Aulani Owners Thread - ALOHA!

[VGCgroupie]

Hmm, we’ve never stayed island garden, but it seems like that wouldn’t help you to be on the first floor anyway??? I think you’d need a pool view ground floor room to be helpful for getting back in the room easily. Maybe someone who has actually stayed on that side can comment if it’s a pain to walk around to that side of the tower from the beach/pool?? We always stay ocean or pool and haven’t ever found it a hassle to get back to the room (granted never with a 1 yr old).

No it wouldn’t I would be waitlisting a pool view 2 bed if we decided to go that direction.

 

[Bucketfoot]

Going to Aulani in September. Does anyone have a photo of what the freestyle drink machines have?

You've got to love DVC... Even though there will likely only be three of us, we got a 2-bed ocean view so our adult daughter can have a real bed and we can have a second bathroom.

There is no way we would do that paying cash!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Going to Aulani in September. Does anyone have a photo of what the freestyle drink machines have?

You've got to love DVC... Even though there will likely only be three of us, we got a 2-bed ocean view so our adult daughter can have a real bed and we can have a second bathroom.

There is no way we would do that paying cash!

Hopefully someone who has been there recently has photos, I know they changed out some of the machines.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Going to Aulani in September. Does anyone have a photo of what the freestyle drink machines have?

You've got to love DVC... Even though there will likely only be three of us, we got a 2-bed ocean view so our adult daughter can have a real bed and we can have a second bathroom.

There is no way we would do that paying cash!

I believe they got rid of the freestyle machines.

 

[Bucketfoot]

I believe they got rid of the freestyle machines.

Good to know. If that's the case I would have no interest in the refillable mugs. Although for 4 nights I'm almost certain much better off just picking up some soft drinks at the grocery store on our drive in.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Good to know. If that's the case I would have no interest in the refillable mugs. Although for 4 nights I'm almost certain much better off just picking up some soft drinks at the grocery store on our drive in.

You probably want to look and see the options they have as the standard coke machine.

Always better to reduce garbage wherever one can.

 

[Bucketfoot]

You probably want to look and see the options they have as the standard coke machine.

Always better to reduce garbage wherever one can.

True, but aluminum is pretty much the most recyclable material around

 

[VGCgroupie]

Good to know. If that's the case I would have no interest in the refillable mugs. Although for 4 nights I'm almost certain much better off just picking up some soft drinks at the grocery store on our drive in.

The upside of standard vs freestyle is there no time cut off. We appreciate that part of it.

 

[Bucketfoot]

As mentioned earlier we are going to Aulani in September in a 2-bed ocean view.

Our previous stay was in a 1-bedroom (Ewa Tower) overlooking the Halawai Lawn. Are there any preferred locations or suggested room requests we should consider?

 

[OKW Lover]

As mentioned earlier we are going to Aulani in September in a 2-bed ocean view.

Our previous stay was in a 1-bedroom (Ewa Tower) overlooking the Halawai Lawn. Are there any preferred locations or suggested room requests we should consider?

We prefer the view from the upper floors so that's what we request. After that consideration you might want to think about how close/far from the elevators you want to be. Close = shorter walk but more noise from the corridor. Far = just the opposite.

 

[DonkeyHoTay]

DW and I are going to Aulani mid November for our wedding anniversary! I bought the plane tickets but haven't made reservations yet - still outside of 7 months. It's just the two of us, but minimum will be a 1 bdrm villa ocean view. Would have preferred a 2nd bathroom though (half bath min), but that's not available in a 1bdrm there so was thinking about a 2bdrm. However, when I watch youtube videos, I notice the balcony ocean views on the 2 bdrm appear worse (not as direct, have to turn your head, etc) than the 1bdrm balcony ocean view? Is that my imagination?

Any suggestions on best way to stay at Aulani for two people in November will be much appreciated!

 

[atthebeachclub]

Not a member (at Aulani at least) but looking to visit Aulani in March 2026 for spring break! Would stay in a 2 bedroom. I see a big point differential between Island Garden view and the pool view. Unfortunately not a total baller, so ocean view is out of my point budget.

What would you pick between Island Garden and Pool view?

 

[AstroBlasters]

Not a member but looking to visit Aulani in March 2026 for spring break! Would stay in a 2 bedroom. I see a big point differential between Island Garden view and the pool view. Unfortunately not a total baller, so ocean view is out of my point budget.

What would you pick between Island Garden and Pool view?

Island Garden

 

[VGCgroupie]

Not a member but looking to visit Aulani in March 2026 for spring break! Would stay in a 2 bedroom. I see a big point differential between Island Garden view and the pool view. Unfortunately not a total baller, so ocean view is out of my point budget.

What would you pick between Island Garden and Pool view?

I’d for sure go with Island Garden view especially since at some point that view will be no more with Atlantis. Enjoy it while you can. It can truly be a bargain OV and we loved it.

 

[LilyJC]

What would you pick between Island Garden and Pool view?

I’m going to vote differently and say pool! We always stay either ocean or pool (our oldest has fear of heights issues) because we love facing the pools. One of our favorite things is having the slider open in the evening and hearing the live music inside our room plus the sounds of the water features. I’d have total fomo if we ever stayed island… To each their own, but that’s our preference!

 

[that1jeff]

Our dues being put to work! One side of the porte-cochere was just resurfaced.

 

[atthebeachclub]

Just realized my dates for 2026 fall into the most expensive timeframe on the point chart for 2026, but were only the second most expensive timeframe in 2025. No pool view; definitely would have to stick with Island Gardens. The week was 434 points this year; it’s 497 points next year.

I wonder why this changed seasons? It doesn’t appear to be a busy time at the end of March, or to be high demand.

 

[jekjones1558]

Just realized my dates for 2026 fall into the most expensive timeframe on the point chart for 2026, but were only the second most expensive timeframe in 2025. No pool view; definitely would have to stick with Island Gardens. The week was 434 points this year; it’s 497 points next year.

I wonder why this changed seasons? It doesn’t appear to be a busy time at the end of March, or to be high demand.

If you are going in late March, it is likely because Easter is April 5 in 2026. The days running up to Easter are high season because they are high demand.

 

[atthebeachclub]

If you are going in late March, it is likely because Easter is April 5 in 2026. The days running up to Easter are high season because they are high demand.

Ohhh, had not considered the dates Easter changed and the impact. Thank you.

 

[DVCkidsMOM]

I've been loosely tracking characters at Aulani so I have an idea how 'important' it is for my youngest to see ShellieMay at the first available opportunity on our trip For the first time since I've been checking, the app says no characters today!!!
How often does this happen???
appologies for screen shot size - I selected thumbnail and don't know why it's so large or how to shrink it.