Aulani - beach questions

[heybets30]

Before I get too excited about buying beach stuff, I thought I would ask the experts ... on the Aulani beach, is it ok to bring our own beach "blanket"? I've got one of those super-packable beach blankets, that we love as an extra layer under our towels. I've just ordered the Whale Mesh beach bag from Saltwater Canvas, very excited about a new bag ... now I have to pare down what I will fill it with for beach time!

Also, when we check out towels at the pool area, can those go down to the beach area too? From what I'm reading from other posts, there is no need to bring our own beach towels. We'll probably pick up a few towels as souvenirs along the way, but I'm already planning the packing portion as we determine how many carryons vs. checked bags.

Umbrellas - if we buy a inexpensive one from Costco, we can bring that and use it at the beach? We won't get in "trouble" for not using an approved Aulani beach umbrella?

THANKS!

 

[Nola Girl]

Perfect question! We are headed there on the 22nd and I am wondering these things as well. DD and I are redheads so we have to have shade, I am very concerned about the lack of umbrellas. I prefer not to rent a cabana or casabella and since we are spending major bucks on excursions but I will if needed.

 

[AZMermaid]

Add on question about beach towels, can we bring them off property to North Shore? I was planning on bringing a couple from homr for this day

 

[wanderlust7]

There should be no problems taking the beach towels to the beach or offsite. There are no signs saying you can't, they don't even keep track of returns.

I don't know about using your own umbrella, I don't recall seeing any. There are loungers with umbrellas on the beach, but they were always occupied or saved when we looked (we didn't get up early to save one). We dragged a beach chair from the lawn area closer to the water since the kids were playing there. Apparently that wasn't allowed since a CM dragged it back.

 

[sandysue]

Aloha!
All beaches in Hawaii are public, including the one by Aulani, so you can bring any non-Disney items you want, (except alcohol
and cigarettes which are not allowed on any beaches).

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Aloha!
All beaches in Hawaii are public, including the one by Aulani, so you can bring any non-Disney items you want, (except alcohol
and cigarettes which are not allowed on any beaches).

 

[wanderlust7]

Aloha!
All beaches in Hawaii are public, including the one by Aulani, so you can bring any non-Disney items you want, (except alcohol
and cigarettes which are not allowed on any beaches).

That was my first thought as well, but then I came across information that umbrellas are banned at the Marriott Ko Olina next door. It seems there is some grey area how "public" the beach is since it's man-made. Probably best to call Aulani and ask.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopi...na_Beach_Club_lagoon-Kapolei_Oahu_Hawaii.html

 

[JoeA]

That was my first thought as well, but then I came across information that umbrellas are banned at the Marriott Ko Olina next door. It seems there is some grey area how "public" the beach is since it's man-made. Probably best to call Aulani and ask.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60654-i998-k5721389-No_umbrellas_allowed_on_Marriott_Klina_Beach_Club_lagoon-Kapolei_Oahu_Hawaii.html

That's old info...Marriott is closed!

 

[wanderlust7]

That's old info...Marriott is closed!

I should be more specific - umbrellas are reportedly banned at the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club (to the left if facing the ocean from Aulani), which is not closed. The JW Marriott Ihilani (to the right if facing the ocean from Aulani) IS closed.

 

[Anal Annie]

I personally wouldn't bother buying an umbrella at Costco or bother schlepping beach towels or a "beach blanket" when luggage space / weight is at a premium when flying. We were there last August when the resort was at 100% capacity and while the lounge chairs around the pool went in a hurry in the mornings there always seemed to be plenty available on the beach along with plenty of umbrellas. We took pool towels off-site to our surf lessons on the North Shore and just returned them that evening when we returned for the day. No, they are not the big plushy ones but certainly will suffice for the day.

 

[disBOBney]

I can't say I remember anyone having a beach blanket or towel laying on the beach, however, there isn't a lot of open beach area to use them. There are a lot of chase and beach chairs at the beach, and there is a section of open beach area that is reserved for taking Wedding Chapel photos. But don't worry there is also plenty of room for play along the beach and waters edge (building sand castles etc.). As for all the extras you are thinking of packing, considering the cost of luggage space and airline luggage fees, if it is big and or heavy you might want to consider buying those things on the Island. There are a Target and Walmart not far away. To get a beach towel you must on your first request of the day present your room key and you will be given a pool wristband and a towel, I'm not sure if you have to present your key to get a towel later on in the day or if your pool band is sufficient. You are going to have a wonderful time.

 

[AZMermaid]

What time do the towel stands open in the morning?

 

[Girimama33]

Definitely by 9am, but I believe the one by the Menehune Bridge opens in the 8am hour.

 

[SevenWonkas]

It's not a Mariott thing with he umbrellas - it's a Ko Olina thing. Ko Olina itself does not allow umbrellas/tents/etc. Besides for the few erected by the resorts, I suppose.

 

[heybets30]

Thanks for the replies!!! We're flying American, and get 4 free checked bags for 4 flyers, so I'm not terribly worried about cost, but I can definitely see how that would make some decisions easy! While we do plan to "travel light," I want to have things handy if possible. I bought terry cover-ups for the kids, so worst case, they'll have those to dry off on. I'm one of those beach-goers who has to be covered up from head-to-toe due to skin cancer 8 years ago when I was 36. If an umbrella isn't handy, I have to be prepared with my own "coverage" even beyond a wide-brimmed hat and being dressed like it's a Chicago winter!

VERY helpful information!! Thanks everyone!