Welcome back to my discussion of Aulani, a combination hotel/Disney Vacation Club (DVC) located on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. Yesterday I gave you an overview of the many wonderful amenities this resort has to offer. Today I’m going to answer the $64,000 question. Would I recommend Aulani to first-time visitors to Hawaii, specifically first time visitors to Oahu?
Maybe.
If you’re DVC member then the answer is easy. You’ve already bought and paid for your points. You might as well use them here. There is no way around it, Hawaii is very expensive. Why pay for another non-Disney hotel if you’ve already got a place to stay. But if you’re not a DVC member, the answer is not so easy.
There is no denying, Aulani is a beautiful resort. If it was located anywhere in the Waikiki area, I would recommend it in a heartbeat. But it’s not. It’s located in a somewhat remote section of Oahu, an area with not all that much to see and experience. And other than the J.W. Marriott Ilihani hotel that neighbors Aulani, there is very little within walking distance. Maybe in the future there will be, but not now. I understand that there are a three restaurants across the street, but this wouldn’t offer most guests the variety needed to fill an entire week’s stay. That means that if you want to eat anywhere besides the immediate area, you’re out of luck unless you rent a car or take a taxi.
How about shopping opportunities? First, there is the limited selection of goods to be found at the Aulani shops. There are also a few shops down the road at Ko Olina Station. But this second option is lacking in retailers and requires a car for transportation. There are a few shopping opportunities within a five mile radius of Aulani, but again, the variety of goods is limited and some sort of transportation is required to get there.
On the other hand, Waikiki and other venues in South Oahu have an abundance of shopping opportunities worth your time. Kalakaua Avenue, which parallels Waikiki Beach, is a shopper’s paradise with countless clothing shops, art galleries, jewelry stores, camera and electronics retailers, souvenir stands, and anything else you can imagine. The Ala Moana Shopping Center (over 290 shops and restaurants) is another favorite of those with money to spend. By the way, no first-timer should miss shopping for an aloha shirt at Hilo Hattie’s or a tacky souvenir at one of the dozens of ABC Stores found all over the island. Sure it’s touristy, but that’s part of the fun.
Honolulu and Waikiki are also the areas to find an abundance of restaurants. This includes everything from fast-food chains to first-class establishments and everything in-between. The options are endless.
To further illustrate my point, I picked up one of those glossy tourist magazines promoting Oahu while I was in Honolulu. Most of the magazine is made up of advertisements placed by the various tour companies, hotels, shops, and restaurants found on the island (including a full-page back-cover ad for Aulani). Also contained in the magazine is a legitimate tourist guide and maps that tries to give first-time visitors an idea of what there is to see and do here. This guide has divided the island into five sections, North, South (which contains Honolulu and Waikiki), East (which contains Aulani), West, and Central. Over half of the magazine is devoted to the South section of the island. The rest of the magazine covers the other four sections.
So let’s say you decide you want to drive from Aulani to Waikiki for a meal or shopping. Well as I said at the beginning of this article, it’s about 27 miles away. That may not sound so bad, but this equates to at least a 45 minute drive when traffic is good. And believe me when I say, Honolulu has bumper to bumper traffic during rush hour just like any other major city (metro population: 953,207). Maybe even more so due to the congested nature of this small island. So a trip to Waikiki during busy times will take you an hour plus. And by the way, the scenery is not particularly picturesque along this route. A taxi will cost you between $75 and $100 one way depending on the time of day. A taxi from the airport to Aulani will run between $50 and $75. Ouch. If you rent a car, good luck finding a parking space in the Waikiki area.
So why is Aulani located so far away from everything?
Disney is a very late comer to the Hawaiian vacation game. All of the islands’ prime real estate locations were snatched up decades ago by their competition.
Of course, staying at Aulani doesn’t mean you can’t see and do all of the wonderful things offered to you on Oahu, it’s just going to take more time, more money, and more effort to do so.
Another thing I don’t like about Aulani is its lack of a swimmable beach on the ocean. If I just flew five hours across the Pacific to get to the islands, I would have bodysurfing on the mind. I want to swim in the ocean with real waves. Aulani’s pristine cove is very beautiful, but its waves wouldn’t knock a learning-to-walk toddler down.
To Disney’s credit, they have steered Aulani away from the stereotypical Hawaii clichés that some of the other Hawaiian resorts sometimes perpetuate. You won’t find tiki torches, Elvis singing “Blue Hawaii,” or plastic leis at Aulani. But on the other hand, some of this kitsch can be sort of fun on your first trip to the islands. Once again, it’s touristy, but that’s not always a bad thing depending on what you’re looking for. After all, the Polynesian Resort at WDW has tiki torches and fake leis.
