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

[wdrl]

So does ewa tower have better views thank the other tower? Should I reconsider my requests?
I really like the view from 1204 from the pictures? What building has better views??

Thanks!!

Views are subjective, so I wouldn't necessarily agree that the Ewa Building has better views. There are many Waianae Building villas that face the Waikolohe Valley (home to the main pool and lazy river) that have great views, too. I'd be extremely happy if we were assigned villa #1204 on our next trip to Aulani (which, by the way, is a mere 456 days from today).

 

[Doingitagain]

In a dedicated 2 bd, do the angled balconies connect? I would assume there is a balcony off the master bedroom, the living area and the 2nd bedroom---do they all connect (can you walk from the bedroom balcony to the living room balcony? or are they 3 individual balconies that are not connected?
I can find pictures of the non angled balconies, but no pictures of the angled ones. Are they as large as the non angled ones?
I think both my DH and myself will spend lots of time on the balcony and the views from XX08 and XX10 seem to be just what I would like, but maybe I should rethink these with the children's play area nearby.

The dedicated 2 BR we had in March did not have connecting balconies. Separate one for each bedroom and the living area.

 

[dato63]

Hi. We just got back from Hawaii. We spent 3 days at Aulani before boarding the NCL POA. We had a dedicated 2 bedroom w/an ocean view in the Ewa building. Villa #1060.

Here are pics of our view.

Zoomed


Not zoomed


We had a really long balcony too.


Although we were on the side not facing the pool, and at first I was disappointed - it turned out to be a great location. We were close to Aunty's house, the dining options as well as near the elevator for a quick ride down to the lobby & the pool area.

Our time at Aulani & the island of Kauai were the highlights of our vacation.

 

[wdrl]

Hi. We just got back from Hawaii. We spent 3 days at Aulani before boarding the NCL POA. We had a dedicated 2 bedroom w/an ocean view in the Ewa building. Villa #1060.

Thanks for sharing your photos. Many people ask about the size of the non-angled balconies and whether they extend the entire length of the villa. I'll refer them to your photo next time they ask.

We, too, did the NCL Pride of America when we visited Hawaii last year. We took a couple of helicopter excursions while aboard, including one on Kauai. They were definite highlights of our cruise.

 

[dato63]

Considering how many times I came her to drool over the pics while waiting for our trip, I was happy to get to contribute.

The balcony was amazing.

 

[Saralyn]

The dedicated 2 BR we had in March did not have connecting balconies. Separate one for each bedroom and the living area.

Our ocean view dedicated 2BR has 2 separate angled balconies, one for the master BR and one shared by the living room and 2nd BR.

 

[DenLo]

It definitely appears that the only straight balconies are connected on a dedicated 2BR and are located in the 1st phase (near lobby) of the Ewa building or the short wing of the Ewa building (overlooking the Starlight Hui lawn).

 

[disneybirds]

We had a 1 bedroom with a long balcony. Room 653 in the Ewa Building.

 

[aboveH20]

I'll start with my easy question. I keep searching for Aulani info. I'm just a peasant, not a DVC member. Does Aulani have its own thread anywhere or do I always just go to DVC and pretend I fit in?

Okay, got that out of the way. I followed the link to your report about Aulani and POA. We're planning to do the same in February (while I'm celebrating a round birthday -- I'm guessing we're close in age) but in reverse order.

1. Do you know how long we can wait to book in hopes of getting a "deal"? While I'd love to rent points, my mother is 88 and lives alone and I need to be able to cancel and get travel insurance. I know that's not possible with renting. If I need to book today I will, but if I can wait and hope for fall specials without losing the ability to book, I'll wait.

1a. (I won't even ask about category/room suggestions, you covered that very thoroughly and I think we're going to bite the bullet and get ocean view.)

2. Other than helicopter tours, any recommendations for POA excursions?

3. I don't think I remember your mentioning attending a luau. Did you? Recommendations?

4. Top two 'must do' dinners on board and at/near Aulani?

5. Anything else I'm forgetting to ask?

AND I'm dying of curiosity. At your DVC tour, why did they give you a lei but tell you not to wear it???

I won't say this is a once in a lifetime trip, but last time I went I saw Don Ho and last time my husband went he was on R 'n' R from Vietnam. We're coming from New York so don't know that we'll want to make the trip again and hope to make the most of this trip.

Thanks for any insights.

 

[lurkyloo]

I'm not the OP, but I have an exhaustive (exhausting?) trip report on our February stay at Aulani that answers some of your questions, like about luaus and restaurant recommendations...

