Aulani Trip Reports PLEASE!!

[theOCdisney]

While we were getting our towels I saw a lady speaking to a CM. Issue was they couldn't get towels/wrist bands for their group. Looked like daughter invited 8 friends to come along for the day even though they just had a room that fit 4. For 2 hours the kids had to swim in the ocean while Mom went to sort it out. She had to go pay for another room so they could all play at the pools.

Imagine how crazy the pool area would be if every guest were successful at renting a room and then bringing double the capacity of the room!! I'm glad Disney is enforcing their rules.

As far as 6 in a 1 bdrm, I think Disney would not allow it because they would be violating the Hawaii State occupancy regulation. I know in 2000 when we took our first family trip to Hawaii we were required to reserve 2 rooms. The capacity was 4 per room (there were 5 of us). The front desk was very strict in enforcing this policy and this was the reason they gave when I inquired. That was a turning point for us, we realized how much better it was to have more space. From then on we booked a two bedroom or two rooms wherever we went. I wouldn't want the stress of getting all the way to Hawaii only to find we had to get another room!! I realize Hawaii is expensive, but this is a risk I wouldn't take.

 

[jmatias]

Today's random posting:

- Enjoyed the Makahiki character breakfast. Saw Mickey, Minnie & Goofy. Kids all enjoyed the food. Liked it much better then the dinner buffet. Aunty was singing songs engaging people, having kids parade along with her throughout the restaurant. Cute.

- Got to the pools around 11:00 and it was crowded. Had to look around a bit before we found 1 open lounge chair. If its crowded now....it will be really crowded when the entire resort is open. Lots of loungers with just towels on it. Can only guess CMs will have to start checking on this at some point in the future.

-Loungers on the beach are free. You leave a CM monitored gate to get to the beach. They ask to see your room key or pool band to allow you back into the resort. Beach not crowded.

- Ordered lunch at One Paddle Two Paddle quick service. Wasn't quick...waited 15 mins for our food. But it was peak lunch time and I understand that this is opening week. Ordered 3 angus cheeseburgers, 1 chicken lettuce wrap, fruit cup, strawberry smoothie, and 3 drinks. Total was $72. Food was okay.

-At gift shop asked about the D&B bags and was told the sold out styles not expected back till December. There is a sign that they are taking your info if you want to be on a waiting list.

-Lots of families with kids having a great time.

Jen

 

[rascalmom]

Thanks everyone for your reports and info. I have never been to Hawaii and hope to go someday. Aulani is very, very tempting!!

 

[mardonna]

I'm not calling you a thief, I'm just trying to say that I don't understand why traveling a long way would justify breaking the rules, which seemed to be your rationale. I was just using the other statement as an example of why I thought the argument wasn't logical.

As someone else already pointed out, a child that is 3 1/2 does count in the room total as the rule is "under 3", i.e. has not yet turned 3.

I totally understand where you are coming from.....my daughter was under 3 when I made the reservation and will be 3 1/2 when we get there....and I just realized this when we stayed at Disneyland this weekend.....we always get 1 room because the room accommodates 5 plus a pack n play....my daughter hasn't slept in a pack n play since she was 2 so we have always brought her a small sleeping blow up bag......it dawned on me after reading all of these posts that this could be a problem....we have already booked our air fare and are staying at Aulani the fri-Tue before Thanksgiving so I am hoping that we can still get a 2 bedroom....we were booked in Ocean View but might need to downgrade to another view.....sounds like ocean view is not the greatest anyway....I may give the resort a call this week and get their thoughts.....

 

[blizzards39]

Can anybody tell me what alcohol/beer costs? Also, like other Disney resorts, can you discreetly consume your own on the resort grounds? What about drinks/coolers on the beach?

 

[emilymad]

For the refillable mugs is there a place to fill them with coffee in the mornings?

 

[stlrod]

Was looking for disney dining reviews and found this:
http://www.davidkucic.com/ewa-beach-real-estate/disney-aulani-resort-on-oahu-my-personal-review
Interestingly, it is the 3rd poor review of Ama Ama I have read. One is on yelp and here is the other:
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/...eachside-restaurant-at-disneys-aulani-resort/
Looks like it's going to be either the buffet or Roy's for NYE.

 

[jmatias]

For the refillable mugs is there a place to fill them with coffee in the mornings?

Yes...in the gift shop.

 

[Euchre_U]

What are the luau options at Aulani?

 

[jmatias]

What are the luau options at Aulani?

No luau at Aulani. I'm guessing because Paradise Cove is right down the road and puts on a big production.

 

[incoo]

just a quick question about the chairs on the beach,I thought you had to rent them as we are considering the lenght of stay package for beach rentals

Today's random posting:
j
- Enjoyed the Makahiki character breakfast. Saw Mickey, Minnie & Goofy. Kids all enjoyed the food. Liked it much better then the dinner buffet. Aunty was singing songs engaging people, having kids parade along with her throughout the restaurant. Cute.

- Got to the pools around 11:00 and it was crowded. Had to look around a bit before we found 1 open lounge chair. If its crowded now....it will be really crowded when the entire resort is open. Lots of loungers with just towels on it. Can only guess CMs will have to start checking on this at some point in the future.

