Aulani: What's the One Thing You Wish You Knew?

[Amw1064]

I wish I would have known how long I would be having Aulani "withdrawals". Honestly I am 2 weeks home and it is all I think about.

 

[nemofans]

Young kids don't have to use a snorkel in rainbow reef. They were fine with our DS just using goggles and a life vest.

 

[alohamom]

I wish I would have known how long I would be having Aulani "withdrawals". Honestly I am 2 weeks home and it is all I think about.

LOL-I totally know this feeling. Hang in there!

 

[lodge]

That Aulani is part of a homeowner's association and one may not use their own paddleboards, scuba gear (to leave from the Aulani beach), boogie boards. This should seriously be mentioned somewhere.
Not trying to be a Debbie-Downer but we weren't too fond of Aulani besides the above points. I think we are accustomed to the diversity of activities at WDW or DL, as well as the improvements on line problems (advent of the FP+ system as opposed to Aulani's outdated stand-in-line 30 minutes prior to opening of community center and kid's club.

 

[sahara910]

Best beach we found was at the end of the road, if you keep driving on the highway and do not get off at the exit for Aulani...stay on that road until it dead ends at one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen! Probably a 30 min drive at most,, goes through some small town areas, and beautiful scenery. If you look on a map, you will see how the highway ends. There are even restrooms and a shower. Very windy, though.

When I am looking at a map are you saying to the east side of Oahu or NW side?
also for Rainbow Reef does anyone know if it is actually warmer in the summer? It said 82 but no way that was right in November lol My son wanted to try but it was too cold for him. Good to know he can use goggles instead though!

 

[carissa1970]

When I am looking at a map are you saying to the east side of Oahu or NW side?
also for Rainbow Reef does anyone know if it is actually warmer in the summer? It said 82 but no way that was right in November lol My son wanted to try but it was too cold for him. Good to know he can use goggles instead though!

NW side. I'm sorry I don't have better details. Let's say you were driving to Aulani from the airport. If you kept driving past the exit off the highway, the road eventually dead ends at the beach. I found a couple photos. Besides us, there were about 10 others there, most were snorkeling.

 

[gioiamama]

Does anyone know if the refillable mugs are using the rfid chips as in the parks? Or are they self service honor system as in the past?

 

[AlaskaMOM]

NW side. I'm sorry I don't have better details. Let's say you were driving to Aulani from the airport. If you kept driving past the exit off the highway, the road eventually dead ends at the beach. I found a couple photos. Besides us, there were about 10 others there, most were snorkeling.
View attachment 108916 View attachment 108917

I know exactly which beach youre talking about. It's just past the town of Makaha. A very nice local (not touristy at all) area we rented a home there a couple years ago and loved the neighborhood feel. But anyway the beach there is nice, and has the basics: lifeguards, restrooms, good parking lot. Hope that helps

 

[southerngirl528]

I think anyone expecting an immersive "Disney" experience akin to DL or WDW is going to be less than happy at Aulani. One thing Disney has said since before ground was broken was that Aulani would be "big Hawaii, little Disney". IOW the emphasis is on Hawaii, it's history, culture, language, music and lore. And those things are precisely why we LOVE Aulani. As someone that truly loves Hawaii, I would have been greatly surprised and disappointed if it had been too "disney-fied".

Had Disney not done their homework and demonstrated their commitment to Hawaii, they could never have recruited some of the most revered Hawaiian artists and cultural kumu (teachers). Keali'i Reichel was very reticent when Disney asked him to be a cultural consultant and had no interest initially, but a friend talked him into just meeting with Disney to check it out. After that meeting, Keali'i became very instrumental, along with many other highly regarded natives and cultural experts, to give their input into all things Aulani. Keali'i wrote the chant for Aulani and was present for the blessing ceremony of Aulani at their opening. His handprint is all over the Starlit Hui as well. Aulani has top-notch live Hawaiian music in their 2 lounges, including many Na Hoku award winners. To bring more "Disney" to Aulani than there currently is would, IMHO, take away from the wonderful marriage of Hawaiian aloha spirit and Disney pixie dust.

 

[alohamom]

Thanks for posting the Makaha beach area pics Carissa-so beautiful!

 

[DisMom829]

So glad I found this thread! I'm patiently and secretively making plans to take the kiddos Thanksgiving break 2016! We are DVC, so I have to wait for the 7 month window to open up. I've started a notebook with tips found on this thread. We plan on renting a car so we can explore the island. My kids will be 15/11 by then. Will 7 days on island (not including travel days) be sufficient? I know we have enough points for a 7 day stay, but we could move to cash if longer is recommended. Main things on DH's list are Pearl Harbor and USS Arizona visit, pineapple plantation and beach time.

 

[southerngirl528]

Sounds like an awesome family trip plan, DisMom829! As for whether 7 days being enough? First, do you mean 7 nights? Which really gives you 6 full days. Where are you flying from? Have you and the fam ever been to Hawaii? Are you going to visit any other islands while in Hawaii?

