Hawaii w/ Young Children: Which Island/Resort?

[Beefnot]

We are considering Hawaii with our three young kids, 5 and 3 (twins) for spring break 2014. I am trying to get a feel which island and resorts would be most attractive. We would like a good mix of onsite activities, nearby attractions, and tours to select from. Not romantic, off the beaten path type of stuff. Prior to kids, my wife and I have been to Kauai and Maui, and I to Oahu. I like all of them for various reasons, but it is difficult to retrospectively view through a family with small children lens. I am a member of both RCI and II. My choices I am considering are:

Oahu
Hilton Hawaiian Village
Hilton Grand Waikikian
Marriott Ko Olina
Disney Aulani (would likely be cash since I don't think it exchanges in RCI yet)

Maui
Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas
Maui Ocean Club

Kauai
Marriott Waiohai
Marriott Kauai Lagoons

Big Island
Hilton Kings' Land
Hilton Waikoloa Beach Resort
Bay Club at Waikoloa


Any perspectives?

 

[DeniseM]

It is late to try to get a trade for Spring Break - you can't be picky. Request all of them.

 

[Luanne]

What dates are your Spring break? I agree with Denise it may be very difficult to get anything for 2014. And if your break is in March you can pretty much forget Maui, and possibly the other islands as well. That is whale season and those units go fast.

 

[presley]

Disney Aulani (would likely be cash since I don't think it exchanges in RCI yet)



Big Island
Hilton Kings' Land
Hilton Waikoloa Beach Resort
Bay Club at Waikoloa


Any perspectives?

Based on what I've seen, I'd choose those. Obviously, Aulani is geared towards young kids, but very expensive.

The Hilton Waikoloa Hotel (which you can access if staying in the timeshares) is amazing and fun for the whole family.

There's great snorkeling right outside a lot of resort on Maui, but the coral makes it not too great for small kids to play in the ocean.

I haven't been to Kaui.

 

[Beefnot]

What dates are your Spring break? I agree with Denise it may be very difficult to get anything for 2014. And if your break is in March you can pretty much forget Maui, and possibly the other islands as well. That is whale season and those units go fast.

Well, I just set up an ongoing search in RCI a couple days ago and got a match earlier today for Wyndham Royal Sea Cliff, which I threw back. Our spring break next year is the week of April 21st. I'm not pressed, so if by Jan or so we don't get a match, then we save five plane tickets, and back to our old trusty Welk Resort it might be. All good in my book.

 

[Beefnot]

Based on what I've seen, I'd choose those. Obviously, Aulani is geared towards young kids, but very expensive.

The Hilton Waikoloa Hotel (which you can access if staying in the timeshares) is amazing and fun for the whole family.

There's great snorkeling right outside a lot of resort on Maui, but the coral makes it not too great for small kids to play in the ocean.

I haven't been to Kaui.

So Big Island, huh? I'm waffling a bit due to how large the island is and the need to drive somewhat long distances to get different places. I like tours and sightseeing, which is a key purpose for me in visiting an exotic locale, not just staying within the resort.

 

[GregT]

Beef,

They will have a great time at any of the properties.

HHV has a great lagoon for paddle boarding and pedal boating and very calm. The lagoons are Ko Olina are very gentle for the same reason, and both properties have good pools too.

Maui Ocean Club, the water can be a little rough for kids that young, but the beach area is great for building sand castles.

HGVC Big Island properties, the local beaches are terrific, but nothing on-site. The hotel pool (and the lagoon) will be very appealing to your kids, but it's not on-site to the timeshare properties.

The advice to try for all of them and hope to get one is good advice. I believe the HGVC properties won't be accessible because they've already bulk banked.

The Marriott's may clear 2-4 months out, but that's tough to count on.

Please let us know if something clears -- thanks!

Best,

Greg

 

[MabelP]

The week of April 21st is a great week. Most school districts that connect their vacation to Easter selected the week before Easter.

My school district also chose the week after Easter. We were confirmed into Maui Ocean Club Napili Tower.

