What could Disney could do to get you to Aulani
- Thread starter CampbellzSoup
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JimmyV
Por favor manténganse alejado de las puertas.
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2008
This, this and more this!! On our last trip to Hawaii, we went to the Big Island, stayed at the Hilton Waikoloa Beach, found it to be extremely family friendly, had an awesome room right on the water, and paid less than $180 per night for the privilege. But most importantly, we went out and about every single day. We went horseback riding in the Waipo Valley (which really was a once in a lifetime experience); took a semi-private (7 people) guided tour of Volcano National Park with our own forest ranger; saw flowing lava; went on a snorkeling trip to two of the Island's best snorkeling areas; dined at some world class restaurants including Merriman's flagship location in Waimea; drove up Mauna Kea; and the list goes on. We were up and about every day, and I am so glad that we did not overpay for our room.
Disney has built a great place to check in and hang out for a week. But that is not Hawaii to us. For the time and expense that we incur to get there, we want more, more, more. Yes, one could be active while staying at Aulani and travel about the entire island of Oahu. But I wouldn't want to spend the nightly room rate for that type of vacation. Sort of the same reason that I don't stay at the Grand Floridian when I go to WDW. I could. But I don't. Not when I am going to leave the room every day at 7:00 and return every night at 10:00-midnight. So short of a huge rate reduction, there is nothing that could get me to stay at Aulani. If I want to hang by my resort's pool, or swim in the resort's man-made lagoon, I will go someplace on the mainland.
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Mom2disneygirls
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jun 21, 2014
We are also going in July for our 15th anniversary. Not DVC members. If Aunty's is anything like the other kids clubs (we have used them at Disney and on the cruises, and at Disney Vero Beach) then don't worry the kids club will be great. I have 3 girls and this will be my first trip with a child aged out of kids club and in the teen group... a whole different level of nervous. Enjoy your anniversary!
blondietink
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 22, 2008
We can deal with the cost of airfare from Buffalo, NY even though it is expensive. The real problem is the lack of room to relax in the airplanes. We are tall people and talk about uncomfortable. We catch the 8.5 hour flight in Dallas after a 3 hour flight from Buffalo, and it is a killer on the legs. There is no way you can sleep coming back home either. If they could magically move Hawaii closer to California it would be great. Or Disney could subsidize business class tickets for us. You said be creative! We also make the most of a Hawaii vacation and stay on the islands for 3 weeks total splitting out stay between 2 islands. This gives us the maximum bang for our travel costs.
This will be my 3rd trip to Hawaii in April, 2nd to Aulani. Yes, it is more expensive than some of the other resorts around. The food at the resort is more also. I expected groceries to be more than what we pay on the mainland, but am used to this because of traveling to Caribbean islands. It is costly to import food to any island. We do have a rental car and free DVC parking and that is a help to keep food and excursion costs down.
This will be my 3rd trip to Hawaii in April, 2nd to Aulani. Yes, it is more expensive than some of the other resorts around. The food at the resort is more also. I expected groceries to be more than what we pay on the mainland, but am used to this because of traveling to Caribbean islands. It is costly to import food to any island. We do have a rental car and free DVC parking and that is a help to keep food and excursion costs down.
kiford
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 9, 2012
The biggest issue for us is flights - not the cost, although they are expensive. It`s the schedule. Every time I look, the flights stop somewhere with up to 8-12 hour layovers on the way home. With the time change, we`d be up for 24 hours. Not my idea of how to end a trip. Also, with the flight time, I`d prefer to do business class and that doesn`t seem to be very common. That also means that we`d have no access to a first class lounge if we did bite the bullet and decide to take the layover.
PetePanMan
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2010
Like Florida, like California, LOVE Hawaii. It is more expensive to fly there but you are in the south Pacific!
galaxygirl76
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2014
I would love to go to Aulani and we're tentatively planning for our 20th anniversary. However, for the cost of the flight and the length of the flight we can visit my parents in Europe and that trumps Hawaii for me.
crystal1313
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 25, 2012
Awe! Happy anniversary! Have a great trip =)
JimmyV
Por favor manténganse alejado de las puertas.
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2008
PetePanMan
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 4, 2010
Uhhhh....no.
A for geography and A for missing the point
DCPhotoGal
Photographer and Mom to 2 Princesses
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2011
We are headed to Hawaii for spring break. First 4 days on the big island at the Hilton, and then to Aulani. You mentioned the horseback tour in Waipo Valley, I think my girls would love this. Do you have details on the tour you took?
DCPhotoGal
Photographer and Mom to 2 Princesses
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2011
Sorry for my previous OT question. To answer the original post, we are headed to Aulani for the first time this March. It's a long flight from the East Coast, I am a little worried about the time difference. We decided to put Aulani on the second half of our trip, so that hopefully we are well adjusted and can enjoy it when were arrive. I have booked a Disney excursion to the Kualoa Ranch for our first day, and I have tickets to Pearl Harbor for midway through the stay, but I hope that we can relax and enjoy the resort for rest of the trip.
