Are all Aulani towers complete now?

[csharpwv]

Are all of the towers at Aulani open now?
I haven't seen anything announcing it yet.
The final tower was supposed to open winter 2013 which has passed now.
I know there is a lot of changes being made to the physical facilities right now (pools, water features, some changes to restaurants etc).

We are excited to visit Aulani sometime - not in the next year, but not too much beyond that!

I'm going to have to go get a google photo fix to see more about the rooms! HAHA

 

[wdrl]

Yes, all of Aulani is open and has been since late 2012. There are some reports that Aulani is not using some of the DVC villas in the Waianae Building, which is the building closest to most of the construction projects.

The official Aulani website states that the last of the construction projects is expected to be completed by September 2013.

 

[disneynutz]

Yes, all of Aulani is open and has been since late 2012. There are some reports that Aulani is not using some of the DVC villas in the Waianae Building, which is the building closest to most of the construction projects.

The official Aulani website states that the last of the construction projects is expected to be completed by September 2013.

Correct me if I'm wrong but completion doesn't mean that units are declared for DVC use and/or points bookings may be assigned to certain areas of the resort. I had a conversation with someone who recently stayed there an he felt that cash bookings were given better views and assigned certain buildings.

What part of the resort is hotel and what part DVC villas?

Bill

 

[kvichi]

When we were there 3 weeks ago, it appeared there was no one staying in the two newest Waianae towers. We never saw any lights in in those buildings. We had a great view and location. No complaints about the room our points got us!

 

[csharpwv]

If I recall, only one tower is dedicated to hotel/cash reservations.
The others are all DVC villas.

DVC cannot book villas that have not been declared for sale - they can 'buy' villas from central reservations to book for DVC members - BUT that is complicated down a chain of accounting measures.

Until they declare all of the Villas, no one will really be able to tell how easy or difficult 7 and 11 month booking will be for specific categories and room types and views.

It seems fairly easy to get a room at 7 months in non-peak seasons right now. However, for traditional US summer months, that's a different story.

I think DVD/DVD really have taken some beatings over how this resort is operating - from layoffs to profitability, to all of the non-critical facility construction necessary just a little over a year after opening - it seems like this has definitely been a learning experience for DVD/DVC/Disney.

 

[Anal Annie]

If I recall, only one tower is dedicated to hotel/cash reservations.
The others are all DVC villas.

DVC cannot book villas that have not been declared for sale - they can 'buy' villas from central reservations to book for DVC members - BUT that is complicated down a chain of accounting measures.

Until they declare all of the Villas, no one will really be able to tell how easy or difficult 7 and 11 month booking will be for specific categories and room types and views.

It seems fairly easy to get a room at 7 months in non-peak seasons right now. However, for traditional US summer months, that's a different story.

I think DVD/DVD really have taken some beatings over how this resort is operating - from layoffs to , to all of the non-critical facility construction necessary just a little over a year after opening - it seems like this has definitely been a learning experience for DVD/DVC/Disney.

I don't know anything about layoffs or profitability for the resort but I think it's a total crock that they are going to take nearly a year to re-do one of the pool areas. It sounds as if they have no control over the construction crews that are taking their sweet time.

 

[disneynutz]

I don't know anything about layoffs or profitability for the resort but I think it's a total crock that they are going to take nearly a year to re-do one of the pool areas. It sounds as if they have no control over the construction crews that are taking their sweet time.

It's Hawaii, known for sweet time.

Hang loose bruddah!

Bill

 

[Iceman93]

I had a conversation with someone who recently stayed there an he felt that cash bookings were given better views and assigned certain buildings.

My personal experience contradicts this other guest's. I was a cash guest (not even a DVC member) paying for a 2BR ocean view villa (not cheap), and the view was marginal at best.

 

[disneynutz]

My personal experience contradicts this other guest's. I was a cash guest (not even a DVC member) paying for a 2BR ocean view villa (not cheap), and the view was marginal at best.

Thanks for posting.

Bill

 

[okiedokieartichoke]

Not all of Aulani is open yet. In June they are going to be opening up 100 more rooms, and then I believe in November-ish an additional 300-some rooms will be available. So, I'm not really sure where everyone has been hearing their info, but that is what I know as of right now. (as a CM)

 

[wdrl]

As Disneynutz points out, the number of vacation homes available for booking by members using points is limited to the percent of the DVC resort declared for the DVC inventory. I don't know how many of Aulani's 459 vacation homes (one grand villa is being converted to a restaurant/cafe) have been declared for the DVC inventory, but I know its at least 15.22%, and probably a bit higher by now.

Even though only a portion of Aulani's vacation homes are declared for the DVC, DVC members have access to any of the villas that are completed. All of the villas in all of the buildings are completed. Due to some of the construction near the Waianae Building, Disney has elected not to use some of the villas in that building at this time. However, that can change at any time.

As for the statement that Disney gives better views to cash paying guests than members using points: I'd have a very hard time proving or disproving this statement. However, there are many photos posted on the Aulani Villas and Views thread that seem to show that DVC members have been assigned some villas with pretty decent views.

