Aulani - here now - post your questions

[Iceman93]

If you are landing at 2:30 on a weekday, by the time you land, get over to baggage pick-up area, etc. it will be close to 3:30. Add in the time to get your rental car....well, you will be right in the middle of prime time rush hour.

Yes, what they said. There is NO WAY you're going to make a 4:00 event at Aulani with a flight that lands at 2:35. Let's even be generous and say your flight arrives a full hour early, your bags are the first off the carousel, you walk right out to find a rental car bus waiting for you, getting your car is seamless, and rush hour is mysteriously easy that day. Still count on two hours from touchdown to check-in. And then it's not like you're going to sprint to your room, dump your luggage on the floor and rush back to the lobby for a tour.

My advice is to put yourself mentally on "Hawaii time" before you even leave home. Enjoy first class, take your time getting to the resort, enjoy the atmosphere as you arrive (and a glass of pineapple water), let the bellman fill you in on the walk to your room, take some time to unpack and explore your room, and simply unwind. Take the tour another day.

 

[jerseygal]

We also land at 2:00PM!

I LOVE THE TIP about one member of the party going to get the rental car and coming back for the rest! MAKES GREAT SENSE!

ONLINE CHECKIN is such a nice feature as well!
Looking at the positive, some vacation destinations are at least 1-2 hours from the airport once you arrive!

SO EXCITED FOR OUR AULANI VACA IN MAY!!!!!!!!! CANNOT WAIT!

Our upcoming vacations are "getting me through this awful FRIGID COLD WINTER THE EAST!

 

[aboveH20]

As I'm starting to pack (24 more sleeps!) I have two more "fashion" questions. You were helpful in figuring out what to wear to Ama Ama for dinner, I have two other questions.

It's been a l-o-n-g time since we've done a beach vacation, and that was Ocean City, NJ when our kids were young. Assuming I actually put on the bathing suit I'll be packing, what do people wear for cover ups? I know the Hawaiian sun can be brutal.

And, while you're out an about at the resort do you carry a purse? Seems funny to be carrying a purse, but I don't know what the alternative would be. I guess I do more city traveling than sand traveling!

 

[kyton]

I wear a gauzy chiffon type cover-up over my swimmers but trust me there are plenty of people walking all over the resort in just swimmers and flip-flops. My kids do that but for me being a little more self conscious, the dress rolls down to nothing and can be packed with a minimum of fuss.

I never carry any purse the whole time we are there. Phones, wallets etc all stay in the safe. When we got to the beach / pool, I carry a bottle of sunscreen, my kindle sometimes and my room key, when we go for dinner I carry my room key. That is it! That way the only thing I have to keep an eye on is my 3 kids. The only thing of "value" someone could steal would be my kindle but since it is 5yrs old I think it is pretty safe (and covered by insurance).

 

[amym2]

As I'm starting to pack (24 more sleeps!) I have two more "fashion" questions. You were helpful in figuring out what to wear to Ama Ama for dinner, I have two other questions.

It's been a l-o-n-g time since we've done a beach vacation, and that was Ocean City, NJ when our kids were young. Assuming I actually put on the bathing suit I'll be packing, what do people wear for cover ups? I know the Hawaiian sun can be brutal.

And, while you're out an about at the resort do you carry a purse? Seems funny to be carrying a purse, but I don't know what the alternative would be. I guess I do more city traveling than sand traveling!

For a cover-up, people wear lots and lots of sunscreen! I have a light cover-up that I wore from our room to the pool, or I often wore a swimsuit that had shorts for the bottom and I'd just wear a shirt to the pool with it. Yes, the sun can be brutal, but we were rarely sitting in direct sun for very long.

I have a small purse with a long strap that I'd sometimes sling over my shoulder if I was going to the gift shop or something. I usually just carried our key cards in my pocket (or had DH carry them). We have a small mesh bag that we'd bring to the pool with goggles, sunscreen, etc. We never felt so far from our room that we had to carry much with us.

 

[Cinderpamela]

aboveH20--

I have a couple of great beach cover ups that I use at the resort, one is more of a zip up hoodie that is long enough to give bottom coverage and the other is a black pull over one that I got at Target. I keep my room key, id, and cel phone in the pockets and don't carry a purse when down in the pool area.

They have signs up asking that folks wear cover ups in the lobby and such, but the pool area it is fine to just be in a suit.

They do sell some nice cover ups in both the gift shops and also across the street at the Ko Olina Station mall.