DISBoards version: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3068356

Blog version (uninterrupted by comments): http://disneytravelbabble.com/trip-reports/aulani-to-wdw/


I, too, had trouble finding Aulani info outside of the DVC forums on this board, but I will say that the folks there are very helpful to DVC members and non-members alike.

 

[wdrl]

AND I'm dying of curiosity. At your DVC tour, why did they give you a lei but tell you not to wear it???

When we attended the Mahalo Monday Mingle for DVC members we, too, were given leis as we entered and told not to put them on. During the Mingle, a Cast Member explained the significance of the lei in Hawaiian culture and showed us the proper way to present the lei to a another person. The importance of a lei is not just in receiving one, but in giving it to another.

 

[Saralyn]

1474 is an ocean view dedicated 2BR villa. Some people may prefer the rooms on the outside of the buildings, but as far as I'm concerned, I wouldn't have traded my view of Waikolohe Valley for anything. The afternoon sun on the balconies was quite strong, enough to drive us inside after very long. Next time I might request the Waianae Building as we enjoy sitting on the balcony in the afternoon after a morning of swimming and it would be nice to be in the shade. All in all, we loved our villa. These observations aren't criticisms, just things to keep in mind when making a request for our ideal room.

View from master bedroom balcony. You can see the Aulani arch that adorns the building obstructs the view of the ocean a little.



View from living room/second bedroom balcony. Here the Aulani arch partially obstructs the view of the part of the Ewa Building closest to the lobby.

 

[wdrl]

1474 is an ocean view dedicated 2BR villa.

I wouldn't have traded my view of Waikolohe Valley for anything.

I agree. I really liked facing Waikolohe Valley. Personally, I'd sacrifice having a high floor just to get a villa facing the Valley.

I've added your villa to the list in Post #1. Mahalo!

 

[tripletsmama]

I studied this thread to make my request for our island garden villa, and today our wait list for standard view came through. The island garden views didn't impress me, so I figured if I wasn't getting an amazing view, might as well save some points and do standard.

What are the possible views and locations of standard view villas? We have a dedicated 2 bedroom.

 

[yolie912]

Is it a good idea to just request the exact room number I want or go the other route... High floor blah blah blah??

Thanks!!

 

[JWG]

Is it a good idea to just request the exact room number I want or go the other route... High floor blah blah blah??

Thanks!!

You can, but the more specific you are, the harder to match. A specific room means that some family has to be checking out of that exact room the day you come. High floor leaves more options. We have island garden view and requested rooms ending in xx81 or xx87 high floor. That leaves about 20 rooms that match our request. I may have me last digits wrong. I've forgotten what they were.

 

[Saralyn]

I studied this thread to make my request for our island garden villa, and today our wait list for standard view came through. The island garden views didn't impress me, so I figured if I wasn't getting an amazing view, might as well save some points and do standard.

What are the possible views and locations of standard view villas? We have a dedicated 2 bedroom.

According to the first post on this thread (http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=44545898&postcount=1) there are only 9 dedicated 2BR standard view villas, #s x51 and x61. There are pics posted from 551 and 651 listed under Quick Links to Specific Posts. Have a great trip!

 

[tripletsmama]

Thanks for the reply. I can't believe there are only 9 dedicated 2 bedroom standard view villas! From looking at the map and the breakdown of views it appears they switch from standard view to island garden view between the 7th and 8th floor. So would it be good to request highest floor possible to maybe get a little better view?

 

[wdrl]

Thanks for the reply. I can't believe there are only 9 dedicated 2 bedroom standard view villas! From looking at the map and the breakdown of views it appears they switch from standard view to island garden view between the 7th and 8th floor. So would it be good to request highest floor possible to maybe get a little better view?

There won't be much of a view in the Standard View villas, but I imagine the higher floors might have a relatively "better" view.

Here is a photo looking at the Short Wing of the Ewa Building. The dedicated two-bedroom villas with room numbers ending in xx61 make up the last 'column' of villas on the left, furthest from the camera.

The photo was taken from the courtyard right outside the convention hall, which is the building in the center and left of the photo. Although it may not look like it, the courtyard is actually on the third floor of the resort. On this side of the Short Wing, the third floor is at ground level -- there is no first or second floor on this side of the building. If you look closely at the base of the Short Wing, you'll see the villas that make up the third floor. By the way, the top floor is the 16th floor. If you count down 9 floors (there is no 13th floor), you get to the 7th floor, which is the highest floor for Standard View villas.

I know this doesn't help showing the view from the villa, but it gives me an excuse to ramble on about Aulani. Mahalo!

 

[aboveH20]

I know this doesn't help showing the view from the villa, but it gives me an excuse to ramble on about Aulani. Mahalo!

and