I know it might sound trite, but a lot of people dream of seeing Diamond Head in the background while they swim, eat, and shop. Only a handful of rooms at Aulani can even see this famous volcano. And for those that can, it’s so far away that it loses much of its charm. You can’t see Diamond Head at all from the Aulani pool, ‘AMA ‘AMA restaurant, or beach cove.
On this most recent trip to Oahu, I made reservations to eat dinner at Hula Grill, an upscale restaurant located at the Outrigger Hotel on Waikiki Beach. Besides enjoying one of the most scrumptious meals and Mai Tai I’ve had in ages, this is the view I had from my table.
Here is a picture of me taken from the Hanohano Room on the 30th floor of the Waikiki Sheraton. I’m the indistinguishable blur at the bottom of the picture – but the view of Diamond Head is magnificent. You can’t take a picture anything like this at Aulani.
What scares me about recommending Aulani is the Disney Marketing Machine. I’ve seen this entity convince an amazing number of first-time cruisers that the Disney Cruise Line is the best line afloat. I’ve talked with countless people who have never, and would never sail on anything other than Disney.
Don’t get me wrong, I think the Disney Cruise Line is excellent. I’ve sailed on both the Magic and the Wonder. They have a fantastic product and I recommend them often. But contrary to what Disney will have you believe, their competition is also excellent with a lot to offer. Notice I sailed on Princess Cruise Lines on my latest vacation.
I’m afraid this same “cruise line” mentality will take hold with Aulani. I’m afraid Disney will convince first-time Hawaiian vacationers that if they don’t select Aulani, they’re settling for something less. After all, Disney implies that they have “a touch of magic” that everyone else is lacking. Trust me. I have stayed at several Hawaiian resorts that are far more elegant and luxurious than Aulani – and their employees equaled any Disney cast member in terms of service and friendliness. These resorts might not have had Mickey Mouse and a lazy river, but that’s not why I vacation in Hawaii. I go to Orlando and Anaheim for Mickey and the gang. I go to Hawaii to experience Hawaii.
Here are a few pictures of the resorts I’ve stayed at in the islands.
Sheraton Waikiki
Hilton Waikoloa
Kauai Marriott Resort
Hyatt Regency Maui
Taking this thought even further, Disney wants you to return to Aulani year after year. Don’t believe me? Here is a direct quote from that full-page back-cover Aulani advertisement I picked up in Honolulu:
“Write your own storybook vacations year after year at Aulani, a family paradise with a touch of magic.”
Visiting Oahu year after year would be like visiting the Magic Kingdom year after year and never trying Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.
Oahu is a fantastic island and probably the best choice for first-time visitors. But the other islands also offer tremendous opportunities for fun, excitement, exploration, and relaxation. If you decide to return to Hawaii for a second vacation, then you definitely should skip Aulani and travel to Maui, Kauai, or the Big Isle. Here are just a few of the activities I have engaged in on the other islands.
I saw the sunrise from the top of HaleakalÄ. Then I mounted a bicycle at the top of this 10,023 foot high volcano and rode all the way to the sea (it was almost all downhill so anyone can manage it). It was a great way to spend the day.
I took a helicopter ride on Maui and was treated to a view of one of the most spectacular collections of waterfalls on the islands.
On Kauai, I took a zodiac rubber raft and sailed inside volcanic lava tubes that opened onto the ocean. This is the area of Hawaii where “Jurassic Park” and “South Pacific” were filmed. The scenery in this part of Kauai is breathtaking.
I’ve played on black-sand beaches on the Big Isle.
I’ve taken a helicopter ride over molten lava spewing from Mount Kilauea. I could feel the heat rising as we flew over.
I swam with dolphins and actually got to hug one.
I’ve taken a catamaran from Maui to the island of Lanai for a picnic lunch and snorkeling on a nearly deserted beach.
Would I stay at Aulani if I was returning to Hawaii for a week-long vacation? Possibly, if my destination was Oahu. The resort is wonderful if all you want to do is relax by the pool and do little else. As I mentioned yesterday, I’ve already vacationed on Oahu twice and I’ve seen most of the major (and many of the minor) attractions here, so laying by a pool for a week is something I would consider. But I’d still have to give it a lot of thought. Aulani is a long way away from everything, including other dining options. I could not eat 21 meals at Aulani over a week’s time – even if I had a DVC unit and could cook some of my own meals.
