Jkpark
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2012
We just got back from 6 amazing nights at Aulani and I wanted to share my thoughts/experience. Trying to keep it brief to not bore you, but Im happy to give more details if you have any questions 
First the overall review. We LOVED it. It was me, DH, DD7 and DD5. They were the perfect age to still enjoy the characters but also try some activities. It was also a great balance of family time, and being able to have adult time knowing your kids are having a better time than you. Even knowing how much the resort offered, I was amazed at how much there was to do. We only planned one activity for Monday afternoon ahead of time and I was honestly worried we would get a little bored towards the end of the week. We could have easily stayed longer and we have a list of things to do next time. If you have young kids, dont get caught up just reading the activities for kids we loved the family activities we got to do together. Construction didnt bother us at all. Honestly the only point where I found it annoying was using the downstairs restrooms - they must having been doing something just above me
.
We stayed in a studio ocean view and requested a high floor. We were given room 1664 which is in the short wing of the Ewa tower. Gorgeous view will try to upload some pictures.
For dining we had breakfast, lunch and dinner at Ama Ama (loved all 3 meals), we did the character breakfast (fun and good food would rate it higher than the food at your basic WDW or DLR character breakfasts), had breakfast and a light dinner at the Olelo Room (liked them both), and we had food from One Paddle, Two Paddle and Off the Hook (basic poolside food). Across the street we tried Monkeypod (liked it) and Just Tacos (not as much). We walked the beach once and ended up at Chucks b/c Longboards was closed for the night. We drove up to the north shore one day and ate breakfast at Breakers and stopped at Teds Bakery (liked the chocolate haupia pie but LOVED the dream cake). I thought we would do the family meal one night but it just never worked out where we knew by noon what we would be doing for dinner so never got around to that. In terms of snacks, we had plenty of Mickey ice cream bars and DH and DD7 had plenty of shaved ice. Tried to hit the yogurt bar by the teen spa but kept mis-timing that, too. Had a Roys reservation our last night but the kids just wanted to play more in the pool so we skipped that, too. We bought some groceries for light lunches and breakfasts (and wine). We also did the refillable mugs.
In terms of what we did, on Monday we did the Catamaran Experience booked through Aulani and we LOVED it. I would recommend this to anyone kids of all ages, no kids, etc. We did Rainbow Reef, rented a kayak in the lagoon, spend a LOT of time on the slides and in the pool and lazy river. The kids played at Menehune Bridge (I am too tall
). We did the animation class and ukulele class through the Pau Hana room, attended the Starlit Hui, made leis and played games in the Pau Hana room. We did a couple Menehune adventure trails, too. The girls did some free play at Auntys (probably not as much as they wanted), Stitchs Space Goo, Eruption Disruption and Surfs Up with Chip and Dale. I did one load of laundry my first in a hotel! (I usually just over-pack). It wasnt as bad as I was expecting and helped a TON.
This was mostly a relaxed, no-plans vacation for us so it wasnt too stressful. If I was in my normal over-planning detailed vacation mode these are the things that would have stressed me out so Ill share so you can be prepared. I was told the resort was at capacity while we were there, so note that you might have a completely different experience if you are there off season.
(1) People were saving chairs by the pool pretty early in the morning (before 7 and the pool opened at 8). Walking around just after 8 it was hard to find any open chair regardless of shade/sun/view. Not sure where all these people were as the pools, slides, river never seemed that crowded but if having a chair or the perfect chair is important to you, it seemed more like what I have heard of the cruise ships than what I have seen at WDW and DLR resorts. Also note the staff was doing a good job by the 2nd day or clearing chairs that went an hour without being used. I have heard this isnt the case on the cruise ships so if you are used to leaving your stuff for the day know it really may be gone if you come back 2 hours later.
(2) We had rain (as expected) and I was surprised they didnt reschedule the activities that were cancelled due to rain. There were plenty of other activities, and Im sure it would be a logistics/staffing problem to try to but if there are certain outdoor activities you have your heart set on just know they may get cancelled and you may have to catch them on your next trip.
(3) Photopass photographers. They are around quite a bit each character meet and greet, each scheduled activity at Auntys, the planned family activities and even randomly at the Pau Hana room, in the lazy river, in the lobby, on the beach everywhere. This is great if you catch them, but can be a little frustrating if you always seem to just miss them. I saw them in the lobby every day at different times, but I was also in the lobby once a day with all 4 of us looking for them and the timing never worked out. We kayaked on the beach, kids built sand castles, etc. and as we were getting hot ready to head up to more shade, they show up to take pictures there. We would see them in the lazy river from Olelo room but not while we were actually in there, etc. We did track a few down and ask them to come take certain pictures for us and we got plenty of great ones (bought the CD). Again just pointing this out so if you see others pictures/reviews, just know if may take a little more work to get them at the right place at the right time but totally worth it. They are all so nice and help to make great memories.
(4) Auntys Beach House. I signed them up for Surfs Up with Chip & Dale before we left to time it with our Ama Ama reservation. I didnt realize you had to sign up for daily activities, too. When I dropped off our registration paperwork, she mentioned you would need to sign up the day of for activities as noted in the daily Iwa. I didnt get a sense of urgency. Fast forward to Tuesday morning. I am walking from the Olelo Room back to the elevator with my coffee and Iwa and I see a line down by Auntys (7:40 am). I head down and ask and they are in line to sign their kids up for activities that day. One woman mentioned at check in she was told lines start before 7 so get there early for activities. Another woman wasnt told that at check in, but had tried to sign up for something at 9am the day before and it was full. I hadnt gotten that info at check in either. Just seemed inconsistent in what information people were receiving. I also heard them turning families away from items listed that didnt even indicate sign-up, space limited in the Iwa.
