Aulani: What's the One Thing You Wish You Knew?

[yolie912]

Double post...

 

[J&K'sPrincessMommy]

I have a question about the PhotoPass CD, if you pre-purchase it online (is that possible?) can you get the CD and edit, add borders, etc?

 

[Halefamilyof6]

I don't think you can pre-purchase it online. I bought ours at the end of the trip. As far as borders, you may be able to pick a few pictures to have borders added too....BUT I'm not sure. They just take all the passes and slap the photos on a CD and give you a bunch of stock photos of the resort too (which was nice because I've used them in our photo book I'm making).

 

[luv2boys]

Anyone know if there are showers/restrooms that are public at north shore? Don't want to wear wet swimsuits back to aulani.

 

[poohj80]

I have a question about the PhotoPass CD, if you pre-purchase it online (is that possible?) can you get the CD and edit, add borders, etc?

We ordered our CD after we got home so we could add borders. Beware...if you add any photos from events like fish feeding in Rainbow Reef or Hangin' Ten with Chip n Dale, you get all the photos from the event added, not just yours. Plus, for us, we seemed to get about a dozen copies of all those event photos. It took too long to delete all those extra photos online so we just kept them with our order. We ended up with 6 CDs of digital photos.

 

[Mrmouse4me]

I wish I realized there were so many lounge chairs / umbrellas on site. We never had trouble finding a place to hang out. The outdoor furniture was top notch. Most of the chaise lounges were padded and very comfortable. There were tables/chairs available to eat at and plenty of lounge chairs to soak up sun or just relax in the shade.

In fact we cancelled our cabana reservation because we didn't need to "reserve" spots to hang out. We were there June 7 -14th. It may be more crowded later in the summer, but we had an AMAZING experience.

Thanks to everyone that posted all of that wonderful planning information! If I can help return the favor just let me know.

 

[WDW_Diane]

I wish I realized there were so many lounge chairs / umbrellas on site. We never had trouble finding a place to hang out. The outdoor furniture was top notch. Most of the chaise lounges were padded and very comfortable. There were tables/chairs available to eat at and plenty of lounge chairs to soak up sun or just relax in the shade. In fact we cancelled our cabana reservation because we didn't need to "reserve" spots to hang out. We were there June 7 -14th. It may be more crowded later in the summer, but we had an AMAZING experience. Thanks to everyone that posted all of that wonderful planning information! If I can help return the favor just let me know.

We were there around that same time period last year and always saw unused chairs. The resort didn't seem crazy crowded either.

 

[WDW_Diane]

We ordered our CD after we got home so we could add borders. Beware...if you add any photos from events like fish feeding in Rainbow Reef or Hangin' Ten with Chip n Dale, you get all the photos from the event added, not just yours. Plus, for us, we seemed to get about a dozen copies of all those event photos. It took too long to delete all those extra photos online so we just kept them with our order. We ended up with 6 CDs of digital photos.

If you don't mind, how much did you have to pay? Was it a package deal, as many photos as you can get for one price?

 

[poohj80]

If you don't mind, how much did you have to pay? Was it a package deal, as many photos as you can get for one price?

$99 just like at the resort but with borders and edits. No limit on number of photos just like at the parks.

 

[islandtimect]

The best dole whip ive had on the planet is on the same island at the Dole Plantation! I know its heresy, but it was WAAAYYYYYY better than in adventureland.[/QUOT

I agree - best Dole Whip ever is at Dole Plantation. .

 

[islandtimect]

Traffic is what you are accustomed to. We drove all around the island including airport to Aulani at rush hour and while it was slow, it no way was like driving around greater NYC.

 

[islandtimect]

I wish I realized there were so many lounge chairs / umbrellas on site. We never had trouble finding a place to hang out. The outdoor furniture was top notch. Most of the chaise lounges were padded and very comfortable. There were tables/chairs available to eat at and plenty of lounge chairs to soak up sun or just relax in the shade. In fact we cancelled our cabana reservation because we didn't need to "reserve" spots to hang out. We were there June 7 -14th. It may be more crowded later in the summer, but we had an AMAZING experience. Thanks to everyone that posted all of that wonderful planning information! If I can help return the favor just let me know.

We were there June 10-17 and while had trouble finding 2 or 3 chairs together at times, was able to have a CM either help us out, or another guest didn't need a chair shortly after we sat down. Guests who save chairs is a huge pet peeve of mine so I'm so happy Aulani is vigilant about their chair policy. A sign is posted with the chair policy at each booth that you get your towels and wrist bands, so guests must not be reading it if they aren't aware of the 1 hour policy.

 

[islandtimect]

DVC members receive free tokens for the washers and dryers to do their laundry. You bring your DVC card to the front desk and they give you them - 6 are needed for each load to wash and dry. Laundry rooms conveniently located on first floor of each tower towards lobby.

 

[Dugette]

DVC members receive free tokens for the washers and dryers to do their laundry. You bring your DVC card to the front desk and they give you them - 6 are needed for each load to wash and dry. Laundry rooms conveniently located on first floor of each tower towards lobby.

Do you know if these are available when staying on points rented from a DVC member? Or just if you are a member yourself? Thanks!

 

[Pooh2]

Anyone know if there are showers/restrooms that are public at north shore? Don't want to wear wet swimsuits back to aulani.

Was curious about this too..

 

[islandtimect]

Do you know if these are available when staying on points rented from a DVC member? Or just if you are a member yourself? Thanks!

I think it is for members only, but the CM only asked to see my room key and not DVC card so I would give it a try. Your room key will say DVC on it to show staying on points.

 

[blondietink]

We didn't think the traffic was too bad, either. We had heard some horror stories about traffic and while during rush hour on the TV reporting it looked bad, but we just planned our trips around rush hour. We were a little worried about getting into the airport at 2:30 pm, then picking up a rental car, etc. and heading into Waikiki for 3 nights, but even that wasn't too bad. Actually we had our luggage delivered to our Waikiki hotel via American airlines and the luggage made it to the hotel before we did.That saved us a lot of time getting off the plane and getting the rental as we didn't have to wait around for luggage.

 

[Dugette]

I think it is for members only, but the CM only asked to see my room key and not DVC card so I would give it a try. Your room key will say DVC on it to show staying on points.

Thanks, this is good to know!

 

[DenLo]

The North Shore is just the north shore of the island. There is a park, Waimea Bay Beach park that has rest rooms and showers. http://www.hawaiibeachtime.com/northshorestanduprentals.html#.U6MH2xaUJvA

 

[DenLo]

Technically the laundry tokens are just for DVC members, but the CMs at Aulani do only look at your card and if the owner doesn't report that you are renting then it should say DVC member. And that is how they distribute the tokens. They often ask how many you need and we just tell them how many loads we expect to do during our stay. You can go back for more if needed.