But in all probability, I would not return to Oahu, but rather Maui for a week-long vacation. Many people familiar with Hawaiian vacations prefer Maui. I’d go back to KÄÊ»anapali and stay at one of the deluxe resorts that line a real beach, not a man-made cove. At KÄÊ»anapali it’s possible to walk along the seashore to about a dozen other resorts and sample their restaurants and shops. In addition, the quaint Whalers Village Shopping Center is smack dab in the middle of it all.
In closing, I would like to ask you to do the following before you start planning your first trip to Hawaii. Ask yourself why you want to travel to the islands. Is it simply because Disney has built a new resort here? I hope it is more than that. Hawaii has so much more to offer than Disney.
Put your prejudice in favor of Disney aside. Don’t let Disney decide for you. Ask yourself what you really want to see and do while on Oahu. Then use the internet and/or a travel agent familiar with Hawaii to determine what the right resort for you really is. Do your homework. Read a few tour books. If it turns out you decide to stay at Aulani, fantastic. I know you’ll love it. But you might find that other resorts are also fantastic and fill your needs better.
Whatever you decide, a Hawaiian vacation can be incredible. And if you’re like most people, you’ll fall in love with the islands and want to return again and again.
Hi Jack,
I too “would enthusiastically recommend Aulani”. Our first visit was in April 2012 and we were lucky enough to get a great package deal through an airline. We rented a car to get to and from (dropping off at the desk to avoid the parking fee). We planned to rent a car to sight see but once we got there no one wanted to leave! The Imagineers did a great job storytelling all around the resort. Did you notice each tower is themed differently? We enjoyed the Art Tour, Starlit Hui and Fireside Storytelling. My kids loved Aunty’s and Uncle’s. My daughter will be a teen when we go back this summer and she can’t wait to try the Teen activities and Spa. Lanwai? I can’t even attempt to describe wonderful this Spa is. It was truly one of the best (relaxing) vacations we have had. We became DVC Members because of Aulani and my husband was skeptical at best prior to going!
I love your blogs and was dismayed you wrote the review after only being there three hours. You always tell us to slow down, look around. How could you possibly get the feeling of the place in three hours? I went back and reread both parts and realized you put in several caveats regarding what kind of Hawaii vacation people are looking for. We do not go on vacation to be where the action is so Waikiki was never on our radar. We have been lucky enough to visit the other islands (some more than once). We have shopped the touristy stuff and seen the sights. We will continue to call Aulani our home away from home and visit every chance we get!
Jack’s Comment:
First off, I’m delighted that you have discovered Aulani and it fits your vacation needs so perfectly. That was the point of my article — to make sure people find what works best for them. However, you and your family really were not the target audience I was writing to. I was addressing my comments to first-time visitors to Hawaii. Since you’ve been to the other islands — some multiple times, Aulani was not your first Hawaiian experience. In my mind, you have explored Hawaii and found what works best for you, and that is Aulani. That is fantastic!
Overall, my comments about Aulani were extremely positive. In fact, I said I would recommend it in a heartbeat if it was in a more central location. My only other major complaint was that it lacks a beach with waves. My concern was that first-time visitors would buy into Disney marketing propaganda, go to Aulani, and never experience anything else that Hawaii has to offer.
Is three hours enough to fully evaluate any resort? Of course not. But in that three hours I could see that its location is remote and there is no beach with waves. However, I could also see the resort had a lot to offer — which I pointed out in Part One.
Disney has convinced many people that the Disney Cruise Line is the crème-de-la-crème among cruises — and these people refuse to try anything else. The Disney Cruise Line is FANTASTIC! But I believe that people should look at all options and try the competition at least once before settling on Disney. In my opinion, there are better cruise lines out there. But if in the end the Disney Cruise Line is what they want and fits their needs best, this is wonderful.
As I said in my article, I see the same thing happening with Aulani. Disney is telling people that Aulani is the ultimate Hawaiian destination. Sorry, I don’t agree. I have stayed at three Hawaiian resorts that I believe are superior to Aulani.
As you know, I LOVE Disney. If I didn’t love it so much, I wouldn’t write a weekly column and not get paid for it. But contrary to what many think, Disney is not perfect. After all, they are a business with the ultimate goal of making money. They’re going to do everything they can to promote their products over the competition. All I want is for people to do their homework before choosing Aulani.
Once again, I truly am thrilled that you have found Aulani and it works so well for you and your family. Vacations are precious and need to be spent doing exactly what relaxes and excites us best.
