Planning question

[Cashy98]

Okay, I saw on this website that you can pre-purchase activities for a Hawaii vacation (honeymoon).
Hawaii Activities - Big Island (http://www.hawaiiactivities.com/index.cfm?island=BigIsland)
Well... I was wondering, do you guys think its a good idea? Or to your think it would be cheaper to just go and figure things out once we are in Hawaii? My FMIL thinks that it would be cheaper to just ask someone at the hotel once we are there on how we can make arrangements for such things. But I'm worried that if we don't have things at least partially planned out that we will waste a lot of our honeymoon trying to figure out where to go and what to do. I'm not sure what we should do. :confused: :confused: :confused:

[reecey]

Okay, I saw on this website that you can pre-purchase activities for a Hawaii vacation (honeymoon).
Hawaii Activities - Big Island (http://www.hawaiiactivities.com/index.cfm?island=BigIsland)
Well... I was wondering, do you guys think its a good idea? Or to your think it would be cheaper to just go and figure things out once we are in Hawaii? My FMIL thinks that it would be cheaper to just ask someone at the hotel once we are there on how we can make arrangements for such things. But I'm worried that if we don't have things at least partially planned out that we will waste a lot of our honeymoon trying to figure out where to go and what to do. I'm not sure what we should do. :confused: :confused: :confused:

I think both options have their merit - what I would do is make a list of things you would like to do and decide when you get there. What if you're having so much fun doing "other things" that you don't get to something you already paid for? Or you find something more exciting? You're out the money you pre-purchased with. Not to mention, the people at the hotel will know how to get the best experience. So I would make a list of everything that you want to do, rank them, and then go from there :)

[SOM Z28]

Cashy:

I used that site to get idea for our trip and it was helpful. But be sure that you have a map of some kind. A map will help you greatly when planning activites. Use the website to get ideas, and then use the map to see if these activities are in your area. Apparently, the Kona area traffic is pretty slow, so everyone I've talked to says 5-7 miles can mean approximately 20 minutes travel time. So bear that in mind. Call some of the vendors and ask them how far they are (distance and travel time) from your hotel. This way you can decide whether it's worth it to make the drive.

Also, I didn't use this site to actually book any of our activities. Once we decided what was in our area and price range, I searched for each vendor's website and compared the pricing direct through them with the pricing on the Hawaiian Activities site...and most were close in price. And we've only actually booked one activity so far...our diving...since we really, really wanted to do that and didn't want to take the chance that we wouldn't get in with the dive group we wanted. Most of the other vendors told me that the end of Aug is when they start slowing down and that booking stuff shouldn't be a problem once we get there.

[Cashy98]

Cashy:

I used that site to get idea for our trip and it was helpful. But be sure that you have a map of some kind. A map will help you greatly when planning activites. Use the website to get ideas, and then use the map to see if these activities are in your area. Apparently, the Kona area traffic is pretty slow, so everyone I've talked to says 5-7 miles can mean approximately 20 minutes travel time. So bear that in mind. Call some of the vendors and ask them how far they are (distance and travel time) from your hotel. This way you can decide whether it's worth it to make the drive.

Also, I didn't use this site to actually book any of our activities. Once we decided what was in our area and price range, I searched for each vendor's website and compared the pricing direct through them with the pricing on the Hawaiian Activities site...and most were close in price. And we've only actually booked one activity so far...our diving...since we really, really wanted to do that and didn't want to take the chance that we wouldn't get in with the dive group we wanted. Most of the other vendors told me that the end of Aug is when they start slowing down and that booking stuff shouldn't be a problem once we get there.

