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

[Girimama33]

Has anyone got an email address for room requests please rather than through the "contact us"

Many thanks

We paid cash for our rooms last summer and I just called Aulani directly to put in my room requests (I had 2 rooms booked). My request was fortunately honored as well.
The # I called was 808 674 6200.

 

[crystal1313]

Hi Crystal ~ You are going to love Aulani. When are you going?
There are two different Pearl Harbor excursions you can book through Aulani. One is for the USS Arizona Memorial only (we did this one). You leave Aulani about 6:30 am. When you get to the USS Arizona Memorial grounds (also has a bunch of shops, museums and the Bowfin Submarine. We had time to tour all of these before our 8:30 movie and tender time. We were back at Aulani by noon. The other goes to Punchbowl cemetery, USS Arizona and the USS MO. I have not done that one personally, but have heard good things about it.
Let me know if you have any other questions about Aulani or Hawaii in general (I used to live there). Happy planning.

Hi Girimama33!! Our trip is July 11-18, 2016! We are SO excited!! We are going to celebrate our 15 year wedding anniversary and my parents 41st wedding anniversary! (and my parents and DS6 and DS8 have never flown on an airplane before!) We are now considering just renting a car for the day, since there are so many of us instead of the tour. Do you park in the same area for everything (USS Arizona and the USS MO)? Thank you so much!!!

Also, since we are not DVC members, we are thinking to take the Speddi-shuttle to and from the airport, but I am reading some not so great reviews. Anyone offer any advice and/or experience with that? We just really don't want to pay the $35 parking fee and other than Pearl Harbor, don't have plans to venture offsite much. We really want to relax and enjoy all that Aulani has to offer. TIA!

 

[Girimama33]

Hi Girimama33!! Our trip is July 11-18, 2016! We are SO excited!! We are going to celebrate our 15 year wedding anniversary and my parents 41st wedding anniversary! (and my parents and DS6 and DS8 have never flown on an airplane before!) We are now considering just renting a car for the day, since there are so many of us instead of the tour. Do you park in the same area for everything (USS Arizona and the USS MO)? Thank you so much!!!

Also, since we are not DVC members, we are thinking to take the Speddi-shuttle to and from the airport, but I am reading some not so great reviews. Anyone offer any advice and/or experience with that? We just really don't want to pay the $35 parking fee and other than Pearl Harbor, don't have plans to venture offsite much. We really want to relax and enjoy all that Aulani has to offer. TIA!

Happy anniversary all around!

My first trip was July 12-19. My parents took the kids and grandkids to Aulani. There were 13 in our group total. We came in separate groups, since we live in different areas. DH, DD (5 at the time) and I had already booked Speedi Shuttle (as did the rest of my family due to enjoying the resort and not paying parking fees). Our plane was delayed a few hours. We got a private ride in an SUV to Aulani somehow with a Speedi Shuttle driver. The ride back was a shared shuttle. Both experiences were very positive. I didn't hear any complaints from my family regarding their service either.
We also booked a rental car through the Alamo desk on site. If you are a Costco member, make sure to check their rental car rates...and often. You should also check through http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com. Neither one of these cost to reserve, so you can always change your reservation if a cheaper rate becomes available.
Since you are going during a peak time, I highly suggest looking into reserving an Ama Ama deck, Executive Lanai or Cabana on days you plan to stay and enjoy the amenities. The EL and cabanas are a definite splurge. The upper Ama Ama deck is less than $100-you get 2 casabellas overlooking the lagoon, and really good service. It is nice to not have to stake out a place at 7 in the morning, and then risk having our stuff moved around.

 

[crystal1313]

Happy anniversary all around!

My first trip was July 12-19. My parents took the kids and grandkids to Aulani. There were 13 in our group total. We came in separate groups, since we live in different areas. DH, DD (5 at the time) and I had already booked Speedi Shuttle (as did the rest of my family due to enjoying the resort and not paying parking fees). Our plane was delayed a few hours. We got a private ride in an SUV to Aulani somehow with a Speedi Shuttle driver. The ride back was a shared shuttle. Both experiences were very positive. I didn't hear any complaints from my family regarding their service either.
We also booked a rental car through the Alamo desk on site. If you are a Costco member, make sure to check their rental car rates...and often. You should also check through http://www.discounthawaiicarrental.com. Neither one of these cost to reserve, so you can always change your reservation if a cheaper rate becomes available.
Since you are going during a peak time, I highly suggest looking into reserving an Ama Ama deck, Executive Lanai or Cabana on days you plan to stay and enjoy the amenities. The EL and cabanas are a definite splurge. The upper Ama Ama deck is less than $100-you get 2 casabellas overlooking the lagoon, and really good service. It is nice to not have to stake out a place at 7 in the morning, and then risk having our stuff moved around.

