Aulani Owners Thread - ALOHA!

[Anal Annie]

So we are trying to time our trip to Aulani to coincide with another DISer family that was on one of our DCL cruises a few years ago. They are not DVC owners and think they have found a good deal at the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore....so they'd be staying like an hour away from Aulani... We'd like to be able to "hook up" with them here & there but being an hour away doesn't make it so convenient... Of course we'd drive up there to meet them but I would also like to have them over at least once to Aulani. We'll only be in a studio so visiting in the room wouldn't be a whole lot of fun with the 3 of us and the 4 of them... But so I was wondering IF we rented a cabana for a day can we request one by the beach and have them in it with us? Is there a rule against that? Would they have to pay $35 parking or could they park down the street somewhere & we could go pick them up or something? I am assuming there are no guest passes for them to be able use the pools but isn't the beach public? (I thought all beaches in Hawaii were public.) And if we pay goodness knows how much for a cabana can't we have people in it with us as long as we don't exceed the max. occupancy? (And how much ARE the cabanas anyway and what is the max. number of people?!)

 

[TifffanyD]

So we are trying to time our trip to Aulani to coincide with another DISer family that was on one of our DCL cruises a few years ago. They are not DVC owners and think they have found a good deal at the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore....so they'd be staying like an hour away from Aulani... We'd like to be able to "hook up" with them here & there but being an hour away doesn't make it so convenient... Of course we'd drive up there to meet them but I would also like to have them over at least once to Aulani. We'll only be in a studio so visiting in the room wouldn't be a whole lot of fun with the 3 of us and the 4 of them... But so I was wondering IF we rented a cabana for a day can we request one by the beach and have them in it with us? Is there a rule against that? Would they have to pay $35 parking or could they park down the street somewhere & we could go pick them up or something? I am assuming there are no guest passes for them to be able use the pools but isn't the beach public? (I thought all beaches in Hawaii were public.) And if we pay goodness knows how much for a cabana can't we have people in it with us as long as we don't exceed the max. occupancy? (And how much ARE the cabanas anyway and what is the max. number of people?!)

Oh my gosh... I would call the resort. Can y'all just meet up at s public beach and park in the middle?

 

[eandesmom]

I would suggest using yapta, not kayak to track. I used to have great luck with Kayak but for the last couple of years, not so much. Thanks to Yapta though have been able to pounce on flights when they drop.

Depending on where you are coming from, you may all want to check out Alaska flights to HI from Seattle, there can be some good deals and great times.

We are lucky, I scored on our May flights doing a combo of miles and 2 different one way tickets and paid $300 each for non stops and my preferred times (Alaska there, Delta back). Generally I know flights to SEA aren't a deal but we've gone east for 200-500 per ticket depending on the location so for those struggling with airfare, it may be worth tracking.

Also, on Alaska, if the flight drops at ALL, you can get a credit for the difference, each and every time it drops up until departure time. From here, Hawaiian is always more expensive than Alaska and they have similar routes and options.

 

[eandesmom]

So we are trying to time our trip to Aulani to coincide with another DISer family that was on one of our DCL cruises a few years ago. They are not DVC owners and think they have found a good deal at the Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore....so they'd be staying like an hour away from Aulani... We'd like to be able to "hook up" with them here & there but being an hour away doesn't make it so convenient... Of course we'd drive up there to meet them but I would also like to have them over at least once to Aulani. We'll only be in a studio so visiting in the room wouldn't be a whole lot of fun with the 3 of us and the 4 of them... But so I was wondering IF we rented a cabana for a day can we request one by the beach and have them in it with us? Is there a rule against that? Would they have to pay $35 parking or could they park down the street somewhere & we could go pick them up or something? I am assuming there are no guest passes for them to be able use the pools but isn't the beach public? (I thought all beaches in Hawaii were public.) And if we pay goodness knows how much for a cabana can't we have people in it with us as long as we don't exceed the max. occupancy? (And how much ARE the cabanas anyway and what is the max. number of people?!)

The beach is definitely public, no issues there and I can't imagine Aulani cares who is in your cabana, if you are paying. Parking they would have to pay and not sure on the pool. I'd call the resort directly and ask for the front desk, reservations answers but they will transfer you and the desk is super helpful!

