Some Aulani Brainwashing going on...

dsiind · Feb 3, 2016

OK, so my wife and I are going to be in Hawaii for a work trip later this month, staying over in Waikiki. I have convinced her we need to drop by Aulani to check it out, in case we are ever able to afford a trip with our kids, as a possible place to stay.

She is not the Disney fan that I am, though she does not dislike Disney. But I need to make sure that in our quick visit that we see enough to convince her to want to come here on our own dime. We will be in long enough for a leisurely walk around the property, and probably to stop in one of the lounges to have a quick drink and maybe a shared appetizer.

I NEED YOUR HELP! I have never been, and need to know what to visit and see to sell her on Aulani! She is inclined to want to save longer and stay at a really nice high-end resort, thinking this will be too much like a WDW resort, with a lot of frenetic energy, noise, etc.

For those who have been, please share your quick tips? A few questions I really want to have locked down before we go;

What is the best lounge for us to visit?
What drinks/appetizers would you recommend we order to share that would really WOW her?
What parts of the resort property should I make sure to have us visit?
What resort amenities/features should I be sure to point out?
What off-site stores/restaurants/facilities in the immediate Aulani area should I point out/visit?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

MakiraMarlena · Feb 3, 2016

At Aulani, the Olelo room. (You can get a beer there for 5 bucks at happy hour!!) But don't forget you can walk across the street to Monkeypod. Or walk over to Roy's.

Cheese plate at Oleo. Duck potstickers. On The Hook by the pool had fish tacos. If you like smoked salmon, for breakfast you can get a smoked salmon flatbread at the quick service place. I don't know how much you will be able to take in on a day visit. I don't know about the two listed. The best ahi poke I had was at some dive tiki bar near the Honolulu airport.

Visit as much of it as you can get to without being a guest.

The adult pool and spa. Especially the spa.

Monkeypod (especially for happy hour), the pizza place is good, and the market across the street has its own liquor store and food cheaper than Aulani for breakfasts and such. And a shop for souvenirs.

You could totally forget that it is Disney. Especially on weekdays.

Gorechick · Feb 3, 2016

We had the sliders, nachos and sashimi trio during happy hour at Ol'elo our first night and it was ALL good.

alohamom · Feb 3, 2016

I would take her over to the adults only pool section, it kind of gets neglected because it is tucked away for privacy. Also, the area near the two tiered hot tub has a lovely walk way down to the beach, it is great to stand on the walk way and look back at the resort.

E&Cmom · Feb 3, 2016

Do they still have the Kailua Pork Tacos at Oo the Hook? Those were really good!!!!

wanderlust7 · Feb 3, 2016

Try not to go on a weekend, it's noticeably more crowded then.

If your kids are still young, point out that Aunty's Beach House has complimentary and unlimited childcare 9:30 am to 9 pm (space permitting). If you see kids walking around looking at an iPad, they're playing the Menehune Adventure Trail game. See where they're looking and you might see a cool effect.

JoeA · Feb 4, 2016

There is a nice little bar near the adult pool...good place for a beverage! Make sure you walk out to the beach and lagoon area. When you come through the front lobby make sure you walk out to the patio area overlooking the resort, and especially the lazy river. If the lazy river alone doesn't sell her then you're SoL! Also, I'd point out that they often have live music in that area at night. We were there in June and really enjoyed listening each night.

If you plan on doing any type of a boat trip during the potential future stay then point out that the Ko Olina Marina is right around the corner so easy access for snorkel trips, sunset cruises, etc. Overall, I fell the resort to be much different than a WDW resort and certainly less hectic than any Waikiki area resort. We usually stay a day or two in Waikiki and then the rest of the week in Aulani.

Good luck!

