Aulani Trip -Going In June - Looking for Honolulu Airport (HNL) Experiences

[gsarmedic]

I was wondering what kinds of experiences family travelers (other's experiences are welcome as well) have had with Honolulu Airport and how long it is taking from arrival to the airport via airplane, to departing and getting to Aulani via rental car. We're going for a vows renewal/wedding with our kids, and so I am splurging on First Class on Delta from Orlando via Atlanta. Anyone by chance taken this flight before? (First Class or not)

The expected arrival time is 2:35pm Local, any traffic issues that anyone has experienced?

How long does it take to get the bags? (Hoping that first class will mean bags will be available quickest, but I would still like to get an idea of everyone's observations and any issues with the airport and any delays with bags)

I've read in other posts about online car rental check-in's, anyone have any issues with car rental companies at this airport? I know they are "off site" and we have to take a shuttle to the lot, unlike the one's here in Orlando.

My intention, thanks to other posts here, is to do the online check in with Aulani for a 2 bedroom Villa. My understanding is that we can just pull up to Valet and we get handed our room keys. Can anyone confirm and opine?

We are hoping to get from the airport to Aulani in time for the "Aloha, Welcome to Aulani" tour, which I have as starting around 4:00pm, is it worth the hassel of the potential rush?

 

[Soccerluvinmama]

How lucky for you that you get to fly all that way in the comfort of first class! I'm more than slightly jealous

I'm normally a pretty positive person, but I have to tell you, I HATE HNL airport! All I can say is bring your patience with you. Regarding your bags, first class bags come out with the coach bags, so you won't save any time there. The good news is that our baggage delivery has generally been pretty fast. On a sort of related note regarding bags, when you return, really considering hiring a SkyCap to check you in. We fly Alaska, and when we depart the line to check your bags in is HUGE!!! Grab a SkyCap, give him a tip, and he gets you to the front of the line. The TSA line is a whole other time sucking issue.

On our last trip we rented from Hertz. The shuttles for all of the car companies seem to come pretty regularly (maybe ever 10 minutes). Once we got to Hertz though we waited OVER 2 hours for our car! We were in the company of about 70 other people who were waiting for cars too. The other companies seemed less crowded, so this time we're going with Thrifty. Before I reserved with them I researched all of the rental companies at HNL, and they all had comments about long waits, mixed in with a few folks who were lucky and didn't have to wait much at all.

Traffic in Honolulu is notoriously BAD!!! Are you arriving on a weekday or weekend? We arrived on a Sunday at 3:00 pm this last trip, and it took us about 35'ish minutes to make it out of Honolulu. The traffic reminded me of my Seattle commute during rush hour. From when our plane landed to when we made it to Aulani, it was just over 3 hours. Needless to say, the 4pm property tour probably isn't going to happen for you.

If you do the online check in you can in fact get your key when you arrive. You'll pull up, drop your bags with the bell-hops, go to the online check in "desk" that is right there, and you're good to go. If you don't valet your car you will still have to go park and walk to your room. Even as long as that process took, it was still about 20 minutes after we arrived in the room before our bags made it. The staff is great and they hustle....it just takes time. I would suggest if you plan on running right down to the pool (and we do!), have your suites in your carry-on you have with you when you go to the room. That way you can just change and go. Oh, be sure to leave someone behind in the room to meet the bell hop

We leave in 10 days for our next stay (just did my online check-in this morning!) My DH and I have already discussed that we need to go in with the expectation that we are going to be waiting (not so much fun in the heat and humidity) for our car and will be stuck in traffic. It is what it is, and there is no point stressing over those things you can't control. We've already decided we're going to swing by Costco and Target before we get to the property to just get it out of the way. We should still be there to catch the sunset, hopefully. On the bright side, the pools are open until 10, so no matter what the kids will have plenty to swim and play in the water.

Congratulations to you on the renewal of your vows! Best wishes to you and your family!

Julie

 

[SandyinMonterey]

Been to Aulani twice and never had an issue/problem with airport or rental car....thankfully. The airport is not your average airport like one would see in NYC or SFO. We flew United both times. It took probably at least 20 to 30 minutes to get our bags. We rent from Avis, using the frequent user card so we bypass the counter. Maybe it would be a good idea to sign up for the member cards to some car rental agencies? Traffic is bad...rush hour that is. It takes about 30 minutes to get to Aulani from HNL without any traffic. It sounds like you're landing at a pretty good time so hopefully you can get out without any major delays/trouble. What took the longest was getting our bags when we checked into the hotel. Well, the first time we went, not the second. Learned our lesson. During our first trip it took over an hour to get our bags, probably close to an hour and a half. Don't know why, really wasn't given a reason. Finally my husband went down and got them himself. That's why we just took our own bags the second time. Another thing I was upset about with second trip was the room we got. Booked a non-obstructed ocean view. Got to room and it was a view of the parking lot. When I said something when I got into the room, some one who works there had said to me this really isn't considered a non-obstructed ocean view room. But that's what we paid for. After a couple of hours and many calls, we moved. Still not like the room we had during our first stay but better than a parking lot.

 

[OurDogCisco]

We've been to HNL many times and never experienced any issues worst than Orlando airport. For us our bags have come out quickly. Normally, what we do to beat the rush to the rental car agency is have one member the driver go ahead and get the car while the other adult retrieves the bags. Then, I wait out front with the bags until the rental car comes. There is no point trying to get on the shuttle with all your bags in hand. Many people don't even rent a car in Oahu because if you are staying in the Waikiki area you don't need one. So, normally you don't see long waits at the rental car agencies. Good luck and you'll love it.

 

[gsarmedic]

Thanks for the replies so far. Just to let you know I have also posted the same questions in this other thread in hopes of getting more views and responses. Any other viewers please check both threads for the answers you are looking for.

