Hawai‘i was the perfect mix of adventure, relaxation, family memories, and unforgettable experiences. We split our stay between Waikiki at the Hilton Hawaiian Village and Disney’s Aulani Resort in Ko Olina, which ended up being the perfect combination. Waikiki gave us easy access to the excitement of Honolulu, excursions, shopping, and iconic beaches, while Aulani offered a slower-paced, more relaxing atmosphere to end the trip. Ko Olina quickly became my favorite part of the island—beautiful lagoons, incredible sunsets, and a peaceful atmosphere that truly felt like an escape while still offering plenty to do nearby.

Experiences

One of the absolute highlights of the trip—and my nephew’s favorite experience—was the Kualoa Ranch UTV Tour. Exploring over 4,000 acres of the ranch while driving through the mountains with ocean views surrounding us felt surreal. Being able to stop at filming locations from Jurassic Park, Jumanji, and other famous movies made it even more exciting, especially for movie fans. Beyond the filming locations, I loved learning more about the ranch itself and seeing how it still operates as a working ranch today. For travelers looking for adventure and some of the most breathtaking scenery on Oahu, this is a must-do excursion.

Another must-do on Oahu is Pearl Harbor. Visiting Pearl Harbor was an incredibly moving and humbling experience that I believe everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime. It is not only an important part of American history, but also a place of remembrance and respect for those who lost their lives there.

Views from the Kualoa Ranch UTV tour honestly didn’t even look real. Mountains, ocean views, movie filming locations, and over 4,000 acres to explore—easily one of the highlights of the entire trip and my nephew’s favorite excursion we did on Oahu.

Food & drink

The food throughout the trip was honestly one of the biggest surprises for me. Blue Water Shrimp & Seafood at Hilton Hawaiian Village ended up being one of our favorite meals of the entire vacation—some of the best shrimp I have ever had, incredibly generous portions, and surprisingly affordable compared to many other meals on the island. I have tried recreating it at home since returning, and it is just not the same. DQ at Hilton Hawaiian Village also became a go-to stop for smoothies and quick treats during the hotter afternoons.

At Aulani, the Makahiki Character Breakfast was absolutely worth it. The food was fantastic, the character interactions were seamless without long wait times, and—hot take—I genuinely thought the malasadas there were even better than the famous Leonard’s Bakery food truck.

For coffee lovers, Island Vintage Coffee on the North Shore, Island Brew Coffee in Honolulu, and even the coffee at Aulani were all standout favorites. As someone who loves a good espresso latte, I am still thinking about those coffees long after returning home.

Aulani

The Disney Aulani luau was another experience that stood out during our stay. I thought Disney did a wonderful job blending Hawaiian culture and storytelling with entertainment that felt engaging and family-friendly. The food was enjoyable, the drinks were fantastic, and I highly recommend upgrading to Priority Seating if available—being front row made the experience even more immersive.

Aulani itself completely lived up to the hype for me. Everything throughout the resort felt exceptionally clean and well-maintained, from the pools and grounds to the guest rooms themselves. The level of detail and service truly felt “Disney,” while still embracing the relaxed Hawaiian atmosphere.

We loved being able to explore Ko Olina, including walking to the nearby golf course where my nephew played nine holes, and visiting Secret Beach, where we even spotted a Hawaiian monk seal resting along the shoreline from a respectful distance.

One of the sweetest moments from our stay at Aulani: meeting Mickey before the Makahiki Breakfast made the experience feel even more magical, and the breakfast itself ended up being one of our favorite meals of the trip.

Getting around

For travelers planning a similar trip, I highly recommend renting a car, especially if you want to explore beyond your resort areas. While parking in Waikiki can be expensive, having a car allowed us to experience so much more of Oahu over the course of the week, and I cannot imagine what the rideshare costs would have added up to otherwise. We explored the North Shore, stopped at Dole Plantation to bring pineapples home for family, and made several scenic drives around the island that became some of our favorite memories. The ABC Stores throughout Waikiki and Ko Olina were also incredibly convenient for snacks, drinks, medications, and souvenirs—and definitely save your receipts for the free gifts at the end of your trip.

Overall, Oahu offered the perfect balance of adventure, relaxation, culture, incredible food, and unforgettable family memories, and it is a destination I would return to again in a heartbeat.

First stop on the Kualoa Ranch UTV tour. Between the mountain views, movie sites, and exploring the island together, this excursion was the perfect mix of adventure and unforgettable family memories during my nephew’s senior trip.

Oahu is the perfect island for travelers looking for a mix of relaxation, adventure, culture, and resort time, but planning ahead can make a huge difference in your overall experience. I highly recommend renting a car, especially if you plan to explore beyond Waikiki or Ko Olina. While parking costs can add up in Waikiki, having the flexibility to visit the North Shore, Pearl Harbor, Kualoa Ranch, Dole Plantation, local coffee shops, and beaches across the island was absolutely worth it for us. Oahu is larger than many travelers expect, and rideshare costs can quickly become expensive if you are constantly traveling between destinations.

If you are staying at Disney’s Aulani, I personally recommend splitting your stay between Waikiki and Ko Olina if your schedule allows. Waikiki offers easy access to excursions, shopping, restaurants, and the energy of Honolulu, while Ko Olina feels much quieter and more relaxing. Ending our trip at Aulani was the perfect way to unwind after several busier sightseeing days. Aulani can definitely be a splurge, but in my opinion, the level of service, cleanliness, atmosphere, and overall experience made it feel worth the investment for a special trip.

One important thing travelers should know before booking Aulani is that many experiences operate similarly to Walt Disney World when it comes to booking windows and advanced planning. Dining reservations, spa appointments, cabana rentals, character experiences, and popular activities can book up quickly, especially during peak travel seasons. I highly recommend researching reservation windows ahead of time and planning early if there are specific experiences you do not want to miss. Makahiki Character Breakfast and the Aulani Luau were both highlights of our trip, and Priority Seating for the luau was absolutely worth it for the upgraded view and overall experience.

For excursions like Kualoa Ranch, I would also recommend booking early, as both are extremely popular and can sell out quickly during busy travel seasons. Lastly, do not underestimate how important downtime can be during a Hawai’i vacation. It can be tempting to over-schedule every day, but some of our favorite moments were the slower ones—watching sunsets in Ko Olina, relaxing by the lagoons at Aulani, grabbing coffee in the morning, or simply enjoying the ocean views. Hawai‘i has a way of encouraging you to slow down and truly enjoy where you are, and that ended up being one of the most memorable parts of the entire trip.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our O’ahu page.