Aulani - here now - post your questions

[SingingMom]

We were 3 adults in February, and we found plenty to do! I will say though, the pools and hot tubs can be a little daunting if you don't have kids. I would have preferred a little adult spa area we could have gone to without paying the prices for the Lawani Spa. LOVED the spa, but it was really the only place to get away from splashing little ones in hot tubs.

We spent mornings walking the beaches and loved going to the little rocky beach area just beyond the Marriott. We loved going early in the morning and walking on the rocks to see the sea turtles and crabs. We even got to see a Monk Seal there one day. They had the area around him roped off so people couldn't disturb him.

Other than that, we used Aulani like we would any other resort. It was a launching off spot for us to go exploring in our rental car. We were not new to Hawaii, so we knew pretty much what we wanted to see.

Thanks for the ideas! We have never been to Hawaii. Since we have an in ground pool in the backyard, we tend to prefer the beach when we are away. Usually just take a quick dip before getting ready for dinner. I tend not to enjoy renting cars, so if there are planned excursions through the resort, that would be good for a first trip to Hawaii!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[lovetotraveltx]

We will be there next fall hopefully. We are travelling with our two grown daughters. What meals/activities on and off premises do you think will work for 20 somethings?

Also, do you know if the activities they offer, ie lei making and story telling are for adults only or just for younger children?

One more, what is the Oleo room? A coffee shop?

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Thank you!

 

[gonzalj1]

We will be there next fall hopefully. We are travelling with our two grown daughters. What meals/activities on and off premises do you think will work for 20 somethings?

Also, do you know if the activities they offer, ie lei making and story telling are for adults only or just for younger children?

One more, what is the Oleo room? A coffee shop?

The Olelo room is a bar/restaurant at night and a continental breakfast/coffee bar in the morning.

I have both family and adults only version of some of the activities. I know for sure the telescope has an adults only version.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

I hope to go to Aulani someday. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Have a wonderful cruise! Looking forward to reading more..,,,

 

[Mahwah]

I see you are from North Jersey....what part? I grew up in Mahwah. My brother still lives in Mahwah with his family, my sister lives in Ramsey and I have another brother who lives in Paramus with his family!

You rented a car from the airport? Was it terribly expensive? We are planning our 25th wedding anniversary there WITHOUT kids. Its 2 years away, but I like to plan early. We had to break the news to our 20 year old daughter when we go to Hawaii, she won't be going! She says, " THAT IS NOT FAIR!" We go on family vacations every year, sometimes a few times a year, and we have never left the kids at home, but hubby thinks its time just for "us!"

 

[lovesthebeach]

Have a great time on your cruise! Looking forward to hearing all about it when you get back.

 

[gonzalj1]

I see you are from North Jersey....what part? I grew up in Mahwah. My brother still lives in Mahwah with his family, my sister lives in Ramsey and I have another brother who lives in Paramus with his family!

You rented a car from the airport? Was it terribly expensive? We are planning our 25th wedding anniversary there WITHOUT kids. Its 2 years away, but I like to plan early. We had to break the news to our 20 year old daughter when we go to Hawaii, she won't be going! She says, " THAT IS NOT FAIR!" We go on family vacations every year, sometimes a few times a year, and we have never left the kids at home, but hubby thinks its time just for "us!"

I work in Mahwah, live in Haskell/Wanaque. About 15 miles away.

We got a great deal on the car. We went to Mousesavers and went through each code until we found the best price. We found the best deal through an code at Budget.

I say go on your 20th alone. We will do the same. In fact we did it for our 15th. Left the kids with grandma and grandpa and went on a week long cruise to Bermuda. It was awesome.

 

[sissy_ib]

I work in Mahwah, live in Haskell/Wanaque. About 15 miles away.

We got a great deal on the car. We went to Mousesavers and went through each code until we found the best price. We found the best deal through an code at Budget.

I say go on your 20th alone. We will do the same. In fact we did it for our 15th. Left the kids with grandma and grandpa and went on a week long cruise to Bermuda. It was awesome.