Ok, so if we're going in June... then will it be harder to book things? I know how me and my FH are. Every time we go on vacation, we end up wasting a lot of time driving around in circles... literally.:rolleyes: I just thought that preplanning at least a few things would ensure that we will get to do the things we absolutely want to do. But that is a good idea, maybe I'll see if some of those vendors have their own websites. I would hate to wait until we get to Hawaii and then find out we can't do something we wanted to do because it was all booked up. :(

[SOM Z28]

Ok, so if we're going in June... then will it be harder to book things? I know how me and my FH are. Every time we go on vacation, we end up wasting a lot of time driving around in circles... literally.:rolleyes: I just thought that preplanning at least a few things would ensure that we will get to do the things we absolutely want to do. But that is a good idea, maybe I'll see if some of those vendors have their own websites. I would hate to wait until we get to Hawaii and then find out we can't do something we wanted to do because it was all booked up. :(
My suggestion is this: Do your research and make a list of things you'd like to do. Then weed through the list by distance you're willing to travel and cost. Then do a tentitive schedule by looking at the website info (I think most tell you which days they operate. Don't forget to leave a couple of days for relaxing by the pool or strolling around the area. Then look up phone numbers for some of the businesses that run the activities you're interested in and ask questions. Verify how far away they are from where you're staying, verify pricing and ask how busy they are that time of year. If that's a busy time of year, then I'd definately go ahead and book at least a couple of things. Just don't forget that you booked it!

[EngagedMouse]

I have traveled all over the world and have been to Hawaii twice. It doesn't matter where I am traveling to, it's always the same story. You can always do research on what type of activities that you want to do before you get to your destination. It's also ok to wait to figure out what you want to do once you get to your destination. More than likely, the first day you get there you are just going to want to relax anyhow. I would suggest talking to the activities desk at your hotel and getting brochures on activities that you want to do. I would book your trip directly with the tour group and not the hotel if you can help it. You will always save money by doing it this way (some places I’ve been to, I’ve saved 50%). Activities in Hawaii are expensive. The average activity is about $100 USD a person if you book through an agency. If you have any questions or want any pointers let me know, I’ll be more than happy to give suggestions!

[Cashy98]

I have traveled all over the world and have been to Hawaii twice. It doesn't matter where I am traveling to, it's always the same story. You can always do research on what type of activities that you want to do before you get to your destination. It's also ok to wait to figure out what you want to do once you get to your destination. More than likely, the first day you get there you are just going to want to relax anyhow. I would suggest talking to the activities desk at your hotel and getting brochures on activities that you want to do. I would book your trip directly with the tour group and not the hotel if you can help it. You will always save money by doing it this way (some places I’ve been to, I’ve saved 50%). Activities in Hawaii are expensive. The average activity is about $100 USD a person if you book through an agency. If you have any questions or want any pointers let me know, I’ll be more than happy to give suggestions!
Oh I would love suggestions! Any advice is greatly appreciated. I know nothing about planning things in Hawaii. I'm just afraid to wait until we get there. I'm serious... my FH and I will do nothing but drive in circles the entire time looking for something to do! That's how every one of our vacations has ended up! LOL!

[EngagedMouse]

Oh I would love suggestions! Any advice is greatly appreciated. I know nothing about planning things in Hawaii. I'm just afraid to wait until we get there. I'm serious... my FH and I will do nothing but drive in circles the entire time looking for something to do! That's how every one of our vacations has ended up! LOL!

I can so help you! For the last 10 years all I have ever done is travel every week for my job and have been all over the world for fun...so I've learned a thing or two.

First off, what island(s) are you guys planning on going to? How long do you plan to spend at each island(s)? What activities do you guys enjoy doing? Are you adventurous types or no? Is something special that you want to do when you're out there?

[Cashy98]

I can so help you! For the last 10 years all I have ever done is travel every week for my job and have been all over the world for fun...so I've learned a thing or two.

First off, what island(s) are you guys planning on going to? How long do you plan to spend at each island(s)? What activities do you guys enjoy doing? Are you adventurous types or no? Is something special that you want to do when you're out there?
Sorry! I haven't logged on for awhile!
Let's see... we are for sure going to the Big Island. Plus my FH's mom is going to try to get us some time in Oauhu too.
We will be spending a week on the Big Island. I'm not sure about the other though.
We love to do outdoor stuff and we enjoy wildlife... but we also enjoy history and art. We like to actually do stuff though... no laying around and getting massages for days. :p
As for special things... I would REALLY like to go on either a submarine ride or a helicopter ride. Oh, and what are some good places to go shopping? I'm going to want to buy LOT's of stuff! :D