Aulani Villas & Views -- REVISED 07/22/2017

[SenorGreg]

Thanks for your help wdrl, when I look at the photos of the landscaping it doesn't look like it would be overly obstructed, as in all you could see is the back of a tree/bush, unless there has been a lot more growth there since the photo.

As for the ocean view rooms, I get some confusing messages from Disney, but it seems like the majority of Ocean View hotel rooms are on the pool side at least.

 

[carissa1970]

So, I am wondering if I can get some help with our dilemma.

We are going to Aulani next month, staying in a hotel room, not villa, as we were not able to get a points reservation (rental) for our dates. We would really really like to have a view of the main pool area (Waikolohe Valley). We found a good deal and because we couldn't decide, we booked a Poolside Gardens View AND a Ocean View room. We now need to decide which reservation we will keep.


[*]Does anyone know whether there are any Ocean View hotel rooms that do not look over the valley? In other words, are on the other side of the building.

On the phone, a helpful person at Aulani did warn us that a Poolside Gardens view room may only be looking straight into a tree, and not actually have any view of a pool.


[*]Does anyone know if there is much risk of obstructed views from Poolside Gardens view rooms?

Basically, we want a good view of the valley, but if we can save money by not staying in an Ocean View, that would be great.

We had a 4th floor pool view and the view you are looking for...not sure which post on here, but I included photos! It was room 406 a 1bdrm. There was a studio lock off in room 408. It was a gorgeous view!

 

[SenorGreg]

We had a 4th floor pool view and the view you are looking for...not sure which post on here, but I included photos! It was room 406 a 1bdrm. There was a studio lock off in room 408. It was a gorgeous view!

Thanks for that, I looked up your post and it helps. The hotel rooms are in a different building to the DVC Villas though, so that may make a difference since that building is not as close to the pool area and has more landscaping in front of it.

 

[TLHB70]

Hello everyone. I am popping in to ask a question.
As you can see in my signature, we are heading to Alauni next weekend after my DD's high school graduation! YAY!
We are not DVC members; we are just booked in a hotel room. My younger DD is most excited because she has read about the teen spa. She is asking me if there is a teen club as well, like on the Disney cruise ships. Can you tell me about that? Is there a teen club and a teen spa? Or is there just a teen spa and a kids club? My two DDs are ages 14 and 17. (The graduating senior will turn 18 in July.) They both would enjoy a teen club if there is one.
Thanks for any information you can share.

 

[Iceman93]

Just a kids' club and a teen spa, sorry! But I think between the lazy river, water slides, beach activities, excursions, etc. your two teens will not be bored...

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

As PP stayed, there isn't an actual club for them. However they do have set activities each day for teens

I scanned many daily Iwa's and on the second page of each day they list family, kids and teen activities. I saw art classes, scavenger hunts, fitness activities, etc.

Here is a link to the Iwa's :
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3103331

Have fun!

 

[DenLo]

The Teen Spa is more than a spa. Here's what the website says is available at the Painted Sky for teens.

PAINTED SKY
This 1,500-square-foot retreat for Guests ages 13 to 17 has its own private entrance and features such amenities as:
Lounge
Yogurt and elixir bar
Interactive retail
Computer stations
Daily teen-only events
Evening programs for teens
D.I.Y. mixology bar for perfumes, body polishes and face masks
Teen-specific massages, facials, manicures and pedicuresincluding Spa services designed for young men

I know when we were there a lot of teens would meet up at the Painted Sky each day.

BTW, I think there was a drink refill station in Painted Sky as well.

 

[KristinS]

Hi all,

I've been wait listed for rental points for two 2/2 suites in January 2014. We're comparing prices through Disney itself even though we know it's waaay more money.

My question is--on the site is lists strictly ocean view, island view and standard. Where does the Pool Gardens View come into play--because we'd be happy with this view? Is that just lumped under ocean view for the same $$?

Thanks!

 

[carissa1970]

Hi all,

I've been wait listed for rental points for two 2/2 suites in January 2014. We're comparing prices through Disney itself even though we know it's waaay more money.

My question is--on the site is lists strictly ocean view, island view and standard. Where does the Pool Gardens View come into play--because we'd be happy with this view? Is that just lumped under ocean view for the same $$?

Thanks!

When you book on the DVC website with points, there is a poolside/garden choice. Not sure if that view exists for the regular hotel guests. Maybe when you rent the points, the member you rent from will be able to choose it? It is less points than ocean view and more that island view.

 

[TLHB70]

Thanks for the helpful information. It seems like the teen spa will be a place to check out and maybe meet other teens. I know my DDs will be interested in the teen activities too. Thank you! We can't wait to go!!!!

 

[Anal Annie]

The Teen Spa is more than a spa. Here's what the website says is available at the Painted Sky for teens.



I know when we were there a lot of teens would meet up at the Painted Sky each day.

BTW, I think there was a drink refill station in Painted Sky as well.

Is it just me or does this whole "teen spa" sound more for girls than boys?

 

[Iceman93]

Is it just me or does this whole "teen spa" sound more for girls than boys?

No more so than spas in general are more for girls than boys. Some men absolutely enjoy the spa experience, while others find it too feminine and girly.

I suspect that the teen boys who would actually go to the teen spa would find the ratio of boys to girls to be much in their favor, making them quite glad they decided to go!

 

[carissa1970]

Is it just me or does this whole "teen spa" sound more for girls than boys?

We went into the teen spa because they have a frozen yogurt stand with something close to a Dole Whip. The front area was just a hang out area. TVs, computers, chairs and couches, music. Very teens friendly, boy or girl. I think everyone would enjoy that area, at least.

 

[tchrrx]

At the beginning stages of thinking about Aulani, and DH has a few questions.

