Aulani 10/19-10/25

[JonLouisB]

Our family is headed to Aulani from 10/19 to 10/25, anyone have any last minute suggestions? Our little one (4 yrs old) is going to love Aunty's, the pool and the beach. The two teens (14,17) will have Painted Sky, pool and beach. The adults will have plenty too. We plan on doing some shopping off site and lots of cooking in the 2 bedroom villa to save money on food. I myself have been to Oahu over 10 times, but we have some first timers in our group so it will be enjoyable, plus we are all Disney lovers. Thanks in advance!

JB

 

[WestCoastMama]

We will be there too!! 10/21-10/27. I have 5 yr old son and 8 yr old daughter. They are both looking fwd to Aunty's. For sure we're heading up to North Shore to snorkel, eat at a shrimp truck an get some yummy shaved ice. Possibly hit the Dole Plantation on the way back. Might head to Waikiki for half a day and eat at Duke's. The only item set in stone is an ATV tour my husband and I are taking for his birthday the Thursday while we're there. Otherwise we really are looking forward to relaxing and enjoying all that the resort has to offer. Maybe we'll see each other at the pool!!

 

[JonLouisB]

Awesome! We've got a North Shore trip planned as well. Waimea Valley and beach, Big Wave Shrimp Truck (seen on Diner's , Drive-ins and Dives), Shark's Cove, etc.

We've got a Snorkel Cruise planned for 10/22 through Island Magic Catamaran. They have a Groupon for $32 per adult and $20 for kids under 12. 2.5 hr trip includes all equipment. They are a great crew and they post all their pics on Facebook for you to use for free.

I'm sure we'll cross paths at some point in time! We have a large group, 9 people staying in the DVC Island View 2 bedroom villa. See ya there!

 

[eva]

Please do trip reports!

 

[msbatchelor5]

We will be there 10/26 - 11/02.



Please post on the weather. I'm soooooooooo excited! & can not wait!

just nervous about plane ride. ( Me, Hubby, & 18 month old Daughter) Ha!

 

[WestCoastMama]

We will be there 10/26 - 11/02.
Please post on the weather. I'm soooooooooo excited! & can not wait!

just nervous about plane ride. ( Me, Hubby, & 18 month old Daughter) Ha!

Awesome! I'm curious how the weather will be as well. I will try to remember ;-) to post a weather report.

 

[LisaT91403]

We are going 11/3 - 11/9...me, DH, DS (4) and Grandma! Staying in a 2 bedroom villa, first time at DVC. Can't wait!

While I'm mildly interested in the weather (it's Hawaii, so it will be great!), I'm dying to hear more about the construction. If anyone has an update on that during your upcoming stays, I would appreciate it!

 

[JonLouisB]

I'm not worried about the weather at all.... Weather.com reports a high of 84 and low of 74, and that's the same for the entire week!!!

Having been to Oahu many times before, there will always be a chance for a quick shower of rain, anywhere, anytime....everything is green for a reason after all.

Will try to post pics of construction and views from the room, keeping in mind that we have a 2 bedroom villa with the island garden view, I'm not expecting much of a view....

 

[LisaT91403]

Will try to post pics of construction and views from the room, keeping in mind that we have a 2 bedroom villa with the island garden view, I'm not expecting much of a view....

That's exactly what we have -- 2 bedroom with island garden view. I requested the new tower that just opened, but we shall see. I would love to see where you end up!

And...we are almost neighbors, I see! You are just up the 405 a bit.

 

[JonLouisB]

That's exactly what we have -- 2 bedroom with island garden view. I requested the new tower that just opened, but we shall see. I would love to see where you end up!

And...we are almost neighbors, I see! You are just up the 405 a bit.

Yeah, I live in SCV and my Fiance's family lives in Ventura. We go to Disneyland often since we are Deluxe Passholders.

How did you go about requesting your tower? Just call the hotel directly?

 

[LisaT91403]

Yeah, I live in SCV and my Fiance's family lives in Ventura. We go to Disneyland often since we are Deluxe Passholders.

How did you go about requesting your tower? Just call the hotel directly?

