Aulani Villas & Views -- REVISED 07/22/2017

[Cruise04]

I might not be doing many updates for the next few days. We're getting ready to drive to Galveston to board the Disney Magic for an 8-night cruise. While aboard, I may have only limited internet access -- and I'm probably too cheap to pay for better access.

Please post your photos and I'll update the thread when we get back home on 2/23/2013.

Have fun!!!!

 

[dianeschlicht]

ONealfamily - when do you leave? I'm here until Sunday. If you stop by on your way too or from the elevator, knock and see if I'm here! The last few days I've been out exploring but tomorrow I'm hanging around the resort, I think. I want to run to the Malasadas truck and then to Long's to get some Maca nuts to take home!

diane - you are just above me a few floors and over a few doors! GREAT view!

Yes we are loving it! My son threatened to sleep on the balcony last night. The only thing we don't like is the shower. The handheld shower is inconvenient, and the rain shower is not the favorite of any of us.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Forgot to mention we got to see the sea turtles today!!! We went to the end of the path beyond the Marriott, and climbed out onto the rocks. We got soaked with the high surf today, but we saw several sea turtles in that rocky bay beyond the Marriott.

 

[Cruise04]

diane - I figured out the shower. I didn't like it the first day when I couldn't figure out how to reangle the handheld and I didn't like the rain shower either. If you don't turn up the pressure all the way, you can get it to a reasonable angle rather than it shooting to the wall and being of no benefit. My problem is I'm short and to reach that handheld is tough for me, as is reaching everything in all the DVC resorts mind you. You don't want to know how I got my toaster down! LOL

Cool on the turtles!

 

[mithreechicks]

thank you to everyone for all of the info here!

We are planning a trip for the week before Thanksgiving, but can't book until the 7 month window. Has anyone had any problems booking for Nov? Does it fill up quickly? We are hoping for an OV 2-bed (there are 5 of us). Any word on when all of the construction will be completed? The last update I read said Fall 2013...but you never know

thanks!!

 

[MissMet]

Headed to Aulani in May for our first wedding anniversary. I didn't have the time to read thru this entire post, but I'm trying to get an idea of what to request. We have an ocean view studio booked. What I'm looking for is a view of the pool, middle floor so we feel a part of the pool, but not in it & with hopefully sunset views from our balcony.

Would a request of "Waikolohe Valley, mid floor, sunset view" work? I'm thinking for what I'm looking for I'd want the Ewa building???

Any suggestions?

 

[Cinderpamela]

MissMet- I think I would get a little more specific, without getting too specific--by requesting "Ewa Building, pool view, end of hall" --- or something like that. Then your ocean view room has a better chance of getting that sunset in.

Also, when you check in be sure to let the CM know that you are willing to wait for a room with a sunset and pool view.

That's how we got a 5th floor pool view room that also included a view of the ocean for less points.

 

[Cruise04]

They will only let you make 'two' requests when you make room requests. I asked for 6th floor or above and near the elevator. I got 758 (pictures posted earlier). GREAT view. I couldn't have been happier.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Headed to Aulani in May for our first wedding anniversary. I didn't have the time to read thru this entire post, but I'm trying to get an idea of what to request. We have an ocean view studio booked. What I'm looking for is a view of the pool, middle floor so we feel a part of the pool, but not in it & with hopefully sunset views from our balcony.

Would a request of "Waikolohe Valley, mid floor, sunset view" work? I'm thinking for what I'm looking for I'd want the Ewa building???

Any suggestions?

I would request higher floor in Ewa tower and close to elevator. We are in a 1 bedroom OV and we are the first room past the elevator (1070) and the lockoff studio next to us (1072) would be a perfect location. We are able to watch the pool and see magnificent sunsets. My pictures are a couple of posts above.

 

[lurkyloo]

We just returned from our anniversary vow renewal at Aulani, and I wanted to give back to this helpful thread by sharing our room view.

We could only afford the points on a Standard View studio, and let me just say that after circumnavigating the resort to inspect the views from other rooms, I believe we had THE WORST view of any room at Aulani. At least the other low-floor rooms have views of the convention center lawn and fountain, or the pretty landscaping at the front of the resort. Which means, unless you happen to get Room 457, your view's gonna be pretty good no matter where you are!


Standard View Studio #457 (fourth floor, overlooking the convention center passageway roof)

Our pals had a Standard view studio one floor above us and one room down, and it wasn't bad—at least they could see out over the passageway roof. Here's the view of the convention center area from the ground, looking back at our room...

We asked about switching but were told no other rooms were available in our category for the length of our stay, and that if we switched the next morning, we'd be charged a $75 cleaning fee. They offered to move us to the next view category up for 6 points more per night or to upgrade us to a one-bedroom... for 500 more points!

I think we'd have been happy with pretty much any other view, but it was the first time I've stayed in a Standard View room at a DVC resort and really wished I'd splurged for a better view.

 

[Anal Annie]

Sorry...that view kinda did suck big time. I think I would've put in a suggestion for them to park some big planters out there on the walkway roof in front of the railing with some tropical vegetation to at least block the worst of the view... I debated about trying to skimp on the view so we'd have some points left to bank but in the end we had enough points to rent an OV studio and only needed to borrow 3 points to do it. Glad we splurged. (Happy anniversary!)

 

[lurkyloo]

Thanks! That's a really good idea about the planters... they should totally do that! Most of the time I tried to convince myself we were looking at a Peoplemover track!

