Aulani 10/19-10/25 Day 1

[JonLouisB]

Quick report for everyone... Today was a long travel day but ended with the group using the slides and lazy river (slides are awesome, 4yr old LW handled them like the tough lil girl she is). Construction isn't very noticeable, I'll post some pics of what i saw. We ended up in room 787 in the Ewa tower which turns out is an ocean view! Even though its billed as an island view! Pics to come!

JB

 

[JonLouisB]

Here's our view for the week! Room 787 in Ewa Tower, supposed to be an Island Garden view!

Some abstract Hidden Mickeys in the hallway going to the rooms...

Some construction near the lagoon. From the water facing back towards the hotel....

The view from the lagoon, we spent about 30 min in the water before trying out the slides and lazy river....

 

[JonLouisB]

Day - 2

My fiance KM and myself took 4yr old LW to check out Auntie's Beach House at 830am for their open house. LW loved the costumes right away and changed into a Snow White dress, later adding some Tinkerbell wings for the dual princess effect. They have the whole house decorating in Halloween decor, LW loved the arts and crafts they had, using some rubber stamps and stencils to make some souvenirs for her grandma. The place is state-of-the-art and if she were a bit older she'd be able to appreciate what they have, maybe next year.

After that we hit the pools again for a few hours, seeing the pool party right as we were done for the day to prepare for our luau at Paradise Cove later tonight. Pics to come!

 

[franandaj]

Awesome pictures! I can't wait to see more! Thanks for posting!

 

[WestCoastMama]

Thanks for the update and pics! We arrive tmw afternoon. So excited! Just saw a thread about Halloween at Aulani. Seems they are doing Halloween activities including trick-or-treating around the resort starting this coming week. My kids will flip!

 

[JonLouisB]

Day 3 - North Shore trip itinerary

Waimea Valley and Waterfall
Waimea Beach and cliff jumping
Haleiwa Town for Big Wave Shrimp Truck
Dole Plantation on the way back to Aulani

Pics and detailed report to come!

 

[wdrl]

Following your trip report!

Are you planning on taking the tour of the Grand Villa on the 10th floor? If you do, then you should get a bird's eye view of the construction that is going on around the Wailana Pool.

 

[LisaT91403]

Day - 2

My fiance KM and myself took 4yr old LW to check out Auntie's Beach House at 830am for their open house. LW loved the costumes right away and changed into a Snow White dress, later adding some Tinkerbell wings for the dual princess effect. They have the whole house decorating in Halloween decor, LW loved the arts and crafts they had, using some rubber stamps and stencils to make some souvenirs for her grandma. The place is state-of-the-art and if she were a bit older she'd be able to appreciate what they have, maybe next year.

After that we hit the pools again for a few hours, seeing the pool party right as we were done for the day to prepare for our luau at Paradise Cove later tonight. Pics to come!

So, are you saying your 4 year old won't stay at Auntie's to play? I'm hoping my DS (4 1/2) will want to stay and play!

How did you like the luau?

And how "intrusive" do you find the construction to be?

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[JonLouisB]

So, are you saying your 4 year old won't stay at Auntie's to play? I'm hoping my DS (4 1/2) will want to stay and play!

How did you like the luau?

And how "intrusive" do you find the construction to be?

Can't wait to hear more!

She just turned 4 in July and isn't quite comfortable being on her own in a new place just yet. Between 8-10am they have open house where parents can play with their kids but after 10 they kick out the parents, leaving the kids in the care of Auntie's staff. Our LW has always been cared for by family so she is a bit hesitant with the idea of being left alone.

As far as the construction, I really haven't noticed it at all. There are a few areas that are sectioned off, but in true Disney fashion, they hide it well and herd foot traffic around the affected areas. All of the amenities we came for are available so it's not like we are missing out on anything....

 

[JonLouisB]

Following your trip report!

Are you planning on taking the tour of the Grand Villa on the 10th floor? If you do, then you should get a bird's eye view of the construction that is going on around the Wailana Pool.

We did kick around the idea of doing a tour. If we do, I'll be sure to take pics....

 

[JonLouisB]

Day 3 - North Shore trip itinerary

Waimea Valley and Waterfall
Waimea Beach and cliff jumping
Haleiwa Town for Big Wave Shrimp Truck
Dole Plantation on the way back to Aulani

Pics and detailed report to come!

Waimea Valley and Waterfall were a blast, the waterfall is about 30-40ft tall and it's an easy swim across a small freshwater pond to get your head wet under the falls.