Sarah’s Reply:
Hi Jack,
Thanks for writing back! I totally agree. I was trying to make the point in my second paragraph (not very well unfortunately 🙂 that we have already experienced the first timer things and for our future visits we will be happy to stay at Aulani. I was also trying to explain that by rereading your posts I realized you were giving the above advice.
Thanks Again
I would enthusiastically recommend Aulani to anyone going to Hawaii who is interested in the culture of the islands and getting away from it all and is willing to sacrifice the party atmosphere of Waikiki. I spent two weeks at Aulani last summer with my family on DVC points (saving about $1,000 a night), and it was one of the most amazing vacations I have ever taken. Was it isolated in Ko’Olina? Yes. But we rented a car and spent numerous days driving around the perimeter of the island. Despite its location, we hiked Diamond Head, toured the Waimea Valley, hiked to Kaena Point, went to the USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri, visited the Wahiawa Botanical Gardens, and more. The Dole Plantation was a tourist trap, not worth the time. We also went to Waikiki and found it to be dirty and cheap, with the same stores in which you can shop in any other metropolitan area, good if you’re interested in going to Hawaii to get drunk and party, but not worth the time if this is your only time in Hawaii, especially if you have children. The only other times I returned from a vacation so relaxed were the times I cruised with Disney. Perfect sunrises. Ocean views. Impeccable service. There’s a reason they call Hawaii paradise, and Disney has hit a home run with Aulani.
Jack,
Thank you for your informative look at Aulani. It came at the perfect time!
I am taking the plunge and going to Hawaii in May. I considered a short stay at Aulani until I compared prices. Wow!
I am spending 4 days at the Outrigger on the Beach on Waikiki (thanks for the review of the Hula Grill) and 3 days at the Westin on KÄÊ»anapali Beach, Maui. The price per night at each of these hotels was almost half of what I would spend at Aulani. I also did my research (Lonely Planet guidebook) and decided that for my first trip, I am going “Touristy Kitsch” all the way and Aulani just seemed too out of the action for this single (almost) senior gal. All my tours will come straight to my hotel to pick me up and there is a trolley on Maui to take me to shopping and a luau.
So I am following your lead and will visit Aulani on the one day I can rent a car and drive around Oahu but staying there is not in the cards for me! (even tho I am a Disney fan for life- I will stay at the Poly @ 30% discount in WDW)
Thanks for all the great info! My parents are DVC owners and we’re thinking of saving up points for a 2016 visit to Aulani. My parent have never been to Hawaii but my husband and I have both been 4 times. I can’t honestly imagine going to Hawaii and not renting a car. We stayed on Waikiki during our honeymoon and still had a rental car. We spent a fair amount of our time exploring the rest of the island. I think Aulani will work just fine as a home base. I don’t really remember bad traffic. Yes it can be a long time in the car exploring the whole island but who cares? I’m on vacation and the scenery is interesting. Since it would mean not having the hotel cost I think it would be worth staying there for at least 5 days and then maybe island hopping to Maui or Kauai. Man now I really want to get back to Hawaii!!
Hi Jack – thanks for this article, it was very informative, especially since my husband and I have been talking about going to Hawaii some day. I did not like the fact that guests do not have access to the ocean. I love the ocean and would find it claustrophobic to have the ocean so close, yet so far away.
Thanks for the honest review and thoughts on Aulani and the Disney Wonder too. I will probably only visit Hawaii or take an Alaskan cruise once in my life and I was so caught up in the Disney marketing and hoopla that I was planning on both Aulani and traveling on the Wonder. I wanted Disney’s level of service and quality and consistency as well as attention to detail with no surprises. You have opened my eyes and taken off the Disney blinder so I can see that there are probably better options out there and possibly more reasonably priced too. I really still want to stay at Aulani once but rather than a week now, I will do a 2 nighter and then transfer to something in the heart of the activity. With Disney raising it’s gate prices to absurd levels, we are looking at different options now for a vacation rather than a week at WDW.
Jack,
I agree 100% on your analysis re staying at Aulani. And thanks for all the great photos of other places in Hawaii! Just a couple comments:
— The hotel you label as Hyatt Regency Waikoloa has changed hands. We stayed there in 2006; it was then and is still “Hilton Waikoloa Village”. I love the big island and this is a great place to stay.
— If you want to stay on Waikiki, another good choice is “Hilton Hawaiian Village”, a multi-tower family-friendly resort on the western end of the beach. If you stay in the Rainbow Tower there you may have a view of Diamond Head similar to the one in your photo, though more distant.
