asunutgirl
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2012
- Messages
- 617
We spent last week at Aulani - our first visit in five years due to the pandemic. We had a great time and it was a much needed vacation. Some items of note:
-Staffing is still an issue at the resort. The cast members we encountered were all amazing but they are still short staffed. So a dose of patience is warranted.
-Ama ama is not open because of staffing. The floor is all torn up right now so they are clearly doing some remodeling while it is still closed.
-If you can't get a reservation for something online, go to guest services and ask. My husband was able to get us character breakfast and Paradise Luau reservations that way.
-Everything in Hawaii is always expensive but it seemed even more so this trip. Just be aware.
-I saw many guests acting very entitled. Leaving pool towels balled up in the corners of the hallway, dumping towels outside their rooms, trash all over the beach and many used towels laying all over chairs on the beach and the pool deck. I even saw one lady intentionally drop her trash on the floor and keep walking. There aren't enough cast members right now so please do your part. Throw away your trash. Put your towels in the towel drop when you are done with them. Your fellow members would appreciate it.
-You can use magic bands at the resort but they aren't needed. We are west coasters and we aren't used to using them at Disneyland. You can function just fine at Aulani without them.
-If you go to Waikiki, check out the alley of local vendors near the International Marketplace. The mom and pop shops that used to populate the marketplace have been pushed out for high end designer stores. If you are facing the sign, walk to your left about a block and wander down the alley of local Hawaiian vendors. You will find locals willing to bargin and happy to serve you. We loved picking up souvenirs here.
-We did the two hour horseback ride at Kualoa Ranch. Really peaceful and a beautiful way to see the ranch.
-We are Scuba certified and have been diving with several dive operators on Oahu over the last 28 years. This trip, we dove one day with Dive Oahu and I can't say enough about them. Easy to book, friendly, great service, small dive group and the 3 dive masters on our boat were extremely helpful when my daughter was stung by a box jellyfish. I highly recomment Dive Oahu. No so much the jellyfish sting.
-I miss the adult pool. I hope it comes back eventually.
-We like the space of a two bedroom and I could only book a standard view due to the 50% borrowing restriction. I was worried we would be looking at a cement wall. We overlooked the conference center and had fun watching the activities of the corporate group that was there most of the week. Not the best view but it was better than I expected.
-Masks aren't required but many of the cast members and some guests were wearing them. I was surprised that we weren't required to wear them anywhere that we went. We carried them just in case. And wore them on the plane both directions.
-Target has a line of Hawaiian made dresses (and shirts for men) that are quite lovely. $40 for a maxi dress compared to the $120 price at Aulani. You can't miss them as they are at the front of the store.
-If you don't have a Crumbl Cookie near you, there is a new location in the Target center. They are amazing and HUGE. The line was out the door so you many want to consider having them delivered if you want to try them.
Happy to answer any questions.
-Staffing is still an issue at the resort. The cast members we encountered were all amazing but they are still short staffed. So a dose of patience is warranted.
-Ama ama is not open because of staffing. The floor is all torn up right now so they are clearly doing some remodeling while it is still closed.
-If you can't get a reservation for something online, go to guest services and ask. My husband was able to get us character breakfast and Paradise Luau reservations that way.
-Everything in Hawaii is always expensive but it seemed even more so this trip. Just be aware.
-I saw many guests acting very entitled. Leaving pool towels balled up in the corners of the hallway, dumping towels outside their rooms, trash all over the beach and many used towels laying all over chairs on the beach and the pool deck. I even saw one lady intentionally drop her trash on the floor and keep walking. There aren't enough cast members right now so please do your part. Throw away your trash. Put your towels in the towel drop when you are done with them. Your fellow members would appreciate it.
-You can use magic bands at the resort but they aren't needed. We are west coasters and we aren't used to using them at Disneyland. You can function just fine at Aulani without them.
-If you go to Waikiki, check out the alley of local vendors near the International Marketplace. The mom and pop shops that used to populate the marketplace have been pushed out for high end designer stores. If you are facing the sign, walk to your left about a block and wander down the alley of local Hawaiian vendors. You will find locals willing to bargin and happy to serve you. We loved picking up souvenirs here.
-We did the two hour horseback ride at Kualoa Ranch. Really peaceful and a beautiful way to see the ranch.
-We are Scuba certified and have been diving with several dive operators on Oahu over the last 28 years. This trip, we dove one day with Dive Oahu and I can't say enough about them. Easy to book, friendly, great service, small dive group and the 3 dive masters on our boat were extremely helpful when my daughter was stung by a box jellyfish. I highly recomment Dive Oahu. No so much the jellyfish sting.
-I miss the adult pool. I hope it comes back eventually.
-We like the space of a two bedroom and I could only book a standard view due to the 50% borrowing restriction. I was worried we would be looking at a cement wall. We overlooked the conference center and had fun watching the activities of the corporate group that was there most of the week. Not the best view but it was better than I expected.
-Masks aren't required but many of the cast members and some guests were wearing them. I was surprised that we weren't required to wear them anywhere that we went. We carried them just in case. And wore them on the plane both directions.
-Target has a line of Hawaiian made dresses (and shirts for men) that are quite lovely. $40 for a maxi dress compared to the $120 price at Aulani. You can't miss them as they are at the front of the store.
-If you don't have a Crumbl Cookie near you, there is a new location in the Target center. They are amazing and HUGE. The line was out the door so you many want to consider having them delivered if you want to try them.
Happy to answer any questions.
