Any tips for Aulani?!

[The Queen Bee]

Has anyone been to Aulani?
Any tips or must-dos or information that you can share?!?!

Thanks!

 

[magickingdommommy]

You are going to love Aulani!

My number one tip is to stop by the main desk every evening and pick up a copy of the next days activity schedule. The resort offers so many different activities for everyone.

Try a shaved ice - snow capped for an extra treat. I thought it was going to be like a slush puppy, but it is soooo much better.

We visited Diamond Head, USS Arizona and the kids tried surfing. We didn't have time for anything else because we were to busy enjoying the resort. It's beautiful!

Enjoy your time there. We can't wait to go back.

 

[rella's fan]

Me and DD(10) just did a Hawaiian cruise and while we were in Oahu we did a really fun luau and it was just a couple of doors down from Aulani (we drove right by it coming and going). It was called Paradise Cove and was a lot of fun, food was good, the shows were good and there were games and crafts. Disney might already do their own, but if not this would be fun to do. It was right at the beach and I think doors opened at 5 and it ended around 9?

 

[Disney Addicted]

You should look at the DVC board. There's a ton of information there! And all kinds of trip reports. Here's a couple of links. The first is discussion about the Disney DVC resorts. The second is trip reports. Enjoy!

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=187

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=188

Ohh, one thing I just thought of. If you are arriving early in the day and want to use the pool while waiting for your room - you need to check-in and receive your wrist bracelets first. The CMs do not allow anyone without a bracelet in the pool as it's for resort guests only.

 

[surfer_ed]

Sitting in the Vancouver airport on our way there now so pm me in a few weeks and I will give you a report.

 

[donkthemagicllama]

Just got back from a week at Aulani last Friday, it's amazing.

- sunset from the infinity pool... last week, the sun set at 6:15 exactly... when it sets, it goes fast, so don't miss it at least one day, it's beyond words
- if you're driving to waikiki, park at the royal hawaiian shopping center and buy something (just about anything) to get your parking validated... it's reasonable price, and very convenient (parking elsewhere is not fun)
- do a morning whale watching cruise early during your trip when your body is still on mainland time
- The Menehune trail is really fun
- If you have any train fans, the Oahu railway is pretty close, but it ONLY runs on Sunday
- The Olelo room is a good option for a quick breakfast, and they do have poorly advertised hot breakfast sandwiches
- don't get your hopes up too high for 'ama 'ama... it's good, but not as good as you'd hope/expect ... it was our only real disappointment on the trip

I could go on and on, we're WDW and DLR regulars and go to Mayan Rivera regularly, and this was one of our best trips ever.

Please don't hesitate to ask!

Here's a cool tip I haven't seen anywhere else
if you walk on the path that runs between the beach and teh hotels and head west (to the right if you're facing the ocean) as far as it goes (past the sheraton), then go through the bushes around the point where it ends (there's a non-paved pathway there), there is a BEAUTIFUL natural cove with waves splashing up onto the beach. It's beautiful as it is, and when we were there a big Hawaiian Monk Seal was sleeping on the beach. It was an unexpected highlight of the trip for our animal loving 4 year old. It's not more than a 5 minute walk, and the path isn't the least bit difficult as long as you're not barefoot.

 

[dsneygirl]

We did 10 days at Aulani and only left for 1 full day of touring there was just too much to do.

I agree check the Iwa for all the activities. We loved storytelling around the fire pit, DS did Stich's Space Goo 3x in the kids club. We loved morning open house in the kids club.

I found the pool was crowded more in the morning so we would hit the beach then move up top later on in the day.

Lazy river, Rainbow Reef, Shaved Ice, character breakfast, live music in the lounge at night. We loved it all it was incredible.

 

[SplashMom]

We are also going to Aulani for two weeks at the end of May so I am loving the tips! Keep them coming...we are so excited!

 

[rpenson]

Getting excited!

 

[rpenson]

Getting excited!

We are booked at Aulani in mid March for 10 days. this will be our first stay at our home resort. thanks for all the great posts!