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

[jillmc40]

Just wanted to add that this is seasonal. The reason I posted is because sometime recently they moved all of that up two hours earlier. We are here now and nothing is open past 8pm. The slides and lazy river close at 6pm. Kids areas still close at 5pm. Rough when you plan to explore the island during the day. The tip about going to the beach in the evening is good - we may try that.

5pm??? That is crazy talk!!

 

[Lissete]

Just wanted to add that this is seasonal. The reason I posted is because sometime recently they moved all of that up two hours earlier. We are here now and nothing is open past 8pm. The slides and lazy river close at 6pm. Kids areas still close at 5pm. Rough when you plan to explore the island during the day. The tip about going to the beach in the evening is good - we may try that.

We were there towards the end of October. The pools & lazy river closed at 8PM for most of our stay. Towards the end, it changed to 6PM. Definitely do not understand the logic though. Considering that there is not much to do after sunset, you would think at least one pool would remain open. Same goes for the quick food spots.

 

[DenLo]

We were there towards the end of October. The pools & lazy river closed at 8PM for most of our stay. Towards the end, it changed to 6PM. Definitely do not understand the logic though. Considering that there is not much to do after sunset, you would think at least one pool would remain open. Same goes for the quick food spots.

I would suspect it is hard to get lifeguards during the school year when the universities are open.

 

[JoeA]

We were there towards the end of October. The pools & lazy river closed at 8PM for most of our stay. Towards the end, it changed to 6PM. Definitely do not understand the logic though. Considering that there is not much to do after sunset, you would think at least one pool would remain open. Same goes for the quick food spots.

I have never seen or even heard of a resort pool closing that early! That's just crazy.

 

[jd99]

Anyone have Christmas week suggestions? Thanks In Advance!

If you are at all interested in a unique religious service, we went to the Christmas Eve service at St. Rita's which is about a 10-15 minute drive. It was done partially in Hawaiian and there was a hula peformance to Silent Night. It was just a beautiful once-in-a-lifetime type of experience.

 

[jd99]

Admittedly, I haven't read the whole string but wanted to add two things. Apologies if they are already in here..

1. If you are staying elsewhere in Hawaii - including Waikiki, take advantage of the opportunity to do some of the water activities (SUP, surf lessons, outrigger) because the cove at Aulani is not ideal for any of this and you have to wear a vest even for SUP.

2. Aulani has a "go home" room -- or at least that is what I like to call it. It's a lounge where they have lockers and a locker room and you can use it on your departure day. It's great when you have a late night flight as you can still swim all day, have dinner and enjoy the property. The go home room also has TVs and comfy seating and is just a nice touch.

 

[WDW_Diane]

If you are at all interested in a unique religious service, we went to the Christmas Eve service at St. Rita's which is about a 10-15 minute drive. It was done partially in Hawaiian and there was a hula peformance to Silent Night. It was just a beautiful once-in-a-lifetime type of experience.

If I was ever there at Christmas, I would do that! Sounds like a great experience.

 

[Sur]

That booking would be so crazy!

 

[shortypots]

St rita's was amazing. My mom and I went there. Lil bit of a church, but so friendly and welcoming! We loved it. I would definitely go back. I think I would even take my non Christian husband so he could see the difference.

 

[SingingMom]

We went to St Jude's for mass on a Saturday evening. The entire congregation were so welcoming and gave us leis. They even invited us to a dinner they were having afterwards! We were waiting for our cab, but the priest even told us if the cab didn't come, he'd drive us back to Aulani! Such lovely people!

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

 

[jillmc40]

This doesn't pertain to aulani, but Hawaii. We went to Christmas mass in Kauai and it was so beautiful. The music was amazing, and it was so welcoming. I think that would be across the board. So if you do normally go to mass I would check it out while in Hawaii. I have never heard silent night on the ukulele before. Beautiful!

 

[divirgiliok]

When I was planning I wish I knew what was walkable
Secret beach
Monkey pod
Country store etc..
I just wanted to know what it was like.
I made a post see here
www.mommy-dreaming.blogspot.com/2014/08/aulani-walking-distance-eats.html?m=1

 

[luv2sleep]

Where's the secret beach?

 

[andersonsc]

Go out front of aulani. Turn left. Walk past the next hotel. There is a parking lot on your left and break in the fence. Go down the path to the beach. We had a great time snorkeling there and saw several sea turtles . There is a map somewhere on the disboards. Also, hotel nxt door had sharks and stingrays to see.

 

[luv2sleep]

Go out front of aulani. Turn left. Walk past the next hotel. There is a parking lot on your left and break in the fence. Go down the path to the beach. We had a great time snorkeling there and saw several sea turtles . There is a map somewhere on the disboards. Also, hotel nxt door had sharks and stingrays to see.

We walked a little, saw another lagoon with those straw roof umbrellas, and saw a church and then what looked like condos and after that the Marriott Vacation Club. So you mean the place that looks like condos before the Marriott?

 

[WDW_Diane]

We walked a little, saw another lagoon with those straw roof umbrellas, and saw a church and then what looked like condos and after that the Marriott Vacation Club. So you mean the place that looks like condos before the Marriott?

Actually, when you leave Aulani, if you are facing the ocean, you turn RIGHT, not left, to go to the secret beach.

 

[WDW_Diane]

We walked a little, saw another lagoon with those straw roof umbrellas, and saw a church and then what looked like condos and after that the Marriott Vacation Club. So you mean the place that looks like condos before the Marriott?

The place that looks like condos are the Ko Olina Beach Villas. We have stayed there....amazing! Very upscale....good price if you rent through VRBO.
But that's another message for another time, ha!

 

[luv2sleep]

Actually, when you leave Aulani, if you are facing the ocean, you turn RIGHT, not left, to go to the secret beach.

Ah ok! We only went left. Good to know for next time!

 

[Girimama33]

Yes...it is to the right...past the JW Marriott/Four Seasons.
I had seen it mentioned in several Aulani threads including this one...

 

[Mommy2Corinne]

Subbing for a possible upcoming trip in May!