Just back from first Aulani stay. Wow! Just wow!

[PocahontasLookALike]

It exceeded every one of my very high expectations. We didn’t know what to expect apart from reading on here and some other internet searches but we were blown away. We have two elementary school aged kids and we couldnt have imagined a better vacation. We are DVC so using our points here for 5 nights in an ocean view studio was such a treat. I would have loved a one bedroom but we booked with 3 weeks notice and were just happy to be able to get a room period!

 

[pinkxray]

Thanks for the positive report. Glad you had such a good time.
We will be there next month and I can’t wait!

 

[mort1331]

It exceeded every one of my very high expectations. We didn’t know what to expect apart from reading on here and some other internet searches but we were blown away. We have two elementary school aged kids and we couldnt have imagined a better vacation. We are DVC so using our points here for 5 nights in an ocean view studio was such a treat. I would have loved a one bedroom but we booked with 3 weeks notice and were just happy to be able to get a room period!

Lots of pixie dust to get a room on such short notice,,,,glad it worked out for you.
Please we are going for first time in July,,,what were some things you did off resort, and recommend, I know we have read alot, but as a first timer, would love your take on it.

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

We had a car one day and drove the entire island. Played super duper tourist and did and ate all the touristy things. It was my kids first time to the island so we wanted to have them do it. Like dole. Matsumotos (aloha grocers just up from that is much better), Pearl Harbor, etc. we LOVED them around. I wished we had a little more time at the north shore to explore Waimea falls but it always seems crowded and so passed this time. We did the coral
Crater zipline which was so fun. My kids LOVED it. We did the paradise cove luau. But really my kids loved the resort pools and beaches. And so did we!

 

[alohamom]

This was our experience the first time at Aulani as well, especially for me.
We had been to other resorts on all the major Hawaiian Islands numerous times and I was worried that Aulani was going to feel too manufactured.
Mostly because of the man made lagoons, the tight spacing of the resort and the theming-boy, was I wrong!
The price always kept us away as well.
I was honestly very surprised at how much our family enjoyed it.
The lazy river is what puts it over the top for us.

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

This was our experience the first time at Aulani as well, especially for me.
We had been to other resorts on all the major Hawaiian Islands numerous times and I was worried that Aulani was going to feel too manufactured.
Mostly because of the man made lagoons, the tight spacing of the resort and the theming-boy, was I wrong!
The price always kept us away as well.
I was honestly very surprised at how much our family enjoyed it.
The lazy river is what puts it over the top for us.

100%! my husband was afraid it would feel like a themepark in Hawaii. And as much as we love the parks we didn’t want that feeling for a tropical vacation. And it didn’t feel manufactured at all. I had all the same concerns when looking at the map or pictures I thought it would feel like how closely packed the anaheim hotels are. But the spacing is just perfect in my opinion. My kids loved the calm water of the lagoons that allowed them to float and play without being tumbled around.

 

[Apixarfan]

Can anyone say how warm the water is in the lagoons? (relative to the pools and Aulani's private snorkeling area).

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

It wasn’t bath water warm but since it’s quite shallow from the sand it feels like it warms up quick. The pools felt chilly in the shade. But I’m an AZ girl and when it’s below 75 degrees we basically pull out snow gear

 

[BradleyCB]

Did you do any of the excursions? If so, any you would recommend?

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

We did the coral crater zipline but we booked it ourselves. We did Pearl Harbor but again booked it all on our own. My kids loved the ziplining. it was fun, but in hindsight I would have just Uber’d to the location and back instead of using the free kamakana alii shuttle. It would have saved us 1.5-2 hrs. Or I would trade it for just another day at the resort. My kids had fun, but they would have loved another beach/pool day just as much.
Now Pearl Harbor is for sure a do not miss in my opinion.

 

[Lew]

Can anyone say how warm the water is in the lagoons? (relative to the pools and Aulani's private snorkeling area).

We don't use the pools; however, I can tell you the water in the lagoon is on the cool side in mid afternoon. Having said that, it takes just a few seconds to get used to the water temperature.

 

[jerseygal]

It wasn’t bath water warm but since it’s quite shallow from the sand it feels like it warms up quick. The pools felt chilly in the shade. But I’m an AZ girl and when it’s below 75 degrees we basically pull out snow gear

We have heated pools where we are in Fl, so if the pool is not 83, iM nor happy

 

[mort1331]

as long as we are not cutting ice out to go swimming we are good to go....from Canada EH!

 

[BradleyCB]

We did the coral crater zipline but we booked it ourselves. We did Pearl Harbor but again booked it all on our own. My kids loved the ziplining. it was fun, but in hindsight I would have just Uber’d to the location and back instead of using the free kamakana alii shuttle. It would have saved us 1.5-2 hrs. Or I would trade it for just another day at the resort. My kids had fun, but they would have loved another beach/pool day just as much.
Now Pearl Harbor is for sure a do not miss in my opinion.

Thank you! We have Pear Harbor on our list. I figure our kids would be like your kids and would ultimately prefer as much time in the pool or at the beach as possible.

 

[Lilsia]

100%! my husband was afraid it would feel like a themepark in Hawaii. And as much as we love the parks we didn’t want that feeling for a tropical vacation. And it didn’t feel manufactured at all. I had all the same concerns when looking at the map or pictures I thought it would feel like how closely packed the anaheim hotels are. But the spacing is just perfect in my opinion. My kids loved the calm water of the lagoons that allowed them to float and play without being tumbled around.

It is so strange that so many people think that it is going to be a theme park. If Disney had built another theme park, we would be hearing about it all over the place so I don't know why anyone thinks that. We also fell in love with Aulani and with Hawaii in general. There is such a peaceful feeling that you get there. That is why it is so shocking to hear the complaints. But when you really read the complaints, they are about silly things, like someone complained that there was a line to get food. LOL If you look for something to complain about, you will find it. If you have the mindset of enjoying yourself, then you will. Glad you had a great trip.

 

[PocahontasLookALike]

Exactly! Once we were there I was thinking what could people possibly complain about? It’s an VERY nice resort and every cast member we encountered was extremely pleasant. The whole property had an amazing relaxing vibe without feeling cheesy or overly manufactured. I feel like if there is any hype to Aulani it lives up to it 100%. they say that when people come to Disney (anything Disney) their expectations are higher than that of anything else. And if people have high expectations, they’ll be met at Aulani. It was so dreamy and we’re already thinking about next trip back.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

It wasn’t bath water warm but since it’s quite shallow from the sand it feels like it warms up quick. The pools felt chilly in the shade. But I’m an AZ girl and when it’s below 75 degrees we basically pull out snow gear

Another Canadian here. 60 = shorts, 65 = swimming and 70 = turning on the a/c to get the house back down to 65…

 

[MouseOfCards]

It exceeded every one of my very high expectations. We didn’t know what to expect apart from reading on here and some other internet searches but we were blown away.

That was our response on our first visit as well. Love Aulani! Will soon be there for our 5th visit.

 

[mikkle]

How long was your stay? We are going for a week in October. This will be our first time staying at Aulani, and I'm wondering if 7 days isn't too long...

 

[Sydnerella]

How long was your stay? We are going for a week in October. This will be our first time staying at Aulani, and I'm wondering if 7 days isn't too long...

You didn’t ask me but we booked a week in July. Seems a common length of stay here but obv longer is always nice!