On going searches worth trying or are these Impossible? [Aulani & Ko'olina]

[DebBrown]

Well, here's my two cents worth and it may fall on deaf ears...

If you want a Disney experience, you can get it far easier and cheaper in Orlando, or for a change of pace, the nice resort on Hilton Head Island.

If you want to visit Hawaii, just about any place is more Hawaiian than Ko'Olina. Ko'Olina is a man-made, upscale resort area. It feels fake and doesn't really reflect the true Hawaiian experience. Maui, Kauai and the Big Island all have very nice, cheaper and better alternatives. The Big Island is probably the easiest exchange and my favorite. The beaches are real and many haven't changed much in centuries. You'll find real history and culture, not Disney or Marriott manufactured Hawaii.

Deb

 

[presley]

Ride, there's no reason to not try for what you want. You just need a solid backup plan.

I've read that a cheeseburger at Aulani costs $26.00. Everything in that area will cost much more than anywhere else on the island. I've been to Hawaii several times and would say that Ko Olina is probably my least favorite area. However, I want to stay at Aulani just to enjoy the resort experience. I don't think it would be worth a full week's stay, though. I'd probably only stay a couple nights there and not leave the resort. Everything else on the island is a far drive from Ko Olina.

 

[MichaelColey]

If you want to visit Hawaii, just about any place is more Hawaiian than Ko'Olina. Ko'Olina is a man-made, upscale resort area. It feels fake and doesn't really reflect the true Hawaiian experience. Maui, Kauai and the Big Island all have very nice, cheaper and better alternatives. The Big Island is probably the easiest exchange and my favorite. The beaches are real and many haven't changed much in centuries. You'll find real history and culture, not Disney or Marriott manufactured Hawaii.

Have you been there?

I've read that Disney did a very good job including history and Hawaiian culture into the resort.

I haven't been there myself (although I will be in September).

 

[DebBrown]

Have you been there?

I've read that Disney did a very good job including history and Hawaiian culture into the resort.

I haven't been there myself (although I will be in September).

Yep. We stayed at the Marriott and had a brief visit at Aulani. My opinion is based on the Ko'Olina area as a whole. I'm sure Disney has done a wonderful job of recreating a Hawaiian atmosphere but it is still not the REAL Hawaii. In fact, it looks just like a bigger Polynesian resort from Orlando.

We actually spent two weeks in Hawaii last year. We had a fanastic week on the Big Island followed by a week in the Marriott in Ko'Olina. Having the two weeks back to back just made the difference more distinctive. I'm not saying we didn't have a pleasant stay in Ko'Olina but it could have been anywhere with nice pools, a man made lagoon and over priced food. At least there is a Roy's at the golf course! Love the butterfish - yummm!!!!

Deb

 

[Free2Roam]

You say you are looking at 2016...you may want to start saving your pennines now.

I thought about taking my kids to Hawaii a few years ago... but at approx. $1300 per roundtrip flight from the DC area, we decided against that trip. We ended up at Disneyland instead. But I have 3 kids (all grown up now).

A friend is flying out next week for a convention...he paid about $1000, but had to settle for flight times that weren't his 1st, 2nd our even 3rd choice to get that price.

 

[alwysonvac]

The problem with taking more then 1 week at Hawaii, is a couple things, one is a contractual issue, i get three weeks with my daughter over the summer, but the settlement between me and the ex specifically states that i can only use one week at a time, they can not be consecutive....Maybe i can convince the Ex to go...But spending more then a week with her....One can only stay cordial with an ex for so long

We had a similar situation. My husband's sister has her son every other week. We've been going on one week vacations within the Continental US which hasn't been a problem. However when we were planning Hawaii, I asked my sister-in-law if she could ask her ex-husband if he would make an exception due to the long trip to Hawaii. Luckily her ex-husband agreed. They basically swapped weeks allowing each parent two consecutive weeks with their son. We got our two week period based on what became available via an exchange. Her ex-husband got to choose the two week period for his time with their son.

Worst case scenario, I was planning to take my sister-in-law and nephew for a one week Hawaii trip if we had to. But I won't have invited her ex-husband along just to get a 2nd week. LOL, like you said one can only stay cordial with an ex for so long

The second problem, is I believe a common problem, if i need to rent these weeks instead of being able to exchange into them, the costs will be very prohibative...Lets assume i magically can get 2 weeks in Aulani as RCI exchanges(i have the TPU's to do it, its just about availability), the average cost of a 2br at Ko Olina for the summer runs between 2,500-4,500 a week and if its the Aulani i need to rent, it'll be even more expensive! That would leave VERY little in my budget for other expenses, like air fare, food and fun

Since you have time, I suggest exploring all of your options on the various islands. I won't limit yourself to the Marriott Ko Olina and Aulani. Keep in mind that there are plenty of rental options in Hawaii.