We ended up rescheduling the cliff diving for Tues as our timing was off and we had to get back earlier than we thought. We did stop off at the Dole Plantation to take in the Maze (finished in 31 minutes), the Koi pond and some Dole Whip.

Back at the Aulani by 6pm, we ended up back in the lazy river and took in some slides at night (more fun at night!) before heading up to the room for a home-cooked meal (we bought groceries the day of arrival). Our two teens AM and DM took in the Teen Video Scavenger Hunt from 630-8pm and enjoyed running around the resort trying to get videos of different people and things.

After dinner we took little LW down stairs for some pin trading at the gift shop. There are several locations in the resort that offer pin trading and we planned ahead, bringing some pins from our trading at Disneyland.

Day 4 Plans

Snorkel Cruise
Lunch in Honolulu
Para-sailing
Relax at pool
Starlit Hui

 

[wdrl]

After dinner we took little LW down stairs for some pin trading at the gift shop. There are several locations in the resort that offer pin trading and we planned ahead, bringing some pins from our trading at Disneyland.

I was pleasantly surprised how many places there were at Aulani to trade pins. At first, the only CMs I saw wearing pin lanyards were the ones at that DVC Preview Center. Then we discovered that the General Store has two pin trading binders, the Concierge has a binder, and the Community Hall has a binder.

Have you had a chance to attend the story telling at the fire pit?

 

[darbry]

Thanks for the trip report! We are going to be there in 19 days!!! Can't wait! Love the falls...do you think that is something we could hike to with our 11 month old? I'm dreaming every night of paradise...

 

[JonLouisB]

Thanks for the trip report! We are going to be there in 19 days!!! Can't wait! Love the falls...do you think that is something we could hike to with our 11 month old? I'm dreaming every night of paradise...

The hike to Waimea Valley falls in .75 miles each way. They do have shuttle service for $6 round trip or $4 one way. Many people do as we did, which is walk to the falls, swim a bit, then take a shuttle back to the entrance. I'd say you could make the hike with an 11 month old, but leave the option open for a shuttle ride.

 

[JonLouisB]

Early rise to beat traffic (25 miles in 50 minutes) to the marina for the snorkel cruise. We did see many turtles on the surface of the water, but the surf was rough and the visibility was really disappointing. Back in April the water was super clear and you could see to the bottom of the ocean floor. Everyone in our party had a good time, but I guess I was spoiled from my experience in April.

Myself and little LW on her first snorkel trip

View of Diamond Head from the Catamaran

Captain Stephen (Island Magic Catamaran)

 

[JonLouisB]

After the snorkel cruise, we headed to a local beach to bide our time before our parasailing adventure at 3pm. We ended up at a beach that my fiance's mother, also on this trip with us, grew up going to as a child, Ala Moana Beach Park.

For our parasailing trip we had my mom KB, sister LB, and myself in one group and my fiance KM and her 14yr daughter DM in another group. We also had my aunt PS and my fiance's brother DM as observers on the boat. We ended up going 800ft up with a dunk in the water at the end of the ride. Loads of fun and highly recommended for thrill seekers.

 

[JonLouisB]

Turns out our room (787 Ewa Tower) has a great view of the Starlit Hui location. We watched the pre-show from the balcony then went down to partake in the fun. Pics of the show will post tomorrow!

Day 5 Plans

Pearl Harbor/Arizona Memorial
Waimea Beach and Cliff diving
Aulani Trick-or-Treat

 

[wdrl]

Thanks for posting your photos!

Which marina did you go to for your snorkeling trip? I regret we never did any boat excursions while we were at Aulani. However, we took two helicopter excursions on Kauai and the Big Island, so I'm not complaining.

Glad to read you can see the Starlit Hui show from your balcony. I really think those Island View villas that are numbered xx71 to xx87 will become extremely popular with Aulani guests.

 

[JonLouisB]

Thanks for posting your photos!

Which marina did you go to for your snorkeling trip? I regret we never did any boat excursions while we were at Aulani. However, we took two helicopter excursions on Kauai and the Big Island, so I'm not complaining.

Glad to read you can see the Starlit Hui show from your balcony. I really think those Island View villas that are numbered xx71 to xx87 will become extremely popular with Aulani guests.

The snorkel cruise was out of the Ala Moana marina, they are called Island Magic Catamaran. We used a Groupon in April and they honored the Groupon price of $32 for adults and $20 for kids.

The room also has a great view of the Ohana Movie nights as well....

 

[JonLouisB]

Starlit Hui pics from balcony

View from ground level