Here Now March 2016 , Now Home Last Thoughts

[Soccerluvinmama]

Aulanidreamer is correct on wristbands. Really no big deal getting them.

Balance of my family's late last night room issue resolved this afternoon, they ended up in a gorgeous one bedroom villa with excellent pool and ocean view, front desk delivered as promised.

Adult pool closed today, no one knows why, told "a pump issue". Yesterday the Jacuzzi at the spa was broken, disappointing to say the least when they were two of the pluses when we booked. Will see if adult pool comes back up on line tomorrow.

Resort is filling up, adult pool would have been enjoyed today. Yesterday one of the main pool was closed for an "incident". Won't do the regular hot tubs, too many diapered children in them for me.

Rented a cabana (number four) today for family, six adults. Nice having privacy and service, plenty of room for all of us, l can see where cabanas go quickly even at the new price point.

Since today was Sunday, construction noise at the Four Seasons was minimal, but they did have a helicopter later in the day setting rooftop equipment.

Trying the Aulani buffet tonight, had breakfast at Ama Ama this morning, very good. So far no complaint regarding food or bar service.

The helicopter did work for about half a day while I was there last month. The loads it was bringing in were impressive, and it was windy that day to boot!!! I remember thinking "what's my best escape route if that thing goes down?" while I was swimming in the cove

 

[twodogs]

Four Seasons website will let you start a reservation there 5/27, so I suspect that is when they think they will be open (or at least partially open, perhaps not completely done with construction).

 

[skunkvette]

Last night did Makahiki buffet. Do not recommend it unless you really like buffet style. $45 a head, food was barely average and trays ran empty for a good while. Service was good but it did not make up for subpar food. I would go across to Monkeypod or Pizza Corner first.

Ama Ama for breakfast today, unbelievable views and since we were hungry from last night, a hearty breakfast. Sure it is more pricey than a sweet roll from Ulu Cafe, but sometimes you want to be spoiled.

Heading out from the resort today to scout some shopping, then back for afternoon pool time, the adult pool is open again today.

Concerning the Four Seasons construction, the crews are back in force today. As a commercial contractor back home, I would say that they have a challenge to finish for a late May opening.

 

[cdnsluvdisney]

How is the weather? We arrive on Wed

 

[vikequeen]

Thanks for the update -- we will be joining you on Saturday.

 

[skunkvette]

How is the weather? We arrive on Wed

Weather has been very nice.

Since this our first trip to Hawaii, I am not sure how to compare the weather to norms, but every day has been mostly sunny in the upper 70s with occasional gusty winds.

Yesterday called for showers, and while we were in Wikiki, it rained for a brief outburst.

One of the members of our party got a moderate sun burn on day two.

 

[skunkvette]

Rode out and back to Wikiki yesterday for a break in our day.

Interesting drive, since when we had arrived from the flight very late, we did not see much of the local landscape on the way to the resort.

Did some afternoon pool time, the rest of the family did the ukulele class at 4 PM and really enjoyed it.

Back at Aulani I Had one of the infamous $7 hot dogs for lunch pool side, quite tasty and large enough to share, but I didn't !

Happy hour at 'Olelo Room from 5 to 7 is good value. Four cocktails are priced to $7, drafts are $5 and three appetizers are on special. Shared the cheesy garlic bread for $5 and our server suggested a side of ranch dressing to dip with, very good.

Roy's for a late dinner. Roy's is across and down the road a bit at the local golf course near the Aulani staff parking. We drove down because it was later and very dark. Free parking there, great staff, interesting menu, I think we all enjoyed it.

Pearl Harbor today.

 

[DisneyFanCat]

Thanks for sharing, we are going in May! First time at the Aulani and first time in Hawaii! Can't wait.

 

[cdnsluvdisney]

Rode out and back to Wikiki yesterday for a break in our day.

Interesting drive, since we had arrived very late, we did not see much of the local landscape on the way to the resort.

Did some afternoon pool time, the rest of the family did the ukulele class at 4 PM and really enjoyed it.

Back at Aulani I Had one of the infamous $7 hot dogs for lunch pool side, quite tasty and large enough to share, but I didn't !

Happy hour at 'Olelo Room from 5 to 7 is good value. Four cocktails are priced to $7, drafts are $5 and three appetizers are on special. Shared the cheesy garlic bread for $5 and our server suggested a side of ranch dressing to dip with, very good.

Roy's for a late dinner. Roy's is across and down the rode a bit at the local golf course near the Aulani staff parking. We drove down because it was later and very dark. Free parking there, great staff, interesting menu, I think we all enjoyed it.