 

[Minnie222]

Frankly, I am not thrilled to know that Aulani has 400 more rooms to open. Their facilities simply cannot handle that many guests, even with the completion of the expansion work.

It is a great place to stay when it is low time. I would not pay Aulani's high prices to stay there to join the high crowds during festive seasons. When paying big bucks, I want to enjoy, not to wait in lines for restaurants, Mickey, or Auntie's house.

 

[erikawolf2004]

We were there about a month ago on points. We booked at the 7 month window with no problems. We had a wonderful Pool View in the Ewa building. We are looking forward to returning in a couple years-it was heavenly!!! Only issue was places to eat, we loved Monkeypods across the street. Next time we hope to stay in a 1br so we can cook in the kitchen.

Erika

 

[dizneekrazee]

We arrived earlier today. I would hope DVC & cash paying customers (like myself), have equal chances at getting good views. We booked an island view room, in hopes of getting an upgrade to a pool view. We did not get an upgrade, and I also didn't ask if it was available. However, our 'island view' room, is pretty crumby, IMO. We are directly above the parking garage, and can also get a clear shot of Marriotts parking garage. Now I do wish I would have asked for an upgrade. Or a downgrade, and just get a few dollars back lol

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We arrived earlier today. I would hope DVC & cash paying customers (like myself), have equal chances at getting good views. We booked an island view room, in hopes of getting an upgrade to a pool view. We did not get an upgrade, and I also didn't ask if it was available. However, our 'island view' room, is pretty crumby, IMO. We are directly above the parking garage, and can also get a clear shot of Marriotts parking garage. Now I do wish I would have asked for an upgrade. Or a downgrade, and just get a few dollars back lol

I've had island views like you describe at a couple other Hawaii resorts. It seems to be a catch all category as long as you aren't staring only at the mechanical systems or something similar.

 

[Sir William]

We arrived earlier today. I would hope DVC & cash paying customers (like myself), have equal chances at getting good views. We booked an island view room, in hopes of getting an upgrade to a pool view. We did not get an upgrade, and I also didn't ask if it was available. However, our 'island view' room, is pretty crumby, IMO. We are directly above the parking garage, and can also get a clear shot of Marriotts parking garage. Now I do wish I would have asked for an upgrade. Or a downgrade, and just get a few dollars back lol

We visited Aulani before it opened and I knew right away that I wanted at least a pool/garden view. I've had the island view elsewhere and didn't relish the idea of seeing garages and the backside of buildings. I figure we get to Hawaii so seldom that I'll splurge for a better view.

 

[wdrl]

Not all of Aulani is open yet. In June they are going to be opening up 100 more rooms, and then I believe in November-ish an additional 300-some rooms will be available. So, I'm not really sure where everyone has been hearing their info, but that is what I know as of right now. (as a CM)

Can you clarify your statement that "Not all of Aulani is open yet?" What parts are not yet open?

Are you talking about reopening some of the villas in the Waianae Building once the construction is completed? Since November 2012, Aulani guests have reported being assigned DVC villas in all wings and buildings. I know there are a few villas on the first floor of the Ewa Building (160-168) that have been used by the imagineers working on the construction projects, but are there other pockets of villas that have not yet been used at Aulani?

Thanks in advance for your insights on what is going on at Aulani. It is much appreciated!

 

[Cottager]

We arrived earlier today. I would hope DVC & cash paying customers (like myself), have equal chances at getting good views. We booked an island view room, in hopes of getting an upgrade to a pool view. We did not get an upgrade, and I also didn't ask if it was available. However, our 'island view' room, is pretty crumby, IMO. We are directly above the parking garage, and can also get a clear shot of Marriotts parking garage. Now I do wish I would have asked for an upgrade. Or a downgrade, and just get a few dollars back lol

Just curious if you're a "cash" guest who's staying in a DVC Villa or the Disney Resort rooms with 2 Queen beds? With all this talk about "cash" customers possibly getting better views, maybe it has something to do with the location of the Disney Resort rooms with 2 Queen beds versus the DVC Villas (like the studios with 1 Queen bed)? I think I remember seeing a map on here which laid out the location of the Disney Resort rooms. Just a thought.

 

[dizneekrazee]

Just curious if you're a "cash" guest who's staying in a DVC Villa or the Disney Resort rooms with 2 Queen beds? With all this talk about "cash" customers possibly getting better views, maybe it has something to do with the location of the Disney Resort rooms with 2 Queen beds versus the DVC Villas (like the studios with 1 Queen bed)? I think I remember seeing a map on here which laid out the location of the Disney Resort rooms. Just a thought.

We are in a standard 2 queen room.

 

[ethanwa]

I just got back from Aulani yesterday. I didn't see anyone in the far right side of the resort as you walk in (I don't know what the building is named)... I know for a fact that the first few floors were closed as they had Aulani signage that was blocking walking down the hall past the elevators.

There is major construction at the end of that building past Rainbow Reef snorkeling and behind Cabanas #1-4. I will upload pictures soon.

The resort was not packed at all mid-week, which really surprised me because of spring break (which we were on). Honestly, I think Aulani is struggling, but of course Disney would never admit that. I asked a cast member when the best time of the year to come is and she said that in Jan/Feb of 2013 the place was practically empty.