 

[Twinkstarr]

Yep. We stayed at the Marriott and had a brief visit at Aulani. My opinion is based on the Ko'Olina area as a whole. I'm sure Disney has done a wonderful job of recreating a Hawaiian atmosphere but it is still not the REAL Hawaii. In fact, it looks just like a bigger Polynesian resort from Orlando.



Deb

The roof lines of Aulani put me in mind of Animal Kingdom(I believe the same group designed both).

We took our kids to Hawaii for 17 days 2yrs ago, 3 days in Waikiki, week on the Big Island, week on Kauai. Paid a little more in airfare to take the now defunct Delta direct flight from Detroit to HNL. $1400 plus at that fare was able to upgrade to 1st class with miles. Think we paid $200 ish to island hop on Hawaiian.

Ride, you own SBP? We used our 2br *wood Lakeside Terrace ski week to trade into Westin Princeville 2br. Only had 2 July weeks requested as I already had the BI week booked. Kids liked Kauai, but the week on the Big Island was everyone's favorite. Volcano National Park, Fairwinds II snorkle trip, Hapuna Beach.

If we would ever go back, I think a 10-12 day trip, 3-4 days on Oahu, either Aulani via DVC points or Wyndham downtown at Beachwalk, kids also enjoyed Pearl Harbor, then 7 days on the BI.

 

[bnoble]

What about changing the deposit after the request is made?

You can't do that without re-starting the request. You *might* get someone at RCI to bend the rules for you and back-date the search, but I would not count on it.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I have entered ongoing searches for Aulani for well into 2014. I keep hoping something will pop up for us in a 2 bedroom. I will adjust whatever vacations we have near the date I get.

A person can always hope.

If I am doing Disney anything, I really do buy into the fantasy it creates for consumers, so I know I will love everything about Ko'Olina. But I am a Disney fanatic, so I will enjoy the Disney experience while at the resort, and then I will visit the surrounding areas and enjoy the rest on its own merit.

I would still accept something else, if my goal was to go to Oahu and see Pearl Harbor and the other areas of Oahu. It's a great island with lots of history.

This discussion reminds me of Virginia's fight to keep Disney out of its history. Disney was going to build a park near Williamsburg, and they had lots of land to do it. The legislators decided to block Disney's plans, and lots of timeshares appeared in Williamsburg to cater to the increase in demand for the area. Kind of funny, when you think about it. Williamsburg has too many resorts for off-season times, but for summer, they are booked solid. So I guess it wasn't a terrible thing.

 

[glypnirsgirl]

Hi Ride! Another vote for a different island.

I love Hawaii. I am not a pro like some of the people here, but I started going when I was 16 (40+ years ago ).

I love Disney and I have made more than 30 trips in the last 28 years.

I just would not want to try such an upscale, remote, man-made environment. Hawaii is (to me) all about nature. I want to be on the beach, on a reef, on the trails, in a garden, not at the Polynesian Culture Center --- regardless of how "authentic" it is (or isn't).

Hawaii is one place where I PREFER lower cost resorts! Hawaii is a place to walk around in your shorts and flip flops, not feel like you need to be in slacks and a dress shirt. I like a more casual place.

My favorite trip as an adult was to Kauai and we stayed in the Hanalei resort (we rented for less than $300). Frankly, the place was a small step above a dump. But it is right on the ocean, a short walk to the most beautiful beach on the north side.

Contrast that with my trip last year to Westin Princeville ---- ARGHH! I was so disappointed. They advertise a "trail" down to the beach --- it is a HIKE and not a very pretty hike, either! The resort was upscale, it felt much more like "Westin" than "Hawaiian."

Next trip, I am trying for the Shearwater. Casual and gorgeous views of the water. Or Kauai Beach Villas or the Point at Poipu. Some place right on the beach.

That restriction to no more than one consecutive week makes sense for small children because of how bonded they are to their primary care-taker. It isn't good for their development to be apart from their primary bond for more than a few days. That time gets progressively longer as the child develops. Your daughter will be about 10 (?) for this trip. I would try to get that modified well ahead of time to permit two week vacations.

elaine

 

[Quadmaniac]

If you want to visit Hawaii, just about any place is more Hawaiian than Ko'Olina. Ko'Olina is a man-made, upscale resort area. It feels fake and doesn't really reflect the true Hawaiian experience. Maui, Kauai and the Big Island all have very nice, cheaper and better alternatives.