Pearl Harbor today.

Thank you for posting Hope you had an awesome time at Pearl Harbor. I didn't realize there was the infamous "hot dog" (hot dog, hot diggity dog). Unfortunately for us we arrive late so it's not the same experience as being welcome during the day. Nice to know about happy hour. Also heard about Monkey Pod happy hour, and it's supposed to be good. We are going with friends so haven't done happy hour before.
Do you know what movies they are showing this week? I wonder if they will do
something for Easter for the kids? It is Disney after all

 

[alohamom]

oh you gotta try the portugese sausage by the pool next...and I am totally loving your casual daily reporting, feels like we are all kinda there with you!

 

[hilarys]

oh you gotta try the portugese sausage by the pool next...and I am totally loving your casual daily reporting, feels like we are all kinda there with you!

And then the onion rings - they can be lunch all on their own. I wish I remembered the name of the pool server we had a couple of days - he was awesome. Fun, friendly and he ran all around keeping people happy on a busy Thanksgiving week. Even though his location and ours changed day to day he remembered us and our favorite orders.

Enjoy the rest of your trip. Take a drive out to Kailua beach and/or Kuoaloa Ranch to see another beautiful part of the island.

 

[alohamom]

And then the onion rings - they can be lunch all on their own.

 

[skunkvette]

Thanks for the well wishes, just a few days left to enjoy!

Toured the island today, including Pearl Harbor, incredible. North Shore, Matsumato's Shaved Ice, lunch at a shrimp truck and lots of shopping.

Had a blast, family of the six of us all piled into our rental SUV. Traffic at times (and a few detours) was tough but we still had a great time.

Question on movies - last night was Planes.

Will check on tonight's feature and on any Easter activities when we head out for dinner later at Monkeypods.

And yes, the onion rings are terrific!

 

[William Barry]

Keep the posts coming, this is awesome!! Can't wait till our trip in th beginning of May!!!!!! Love getting information and ideas from those there before us.

 

[cmph]

Is Olelo ok for kids to eat at? The website photos show regular tables away from the bar, so I'm guessing yes? Of course there are only adults in the photos. The happy hour food menu is pretty kid-friendly (at least for my kids, who are older), but I don't want to bring them if it's clearly an adult lounge.

 

[skunkvette]

Is Olelo ok for kids to eat at? The website photos show regular tables away from the bar, so I'm guessing yes? Of course there are only adults in the photos. The happy hour food menu is pretty kid-friendly (at least for my kids, who are older), but I don't want to bring them if it's clearly an adult lounge.

If I have one issue with Aulani it would be that it is TOO kid friendly.

Not having children of our own we prefer more adult atmosphere. Except for the adult pool area, all other locations are very child friendly including Ama Ama and Olelo.

We saw five unattended children around six to eight years old at Off the Hook Bar this afternoon sharing a table, five plates of food and drink, left a mess for the server, no parent in sight. They had ordered before we sat down for a drink, so I am not sure how this came to be.

Don't see a problem with attended children at the tables at Olelo.

 

[skunkvette]

Do you know what movies they are showing this week? I wonder if they will do
something for Easter for the kids? It is Disney after all

Movies are Friday and Monday. Monday was Planes, Friday is not yet posted.

Front desk says the only thing on their activities calendar for Easter is the Easter Dinner, but they have not seen the actual Easter Week calendar in their schedule window.

 

[Vernie822]

This is awesome, thank you! We will be there for a week in September. 2 adults as well (honeymooning), we booked a studio oceanview.. Thanks for all of the great reviews, I'm still trying to figure out our itinerary, to make sure it's a mix of down days with some sightseeing.

 

[Gorechick]

If I have one issue with Aulani it would be that it is TOO kid friendly.

Not having children of our own we prefer more adult atmosphere. Except for the adult pool area, all other locations are very child friendly including Ama Ama and Olelo.

We saw five unattended children around six to eight years old at Off the Hook Bar this afternoon sharing a table, five plates of food and drink, left a mess for the server, no parent in sight. They had ordered before we sat down for a drink, so I am not sure how this came to be.

Don't see a problem with attended children at the tables at Olelo.

We had dinner during sunset hour with our DD10 at Olelo on our arrival night. We ordered a selection of apps (nachos, sliders, and sashimi trio) and drinks and sat at one of the counter height tables so we could see the guitar duo that evening. Food was great and it was an enjoyable evening for our first night at Aulani.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Really enjoying your updates! When you went to Pearl Harbor, were you able to take the boat out to the USS Arizona? I follow their Facebook page and it looks like the boats have been suspended a lot lately due to high winds.