Beware of Very Cold Lazy River

[nalabear]

We go Aulani over other HI resorts for two reasons -- lazy river and fish lagoon pool. The Aulani pool area is a significant draw of the resort and sets it apart from many resorts in HI -- just like Wailea and Hyatt in Maui.

We have a July vacation planned for Aulani.... tentatively.

 

[Disfamwa]

I just want to chime in that I love everyone’s respectful response to people being upset about the pools in this group! In the Facebook group, lots of people chiming in that people should just be thankful to be in Hawaii—if the pool is too cold for people to enjoy, people can be thankful somewhere less expensive haha.

We went in December, and while I found the pools to be an ok temperature for me (I wore a thermal rash guard over my suit), my five year old thought they were cold and wanted to be in the hot tub instead even though he was a wearing a wetsuit. At the time we went, all areas of the pool were still advertised on the website as being heated year round to between 82 and 86 degrees, and only the Ka Maka grotto pool was that warm. On Facebook the pool drama started being mentioned in November, and someone brought a pool thermometer and posted all the temps while we were there.

We still plan on going again this year because everything else was wonderful, but the calm bay and pools are one of the main reasons I’m opting for Aulani with my small kids. Prior to kids, I had never even stepped foot into a pool while in Hawaii!

 

[PetePanMan]

For first timers in Hawaii "winters", February is typically the coldest month. I always think, Wow, we escaped the cold! I didn't even need a jacket this year. Then Feb hits and its sweater time.

On another note,
I almost packed my swimsuit to Grand Cal this month because I love the jacuzzi in any weather including snow but decided not to because I like to pack light. Still, each day I walked by the jacuzzi it looked great and I saw a few in the pool in 50s degree weather.

Another another note, daughter complained about Lazy River in the fall but I went on it when I was dry and stayed balanced. Dang waterfall tho! It did not stop my daughter and friends from being nonstop in the regular pools though.

Hawaii is awesome any time of year. We have been Aulani numerous times in Jan and Feb and the lazy river was always good (unlike this past Dec.)

 

[nalabear]

I just want to chime in that I love everyone’s respectful response to people being upset about the pools in this group! In the Facebook group, lots of people chiming in that people should just be thankful to be in Hawaii—if the pool is too cold for people to enjoy, people can be thankful somewhere less expensive haha.

We went in December, and while I found the pools to be an ok temperature for me (I wore a thermal rash guard over my suit), my five year old thought they were cold and wanted to be in the hot tub instead even though he was a wearing a wetsuit. At the time we went, all areas of the pool were still advertised on the website as being heated year round to between 82 and 86 degrees, and only the Ka Maka grotto pool was that warm. On Facebook the pool drama started being mentioned in November, and someone brought a pool thermometer and posted all the temps while we were there.

We still plan on going again this year because everything else was wonderful, but the calm bay and pools are one of the main reasons I’m opting for Aulani with my small kids. Prior to kids, I had never even stepped foot into a pool while in Hawaii!

There's a FB group specific for Aulani and DL. It's plenty cordial.

 

[Disfamwa]

There's a FB group specific for Aulani and DL. It's plenty cordial.

I’ll have to look for that one! And overall, there are lots of helpful voices in the Aulani group too I just appreciate that this group seems to be better at appreciating and loving Disney, while still allowing someone to bring up legitimate issues without immediately jumping down their throat. It feels more balanced, if that makes sense!

 

[Amw1064]

I’ll have to look for that one! And overall, there are lots of helpful voices in the Aulani group too I just appreciate that this group seems to be better at appreciating and loving Disney, while still allowing someone to bring up legitimate issues without immediately jumping down their throat. It feels more balanced, if that makes sense!

I much prefer Disboards Aulani group over facebook ones.

 

[RoseGold]

This thread is bananas to me. I can't believe this hasn't been resolved months later, and Disney just changed the website instead. I can't see Disney getting away with this at WDW, people would be furious.

 

[DLgal]

This thread is bananas to me. I can't believe this hasn't been resolved months later, and Disney just changed the website instead. I can't see Disney getting away with this at WDW, people would be furious.

I would like to see the resort general manager jump onto the lazy river and spend 30 minutes in there.

 

[Iceman93]

What is the temperature of the snorkel pool? That one always felt COLD, but I wonder how much colder than the other pools it really is.

 

[disneyfan123]

This thread is bananas to me. I can't believe this hasn't been resolved months later, and Disney just changed the website instead. I can't see Disney getting away with this at WDW, people would be furious.

I agree. We arrive on Friday and we keep checking and praying there is an improvement.

We invested in DVC after touring Aulani during a WISH trip. Our kids loved the resort, especially the lazy river. We have one child with special needs that cannot do Disney trips and we bring her to Aulani ever few years to make up for the fact that she has to miss the Disney trips. So the pools are important to us as its all we really do when there. It feels like a gut punch by Disney that they are deceitful about this. They have our money and we just have to suck it up.

 

[Kmk2]

I agree. We arrive on Friday and we keep checking and praying there is an improvement.

We invested in DVC after touring Aulani during a WISH trip. Our kids loved the resort, especially the lazy river. We have one child with special needs that cannot do Disney trips and we bring her to Aulani ever few years to make up for the fact that she has to miss the Disney trips. So the pools are important to us as its all we really do when there. It feels like a gut punch by Disney that they are deceitful about this. They have our money and we just have to suck it up.

They need to fix this. It’s infuriating to hear stories like yours. I’m sorry and hope you get beautiful weather and warm pools!

 

[JC1984]

As of 1035 HST the river was at 78 degrees this morning. This clearly isn’t a priority for Disney and I get the sense they cold care less. All you can do is keep pressure on the pools leads and management when you come visit. The number to call the resort and the front desk have no idea what is going on and you won’t get anywhere. Until your here.

 

[Kmk2]

^ shameful.

I would strongly suggest people share their experience on social media, TripAdvisor etc.

 

[lukemorenus]

I prefer pool temps below 80 degrees... but I'm clearly in the minority here, LOL

 

[JC1984]

I will be addressing the pool temps on my upcoming Aulani vlog. I am going to let management know when I check out I will be addressing it. My beef is the lack of transparency. They have no problem posting the volcanic vertical slide is down for maintenance. Own it.

 

[JC1984]

I prefer pool temps below 80 degrees... but I'm clearly in the minority here, LOL

Me too but I understand considerations do to special needs children and family members

 

[JC1984]

Talked to an actual manager today. He said issue has been fixed as of this weekend and the pool is increasing in temp. Doesn’t sound like they will advertise pool temps ever again. It’s on the next Undercover Dad to verify this in the next couple of weeks. Thanks for letting me the face of all Aulani voyagers on the DIS this past week. May the Force Be With You…ALWAYS

 

[RoseGold]

Talked to an actual manager today. He said issue has been fixed as of this weekend and the pool is increasing in temp.

LOL, the heater is totally working and pool will be warm in a few days. They can keep using that one!

Overnight, sure. A few days? That doesn't even make sense. Gotta give it to the mouse for creativity.

 

[JC1984]

LOL, the heater is totally working and pool will be warm in a few days. They can keep using that one!

Overnight, sure. A few days? That doesn't even make sense. Gotta give it to the mouse for creativity.

Just checked all 4 places again all registered between 80-82

 

[disneyfan123]

Just checked all 4 places again all registered between 80-82

That is encouraging! We appreciate your updates so much!