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

[jtkboston]

Has anyone noticed that they post the daily iwa up on the aulani website? I was just looking around today and saw the next few days posted.

Great tip on the daily iwa posting on-line. That helps when looking ahead a few days to plan for the kids to visit Aunty's and participate in specific activities.

 

[Bastion72]

Speaking of the Daily 'Iwa, why does it skip from tuesday to friday? Are there no activities on those days or did I miss something?

 

[phil1914]

I'm here now. DW called. No longer complimentary. Today they're offering Sunrise and Ocean Yoga - both premium experiences

 

[jtkboston]

If you drive down to the bottom level of the parking garage, there is another exit onto `Olani Street. From there, you can easily turn left at a traffic light on Ali`inui Drive to head back to the highway. This avoids having to do a U-turn on Ali`inui drive itself.

You can also enter the garage here, with a room key, even though it says Cast Member parking.

 

[cinderella78]

Thanks Phil for checking. That's really a bummer that those are premium experiences now - especially since they didn't used to be.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Has anyone noticed that they post the daily iwa up on the aulani website? I was just looking around today and saw the next few days posted.


Hi

Can anyone give me the link I can't find it on line . Sorry

 

[Girimama33]

Thanks Phil for checking. That's really a bummer that those are premium experiences now - especially since they didn't used to be.

When I was there in March 2015, it seemed like they were charging for more (if not all) of the workout classes on the beach vs. when I was there in summer 2014.

 

[phil1914]

Thanks Phil for checking. That's really a bummer that those are premium experiences now - especially since they didn't used to be.

DW has been doing yoga out on the lanai. She also went out to the left side of the cove. The grassy area near the trees

 

[cinderella78]

Here is the link: https://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/about-aulani/

Then scroll down about half-way and on the right-hand side you will see Daily ‘Iwa: Aulani Activities Calendar click on the view activities calendar.

 

[crystal1313]

Hi! I haven't actually been to Aulani yet, but I just booked our trip! And wanted to pass this along:

We were going to book hotel only, not a package (using Amex points for one airline ticket). I assumed a package was flight and hotel, and I was wrong! The wonderful CM I spoke with (Michael) was so helpful and told me that booking a rental car, airport shuttle or excursion along with the hotel room would qualify as a package. This meant that instead of having to put a one night stay, plus tax down on a deposit (over 1,100 dollars since we reserved a 2 bedroom villa) for a hotel only reservation, we only had to put $400 down to secure our reservation because it's considered a package! The package just has to be paid in full 30 days prior to arrival. This helped us immensely since we were booking flights at the same time. Just wanted to share in case someone else did not know that, just like me!

Here's a question, when you book the Pearl Harbor tour through Aulani, can you also visit the Missouri? Thank you!!

 

[marissabee]

Wow great thread. We just booked feb 12-20 2016 - will be my 'I beat cancer' celebration trip as well as dh 50th birthday and ds' 16th birthday. Has been such a stressful year we all needed something to look forward to and to plan for - should all be over after my stem cell transplant in September!!

can anyone tell me how busy it typically is at that time? And both of my boys (21 and 16) want to do pearl harbour - can we get tickets ahead of time and are we better to do a tour through Disney or just go on our own? We will be renting a car for the whole time. I believe I read dvc members get free parking anyway!!
Also want to do a luau - where is the best place for that?

That is when we will be there! Im SO excited

 

[Bastion72]

We're here at Aulani right now. Some things: We're DVC members and staying in a one bedroom suite. Someone told us that there's filters in the coffee machines, ours has none. There's no salt/pepper in the room, but I got some from the snack stand next to the rainbow reef area, plus I got some soy sauce. There's an exit from the parking garage on the bottom level that saves you a few minutes of driving and a U-turn. Line up early for just about everything. We went to the Star Lit Hui show tonight and the line was forming up at 630 or so. We got in line at 645 or so and were about 15 feet from the stage. From our room on the 9th floor we're overlooking the stage. Great room.

Another great thing you might not know about! There's a room where you can hang out before or after you check in/out next to the Pau Hana Room, since check in is at 4pm and check out is at 10am. There's a TV and couches and A/C. It's a nice place just to hang out while you wait for your room.

 

[kungaloosh22]

We're here at Aulani right now.

Thanks for the report! How are you finding the crowds at Aulani this time of year?

 

[Bastion72]

Thanks for the report! How are you finding the crowds at Aulani this time of year?

We checked in on Saturday 5 sept. and the place was crowded, but it was Labor Day weekend. This morning, 8 Sep, the crowds have dissipated a little, parking is easier on site, pool chairs aren't as full, pools aren't as crowded. We didn't bring the kids so Auntie's Playhouse isn't somewhere we line up for. The night show wasn't too bad a crowd, and the movie going on outside of our room isn't jam packed.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

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

Many thanks

 

[jtkboston]

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

Many thanks

For DVC points reservations, the website contact link to member services worked fine for me for room requests--they were able to assign a room that matched my request. I sent the request about 2 weeks before arrival.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Hi

Sorry I should have said. Non DVC. Paying guest

 

[kungaloosh22]

We checked in on Saturday 5 sept. and the place was crowded, but it was Labor Day weekend. This morning, 8 Sep, the crowds have dissipated a little, parking is easier on site, pool chairs aren't as full, pools aren't as crowded. We didn't bring the kids so Auntie's Playhouse isn't somewhere we line up for. The night show wasn't too bad a crowd, and the movie going on outside of our room isn't jam packed.

That sounds pretty good. Thanks for the info! We're considering this time frame next year.

 

[Soccerluvinmama]

That is when we will be there! Im SO excited

Wow, what a coincidence! We will be there February 12-21, 2016 too!

Regarding Pearl Harbor....if you have a car, I would skip the cost of the excursion through Aulani and just go yourself. I like to go on a Wednesday, then I can hit the Aloha Stadium swap meet while we are in the city. Tickets for Pearl Harbor can be obtained in advance here: http://www.recreation.gov/showPage....arbor/home.jsp&contractCode=NRSO&parkId=72369

There is a Luau next door at Paradise Cove https://www.paradisecove.com/luau-packages/?gclid=CNvuzpG56scCFUhgfgodOjIDqw

 

[Girimama33]

Hi! I haven't actually been to Aulani yet, but I just booked our trip! And wanted to pass this along:

We were going to book hotel only, not a package (using Amex points for one airline ticket). I assumed a package was flight and hotel, and I was wrong! The wonderful CM I spoke with (Michael) was so helpful and told me that booking a rental car, airport shuttle or excursion along with the hotel room would qualify as a package. This meant that instead of having to put a one night stay, plus tax down on a deposit (over 1,100 dollars since we reserved a 2 bedroom villa) for a hotel only reservation, we only had to put $400 down to secure our reservation because it's considered a package! The package just has to be paid in full 30 days prior to arrival. This helped us immensely since we were booking flights at the same time. Just wanted to share in case someone else did not know that, just like me!

Here's a question, when you book the Pearl Harbor tour through Aulani, can you also visit the Missouri? Thank you!!

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.