I was just going to ask about rental cars! I'll have to look at Mousesavers. I am a USAA member and they have 20% for Budget as well.

 

[gonzalj1]

I was just going to ask about rental cars! I'll have to look at Mousesavers. I am a USAA member and they have 20% for Budget as well.

Definitely check them out. We ended up with great deals for all our rentals by using their codes.

 

[rjc94080]

Just finishing up a stay here as well. I didn't get a chance to read the review of Ama Ama and would say nothing has changed much since the review. The Seafood platter was questionable and the "sustainable" catch marsala sauce was salty. $200 meal for two adults and two kids sharing a meal. Drinks not that good dessert was good.

The night time dinner excursion cruise is probably better than Ama or do Paradise Cove Lua. Monkey Pod has a happy hour so hit that to save some money. Makahiki would be probably a better place to eat. Sunset photos can be done most nights if you track down the photographer or do your own. Has anyone ever been on the Sam Choy tour? Ours was cancelled as well and I hear it almost never runs.

Went to Kapolei the next nights and much better variety of places to eat but some places close early.

Wifi on the beach and almost everywhere. Some dead spots. The coconut shrimp, shaved ice, and buffalo tender dogs thumbs up, though still no Hula dog. Kids Club is great and can leave them there all day. Scavenger hunt is fun and today was free Lei making. Water slide fun and Lazy River nice. Get the photo pass and have them take plenty of pics. You can see them on online and in the room TV. Also combines with your other disney photopass online account. You need to go to the store and make sure they put the kids photos on the account. They do have some nice co-branded top tier products in the stores. Tory Birch Dis Aulani Clothes and Disney DB purses for Aulani. Bring a good water bottle, like a hydroflask as they have water stations around many places around the pool. Also, if you get the unlimited refills cup, that helps as well as they also have tea, coffee, cocoa as well as cold drink stations.

Walmart is cheaper for most souvenirs. The Mona Loa wasabi and other flavors like Maui onion. Check Safeway for coffee.

I would golf in Kapolei too, much quicker round than Ko Olina.

We did Ahina Tour on Big island for volcanos and macadamia factory. Great tour as well as the blue helicopter. Book the afternoon flights cause mornings have been raining out. Also, can get chilly. A new lava flow just broke out and its pretty amazing to see it enter the water.

I would still echo the review as well, if you are expecting Disney top tier service, you have to set the bar a little lower. Its still not the same as the resorts.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

This has been so helpful!

Not looking for adult only just wondering if adults can join in some of the activites such as lei making and storytelling.

Thank you!

 

[rjc94080]

The Lei making we did was in the Community Hall. Flowers in bowls on table and you ask the guide for a string and then anyone in the family could make. Storytelling, movie night, etc were group events. Some you have to sign up for.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

The Lei making we did was in the Community Hall. Flowers in bowls on table and you ask the guide for a string and then anyone in the family could make. Storytelling, movie night, etc were group events. Some you have to sign up for.

Thank you!

 

[gonzalj1]

Just finishing up a stay here as well. I didn't get a chance to read the review of Ama Ama and would say nothing has changed much since the review. The Seafood platter was questionable and the "sustainable" catch marsala sauce was salty. $200 meal for two adults and two kids sharing a meal. Drinks not that good dessert was good.

The night time dinner excursion cruise is probably better than Ama or do Paradise Cove Lua. Monkey Pod has a happy hour so hit that to save some money. Makahiki would be probably a better place to eat. Sunset photos can be done most nights if you track down the photographer or do your own. Has anyone ever been on the Sam Choy tour? Ours was cancelled as well and I hear it almost never runs.

Went to Kapolei the next nights and much better variety of places to eat but some places close early.

