Compare Castaway Cay to Aulani?

[justme0729]

I've always said that if Disney had a hotel at Castaway Cay, that would be my perfect vacation. Would Aulani be pretty similar? Is the lagoon just as clear, calm, and enjoyable at Aulani?

 

[DIS_MIKE]

The lagoon at Aulani is man-made with extremely calm and relaxing waters and soft sand. It's perfect waters for wading, floating and SUP. I noticed several people swimming back and forth in the mornings because it's so calm. The water isn't super clear and I noticed it to be quite hazy while snorkeling but Disney hasn't sunken any treasures like they did at CC.

Aulani vs. CC is difficult to compare because Hawaii has so much to offer and explore while CC is just 1000 acres with only 55 being used. If they built a hotel then things would definitely change. Chances are pretty high that Disney will need to purchase another island to accommodate the 3 new ships being added to the fleet.

But in the meantime...CC is far more exclusive while all the beaches in Hawaii are open to the public.

 

[southerngirl528]

The lagoon at Aulani is man-made with extremely calm and relaxing waters and soft sand. It's perfect waters for wading, floating and SUP. I noticed several people swimming back and forth in the mornings because it's so calm. The water isn't super clear and I noticed it to be quite hazy while snorkeling but Disney hasn't sunken any treasures like they did at CC.

Aulani vs. CC is difficult to compare because Hawaii has so much to offer and explore while CC is just 1000 acres with only 55 being used. If they built a hotel then things would definitely change. CC is far more exclusive while all the beaches in Hawaii are open to the public.

Agreed! Comparing a small island in the Abacos to Hawaii, as fabulous as I think CC is, is apples to oranges IMHO. But I sure agree with you that Castaway Cay is pretty awesome! And there's about a jillion others that agree!

 

[islandsnoopy]

Agree with previous comments. Just fyi, Aulani also shares a small part of the beach with the Four Seasons resort which is right next door.
Both are beautiful places, but if I had to pick just one, Aulani wins!

 

[DIS_MIKE]

Agree with previous comments. Just fyi, Aulani also shares a small part of the beach with the Four Seasons resort which is right next door.
Both are beautiful places, but if I had to pick just one, Aulani wins!

It's not a Marriott property anymore?

 

[islandsnoopy]

It was a Marriott property for years, but the Four Seasons took over a few years ago. Around 2016.

 

[southerngirl528]

It's not a Marriott property anymore?

It was a Marriott property for years, but the Four Seasons took over a few years ago. Around 2016.

It was the Marriott Ihlani, Dis_Mike. As Islandsnoopy said, it closed a few years ago for refurb and reopened as the Four Seasons Ko Olina a couple of years ago. I haven't been back to Aulani since it opened so I'm looking forward to trying 1 or 2 of their restaurants for our next Aulani trip early next year!

 

[DIS_MIKE]

It was the Marriott Ihlani, Dis_Mike. As Islandsnoopy said, it closed a few years ago for refurb and reopened as the Four Seasons Ko Olina a couple of years ago. I haven't been back to Aulani since it opened so I'm looking forward to trying 1 or 2 of their restaurants for our next Aulani trip early next year!

Thanks for the info. They probably have some amazing restaurants to experience. I guess an easy way to know that it's been too long since your last visit is when hotels are changing brands.

 

[southerngirl528]

Thanks for the info. They probably have some amazing restaurants to experience. I guess an easy way to know that it's been too long since your last visit is when hotels are changing brands.

Of course! Aulani is pretty amazing, huh? Can't wait to take my brood for our next trip! I'm still hoping against hope that the huge Atlantis resort doesn't end up going through next door........

 

[DIS_MIKE]

Of course! Aulani is pretty amazing, huh? Can't wait to take my brood for our next trip! I'm still hoping against hope that the huge Atlantis resort doesn't end up going through next door........

I tell people that Aulani is paradise within paradise. I would chose it over any Disney park resort or Disney Cruise BUT had they built in South Carolina, not many would've cared for it.

