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

[carissa1970]

We found two great beaches! Drive North on Farrington Hwy until it ends, completely ends. Most beautiful beach, relatively undiscovered, and has facilities.

Drive across the H3 (worth the trip on its own) and go to Lanikai Beach. I've never seen anything like it. We saw a sea turtle just swimming around. Gorgeous water. No facilities, but there are tons of options nearby.

 

[alohamom]

I would have to second Carissa1970's suggestion of Lanikai beach. Absolutely incredible turquoise waters and long gorgeous stretch of soft white sand. Just before it is the town of Kailua and the beach there is amazing too. There is excellent easy public parking and facilities at Kailua beach park but Lanikai can be tricky for parking. We just park on a side street and walk up a beach path but parking is enforced so be careful, so worth it though!

http://www.best-of-oahu.com/Lanikai-Beach-Oahu-Hawaii.html

http://www.best-of-oahu.com/kailua-beach-park.html

 

[SeaPic]

Finishing up last minute things and was wondering ...

Is there Hot Chocolate at the refillable mug station? Coffee? (I do love my SBucks but was OK with WDW coffee ... crazy I know)

Just read you need to sign up for the Mahalo Mingle. Does it fill up?

Ditto for catamaran experience? (all the sudden DH wants to go on a catamaran ... what? I haven't researched this! I need more time!)

Thanks!

 

[poohj80]

Ditto for catamaran experience? (all the sudden DH wants to go on a catamaran ... what? I haven't researched this! I need more time!)

Thanks!

We did the catamaran snorkeling excursion (if that's the one you mean). It was fun but did not see one turtle and very few fish. Made up for it when we started chasing a pod of 3 whales though!

 

[abthomas]

There is coffee available at Ulu Cafe most of the day. Hot cocoa packets are at cashiers, just ask.
We did the Disney catamaran snorkel and it was ok. Probably not worth the price, but the boat was brand new. We also swam with 5 sea turtles which was cool. Boat not crowded, bar drinks were tasty. Nice fish and it was nice to see that part of Oahu's coastline.
Not sure about mingle, we weren't able to go as it was on our last day there.
Have a blast!

 

[Cinderpamela]

Just read you need to sign up for the Mahalo Mingle. Does it fill up?

Thanks!

We went to the Mahalo Member Mingle when we were there over the Christmas Holiday and it was really full. Can't speak to other times of year but it was sure popular when we were there..... they gave away some really fun Disney framed art prints (smallish- like 8"x10" size) to winners of drawings and such, and we each got a fun DVC Pewter Christmas ornament (I suspect the ornament is only during the Christmas Season).

They had a nice continental type breakfast with sweet rolls and juices/coffee so they probably need to have an idea how many folks are showing up ahead of time.

Also if you love your Starbucks you should try the coffee place across the street at Ko Olina Station- Island Vintage Coffee Company, it was really good local organic espresso, ect..... and there is a Starbucks next door at the Marriot too.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

We went to the Mahalo Member Mingle when we were there over the Christmas Holiday and it was really full. Can't speak to other times of year but it was sure popular when we were there..... they gave away some really fun Disney framed art prints (smallish- like 8"x10" size) to winners of drawings and such, and we each got a fun DVC Pewter Christmas ornament (I suspect the ornament is only during the Christmas Season).

They had a nice continental type breakfast with sweet rolls and juices/coffee so they probably need to have an idea how many folks are showing up ahead of time.

Also if you love your Starbucks you should try the coffee place across the street at Ko Olina Station- Island Vintage Coffee Company, it was really good local organic espresso, ect..... and there is a Starbucks next door at the Marriot too.

Is it only on/still on Monday morning?

 

[Cinderpamela]

Is it only on/still on Monday morning?

Taken from the Aulani Website:

Mahalo Member Mingle
Most Monday Mornings

Disney Vacation Club® Members are invited to the Mahalo Member Mingle! Enjoy some coffee, mingle with fellow Members and learn about the latest Resort and island offerings. Space is limited. To reserve your spot, visit the Disney Vacation Club® Preview Center, located steps from the front desk.

We checked in on a Monday and so we purposely got there really early just so we could attend, it started at 8am. I called the resort ahead of time (we were staying in Waikiki for the first 4 days of our trip) to RSVP since we could not just stop by the preview center to do so.

After check in (way too early to expect a ready room, they texted us later in the day when it was ready) we headed over to the event... we were a wee bit late so we couldn't all sit together for the presentation, but there were still seats, we just had to split up 2x2.

 

[poohj80]

Is it only on/still on Monday morning?

We were at Aulani over Spring Break and there was one on Monday and I think Thursday (probably since it was a very busy time). Lots of cool giveaways and everyone received a pair of DVC sunglasses.

 

[jerseygal]

Didn't make it, would have like too...too busy enjoying other things!

DVC Soundglasses sound Fun! Always nice to get a fun DVC something!

We received nice DVC member hats free at a member gettogether on our Disney Dream Cruise, summer, '11....I oddly enough did not see ONE other person wearing DVC hats? Come in SO HANDY as protection from the sun!

 

[poohj80]

We received nice DVC member hats free at a member gettogether on our Disney Dream Cruise, summer, '11....I oddly enough did not see ONE other person wearing DVC hats? Come in SO HANDY as protection from the sun!

We always travel with our DVC Member hats because if we lose one, we an just pull another out of our bag.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Taken from the Aulani Website:


We checked in on a Monday and so we purposely got there really early just so we could attend, it started at 8am. I called the resort ahead of time (we were staying in Waikiki for the first 4 days of our trip) to RSVP since we could not just stop by the preview center to do so.

After check in (way too early to expect a ready room, they texted us later in the day when it was ready) we headed over to the event... we were a wee bit late so we couldn't all sit together for the presentation, but there were still seats, we just had to split up 2x2.

Thanks Pam! What time did you leave Waikiki to get to the mingle. Thinking my family won't want to do that

 

[carissa1970]

They have two mingles now. One for members only on Monday mornings, and one for members and non-members. They did that on Monday night and another on Thursday night, I think.

We attended both and they were fun. The one for the non-members also, they had drinks and food in addition to give-aways.

 

[jerseygal]

I think the other day besides Monday morning was Wednesday late afternoon, I want to say around 5:00..If my memory serves me correctly, it was Wed afternoon, then Thursday evening was Starlight Hui...

Have Fun!

 

[SeaPic]

Thanks everyone! It will be our first mingle and I'll admit I'm excited. Hopefully the DH will be too since Aulani is where it all started. Lol.

 

[SingingMom]

Can you attend a "mingle" if you aren't DVC members? We are going in August, but regular reservations. ;-)

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[carissa1970]

Can you attend a "mingle" if you aren't DVC members? We are going in August, but regular reservations. ;-) "SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Not the Monday morning one, but the other ones, yes. It is a mixture of members and non members.

 

[SingingMom]

Not the Monday morning one, but the other ones, yes. It is a mixture of members and non members.

Thanks! Do they give time/day info at check in? We are new to Aulani. Usually we are at WDW or do Adventures by Disney tours and one trip to Disneyland Paris!

"SingingMom" ....Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[jerseygal]

Post #342 said that Monday is for members, the "other day" which I thought was a Wednesday when we were there in May was for non members...Doesn't hurt to ask!

The thing is, there is SO much to do while at Aulani that unfortunately it is "easy" to miss! Next time for us!

 

[lovetotraveltx]

I'm a member but can't make the Monday morning one. Am hoping there is an evening one and DVC members can come too. I'll keep my eye out.

We leave for Hawaii one month from today!!!!