Hawaii w/ Young Children: Which Island/Resort?

[Beefnot]

Ok. So now that I have locked up the last seven nights of our trip by scoring the [what I thought was virtually] impossible RCI exchange into a 2BR at Aulani, I am contemplating whether I should do the first 3 also at Aulani for a 10-day stay there, or instead do Marriott Ko Olina for those first 3 days. Wouldn't want to ruin a fantastic vacation with Aulani fatigue. Any thoughts?

 

[sjsharkie]

Ok. So now that I have locked up the last seven nights of our trip by scoring the [what I thought was virtually] impossible RCI exchange into a 2BR at Aulani, I am contemplating whether I should do the first 3 also at Aulani for a 10-day stay there, or instead do Marriott Ko Olina for those first 3 days. Wouldn't want to ruin a fantastic vacation with Aulani fatigue. Any thoughts?

I'd say switch it up and do MKO for 3 days. Although they both are in Kapolei, at least you would get a different change of scenery for three of the ten days.

Given the heavy traffic on Oahu, maybe spend 3 days in Waikiki. Splurge on HGVC or rent at Wyndham for a more economical rental? Personally, that's what I'd do -- I like going out on the Waikiki beach walk in the evenings to window shop and people watch.

-ryan

 

[PearlCity]

I'd say switch it up and do MKO for 3 days. Although they both are in Kapolei, at least you would get a different change of scenery for three of the ten days.

Given the heavy traffic on Oahu, maybe spend 3 days in Waikiki. Splurge on HGVC or rent at Wyndham for a more economical rental? Personally, that's what I'd do -- I like going out on the Waikiki beach walk in the evenings to window shop and people watch.

-ryan

If you do waikiki, go hgvc, or rent a room a HHV. I wouldn't stay at the Wyndham, only because in general I personally hate going into waikiki at night with my kids. To many scary people, prostitutes, drunk clubbers, homeless. But HHV is a bit off to the side with the largest waikiki beachfront and decent although crowded pools. MKO is nice too, or you can vrbo a place for 3 nights.

 

[Ron98GT]

Ok. So now that I have locked up the last seven nights of our trip by scoring the [what I thought was virtually] impossible RCI exchange into a 2BR at Aulani, I am contemplating whether I should do the first 3 also at Aulani for a 10-day stay there, or instead do Marriott Ko Olina for those first 3 days. Wouldn't want to ruin a fantastic vacation with Aulani fatigue. Any thoughts?

I'd suggest doing your last 3 nites at MKO/MK1 (instead of before) after a week at Aulani, so you (the adults) can rest-up before going home.

If the preceding suggestion isn't feasible, I'd keep the reservations the way they are and start your trip with 3 nites @ MKO/MK1 and then 7 nites at the Mouse TS. After-all, I guess the kids would rather go home with Micky memories.

By the way, there are more activities and things to-do/rent at the Aulani and Marriott Hotel Lagoon than at the Marriott TS lagoon, although the Marriott does have a slide in one of their pools.

We'll be back to MKO/MK1 the 1st week of December for a week, before moving on to Waiohai.

 

[sjsharkie]

If you do waikiki, go hgvc, or rent a room a HHV. I wouldn't stay at the Wyndham, only because in general I personally hate going into waikiki at night with my kids. To many scary people, prostitutes, drunk clubbers, homeless. But HHV is a bit off to the side with the largest waikiki beachfront and decent although crowded pools. MKO is nice too, or you can vrbo a place for 3 nights.

I've never felt unsafe at night in the Beach Walk area or where the upscale shops are along Kalakaua. Then again, I'm usually getting back to the hotel by midnight. As with any area that has a large crowd of people, Waikiki will have its share of crime but I wouldn't describe it as having too many scary people along the well beaten paths.

Of course you head down nearing Kuhio and Seaside, you are outside of that zone and into the red light district so you will encounter the above.

-ryan

 

[Beefnot]

If the preceding suggestion isn't feasible, I'd keep the reservations the way they are and start your trip with 3 nites @ MKO/MK1 and then 7 nites at the Mouse TS. After-all, I guess the kids would rather go home with Micky memories.

So you wouldn't recommend HHV?

If you do waikiki, go hgvc, or rent a room a HHV.

I'd say switch it up and do MKO for 3 days.

Given the heavy traffic on Oahu, maybe spend 3 days in Waikiki. Splurge on HGVC or rent at Wyndham for a more economical rental?

99% sure it will be HHV or MKO, with a slight nod toward MKO, but I can be persuaded. Can one rent HHV direct from an owner?

 

[pipet]

Ok. So now that I have locked up the last seven nights of our trip by scoring the [what I thought was virtually] impossible RCI exchange into a 2BR at Aulani, I am contemplating whether I should do the first 3 also at Aulani for a 10-day stay there, or instead do Marriott Ko Olina for those first 3 days. Wouldn't want to ruin a fantastic vacation with Aulani fatigue. Any thoughts?

Grats on getting Aulani!!!