I also carry a largish beach bag that I keep sunscreen and reading materials in to set by the beach chair.

Hope that Helps!

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

I wear cover ups pretty much all the time around the resort- just nicer ones that give coverage and can pass off like a dress or a caftan. I usually buy mine at victoria secret online (they have surprisingly cute, family friendly cover ups).

As for what to bing- if I know I'm going to be in the water at all i bring a waterproof laynard for room key, a credit card and id, along with our waterproof camera. These we keep on us at all times. We do usually have a beach bag that I'm comfortable leaving at our chairs with books and sunscreen in it.

If I know that I will be not getting in the water and more and just relaxing around I will bring our nicer camera and my things in a wristlet (as it's cuter then a laynard lol).

 

[aboveH20]

I wear a gauzy chiffon type cover-up over my swimmers but trust me there are plenty of people walking all over the resort in just swimmers and flip-flops. My kids do that but for me being a little more self conscious, the dress rolls down to nothing and can be packed with a minimum of fuss.

I never carry any purse the whole time we are there. Phones, wallets etc all stay in the safe. When we got to the beach / pool, I carry a bottle of sunscreen, my kindle sometimes and my room key, when we go for dinner I carry my room key. That is it! That way the only thing I have to keep an eye on is my 3 kids. The only thing of "value" someone could steal would be my kindle but since it is 5yrs old I think it is pretty safe (and covered by insurance).

Good suggestions. I like the idea of something gauzy, because, as you say, it won't be a suitcase hog.

For a cover-up, people wear lots and lots of sunscreen! I have a light cover-up that I wore from our room to the pool, or I often wore a swimsuit that had shorts for the bottom and I'd just wear a shirt to the pool with it. Yes, the sun can be brutal, but we were rarely sitting in direct sun for very long.

I have a small purse with a long strap that I'd sometimes sling over my shoulder if I was going to the gift shop or something. I usually just carried our key cards in my pocket (or had DH carry them). We have a small mesh bag that we'd bring to the pool with goggles, sunscreen, etc. We never felt so far from our room that we had to carry much with us.

I like the idea of a mesh bag, and I have one that I can grab. Thanks for replying.

aboveH20--

I have a couple of great beach cover ups that I use at the resort, one is more of a zip up hoodie that is long enough to give bottom coverage and the other is a black pull over one that I got at Target. I keep my room key, id, and cel phone in the pockets and don't carry a purse when down in the pool area.

They have signs up asking that folks wear cover ups in the lobby and such, but the pool area it is fine to just be in a suit.

They do sell some nice cover ups in both the gift shops and also across the street at the Ko Olina Station mall.

I also carry a largish beach bag that I keep sunscreen and reading materials in to set by the beach chair.

Hope that Helps!

Yes, it does help. It's just so hard to imagine 78° and sunny when it's 11° here.

I wear cover ups pretty much all the time around the resort- just nicer ones that give coverage and can pass off like a dress or a caftan. I usually buy mine at victoria secret online (they have surprisingly cute, family friendly cover ups).

As for what to bing- if I know I'm going to be in the water at all i bring a waterproof laynard for room key, a credit card and id, along with our waterproof camera. These we keep on us at all times. We do usually have a beach bag that I'm comfortable leaving at our chairs with books and sunscreen in it.

If I know that I will be not getting in the water and more and just relaxing around I will bring our nicer camera and my things in a wristlet (as it's cuter then a laynard lol).

I don't see myself doing a lot of real swimming, but the lazy river is my speed! I like the idea of a caftan, and I have a credit card holder from Blizzard Beach that shound fill the bill. A wristlet is probably the perfect size. I appreciate your suggestions.

 

[KaTFacer]

We will be in Aulani in 4 days!! DH & I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary as well as our DGP & DGM 45th! DGP & DGM first date (way back when) was seeing Lady & the Tramp in theaters. I would like to get a cake for them (I already have a "Lady & the Tramp cake topper" for decoration) while we are there (their 1st date was on Valentine's Day - when we will be there) and they attempt to celebrate every year with something "Lady & the Tramp". Ordering a cake from room service is sooo expensive. Does anyone know where I could order one (maybe a local grocery store)?

 

[poohj80]

We will be in Aulani in 4 days!! DH & I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary as well as our DGP & DGM 45th! DGP & DGM first date (way back when) was seeing Lady & the Tramp in theaters. I would like to get a cake for them (I already have a "Lady & the Tramp cake topper" for decoration) while we are there (their 1st date was on Valentine's Day - when we will be there) and they attempt to celebrate every year with something "Lady & the Tramp". Ordering a cake from room service is sooo expensive. Does anyone know where I could order one (maybe a local grocery store)?