Aloha Jack!
Great blog, as always. Just as an FYI, the Hyatt Waikoloa is now the Hilton Waikoloa. We’ve stayed there twice and really love the place (but it is really big).
Mahalo!
Jack: I forgot to ask–do you (or your readers) know if there is decent snorkeling in the bay in front of Aulani–I’m not talking about the manufactured snorkeling they charge you to do–but the area before it is roped off and you can’t access the rest of the ocean? Also, someone mentioned a snorkeling trip–which one? Was it arranged through Aluani or on your own? Thanks much. – Shirley
Jack’s Answer:
I’m 99% certain there is no snorkeling in the cove. This is a man-made lagoon. I saw no one snorkeling there.
As for the snorkeling trip, I have no idea if Aulani arranged this. But I’m 99% certain that the concierge at Aulani would be able to help you book a good excursion
First of all, Jack, you are rockin’ that ‘stache in those Big Isle pictures.
I had a feeling your essay would end this way. (Not the least because you replied to me yesterday and said it would!) Which is too bad, but also refreshing. I love Disney and I love staying on property. My only cruise (so far) was on the Fantasy a couple of years ago. We were only the second itenerary the Fantasy had gone on, and it was amazing. My wife is pregnant and when we have our first child, it’s a safe bet that she’ll be going on DCL for years to come. That said, I agree that it’s probably a good idea to approach any new Disney-related venture (especially non-WDW or DL ventures) with a healthy dose of skepticism. Maybe not CYNICISM, but keeping a more open mind than maybe Disney PR would like you to is called for.
Then again, my wife and I just dropped more on DVC than we did on our last car, so who am I to talk?
One day we’ll get to Hawaii. When we do, I imagine we’ll stay at a non-Disney resort. Even with DVC points, I’m just not sure I’d want to stay so far away from the action. And if every vacation is spent at Aulani, how will you ever see the amazing emerald spectacle of Kauai or the incredible volcanic majesty of the Big Island.
Anyway, thanks for another amazing blog. You really are the only reason I come back to Allears day after day. Not to bag on anything else, but this is the only blog that caters to my interests (the detail and history of WDW) and it combines that with wit, direct experience with the Disney company and lots and lots of gorgeous pictures. (Though knowing how much I love my Canon, those pics taken from the raft scare me!)
I don’t always need Allears. When I don’t have a Disney trip scheduled for a while, it’s not a resource I need. And even when I do, my wife and I are experienced enough that we generally don’t need to see menus to know where we’ll eat or what parks we’ll be visiting. But I always look forward to a new World According to Jack.
So I guess I’m saying I’m glad to have you back! And I’m sure I speak for a lot of people.
Jack: Thanks. We’ve been to Hawaii probably 12-13 times (and we live in Cleveland!), however, we’ve only been to Oahu once, back in 2006. We stayed at the Kahala then and it was lovely. However, they have made some horrible changes since ownership changed. They allow pets and not only in certain rooms–disasterous for my husband who is very allergic. Their beds, according to reviews, are soft and lumpy–horrible for my very bad back. We were going to stay there this year but then discovered all of this.
We made a reservation at Aulani. Now that I’ve read your review, I’m wondering about this again. We don’t want to stay directly in Waikiki because it is just too crowded and noisy for us (hence, staying at the Kahala that’s on the other side of Diamond Head in an upscale residential community). But I thought we could at least access the ocean at Aulani. And I know it takes forever to get to Waikiki but thought we could do the trip for at least a couple of dinners. More than an hour each though–goodness, I’m not so sure now. And no tiki torches? Why not? Like you said, the Poly has them.
We’ve been to Maui 3 times and last time it was so disappointing–too built up and too much traffic, so we’ll never go again. We stayed at Hyatt on first trip, but it has gone so down hill. We stayed at Ritz the other 2 times and while lovely, it’s too windy and rains more on that part of the island. I don’t like the part of the island where the Four Seasons is because it’s removed from everything and the sun is brutal over there.
Been to Kauaii twice and were considing it for this trip. In the past, we stayed at the old Coco Palms (alas, no longer there) and the Hyatt. While the Hyatt is great, you can’t access the ocean there either. We were considering the Princeville resort, however, they nickel and dime you (I should say higher currency!) for everything and their cancellation policy is ridiculous.
Been to Big Island once and loved it, but when you think of Hawaii, it’s not exactly what you think–at least where the large resorts are. Although you cannot see volcanoes like they have there anywhere else in Hawaii, so I always tell folks this island is a ‘must do.’