 

[donkthemagicllama]

Here's our view from room 1530, it's a standard (ie non-DVC) oceanview room. First room from the elevator on the 15th floor of Waianai tower. Absolutely gorgeous view.
You could hear the live music from the 'Olelo room perfectly from the balcony and slightly in the room even when the door was closed... this was awesome for us, but some might be annoyed.

These were all taken Jan 18-25 when the construction was in full swing... as you can see, from many vantage points, it wasn't visible at all.

Happy to answer any questions!


http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u576/donkthemagicllama/IMG_2215_zps4f50572b.jpg -- looking more or less straight out from the balcony
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u576/donkthemagicllama/IMG_1109_zpseebb3add.jpg -- looking down
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u576/donkthemagicllama/IMG_1110_zps0edaed24.jpg -- hawaiian music (zoomed in)
I don't have a good picture of it, but looking the other way, you could see Diamond Head in the distance as well.

Bonus pics from around aulani
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u576/donkthemagicllama/IMG_1741_zps940181a9.jpg -- our 4 year old in rainbow reef
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u576/donkthemagicllama/IMG_1153_zpsb6662397.jpg -- hawaiian railway tracks across from aulani
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u576/donkthemagicllama/IMG_1692_zpsac039d9d.jpg -- natural beach past the beach path (west) 2 minutes walk from aulani
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u576/donkthemagicllama/IMG_2147_zpsf91034cf.jpg -- main pool in the evening
http://i1322.photobucket.com/albums/u576/donkthemagicllama/IMG_1823_zps91971d59.jpg -- 'ama 'ama at night

 

[BCV23]

Headed to Aulani in May for our first wedding anniversary. I didn't have the time to read thru this entire post, but I'm trying to get an idea of what to request. We have an ocean view studio booked. What I'm looking for is a view of the pool, middle floor so we feel a part of the pool, but not in it & with hopefully sunset views from our balcony.

Would a request of "Waikolohe Valley, mid floor, sunset view" work? I'm thinking for what I'm looking for I'd want the Ewa building???

Any suggestions?

I would request Waikohole Valley 6 or 7th floor and leave it at that. I think all oceanview rooms have wonderful sunset views as the sun sets over the ocean. Sounds simple but really think it's true. I know what you mean about wanting to feel a part of the pool. We were on the 6th floor which according to wdrl's chart is the lowest floor with ocean view rooms. I did enjoy that feeling of being in the valley even while enjoying great views of the ocean and sunset.

 

[Cruise04]

I would request Waikohole Valley 6 or 7th floor and leave it at that. I think all oceanview rooms have wonderful sunset views as the sun sets over the ocean. Sounds simple but really think it's true. I know what you mean about wanting to feel a part of the pool. We were on the 6th floor which according to wdrl's chart is the lowest floor with ocean view rooms. I did enjoy that feeling of being in the valley even while enjoying great views of the ocean and sunset.

Just a note - it appeared that the Waikohole Valley area was not being used last week when I was there because of the construction. You might want to ask when you make your request so that you don't lose out on the opportunity of another request in place of it. I'd hate to see someone make a request and then get placed just anyplace when they may have had the opportunity of getting close to their request in the Ewa Tower. Just my thoughts.

 

[BCV23]

Just a note - it appeared that the Waikohole Valley area was not being used last week when I was there because of the construction. You might want to ask when you make your request so that you don't lose out on the opportunity of another request in place of it. I'd hate to see someone make a request and then get placed just anyplace when they may have had the opportunity of getting close to their request in the Ewa Tower. Just my thoughts.

I think Waikolohe Valley is the name of the water area between the two tours. It is the Waianae Tower that is closed, isn't it? All those w's and a's.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I think Waikolohe Valley is the name of the water area between the two tours. It is the Waianae Tower that is closed, isn't it? All those w's and a's.

Yes, most of Wianae tower is closed right now except for the unit that is there for viewing (1006).

 

[dianeschlicht]

They finished installing the rails on the first floor Wianae building patios, and today they started installing them on Ewa tower West side. Those rooms appear to be empty on the first floor.

 

[letitsnow]

After months and months of reviewing all the villas and views I still don't know what to request for nice ocean view studio. I was thinking 1410...I know it's just a request not guaranteed. Also read to ask for an even number room. Any other suggestions? 24 more days til paradise!!

We also have 2 island view studios any suggestions for those? I guess I didn't pay much attention to those since I won't be staying in those rooms. Oops!

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

 

[SuzanneSLO]

After months and months of reviewing all the villas and views I still don't know what to request for nice ocean view studio. I was thinking 1410...I know it's just a request not guaranteed. Also read to ask for an even number room. Any other suggestions? 24 more days til paradise!!

We also have 2 island view studios any suggestions for those? I guess I didn't pay much attention to those since I won't be staying in those rooms. Oops!

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

Here is what we requested for our stay in an ocean view studio in January:

"First choice: high floor with room number ending in 04, such as 1404;
Next choice: high floor with room number ending in 54 or 56, such as
1654;
Last choice: high floor with room number ending in 64, such as 1664."

We were given 1656 and we loved it. It had the non-angled lanai, so there was plenty of room. We were next to 1654, which has a slight obstruction due to the Aulani arch (this is not present on any floor other than the 16th).

Because you are travelling with others in a island view, I would probably not ask for anything in the Wainae building (XX04 or XX10). Instead I would add high floor with room number ending in 84 (long wing of Ewa buidling, closest to ocean, angled lanai).

For the island view, I would ask for the other rooms to be on the same floor as the ocean view, preferably in the long wing of the Ewa building.

I hope this helps. -- Suzanne