I am in the San Fernando Valley, but only have a So Cal Annual Pass. But we still visit Disneyland often

I am staying at Aulani using rented points, so I had the DVC member call member services to put in our room request. We requested a room on a high floor in the new tower, and then I gave them a list of 8 rooms I'd like the most because I'm crazy like that.

 

[wdrl]

Pretty soon you'll hear "E Komo Mai", which is Hawaiian for Welcome Home.

Since you have an Island View, you might end up with a fairly decent view. The new Phase 3 buildings have a lot of Island View villas that overlook the Halawai Lawn, which is where Aulani performs the Starlit Hui show. Some guests who have stayed in Island View villas in the new Phase have said they even had obstructed views of the ocean.

Here is a thread showing the layout of the Aulani Villas and Views: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2907389. If you get a chance, I'd appreciate you posting a photo of your view on the thread.

Aulani is a great resort. The villas are great, no matter what view you get.

Pomaika'i (good luck)!

 

[JonLouisB]

Thanks for the help! I just called MS and requested the phase 3 building with the highest floor possible, maybe we'll get lucky!

 

[saintstickets]

Just returned from Aulani the first week of September. The North Shore is a must. Get the garlic shrimp at Giovanni's! Kualoa Ranch was real nice and would be good for kids. We did not use Disney for this excursion and booked it ourselves and saved a few $'s. There is a small grocery store across the road and to the left from the entrance to Aulani as you are leaving the resort. It's behind what looks like a jewelry store - you cannot see it from the road. It has good food that you can take back to your room. There is also a BBQ restaurant and a Taco restaurant on the same side road. We ate at the BBQ place. Don't expect ambiance but it was decent food at a cheap price as Hawaii prices go. Roy's was much better than Ama Ama if you want a nicer place to eat. If you leave the resort for any trip, plan on taking twice the time to travel that Google maps or Mapquest say it will take. The traffic is bumper to bumper in the morning from 6-8:30. If you will be there on Saturday, go to Aloha Stadium that morning for souvenirs. There is a HUGE selection from 100's of vendors and the prices are considerably less expensive than anywhere else for the same items plus many unique items. And if you want an adults only thing to do and have the $'s in your budget, get a massage at the spa in Aulani. Although my wife was 3 feet away during our couples massage, for just over an hour, I was in love with another woman! It was fantastic!!

 

[taaren]

We really enjoyed the storytelling sessions by the firepit. But we forgot to check out the Black Pearl, so if you get a chance, walk over one lagoon and do it for us! Oh, and go eat chocolate souffle at Roy's; its wonderful. You can even take it to-go if you don't feel like a fancy meal (though its best piping hot with the ice cream still frozen, so have a place on the beach in mind to head to directly when you pick it up).

Oh, and its a bit early for whales but I heard some people say they've already seen some around Maui in the last week or so, so maybe you'll see some too ... usually they don't show up until November.

 

[wdrl]

I just saw the photos you posted on the Aulani Villas and Views thread. I think you got one of the best Island View villas that Aulani has to offer! Hope everything else is going great for you, too!

 

[Leilanie94]

A fellow DIS member posted this:

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...waii-aulani-offers-spooky-fun-for-all-ages-2/

Have a wonderful time!

 

[darbry]

We really enjoyed the storytelling sessions by the firepit. But we forgot to check out the Black Pearl, so if you get a chance, walk over one lagoon and do it for us! Oh, and go eat chocolate souffle at Roy's; its wonderful. You can even take it to-go if you don't feel like a fancy meal (though its best piping hot with the ice cream still frozen, so have a place on the beach in mind to head to directly when you pick it up).

Oh, and its a bit early for whales but I heard some people say they've already seen some around Maui in the last week or so, so maybe you'll see some too ... usually they don't show up until November.

We will be there in 2 weeks. Is the Black Pearl still there? It would be awesome to see it even from a distance!

 

[msbatchelor5]

Walked down to the Marina today. No more Black Pearl.

 

[WestCoastMama]

Walked down to the Marina today. No more Black Pearl.

Last week, twice we saw the Black Pearl sailing by in front of the resort. One of the CMs at the beach says that every once in awhile they sail it around to see if it needs any work. Maybe it was put in dry dock for repairs?