How lucky for you that you get to fly all that way in the comfort of first class! I'm more than slightly jealous - Soccerluvinmama

Don't be too jealous, even with my whole bankroll of delta skymiles it's still going to cost me several thousand dollars, but for our first time to Hawaii, our vow renewal, and our sanity of flying 13 hours with DS 13, and DD 4, with the benefit of the fully reclining seat/bed, hopefully I can get them to nap for most of the flight. Sometimes mental soundness is worth a bit of financial stress.

Skycaps and TSA:
Though I totally agree with you in any other time I've flown, my understanding is that with the Delta first class, they have a special priority line and security line (I guess it's called TSA pre-check). [Alaska Airlines is also a participant so next time you fly with them check out if you can go through the "express lane".] Either way, supposedly the priority check in should be near instantaneous here in Orlando, even with the 12 bags we are lugging along with us. Though as I am writing this I am considering getting one just to help with all of these bags so I don't hurt myself.

Arrival day is a Tuesday at 2:35pm HST. Hoping that we can avoid rush hour and major passenger influx from multiple arrivals.

What took the longest was getting our bags when we checked into the hotel. Well, the first time we went, not the second. Learned our lesson. During our first trip it took over an hour to get our bags, probably close to an hour and a half. Don't know why, really wasn't given a reason. Finally my husband went down and got them himself. That's why we just took our own bags the second time. - SandyinMonterey

Probably going to get my own luggage cart at the hotel and take the bags up myself. The plan once we arrive is to potentially take the "Aloha, Welcome to Aulani Tour" (still waiting to get feedback on whether it is worth taking) and then dinner buffet and DW gets a massage while I take the kids to Walmart and Target for supplies.

Normally, what we do to beat the rush to the rental car agency is have one member the driver go ahead and get the car while the other adult retrieves the bags. - OurDogCisco

Might be difficult to do this with DD being a little hyper active and us having 12 bags including mine and DS's SCUBA gear bags. Don't want my wife to be burdened at all on this trip. I'm just wondering if there is a Delta baggage claim "Skycap"? Someone that can help her with all of our bags if I do go and retrieve the rental vehicle.

 

[yolie912]

I was wondering what kinds of experiences family travelers (other's experiences are welcome as well) have had with Honolulu Airport and how long it is taking from arrival to the airport via airplane, to departing and getting to Aulani via rental car. We're going for a vows renewal/wedding with our kids, and so I am splurging on First Class on Delta from Orlando via Atlanta. Anyone by chance taken this flight before? (First Class or not) The expected arrival time is 2:35pm Local, any traffic issues that anyone has experienced? How long does it take to get the bags? (Hoping that first class will mean bags will be available quickest, but I would still like to get an idea of everyone's observations and any issues with the airport and any delays with bags) I've read in other posts about online car rental check-in's, anyone have any issues with car rental companies at this airport? I know they are "off site" and we have to take a shuttle to the lot, unlike the one's here in Orlando. My intention, thanks to other posts here, is to do the online check in with Aulani for a 2 bedroom Villa. My understanding is that we can just pull up to Valet and we get handed our room keys. Can anyone confirm and opine? We are hoping to get from the airport to Aulani in time for the "Aloha, Welcome to Aulani" tour, which I have as starting around 4:00pm, is it worth the hassel of the potential rush?

Congrats!! Are you doing the vows with Aulani?

 

[gsarmedic]

That's the plan, but we haven't confirmed/booked it with them yet. Still trying to see how many extended famliy members will be able to make it before we set a party size.

 

[Ebiten]

If you are able to get out of the airport by 3:30 pm, traffic should be ok as you are traveling from the airport to Aulani. Heavy traffic starts from Waikiki/Ala Moana but most everyone gets out between 4-6 pm and the route is Waikiki-->Ala Moana-->Downtown-->Airport-->Aiea/Pearl City-->Waipahu-->Kapolei-->Aulani. I would say 25-30 minutes without traffic (maybe 20 if you like speed ) and 45 minutes-one hour with heavy traffic which would involve some sort of accident.

There is no "first class first grab" for the baggage sadly.

It's not hard to navigate the airport area once you get the car, just follow the signs and make a note of the gate letter you came out from. Arrivals are on the ground floor and if you go up a ramp then you accidentally went to departure's.

They should have your key ready at the valet stand so even if you don't valet you can drop off your family and bags who can get the key cards and they bask in the atmosphere while you park your car. If I am remembering correctly you still need to go to the front desk to get a parking pass, not sure if they give you one at valet.

Congratulations on renewing your wedding vows.

 

[OurDogCisco]

Might be difficult to do this with DD being a little hyper active and us having 12 bags including mine and DS's SCUBA gear bags. Don't want my wife to be burdened at all on this trip. I'm just wondering if there is a Delta baggage claim "Skycap"? Someone that can help her with all of our bags if I do go and retrieve the rental vehicle.

I don't recall if there is skycaps but imagine there is. You might want to check out the HNL airport website. I definitely would not take 12 pieces on the shuttle. I'm not sure why 4 people would need 12 pieces of luggage because normally when we go we don't need that much stuff. We scuba dive but I leave some of the stuff at home and rent it there. It is not worth it to pay the luggage fees. Also, most people over pack for Hawaii clothing wise. I can see you might need a little bit extra for the vow renewal but other than that you'll be living in swim suits, sundresses, shorts,swim,suit coverups, etc.. Even many fancy restaurants are more casual than what you'd find on the mainland. Guys can get away with wearing nice Shorts and a hawaiian shirt. I. know you don't want to burden your wife but I would have her take the 4 year old to get the car and you and Ds13 deal with luggage. We've been going to once or twice a year for the 11 years and our youngest 12 years old.