Aulani Owners Thread - ALOHA!

[MrsG]

Fed Ex dropped off a package on Saturday, had no idea what it was.

Saw the return address and it said American Molding.

Still had no idea what it was.

Opened it up and it was our copy of our Aulani Founding Member tile. A very cool surprise to get on a cold and rainy day.

2013 can't get here soon enough (our hopeful Aulani return).

If anyone's going to be there soon, I would love to see a pic of the founding member pohukas with everyone's tiles on it.

Same exact thing happened to us. We'll be going in July. Can't wait to see our tile there. I'll post a picture, but you'll have to wait awhile.

 

[mkymsehi]

Fed Ex dropped off a package on Saturday, had no idea what it was.

Saw the return address and it said American Molding.

Still had no idea what it was.

Opened it up and it was our copy of our Aulani Founding Member tile. A very cool surprise to get on a cold and rainy day.

2013 can't get here soon enough (our hopeful Aulani return).

If anyone's going to be there soon, I would love to see a pic of the founding member pohukas with everyone's tiles on it.

I'm a local resident, and as of last Monday and Tuesday (12/12 & 12/13/11) the tiles have still not been installed on the Pohaku rocks facing the ocean.

I'll be visiting Aulani again in mid January, and will check again then. If they're up, I'll post a photo.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

I'm a local resident, and as of last Monday and Tuesday (12/12 & 12/13/11) the tiles have still not been installed on the Pohaku rocks facing the ocean.

I'll be visiting Aulani again in mid January, and will check again then. If they're up, I'll post a photo.

Thank you very much!

 

[abrych]

Have been a DVC member since 1994. Own points in multiple properties. Do not own Aulani, but have a trip booked Jan 2012. I see that you stayed in a studio. I will be in a studio. How does it compare to WDW studios........I also I have the same view/location booked that you had. Your pictures made it sound like a good choice for value of points I am using. Thanks

 

[mkymsehi]

Have been a DVC member since 1994. Own points in multiple properties. Do not own Aulani, but have a trip booked Jan 2012. I see that you stayed in a studio. I will be in a studio. How does it compare to WDW studios........I also I have the same view/location booked that you had. Your pictures made it sound like a good choice for value of points I am using. Thanks

I own at SSR, but have never stayed there. We prefer a one bedroom at OKW.

In comparison to a two bed/no lanai (balcony) studio at OKW, the Aulani studio has one queen size bed, one sofa bed, and also a lanai. The Aulani studio is larger than OKW, and nicer amenities.

People have asked if the ocean view is worth the additional points. I say no. You are never in the room, except to shower and sleep. You will be so busy exploring the resort, you won't be staring at the ocean, you'll be IN it! Save your points is my suggestion.

Click here for my photos from Opening Day (day visit), and our first stay in a mountain view studio three weeks later.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2789797

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2789797&page=16

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2789797&page=22

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2801949

One more thing, DVC members now get a 10% discount on the Rainbow Reef Snorkel, and any beach rentals (stand up paddle board, beach chairs). Show your blue card at the register. I'm not sure if that includes the sting ray activity.

If you rent snorkel gear, then do the Rainbow Reef. With that same receipt, you can get snorkel gear at the beach side shack. But not vice versa.

Be sure to visit Auntie's Beach house. Sit in the lobby, and carefully listen to the background music. It's all Disney songs done in the Hawaiian language.

Also, there are three original songs done by local musician and Kumu Hula, Keali'i Reichel, that play in the main lobby. Best time to sit and listen is late at night, when not many people are walking around making noise.

So far, none of the music is on CD. Rumors are sometime in the future it will be available. 4 months so far, and nothing for sale in the gift shop.

 

[adminjedi]

I also I have the same view/location booked that you had. Your pictures made it sound like a good choice for value of points I am using. Thanks

People have asked if the ocean view is worth the additional points. I say no. You are never in the room, except to shower and sleep. You will be so busy exploring the resort, you won't be staring at the ocean, you'll be IN it! Save your points is my suggestion.

View is a personal choice.
We like ocean view, even if we aren't in the room all day. My husband likes to sit on the lanai in the early morning while I sleep in I love having my coffee out there in my comfy robe when I do get up! In the evening, we like knowing we won't miss the sunset if we are back at the room getting ready from being at the pool all day.

If you have the points and you think you will enjoy the view, use them! If you are low on points, don't!

 

[dreamlinda]

View is a personal choice.
We like ocean view, even if we aren't in the room all day. My husband likes to sit on the lanai in the early morning while I sleep in I love having my coffee out there in my comfy robe when I do get up! In the evening, we like knowing we won't miss the sunset if we are back at the room getting ready from being at the pool all day.

If you have the points and you think you will enjoy the view, use them! If you are low on points, don't!

We totally agree!! And, since we plan on doing a fair amount of cooking/dining in our room (Feb. '12 trip) we really enjoy the ocean view with our meals!

 

[aymekae]

Hello! Just checking in and introducing myself. We bought into DVC at Aulani a few weeks ago on our cruise, and I can't WAIT for our first stay there! I am thinking 2nd or 3rd week of November. DH is concerned about it being during the "rainy season". I, on the other hand, worry not at all as we live in the desert and I love me some rain!

I'm trying to figure out a budget for food and entertainment for two adults for a week stay. Any thoughts? We will stay in a studio, so only a kitchenette. I thought I read that there were grills available; if so, we'd be happy with BBQing most days. Can anyone confirm that?

Thanks in advance!

