I visited the Dole Plantation on Oahu Island in Hawaii with my 6-year-old and 8-year-old children.
We had planned to visit the Pineapple Train and the maze, but the Pineapple Train was crowded, so we had to give up on it.
The maze, in comparison to the Pineapple Train, was much less crowded, and we were able to start without any waiting time.
By the way, we heard that the wait time for the Pineapple Train was 1 hour, and it would be in a place with limited shade, so given that we were with children, we decided to pass on it this time.
I’ve put together some thoughts on enjoying the Dole Plantation maze this time. For those planning to visit in the future, please consider it as a reference.
※Please note that this report is based on information as of August 2023. When planning your visit, be sure to check for the latest updates.
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Regarding the Pineapple Maze
Actually, the Dole Plantation maze was registered as the world’s largest maze in 2008, so if you visit Hawaii, it’s definitely worth a visit.
The park is home to a staggering 14,000 Hawaiian plants, allowing you to truly immerse yourself in the authentic Hawaiian ambiance.
Furthermore, unlike mazes enclosed by walls, this garden maze allows you to see the paths through the gaps in the plants, making it a comfortable and enjoyable experience even with children.
While Hawaii is often associated with its beautiful beaches and ocean, you can discover a new charm of Hawaii through the maze at Dole Plantation.
Regarding the time required
In the Pineapple Maze, if you participate in the stamp-collecting game, it usually takes around 1 hour.
The maze itself is not overly challenging and is divided into several sections, so you can pause and exit at any time.
Furthermore, the maze tickets often include markings that guide you by indicating where the stamps are located in the maze, making it not very difficult in terms of difficulty.
Additionally, there didn’t seem to be options for purchasing drinks or restrooms within the park, so it’s recommended to take care of those needs beforehand.
Regarding the crowd situation
Inside the park, in stark contrast to the Pineapple Train, it was significantly less crowded, and we were able to enter without any waiting time.
The line for the Pineapple Train was surprisingly long, but inside the maze, it felt incredibly spacious, and it was very empty
We didn’t encounter a single Japanese group during our visit, which was also unexpected.
By the way, the maze was not crowded, but the parking lot was extremely congested around 11 AM on a weekday, and finding a spot was quite a challenge.
We thought that arriving early in the day would likely result in shorter waiting times and easier parking.
Also, we had to wait for about 15 minutes to purchase pineapple ice cream, but it’s a must-try treat at Dole Plantation, so it’s worth having at least once.
Summary
Dole Plantation is a place where people of all ages can enjoy, and experiencing one of the world’s largest mazes was a memorable part of our visit.
The souvenir shop had a wide variety of cute pineapple-themed souvenirs, so be sure to check them out.
※Please note that this report is based on information as of August 2023. When planning your visit, be sure to check for the latest updates.