APears · Feb 5, 2016

If you can, try to come during sunset and grab a drink at Off the Hook (poolside bar) and walk it over to the little landing area beneath Ama Ama (beachside dining). Sit there and enjoy the sunset and the quiet, then if you're hungry head to Olelo Room for the cheese plate OR go across the street to monkeypod. Especially after seeing/staying at Waikiki, you'll see that Aulani and the area surrounding the resort has a much different more relaxed feel than Waikiki, and I'll bet she'll appreciate it. But definitely take some time to sit and enjoy. That's how my fiance and I fell in love with the resort, and how we like to enjoy it on date nights when not staying there as a guest

Neraj · Feb 5, 2016

Olelo Room has live music everynight. I would try to get to the resort early, watch the sunset at the beach, then enjoy some music, drinks and appetizers at Olelo. Spend $37 at Olelo (after 5pm) and you get free valet or self parking for 4 hours.

dsiind · Feb 5, 2016

You all rock! Thanks so much!

CampbellzSoup · Feb 8, 2016

I'm going to Aulani today but let me say Hawaii especially Waikiki is kinda seedy...

There were homeless people EVERYEHERE harassing tourist asking for money and just really overall give it a seedy feeling.

I just wanted a day at Waikiki to experience Hawaii without the disbey Magic and now I can't wait. I'm currently being picked up as we speak to go

Overall I would say do NOT stay at Hawaii it's expensive and the homeless really are intrusive to he experience of Waikiki. I'm from New York and sure we have homeless and it's a shame but it's all OVER here...Oh I also forgot I was asked to buy marijuana so many times i lost count. Plus you get nice whiffs of it on the beach...overall I am NOT impressed with Waikiki Hawaii and can't wait for Aulani!

georgina · Feb 8, 2016

CampbellzSoup said:
I'm going to Aulani today but let me say Hawaii especially Waikiki is kinda seedy...

There were homeless people EVERYEHERE harassing tourist asking for money and just really overall give it a seedy feeling.

I just wanted a day at Waikiki to experience Hawaii without the disbey Magic and now I can't wait. I'm currently being picked up as we speak to go

Overall I would say do NOT stay at Hawaii it's expensive and the homeless really are intrusive to he experience of Waikiki. I'm from New York and sure we have homeless and it's a shame but it's all OVER here...Oh I also forgot I was asked to buy marijuana so many times i lost count. Plus you get nice whiffs of it on the beach...overall I am NOT impressed with Waikiki Hawaii and can't wait for Aulani!

Please don't disparage an entire state of many islands because there are a lot of homeless in the Waikiki Beach area. We spent 5 nights there and the police do a good job of keeping the homeless off the beach. We were never accosted for money and didn't smell any marijuana on the beach either. It was mostly tourist families like ourselves. We also spent time on Kauai and there was not a homeless population there (only a lot of wild chickens).

CampbellzSoup · Feb 8, 2016

georgina said:
Please don't disparage an entire state of many islands because there are a lot of homeless in the Waikiki Beach area. We spent 5 nights there and the police do a good job of keeping the homeless off the beach. We were never accosted for money and didn't smell any marijuana on the beach either. It was mostly tourist families like ourselves. We also spent time on Kauai and there was not a homeless population there (only a lot of wild chickens).

Who's disparaging and entire state? I'm telling you what my experience was and what I saw - do you not like the truth?

nkereina · Feb 8, 2016

CampbellzSoup said:
Who's disparaging and entire state? I'm telling you what my experience was and what I saw - do you not like the truth?

I think the PP thinks you're knocking the entire state of Hawaii, since you said "Hawaii especially Waikiki is kinda seedy" and "Overall I would say do NOT stay at Hawaii it's expensive and the homeless really are intrusive to he experience of Waikiki." I think in the latter sentence you meant to say not to stay in Waikiki, but it wasn't clear. The point is that while Waikiki may have what you describe, like any other metropolitan area, it doesn't represent the state as a whole.

wanderlust7 · Feb 8, 2016

CampbellzSoup said:
I'm going to Aulani today but let me say Hawaii especially Waikiki is kinda seedy...

There were homeless people EVERYEHERE harassing tourist asking for money and just really overall give it a seedy feeling.

