Kualoa Ranch-movie tour-or Dole/Luau?

[elaine]

We only have 2 days in Oahu before going to Kona. We are going to Pearl Harbor for the AM on day 1 and DD is taking surf lessons in the AM on day 2. Is it worth it to drive over to Kualoa Ranch for the afternoon to do the Movie Tour on either day? We have kids 11 and 15, but I don't know that they would really even recognize a lot of the movie scenes. Should we skip Kualoa and just do the Dole Plantation and then Paradise Cove Luau near Ko Olino? Or, should we do the Jungle Trek at Kualoa instead? We could do a Luau on Kona, but we are at Waikoloa and I want to limit drives back to Kona. thanks, Elaine

 

[DaveNV]

I haven't done either of these luaus, but Dole and Ko'olina are both on the same general part of the island as Pearl Harbor. Depending on time of day, getting to Kualoa could take some time. You don't say where the surf lessons are happening, but if they're also on the Leeward side of the island, I'd say it's easiest to stay over there. If the surf lessons are on the Windward side. then Kualoa may be an option. It's all about the drive time and the traffic.

Dave

 

[jpc763]

Where are you staying?

I go to Ko Olina a lot and the drive to Dole is a bit. Probably 45 - 1 hour.

For kids 11 and 15 I would not take them to Dole. I have never done the Kualoa tours so cannot comment.

I would throw two other options out.

1) Hike Diamond Head - The view is amazing
2) Snorkel Hanaumu bay - Great snorkeling

 

[calgal]

DD and I took the Kuoloa Ranch tour two months ago, and I would NOT make it a priority for your short time in Oahu. It was fine and the drive was scenic, but climbing Diamond Head was awesome and so much more memorable. We didn't go into Dole or attend a luau, so I can't comment on those.

 

[elaine]

we are either going to stay at the Doubletree by the hilton, or at the Embassy Suites. DH and I will snorkel at Hunaumu Bay early AM 1 or 2 days. I think the 11 yr olds will get too freaked out trying to learn at HB. We are staying at the HGVC and they can learn to snorkel in the hilton lagoon 1st. We have to go to a luau while we are there---but we might wait until Kona for that.
Climbing diamond Head and taking Dole and Kualoa off our list sounds good. Maybe we will rent bikes, as well. thanks, Elaine

 

[danb]

Kualoa Ranch tours

The Kualoa Ranch has a number of tours, some on horseback and some as group tours. they also have a quad tour where you ride quads on extensive trails throughout the valley. We did the quad tour last year and I thought it was great. It was approx. 2 hrs long and they covered all the movie sights. I think your childern would love it and they would recognize the movie areas. Many films and Tv series were filmed there including the latest Misterious Island which just came out. There is also some history to see with the WW2 bunkers up on the hillside overlooking the valley and water. One of the bunkers has many posters of the films made there. I think riding the quads alone would be exciting for them.
It was definitly a highlite of our last trip.

 

[SmithOp]

I second the quad tours for kids that age, my son loved it and knew the movies. When you are at Kona consider Kohala Zipline, they will love that too.

I'd suggest the luau at Ko Olina as best, do that on Oahu.