Aulani Construction Update

[Cinderpamela]

I read in this article that they hope to be completed by June!! Anyone have any info on that??We are headed back in the beginning of jul and just wondering if the pool area will be done. Thanks for any Info.

Sadly according to this latest update article (6/16) from Disney by Mark they are now projecting Sept 30... there are lots of good new pics though...
http://www.disneybymark.com/2013/06/16/aulani-expansion-update/

 

[wdrl]

Sadly according to this latest update article (6/16) from Disney by Mark they are now projecting Sept 31st... there are lots of good new pics though...
http://www.disneybymark.com/2013/06/16/aulani-expansion-update/

Thanks for posting the link! I hadn't seen any close up photos of the construction projects in a very long time.

For a few months now, the official Aulani website has been projecting a September 2013 completion date for all the construction projects. Some of the projects have already been completed, but I think the new infinity pool and grotto will be among the last to be finished.

 

[WDW_Diane]

Sadly according to this latest update article (6/16) from Disney by Mark they are now projecting Sept 30... there are lots of good new pics though...
http://www.disneybymark.com/2013/06/16/aulani-expansion-update/

We were looking at the construction zone when we were there last week and wondering if there are people staying in those rooms above the noise and work. Lots of banging and beeping going on, of course.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Just saw this updated artist rendering of what the Aulani construction area is going to look like when its all done!! It was posted on the DVC Facebook page and I had to share it with all the DVC DIS'ers awaiting the finished product.

It really helps one visualize how the area is going to be when construction is all done.
Check it out:



Pretty Cool, huh!!??

 

[e46m3]

I guess they finally have that Adults only pool that people have been wanting.

 

[wdrl]

Just saw this updated artist rendering of what the Aulani construction area is going to look like when its all done!! It was posted on the DVC Facebook page and I had to share it with all the DVC DIS'ers awaiting the finished product.

Pretty Cool, huh!!??

Thanks, Cinderpamela, for posting the drawing.

I've taken the liberty of labeling some of the features in the drawing:

1. NEW: Ka Maka Grotto, featuring an infinity pool and a misty grotto

2. NEW: Keiki Cove, a kids splash zone

3 NEW: Ulu Cafe, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with outdoor sitting.

4. Wailana Pool Bar

5. Wailana Leisure Pool

6. Poolside Cabanas

7. Waikolohe Valley Main Pool

8. NEW: Not sure but might be restrooms

For reference, the lagoon and ocean are to the lower left of the drawing. The building above the new Ula Cafe (#3) is the endcap of the Waianae Building. All of the villas facing directly toward this new area are Grand Villas. If you look in my signature, you'll see the endcap of the Waianae Building from a different angle.

 

[wdrl]

I guess they finally have that Adults only pool that people have been wanting.

I don't think any of these water features will be limited just to adults. The Ka Maka Grotto infinity pool is specifically being billed as a Family pool, and the existing Wailana Leisure Pool has never been restricted to just adults. And the new Keiki Cove is another play area for keiki (Hawaiian for kids).

 

[e46m3]

I thought #5 is the adults only pool.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Love the labels wdrl!!!

I guess they finally have that Adults only pool that people have been wanting.

When we were there the Wailana Leisure Pool was known as the quiet pool... it was mostly adults, though kids did venture over there.
We loved hanging at that pool because there were always lounge chairs available and it was more quiet. It's closed off now due to construction, but we are glad to see that it is being kept in the mix!

 

[Anal Annie]

I am still bummed over the loss of the cabanas for the entire summer.

 

[epgirl]

They had two pool cabanas open when I was there last month but they were facing the back side of the kids' Menehune Bridge water play area.

 

[epgirl]

And yes, the Waianae building has guests in it. I saw several guests staying in that building when I was there last month.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Very nice! The grotto looks particularly cool.

I have forgotten if the GV on the second floor above the new cafe is considered standard view?

 

[wdrl]

I have forgotten if the GV on the second floor above the new cafe is considered standard view?

Originally, the second floor Grand Villa (#201) was classified as Ocean View. Only the first floor Grand Villa (#101) on the Waianae side was classified as Standard View.

However, I suspect #201 may have been reclassified to Standard View. Comparing the 2013 and 2014 point charts, the 2014 Aulani point chart shows an increase in the cost of Ocean View Grand Villas and a relatively smaller decrease in the cost of Standard View Grand Villas. Such modifications in that direction cannot be accounted for if the only change was the elimination of one Standard View GV. In my opinion, the 2014 point chart reallocation can only be explained by the reclassification of at least one, if not more, Ocean View GVs to Standard View.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Originally, the second floor Grand Villa (#201) was classified as Ocean View. Only the first floor Grand Villa (#101) on the Waianae side was classified as Standard View.

However, I suspect #201 may have been reclassified to Standard View. Comparing the 2013 and 2014 point charts, the 2014 Aulani point chart shows an increase in the cost of Ocean View Grand Villas and a relatively smaller decrease in the cost of Standard View Grand Villas. Such modifications in that direction cannot be accounted for if the only change was the elimination of one Standard View GV. In my opinion, the 2014 point chart reallocation can only be explained by the reclassification of at least one, if not more, Ocean View GVs to Standard View.

Thanks. I was thinking that the ground floor GV had been the only standard view in that tower. But in looking at the pictures of the new cafe I also was thinking that at least the 2nd floor might need to be reclassified. Nice to hear that it DVC has probably recognized that.

 

[DenLo]

I thought #5 is the adults only pool.

I guess they finally have that Adults only pool that people have been wanting.

Love the labels wdrl!!!

When we were there the Wailana Leisure Pool was known as the quiet pool... it was mostly adults, though kids did venture over there.
We loved hanging at that pool because there were always lounge chairs available and it was more quiet. It's closed off now due to construction, but we are glad to see that it is being kept in the mix!

When we were there in September 2012, the CMs always referred to the Wailana Pool as a Leisure Pool. We did hear guests calling it a quiet pool, but no CMs called it that. Even the sign was labeled as a leisure pool, whatever that means. The pool is a deeper pool, one end is 3 - 4 feet and it deepens to 8 feet. So it's not really the depth most parents prefer their kids to play in. We watched one boy and his mother doing an advanced swim lesson in the Wailana pool, so children are allowed in the pool.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Latest update on construction was just posted July 22nd over on Disney by Mark,
Complete with photos....check it out here:
http://www.disneybymark.com/2013/07/22/construction-update-aulani-resort-expansion/

Things are starting to take shape.... looks like the Sept 30th completion date is realistic... hopefully!!!

 

[wdrl]

Latest update on construction was just posted July 22nd over on Disney by Mark,
Complete with photos....check it out here:
http://www.disneybymark.com/2013/07/22/construction-update-aulani-resort-expansion/

Things are starting to take shape.... looks like the Sept 30th completion date is realistic... hopefully!!!

Thanks for posting the link!

 

[NC State Tigger]

Sure hope they meet that Sept 30th date.

We arrive on Oct 2 for nine nights. Everything sounds great. We plan to spend lots of time at the resort!

 

[blondietink]

We'll be there in a little over 6 weeks, so hoping they move this right along, but not holding my breath.