anyone been to Aulani yet?

[tink1237]

So I am very excited. Leave for Aulani in 4 days. But am looking for details. want to know about the stuff you cant find on thier site.

The premium kids programs. how much do they cost?

The $99 beach rentals for length of stay. do they still have it? and is it worth it?

How much was the stingray experience?

I'm looking for the little details people. Help a mom out. lol

Thanks for any tidbits.

 

[ciao_gina]

There are many threads here about Aulani-trip reports, specific questions, advice, photos, etc. Do a search for Aulani and they will all come up by date.

We made reservations through Tom Barefoot for a whale watching tour because it was less expensive. Check Groupon Honolulu for other deals.

Lots of people eat off site because the Aulani restaurants are getting bad reviews, and bring food bought at Costco or Safeway and made in the room.

 

[Tigger031266]

Here now. It's amazing! Pool is outstanding for kids. Beach is awesome. Weather is perfect.

Cast members wonderful. Food seems good to me. Could use a pizza place.

I think it feels Disney. Fire pit story time was great.

We are in a hill view, studio. Room is nice. The resort is top notch quality in everyday. Great porches, dozens of great stops. Nice community hall.

A little bit pricy for rental stuff and sting ray but not surprising. they did not have the $99 beach rental deal anymore

It's a wonderful resort and it's great that dvc members get to come here. Absolutely charming. We are only on day 2 so we are exploring island tomorrow.

 

[Tigger031266]

Day 3 of our spectacular aulani stay. We went to pearl harbor and Waikiki beach today. Pearl was great.

Wiakiki beach made is so clear just how wonderful aulani is. It was crowded and touristy just like the cheap hotels outside of Disney are. A mix of fancy hotels with class and cheapness. Aulani is so wonderful.

The kids programs seem top notch but pricey. The stingray experience is like $45 for an hour.

There are tons of great free things at the resort though like
- story telling at fire pit
- sunsets every night
- the show a couple nights a week
- community hall
- searching for sea creatures on the rocks
- whale watching

We saw a seal at the beach last night

 

[taaren]

The premium kids programs that were available when we were there were $80 per child, little too steep for us though they did sound fun.

I'll see you there ... just found out from my buddy that we will be staying on the hotel side on Saturday!

 

[LoriKutchey]

tigger, is thier enough loungers on the beach to rent for the day? Or would we be better off renting a Cabana?
Thanks for any info you can give me.

 

[cropper]

How was the location of your room? Do you wish for a higher room/different view, etc?

What about Starlight Hui? Is it enough to replace something like Paradise Cove?

I can hardly wait!!

 

[Tigger031266]

The room view is nothing fabulous but nice (hill view). Higher might be slightly better. I am on the 8th floor.


There are tons of open chairs. No need to rent anything. The resort is not fully open and may not be full. Whole sections are dark at night. So easy to get into restaurants and chairs.

The starlight hui is a great show. I would not say it replaces paradise cove. Although I am not sure how much hula dancing one can endure. My kids are boy, 9 and 13 and were not that into the hui show at all. They did some great crafts before the show though that they enjoyed.

The resort itself is fabulous with tons of special places. Everyone is so nice. Beach is great, son saw a huge sea turtle this morning while doing paddle board.

Did Buffett this morning, not as good as AMA AMA's but not too bad. Tons of Japanese visiting as well so the Buffett seems to accommodate Japanese crowd. The weakness is counter service. One paddle two paddle is tough to find with limited selection.

Difficult to do excursions because it's so nice here. Can't describe how wonderful breeze is in lobby. The fire pit story telling is so great. Different stories make it so you can go many times.

You will fall in love with this resort.

 

[Tigger031266]

If I could do this again, I would get the ocean view for the breeze. The hill view is nothing spectacular. Just amazing to watch the walk the cast members have everyday. They have a huge field to voyage through.

The ocean views are amazing. The price of the flights are so high, I would go for water view if I could do it again.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Could use a pizza place.

Oh... Just a FYI there is a new Pizza place that opened in Kapolei called Brick Oven Pizza... It is only 3 miles from Aulani and It is really good pizza. Kinda pricey though... Another pgood pizza place you can try is Big kahuna Pizza near the airport... If you go there you should try a real hawaiian pizza... no not pineapple and canadian bacon... Order a pizza with kahlua pig on it!