Great tips! Thank you so much! How far in advance can I reserve the Cabana and the Casabellas? 2 Casabella's for under $100 is sounding like a great deal compared to the more expensive cabana. My DH has expressed interest in the cabana for at least one day but this might change his mind. Now I have to go find a map and see where the Ama Ama deck is compared to the pools! =)

Oh, and thank you for the anniversary wishes! (and too funny we are almost there the same dates!) I feel much better about the shuttle now too! Thank you!

 

[Girimama33]

Great tips! Thank you so much! How far in advance can I reserve the Cabana and the Casabellas? 2 Casabella's for under $100 is sounding like a great deal compared to the more expensive cabana. My DH has expressed interest in the cabana for at least one day but this might change his mind. Now I have to go find a map and see where the Ama Ama deck is compared to the pools! =)

Oh, and thank you for the anniversary wishes! (and too funny we are almost there the same dates!) I feel much better about the shuttle now too! Thank you!

The Ama Ama Upper/Lower Decks are located to the far left of the Ama Ama deck (if you are looking out to the lagoon). It is a little secluded...which was nice for us. We spent most our day in the hustle and bustle around the pools/slides. We enjoyed having a quieter place to retreat to. Everything is really close...you do not have to walk far to go between the pools, slides and lagoon.
When we had our larger group, we did 2 cabana days (by the Menehune Bridge) and one day with the EL. When DH, DD and I went back March 2015, we did the Ama Ama deck 2 days, since it was HI spring break. I enjoyed spending the day in all 3. I know people that gave booked all of the above at the 10 month mark. If you are interested, I would do it asap. They do not require a deposit.

 

[kungaloosh22]

The Ama Ama Upper/Lower Decks are located to the far left of the Ama Ama deck (if you are looking out to the lagoon). It is a little secluded...which was nice for us. We spent most our day in the hustle and bustle around the pools/slides. We enjoyed having a quieter place to retreat to. Everything is really close...you do not have to walk far to go between the pools, slides and lagoon.
When we had our larger group, we did 2 cabana days (by the Menehune Bridge) and one day with the EL. When DH, DD and I went back March 2015, we did the Ama Ama deck 2 days, since it was HI spring break. I enjoyed spending the day in all 3. I know people that gave booked all of the above at the 10 month mark. If you are interested, I would do it asap. They do not require a deposit.

10 months? Wow. Anyone know if you have to have your stay booked before you can reserve a cabana or casabella? If so, for those of us who can only book out 7 months (DVC points, non-home booking), is there much chance of reserving anything at that point?

 

[Glent59]

10 months? Wow. Anyone know if you have to have your stay booked before you can reserve a cabana or casabella? If so, for those of us who can only book out 7 months (DVC points, non-home booking), is there much chance of reserving anything at that point?

We booked our stay at the 7 month window, and was told at that time to book the Cabana's thru the concierge desk at Aulani... when we called, we were told we could not reserve till 6 months.. we called back at that time, and was able to get one easily, and requested a specific cabana number.... BUT i also assume it makes a difference when your traveling.. ( we are leaving for Aulani in less than two weeks... September seemed to have some good availability... )

 

[Girimama33]

10 months? Wow. Anyone know if you have to have your stay booked before you can reserve a cabana or casabella? If so, for those of us who can only book out 7 months (DVC points, non-home booking), is there much chance of reserving anything at that point?

I had always booked them within a 4-7 month window. There was a day I wanted the EL where it was already booked, but I already had the cabana reservation (I wanted to change to the EL), we just kept that. I stated that I have heard of people being able to book that early...The earlier you book the cabanas the better. If you are on the top of the list, you will have your choice of cabana locations, rather than get stuck somewhere you do not want to be. I booked later, and was given the Menehune Bridge location. It worked out perfectly for me because DD loved playing in that area. I could enjoy the cabana and watch her from there easily while she played. I would not have been able to do that if we had one of the Ka Maka Landing cabanas.

