I would leave your Maine winter ❄
far behind and visit during January-March ☀
. We are also DVC and since parking is free to members, generally rent a car at the airport the entire trip. This is great for getting to the resort, making Costco runs, visiting anywhere in Oahu (can't get too lost...its an ISLAND!🏝), and generally doing all our sightseeing at our leisure. Making Aulani our home base the entire time in Oahu works for us.
I would split the trip and spend a few days on the big island (Hawaii) just to see the volcanoes and the lava caves.
Here's some tips I sent my sister in an email. Hope this helps!
Waikiki
This is the heart of Oahu’s tourist area, home to a many hotels, chain restaurants, night clubs, etc. It can get very crowded both day and night with tourists from both the US and maybe even more from Japan. Sort of like a mix between Rodeo Drive (Beverly Hills) and South Beach (Miami) with a dash of NYC (buskers) and LA (homeless).
Before Aulani, we’ve stayed in Waikiki several times, mostly at Sheraton properties, although we stayed at a very nice Embassy Suites there also. Parking a car in Waikiki is expensive ($30-$40/day depending on hotel).
If we visit Waikiki, we typically park at the International Marketplace shopping center garage (1st hour free, $2/hr after that) -
https://shopinternationalmarketplace.com/visit-hours/mall-parking/
I think there may be validation from some stores if you spend more than $20?
Ala Moana Shopping Center
https://www.alamoanacenter.com/en.html
This is the big mall west of Waikiki with plenty of FREE parking and a great food court! We spend plenty of time here as Honolulu Sales tax is only 4.5% (My home city in California currently 9.25%…on anything non-grocery related).
Luaus
We’ve been to 3 on Oahu:
Polynesian Cultural Center -
https://www.polynesia.com is run by LDS (the Mormons) but employs many locals. We went years ago but it was very educational and you can make a full day here with the tour and evening luau. The show was good but the food was just okay. And as with any LDS events, there is no alcohol or caffeine (cokes/coffee), etc.
Paradise Cove -
https://www.paradisecove.com is in Ko Olina and close to Aulani and Mariott. We’ve been here twice and enjoyed it both times. Good activities before the show, okay buffet, and quality luau performance.
Aulani also runs a very nice Luau, comparable to any fine resort Luau (think Royal Hawaiian aka "The Pink Palace") -
https://www.disneyaulani.com/activities/luau/
Places we recommend to visit on Oahu:
Rainbow Drive-in -
https://rainbowdrivein.com Good plate lunches, outdoor seating only, great local flavor.
Leonard’s Bakery -
https://www.leonardshawaii.com/home/ Famous for their Malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts)…always freshly made and delicious.
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck -
http://giovannisshrimptruck.com Near North Shore, good shrimp scampi and rice plates.
Halona Blowhole -
https://www.hawaii.com/oahu/attractions/halona-blowhole-beach-cove/ Very scenic drive up the east cost and great picture spot while you wait for the right wave to push water up the “blowhole”.
Hanauma Bay -
https://hanaumabaystatepark.com Great for snorkeling
Diamondhead Trail -
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/hiking/oahu/diamond-head-summit-trail/ Great views from the top...once you make it up!
Dole Plantation -
https://www.doleplantation.com - Pleasant pit stop on the way to the North Shore. Reminds me of a Stuckey’s or South of the Border type atmosphere. Has a train ride and a maze for kids. Pineapple tasting every 20 minutes? (pre-covid).