Aulani Trip Reports PLEASE!!

[Brancaneve]

We had dinner last night at Ama Ama. It was fabulous. DH had the salt crusted catch of the day and I had duck. With one appetizer and one dessert each, plus one drink and tip, out tab was $200. Lunch tab at Ama Ama was about $75 for two. At Ama Ama you get a beautiful sunset over the beach. And starting at 7 p.m., there was live entertainment.

The take out place next to Ama Ama has a really nice angus burger that they serve with greens or taro chips. Price for that was $17. Drinks in non-refill cups were $3 and bottled water was $2.50.



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Great info beachbunny. But it looks like I will be cooking most of my meals at Aulani. Meals seem very, very pricey!

 

[frank808]

OK just had to drive to Aulani early to get the grand opening pins and some other Aulani specific pins tonite (thanks for the heads up guys). The regular grand opening pins were all gone by tonite. I just missed buying the last 5 of the locket style grand opening pins with mickey. BTW there were 1400 made of these limited trading pins. Although I did get to buy the DVC member grand opening pins. They are 3d pins of mickey on a surf board sliding across the pin. So for all you DVC members we still have a chance at some grand opening pins.

After spending $150 on pins we decided to walk around waikahole valley. It is very nice at nite. There was barely anyone at the pools and there were people walking around here and there. The lazy river and slides are open 8am till 8pm. The pools are open 8am till 10pm and the jacuzzis are open till 11pm. The infinity edge jacuzzi at the edge of the property (very nice sunset view)had a whopping 4 people in it. All the employees were very nice and said hello or aloha. Every employee had that disney happiness to them. Also just like Jeff said about the parking, I just showed the valet desk my membership card and they said good nite and wrote dvc member on it and parking was free. Hope parking situation doesn't change for the members as it was great walking around and sightseeing.

 

[TreesyB]

Great info beachbunny. But it looks like I will be cooking most of my meals at Aulani. Meals seem very, very pricey!

I agree. But we are in a studio - so maybe sandwiches might be our lunch. I'm looking to see if there is a menu posted for Ama Ama yet... anyone?

 

[CruznLexi]

Does it take the Disney gift cards?

 

[incoo]

We are goingin Jan/12 and were wondering about different prices,particularly car rental costs at the resort and which company runs it and if the lenght of stay price for beach items were per person or can you share?Thank you

 

[LovinmyDisneylife]

I agree. But we are in a studio - so maybe sandwiches might be our lunch. I'm looking to see if there is a menu posted for Ama Ama yet... anyone?

http://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/dining/table-service/ama-ama-beach-restaurant/

Scroll to the bottom and there are some downloadable menus for Ama Ama.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

By the way, if you look at Jeff's pictures above, you can see the two gifts with purchase. For $19.95 you can get the burlap bag and for $29.95 you can get an Aulani throw.

Oh I am suck a sucker for those "gifts" with purchase.

I have several throws and this one will be a must have when we go here in a few weeks. Thanks for posting all these great pics!

 

[jaurban]

The gifts with purchase are all over our house - and have made packing the suitcase difficult at times... sigh...

I must book a trip to get a brown D&B bag however......hopefully there will be more.

 

[ShuisFan584]

Thank you so much for all the pictures and reports! Aulani seems really amazing and I hope to visit one day.

Are there any pictures floating around of the pools? I'd love to see them.

 

[emilymad]

I have a couple of random questions that I am sure we don't know yet but I am asking anyway

Are their laundry rooms for those in studio rooms to use like the other DVC resorts?

Any idea what the quick service dining options look like? We leave in a week and I am trying to make a shopping list for Target and trying to decide if we need to get lunch food, etc.

Thanks for all the great reviews and info!

 

[beachbunny]

I didn't see any laundry rooms but I wasn't staying on the DVC side.

Quick service options on property are limited. There is a take out window next to Ama Ama that serves burgers ($16-17), kalua pork sandwiches, and some other items. Kids meal was $7(?). A refillable mug was $32. A drink cup was $3. Inside the two stores (one is next to the lobby and one is near the pool) they sell packed lunches and drinks. There is a shave ice stand and the pool bar serves food.

 

[rparmfamily]

I am sitting at the pool right now and I absolutely love Aulani. The biggest thing is to plan your meals properly or you will be spending a lot of money on it.

The fire pit and infinity style hot tubs are wonderful at night. It is so well planned and flows so great.

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE AULANI!!!!

 

[jmatias]

We checked in last night and got to enjoy the pool today. Beautiful resort. Love reading about how everything came together......much respect for the Hawaiian culture.

All Cast Members are sooooo friendly. Everyone CM we passed took the time to say Aloha and greet you with a sincere smile.

DD & I enjoyed the two slides.....one slide you ride on a tube either single or double person. This "float" slide lands you on the lazy river so you can just keep your tube and keep going around.

The other slide is a single person slide which is dark all the way through and pretty quick. Very fun.

Jacuzzis throughout the pool area. Most beautiful one is an infinity jacuzzi with a fabulous view of the ocean.

Menehune Bridge is the children's water play area that has 2 smaller slides for the little ones and tons of water/splash/play areas.

To answer a question about laundry....there are laundry rooms available for those staying in studios.

We are in a 1 bedroom on the 16th floor island view. Nice big lanai. I took several pictures and will post early next week.

Gotta run right now and will check back if any questions.

Aloha from Aulani!

 

[Mulan2]

Thank you for all the great pictures and info on Aulani. Was in Hawaii for our honeymoon and once more after that. Planning to go in 2015 for our 20th anniversary. Seeing how expensive it will be, I better start saving now and tell the kids that they won't be going with us!

 

[frank808]

Anyone DIS wanna have a meet and drink at one of the bars sunday afternoon. I would like to meet other DIS and put some faces to the screen names. If anyone wants to meet pm me and I will try to organize a meet and drink!

 

[emilymad]

Thanks so much for the information! We are getting really excited!

 

[Popovich]

Is it $32 for ONE mug, what are tbey refilled with - Margaritas????

 

[PrincessYessenia]

Is it $32 for ONE mug, what are tbey refilled with - Margaritas????

yep, just for one...that price just can't be justified IMO

 

[Debs Hill]

Thanks for all the reports so far! Has anyone taken any of the Disney excursions? Would love to hear about those and see some photos! How about some food porn!?!

Finally, how is the spa?
Debx

 

[jmatias]

Couple of random things.

-Busy today. Looked like a lot of locals checking in for the long holiday weekend and saw many people who were just sightseeing.

-Fast, free internet in our 1 bedroom DVC unit.

-Disney put two floating platforms in the lagoon that kids could stand on top and jump in the water. People were having a lot of fun with that.

-Gift shop sold out of the larger D&B bags.

-Best DVC resort pool by far. Lots of lifeguards all around.

-Had to show room key to get towel and wrist band which is a new color everyday.

Jen