 

[crystal1313]

The Ama Ama Upper/Lower Decks are located to the far left of the Ama Ama deck (if you are looking out to the lagoon). It is a little secluded...which was nice for us. We spent most our day in the hustle and bustle around the pools/slides. We enjoyed having a quieter place to retreat to. Everything is really close...you do not have to walk far to go between the pools, slides and lagoon.
When we had our larger group, we did 2 cabana days (by the Menehune Bridge) and one day with the EL. When DH, DD and I went back March 2015, we did the Ama Ama deck 2 days, since it was HI spring break. I enjoyed spending the day in all 3. I know people that gave booked all of the above at the 10 month mark. If you are interested, I would do it asap. They do not require a deposit.

Thank you so much! This is great info =) I LOVE this thread!!

 

[Carys]

Just home from Aulani and we had a fantastic stay. A few notes:
- We loved our Ama Ama dinner and would definitely do this again, especially the mushroom side dish.
- We found on the second to last day that the Olelo Room bar has a 5-7pm happy hour with cheaper beer and bar food, and $7 cocktails.
- Charley's Taxis (who are the cabs on the Aulani rank) have flat rates of $15 each way to the Kapolei shopping centre or $20 each way to the Kapolei Walmart. We didn't know this before we went, so just mentioning again for those who missed it.
- We organised our airport transfers with Johnny Cab (I heard of him through the Disboards), and a six hour island tour - all went smoothly, very friendly service.
- Ukulele lesson in the Community Hall was fun! We paid no attention to the resort's daily activities and mainly just did our own thing, but ran into this by chance and enjoyed it.
- We did the longer Pearl Harbour tour through Aulani that visited both the USS Arizona and USS Missouri, as well as the drive through Waikiki. We enjoyed it, but next time we'll do these on our own to give the military history buffs in our family more time at each location.

Can't wait for our next stay!

 

[Bastion72]

We probably crossed paths. We just got back sunday morning from there. I did 3 ukulele lessons and loved it. I got a ukulele for fathers day so the lessons and advice from the people working in the Pau Hana room was great.
We had a car so we didn't have to pay $15 to go to Kapolei. We did spend a lot of time there eating at the different mom and pop hole in the wall places. Sushi Bay in Kapolei is fantastic, but a 30 minute wait turned into a 45 min wait, but well worth it.

 

[crystal1313]

Ok, I know I've seen that dish soap is provided in the villas, but is diswasher detergent and laundry detergent provided? I am guessing not. Thank you!

 

[Bastion72]

We stayed in a one bedroom villa and had both. Two boxes of tide single use and two of dishwasher powder.

 

[jtkboston]

We stayed in a one bedroom villa and had both. Two boxes of tide single use and two of dishwasher powder.

Upon checkin to our 1BR in August, we had a box of Tide, two packets of DW detergent, a small bottle of dish soap, and a new sponge. And on towels/trash day, we got another set of all that.

I used a half packet of DW detergent for the first few loads, not knowing we'd get another two packets later in the week. 1/2 packet worked fine for dishes that had been rinsed.

 

[BobNed]

Ok, I know I've seen that dish soap is provided in the villas, but is diswasher detergent and laundry detergent provided? I am guessing not. Thank you!

As others have said you get one or two boxes of Tide or All, a small bottle of dishwashing detergent and a few packets of dishwasher detergent. You can get more of the dish detergents simply by calling housekeeping (no need to wait for your trash/towel day). You can buy more laundry detergent at the resort store or in the laundry room.

 

[crystal1313]

Awesome! Thanks so much for the replies everyone! We aren't using points, just booked direct with Disney for the 2 bedroom villa. I don't plan on doing a ton of laundry, but hope to do maybe one or two loads since we will be packing light. =)

 

[BobNed]

Awesome! Thanks so much for the replies everyone! We aren't using points, just booked direct with Disney for the 2 bedroom villa. I don't plan on doing a ton of laundry, but hope to do maybe one or two loads since we will be packing light. =)

Well that makes a difference! Since you are paying cash and not using points you will get daily housekeeping service (full cleaning) and all supplies will be replenished daily, including laundry detergent, toiletries, etc.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Hi I am here now
Want to hopefully see turtles or seals
Can you direct me again please
Notice the boarding so assume can't go via beach if that way

 

[BobNed]

Hi I am here now
Want to hopefully see turtles or seals
Can you direct me again please
Notice the boarding so assume can't go via beach if that way

The easiest way is to go out to the street and head past the Four Seasons (Marriott) and Paradise Cove. There is a parking lot that's private except for a very few spots in the back which are open to the public. From there you will find a trail to the beach where you may be able to spot some turtles.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Thank you so much. Went but no turtles