Aloha, Denise!
Welcome back to planDisney! How exciting that you are planning a trip to
Aulani! This is one of my favorite Disney Resorts because when the spirit of Aloha meets the magic of Disney, it is very special indeed.
Denise, our family travels to Hawaii every year, and we have been to Aulani several times. I know the island of Oahu well. Here are some things to consider.
While staying at Aulani is a wonderful experience, the island of Oahu has so much to explore, from breathtaking sites to cultural experiences. Being located in Ko'Olina, the Resort is about 45 minutes from Honolulu and the Waikiki area, and a bit of a drive to some of the
signature activities on Oahu. Some of the tours and experiences you don't want to miss may not pick up in Ko'Olina (even if they are booked through Aulani.) So, having a car is strongly recommended in my opinion, so that you can fully experience Oahu.
For example, some of my recommendations - in addition to Pearl Harbor and the Arizona Memorial - is a trip to Kualoa Ranch for horseback riding, an ATV tour, or a movie tour. So many famous movies and television shows are filmed there, and on top of that, the views are spectacular. In fact, the most recent Disney movie Stitch did some filming at Kualoa Ranch, the famous North Shore beach town, Hale'iwa, and famous Waikiki Beach, to name a few spots.
We love to spend a morning hiking Diamond Head and couple that with a snorkel trip to Hanauma Bay (just be sure to make advance reservations to visit both of these stops.) In Hanauma Bay, you can see an amazing world of ocean life, including the state fish - the humuhumunukunukuāpuaʻa (or humuhumu for short.) My kids get so excited when they see this distinct fish, native to Hawaii. It is also common to see turtles when snorkeling here, and it is one of the best beach days in Hawaii. My family loves the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Dole Plantation, as well as seeing the Halana Blowhole and the Nu'uanu Pali Lookout. There are some
"Golden Circle" Tours where you can see many of these famous locations, but you may need to meet the tour somewhere - typically a distance from Ko'Olina - as most of these pick up in Waikiki.
The other place I always say is a "must see" is Waimea Valley, and be sure to take a swim in the sacred Waimea waterfall. It is a wonderful experience, and well worth journeying off property to enjoy.
For our family, having a car is a must, as we like to enjoy a few special dinners at our favorite restaurants. While there are some near Ko'Olina, many require a car. Our favorites include Merriman's, Duke's (be sure to get the famous Hula Pie), Leilani's, and Sanseis.
What makes Oahu so special is a mix of beach activities, beautiful views, cultural experiences, and historical sites. The Resort is wonderful to enjoy as well, but discovering the island's treasures and spirit of Aloha is as magical as the Disney property.
I hope this helps you, Denise. If you have any further questions about your upcoming Aulani trip, surf back here to see me. Here at planDisney, you are part of our 'ohana. 'Ohana means family and that means nobody gets left behind.
A Hui Hou (it means "until we meet again" in Hawaiian),
Keri