I personally would add on 3 more days at Aulani only because I think moving is a pain, although that would be tempered by how much I'd save to add the days on at KoOlina instead. If the grown ups want a change of scenery, HHV would be my next choice (and would have the benefit of putting you closer to some of the more southern restaurants & tourist spots like Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, botanical gardens, etc.).

While it's iffy for the littlest ones to really remember the vacation, your oldest probably will. My kid absolutely loves HI and definitely remembers things from a trip there when she was 6 (but not from when she was 4). And, whether they remember or not, you'll all have a great time.

 

[ailin]

We haven't been to MKO, so can't compare, but my 5 year old really liked HHV. He liked the beach, Paradise Pool, the penguins, Lappert's ice cream onsite, free DVD and Playstation video game rentals, and the Friday night fireworks. I liked all the great Japanese food nearby. If you want to do the Atlantis submarine, that departs from the HHV pier.

We did a pirate ship tour through Groupon that was really cute.
http://www.groupon.com/deals/hawaii-pirate-ship-adventures-1

 

[cgeidl]

Keep trying for your exchange

I would keep the exchange open until the day before leaving. We have several times gotten places at the last minute. We often go Space available and only book a couple hours before the plane departs. We have found there are cancellations. In one case the rental rate for last minute was only $179 for A WEEK. Book your place so you can cancel at no penalty.
Hawaii cancellations in the last week are difficult for the exchange companies to rebook as the air fares are often so high it drives those able to go timewise away.
You might also consider a week at Ko Olina followed by a few days at Waikiki as it would give you a bit more variety and a much lower cost than Aulani. Go see Aulani while at Ko Olina.

 

[Ron98GT]

So you wouldn't recommend HHV?

Well, I wouldn't say that, but I did have to go back & read all of your previous posts in this thread. My comment was based strictly on post #51 and the assumption you acquired MKO/MK1 thru II. Now I realize that you plan on paying cash/renting a TS for the Marriott stay, or somewhere else, and do not have the 3 nite stay secured yet. Therefore, either HHV or MKO/MK1 would work.

Here are some comments:

MKO/MK1:
1. Quieter and more relaxing than HHV
2. Rooms are bigger
3. You'll have a washer & dryer
4. Parking is free, UPDATE: Free only if you exchange in, otherwise you have to pay
5. Less walking
6. Easier access to grocery stores
7. Less traffic
8. Closer to the Aulani
9. Maybe closer to the airport
10. Less crowded/people

HHV:
1. Do Not rent a room in the Kaila Tower, it is a long, long walk from everything. The tower is a mixture of hotel rooms and TS's. The pool is small.
2. The Grand Waikikian is the newest tower next to the Lagoon tower. Although it's newer, it's not as convenient to the pools, lagoon, ocean, restaurants, etc as the Lagoon Tower.
3. If you stay at HHV, get a 1 or 2 bdrm TS in the Lagoon Tower, you'll be close to everything.
4. Good for Waikiki & Honolulu site seeing
5. In January, you can go downtown and see the XMAS tree lights & decorations at City Hall, which are cool and your kids will enjoy it. We'll go see them again this December.

http://www1.honolulu.gov/csd/citylights.htm

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...&qpvt=christma+lights+honolulu+2014&FORM=IGRE

6. You can take one of the hop on/off tour, which was interesting. We took the tour that went to Diamond and beyond.
7. You can go to Hanauma Bay, the Aquarium, & Sealife Park.

http://www.hanaumabay.info/

http://sealifeparkhawaii.com/attractions.asp

8. It is nice to walk along Waikiki Beach.
9. NO grocery store, except for local ABC store (expensive) or Foodland at the mall (don't go there, we did).
10. Parking is expensive.
11. Traffic is a bitch.
12. No barbeques
13. Playstations and I believe free DVD's?
14. Waikiki Beach
15. It's closer to shopping if your into that, but I'm not and I'm still not sure what people shop for.

If you do decide to stay at HHV and you've never stayed on Waikiki, you can probably use more than 3 nites, but it will give you a taste.

 

[Beefnot]

I would keep the exchange open until the day before leaving. We have several times gotten places at the last minute.

I already got my exchange into Aulani. Now I'm just waffling over what to do about the first 3 days of the 10-day trip.

Well, I wouldn't say that, but I did have to go back & read all of your previous posts in this thread. My comment was based strictly on post #51 and the assumption you acquired MKO/MK1 thru II. Now I realize that you plan on paying cash/renting a TS for the Marriott stay, or somewhere else, and do not have the 3 nite stay secured yet. Therefore, either HHV or MKO/MK1 would work.

Here are some comments:

That list was awesome, thanks very much. I don't know how to rent HHV for nightly stays other than directly from Hilton, and their rates are straight crackish. So of the TS options, I'm back to just staying put at Aulani for the first 3 days or doing MKO. I also bought the Hawaii Revealed book, and it has prompted me to consider non-TS options. Thanks very much to all for the feedback. I'll eventually sort out my dilemma. First World problems...

