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

[alice99]

This is a great thread! Thanks so much to everyone for sharing their experiences!

 

[snowhyte]

The one thing I wish I knew about Aulani is that I would fall completely in love with it!!

My DH, DD and I talk about Hawaii all the time. For the last 9 months. I really never imagined we would like it that much. I thought that trip would be the "once in a lifetime trip", but we are now planning to go back in 2015. I could make a looooooong list of things I wish I knew!

 

[poohj80]

Here's another.....

Goofy makes unscheduled appearances in the pools (with Photopass photographer ) between 12-130ish.

 

[Cinderpamela]

I thought that trip would be the "once in a lifetime trip", but we are now planning to go back in 2015. I could make a looooooong list of things I wish I knew!

Sooo true... I am already looking at when we can make it back.... we always planned to do another big trip to WDW.... but honestly I think my family would all vote to go back to Aulani instead.

 

[SGDisneyFam]

Sooo true... I am already looking at when we can make it back.... we always planned to do another big trip to WDW.... but honestly I think my family would all vote to go back to Aulani instead.

Our kids too!!! Were trying to get them on board for a cruise or WDW next and they just want to go to Hawaii!

 

[blondietink]

The one thing I wish I knew about Aulani is that I would fall completely in love with it!!

My DH, DD and I talk about Hawaii all the time. For the last 9 months. I really never imagined we would like it that much. I thought that trip would be the "once in a lifetime trip", but we are now planning to go back in 2015. I could make a looooooong list of things I wish I knew!

Ditto this: all of us, including DH who though he would not like Hawaii, was asking when we could go back by our 2nd day in Hawaii. So ..... we are saving our points and planning on going back in 2015, with part of the stay at Aulani and part on Kauai.

 

[SeaPic]

The one thing I wish I knew about Aulani is that I would fall completely in love with it!! My DH, DD and I talk about Hawaii all the time. For the last 9 months. I really never imagined we would like it that much. I thought that trip would be the "once in a lifetime trip", but we are now planning to go back in 2015. I could make a looooooong list of things I wish I knew!

I had my suspicions! I'm the vacation planner and as soon as it opened I stalked airline and Disney sites for deals. Luckily we got a great package though an airline and went in early 2012. I also tried to learn everything about DVC and finally said 'yes' when the Disney site asked if I wanted to chat. Had a wonderful talk and got the info mailed. I spent the weeks leading up to our vaca get ting as much info as possible. I put the propaganda out and asked if DH wanted to look at it. My heart sank as he told me to recycle it all. (I packed a few things anyway). After we got there I caught him reading the in-room material. In less than 24 hours he suggested we visit the DVC center! Looking back I wish I knew what a great deal the pre-construction rates were. Should have gotten more points - we have added on twice since (one of them a Christmas gift from DH!)

 

[sissy_ib]

I wish I had realized how bad the traffic here is and how confusing the freeways are. GPS is great but you pretty much need one person watching it as the other is driving as sometimes the spoken directions are confusing. And the Trip Advisor app has led us to some great places but sometimes the addresses are off. Over all, we probably won't come back to Oahu. We loved the big island are so happy we went there first. Aulani is wonderful but we are ready to head home. We just can't make a week vacation to of the resort alone.

 

[OKW Lover]

Here's another.....

Goofy makes unscheduled appearances in the pools (with Photopass photographer ) between 12-130ish.

Its not just Goofy. You'll also see Mickey & Minnie and, of course, Stitch.

 

[funfor4]

Only after 4pm though....You can grill for dinner, but not for lunch.

Thanks for that helpful info. Would have planned lunch and had to have sashimi instead.

 

[BobDes]

Only after 4pm though....You can grill for dinner, but not for lunch.

Here is a shot of the grill area which is behind Aunty's and to the left of Ama Ama.

 

[poohj80]

Its not just Goofy. You'll also see Mickey & Minnie and, of course, Stitch.

We never saw them IN the pools, just near the pool. Goofy actually gets into the water.

 

[luv2boys]

Is there anywhere that I can locate menus (and pricing) for restaurants on the property including pool side?

 

[WDW_Diane]

Is there anywhere that I can locate menus (and pricing) for restaurants on the property including pool side?

Last year I saw menus on the resort website, you might check there and see if that's still the case.

 

[alohamom]

I am looking at the Aulani website and it says there is a charge of $15 for the rainbow reef snorkelling. Is this for the rental of equipment or can you bring your own and snorkel for free?

 

[JoeA]

I am looking at the Aulani website and it says there is a charge of $15 for the rainbow reef snorkelling. Is this for the rental of equipment or can you bring your own and snorkel for free?

I am certain that's the fee just to enter the area. I always see people wearing a light life jacket too but not sure it it's optional or mandatory (I lean toward the latter).

We go to the islands to snorkel around the island and we've never gone into rainbow area so I may be incorrect.

 

[poohj80]

I am looking at the Aulani website and it says there is a charge of $15 for the rainbow reef snorkelling. Is this for the rental of equipment or can you bring your own and snorkel for free?

Yes there is a fee even if you use your own snorkel gear and the horse collar inflatable is mandatory (similar to Castaway Cay if you have been on a Disney cruise).

However, when we visited in March Disney Visa Card members were allowed to snorkel in Rainbow Reef all week for free so we went several times.

 

[alohamom]

I am certain that's the fee just to enter the area. I always see people wearing a light life jacket too but not sure it it's optional or mandatory (I lean toward the latter).

We go to the islands to snorkel around the island and we've never gone into rainbow area so I may be incorrect.

Thanks so much for the quick reply (love the Disboards!) I am planning on heading over to Hanauma Bay on Oahu plus Turtle town on Big Island so we will have our gear with us either way. Does anyone know if it is like the snorkeling at Typhoon Lagoon where you basically just glide across one way and then exit the other side or can you float around at your leisure? LOL-so many snorkeling questions-sorry!

 

[poohj80]

Thanks so much for the quick reply (love the Disboards!) I am planning on heading over to Hanauma Bay on Oahu plus Turtle town on Big Island so we will have our gear with us either way. Does anyone know if it is like the snorkeling at Typhoon Lagoon where you basically just glide across one way and then exit the other side or can you float around at your leisure? LOL-so many snorkeling questions-sorry!

You float around at your leisure and stay as long as you like.

 

[alohamom]

You float around at your leisure and stay as long as you like.

Awesome, thanks so much!