Wifi on the beach and almost everywhere. Some dead spots. The coconut shrimp, shaved ice, and buffalo tender dogs thumbs up, though still no Hula dog. Kids Club is great and can leave them there all day. Scavenger hunt is fun and today was free Lei making. Water slide fun and Lazy River nice. Get the photo pass and have them take plenty of pics. You can see them on online and in the room TV. Also combines with your other disney photopass online account. You need to go to the store and make sure they put the kids photos on the account. They do have some nice co-branded top tier products in the stores. Tory Birch Dis Aulani Clothes and Disney DB purses for Aulani. Bring a good water bottle, like a hydroflask as they have water stations around many places around the pool. Also, if you get the unlimited refills cup, that helps as well as they also have tea, coffee, cocoa as well as cold drink stations.

Walmart is cheaper for most souvenirs. The Mona Loa wasabi and other flavors like Maui onion. Check Safeway for coffee.

I would golf in Kapolei too, much quicker round than Ko Olina.

We did Ahina Tour on Big island for volcanos and macadamia factory. Great tour as well as the blue helicopter. Book the afternoon flights cause mornings have been raining out. Also, can get chilly. A new lava flow just broke out and its pretty amazing to see it enter the water.

I would still echo the review as well, if you are expecting Disney top tier service, you have to set the bar a little lower. Its still not the same as the resorts.

Obviously the food issue is a matter of personal taste. DW and I were verry happy with our meal at Ama Ama. We thought the food was very good and, although expensive, the food and the view combined made the value fair in our opinion.

We did eat at Monkeypod last night and enjoyed that as well. Half the price of Ama Ama and the food was good as well. The atmosphere at happy hour was fun and laid back. The musician playing was a nice touch and our server was excellent. She took a couple minutes to hang and chat with us and helped us with some of our Hawaiian for later in the trip.

We leave Aulani this morning for a week on the NCL cruise. We will be back in a week and will start back up here. NCL charges for WiFI and I will nto pay it. Sorry.

 

[lovesthebeach]

We leave Aulani this morning for a week on the NCL cruise. We will be back in a week and will start back up here. NCL charges for WiFI and I will nto pay it. Sorry.

Have a great time on the cruise!!

 

[okiedokieartichoke]

Thanks for the update on the construction. I'd love to see some photos of the new enhancements, but would also like to hear if the Aulani CMs think they are still on target for completing everything by the end of September.

So far from what I've heard the pool area is still due to open in September. They are definitely making progress, and I'm optimistic. But they are going to really have to haul *** to make the deadline! I'm getting impatient just like everyone else -- it's been a tough summer on us CM's with limited space and more guests than we had last summer !!!! But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel )

 

[wdrl]

So far from what I've heard the pool area is still due to open in September. They are definitely making progress, and I'm optimistic. But they are going to really have to haul *** to make the deadline! I'm getting impatient just like everyone else -- it's been a tough summer on us CM's with limited space and more guests than we had last summer !!!! But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel )

Thanks for the encouraging words. BTW, the Aulani CMs are a great bunch!

 

[babylisa4]

We come on Sep 3 to a Grand Villa. Concerned about construction and also really wanting to enjoy some of the new areas but know that may not be in the cards this trip. It is us and young adult kids. We were there last year and also are going to Big Island so would be interested in any activities and meals you enjoy. Our kids grew up as DVC members so they appreciate the attention to detail of Disney.

We also did not like the large number of kids in the hot tub last year-I didn't really get why they were content to just sit and splash in there- why didn't they want to go play in the pool? I hope Aulani finds an acceptable solution. I don't mind kids being in there-it was just so overflowing with kids not being considerate of others around them and it was a beautiful space.

I already got some good ideas from you so thanks for any additional info.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We also did not like the large number of kids in the hot tub last year-I didn't really get why they were content to just sit and splash in there- why didn't they want to go play in the pool? I hope Aulani finds an acceptable solution. I don't mind kids being in there-it was just so overflowing with kids not being considerate of others around them and it was a beautiful space.

Oh boy, do I agree with you on that one! On top of it all, I got a whopping female infection from that hot tub that my doctor told me comes from diaper age children being in the hot tub. Such a beautiful infinity edge hot tub with a magnificent view, but not at all enjoyable when you have to share it with playing children. I will NEVER go in another Disney hot tub after that experience. There needs to be at least ONE that is adults only.