Luana Lounge Limited Entries?

[carlbarry]

When I stayed at Aulani when it first opened, there was unlimited access to the Luana Lounge--the room you can use after check out, that has locker rooms, showers, etc.
I just read a review on tripadvisor that states they were given to cards for admittance to the room, and could only enter twice.
Is this the new policy?
Thanks.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I read the same thing here a couple of weeks ago. Sorry but I don't remember which Aulani thread.

 

[Girimama33]

I thought I read that it was only a one time entry...either way...there is no longer unlimited access.

 

[wdrl]

You are talking about Aulani's Luana Lounge, which is available to Aulani guests that have late departures. There was a thread posted several weeks ago, and confirmed by a couple other guests, about Aulani limited access to the Luana Lounge. Guests can get an access card from the front desk and they can enter and exit the Luana Lounge so they can change their clothes, shower, and temporarily store their carryon luggage in the personalized lockers.

Limiting access is a new development. When Aulani first opened, guests could use the lounge throughout the day whenever they wanted. Now that the resort is completely open, I suspect the lounge is too small to accommodate everyone. Some people could park their belongings in a locker at 7:00 AM and keep the lockers occupied throughout the day, even though they aren't leaving the resort until late at night.

By the way, the Pau Hana room is actually the name of Aulani's Community Hall. It has no access restrictions.

 

[carlbarry]

You are talking about Aulani's Luana Lounge, which is available to Aulani guests that have late departures. There was a tread posted several weeks ago, and confirmed by a couple other guests, about Aulani limited access to the Luana Lounge. Guests can get an access card from the front desk and they can enter and exit the Luana Lounge so they can change their clothes, shower, and temporarily store their carryon luggage in the personalized lockers.

Limiting access is a new development. When Aulani first opened, guests could use the lounge throughout the day whenever they wanted. Now that the resort is completely open, I suspect the lounge is too small to accommodate everyone. Some people could park their belongings in a locker at 7:00 AM and keep the lockers occupied throughout the day, even though they aren't leaving the resort until late at night.

By the way, the Pau Hana room is actually the name of Aulani's Community Hall. It has no access restrictions.

Yes, Pau Hana is the wrong name; that is the name used in the tipadvisor review I read.
When I stayed at Aulani in January 2012 it was not fully opened. I checked out and put my bag in the locker room. I re-entered to get my lunch. And then in the afternoon I re-entered to shower and change.
I suspect that you hit the nail on the head. Now that the resort is fully opened, the lounge is not big enough for the kind of access I enjoyed.

 

[Cinderpamela]

This is a link to the thread with the details:http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3218135

wrdl is correct in his description above of the new policy that we experienced during our stay in December. The card given out by the front desk on departure day is a one time only entry card now. I posted our experience with using the lounge on the thread above.

 

[carlbarry]

Wow, thanks. I gather the idea is that you go in, put your stuff in a locker, shower, dry off, change, and leave. Certainly not as convenient as when I was there. I booked a room for a friend and her daughter, and she is quite disappointed by this change.

 

[Cinderpamela]

Wow, thanks. I gather the idea is that you go in, put your stuff in a locker, shower, dry off, change, and leave. Certainly not as convenient as when I was there. I booked a room for a friend and her daughter, and she is quite disappointed by this change.

That is exactly the idea. With the resort at capacity now it would not be very enjoyable to hang out there all day... even just in the short time I was there getting cleaned up after being at the pool most of the day it was way to crowded to be a place I would want to spend a lot of time in. Granted the resort was full as it was Christmas time, so perhaps other times of year would not be as busy.

Meanwhile next door at the Pau Hana Room (community Center) there was lots of room to sit around, watch TV and such.

 

[carlbarry]

That is exactly the idea. With the resort at capacity now it would not be very enjoyable to hang out there all day... even just in the short time I was there getting cleaned up after being at the pool most of the day it was way to crowded to be a place I would want to spend a lot of time in. Granted the resort was full as it was Christmas time, so perhaps other times of year would not be as busy.

Meanwhile next door at the Pau Hana Room (community Center) there was lots of room to sit around, watch TV and such.

When I was there I don't think I saw another person in the locker room area, and there were a couple of people in the lounge area.

 

[Cinderpamela]

When I was there I don't think I saw another person in the locker room area, and there were a couple of people in the lounge area.

I wish it would have been like that! When we were there in August of 2012 thats how it was.... but not this past Christmas.

 

[BDJazz]

On a similar note, does Aulani have a spot to check your airline baggage like the WDW resorts do?

 

[carlbarry]

It occurs to me that the way the Lounge is run now must not have been their original intention. They have perhaps 50 lockers in a room with only 2 showers, and you're only supposed to stay for 30 minutes. The number of lockers makes no sense. So either they thought putting in a more logical number of lockers, maybe 15, wouldn't look right, or originally expected people to stow their stuff there all day.

 

[carlbarry]

On a similar note, does Aulani have a spot to check your airline baggage like the WDW resorts do?

No. No Magical Express, no luggage handling.

 

[wdrl]

No. No Magical Express, no luggage handling.

Correct. But Bell Services has a luggage scale that you can use if you are concerned whether your luggage meets or exceeds the weight limits imposed by many airlines.

 

[deedisneydream97]

Also missing from the lounge is the computer console and big monitor where you could see the departing/arriving flights into Honolulu, and you could also log in and print your boarding pass. This has been removed, but you can now do this in the community hall next door.

We had a rental car, so stored our big luggage in there. We only kept our essentials at our chairs by the pool (change of clothes, deodorant, etc.) that we needed for changing and showering and made sure we gave ourselves enough time in case it was crowded (it wasn't, it was January, a few weeks ago). Back up plan was to rinse at one of the pool showers and use locker room for dressing etc.

Not sure, but I think bell services might "hold" your luggage until you depart if you are taking a taxi....

We were two adults and were only given one "one time use card". We met another family in the lounge....a family of four, and they were given four cards. So....I'm not sure what their official policy is. Yes, they put locks on the door not only to help restrict people from parking their stuff all day, but anyone could just walk in there and use the facilities. I'm okay with the changes....just glad they have that option.

 

[carlbarry]

Yes, when I was there shortly after opening, the lounge area was open and people just wandered in and out, whether or not they were in actual need of that facility.