I live in Honolulu and have been to Aulani to swim and eat. I have also worked a few jobs at the Four Seasons at various hours of the day and night, so I’m speaking from some experience. If attractions involve 90 minutes to 2 hours in a car, then that’s considered isolated by Hawaii standards.
In terms of the commute never being “too bad”, I guess that’s a matter of perspective and opinion. Hawaii is constantly ranked as one of the worst states to commute. Perhaps vacationers don’t see the traffic as being bad because you’re not burdened with picking up your kids from school, getting to work on time, doctor’s appointments, etc. But when you’re late for work, stuck on the H with no alternate routes available, you’re often ready to kill. Lol I wish that I could run on the famous island time, but that’s a luxury often not afforded to residents of the actual island. Sadly ironic.
It's funny how tourist often say they are envious of residents, but really, they are getting the better end of the deal.You're speaking from a local's perspective. I was just speaking from a tourist's perspective. As someone who lives on the east coast and is probably Disney/Aulani's target demographic, the fact that Aulani is off the beaten path isn't a factor for me considering the longest commutes from there isn't bad to me. 90 minutes to 2 hours to do and see whatever I want to on the island sounds fantastic, since most of our road trips at home can be much longer than that. In other words, the location of Aulani is not a deterrent for me to stay there when visiting Oahu. And I think Disney sees it the same way, if it's true they expected more people to tour the island while staying there.
You are right about the traffic and would know about that better than any of us, but as a tourist, I can work my schedule around that or at the very least, just roll with it since I'm not on a time schedule necessarily. We found it relatively easy to forego the conveniently located resorts in favor of Aulani, even if it meant the drive was 15 minutes longer or we had to contend with traffic.
Well....yes and no. Vacation really is just vacation, no matter where you go. It's always fun to visit a place and to wonder what it's like to live there, and imagine it's nothing but sitting on the beach, sipping cocktails. And I'm not going to lie, there are days like that. It's great to get up and never wonder about what to wear - coming from the east coast, this is still wonderful to me. It's great being both isolated and still in a big city where there is just about everything you want. It's great to just decide to go to the beach, and a beach is there , pick the beach if the weather is crap on one side of the island, or the waves too small for surfing.It's funny how tourist often say they are envious of residents, but really, they are getting the better end of the deal.
Thanks for posting this! I've been wondering the same thing. Knowing us, this would be my feeling as well. My husband's brother is now stationed in Hawaii, so we were considering staying at Aulani for 3-4 days and then the rest of our time w/ his family. I really appreciate your post as I wondered as resort-oriented as my family often is when we go to WDW or DLR, w/o a park(s) to go to, the shine will wear off quickly. Particularly for my one on the spectrum.I am a massive Disney fan and my wife and son have been spoon feed a heavy dosage of my love of Disney to the point that they are now lovers of all things mouse, this being said, I find that spending more than 4 days and nights at the Aulani cheapens the experience. I heard the Dis Crew say that they spend 10 days at the Aulani, but I wonder what it is that they do for the other 6 days to occupy their time. After my 4th day at the Aulani, I was tired of getting in the pools, eating the overprices food, and seeing the same meet and greets....Dont get me wrong, I LOVE THE AULANI, i find myself looking at other people's horrible YOUTUBE videos, wishing I could be back, but when I go back, I only want to say for a few days. I think Hawaii is intensely beautiful and needs to be seen and explored and I find the Aulani is so amazing but limiting in what is can offer, am I go back? Hell Yes, but this time, I will make the Aulani a part of my vacation and not the entire trip.....Please let me know if I'm crazy...
I am a massive Disney fan and my wife and son have been spoon feed a heavy dosage of my love of Disney to the point that they are now lovers of all things mouse, this being said, I find that spending more than 4 days and nights at the Aulani cheapens the experience. I heard the Dis Crew say that they spend 10 days at the Aulani, but I wonder what it is that they do for the other 6 days to occupy their time. After my 4th day at the Aulani, I was tired of getting in the pools, eating the overprices food, and seeing the same meet and greets....Dont get me wrong, I LOVE THE AULANI, i find myself looking at other people's horrible YOUTUBE videos, wishing I could be back, but when I go back, I only want to say for a few days. I think Hawaii is intensely beautiful and needs to be seen and explored and I find the Aulani is so amazing but limiting in what is can offer, am I go back? Hell Yes, but this time, I will make the Aulani a part of my vacation and not the entire trip.....Please let me know if I'm crazy...