Aloha!
Hi again, Denise, welcome back to planDisney! Thank you for stopping by with your question about your upcoming adventure to
Aulani next year. There really is nothing like a countdown to a Disney Destination. As I write this reply, my own countdown has hit zero, and I am on the train to
Disneyland Paris!
On our vacations to the United States, we usually rent a car, as this gives us the freedom to explore the local area, although, as my husband would tell you, it takes some convincing to get me off Disney property! With a car in Hawaii, you can expect the journey from the airport to Aulani to take a minimum of 45 minutes, but with traffic, I would plan for it to take at least double that.
You will find some helpful information about driving around the island on the Aulani website,
I've linked that here for you. For self-guided maps, there are plenty online created by others, but I recommend tailoring your itinerary to your own interests and those of your travel party, so it is worth exploring a few different options.
For me, one of the best things about staying in a
Disney Vacation Club villa is the kitchen facilities right in the room, so a supermarket trip or grocery delivery is a must! The nearest store is Island Country Markets, with a Walmart a little further away if you need a bigger shop.
Although I may not have been able to answer every question in full today, I hope this has helped to guide you as you plan this trip of a lifetime. Denise, I wish you a magical stay at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa!
Have a magical day!
Matt