- Is it difficult to book this resort if you don't own there? (We have SSR)

- What is the best way to island hop? DH is convinced that if we travel to Hawaii, then we'll want to see several different islands.

- If you could choose any week between May 25 and August 1, which would you choose and why?

 

[carissa1970]

At the beginning stages of thinking about Aulani, and DH has a few questions.

- Is it difficult to book this resort if you don't own there? (We have SSR)

- What is the best way to island hop? DH is convinced that if we travel to Hawaii, then we'll want to see several different islands.

- If you could choose any week between May 25 and August 1, which would you choose and why?

We stayed 7 days and barely left the resort. Will consider Island hopping after the next couple of times, perhaps.

I'd go May 25 right away. Most kids still in school, and the weather looks great right now!

 

[SenorGreg]

- What is the best way to island hop? DH is convinced that if we travel to Hawaii, then we'll want to see several different islands.

I am curious to hear the answer to the availability question.

As to island hopping, just book an inter-island flight on Hawaiian Airlines. Most flights are less than 45 minutes long and pretty easy. Personally, I would recommend Kauai and/or the Big Island since they are most different to Oahu. They also more easily let you see a quieter side of Hawaii.

Have a great time!

 

[amym2]

At the beginning stages of thinking about Aulani, and DH has a few questions.

- Is it difficult to book this resort if you don't own there? (We have SSR)

- What is the best way to island hop? DH is convinced that if we travel to Hawaii, then we'll want to see several different islands.

- If you could choose any week between May 25 and August 1, which would you choose and why?

We also own at SSR and had no trouble booking Aulani, although we are going in October. You shouldn't have any difficulty if you book right at 7mos.

On our last trip to Hawaii (before Aulani was open) we spent a few nights on Oahu and a few on the Big Island. Our kids were staying with my parents, so we weren't comfortable being gone more than a week. This time the kids are going with us, so we're spending 5 nights at Aulani then 5 nights on Kauai in a rental house. It's easy to island hop since there are a number of interisland airlines (we're using Hawaiian Air, just under $70 each way from Honolulu to Kauai and back). Some people do day trips to different islands, but I can't imagine doing that. It is definitely worth it to visit multiple islands on a trip because the islands are all so different. We loved the Big Island, with Volcanoes Nat'l Park, stargazing on Mauna Kea, coffee farms in Kona. This time we are looking forward to the lushness of Kauai as well as a NaPali boat tour and Waimea Canyon.

I agree, go earlier rather than later before most schools get out for summer.

 

[Anal Annie]

At the beginning stages of thinking about Aulani, and DH has a few questions.

- Is it difficult to book this resort if you don't own there? (We have SSR)

- What is the best way to island hop? DH is convinced that if we travel to Hawaii, then we'll want to see several different islands.

- If you could choose any week between May 25 and August 1, which would you choose and why?

We also own at SSR and I was able to book a week for this August at Aulani in an OV studio. I was online and logged in prior to 8:00 and READY to book as soon as the clock turned to 8:00. While this will be our first trip to Aulani it will be my 5th trip to Hawaii in general. Your DH is right - you should definitely try to island hop while you are there (try to go for at least 10 nights). Each island is different and has it's own personality. It's also way too far to go and too expensive to get there to not take advantage of having already bought the flights. If you book far enough out the inter-island flights start around $65 or $68 one-way (we also prefer Hawaiian Airline for our inter-island flights). If you choose to visit Aulani first then island hop you can often find return flights home direct from most of the islands so you don't HAVE to return thru HNL - although your choices will be more limited. (We prefer to eliminate that extra plane change and added expense of a return flight to HNL so we try to fly home out of whatever island we're finishing on - usually Maui.)

Maui is our fav. island followed by the Big Island. We have not stayed on Kauai but have done a day trip before (back in the day before flights got so expensive and before the 9/11 security got to be such a pain). I wouldn't do a "day trip" now - I would switch islands for at least 3 nights (not worth the hassle otherwise). All of the islands are beautiful but we thought Kauai was a little too quiet for what we're looking for. Maui offers a lot great sightseeing and snorkeling and the Big Island is unique in that it has the biggest mix of terrain and climates plus the active volcano, Kilauea. (Whenever we visit the Big Island we always do a helicopter tour over the volcano which is INCREDIBLE.) Since the Big Island is the "newest" island the beaches really haven't developed there yet. The coastline is all lava rock for the most part so if you're looking for long stretches of beautiful sandy beaches I'd recommend Ka'anapali on Maui.

As far as timing I have been in late April/early May, late October, mid-July and late August/early September and all of the times were fantastic as far as weather. I have read where the availability at Aulani may be harder to get in the late May / June timeframe because the points are less so you may want to plan to be flexible with your dates and if you can't get in for May 25 just shoot for later in the summer when the points go up a bit.

 

[TLHB70]

We went into the teen spa because they have a frozen yogurt stand with something close to a Dole Whip. The front area was just a hang out area. TVs, computers, chairs and couches, music. Very teens friendly, boy or girl. I think everyone would enjoy that area, at least.

My DD is asking if you have to pay to be a member of the teen spa to access the hang out area. Or do you just pay for any spa service you want and the hang out area is free to the teens???

 

[wdrl]

My DD is asking if you have to pay to be a member of the teen spa to access the hang out area. Or do you just pay for any spa service you want and the hang out area is free to the teens???

There is no charge if your teens just want to hang out at the teen spa area. Its much like a community hall at DVC resorts: Lots of things are free, but occasionally you'll find some pay-to-play items.

By the Way: Auntie's Beach House has lots of things to keep kids entertained, but its only available to kids ages 3 to 12.