 

[PearlCity]

I like both aulani and ko olina beach club for Oahu. There are inclusive kids activities, the beach is calm and safe and the pools are amazing. I like that its not crazy busy like Waikiki.

The big island is also nice. But I think a lot of the amazing areas are not where the resorts are. Yes waikaloa is nice but no beaches. So it kind of depends on what you want to do. Also for spring break next year Hilton made their deposit this past April so if you want to stay hgvc put your request in now for 2015. You might get bay club or into one of the wyndhams in kona. If you decide to vrbo the big island I usually do that when staying so I can give you suggestions. Imk

As for driving on the big island, saddle road is in good shape and makes driving much faster to places. The island is bigger than Oahu but there is no traffic so commute times aren't too bad.

Kauai and Maui are nice too.

All those resorts you listed are great.. pm me if you have more questions

Sent from my HTC6435LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

[Ron98GT]

We are considering Hawaii with our three young kids, 5 and 3 (twins) for spring break 2014. I am trying to get a feel which island and resorts would be most attractive. We would like a good mix of onsite activities, nearby attractions, and tours to select from. Not romantic, off the beaten path type of stuff. Prior to kids, my wife and I have been to Kauai and Maui, and I to Oahu. I like all of them for various reasons, but it is difficult to retrospectively view through a family with small children lens. I am a member of both RCI and II. My choices I am considering are:

Oahu
Hilton Hawaiian Village
Hilton Grand Waikikian
Marriott Ko Olina
Disney Aulani (would likely be cash since I don't think it exchanges in RCI yet)

Maui
Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas
Maui Ocean Club

Kauai
Marriott Waiohai
Marriott Kauai Lagoons

Big Island
Hilton Kings' Land
Hilton Waikoloa Beach Resort
Bay Club at Waikoloa


Any perspectives?

The Marriott Ko' Olina (MKO) is very, very, very kid friendly. Your kids would have 3-pools to play in, the water slide, and the lagoons. The resort has activities through-out the day for kids. Over the weekend, they could ride on the sugar train.

We just stayed at MKO over spring break this year (1st week of March), so we know what it's like over spring break: a zoo. From what I've seen on II, the MKO usually has availability, but goes fast. If you deposit first and prepay when you make your II request (which is what we did) and have a good Marriott or Westin trader (we own Marriott), you have a good chance of getting your request. They do get cancellations, and by prepaying you'll be in-line for your request (that's how we got our 2-bdrm ocean front, there was a cancellation and we got it ).

I wouldn't recommend the Hilton Bay Club at Waikoloa for your family with small kids . We've been to the Bay Club and we own a Bay Club TS. The Bay Club is more adult oriented and has an adult feel to it (which we like). If you stay in Waikoloa, or on the Big Island for that matter, I'd recommend the HGVC Kings Land TS, although you may have to wait until 2015. The Kings Land is more family oriented, they have the lazy river for the kids, and you have access to the hotel pools (more fun).

But, out of all of your choices, my recommendation is the Marriott Ko' Olina. I think it's the most family oriented/friendly TS that we've ever stayed at. Plus you have the best chance of getting your spring 2014 reservation. Otherwise, wait until spring of 2015 and make your reservation in 2014, 12-months out. Except for HGVC, which will do their bulk RCI deposits for 2015, in May 2014.

 

[Beefnot]

Thanks much for the feedback. I think Kings Land and Ko Olina will be our short list, with no high expectation for 2014. We're definitely not in a hurry to drop $4k on plane tickets, especially when we are considering whether to add another little one to our brood. Thanks again!