-Loungers on the beach are free. You leave a CM monitored gate to get to the beach. They ask to see your room key or pool band to allow you back into the resort. Beach not crowded.

- Ordered lunch at One Paddle Two Paddle quick service. Wasn't quick...waited 15 mins for our food. But it was peak lunch time and I understand that this is opening week. Ordered 3 angus cheeseburgers, 1 chicken lettuce wrap, fruit cup, strawberry smoothie, and 3 drinks. Total was $72. Food was okay.

-At gift shop asked about the D&B bags and was told the sold out styles not expected back till December. There is a sign that they are taking your info if you want to be on a waiting list.

-Lots of families with kids having a great time.

Jen

 

[rparmfamily]

We had a great time and we noticed a lot of locals that were staying there were inviting their family in to play for free. Yesterday this caused problems because of the lack of available seating. I wish there was a way that they could do a better job handing out wristbands because it's clear that you can't fit a family of 20 in a regular room.

I did like how there were enforcing the people without bands to leave. A lot of people tried to come in and swim for the day but got busted.

Paradise Cove and Germaines are the luaus that Aulani has partnered up with.

Aunties Beach House for kids 3-10 was fantastic. Our kids did not want to leave at all. What a great program!

I look forward to our return trip next month.

 

[rparmfamily]

Imagine how crazy the pool area would be if every guest were successful at renting a room and then bringing double the capacity of the room!! I'm glad Disney is enforcing their rules.

As far as 6 in a 1 bdrm, I think Disney would not allow it because they would be violating the Hawaii State occupancy regulation. I know in 2000 when we took our first family trip to Hawaii we were required to reserve 2 rooms. The capacity was 4 per room (there were 5 of us). The front desk was very strict in enforcing this policy and this was the reason they gave when I inquired. That was a turning point for us, we realized how much better it was to have more space. From then on we booked a two bedroom or two rooms wherever we went. I wouldn't want the stress of getting all the way to Hawaii only to find we had to get another room!! I realize Hawaii is expensive, but this is a risk I wouldn't take.

A lot of families that are local are passing out their room keys to their friends so they can get wristbands. Saw it four times and I noticed that the cast members working the stand were being very flexible on the rules. Three ladies with no room key got a wristband because they go to college with the guy at the stand.

 

[tamclan]

Can you please advise what is included in the $99 length of stay recreation.


Thanks,

 

[TreesyB]

No luau at Aulani. I'm guessing because Paradise Cove is right down the road and puts on a big production.

Hmmm... just reading about Paradise Cove and there are many mixed reviews including the kind of food served. Anybody know of other Luaus?

 

[TreesyB]

Was looking for disney dining reviews and found this:
http://www.davidkucic.com/ewa-beach-real-estate/disney-aulani-resort-on-oahu-my-personal-review
Interestingly, it is the 3rd poor review of Ama Ama I have read. One is on yelp and here is the other:
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2011/...eachside-restaurant-at-disneys-aulani-resort/
Looks like it's going to be either the buffet or Roy's for NYE.

That's discouraging. Hopefully it's the opening week jitters and they will all get their act together by November! I booked Ama Ama at sunset for my birthday dinner. I think the atmosphere is itself is worth the price though - saw some pictures on Yelp and it's gorgeous!

 

[DisneyFan68]

A lot of families that are local are passing out their room keys to their friends so they can get wristbands. Saw it four times and I noticed that the cast members working the stand were being very flexible on the rules. Three ladies with no room key got a wristband because they go to college with the guy at the stand.

I'm so disappointed to hear that because it's not fair for all the other paying guests that won't get a seat or have to deal with the crowd because of other people bringing in their friends and family and letting them use the pool facilities without actually staying there. I was wondering about this and if people would be doing this against the rules and apparently it is happening. I really hope that they start enforcing the rules more and come up with a better system. Knowing some locals, they may bring their extended ohana and have a huge pool party leaving paying guests to find empty chairs else where. Very disappointing...

 

[bwvBound]

Looks like it's going to be either the buffet or Roy's for NYE.

We are definitely planning on visiting Roy's when we visit later this month. I've already cashed in some Amex Member Reward points for the Roy's gift card. Looking forward to our trip!

 

[carlbarry]

Can you please advise what is included in the $99 length of stay recreation.


Thanks,

According to a picture posted of the prices at "Malibu Joe's Beach Rentals," the "Length of Stay Recreation Includes unlimited Rainbow Reef experience & beach rentals $99" Presumably, "beach rentals" would include the items listed above that notice on the sign, namely "Snorkel Set," "Single Kayak," "Double Kayak," "Stand up Paddle Board," "Beach Umbrella," and "Double Chase (sic) Lounge Chair."

 

[jmatias]

just a quick question about the chairs on the beach,I thought you had to rent them as we are considering the lenght of stay package for beach rentals

I believe the beach lounger is free for resort guests. The lounger is tan to differentiate it from the Ihilani chairs which are white.

There is a $15 daily charge for a beach umbrella.