 

[mkymsehi]

Hello! Just checking in and introducing myself. We bought into DVC at Aulani a few weeks ago on our cruise, and I can't WAIT for our first stay there! I am thinking 2nd or 3rd week of November. DH is concerned about it being during the "rainy season". I, on the other hand, worry not at all as we live in the desert and I love me some rain!

I'm trying to figure out a budget for food and entertainment for two adults for a week stay. Any thoughts? We will stay in a studio, so only a kitchenette. I thought I read that there were grills available; if so, we'd be happy with BBQing most days. Can anyone confirm that?

Thanks in advance!

FYI- Kalepa's store in the main lobby does sell groceries, but it's overpriced. Same can be said for the restaurants/bars on property.

If you want to save money on food, walk 5 minutes across the street to the ABC Country Store. Groceries, deli, liquor all available for less. Also across the street is Jus' Taco's, Kapolei BBQ, and an ice cream parlor.

If you happen to rent a car from Alamo at the resort, drive 5 minutes down the road to Kapolei. There is Target, Costco, and many other shopping and dining options.

Renting a car at the airport one way, and dropping it at Aulani will be much cheaper than a taxi, shuttle, or town car.

DVC members have free parking. Regular guest get charged $35 a night for parking.

I'm a local resident here, and own at SSR. We use our "leftover" points to stay at Aulani. We pack our own groceries and drinks in a cooler, and take it with us to the studio. We allow ourselves on dining experience on property each stay, and have stayed 3 times so far.

Our rainy season is more like November to February. Aulani is on the West side of the island, and doesn't get a whole lot of rain. If it does, it lasts for a few minutes to a half hour, and then clears up. Don't worry about it raining, it will still be 80+ degrees out.

Any other questions, feel free to ask me.

 

[Neriberi]

We got our Founding Members tile yesterday and it was SO EXCITING! Didn't expect it to be so nicely done with the print and the framing. I was literally expecting a tile.

We can't wait to go next December! We've been going out to Hawaii every two years ever since we were married in Kauai. It's going to be great to see Aulani! We love having a full kitchen and stocking up at Costco (it's our first stop between the airport and the resort).

 

[AZMermaid]

When did you have to buy in by to get a tile? They sound cool!

 

[lilpooh108]

Does anyone know whether any of the Aulani room items are for sale, anywhere? Specifically, we loved the Mickey Mouse wood lamp and the Mickey Hawaiian "Quilt." The only thing we saw for sale in the Kalepa store was the bathrobe...

 

[adminjedi]

When did you have to buy in by to get a tile? They sound cool!

To be a Founding Member you had to be among the first 800 members to purchase 160 or more points.

We have not yet received our tile.

UPDATE: Received our tile and it is really beautifully presented! This might actually hang on a wall. Great marketing strategy....people will see it and ask about it!

 

[SueTGGR]

We got ours last week & they are beautiful! It will go on the next wall over from the VGC founding member pic (it isn't a tile but it is a beautiful drawing of the hotel). Oh, how I wish we would be able to collect more! Anyone thinking about getting points @ the Grand Floridian?
Later,
Sue

 

[disney4bb]

We're going To Aulani in mid March! My in-laws are owners there & @ D-land, & this will be all of our first times @ Aulani.
We'd appreciate suggestions on excursions, where to eat (besides Denny's), and what to avoid. Anything else we should know?
Thanks!



D-land: too many times to count
D-world: once
D-cruise: twice

 

[ciao_gina]

We're going To Aulani in mid March! My in-laws are owners there & @ D-land, & this will be all of our first times @ Aulani.
We'd appreciate suggestions on excursions, where to eat (besides Denny's), and what to avoid. Anything else we should know?
Thanks!



D-land: too many times to count
D-world: once
D-cruise: twice

Do a search for Aulani and you will find many threads that are trip reports. They are usually pretty detailed about the food, excursions, restaurants, etc. I can tell you that the Aulani restaurants are not getting very good reviews. We are planning on eating away or making meals as much as possible other than the character breakfast.

 

[disney4bb]

Thanks Gina, I'll do that.
I read that the food is very expensive & that we shouldn't go to the store @ the resort. Just down the road are several stores that have food, like Target. Also, ABC, across the street, is a good place to buy snorkeling equipment -for the same price as hourly rentals @ the resort. That's the kind of advice I'm looking for!

 

[SueTGGR]

So this morning I had to call member services to shift our dates (cheaper to fly out Sunday and back on Monday instead of out Saturday and back Sunday) and the CM mentioned something I had not known, so I thought I would pass it along. Did you know that if you go to Aulani's website that you can make reservations for meals, spa treatments and such, 1 year in advance? I thought it was 180 days but that is only if you want to call and make it through member services, she told me. I am on my way over to the site to see what I can do for our trip in August. Let me know if anyone has had a different experience.
Later,
Sue

 

[ocmommy]

Returned last week from Aulani. I would recommend making dining reservations because once you arrive, they are all booked! Sure it was Christmas break, but really??? I tried to change my reservations once I got there and there was nothing, unless you want dinner at 9:00pm. Spa appointments too - the spa was amazing! I had to wait a couple of days before I could get an appointment. I recommend the Kilikili = Heaven!

Regarding the tiles...they are not on property yet, but I did get my "souveneir" tile in the mail, framed very nicely. It was waiting for me when I got home from Aulani! We had a great time, enjoy your stay!

 

[SuperRob]

Does anyone know whether any of the Aulani room items are for sale, anywhere? Specifically, we loved the Mickey Mouse wood lamp and the Mickey Hawaiian "Quilt." The only thing we saw for sale in the Kalepa store was the bathrobe...

Yes, they are supposedly both available at the store. You might need to ask about it.