I just wanted a day at Waikiki to experience Hawaii without the disbey Magic and now I can't wait. I'm currently being picked up as we speak to go

Overall I would say do NOT stay at Hawaii it's expensive and the homeless really are intrusive to he experience of Waikiki. I'm from New York and sure we have homeless and it's a shame but it's all OVER here...Oh I also forgot I was asked to buy marijuana so many times i lost count. Plus you get nice whiffs of it on the beach...overall I am NOT impressed with Waikiki Hawaii and can't wait for Aulani!

Sorry to hear this was your experience. I'm curious where did you go? We've been to Waikiki several times over the years, usually sticking around the touristy areas on Kalakaua (as far north as Ala Moana Mall) and Kuhio, I don't think I ever recall seeing any panhandlers. Driving out of Waikiki, we did see a homeless encampment. As with any big city, I think it really depends on where you go. Sometimes just a street over will be a big difference.

CampbellzSoup · Feb 8, 2016

Again perhaps my wording was incorrect however I had this vision of paradice is Hawaii and again I'm telling you from just waking the coast and around I was told f you three times for not offering money and a LOT of homeless people were sleeping by the monuments. If I misspoke in my language I apologize but it really was a kinda shock to see and experience.

I stayed at the turtle hotel and just wandered the Waikiki strip to the duke statue and diamond head and yes again I was cursed at and approached multiple times for money.

Today I'm in Aulani and it truly is paradice my god

wanderlust7 · Feb 8, 2016

CampbellzSoup said:
Again perhaps my wording was incorrect however I had this vision of paradice is Hawaii and again I'm telling you from just waking the coast and around I was told f you three times for not offering money and a LOT of homeless people were sleeping by the monuments. If I misspoke in my language I apologize but it really was a kinda shock to see and experience.

I stayed at the turtle hotel and just wandered the Waikiki strip to the duke statue and diamond head and yes again I was cursed at and approached multiple times for money.

Today I'm in Aulani and it truly is paradice my god

We've stayed more towards the north end of the Waikiki strip. The trip before Aulani was at Hilton Hawaiian Village. It was great - a solid A, compared to Aulani's A++ for the Disney magic.

We didn't have any problems at the beach in front of HHV, or in front of Hale Koa next door, or walking around Fort Derussy park. We've passed by Duke's statue before, but didn't stay long since the beach was crowded, and that's about as far south of the Waikiki strip as we've gone. Note to self - very south end maybe not so nice.

Glad you're enjoying Aulani.

CampbellzSoup · Feb 9, 2016

Thanks Aulani is amazing...ill have a full review and photos when I get home!

A couple of 4 at Ama Ama with bottles of wine and cocktails spent 700 dollars for their meal!

georgina · Feb 9, 2016

CampbellzSoup said:
Who's disparaging and entire state? I'm telling you what my experience was and what I saw - do you not like the truth?

nkereina said:
I think the PP thinks you're knocking the entire state of Hawaii, since you said "Hawaii especially Waikiki is kinda seedy" and "Overall I would say do NOT stay at Hawaii it's expensive and the homeless really are intrusive to he experience of Waikiki." I think in the latter sentence you meant to say not to stay in Waikiki, but it wasn't clear. The point is that while Waikiki may have what you describe, like any other metropolitan area, it doesn't represent the state as a whole.

Exactly. You spent a day at A PART OF Waikiki and told people not to go to Hawaii. From your description of the expensive dinner at Aulani, I would tell people not to go there. I thought $400 for 7 people at the Hula Grill at the Outrigger was bad!

Nikodemos · Feb 11, 2016

Maybe part of Waikiki is seedy, but when we went to the North Coast (staying at Turtle Bay but traveling all over) and Aulani, we didn't encounter any 'seediness'. I agree that applying an opinion on a tiny part of the whole state should not mean it applies everywhere.

Some Aulani Brainwashing going on...

What appetizer should we share at Aulani to WOW my wife with the food at the resort?

Ahi Poke

Kalua Pork Sliders

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