For us as east coasters, it's quite a flight to Hawaii so I much prefer a longer stay. Our shortest thus far has been 12 nights. If you can't do that much, you certainly should not feel badly, just enjoy every moment you DO have!

 

[DisMom829]

Sounds like an awesome family trip plan, DisMom829! As for whether 7 days being enough? First, do you mean 7 nights? Which really gives you 6 full days. Where are you flying from? Have you and the fam ever been to Hawaii? Are you going to visit any other islands while in Hawaii?

For us as east coasters, it's quite a flight to Hawaii so I much prefer a longer stay. Our shortest thus far has been 12 nights. If you can't do that much, you certainly should not feel badly, just enjoy every moment you DO have!

We will be flying from Houston, Texas. Leaving out on a Saturday, and returning home on a Sunday. I've been looking at flights for this year watching schedules. So 9 days, 8 nights total. We have never been to Hawaii, this will be our first trip and right now we only have planned on staying only on the island of O'ahu. So far I have we will arrive on a Saturday, get a rental car and buy groceries/supplies at Target/Safeway. Sunday explore the resort. Monday maybe visit the Dole Plantation/North Shore. Tuesday, Pearl Harbor. Leaving Wednesday-Saturday open. We would leave for home on Sunday. This is the early planning and over a year away. But I'm a planner

 

[southerngirl528]

That sounds like a pretty nice plan to me, DisMom! I especially like that you have left several days open to just enjoy the resort. Or whatever! With 8 nights, if it was me I would just stay right at Aulani/Oahu the entire trip. I think one of the loveliest parts of a Hawaii vacation is just…being. Just soaking in how lovely it all is. (I think I just felt my blood pressure drop a couple of points…LOL) Are you a Costco member? There's a Costco and that Big Target (not a SuperTarget, but has lots of groceries plus alcohol for those that want that) just about a 5 minute drive from Aulani.

 

[DisMom829]

Thanks southerngirl528! I think my blood pressure is dropping as I look at pictures tonight, LOL. We're not Costco member's, but both DH and I have membership discounts available thru work, so we'll be joining before we go. Hoping to take advantage of the car rental discount with Costco also. We may put a relax day between sight seeing days just to take it all in. We've been to the Bahama's and Jamaica several times. We absolutely love Jamaica. But we feel it's time to branch out and explore Hawaii.

 

[southerngirl528]

Aloha again, DisMom. I can tell you that as a Floridian, I've had a number of people ask why we travel all the way to Hawaii when we have the Caribbean just a short flight away. I think the Caribbean is wonderful with some gorgeous beaches. But in my mind, there is little to compare. The mountains of Hawaii are the largest in the world. The fact that I can get in our rental at sea level and within about an hour and a half, be 2 miles above sea level, needing a coat, long pants and mittens. And I have a view of what seems to be the entire world. Hawaii is part of the U.S. My vacation dollars stay here at home. They speak English and I find the Hawaiian culture fascinating. Going to church on the beach in whale season, with Humpbacks breaching behind the makeshift pulpit, honu (sea turtles) popping their heads up for a breath, breezes that are soft and fragrant,…. I could go on, but for my DH and myself, we feel we have found a little slice of heaven in Hawaii. Do all people agree? Thankfully, no! I mean, aren't we all glad that our own "special place" is not EVERY one's favorite spot?

Aulani is a really special place. Some people "get it". Some don't And that's okay. But I have a feeling that you and yours will love it too. Happy planning!

 

[Amw1064]

DisMom, Southerngirl528 can vouch for me. I also live in Florida and would never give Hawaii a try. We finally went about a month ago and we are in LOVE. We bought more points so that Aulani can be a home resort for us. I have been on 23 Disney cruises and Disney World more times than one can count. However, I would give them both up to go to Aulani. It is just amazing. We stayed 10 nights and I felt it was absolutely perfect. I am already planning for next summer as well.

 

[southerngirl528]

Ah, Amw….you have been "bitten" by the bug! And you are now under the spell of Hawaii! And ain't it GRAND???

 

[AZMermaid]

Agreed- I never thought we could like a place THAT much more than Disneyland, but we do. It was amazing- best vacation ever.

 

[Keira1387]

DisMom, Southerngirl528 can vouch for me. I also live in Florida and would never give Hawaii a try. We finally went about a month ago and we are in LOVE. We bought more points so that Aulani can be a home resort for us. I have been on 23 Disney cruises and Disney World more times than one can count. However, I would give them both up to go to Aulani. It is just amazing. We stayed 10 nights and I felt it was absolutely perfect. I am already planning for next summer as well.

I'm so glad to hear this! I am a Floridian, and a DCL addict with 10 Disney cruises under my belt. I'm sad to miss DCL next year to go to Aulani, but I think this could easily become my new favorite.