Been to Lanai 4 times and that was our favoriate until Ellison bought the island. He’s making a lot of changes that have angered long-time guests–us included. So not sure when or if we will ever go back again.
If anyone has any additional info on Aulani, I would appreciate. Thanks much. – Shirley
Aloha Jack
I enjoyed reliving my trips to the Hawaiian Islands thru this blog. I have stayed at some of the resorts you featured:
Sheraton Waikiki-2009
Hyatt Maui 2009
Kauai Marriott-2000
I also took a Zodiac thru the cave in Kauai; which was amazing. 2 Must do’s in Kauai are:
Helicopter over Na’Pali Coast and visit to Fern Grotto.
I subscribe to Hawaii Magazine to keep the memories alive.
Mahalo for the ride down memory lane.
Jack,
I really appreciate your honest comments. It seems whenever I read a review of anything Disney, it’s all praise, all the time. I’m left thinking, “Really, everything was totally perfect?”
From you, I know I’m going to get an honest evaluation. While you love Disney, you don’t sugar-coat your reviews and that makes them much more credible.
That being said, your readers have the right idea – spend some time playing elsewhere, then spend a couple days resting by the pool at Aulani.
Jack’s Comment:
Overall, I try to keep my blogs positive. There are enough other sites out there that continually bash Disney when they don’t deserve it.
But on the other hand, Disney is far from perfect. There are many things that they are doing these days that I think are just plain wrong. But I keep most of these opinions to myself. I’m glad that my approach gives me credibility. I appreciate you letting me know.
Great review on Aulani and so timely since my family is thinking/planning our first trip to Hawaii this summer. We’ve narrowed our focus to Maui (We’re not really interested in the big city crowds of Waikiki Beach. After doing a ton of reading, Maui came up as the best choice ~ gorgeous beaches, but still opportunities to explore and see what Hawaii has to offer. We’re a family of four with two girls ~ 14 & 11. Any recommendations on resorts? The Westin and Sheraton both are possibilities, but I’m open to suggestions. Thanks!
Jack’s Answer:
Many people who have visited all the islands think Maui is the best — and I agree.
I’ve stayed at the Hyatt Regency Maui on KÄÊ»anapali. I loved it. I have also stayed at the Embassy Suites which is a few miles north of KÄÊ»anapali. I liked the rooms, but the beach in this area was lacking. Other than that, I really can’t offer any recommendations. It’s been so long since I’ve visited Maui that my opinions are probably out of date.
Hi Jack! What an amazing vacation! The resort is beautiful. You provided so much information, greatly appreciated. I love your honesty.
11 more days until I’m at WDW…Just found out the new parade is debuting on our first night back at the MK. I’m very excited about this!
Jack, I really loved your look at Aulani. My aunt was stationed in Hawaii for 1½ years and had an apartment in Aiea. That was the only reason we could afford to visit since we didn’t have to pay for a hotel (and this was over 15yrs ago). Aulani sounds perfect for someone who wants to get away and have a very relaxing vacation without doing touristy things, which doesn’t really sound like the same sort of person who regularly visits WDW or DL.
There’s so much to do even in just the Waikiki area. Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay was one of our favorite things to do and the only time we got in the ocean (we’re pool people). We did spend a whole day at the PCC and really enjoyed the luau and show, and I also flew over to the Big Island for a day and took one of those circle tours. We loved shopping at Hilo Hatties and also the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet (most of our souvenirs came from those 2 locations). We loved looking at the art in Wyland’s many galleries and then checking art supply stores for cheap prints to buy. We came home with a lot of pictures and had them framed at home (from 8×10 up to poster size). We went over with one full suitcase and one that was half-full with 3 others inside it (don’t you love collapsible duffles?) and we came home with 5 full suitcases!!!
Jack,
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on Aulani and Hawaii vacations. We are DVC members, but I don’t see using our points at Aulani. As noted, it’s realtively remote and unspectacular location (by Oahu standards to be sure) make me think it is a mis-use of the effort involved in getting to Hawaii. DVC seems to have this tact of building in less than prime locations, and then trusting on pixie dust to increase visitors perceived value. This may work to a degree at Vero Beach and Hilton Head, but I doesn’t work for me at Hawaii.
When one of closest neighbors to the resort is the Oahu’s landfill — Waimanolo Gulch is less than 1.5 miles away — it’s a good sign that you might not be in the most favorable location on the island.
Hi Jack,
I enjoyed both parts of your article about Aulani.