I was a little put off by the $35/day parking fee for non-DVC members. I would propose free parking, especially when you are paying more for a nicer room. I would also like a see some kind of meal plan option. I don't have a problem with more expensive food, but I don't like to have to think about paying meal by meal.
I would also like to see a transportation option from the airport like the Magical Express. One of the things we have grown to enjoy with our Adventures by Disney and DW trips is not having the rent a car and worry about driving ourselves. It takes a lot of stress out of the trip, which is one of the goals of going to a resort like Aulani.
I was a little put off by the $35/day parking fee for non-DVC members. I would propose free parking, especially when you are paying more for a nicer room. I would also like a see some kind of meal plan option. I don't have a problem with more expensive food, but I don't like to have to think about paying meal by meal.
I would also like to see a transportation option from the airport like the Magical Express. One of the things we have grown to enjoy with our Adventures by Disney and DW trips is not having the rent a car and worry about driving ourselves. It takes a lot of stress out of the trip, which is one of the goals of going to a resort like Aulani.
MakiraMarlena
It's a big black fish to you
- Joined
- Mar 28, 2005
I've already been there. the flight was so long and so ridiculous (3 different planes) that it will be awhile before I do it again. Can't think of anything Disney could do about that. Except maybe give me a job in California so I don't have to fly from the East Coast again.
I am not a fan of meal plans (I do not want to eat all my meals at Aulani with many interesting options close by for less) but I'd like to see them have an airport transportation option. I am a DVC member so cost of the accommodations doesn't matter to me.
I am not a fan of meal plans (I do not want to eat all my meals at Aulani with many interesting options close by for less) but I'd like to see them have an airport transportation option. I am a DVC member so cost of the accommodations doesn't matter to me.
nkereina
Last chance to lose your keys.
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2009
We'll be going for our honeymoon but if it weren't such a special occasion, we probably wouldn't be able to justify it. The biggest factors for us coming from the East coast are the airfare cost, the travel time, and the amount of time it takes to adjust to the time zone changes. Because of these factors, it wouldn't be worthwhile to go for a quick trip and that means the vacation just becomes more expensive.
JimmyV
Por favor manténganse alejado de las puertas.
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2008
Here you go. It was awesome. They also have a trail ride that does not go down into the valley, but we really wanted to get down into the valley floor. A truly unique experience.
http://www.naalapastables.com/waipio.html
I think for Aulani to be worth it, you have to be the kind of person/family who values spending a lot of time at the resort (and, in that regard, I think Aulani has a lot to offer - we were completely entertained for the entire week we were there).
If, however, you're more of an excursion-type vacationer who mainly uses a hotel as a place to sleep, then it simply isn't worth it.
The other issue with Hawaii generally is the time and expense needed to get there (not to mention jet lag), especially for anyone from the East Coast. Contrast this to an alternative such as Cancun, which is typically cheaper and easier to get to, especially from the East Coast.
In that regard, it's interesting to compare Aulani to a Cancun All-Inclusive. We did a fairly middle of the road Cancun All-Inclusive a few years ago. Each had their pros and cons. Factoring in the cost of food and air fare, the Cancun All-Inclusive was signficantly less expensive, the beach was better (IMO), and we didn't have as much jet lag. Aulani, on the other hand, had better food, better beds, and overall better resort amenities, plus we didn't have to go through customs. Both resorts were about equally relaxing.
Overall, for the money, we thought Cancun was the better deal, but Aulani provided a somewhat overall better (albeit pricier) experience. The bottom line is that there are a lot of alternatives that compete pretty well with an Hawaii vacation when you consider all the pros and cons.
If, however, you're more of an excursion-type vacationer who mainly uses a hotel as a place to sleep, then it simply isn't worth it.
The other issue with Hawaii generally is the time and expense needed to get there (not to mention jet lag), especially for anyone from the East Coast. Contrast this to an alternative such as Cancun, which is typically cheaper and easier to get to, especially from the East Coast.
In that regard, it's interesting to compare Aulani to a Cancun All-Inclusive. We did a fairly middle of the road Cancun All-Inclusive a few years ago. Each had their pros and cons. Factoring in the cost of food and air fare, the Cancun All-Inclusive was signficantly less expensive, the beach was better (IMO), and we didn't have as much jet lag. Aulani, on the other hand, had better food, better beds, and overall better resort amenities, plus we didn't have to go through customs. Both resorts were about equally relaxing.
Overall, for the money, we thought Cancun was the better deal, but Aulani provided a somewhat overall better (albeit pricier) experience. The bottom line is that there are a lot of alternatives that compete pretty well with an Hawaii vacation when you consider all the pros and cons.
AdamEfimoff
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2015
Get rid of this http://www.fourseasons.com/oahu/ and provide special amenities
Gorechick
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 19, 2001
You know, I looked at that building all last week and heard the construction on and off. Compared to the theming and beautiful, lush, tropical setting of Aulani that hotel is awful sterile looking and ugly.
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