 

[AKE]

I don't think that kids that age will appreciate Hawaii any more than other resorts which are closer and you don't have to spend hours on the airplane with them. Unless you are planning on taking them to Hawaii every year or two, I would hold off until they are a bit older and can better appreciate its history and culture, Our kids, now adults, have travelled the world with us including a number of trips to Hawaii as well as fancy ski resorts, but their favorite place, even now, is still Orlando so go figure. What is even more interesting is that their wives now count down the days until the annual family Xmas vacation in Florida (good thing for timeshares as how else could anyone afford it)

 

[DeniseM]

I don't think that kids that age will appreciate Hawaii any more than other resorts which are closer and you don't have to spend hours on the airplane with them. Unless you are planning on taking them to Hawaii every year or two, I would hold off until they are a bit older and can better appreciate its history and culture, Our kids, now adults, have travelled the world with us including a number of trips to Hawaii as well as fancy ski resorts, but their favorite place, even now, is still Orlando so go figure. What is even more interesting is that their wives now count down the days until the annual family Xmas vacation in Florida (good thing for timeshares as how else could anyone afford it)

This is a very good point - 3 & 5 year olds will primarily enjoy the pool and the beach, and you can find those 2 items much closer to home, for a fraction of the price.

 

[Luanne]

This is a very good point - 3 & 5 year olds will primarily enjoy the pool and the beach, and you can find those 2 items much closer to home, for a fraction of the price.

We took our dds to Maui from the time they were infants. But that's because we had a timeshare there. While they enjoyed the beach they were also very happy in the pool. We found we needed to adapt to their schedules, which hopefully included naps, so that somewhat limited how much we could do. On the days we had them eliminate a nap we were all sorry. Since we did have the timeshare we knew we'd be back each summer so we didn't feel compelled to do and see "everything".

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

We took our dds to Maui from the time they were infants. But that's because we had a timeshare there. While they enjoyed the beach they were also very happy in the pool. We found we needed to adapt to their schedules, which hopefully included naps, so that somewhat limited how much we could do. On the days we had them eliminate a nap we were all sorry. Since we did have the timeshare we knew we'd be back each summer so we didn't feel compelled to do and see "everything".

We had our granddaughter (4 months old) with us this year for the first time. Of course she won't remember anything of the trip; the real pleasure was having a multi-generation family vacation, which hope will continue as she gets older and is able to remember.

And I can't imagine trying to do it in hotel rooms.

 

[Luanne]

We had our granddaughter (4 months old) with us this year for the first time. Of course she won't remember anything of the trip; the real pleasure was having a multi-generation family vacation, which hope will continue as she gets older and is able to remember.

And I can't imagine trying to do it in hotel rooms.

Totally agree. On many of our early trips with the dds we had grandparents, great aunts and uncles along. I don't know how much our girls remember of these trips, but they were certainly memorable for us.

I guess you just need to decide what the purpose, and focus, of your vacation is going to be. Again, for us, it wasn't to do and see everything while we were there. Mostly it was to relax and enjoy ourselves as a family.

 

[Beefnot]

I don't think that kids that age will appreciate Hawaii any more than other resorts which are closer and you don't have to spend hours on the airplane with them. Unless you are planning on taking them to Hawaii every year or two, I would hold off until they are a bit older and can better appreciate its history and culture, Our kids, now adults, have travelled the world with us including a number of trips to Hawaii as well as fancy ski resorts, but their favorite place, even now, is still Orlando so go figure. What is even more interesting is that their wives now count down the days until the annual family Xmas vacation in Florida (good thing for timeshares as how else could anyone afford it)

This is a very good point - 3 & 5 year olds will primarily enjoy the pool and the beach, and you can find those 2 items much closer to home, for a fraction of the price.

Hmm, touche.

 

[BocaBoy]

I would seriously consider Waiohai for a family with young kids.

 

[siesta]

Id skip wkorv/n for the time being unless you like your kids swimming in sewage thats seeping into the near shore waters

 

[Passepartout]

I am with Denise on this. At 3 & 5- or 4 & 6 next year, one beach is more or less like any other as far as the kiddos are concerned. By the time they are in the 8-9-10 timeframe, they will have had some social studies clasees in school. They will recognize some diversity, and may think going someplace that fairly recently had a KING or QUEEN is seriously cool. Save your money for now and stay closer to home.

Jim

 

[Kauai Kid]

I may sound like Scrooge but those kids aren't going to appreciate Hawaii.

Think about how much fun they will have on an 8-9 hr flight to and from the Islands. Think about how much fellow passengers will enjoy them on the flight.

