to book the morning of (unless you are getting the super pricey ones, some of those book in advance).

We did not - we hung out by the pool tons because it was easier to watch the kids. The pool service is excellent by the way. There are also little spots around the pools that hold maybe 5 to 6 people and are perfect for families if you don't want to be in the middle of everyone.

 

[shanfam]

i read that the Marriott is currently under renovation to be rebranded Four Seasons, and it won't be completed until May. so the luau may not take place if you're there before its done.

My mistake - its the Westin Luau.

 

[shanfam]

How much is the Marriott luau I was either gonna do that or paradice cove

AVOID the Paradise Cove in my opinion - very much a cattle call and we opted for the most expensive of the options. Our family was not impressed at all.