All of the free stuff we got at Aulani last week

[Arr2-D2]

I wanted to share the list of free items we picked up at Aulani last week.

A voicemail was left on the room phone inviting us to stop by for a “free members gift” at the DVC preview area. It included drawstring bag, 2 hats, member magnet and a pack of stickers for the kids. (Lamp not included ) They provided a brochure “The Wayfinder” with helpful information and a few ways to pickup more gifts.

We returned daily (need five stamps) to learn the Hawaiian word of the day and get a stamp in “The Olelo”. Completing that provided a magnet.

If you find the 8x10 Aulani print/art in your room and show it to the DVC desk they provided the 2 free coasters to go along with the take-home art.

Each member of our party was given a Lei (made with what feels like fake rocks) when we checked into the member celebration Monday night. These are nice quality and we spotted some nearly identical ones for sale on the island for $9 each. 1 Moana magnet & the kids also got some glow sticks.

There were several pink flower hair clips in the room and a couple chocolates.

We used the resort mug for free soda/coffee refills. As well as the popcorn bucket with free DVC member refills.

Our couples Signature Lomilomi Massage was upgraded to include hot stones for DVC members!

We had a very relaxing trip and can’t wait to go back.

 

[lhoffman]

Thank you. Checking in soon...

 

[Agent 86]

Stupid question - if you purchase / rent DVC points, do you receive these gifts?

I know my daughter would love collecting magnets, the stickers, the lei and flower clips.

 

[Mle8308]

Stupid question - if you purchase / rent DVC points, do you receive these gifts?

I know my daughter would love collecting magnets, the stickers, the lei and flower clips.

Generally, most DVC gifts are for members only, not those renting points. If you stop by the DVC desk, there may be some type of a tour you could take to get some gifts. I think they would give your daughter stickers if she asked.

 

[jimmymc]

Stupid question - if you purchase / rent DVC points, do you receive these gifts?

I know my daughter would love collecting magnets, the stickers, the lei and flower clips.

Not usually, but she could always ask the DVC sales desk.

 

[Arr2-D2]

Stupid question - if you purchase / rent DVC points, do you receive these gifts?

I know my daughter would love collecting magnets, the stickers, the lei and flower clips.

Not a stupid question!

As others have said I think most of the items I listed above have fine print wording for members but there may be 1/2 that you could get like the magnet mentioned below.

“The Olelo” daily stamp for 5 days & complementary magnet is perhaps available. That’s certainly 5 more encounters/conversations where they can discuss if you want to become a member…

The flower clips and chocolates are around in the room. I counted 5 in our 2br. The stickers were handed out all over the resort by cast members just walking by sometimes. The kids got some probably every day. We also got some of the Disney style round pins on check-in with Mickey and Duffy on them.

My motivation for the post was really sharing my shock at the different way we felt treated as DVC members at Aulani vs our experiences at WDW resorts and Hilton head. The vibe at Aulani was that being a member brought several “little perks”. We got sparkling wrist bands, free popcorn, hot stone massage upgrade, etc. I think I waited 2 days to even go to the preview center for the “free gift” because I thought it would be a joke.

 

[traceyg]

I wanted to share the list of free items we picked up at Aulani last week.

A voicemail was left on the room phone inviting us to stop by for a “free members gift” at the DVC preview area. It included drawstring bag, 2 hats, member magnet and a pack of stickers for the kids. (Lamp not included ) They provided a brochure “The Wayfinder” with helpful information and a few ways to pickup more gifts.

We returned daily (need five stamps) to learn the Hawaiian word of the day and get a stamp in “The Olelo”. Completing that provided a magnet.

If you find the 8x10 Aulani print/art in your room and show it to the DVC desk they provided the 2 free coasters to go along with the take-home art.

Each member of our party was given a Lei (made with what feels like fake rocks) when we checked into the member celebration Monday night. These are nice quality and we spotted some nearly identical ones for sale on the island for $9 each. 1 Moana magnet & the kids also got some glow sticks.

