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

[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.

 

[carissa1970]

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.

Never had a problem at the pool areas, but boy, at the storytelling firepit, tons of people saving chairs and we had nowhere to sit. Some of them never came yet they wouldn't let us use the chairs.

 

[AZMermaid]

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

Awesome! We are going the first week of June next year. I picked that week on purpose since I am done with school (teacher) but many others aren't out yet!

 

[mic_KY_mouses]

I wondered the same thing. There was a promo out there a few months ago for a freebie for Disney Visa Cardholders but it disappeared and I haven't seen it again. I printed the info and will ask when we get there in a few days to see if they will honor it. I'll post back if I can.

It worked! I took the info I printed out to Rainbow Reef and asked for the Disney cardholder free snorkel. They gave us a week-long pass, which was even better, by punching a mickey-shaped hole in our room key. We were to re-sign the waiver each day we wanted to use the pass and they punched our wristbands for the day. We only did RR once because I found snorkeling at the back of the lagoon closest to open water to be much better, and warmer.

 

[MrsPinup]

It worked! I took the info I printed out to Rainbow Reef and asked for the Disney cardholder free snorkel. They gave us a week-long pass, which was even better, by punching a mickey-shaped hole in our room key. We were to re-sign the waiver each day we wanted to use the pass and they punched our wristbands for the day. We only did RR once because I found snorkeling at the back of the lagoon closest to open water to be much better, and warmer.

Where did you find that? I recently got a Disney Visa

 

[mic_KY_mouses]

Where did you find that? I recently got a Disney Visa

A few months ago
I saw it on the Visa website but didn't print it. It was only there a short time. When I went back it was gone, so I "googled" it and found something with similar wording and printed it. I haven't looked lately. I don't know if you have to have the paper because it wasn't a coupon. If you can't find it anywhere just ask. I can't remember the valid dates and don't have it anymore, sorry.

 

[DisneyCruisin]

Got home Monday and I am so sad it's over! You will love it.

Save time at Safeway!
Send one person to the deli counter to get the cold cuts/salads while the other shops! The deli lady was lovely, but she was on island time. It took 20+ minutes to complete our order...

Make your own Ama Ama pineapple mimosas!
Get some bubbly, or prosecco at safeway or costco, and add pineapple juice! YUM!

Wasn't prepared for it getting dark so early, compared to home. Made the evenings seem to go so quick!

Get tubes at ABC for $3.99 to use in the lagoon. ABC in Waikiki offered to inflate them for us, but we declined. A cast member at Aulani saw me trying to inflate one and offered to inflate it for me! And then pay it forward and pass along to some kids on your last day. We made two families happy.

The fresh pasta chicken alfredo at Costco is delish, and easy. Pair it with some salad and you have a quick meal.

Was shocked at how often one or more pools were closed throughout the day, every day!

Was pleased to see how closely cast monitored the lounges. We had a large group and rotated, shared lounges. While some swam, others lounged. If we were patient, we almost always managed to get a bunch together, with umbrellas, whether poolside or on the beach.

Be prepared to not have a tube in the lazy river initially and to deal with pushy, rude people who think they don't have to wait their turn for a tube, or worse, who come from behind you and snatch it from the person handing it to you.

 

[LisaT91403]

Was shocked at how often one or more pools were closed throughout the day, every day!

Be prepared to not have a tube in the lazy river initially and to deal with pushy, rude people who think they don't have to wait their turn for a tube, or worse, who come from behind you and snatch it from the person handing it to you.

We have been to Aulani twice (most recently over Christmas week, 2013), and I never saw a pool close during either of our visits. We also never experienced a wait to use a tube.

I am sad to hear that things have changed since we were there :-(

But...I still wanna go back!

 

[amypetecar]

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

We found several including at Turtle Beach and Sunset Point Beach. There are several more throughout the coast, but those were the two we used.

Fyi. Sunset Point Beach...... Best, most magnificent waves ever....... Ever

 

[Saints67]

We have been to Aulani twice (most recently over Christmas week, 2013), and I never saw a pool close during either of our visits. We also never experienced a wait to use a tube. I am sad to hear that things have changed since we were there :-( But...I still wanna go back!

We were there June 8-15. Seemed like the main pool closed for at least a couple of hours every day. They said it was something to do with the chemicals. Not a big deal....the infinity pool, lazy river, adult pool, and of course the lagoon provided many options.

We did find that tubes we not immediately available most of the time but never really had to wait more than 5-10 minutes to find one.