West coast help please

[rachelhelen82]

Hi - we’re looking to book a west coast trip for next August. I’ve noted down the places and order we’d like to visit - please could someone suggest how long to stay at each?
Fly Manchester to San Francisco
Fly to Aulani
Fly to LAX for Disneyland (having been before we definitely want a week here)
Fly to Las Vegas
Fly back to Manchester

We’re a party of three, 2 adults and a 13 year old.
Thank you 😊

[jdouds]

Hi what have you booked so far.

[jdouds]

The only thing we would say so far is a week in LA for Disney, sound a lot.
San Fran 3 days
Vegas 3/4 days
Have you driven PCH, whale watching Monterey , Yosemite
How long have you got for this trip

[KarenG]

I’ve been to Aulani a couple of times, happy to help if you need anything on that.

[rachelhelen82]

Originally Posted by jdouds

Hi what have you booked so far.

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We’ve nothing booked so far, just trying to decide how long we’d need at each place really. We can do a maximum of three weeks but definitely want a week at Disneyland - hopefully on-site, we went in 2018 and absolutely loved it.
I feel dreadful saying this but we’re not looking at driving down the coast, it does look beautiful but it’s not really our thing 🙈. I think we’ll have 3 nights in SF but maybe 4/5 in Vegas?

[rachelhelen82]

Originally Posted by KarenG

I’ve been to Aulani a couple of times, happy to help if you need anything on that.

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Thank you. I think I’m looking at 5/6 nights there, does this sound reasonable?

[jdouds]

Hi again if you have never done the coast rd would you consider driving out to Monterey and go whale watching, this is one of the best things we have ever done.

[KarenG]

Originally Posted by rachelhelen82

Thank you. I think I’m looking at 5/6 nights there, does this sound reasonable?

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Are you just going to Aulani, or any of the other places on ‘Oahu (the island where Aulani is) or other islands?

Natsynoo did a trip report where I think it was a five night trip to Hawaii and I would definitely read that as a starter

If you want to sightsee across Oahu a lot I probably wouldn’t choose Aulani to base myself.

It’s an absolutely beautiful resort - the nicest Disney hotel I’ve stayed in by far - but it’s extremely expensive and perhaps not in the best location for general sightseeing.

So if you mainly want to just relax and enjoy Aulani 5/6 nights would be enough (though it’s quite an effort to get to Hawaii so I’ve always tried to go for longer!).

The food and drinks are very expensive at Aulani but the good news is that there is, across the road (less than five minute walk) a good Few restaurants, a couple of shops, coffee and ice cream place etc. Also an ABC store which sells every grocery item, souviner, alcohol, that you can imagine. Hawaii is more expensive than the mainland but ABC lets us stock up on snacks, beer, etc which saves a lot!

For a lovely meal I totally recommend Monkeypod or Roy’s Ko Olina (eight minute walk from Aulani).

We’ve eaten at all the restaurants and bars at Aulani if you wanted any thoughts on those. Very nice but very very expensive compared to what’s available a short walk away.

The staff at Aulani are just wonderful (though in general we found that across Hawaii).

The beach at Aulani (public beach) is absolutely wonderful.

We love the entertainment in the evenings - Hawaiian musicians / singers. Magical!

Sorry that was a ramble! If you could give an idea about what you want to do when you’re there hopefully I can help a bit better