Here is our Aulani trip report. I will break out my thread by day, because it's a lot of info. If you want to keep an element of surprise for your trip, don't read this.... I've pretty much outlined the key attractions. Please note, this is as of November 2011 - looks like the programs are still evolving.
I have the full trip report with photos up on www.shuweb.com.
Background
This is a babymoon. In other words, there won't be a big trip for the next couple of years, and this was a good enough reason to visit Aulani, a new Disney resort that opened just a few months before.
Aulani is located on the southwestern side of Oahu, in a little "community" called Ko Olina. It's a little ways from Waikiki, so for most people, this little gem has remained unknown. But now with Aulani, the main attraction in Oahu has just shifted to Ko Olina.
Day 1
As we arrived in Ko Olina, we passed through a gate with security. I'm not sure whether non-guests of the restaurants/hotels are not allowed, but the security guard had our name on a roster, and we were allowed to proceed. There are two primary hotels here - the JW Marriott and Aulani, both of which share a beach in a small lagoon like area. there is also Roy's, which is a very well known restaurant (see also our Oahu trip from the year before).
Upon arrival, we were presented our lei (our daughter received a necklace) and were whisked away to be checked in - we were taken to a concierge desk where Teresa took care of our check in, restaurant reservations, gave us the Daily Iwa, and showed us the map of the property. The welcome was very nice - she took all the time we needed to start our stay. We went up to our room 1531, where our luggage arrived.
The room was very nicely done - it highlighted Hawaiian culture and crafts as opposed to Disney itself. In fact, the only hint of Disney was a lamp of Mickey (Note: partial ocean view could also be a view of the parking lot. Consider facing the pool instead).They designed the room well - it was very tastefully done. We walked back into the lobby floor, which was beautifully decorated in every direction. There were staff everywhere, all of them very willing to help and share their own wonderful experiences at Aulani.
As soon as we walked out to the pool area, we saw Stitch - he was greeting the kids in a Hawaiian shirt. The wait to take pictures with took less than five minutes, which is unheard of at Disneyland.
We knew about the nearby grocery store - it is an ABC store - so we walked down the hill and across the street - and found everything from salads made to order, quick take out food and fruits. In the immediate area, there were also an ice cream store, Mexican restaurant, Hawaiian BBQ, etc.*
Our daughter went to Aunty's Beach House, a kids only club for hotel guests, where she dressed up as Cinderella and did arts and crafts and had a tea party. There are a ton of staff - they were very nice and attentive; on that day, it was 2 staff for every kid when I picked up Cinderella (yes, she was in the costume). I inquired about the cleanliness of the dress - and based on the answer, I was satisfied (let's just say that they go through A LOT of dresses). I then went on to explore the resort - and my wife was happily enjoying the nice hotel room.
We had dinner at Makahiki - a buffet. This is one of two restaurants that require reservations, even for breakfast. It's not cheap either - $43 for adults for dinner (and around $25 for adult breakfast). The buffet was not bad, but I didn't feel like I ate my money's worth.
After dinner, our daughter went back to the beach house where she apparently dressed up as Snow White and had a blast hanging out.
I have the full trip report with photos up on www.shuweb.com.
Background
This is a babymoon. In other words, there won't be a big trip for the next couple of years, and this was a good enough reason to visit Aulani, a new Disney resort that opened just a few months before.
Aulani is located on the southwestern side of Oahu, in a little "community" called Ko Olina. It's a little ways from Waikiki, so for most people, this little gem has remained unknown. But now with Aulani, the main attraction in Oahu has just shifted to Ko Olina.
Day 1
As we arrived in Ko Olina, we passed through a gate with security. I'm not sure whether non-guests of the restaurants/hotels are not allowed, but the security guard had our name on a roster, and we were allowed to proceed. There are two primary hotels here - the JW Marriott and Aulani, both of which share a beach in a small lagoon like area. there is also Roy's, which is a very well known restaurant (see also our Oahu trip from the year before).
Upon arrival, we were presented our lei (our daughter received a necklace) and were whisked away to be checked in - we were taken to a concierge desk where Teresa took care of our check in, restaurant reservations, gave us the Daily Iwa, and showed us the map of the property. The welcome was very nice - she took all the time we needed to start our stay. We went up to our room 1531, where our luggage arrived.
The room was very nicely done - it highlighted Hawaiian culture and crafts as opposed to Disney itself. In fact, the only hint of Disney was a lamp of Mickey (Note: partial ocean view could also be a view of the parking lot. Consider facing the pool instead).They designed the room well - it was very tastefully done. We walked back into the lobby floor, which was beautifully decorated in every direction. There were staff everywhere, all of them very willing to help and share their own wonderful experiences at Aulani.
As soon as we walked out to the pool area, we saw Stitch - he was greeting the kids in a Hawaiian shirt. The wait to take pictures with took less than five minutes, which is unheard of at Disneyland.
We knew about the nearby grocery store - it is an ABC store - so we walked down the hill and across the street - and found everything from salads made to order, quick take out food and fruits. In the immediate area, there were also an ice cream store, Mexican restaurant, Hawaiian BBQ, etc.*
Our daughter went to Aunty's Beach House, a kids only club for hotel guests, where she dressed up as Cinderella and did arts and crafts and had a tea party. There are a ton of staff - they were very nice and attentive; on that day, it was 2 staff for every kid when I picked up Cinderella (yes, she was in the costume). I inquired about the cleanliness of the dress - and based on the answer, I was satisfied (let's just say that they go through A LOT of dresses). I then went on to explore the resort - and my wife was happily enjoying the nice hotel room.
We had dinner at Makahiki - a buffet. This is one of two restaurants that require reservations, even for breakfast. It's not cheap either - $43 for adults for dinner (and around $25 for adult breakfast). The buffet was not bad, but I didn't feel like I ate my money's worth.
After dinner, our daughter went back to the beach house where she apparently dressed up as Snow White and had a blast hanging out.