Aulani...just arrived

[theOCdisney]

We arrived today. From the moment we got out of the car our impression has been that of top notch hospitality. We travel a lot in all different types of resorts and hotels and the service here is genuinely like we are valued guests. Every employee we have encountered has said either welcome home or aloha.

The construction is so minimal that we nearly missed it. We are in a one bedroom garden view in the Ewa wing. The bellman said that we are the first guests to stay in this villa. We are on the fourth floor with a glimpse of the ocean through the palm trees. Very happy with the room. It was ready by 2:45, an added bonus. As i have mentioned before we are Marriott owners as well as DVC. Disney gets the nod for nicer rooms. They add extra touches that Marriott doesn't. Such as a rain showerhead in addition to the one on the wall. The stone accent in the shower. Full length mirror on the barhroom door. Decorative accents such as the carved wood Mickey lamp, darling. I know I sound like I am gushing, but I am so impressed with this resort.

It always takes us a few days to get over the sticker shock of prices in Hawaii. We ate at the market/abc store near the resort. There was a steady stream of guests making their way over there. Nice selection of quick service like food in addition to limited groceries.

Off to bed. We have been up since 4:00 west coast time.

Aloha!

 

[wdrl]

We are in a one bedroom garden view in the Ewa wing. The bellman said that we are the first guests to stay in this villa. We are on the fourth floor with a glimpse of the ocean through the palm trees. . . . I know I sound like I am gushing, but I am so impressed with this resort.


Aloha!

E komo mai! That's Hawaiian for Welcome Home!

My wife and I were at Aulani a few weeks ago and loved it. It is hard NOT to be impressed with Aulani. Compared to other DVC resorts, Aulani is in a class all by itself.

It sounds like you are in the short wing on the Ewa (female) side of Aulani. When we were there last month several CMs said that the short wing of Phase 3, with room numbers xx60-xx69, would be opening soon and ahead of schedule. Disney wants to use those rooms so that it could move guests away from some of the rooms in the Waianae Building that are much nearer the construction.

If you have a chance, I'd appreciate it if you would post a photo of your villa and view on the Aulani Villas and View thread. No one has had an opportunity to post a photo of that side of Aulani yet, so you would be the first.

Will the Starlit Hui resume while you are there? Its suppose to resume some time in October, although I'm afraid it will be later in the month rather than sooner. If your villa faces toward the ocean, then you might be able to watch the Starlit Hui from your balcony.

Enjoy your stay at Aulani!!!

 

[disneybirds]

Glad to hear you have been impressed with the resort. We are hoping to book at the 7 month window for next summer. Enjoy your trip!

 

[drusba]

Just keep the reports coming. I like hearing details of a place I have not yet been and good news at the same time.

 

[ACDSNY]

We loved our short 3 night stay in January so much we're going back in December.

Aulani really is in a class by itself within the DVC resorts.

 

[Bellecruiser]

So happy to hear you love Aulani. We were there for a week in March. (rained the entire week!) We loved the resort and would go back again in a heart beat. It truly is in a class by itself, and the CMs were wonderful in every area...restaurants, spa, mouse keeping. Enjoy! . I love my DVC.

 

[BCV23]

Thanks for the report. We're excited for our first Aulani stay in a few months. Have a great vacation!

 

[LisaT91403]

To the OP, wondering how your stay went? I am going the first week of November...and I'm interested in hearing how the construction effected your stay (was it very noisy?) And my other question is...how difficult was it to get a shady spot by the pool? I'm hoping we don't have to rent a cabana to get shade, but I've heard it's at a premium.

Thanks!