Aulani Owners Thread - ALOHA!

[AstroBlasters]

Aloha from Aulani!

Have been so busy since we got here I haven’t had much time to be on my phone. That’s a good thing!

This stay hasn’t been as good as our last stay. Part of it could be bringing extra family that adds a thick layer of stress. That is completely my fault and a mistake I won’t make again. On check in day our room was ready literally at 4pm to the second. In the future I need to book a cabana for check in day or an extra night. The lounge was a huge disappointment and frankly upsetting. The room was packed with people, many of them sleeping. Unacceptable imo.

The member welcome home weeks activity was booked up many days in advance. That’s okay I understand.

The character lines so far have been very long and I witnessed non guests lie their way into staying in line. The HOKU Hideaway characters aren’t DVC exclusive.

The upside is most CM outside of check in have been wonderful. The room is is great condition. Views are beautiful. We are still very happy to be an owner for now.

PS my magic bands work perfectly!

Yes, adding extended family definitely adds stress and we are huge fans of having a cabana or veranda booked on arrival day.

I hope a few more days waking up to ocean front views and a few more nights of enjoying the music at Olelo room soothes your soul!

 

[GrimGrinningGuy]

Aloha from Aulani!

Have been so busy since we got here I haven’t had much time to be on my phone. That’s a good thing!

This stay hasn’t been as good as our last stay. Part of it could be bringing extra family that adds a thick layer of stress. That is completely my fault and a mistake I won’t make again. On check in day our room was ready literally at 4pm to the second. In the future I need to book a cabana for check in day or an extra night. The lounge was a huge disappointment and frankly upsetting. The room was packed with people, many of them sleeping. Unacceptable imo.

The member welcome home weeks activity was booked up many days in advance. That’s okay I understand.

The character lines so far have been very long and I witnessed non guests lie their way into staying in line. The HOKU Hideaway characters aren’t DVC exclusive.

The upside is most CM outside of check in have been wonderful. The room is is great condition. Views are beautiful. We are still very happy to be an owner for now.

PS my magic bands work perfectly!

How much extra family?

Surprised to hear the character lines are long since schools back

 

[juliebee]

How much extra family?

Surprised to hear the character lines are long since schools back

Some areas of the US don’t start school until after Labor Day, including some of Oregon and Washington

 

[Doingitagain]

Some areas of the US don’t start school until after Labor Day, including some of Oregon and Washington

Same for most of Minnesota. Last week was a big travel week since summer camps and sports programs were over and school was not in session for a lot of families.

 

[VGCgroupie]

We may start planning our trips in Sept or May rather than August. Although we were here last August and it seemed less busy even though it was still probably sold out.

Last night was a good night, and I felt much more at ease. So I can admit it’s more than likely the family . Also if it weren’t for the extra family we wouldn’t have even stepped foot in the lounge to know what was happening in there. It’s also them that point out all the negatives that normally are things that I don’t care much about. I understand the limitations of being DVC vs cash and they don’t.

Photo of the view from the balcony

 

[VGCgroupie]

Oh and I am so happy with the slippers!! I love they have the Aulani logo unlike the other resorts that are plain. (For those that don’t know you just call the front desk and ask for slippers)



Secured the first of my resort collection. Thank again @AstroBlasters for posting about his.

 

[emchen]

Part of it could be bringing extra family that adds a thick layer of stress.

Please expand on the “thick layer of stress”.

Was it because of check-in day and you felt responsible somehow for the packed lounge, or 4pm room availability, or something else? Did you book a 2-3 bedroom or multiple studios/hotel rooms for the additional family?

 

[AstroBlasters]

Please expand on the “thick layer of stress”.

Was it because of check-in day and you felt responsible somehow for the packed lounge, or 4pm room availability, or something else? Did you book a 2-3 bedroom or multiple studios/hotel rooms for the additional family?

She’s in a Grand Villa!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Please expand on the “thick layer of stress”.

Was it because of check-in day and you felt responsible somehow for the packed lounge, or 4pm room availability, or something else? Did you book a 2-3 bedroom or multiple studios/hotel rooms for the additional family?

Well my family is extra when it comes to being difficult. I knew this going in. The resort was packed and my mom was tired and couldn’t walk much to even do the resort tours etc and we cancelled Pearl Harbor. Baby was hungry. So it was the 5 hours of having no room that made them on edge and scoffing at how 4pm is so late. They agreed to change to hang at pool or beach but then when we walked into the lounge it was like a hostel… not even joking. People everywhere 50% of them sleeping on floors and in chairs. It was very off putting, did not feel like I think Aulani should feel. Front desk made statements like “it’s the grand villa so you will have to wait longer for a room”. Hearing that makes a non DVC person think wow other places treat their high category room guests like royalty why would spend money here. Other people’s extended family probably would’ve handled it better then mine so a thick layer of stress for me trying to defend my beloved Aulani and still trying to make everyone happy

 

[AstroBlasters]

Well my family is extra when it comes to being difficult. I knew this going in. The resort was packed and my mom was tired and couldn’t walk much to even do the resort tours etc and we cancelled Pearl Harbor. Baby was hungry. So it was the 5 hours of having no room that made them on edge and scoffing at how 4pm is so late. They agreed to change to hang at pool or beach but then when we walked into the lounge it was like a hostel… not even joking. People everywhere 50% of them sleeping on floors and in chairs. It was very off putting, did not feel like I think Aulani should feel. Front desk made statements like “it’s the grand villa so you will have to wait longer for a room”. Hearing that makes a non DVC person think wow other places treat their high category room guests like royalty why would spend money here. Other people’s extended family probably would’ve handled it better then mine so a thick layer of stress for me trying to defend my beloved Aulani and still trying to make everyone happy

Lions do not concern themselves with the opinions of sheep….

 

[VGCgroupie]

Lions do not concern themselves with the opinions of sheep….

The Leo in me

 

[808blessing]

Yea, I would be giving some extra love and care ...and time to my Grand Villa customers!! Sheesh!!!!

 

[Doingitagain]

Yea, I would be giving some extra love and care ...and time to my Grand Villa customers!! Sheesh!!!!

They probably worded it poorly…I think the issue with Grand Villas is that there are not as many of them and they don’t have flexibility to find another room that is ready.