The place where you stay does not dictate what cultural experience you will have as there is nothing stopping you from going to see other areas of the island. I am currently at the Marriott in Ko Olina and I love it! I've toured different parts of the island which has been relatively easy.

It all depends what you want and what kind of experience you want. For me, I enjoy being in a nice resort with nice upscale facilities. I'm not sure you can say Maui is cheaper as I found the food there much more expensive. Kauai seemed to be about the same.

I've read that a cheeseburger at Aulani costs $26.00. Everything in that area will cost much more than anywhere else on the island. I've been to Hawaii several times and would say that Ko Olina is probably my least favorite area.... Everything else on the island is a far drive from Ko Olina.

As expected, anything at these types of resorts are expensive. I had two drinks during happy hour at Longboards along with a turkey bacon sandwich, the bill was $42 with tips.

To be honest Kapolei is like 5 minutes away and there are literally tonnes of great places to eat for about $8-11. I had bought 5 meals for our trip up to Hanamau Bay and it was $42 for all 5 meals including tax! There was so much food that I had 1 1/2 of the meals left as we couldn't finish it all. In addition to all the ethnic food, there is the usual fast food places like BK, McD's, Wendy's, Pizza Hut, KFC, etc. if you want.

If I was going to come back to Oahu, I would come back to Ko Olina vs Waikiki / Honolulu. Waikiki / Honolulu is way too crazy and busy with traffic that it not relaxing. Here, I can get peace and relaxation in Ko Olina. But to each their own. Everyone wants something different. I guess you have to decide what kind of vacation you want

 

[MichaelColey]

If I was going to come back to Oahu, I would come back to Ko Olina vs Waikiki / Honolulu. Waikiki / Honolulu is way too crazy and busy with traffic that it not relaxing. Here, I can get peace and relaxation in Ko Olina.

I totally agree.

 

[presley]

If I was going to come back to Oahu, I would come back to Ko Olina vs Waikiki / Honolulu. Waikiki / Honolulu is way too crazy and busy with traffic that it not relaxing. Here, I can get peace and relaxation in Ko Olina. But to each their own. Everyone wants something different. I guess you have to decide what kind of vacation you want

Waikiki pretty much offers me nothing. For someone making a one time visit to Oahu, it is worth it to just be able to see it. Last time I was on Oahu, I stayed at HHV. HHV is a nice property and I like sitting at the bar looking at the ocean right in front of my face. I could easily never go to Waikiki again.

I've said it before and I will say it again. My favorite part of that island is the North Shore. Just about everything that we love on that island is over there. One of the reasons why it is so nice and so true Hawaii is that they don't allow resorts to be built over there. So, we have to stay somewhere. I'd take Ko Olina over Waikiki if I had that option.

Of course, Turtle Bay is on the north side, but very difficult to get a room there. And with paying so much for MFs, I can't justify paying for a hotel room anymore.

 

[slum808]

A local developer has requested a permit to build a boutique hotel right on the outside of Haleiwa town, across from the beach park. He hoped it would bring jobs and income to the local residents, but has been met with lots of oposition.

 

[Rene McDaniel]

The Imperial in Waikiki Beach is supposed to be pretty nice, and if you deposit a week at Hawaiian Timeshare Exchange, I am fairly certain you can get a week there for any time of year with a little planning.

Well, I would not recommend the Imperial Hawaii at Waikiki. There is a reason it's always available. We have stayed their twice after visiting other islands when flying back from Honolulu. It is a high-rise sandwiched between other high-rise hotels in downtown Honolulu. It's the LAST PLACE I would recommend for a first trip to Hawaii. Not a good place at all for travelling with children. Kind of like a little miniature Manhattan in Hawaii.

One of my worst memories of the place (for our 2 young girls), was when the roomful of girls staying in the high rise across the street decided to flash their boobs at all the guys in our high rise. Oh yeah, and listening to some idiot in that same high rise blast "The eye of the tiger" song at max volume over and over again at 2 - 3am in the morning. I think that was the last time we ever stayed in Honolulu (even though we had family members living in a senior center nearby).

Here are some TripAdvisor pictures of the Imperial in Waikiki
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Location...i_Resort_at_Waikiki-Honolulu_Oahu_Hawaii.html