Where do they say they would like to go? Disneyland, Disney World, Knotts Berry Farm, Six Flags, Schliterban water park?

Take them to a fine restaurant and watch them fidget and not appreciate the food.

Take them to McDonalds and watch their eyes light up--paradise with burgers and a playground.

Just my very biased opinion. Wait till they are teen agers at least.

Sterling

 

[Beefnot]

So update, 10 months later. We decided to skip trying for Hawaii this past April, but now we have a mighty itch to go this coming January. I realize that at 6 yrs and 4 yrs, the kids are very young, but this will likely be the last opportunity for at least the next 5 years to go to Hawaii (planning on another kid maybe two...we're crazy). So we will whip out the camcorder every chance we get and force our kids to watch the footage once a month every month for each of the next five years so that this experience borne of exorbitant expense is irrevocably etched into their brains.

We've settled on Oahu, likely for 9-10 days. One week at Marriott Ko Olina, and a couple three days at Aulani, with one concurrent night sprinkled in there in an Aulani studio (yes, expensive day use for two days). Will probably be doing cash rental for the Marriott as it is unlikely that the exchange will come through given we're only 5 months out.

Because I am wont to change my mind, I'm going to put my hand to the plow and pull the trigger on lodging and plane tickets this week. Thanks for all the input.

 

[VegasBella]

I'm glad you're going and I'm glad I found this thread because I'm hoping to go to Hawaii in 2015. My son will be 5.

We go to Southern Ca a lot but we always find new fun things to do. We all enjoy it. I love the beach and the pool and so does my son but we also appreciate other things. He is NOT too young to benefit from having a wide variety of experiences.

I find this attitude in this thread about young children appalling. Young children have taste buds that are BETTER than yours and mine. They CAN appreciate fine food. They may also want to play with it or do other things that some diners might find inappropriate and THAT might be a reason to get take out, but this notion that kids can't appreciate the world because they're too inexperienced is totally wrong and frankly bizarre. The fact that they're inexperienced makes it all the more magical for everyone! They've NEVER seen a sunset like this or an ocean wave like that or this type of sea snail or that type of lava rock. Their awe is infectious.

One of our recent trips we took a short mammal-watching cruise to see whales, dolphins, etc. And he LOVED it. I am certain he'd love some of the experiences that only Hawaii can offer.

 

[JulieAB]

We went to Oahu with our then 20 month old and 7.5 year old and it was a blast! For my DH and DS, the week was right up there with Disneyland and Disneyworld. We've gone to CA beaches, but nothing compares to just hanging out in the warm waves for hours (the baby too! We just put her in a floatie with us!) without getting cold. DS loved all the snorkeling and clear water, going to different beaches around the island every day. They both loved the turtles at the turtle beach, watching them eating in the shallow water and sun bathe. We also loved eating lunch on the beach at Turtle Bay Resort, even my DS was amazed by the views. We also went to the swap meet, dole plantation, matsumoto's shave ice, hanauma bay, pearl harbor, and the lagoons.

The 4 of us stayed in a 1 bedroom down in Waikiki (lifetime or Hawaiian sun? can't remember which) and it was nothing fancy, but it didn't matter! It was an awesome vacation that we still talk about and hope to go to big island next year!

 

[mauitraveler]

So update, 10 months later.

We've settled on Oahu, likely for 9-10 days. One week at Marriott Ko Olina, and a couple three days at Aulani, with one concurrent night sprinkled in there in an Aulani studio (yes, expensive day use for two days). Will probably be doing cash rental for the Marriott as it is unlikely that the exchange will come through given we're only 5 months out.

Because I am wont to change my mind, I'm going to put my hand to the plow and pull the trigger on lodging and plane tickets this week. Thanks for all the input.

Beefnot,
Even though you'll be making your lodging plans and purchasing your plane tickets this week, be sure to keep hoping that your exchange will happen. We received confirmation on June 7 for a stay at Ko Olina this October! Always good to have a back-up plan though, because you can always cancel hotel reservations close to the time of arrival. Have fun in January! CJ