katrinaryan

We are planning our "to-do" list for our upcoming trip in Hilton Hawaiian Village. Other then the PCC and Hanauma Bay, do you think my 6 yrs old will enjoy the Pearl Harbor?

thanks.

Ida101

Probably not. First you will have to wait inline before you can get into the visitorcenter. Lines can be long, after that you again have to wait (sometimes again long time) for the movie and the shuttle.

Ida101

Check this remark :

Visitors can expect up to a 3-hour delay for their program to begin during the summer months but less during the fall, winter, and spring. It is important to arrive early to be assured of a program ticket. There are 30 scheduled programs daily with seating for 150 in each program averaging 4,500 tickets per day and 1.5 million visitors annually.
•There is no restroom facility on the Memorial.
•Cell phones must be turned off once the program begins in the theater, on the Navy shuttle boat, and at the Memorial.

on their website:
http://www.nps.gov/usar/planyourvisit/index.htm

sea2sea

It depends on your 6 year old. My daughter was 6 when we visited the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor and was fascinated by it. When we stood in line only to be given a "wait card" for another long wait I said "lets go" and she insisted we stay. But then again, she loved the Titanic exhibit and is interested in history.

diann24

I agree it depends on the child. It is a solemn event, and one must be quiet as to show respect to the dead that are buried. It actually brought tears to my eyes. I was not even born when it happened. You actually see a 20 minute movie priot to entering. It shows actual clips of the bombing. It is done very nicely but we waited nearly 2.5 hours. It is well organized.

bebalm

I loved Pearl Harbor...but I don't think a 6 year old would be impressed. The movie is very informative but a typical "history channel" type feature. The museum in interesting...but not very interactive and lots of reading. The boatride could be fun...but everyone is very solemn on the ride out and back. I would save this trip for another visit. I think their are some other ships in the harbor that you can tour and might be more appropriate for a 6 year old.

furledleader

It depends. Many six year olds don't have the cognitive development yet to entertain a sense of history. Some do. I requires a bit of abstract thinking. Since 6 year olds are more concrete thinkers, your child may more likely enjoy something they can actually get their hands and eyes upon, like a tour of the WWII submarine (USS Bowfin) moored next door, or a guided tour of the battleship (USS Missouri) moored across the harbor. Find some pictures on the internet of the Missouri blowing off its 16 inch guns and show them to your kid. Haven't met a kid yet that isn't impressed with big explosions, and the sight of the guns looming over his/her heads on the tour will be even more impressive.

If the guide asks what the nanes of the other "Iowa-class" battleships are that are still around, have your kid answer with....USS IOWA....USS Wisconsin..... and USS New Jersey. The guide will be impressed.

katrinaryan

Thanks for all your helpfule advises. We probably will save this to our next visit.

Thanks again

furledleader

Then have your kid tell the guide that there were 2 more Iowa-class battleships that were planned, but never built - the USS Illinois, and the USS Kentucky.

After that....The guide will probably carry your kid on his shoulders for the rest of the tour.

dusty56438

A 6 year old will enjoy the USS Arizona Memorial.

I cannot think of anything on Oahu that will impress a 6 year old more than the USS Arizona Memorial.

I have been to the Memorial many times and always see kids a lot younger than 6.

Go for it.