I plan to get DHs b-day cake at Costco assuming their bakery is like our local Costco.

 

[KaTFacer]

Thank you, I was considering Costco. I hope they have smaller cakes than a giant one (since there is only 4 of us, we don't need that much cake!!)

 

[Anal Annie]

Thanks for the replies so far. Any viewers please check both threads for the answers you are looking for.

(I do have a few "special circumstances", like traveling with hyper 4 year old and 12 pieces of luggage, but I am hoping that some of the answers will help others with their trip planning.)


Don't be too jealous, even with my whole bankroll of delta skymiles it's still going to cost me several thousand dollars, but for our first time to Hawaii, our vow renewal, and our sanity of flying 13 hours with DS 13, and DD 4, with the benefit of the fully reclining seat/bed, hopefully I can get them to nap for most of the flight. Sometimes mental soundness is worth a bit of financial stress.


Skycaps and TSA:
Though I totally agree with you in any other time I've flown, my understanding is that with the Delta first class, they have a special priority line and security line (I guess it's called TSA pre-check). [Alaska Airlines is also a participant so next time you fly with them check out if you can go through the "express lane".] Either way, supposedly the priority check in should be near instantaneous here in Orlando, even with the 12 bags we are lugging along with us. Though as I am writing this I am considering getting one just to help with all of these bags so I don't hurt myself.

Arrival day is a Tuesday at 2:35pm HST. Hoping that we can avoid rush hour and major passenger influx from multiple arrivals.



Probably going to get my own luggage cart at the hotel and take the bags up myself. The plan once we arrive is to potentially take the "Aloha, Welcome to Aulani Tour" (still waiting to get feedback on whether it is worth taking) and then dinner buffet and DW gets a massage while I take the kids to Walmart and Target for supplies.



Might be difficult to do this with DD being a little hyper active and us having 12 bags including mine and DS's SCUBA gear bags. Don't want my wife to be burdened at all on this trip. I'm just wondering if there is a Delta baggage claim "Skycap"? Someone that can help her with all of our bags if I do go and retrieve the rental vehicle.

I'm sorry but 12 as in TWELVE bags?? Am I missing something? You're a family of 4, right and one of your kids is like peanut sized? Why are you planning to bring 12 bags?? Are you staying for a month? You should plan to do a couple loads of laundry and leave 1 or 2 of those bags at home (and that's coming from someone who HATES to do laundry on vacation.) Even with scuba gear and vow renewal clothes that sounds like WAAAAY too much luggage for 4 people. My DH would refuse to go with me if I brought 3 bags pp!! I'm sure you will find that most of that stuff will never be worn. You'll be in swim suits and shorts 90% of the time.

The last time we went to Hawaii (2006) was the last time I overpacked. I had brought 2 lg. bags pp and we couldn't get all of them into our rental car. (Have you considered how you're going to get all of this luggage to / from the airport?) That trip we had to go back inside the car rental place, stand in line ALL OVER AGAIN and upgrade our car rental for an additional fee. And this was for just 3 ppl so we also had half of a backseat to use too.

I have since learned to pack in duffles for most of our checked bags - they pack easier and seem to hold more (plus they're more lightweight). We went to Europe for 15 days and did a DCL Med cruise (so had lots of dressy clothes packed for dinners) a couple summers ago and I ALMOST made it in 1 checked bag pp but the weather forecast didn't cooperate (weather in Paris was ranging from 50 to 72 so I had to pack some warmer stuff) and the night before we left I ended up having to pack 1 extra checked bag to share among us with jackets & longer pants & long sleeved shirts. I invested in several packing cubes and packing folders and learned how much more efficient rolling clothes is vs folding. After that last trip to Hawaii my DH put his foot down and refused to be a pack mule in the airport. We just spent 5 n at WDW in January and only brought carry-ons. Granted I didn't bring any really dressy clothes but we DID have bigger heavier winter clothes. Just a suggestion but you might want to think about re-evaluating how much luggage you're bringing. I have been to Hawaii 4x before and I can promise you that you won't wear or need half of all that. You'll be in swim suits most of the time. JM2C on that one.

