Aulani Owners Thread - ALOHA!

[808blessing]

FYI

As part of ongoing maintenance at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, Ka Maka Pool and Grotto will be unavailable for a limited time this fall. Ka Maka Pool and Grotto, including Ka Maka whirlpool spa, will be unavailable October 19 through November 14, 2025. These amenities are expected to reopen on November 15, 2025. During this time, guests are invited to make a splash at any of the other fun water features including Waikolohe Pool and Stream, our two exhilarating water slides, multiple whirlpool spas, Keiki Cove splash zone, and Wailana adult Pool.
During construction, please know the comfort and enjoyment of our guests is our top priority. It is possible that guests may see or hear construction work, but rest assured noise should not be heard between dusk and 8 a.m.

whew! We are going 3 more times this year but not during those times.

 

[VGCgroupie]

whew! We are going 3 more times this year but not during those times.

3 more times

 

[AstroBlasters]

3 more times

808 Area Code?

 

[VGCgroupie]

808 Area Code?

Thought it sounded familiar. Waking up at 4 am to call that area code.

 

[808blessing]

808 Area Code?

yes

 

[808blessing]

Thought it sounded familiar. Waking up at 4 am to call that area code.

that's it!

 

[AstroBlasters]

yes

 

[VGCgroupie]

FYI for Pearl Harbor

 

[slo]

Aloha everyone!

I am brand new to the DVC community, literally brand new, I just got into my portal for the first time today.

My DH and I are going to book a one week trip to Aulani this February to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We are just going to get a studio and probably the garden view, because I don't want to use all my points on an ocean view.

My questions are......

Are there any hidden financial costs I should expect when I book this resort? Or is it just the points only?

We will be renting a car, and I think I was told by someone that you have to pay to park there - is that true? If yes, how much?

How is the luau there? I read good reviews, but that was not on The DIS and I trust you all more.



If there's anything else you can think of to share with me about this resort, I will sincerely appreciate it.

Thank you for your help
Aloha





I

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

you have to pay to park there - is that true?

No if you are staying DVC. Yes only if you are staying cash and don't have any membership.
I don't believe there is any hidden cost but you do eat there and will likely buy souvenirs haha

 

[VGCgroupie]

Aloha everyone!

I am brand new to the DVC community, literally brand new, I just got into my portal for the first time today.

Yay! Congrats and Welcome Home!

My DH and I are going to book a one week trip to Aulani this February to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We are just going to get a studio and probably the garden view, because I don't want to use all my points on an ocean view.

Island garden views are such a great value for the points, smart choice!

My questions are......

Are there any hidden financial costs I should expect when I book this resort? Or is it just the points only?

You will have to TAT tax in addition to the points. I cant find 2026 chart but here is 2025
https://cdn1.parksmedia.wdprapps.di...-planning/2025_HI_TAT_Web_Cht_FINAL-2025r.pdf

We will be renting a car, and I think I was told by someone that you have to pay to park there - is that true? If yes, how much?

Parking is free for DVC member reservations.

How is the luau there? I read good reviews, but that was not on The DIS and I trust you all more.

I havent attended but if you decide not to attend be sure to request EWA Tower Luau view and you can see it from the balcony. Not as good as attending but for sure a nice bonus to that Island Garden category.

If there's anything else you can think of to share with me about this resort, I will sincerely appreciate it.

Learn about the different booking times for activities if they interest you.

 

[that1jeff]

Are there any hidden financial costs I should expect when I book this resort? Or is it just the points only?

Yes, you have to pay Hawaii's Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT).
https://www.dvchelp.com/page/aulani-transient-tax

We will be renting a car, and I think I was told by someone that you have to pay to park there - is that true? If yes, how much?

If your stay is booked with DVC points, parking is included. (They don't like to say "free" because our dues pay for the costs associated with the parking structure).

How is the luau there? I read good reviews, but that was not on The DIS and I trust you all more.