My family and I stayed at Aulani this past August in a 1 Bedroom Villa for 6 nights. Prior to arriving at Aulani, we spent 3 nights at Hilton Hawaiian Village on the beach in Waikiki in a beautiful ocean view suite.
First, let me say that my family and I LOVED Aulani. It is beautiful, well conceived and executed and just a fantastic place to stay. The details are amazing. (I took a resort tour and learned so much!). Our one bedroom villa was lovely and spacious and reminded us of other villas we have stayed in at Disney World. The shops are nice (could be bigger!) and my son like that he could pin trade with the staff at Aulani. The Waikolohe Stream and water play are is truly amazing. So nicely done and so much fun. Wish there were a couple more slides tho.
It was fun to see Disney characters at Aulani (we are Disney fans), and also nice that they didn’t overwhelm the place. Good balance there.
Honestly, had we not stayed in Waikiki for a few nights and experienced Waikiki Beach, the Ala Moana Center, Pearl Harbor and Diamond Head,and all the shops/dining at Hilton Hawaiian Village I think we would have been very frustrated by a stay at “just” Aulani. In combination, these 2 resort stays were great. We had a great time in Waikiki doing all the touristy things and then we really enjoyed the peace of Aulani–although honestly, all of us wish we had spent 2 more nights in Waikiki and 2 less nights at Aulani.
Why? There just wasn’t enough to do. Our son was almost 12 at the time and not eligible for the teen club (Painted Sky) but too mature for the activities offered at Aunty’s Beach House. And, while we loved the water play area with the slides and lazy river, it got boring after 3 days. The beach at Aulani compared with Waikiki beach was a disappointment…although the sunsets there are lovely, especially from Ama Ama. And, while some of the activities offered for families are fun, they are pricey.
We did do an excursion from Aulani. A catamaran sail with snorkeling off the boat. This was outstanding! Such a great Hawaiian experience! We saw tons of fish, sea turtles and enjoyed the ocean immensely. We wish we had pre-booked more excursions for our last day or 2.
We enjoyed a couple of the restaurants across the street from Aulani (walked there), especially Monkeypod and we took a shuttle to have dinner at Roy’s which was excellent. We were also glad there was an ABC store there to stock our kitchen. Our favorite restaurant at Aulani was Ama Ama. Really excellent!
Aulani’s evening entertainment was very good. The live music outside Makahiki was good fun. The Starlit Hui is a wonderful show and well managed. The movies on the lawn are fun too. But, the Friday night fireworks over the beach at the Hilton and their poolside show and live music were equally good!
Food prices at Aulani are ridiculous (and they are all over Hawaii). Aulani should have a dining plan! The character buffet is not worth the money. Not enough variety. The food isn’t that good but the show/character interaction is very good.
Overall, we loved our first trip to Hawaii. But we are glad we stayed at multiple resorts and not only Aulani. I think if you can combine a few days at Aulani with a few days at one or more Hawaiian locations, that would make for a great vacation!
Thanks again for your blog posts,
Nancy
Jack’s Comment:
To be honest, it never occurred to me that a person could split their stay between Waikiki and Aulani. I think this would be a perfect solution for hardcore Disney fans that must experience everything the Company turns out. Thanks for the great idea.
Great post! I had the pleasure of living on Oahu for five years, in Manoa Valley (about 10 minutes away from Waikiki). Though I have not seen Aulani resort yet, I did see the area before it had been turned into a Disney resort.
I’m so glad that you are stressing to visit the other amazing parts of Oahu as well as the other islands. There is so much to be seen in all of Hawaii.
As you mentioned, there are so many wonderful and affordable hotels right in the Waikiki area. Much like the Disney resorts, you can also walk through, lounge, and eat at most of the hotels along Kalakaua Ave. I love to walk through the Royal Hawaiian and enjoy a cocktail on their beach front lanai. Live music and entertainment can be found there during select times as well!
Also, glad you mentioned the ABC stores 🙂 And, as for me, I LOVE the kitschy tiki items!
Thank you again Jack for your spot on review of Aulani Part 2. We really appreciate your information on the other options available. You are correct about the cab fare into Honolulu. We did make the trip into Honolulu by cab for dinner and enjoyed the dinner at Duke’s and seeing Waikiki beach, but it is very touristy there. Definitely hard to do things off site due to the traffic concerns. We look forward to traveling in the future to the other islands and seeing their beauty. Thanks for your suggestions. Your blog is well done.
