We are leaving for Hawaii on Saturday. Going to Oahu, Big Island and Maui. We are set for Oahu and Maui as far as hotels and where to go since we have been there many times. We haven't been to the Big Island in more than 15 years. I am interested in any thoughts on what tower to request in the HWV. It looks like the Lagoon Tower is closest to the pool with the most activities. We will have our 3 kids 9, 7 and 6 with us. It does not look as if the Ocean tower or Palace Tower or close to the action. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Any ideas of sites to visit would be helpful also. Obviously Volcanoes National Park, but anything else?

The Ocean Tower is close to the River pool, but it's the 3rd tower (can't remember the name, but it's near the dolphin encounter) that is closest to the pool with the giant slide. I stayed in it for my honeymoon and appreciated the location for it's proximity to the lobby also. The boats and trams are fun, but they also can get old when you're simply trying to get out of the hotel.

Have a wonderful trip!

Fairwinds snorkel cruise to Keakakua Bay to see Capt. Cook Memorial and hopefully some spinner dophins. My 7 year old liked it better than the swim w/ dolphins.

We stayed at the farthest wing and it was such a pain to wait for the tram. I would get as close as possible with kids.

I love the "Place of Refuge". Feels magical. - The children should love walking around there. I, too, haven't been to the Big Island for about ten years and look forward to taking my ten year old sometime. Where are you staying on Maui and Oahu?

We are staying at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Oahu and the Renaissance on Maui. We usually stay at the Marriot on Kaanapali Beach but are in Wailea this time.