My family really enjoyed it. Food was good. Endless drinks. It's worth doing at least once. The female lead during our show had some pipes on her. Beautiful voice.

 

[slo]

Thank you for the "Welcome Home" (whoever the marketing person was that came up with using this very simple phrase for DVC was a genius IMO - it really does make you feel warm and fuzzy)

and thank you for answering my questions, especially about that tax so we can add that to our budget. It's also nice to know that we won't have to pay for parking. The money we save with no parking fee will now go towards this tax

How do you request the EWA Tower Luau view? Do you have to call to make that request, or can you do that from the DVC portal?

Thanks again!

 

[tntbrd]

Thank you for the "Welcome Home" (whoever the marketing person was that came up with using this very simple phrase for DVC was a genius IMO - it really does make you feel warm and fuzzy)

and thank you for answering my questions, especially about that tax so we can add that to our budget. It's also nice to know that we won't have to pay for parking. The money we save with no parking fee will now go towards this tax

How do you request the EWA Tower Luau view? Do you have to call to make that request, or can you do that from the DVC portal?

Thanks again!

I always just use the chat feature on the DVC website and put in my requests as soon as possible. Don't know if that's the preferrable way to do it, but with the exception of one trip, we have always gotten what we requested.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Thank you for the "Welcome Home" (whoever the marketing person was that came up with using this very simple phrase for DVC was a genius IMO - it really does make you feel warm and fuzzy)

and thank you for answering my questions, especially about that tax so we can add that to our budget. It's also nice to know that we won't have to pay for parking. The money we save with no parking fee will now go towards this tax

How do you request the EWA Tower Luau view? Do you have to call to make that request, or can you do that from the DVC portal?

Thanks again!

Once you book you can call DVC Member services and they can notate the request for you. If you check in in person you can also talk with them, they were nice enough to pull up the view from my room for me before confirming me in that room.

Edit: chat works too

 

[AstroBlasters]

Aloha everyone!

I am brand new to the DVC community, literally brand new, I just got into my portal for the first time today.

My DH and I are going to book a one week trip to Aulani this February to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. We are just going to get a studio and probably the garden view, because I don't want to use all my points on an ocean view.

My questions are......

Are there any hidden financial costs I should expect when I book this resort? Or is it just the points only?

We will be renting a car, and I think I was told by someone that you have to pay to park there - is that true? If yes, how much?

How is the luau there? I read good reviews, but that was not on The DIS and I trust you all more.



If there's anything else you can think of to share with me about this resort, I will sincerely appreciate it.

Thank you for your help
Aloha





I

30th Wedding Anniversary…. I’d go Ocean View….

 

[slo]

30th Wedding Anniversary…. I’d go Ocean View….

Trust me….I thought about it, but then I’d have to forfeit a girls weekend to see the nighttime parade at WDW with my DD21. I really should just buy more points . Addonitis already and I just got started today - LOL!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Trust me….I thought about it, but then I’d have to forfeit a girls weekend to see the nighttime parade at WDW with my DD21. I really should just buy more points . Addonitis already and I just got started today - LOL!

OTUP?

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

If there's anything else you can think of to share with me about this resort, I will sincerely appreciate it.

Learn about the different booking times for activities if they interest you.

Yes. Don't forget to book dining and activities!!! Some can be booked up very fast. Check the Aulani app 60/45/30 days before depending on the activity. Get familiar with the app.
If you like meeting characters, check the daily schedule when you are there.
In the case you need photopass, that's thru the Disneyland platform so WDW membership/pass does not work. It's like $99 per week. But that from Makahiki is not included.

 

[PlutoNotPlanet]

Please excuse me for derailing the discussion once. I just found a flight route is no longer available that I might not make the Thanksgiving trip
I will be cancelling 11/27-11/30 ocean view studio. Let me know if whoever want those dates so that we can coordinate and time the cancellation. Just to clarify it's not a renting ad.