AULANI ( I know its not WDW but I want sure where else to put this trip report!)

[Cambsuk]

This is my first trip report on the message boards so please forgive me if I am not doing this correctly.

My family and I just got home from a Hawaiian holiday that ended with 3 nights and 5 days at Aulani.

We were in Ko Olina at the JW Marriot (next door to the Aulani) a week before opening day so we were able to see the Disney Cast members who were doing a pre-opening for the resort. They were filming different promos for the resort on the lagoons. It was exciting and a nice build up to the 29th...It was pretty cool to see Mickey and Minnie on the lagoon the day we arrived in Ko Olina.

We were able to check in on opening day at 6:30 am (we were probably the 80th family to check in) seems people were there as early as 3 am doing pre check in, The doors didn't open until 6:30 am which gave us a whole extra morning of time on the resort.

We had the first appointment at the Spa for my daughter to get the "Minnie" makeover package, for $99 she had a mani pedicure, a hairstyle of her choosing (which included pixie dust) and make up. The girls in the spa were so kind and patient and just as excited that the resort was finally open to paying guests.

After the spa we had breakfast where I fell in LOVE with the signature parfait, We ate continental breakfast at The ʻŌlelo Room. It was yummy and quick (serve yourself) but I was taken aback by the $5 bagel...seriously $5 for a bagel I had to toast myself? anyway....

After breakfast we took the kids to Auntys Beach House the childcare center on site at the resort...it is so fun and so well made and staffed with the kindest, sweetest people. The security is much like the Disney Cruise where the kids are given a Mickey Band to wear while they are in the house and like the cruise line the childcare is included in the cost of your room!!

There is dress up, games, computers, video games, crafts, movies.

We left our kids and signed up my daughter for the bonus activity of the day at Aunty's... Fish are Friends program where they learn about fish, make fish food and feed the fish on site at the Rainbow Reef. The program was $69 and included Lunch. You can buy lunch or dinner for your kids at Aunty's for $14 which we did a few times during our stay.

Our room was a partial ocean view room, I would have preferred to have a view of the interior (the valley) and though we could technically see the ocean we also saw the parking lot

 

[Cambsuk]

With the kids in the kids club we decided to have lunch and explore the resort.

You'll need wristbands to use the pools and slides and lazy river. I did see a few locals and people from other resorts get asked to leave (politely) if they were in the pool without the wristbands. You have to pick up a new one every day.

My girl tried snorkeling at Rainbow Reef, we ended up buying her the whole stay pass ($29) instead of the one time ($15) which includes your gear. I was so sure that this was going to so popular and over run that I would never get a chance to try it, but this was not the case, it was pretty empty and though I did see plenty of people doing it, it was never a long wait, I wonder if this will change when the entire resort is completed.

The pools are lovely, the lazy river was a favorite, I didn't try the slides but my DD and husband tried them both (with the tube and the other without) and they were both fun, but the one without the tube I am told is really dark. The slides and lazy river and the menehune water play area all close at 8pm. The pools and jacuzzi in front are open until later.

The busiest the pool ever got was during a character pool party...where even Mickey got in the water!

Oh yes, another familiar thing about the resort

photopass.

Next post: the shopping.

 

[JolllyHoliday]

Thank you for sharing your trip report. The resort looks so beautiful. I have always dreamed of a Hawaiian vacation one day. Can't wait to read more!!

 

[TreesyB]

great report! Love the photos!

 

[Laurabearz]

Looks like a lovely resort!

 

[Cambsuk]

They have 2 main shopping spots at Aulani.

The main store is near the lobby and has everything from food (for DVC members to cook in their rooms I assume) and souvenirs of all sorts.

I purchased hawaiian shirts (with an Aulani design) for my husband and son and pins for my friends (I am not a collector) I am glad I purchased the grand opening ones on the first day as I was told they were sold out on our 3rd day.
I bought the vinylmation Mickey Menehune and took a photo of the Aulani Dooney and Burke (they also had a leather version which sold out quickly). They also had some pretty clever tees.

The other store is the Lava Shack that has sunscreen swimsuits, tees, hats, and take away meals (I don't recommend buying food here, its overpriced and cold food, walk a few feet to one paddle two paddles and eat there instead) But this is the one place you can find Mickey Bars!!

 

[Cambsuk]

After a day of swimming and playing at Auntys we would eat.

Shaved Ice from the shack in the middle of the resort...

Fancy Meals at Ama Ama, The burger is good, so is the panna cotta. I also really enjoyed the Fish tacos and the view....amazing

The other sit down restaurant (below the lobby) was mostly buffet but at breakfast you could also order off the a la carte menu, which I did (parfaits!!!) but the kids got the buffet daily ($14) so they could have Mickey Waffles and miso soup.

On Wednesday Morning we did the character breakfast and although it was nice and enjoyable, I think we are spoiled at WDW because only Mickey Minnie and Goofy were at the breakfast (and Aunty) I would have liked to have seen Stich too, don't get me wrong you will see Stich on the resort, just not at breakfast.

While I am on the subject only Mickey Minnie Chip Dale Goofy Stich and on rare occasion DOnald are at the resort. I wonder if this will change in the future because they may want to put less pages in the Autograph books they sell in the gift shop

I wish they had more options for breakfast at the resort, they said Ama Ama will start to serve breakfast in November.