There were several pink flower hair clips in the room and a couple chocolates.

We used the resort mug for free soda/coffee refills. As well as the popcorn bucket with free DVC member refills.

Our couples Signature Lomilomi Massage was upgraded to include hot stones for DVC members!

We had a very relaxing trip and can’t wait to go back.
View attachment 937235View attachment 937236View attachment 937237View attachment 937238

Thanks for sharing! We went Sept 2020 and it was still beautiful but there were not a lot of extras. We are going back in a few weeks and I can't wait to see everything that Aulani has to offer.

 

[meggiebeth]

Thanks for sharing! What a great selection of goodies you found. I didn’t realise so many were on offer!

If the leis are the same as the ones we got elsewhere on the island, I believe that they are made of kukui nuts. This worked well for us as we were able to fly internationally with them - we wouldn’t have been able to take the standard flower leis back to Europe. Plus - they last forever!

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

Before 2023, there was a complimentary Olu housekeeping pin in the room

 

[Paul Stupin]

Not a stupid question!

As others have said I think most of the items I listed above have fine print wording for members but there may be 1/2 that you could get like the magnet mentioned below.

“The Olelo” daily stamp for 5 days & complementary magnet is perhaps available. That’s certainly 5 more encounters/conversations where they can discuss if you want to become a member…

The flower clips and chocolates are around in the room. I counted 5 in our 2br. The stickers were handed out all over the resort by cast members just walking by sometimes. The kids got some probably every day. We also got some of the Disney style round pins on check-in with Mickey and Duffy on them.

My motivation for the post was really sharing my shock at the different way we felt treated as DVC members at Aulani vs our experiences at WDW resorts and Hilton head. The vibe at Aulani was that being a member brought several “little perks”. We got sparkling wrist bands, free popcorn, hot stone massage upgrade, etc. I think I waited 2 days to even go to the preview center for the “free gift” because I thought it would be a joke.

The front desk is very generous with all kinds of buttons as well.

Personally, I think they should upgrade the cheap nylon backpack to something just a little nicer. Just a little! And the “member celebration” is basically a DVC sales pitch. That said, I always appreciate that they actually do make an effort.

 

[WinterSolider]

Generally, most DVC gifts are for members only, not those renting points. If you stop by the DVC desk, there may be some type of a tour you could take to get some gifts. I think they would give your daughter stickers if she asked.

And not just members, but "blue card" members eligible for Membership Extras.

 

[VGCgroupie]

They gave my son a very nice necklace at check in. It's worth an ask if they have them. Id take a photo but we just moved and half my life is still packed.

 

[Paul Stupin]

And not just members, but "blue card" members eligible for Membership Extras.

That reminds me. We have a mix of both direct and resale points. A few years ago, when I was still interested in DVC’s “member’s gifts” at Aulani, I stopped by their new “lounge” to pick one up. Since I had booked the trip with our resale points, they would not give me one until they looked up my account to see that our direct points at Copper Creek and Grand Flo qualified us for membership extras. It was a bit of an embarrassing wait as I stood there and was kind of made to feel like I was trying to pull off some kind of scam! And for what? The cheapest nylon backpack known to man! I’m sure the cost is probably less than a dime when they buy in bulk.

Of course, I love Aulani, but I also learned that trip that the new DVC “members’ lounge” isn’t really a members lounge at all. On a rare rainy day, I thought it would be fun to go down there and read a book, but I was politely kicked out because the entire space, including the sofas and easy chairs, is used for sales.

 

[VGCgroupie]

That reminds me. We have a mix of both direct and resale points. A few years ago, when I was still interested in DVC’s “member’s gifts” at Aulani, I stopped by their new “lounge” to pick one up. Since I had booked the trip with our resale points, they would not give me one until they looked up my account to see that our direct points at Copper Creek and Grand Flo qualified us for membership extras. It was a bit of an embarrassing wait as I stood there and was kind of made to feel like I was trying to pull off some kind of scam! And for what? The cheapest nylon backpack known to man! I’m sure the cost is probably less than a dime when they buy in bulk.