 

[daventrina]

When we split our trip ... we spend a few nights at Turtle Bay.
http://www.turtlebayresort.com/
Was a nice place to get away.

But in your case as you are already spending a week out of the way ... we'd also have to second or third the HHV.

 

[pipet]

If you end up deciding on KoOlina, you are probably doing this already... but just in case, don't forget to compare the Marriott rate vs rate in DC points (if you have them or can rent out a reservation made with them)... with DC you shouldn't end up paying for parking so depending on the Marriott rates it could be cheaper (plus taxes I think are more than they would be with a DC stay). And, I don't know what your holdings are, but you could probably work out some convoluted trade with a HGVC owner - I know people have done 3-way trades on vacationpointexchange.com.

 

[Ron98GT]

I already got my exchange into Aulani. Now I'm just waffling over what to do about the first 3 days of the 10-day trip.

I'm back to just staying put at Aulani for the first 3 days or doing MKO.

I read that you got a RCI trade into Aulani for 7 days (congratulations), but how to you plan on securing the extra 3 days at MKO/MK1 or Aulalni? The Marriott MKO/MK1 is primarily a Weeks TS. Are you going to rent a 1-Bdrm TS for 3-nites directly from Marriott or the Mouse? If so, what are the prices like for HHV, Marriott, and, Aulani? If you have the flexibility of staying the extra 3 days before/after Aulani, remember that Friday and Saturday have the highest rates. Plus flying Monday thru Thursday Hawaiian Airlines rates can be significantly lower.

Looks like:

Marriott's price for a 1-Bdrm could be $1,327 + taxes + $30/nite for parking.


Using Booking.com (I got the best rate @ the Molino Stucky in Venice, Italy, thru them):

Looks like the MKO/MK1 prices for a 1-Bdrm are about the same

http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/mar...3;sid=fd77e2e6dd910af616fcf5c20e98e6ec;dcid=4


You could get a 1-BDRM for 3-nites at HHV for $1,022 + taxes +$27/nite parking:

http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/hil...3;sid=fd77e2e6dd910af616fcf5c20e98e6ec;dcid=4



You could get a hotel room at HHV for 3 nites for under $600 + taxes + $27/nite parking

http://www.booking.com/hotel/us/hil...3;sid=fd77e2e6dd910af616fcf5c20e98e6ec;dcid=4


Boy, sure makes me appreciate owning Marriott (weeks), HGVC (points), & RCI Points.

 

[Beefnot]

The 3 nights before would be Wed - Sat. I was ready to pull the trigger on HHV, but there is no availability for my particular nights.

I had already rented Aulani 2BR for those 3 nights from a DVC owner before the exchange came through, realistically believing that there was no way I would get the Aulani exchange and hoping for a MKO exchange to come through. Now that I have Aulani, I can either keep my existing Aulani 3-day rental reservation or cancel it (only very small cancellation fee, as DVC points are the most fungible timeshare currency on the planet). I guess if I do cancel, I will look to rent the 3 days from a Marriott points owner. Decisions, decisions. Yep, First World problems...

 

[daventrina]

I had already rented Aulani 2BR for those 3 nights from a DVC owner before the exchange came through, realistically believing that there was no way I would get the Aulani exchange and hoping for a MKO exchange to come through.

As long as you don't mind the location kinda out of the way ... may be best to just keep what you have...

 

[Ron98GT]

As long as you don't mind the location kinda out of the way ... may be best to just keep what you have...

Well, I half agree with your comment. Since the OP already has a reservation for 3 days at Aulani and if he's OK with the price, makes sense to just keep it. Why waste a day in paradise changing hotels/TS's. The day they switch rooms, they can just arrange everything with the front desk and the Bell Captain(?). Hang out at he pool/lagoon or go for a drive and go site-seeing.

What I don't agree with is the comment about being out of the way. If Honolulu & Waikiki is where you want to be, then yes it's out of the way, but we don't miss the traffic and people when we stay in Ko'Olina . Otherwise, Ko'Olina is a great place to stay and is actually close to a lot of things/places.

1. It's close to grocery stores: Costco, Foodland, & Target.
2. It's next to Ko'Olina harbor for site-seeing, dinner, & diving cruises/tours.
3. From Ko'Olina, head North along the shore for some fantastic local beaches. Just follow the road until it ends near the Northwest part of the island.
4. Your really close to Pearl Harbor for site-seeing. It's a lot easier to get there from Ko'Olina than from Waikiki.
5. Your close to the airport.
6. It's easier to get to the North Shore from Ko'Olina.
7. It's easy to get to the Aloha Swap meet, if they want to check that out.
8. Although Lanikai Beach is on the East side of the Island, it's actually easy to get to/from there using H1 & H3.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...Reviews-Lanikai_Beach-Kailua_Oahu_Hawaii.html

9. It's only a 30 minute ride to downtown Honolulu to see the Christmas tree lights.

And you wont miss the non-stop sirens nite/day from all the police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances. And lets not forget the car horns either.

 

[Beefnot]

Ron, I love how you think in numbered lists, love it.