I was hoping that Atlantis rumor died off.

 

[southerngirl528]

I tell people that Aulani is paradise within paradise. I would chose it over any Disney park resort or Disney Cruise BUT had they built in South Carolina, not many would've cared for it.

I was hoping that Atlantis rumor died off.

LOL!! I suppose it would not be quite as special if one didn't have to travel a very long ways to get there. My DH and I think it's the best thing Disney has ever built.

Yeah, I was following business publications occasional updates on Atlantis for a while. But not for the last number of months so I'm not really up to date on it's status. I do know a year or more ago they apparently did not have all their financial ducks in a row, from what I had read. So we shall see......

 

[ACDSNY]

Of course! Aulani is pretty amazing, huh? Can't wait to take my brood for our next trip! I'm still hoping against hope that the huge Atlantis resort doesn't end up going through next door........

We were at Aulani earlier this month and I think construction prep might have already started. I sure hope it doesn't change the Aulani atmosphere too much as we love it there.

 

[southerngirl528]

We were at Aulani earlier this month and I think construction prep might have already started. I sure hope it doesn't change the Aulani atmosphere too much as we love it there.

Me too, ACDSNY, me too.....

 

[DIS_MIKE]

LOL!! I suppose it would not be quite as special if one didn't have to travel a very long ways to get there. My DH and I think it's the best thing Disney has ever built.

Yeah, I was following business publications occasional updates on Atlantis for a while. But not for the last number of months so I'm not really up to date on it's status. I do know a year or more ago they apparently did not have all their financial ducks in a row, from what I had read. So we shall see......

It is a very long flight and i don't know how people do non-stop from NYC. I was on pure adrenaline when I go to the island but that 6-hour time difference had me all confused for a while haha.

I respectfully disagree that it's the best thing Disney has ever built BUT it's definitely a close second to WDW. All of this Aulani talk has me thinking I need to get there again real soon.

We'll just have to hold our breath when it comes to the Atlantis updates.

 

[southerngirl528]

It is a very long flight and i don't know how people do non-stop from NYC. I was on pure adrenaline when I go to the island but that 6-hour time difference had me all confused for a while haha.

I respectfully disagree that it's the best thing Disney has ever built BUT it's definitely a close second to WDW. All of this Aulani talk has me thinking I need to get there again real soon.

We'll just have to hold our breath when it comes to the Atlantis updates.

Yes! On all fronts! DH and I are rabid Hawaii freaks, so take that into consideration.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

We were at Aulani earlier this month and I think construction prep might have already started. I sure hope it doesn't change the Aulani atmosphere too much as we love it there.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Different music is played, but swimming is fine in both places.

 

[dvcdisney]

As others have said, it's difficult to make a comparison. CC is a great port stop and we always enjoy our time there. It's very relaxing and we try to do something new each time. Unfortunately, we are only there for a short time, so the atmosphere is very different as well. It feels like the difference between a 3 night cruise on the Dream vs 12 night cruise on the Magic. People are less hurried in Aulani and the sunset is absolutely gorgeous.

In Aulani, we stayed much longer (2wks) and we did everything we were interested in at the resort and were even able to tour the rest of Oahu. I would consider Aulani a resort destination while CC is exactly what it is, a cruise beach stop with fun water park features.

Both are wonderful for their purpose and they're built that way for a reason. I don't think I would like to stay at CC longer than a few days (perhaps that may just be me) and I would absolutely hate the idea of only staying one day in Aulani.

 

[cadien]

Both are wonderful for their purpose and they're built that way for a reason. I don't think I would like to stay at CC longer than a few days (perhaps that may just be me) and I would absolutely hate the idea of only staying one day in Aulani.

Speaking of which, does Disney ever do cruises that overnight at CC?

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Speaking of which, does Disney ever do cruises that overnight at CC?

No. Even on double dips that have 2 days in a row at CC they do not stay tied-up overnight. Everyone reboards the ship, the ship leaves the island, cruises around in very slow circles, then returns in the morning.