OH and we have done the ATL - Hawaii Delta flight before. We liked it better than some of our flights where we had to transfer in Salt Lake or DFW or LA or Chicago. It's actually not too bad and since you'll be in first class you'll be fine. And I read on another thread a few days ago that they will not loan you the luggage carts at Aulani due to insurance concerns. You will have to either take the bags one-by-one yourself or tip bell services for all those bags to bring them up for you. (That was another reason DH told me to cut back on how much I pack - he was tired of having to tip skycaps and bell services and bus / shuttle drivers for all the bags!!!!!) I think we probably spent $50 in bag tips the last time we overpacked like that!!

 

[Mog's Mom]

We will be at Aulani three weeks from today, but fly into Honolulu four nights earlier and staying in a cottage on the North Shore. Reading this thread is getting us scared about the airport and traffic!!! We are flying in on United from Ottawa, Canada and connecting through Chicago. Has anyone else ever taken this flight? We understand that it is 9 hours but no meals are served! Is there food to buy? Is there enough for everyone who wants it?

Does anyone know if there is pin trading at Aulani?

Would appreciate any tips that anyone has!

 

[jekjones1558]

We will be at Aulani three weeks from today, but fly into Honolulu four nights earlier and staying in a cottage on the North Shore. Reading this thread is getting us scared about the airport and traffic!!! We are flying in on United from Ottawa, Canada and connecting through Chicago. Has anyone else ever taken this flight? We understand that it is 9 hours but no meals are served! Is there food to buy? Is there enough for everyone who wants it?

Does anyone know if there is pin trading at Aulani?

Would appreciate any tips that anyone has!

What time do you land in Honolulu? If it is later afternoon or early evening you will hit traffic heading out of Honolulu. On your return to the airport, my guess is that you will not have a morning flight when traffic into Honolulu will be worst. Still allow plenty of time. We left Aulani at 7:00 PM or so and still hit a jam because of some lane closures. If you will have a rental car to return that adds more time because the rental lots are not really close to the airport and you need to take a shuttle from the rental lot. Then there is Agricultural inspection of luggage and security and you never know about those lines.
I would definitely plan to bring some food along on your flight just to be on the safe side. Don't know what United offers on Hawaii flights but I have been on other flights where selection of food to purchase was limited and some items were sold out.

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Is there a shuttle between the airport and Aulani?

 

[poohj80]

Is there a shuttle between the airport and Aulani?

Not a Disney provided shuttle. There may be Super Shuttle or something like it in Honolulu.

 

[Soccerluvinmama]

Does anyone know if there is pin trading at Aulani?

Yes, they do in fact do pin trading at Aulani! We were just there and my DD came away with some wonderful new pins! There are 3 primary places you can go to trade:

DVC pre-view center - The CM working there have lanyards with pins for trading, and there is a display by the reception desk in the preview center that has pins as well.

Concierge desk - In a notebook, hidden away in a drawer, the concierge has a book filled with pins! They do not advertise this (we found out from a CM) or have it out, so just ask one of the concierge staff to see the pin trading book. We tried to do this when they were not busy and not rushed

Pau Hana Room (community hall) - The staff will have pin trading lanyards out at the desk from 9-10 in the morning, then 5-6 at night (double check the times as they may have changed since we were there a few weeks ago). Not only will there be the resort lanyards there, but you will see other guests trickle in with their own pins, so it's another option for trading.

There are also pins that can be purchased in the gift store (Kalepa's store had the best selection), including the exclusive Aulani Disney Vacation Club pin they keep behind the counter. You will have to show your DVC ID card to get that one

Happy pin trading!!

 

[Mog's Mom]

Thanks so much!! My clan will be so happy to hear that Aulani has some in trading! Now to decide what part of their collections to bring........!

 

[Mog's Mom]

What time do you land in Honolulu? If it is later afternoon or early evening you will hit traffic heading out of Honolulu. On your return to the airport, my guess is that you will not have a morning flight when traffic into Honolulu will be worst. Still allow plenty of time. We left Aulani at 7:00 PM or so and still hit a jam because of some lane closures. If you will have a rental car to return that adds more time because the rental lots are not really close to the airport and you need to take a shuttle from the rental lot. Then there is Agricultural inspection of luggage and security and you never know about those lines. I would definitely plan to bring some food along on your flight just to be on the safe side. Don't know what United offers on Hawaii flights but I have been on other flights where selection of food to purchase was limited and some items were sold out.

Sadly we land at about 3pm, so that puts us right in rush hour! Although we are probably better to anticipate delays and be prepared for them!

I guess we'd better plan on carry on bags full of snacks!

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Thank you, Poohj80.