Going to Aulani-Sept/Oct, 2012

[rbthntschl]

Hi all,

I am booked for a 3-night stay at Aulani starting Sept. 30. Can anyone recommend a car service? I'm the type that will stay at the resort once I'm there other than the 2 excursions I'm interested in and they include transportation. Please note this is the prelude to my 4-night stay at VGC/Disneyland immediately following. I would also appreciate any money saving tips you may have as I'm cheap.

That's cheap, not easy;).

Luv 'n' Stuff,
Bob in Fort Lauderdale
South of the House of Mouse

[denlo]

We're researching for our September trip as well. We've been told and read that the cost for a taxi from the airport to Aulani is around $45 each way.

There are a few threads on this same forum on Trip reports for Aulani. Some recommend purchasing the Hawaiian Entertainment Book to save some expenses and dining off property or in your villa. Here's one of the threads. http://dvcnews.com/forum/showthread.php?9227-Any-Aulani-trip-reports-yet

[Mkeef]

Hi all,

I would also appreciate any money saving tips you may have as I'm cheap.


Since you have such a long time to plan I would urge you, and anyone going to hawaii, to sign up for groupon and living social. 4 of us went and we booked surf lessons along the north shore at 60%off (I think it saved us $30/person) and a 1 1/2hr catamaran ride inside honolulu at by one get one free. The nice thing about groupon/living social is that it is free to join but they only send you a couple discounts a day so you have to be patient for the one you want. But we got sent a lot of stuff from surfing and water excursions to dinners, spa deals and shows all with amazing discounts. If you want to go surfing the only place to do it is the northshore. The waves at aulani and in honolulu are nothing compared to the northshore (don't worry the guide will take you to a safe place.) But you will need a car for that.

There is a hawaiin bbq restaurant across the street that I thought was fantastic and super cheap. I looked at trip advisors reviews and it got a lot of bad reviews for service. It's pretty much a take out restaurant with only about 6 tables. I guess some people where expecting hostesses and valet parking?? Aulani is in a very rich area with lots time shares and condos on the golf course so everything around it is expensive. But this restaurant will also do large platter style orders for large groups. Just tacos was also right there but we tried twice to get in and both times was 45 min wait so we went elsewhere. Seems like you will always need a reservation there but we heard it was good and reasonably priced.

We also ordered pizza one night which was great and did most of the cooking in the villa. Restaurants on the resort are very expensive and besides the hawaiian BBQ and 'just tacos' nothing else within walking distance. If you don't have a car then buy your groceries at the store across the street as the shop in the resort is much more expensive.

I also read in their welcome book that they do shopping excursions and provide transportation. I didn't look more into it because we did have a car but that may be something to look in to. There is a very large outlet mall about 10-15 minute drive away with lots of great stores (my friend dropped a lot of money at the coach outlet store as we don't have one at home:rolleyes:) But i'm pretty sure Aulani (or the mall itself arranges transportation there).

Also, about a 5 min drive away there is lots of shopping and restaurants but again will need a car as it is spread out. But there is a target,costco, safeway, sports authority, organic stores, dennys, outback steakhouse, and our favourite jack in the box (I know it's greasy but we don't have them in Canada:p)

If I can thinl pf anything else I will let you know!

[denlo]

Regarding shopping without a car, this tidbit is shown on the Aulani website.


HALIHALI SHOPPING SHUTTLEEnjoy round-trip transportation—available at a fee—to Waikiki with stops at the Ala Moana Center, DFS Galleria (duty free) and Waikele Premium Outlets—all offering world-class shopping and dining. The shuttle runs 3 days a week. For reservations, visit the Holo Holo Tour Desk in the lobby.

Has anyone used this shuttle and how much was the fee? I remember the last time we stayed at Waikiki there were shuttles like that to Ala Moana Center. I'm not surprised that Ko Olina would have one for their area.

[worldfanatic]

On the Alamo Rental Car website, we found a $19.99/day weekend rate at the Alamo rental location right inside Aulani.
It worked out perfect because we'll check-out on a saturday morning, rent the car, and use it to tool around the island for two days while staying in Waikiki.

We then drop it off at the airport for a $50 drop charge, which we're more than happy to pay for the convenience.

So our plan is to take a taxi from the airport to Aulani on our arrival sunday, and then just relax around the resort for 6 nights until we check-out and spread our wings around the rest of the island.