Hi Jack,
Thanks for your honesty and insights here. Hawaii obviously holds a very special place in your heart, as it does mine – my husband and I honeymooned on the Big Island a few years ago (at the wonderfully Hawaiian Kona Village, now closed due to the tsunami in 2011).
While my family has no immediate plans to return to HI (only due to time and expense), I would have seriously considered Aluani for any future trip to Oahu. After reading this, I’d maybe still consider it, but just for a night or two, at most, and would definitely plan on a longer stay near Waikiki to soak all the history, atmosphere, scenery, etc. on offer there!
Best,
Meghan
PS- great to have you back 🙂
Jack’s Comment:
I think you have come up with a wonderful solution for Disney fanatics that want to experience Aulani — a two-night stay. Perfect!
Thank you as always for a candid and detailed post! I always look forward to your blogs and learn something new. My family and I would love to visit Hawaii, and seeing your pictures of all it has to offer makes me want to go even more!
Thanks Jack! Although a trip to Hawaii is not something we could afford anytime soon, I recently explored Aulani’s website to see what a stay there would cost. After reading, you gave us alot to think about before we would plan a trip there. Your pictures are beautiful!
Hey Jack
Aulani looks beautiful but I don’t think it is the hotel for me. After reading everything about it, it seems that although they do offer a lot for it’s guests, I’d rather invest my money in a nice Disney Vacation. Can’t wait for your next blog and as always keep up the great work.
Jack, I love that your blogs are always so objective. I have wanted to visit Hawaii since I was a little girl. I told my grandmother when I was 8 that I would take her there. 🙂 Sadly, that dream will not be realized. But, one day I would love to go. It’s definitely on my bucket list. Since you have been several times, can you recommend when you think is the best time of the year to visit? Hope you enjoyed your cruise!
Jack’s Answer:
Ummm. I’m not sure. Hawaii has nice weather year round. I have never factored time-of-year into any of my visits. When I was there last month, the daytime highs were in the low to mid 70s.
My family is going back to Aulani in may for the third year in a row. I disagree with a lot if what you said. There are 3 additional dinning options within walking distance if Aulani. We rent a car every year and easily visit every corner of the island. We have never had trouble finding parking in Waikiki. The biggest benefit to Aulani to my family is the lack of crowds. Every time we visit Waikiki we always say we are so happy we do not have to deal with those crowds. I understand everyone has their favorite way to vacation and Aulani is our happy place. I truly wish you had had the opportunity to watch the sunset from the rocks that line the ocean in front of the JW Marriott. It is the most beautiful sunset you will ever see.
Jack, I was so excited to see your review of this resort. We will be visiting this island in April for business. As first time and possibly only time visitors, can you suggest a source for finding out what is available to experience on the Island? We will be staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. And thanks to your review, I won’t mope that it’s not Disney!
Jack’s Answer:
There are so many sources — internet, travel books, travel agents. I really can’t recommend one.
Being at the Hilton Hawaiian Village you’re right in the heart of Waikiki. This is a good starting point. Of course, you’ll want to see the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Also consider the Polynesian Cultural Center. However, this is located on the other side of the island and will take a good portion of your day. Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay. I took a glider ride on the north end of the island that was fantastic. Consider a helicopter ride.
Great information Jack. Interesting to see Disney on the other side of the “on site vs. off site” debate. (I am loosely defining the Waikiki area as “on site” given that most of the island’s amenities are clustered in that area.) Aulani sure looks nice, but I wonder if has enough “Disney Magic” to satisfy those looking for it. Other than the character meal and Mickey meet-and-greet, there seem to be few other Disney touches.
I’m curious about the cost of staying at Aulani (not using DVC points) vs. other comporable resorts in the Waikiki area. Taking into account their proximity to the other amenities (and the cost of a taxi), other resorts seem to be a a better bargain.
Jack’s Answer:
You make some good points. Besides the characters, there really isn’t that much “Disney” at Aulani. Aulani is comparable to Disney DVCs at Vero Beach or Hilton Head. These are very nice resorts, but they certainly didn’t give me my “Disney fix” when I stayed there.
Thanks for your reviews. I’m a DVC member but have never been to Aulani. I did, however, visit Maui in 2005, and would love to visit the other islands. Maybe once to Aulani, but more so Kauai and the big island. With the price of airline tickets from the east coast, a vacation each year in Hawaii is impossible. Maybe that’s why they cater to the Japanese.
Jack, I enjoy your honesty. My family loves those Aulani ads, but would probably enjoy ‘Hawaii’ more. Aulani seems to have many drawbacks. Also – so happy to have you back writing on Allears!