Of course, I love Aulani, but I also learned that trip that the new DVC “members’ lounge” isn’t really a members lounge at all. On a rare rainy day, I thought it would be fun to go down there and read a book, but I was politely kicked out because the entire space, including the sofas and easy chairs, is used for sales.

New to owning and when we went to Aulani I didnt think it was a lounge it seemed 100% for sales. Thats a bummer they sold it to members as a lounge.

 

[AstroBlasters]

New to owning and when we went to Aulani I didnt think it was a lounge it seemed 100% for sales. Thats a bummer they sold it to members as a lounge.

Maybe it will be more of a lounge after it sells out…. I mean…. mathematically it will happen someday….

 

[VGCgroupie]

Maybe it will be more of a lounge after it sells out…. I mean…. mathematically it will happen someday….

ohhh that will be nice.

 

[WinterSolider]

That reminds me. We have a mix of both direct and resale points. A few years ago, when I was still interested in DVC’s “member’s gifts” at Aulani, I stopped by their new “lounge” to pick one up. Since I had booked the trip with our resale points, they would not give me one until they looked up my account to see that our direct points at Copper Creek and Grand Flo qualified us for membership extras. It was a bit of an embarrassing wait as I stood there and was kind of made to feel like I was trying to pull off some kind of scam! And for what? The cheapest nylon backpack known to man! I’m sure the cost is probably less than a dime when they buy in bulk.

Of course, I love Aulani, but I also learned that trip that the new DVC “members’ lounge” isn’t really a members lounge at all. On a rare rainy day, I thought it would be fun to go down there and read a book, but I was politely kicked out because the entire space, including the sofas and easy chairs, is used for sales.

The what-you're-eligible-for-and-what-you're-not system has been significantly upgraded in the last year or so, and the technology does a much better job of recognizing appropriate status than it used to. All you should have to do is tap your room key or MagicBand to their iPad/phone/laptop and it should work properly now. It's worked great for us on the cruise ships as well as last summer when they were running some of those "Membership Magic Days" at WDW.

The one major gap remaining in their benefits detection system from my perspective is that spouses don't get credit for Membership Magic Beyond for those that purchase it. It only applies to the single member who conducted the transaction.

 

[disneycruisedreams]

We go October after the Vancouver to Hawaii cruise! Can't wait... first time to Aulani. It's so nice to see all of the extras. Thank you for sharing

 

[Paul Stupin]

The what-you're-eligible-for-and-what-you're-not system has been significantly upgraded in the last year or so, and the technology does a much better job of recognizing appropriate status than it used to. All you should have to do is tap your room key or MagicBand to their iPad/phone/laptop and it should work properly now. It's worked great for us on the cruise ships as well as last summer when they were running some of those "Membership Magic Days" at WDW.

The one major gap remaining in their benefits detection system from my perspective is that spouses don't get credit for Membership Magic Beyond for those that purchase it. It only applies to the single member who conducted the transaction.

Ah. Thanks for update! Good to hear the process is easier now.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

That reminds me. We have a mix of both direct and resale points. A few years ago, when I was still interested in DVC’s “member’s gifts” at Aulani, I stopped by their new “lounge” to pick one up. Since I had booked the trip with our resale points, they would not give me one until they looked up my account to see that our direct points at Copper Creek and Grand Flo qualified us for membership extras. It was a bit of an embarrassing wait as I stood there and was kind of made to feel like I was trying to pull off some kind of scam! And for what? The cheapest nylon backpack known to man! I’m sure the cost is probably less than a dime when they buy in bulk.

Of course, I love Aulani, but I also learned that trip that the new DVC “members’ lounge” isn’t really a members lounge at all. On a rare rainy day, I thought it would be fun to go down there and read a book, but I was politely kicked out because the entire space, including the sofas and easy chairs, is used for sales.

That's like saying you felt embarrassed you paid less by buying resale. That's a good thing.
ie -They're just checking. Never anything to be embarrassed about.