At night they offered movies on the lawn (Finding Nemo) and a complimentary Luau like show (with crafts before the show) Story time by the fire pit and star gazing. I also really enjoyed the live music available all over the resort in the evenings.

I also enjoyed the gym...it was always empty and a little cold in there but I liked it. The Teen area is nice, also empty and they have soft serve there.

There are many bars and I did my part in trying the variety of cocktails on the menu (it is hawaii after all!)

The resort offers a navigator type handout on a daily basis listing all the events and activities on site.

I think next time we will skip the Auntys Beach House events, My daughter tried them all, and though they were nice and the counselors amazing for $70 an event I think she would have had just as much fun hanging in the complimentary house, but she did say she really liked the fish are friends event. (she is 7 almost 8)

 

[Cambsuk]

In conclusion we really enjoyed our time at Aulani, they were/are still working out the kinks but overall it is a good experience. I imagine its better if you aren't paying quite so much for a room, but its Disney and you get quality, and the cast members are just so great, I can't say enough about how happy everyone is to help you. We also got to meet Joe Rohde, which I was pretty thrilled about. He was also very nice and accessible.

I wish we could have done the entire Menehune Adventure but the Wi Fi was weird and the controls weren't working right...

The lagoon is also full of fun activities...I hope we can go again.

I know I didn't cover it all and I have about 700 photos to go through, but I just wanted to remember what a fun time it was being one of the first guests at Aulani.

 

[Havana]

Wonderful Trip report and photos. Thank you for sharing!

 

[emilymad]

Thanks so much for the review!

Did you eat at Ama Ama? Did you feel that it was worth it?

 

[Mamiamjo]

I really appreciate you posting your TR.
We are trying to decide between a 7 day E Caribbean Cruise on the Fantasy or a week at Aulani next year for DD's graduation. Your trip report gives us something to look at and try to help us to decide.

 

[saintstickets]

In conclusion we really enjoyed our time at Aulani, they were/are still working out the kinks but overall it is a good experience. I imagine its better if you aren't paying quite so much for a room, but its Disney and you get quality, and the cast members are just so great, I can't say enough about how happy everyone is to help you. We also got to meet Joe Rohde, which I was pretty thrilled about. He was also very nice and accessible.

I wish we could have done the entire Menehune Adventure but the Wi Fi was weird and the controls weren't working right...

The lagoon is also full of fun activities...I hope we can go again.

I know I didn't cover it all and I have about 700 photos to go through, but I just wanted to remember what a fun time it was being one of the first guests at Aulani.

Thanks so much for the post. DW and I are going to Aulani Sept, 2012 for our 30th anniversary. Please post more pics when you get a chance. Thanks again.

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

that looks like a very relaxing vacation! I would LOVE to go there! Love the Dooney bag!

 

[RFrank9504]

awesome! we are booked for next june! cant wait

 

[Cambsuk]

Thanks so much for the review!

Did you eat at Ama Ama? Did you feel that it was worth it?

Yes, I ate there three times with my husband (lunch twice and dinner once)

We enjoyed all the meals, I found that dinner was more pricey and you could eat most (not all) of the same things at lunch time for less (the firecracker chicken app was 4 or $5 more at dinner for the same size portion).

But you don't get to see the sunset at lunch

The kids meals are reasonable both at dinner and lunch.

but make a reservation before you go, I think they may be understaffed and were often booked even though there were empty tables.

Definitly try it once, go for lunch to avoid the higher cost. Panna Cotta is awesome, so is the Poke....husband had the fish in salt it was okay...He wish he had the stew instead.

 

[jelloarms]

Hey, thanks for posting those pictures! I myself am actually from Hawaii but I doubt I'll ever stay there. It's so crazy to think that Mickey is right in my own backyard...I told my sister that he wasn't the "real" one. The real one only lives in Disneyland and Disneyworld. How can he manage to switch between both parks? Through a teleporter of course. Why can't the teleporter get to Hawaii? Because it just can't! LoL

Yeah...I have a strange imagination.

 

[living20057]

Your report was great. How was the weather? Did you rent a beach chair or umbrella during your stay?

 

[MEK]

Thanks for the report. The resort looks amazing and those night time pics are spectacular.

 

[emilymad]

Yes, I ate there three times with my husband (lunch twice and dinner once)

We enjoyed all the meals, I found that dinner was more pricey and you could eat most (not all) of the same things at lunch time for less (the firecracker chicken app was 4 or $5 more at dinner for the same size portion).

But you don't get to see the sunset at lunch

The kids meals are reasonable both at dinner and lunch.

but make a reservation before you go, I think they may be understaffed and were often booked even though there were empty tables.

Definitly try it once, go for lunch to avoid the higher cost. Panna Cotta is awesome, so is the Poke....husband had the fish in salt it was okay...He wish he had the stew instead.

Thanks for the review!

 

[Cambsuk]

Your report was great. How was the weather? Did you rent a beach chair or umbrella during your stay?

No we didn't, we spent most of our time at the resort we played at the Lagoon while we stayed next door at the JW Marriot.