 

[LoriKutchey]

Thanks for the info on the lounge chairs

 

[Brancaneve]

Yikes! I thought the kids' club, Aunty's Beach House, was free! So, I actually have to pay for them to go?

 

[Tigger031266]

It's not cheap at all. Community hall is nice though.

 

[Tigger031266]

Just some feedback on minor excursions:


Diamond head - outstanding. Pretty good climb though take 15 - 20 min in top shape. 25-30 if you go slow. It's exhausting but worth climb.

Waikiki beach - very touristy. So glad aulani is not there. Tough to park. Beach is nice but north shore is better. I suppose it is worth it but not in rush hour.

Sea breeze - this is a place to do water sports (jet skis, banana boats, tubbing..) fun but and I think reasonably priced for Hawaii ($50 per person per activity). Jet skis were best. Beware each activity is only about 30 min. People are not polite like Disney but operation is good. This is worth it if you are even a bit adventurous. They try to rip you off with pictures...don't do it.

Swap meet - at stadium.. Giant flee market. Good prices for cheap useless presents. Easy drive from hotel. Worth it.

pearl harbor - great. Totally a must do. Price is right too.

 

[dato63]

Yikes! I thought the kids' club, Aunty's Beach House, was free! So, I actually have to pay for them to go?

I have read it is free also. This is from WDWinfo's website

Aunty's Beach House - Kids' Club
Aunty's Beach House is designed just for kids ages 3 to 12 and it offers secured programming where all children will be within sight or sound of the Youth Activities Counselors. Base activities (covered by the Resort room charge) and premium experiences (offered for a fee) will surprise and delight guests at Aulani by encouraging and promoting physical, intellectual, emotional, social and cultural development. The counselors are trained in basic first aid, CPR and AED. Also, each one goes through a basic ASL class, as well as a basic Japanese language class. There are three certified teachers on staff and one teacher is always working on Aunty's side of the house.

It sounds like it is free for kids to go, but some of the activities cost extra.

Tigger031266, is that still accurate?

 

[dato63]

Although it doesn't give prices for the extras at Aunty's Beach house, it does show you what is free, etc. I got this right off of Aulani's website.

Premium Experiences

Aunty's Make-Believe Magic
During this magical make-believe party, children embark on a scavenger hunt to find trunks filled with Hawaiian treasures and surprises from some of their favorite Disney films, including Peter Pan, The Little Mermaid and more. Plus, Guests enjoy engaging games, creative crafts and a special gift bag—all the makings of an exciting celebration at Aunty's House.
This 3-hour Premium Experience includes a box lunch and specialty pins with lanyard. Reservations required.

Fish Are Friends
Young Guests love this inside look at how the animal specialists train, feed and care for the marine life at Aulani. During this up-close encounter with colorful Hawaiian fish, kids get to prepare fish food and then feed it to them!
This 3-hour Premium Experience includes a box lunch, fish food, a DVD of Disneynature Oceans and a “Fish Are Friends” logo cinch bag. Reservations required.

Surf's Up with Chip and Dale
Chip and Dale are hosting a surf-themed beach party! During this festive bash, Guests can decorate their own wooden mini-surfboard, dine with new friends, savor an erupting volcano lava cake dessert and dance on the beach with Chip and Dale.
This 3-hour Premium Experience includes a “Surf's Up” themed dinner, a “Surf's Up” cinch bag and their decorated mini-surfboard. Reservations required.

Complimentary Experiences

Aunty's Aloha Party
Kids are invited to explore Aunty's House as they engage in Hawaiian activities, games and crafts.

Aunty's Once Upon an Island
Aunty shares cherished Island legends and stories. Kids are invited to participate in the storytelling process—and even learn a hula at the end.

Disney Jr. Aloha!
Start your morning at Aunty's Beach House with Disney Jr. Aloha, a program designed for toddlers and their parents. Enjoy dancing, crafts and cartoons in a program that's complimentary for—and exclusive to—Aulani Guests.

Eruption Disruption Volcanic Science
During hands-on science experiments with The Professor from the Disney animated film Lilo & Stitch, kids learn about the formation of the Islands and how they're affected by tides, the ocean and volcanoes.

Keiki Hula
Kids are invited to come learn fun hula moves—like an ami hip roll—as they learn about a famous Hawaiian tradition during the Keiki Hula.

Stitch's Space Goo
Stitch and The Professor are here to visit—and they have fun scientific experiments for the kids! Together, they'll show young Guests how to make the Professor's secret Space Goo.