Executive Lanai Questions

B

Bearland

Earning My Ears

Joined

Jun 10, 2011

• Feb 12, 2016

• #1

The official Aulani website mentions that the executive lanai comes with a "locking cabinet." From pictures, my understanding is that there is a piece of furniture with a drawer on top and a door cabinet space below (which houses the refrigerator in the cabanas). Does the cabinet door area below really lock, or does just the drawer above lock? Does anyone know about how large the cabinet is (i.e. will it fit a backpack)?

Also, regarding tipping...we have never booked a cabana, lanai, etc. before. It sounds like several different service people may stop by at various points in the day. At a cabana or executive lanai, do we tip the service staff beyond just the food delivery? If so, how do you accomplish tipping additional staff?

 

OKW Lover

Retired and living 2 miles from The Castle.

DIS Lifetime Sponsor

Joined

Apr 29, 2004

• Feb 13, 2016

• #2

I know that one of our forum regulars @DSNYDREAMER is there now and I believe booked a lanai for the day. Perhaps once she recovers from the exertion she will post a response here.

 

T

Texas Disney Fan

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 7, 2008

• Feb 14, 2016

• #3

It is just a drawer that locks. It does not have a lot room. It could hold a few phones, maybe a small tablet and a few other items. It will not fit a backpack.

As to tipping, when you close your bill at the end it will include the cost of rental and any food/drink charges is where we did the tip on the total price. I can only assume that the staff does a tip sharing arrangement for their shift.

 

B

Bearland

Earning My Ears

Joined

Jun 10, 2011

• Feb 14, 2016

• #4

Texas Disney Fan said:

It is just a drawer that locks. It does not have a lot room. It could hold a few phones, maybe a small tablet and a few other items. It will not fit a backpack.

Click to expand...

With the executive lanai rental, do you get to access the cabinet below the drawer at all (even if it does not lock)?

Texas Disney Fan said:

As to tipping, when you close your bill at the end it will include the cost of rental and any food/drink charges is where we did the tip on the total price. I can only assume that the staff does a tip sharing arrangement for their shift.

Click to expand...

So, we should be able to add the tip in one combined amount on a credit card transaction when we settle the bill? Is the expected percentage to tip on the cost of the rental similar to that of tipping at a restaurant?

 

T

Texas Disney Fan

DIS Veteran

Joined

Jan 7, 2008

• Feb 15, 2016

• #5

I can not say for certain because we have only done the Cabanas but I would think you would have access to the whole thing.

We have always tipped similar percentage like restaurants. We vary the percentage depending on the level of attention.

 

Girimama33

"I've disgraced the forces of evil."

Joined

Apr 1, 2012

• Feb 17, 2016

• #6

You have access to the whole cabinet.
When we have rented the cabanas, Executive Lanai and the Ama Ama decks there, we just tipped 20% of our bill for food and drink (not on the rental). We usually had the same person serving us throughout the day.
You get charged for the rental at Rainbow Reef. You can pay for it then, or add it to your bill. The food and drink are totally separate.

You will love the Executive Lanai. We enjoyed it much more than the cabanas.

 

B

Bearland

Earning My Ears

Joined

Jun 10, 2011

• Feb 18, 2016

• #7

Thank you for all of your descriptions and explanations! It sounds great!

 

H

herc1997

Earning My Ears

Joined

Feb 3, 2010

• Feb 26, 2016

• #8

Girimama33 said:

You have access to the whole cabinet.
When we have rented the cabanas, Executive Lanai and the Ama Ama decks there, we just tipped 20% of our bill for food and drink (not on the rental). We usually had the same person serving us throughout the day.
You get charged for the rental at Rainbow Reef. You can pay for it then, or add it to your bill. The food and drink are totally separate.

You will love the Executive Lanai. We enjoyed it much more than the cabanas.

Click to expand...

Thank you for your help. We looked into the lanais on our last vacation, but were sold out. I didn't book right at the moment and waited thinking they would have some. I know for the next trip. Definitely want to do it at least once during the two weeks there. Maybe if I start saving now (lol) I may have enough for a second day.