 

[luv2sleep]

The beach is definitely public, no issues there and I can't imagine Aulani cares who is in your cabana, if you are paying. Parking they would have to pay and not sure on the pool. I'd call the resort directly and ask for the front desk, reservations answers but they will transfer you and the desk is super helpful!

They give you wristbands for pool use. The beach is public. Not sure about the beach chairs though.

 

[eandesmom]

They give you wristbands for pool use. The beach is public. Not sure about the beach chairs though.

Ugh, do you have to get one each day? I hate wearing those things.

 

[luv2sleep]

Ugh, do you have to get one each day? I hate wearing those things.

Yes I think so. I was only there one day on a cruise stop but I remember hearing they change color every day. I'm sure someone who had a longer trip can chime in about that.

 

[G'sMaman]

But so I was wondering IF we rented a cabana for a day can we request one by the beach and have them in it with us?

Unfortunately, the cabanas are located near the pool on the property (some have views of the beach) so you would need a wristband to access it. You could rent beach chairs/umbrellas on the beach since it's public, but you wouldn't have the amenities/advantages of a private cabana. BTW - good luck with your airfare!

 

[frank808]

New wrist bands everyday.

 

[G'sMaman]

Ugh, do you have to get one each day? I hate wearing those things.

Unfortunately, yes. I hate those things as well!

 

[eandesmom]

New wrist bands everyday.

Unfortunately, yes. I hate those things as well!

Ugh but I'm glad to know this now, I won't be surprised or annoyed when it happens.

 

[Anal Annie]

Unfortunately, the cabanas are located near the pool on the property (some have views of the beach) so you would need a wristband to access it. You could rent beach chairs/umbrellas on the beach since it's public, but you wouldn't have the amenities/advantages of a private cabana. BTW - good luck with your airfare!

That's a bummer that they couldn't even sit under a cabana with us if we rented one. So there are chairs for rent on the beach from like a public stand? Any idea how much they run? Would it be just as feasible for a week to go to Costco or Target and BUY an umbrella & chairs?

 

[G'sMaman]

That's a bummer that they couldn't even sit under a cabana with us if we rented one. So there are chairs for rent on the beach from like a public stand? Any idea how much they run? Would it be just as feasible for a week to go to Costco or Target and BUY an umbrella & chairs?

Actually, I stand corrected. I remember now that you don't have to rent the beach chairs and umbrellas - it's run by the hotel and it's free if you're a guest. On most days we rented the two person "Casabellas" and there is a charge for that:

http://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/activities-amenities/pools-beach/beach/

 

[Meemoo]

Hello to all my fellow Aulani Ohana,

We are new DVC members, we proudly jumped on board at Aulani this year

Aulani is so beautiful, and our family can't wait to return! I look forward to joining in on all your discussions and hearing about all your wonderful trips to Aulani

 

[aclov]

Has anyone ever purchased the Hawaii Dining Card or Go Oahu Card? It's stressful to be tied to places and I like to be flexible but I also enjoy saving!

 

[Parkhopper]

Can anyone give me more information regarding the grills on property? Where exactly can they be found? Are they gas grills or charcoal? Do you need to reserve them (or the tools) and where do you need to do so?

Thanks!

Suzi

 

[aclov]

Can u buy snorkel gear at Costco or elsewhere for a reasonable price?I would prefer to buy it there instead of bringing it with me from home.

 

[TifffanyD]

Can u buy snorkel gear at Costco or elsewhere for a reasonable price?I would prefer to buy it there instead of bringing it with me from home.

You can rent it at aulani... I think they have length of stay rentals?

 

[eandesmom]

Can anyone give me more information regarding the grills on property? Where exactly can they be found? Are they gas grills or charcoal? Do you need to reserve them (or the tools) and where do you need to do so?

Thanks!

Suzi

I think they are by Aunties, charcoal and I've no idea on tools.

 

[wdrl]

Ugh, do you have to get one each day? I hate wearing those things.

As others have posted, Aulani guests get a different colored wristband for each day. I heard Aulani has at least 13 different colors, plus there has been one color retired already.

We only wore one wristband at a time, but many guests wore all of their bands for the entire length of their stay.

You'll need a wristband to use any of Aulani's water features, including the pool, lazy river, slides, towels, etc. You'll also need the wristbands if you want to use Aulani's beach umbrellas and lounge chairs on the beach, which are free to Aulani guests.