We cannot wait to go back! So if you have questions let me know as I would love to keep re-living this vacation!
First the overall review. We LOVED it. It was me, DH, DD7 and DD5. They were the perfect age to still enjoy the characters but also try some activities. It was also a great balance of family time, and being able to have adult time knowing your kids are having a better time than you. Even knowing how much the resort offered, I was amazed at how much there was to do. We only planned one activity for Monday afternoon ahead of time and I was honestly worried we would get a little bored towards the end of the week. We could have easily stayed longer and we have a list of things to do next time. If you have young kids, dont get caught up just reading the activities for kids we loved the family activities we got to do together. Construction didnt bother us at all. Honestly the only point where I found it annoying was using the downstairs restrooms - they must having been doing something just above me
.We stayed in a studio ocean view and requested a high floor. We were given room 1664 which is in the short wing of the Ewa tower. Gorgeous view will try to upload some pictures.
For dining we had breakfast, lunch and dinner at Ama Ama (loved all 3 meals), we did the character breakfast (fun and good food would rate it higher than the food at your basic WDW or DLR character breakfasts), had breakfast and a light dinner at the Olelo Room (liked them both), and we had food from One Paddle, Two Paddle and Off the Hook (basic poolside food). Across the street we tried Monkeypod (liked it) and Just Tacos (not as much). We walked the beach once and ended up at Chucks b/c Longboards was closed for the night. We drove up to the north shore one day and ate breakfast at Breakers and stopped at Teds Bakery (liked the chocolate haupia pie but LOVED the dream cake). I thought we would do the family meal one night but it just never worked out where we knew by noon what we would be doing for dinner so never got around to that. In terms of snacks, we had plenty of Mickey ice cream bars and DH and DD7 had plenty of shaved ice. Tried to hit the yogurt bar by the teen spa but kept mis-timing that, too. Had a Roys reservation our last night but the kids just wanted to play more in the pool so we skipped that, too. We bought some groceries for light lunches and breakfasts (and wine). We also did the refillable mugs.
In terms of what we did, on Monday we did the Catamaran Experience booked through Aulani and we LOVED it. I would recommend this to anyone kids of all ages, no kids, etc. We did Rainbow Reef, rented a kayak in the lagoon, spend a LOT of time on the slides and in the pool and lazy river. The kids played at Menehune Bridge (I am too tall
). We did the animation class and ukulele class through the Pau Hana room, attended the Starlit Hui, made leis and played games in the Pau Hana room. We did a couple Menehune adventure trails, too. The girls did some free play at Auntys (probably not as much as they wanted), Stitchs Space Goo, Eruption Disruption and Surfs Up with Chip and Dale. I did one load of laundry my first in a hotel! (I usually just over-pack). It wasnt as bad as I was expecting and helped a TON. This was mostly a relaxed, no-plans vacation for us so it wasnt too stressful. If I was in my normal over-planning detailed vacation mode these are the things that would have stressed me out so Ill share so you can be prepared. I was told the resort was at capacity while we were there, so note that you might have a completely different experience if you are there off season.
(1) People were saving chairs by the pool pretty early in the morning (before 7 and the pool opened at 8). Walking around just after 8 it was hard to find any open chair regardless of shade/sun/view. Not sure where all these people were as the pools, slides, river never seemed that crowded but if having a chair or the perfect chair is important to you, it seemed more like what I have heard of the cruise ships than what I have seen at WDW and DLR resorts. Also note the staff was doing a good job by the 2nd day or clearing chairs that went an hour without being used. I have heard this isnt the case on the cruise ships so if you are used to leaving your stuff for the day know it really may be gone if you come back 2 hours later.
(2) We had rain (as expected) and I was surprised they didnt reschedule the activities that were cancelled due to rain. There were plenty of other activities, and Im sure it would be a logistics/staffing problem to try to but if there are certain outdoor activities you have your heart set on just know they may get cancelled and you may have to catch them on your next trip.
(3) Photopass photographers. They are around quite a bit each character meet and greet, each scheduled activity at Auntys, the planned family activities and even randomly at the Pau Hana room, in the lazy river, in the lobby, on the beach everywhere. This is great if you catch them, but can be a little frustrating if you always seem to just miss them. I saw them in the lobby every day at different times, but I was also in the lobby once a day with all 4 of us looking for them and the timing never worked out. We kayaked on the beach, kids built sand castles, etc. and as we were getting hot ready to head up to more shade, they show up to take pictures there. We would see them in the lazy river from Olelo room but not while we were actually in there, etc. We did track a few down and ask them to come take certain pictures for us and we got plenty of great ones (bought the CD). Again just pointing this out so if you see others pictures/reviews, just know if may take a little more work to get them at the right place at the right time but totally worth it. They are all so nice and help to make great memories.
(4) Auntys Beach House. I signed them up for Surfs Up with Chip & Dale before we left to time it with our Ama Ama reservation. I didnt realize you had to sign up for daily activities, too. When I dropped off our registration paperwork, she mentioned you would need to sign up the day of for activities as noted in the daily Iwa. I didnt get a sense of urgency. Fast forward to Tuesday morning. I am walking from the Olelo Room back to the elevator with my coffee and Iwa and I see a line down by Auntys (7:40 am). I head down and ask and they are in line to sign their kids up for activities that day. One woman mentioned at check in she was told lines start before 7 so get there early for activities. Another woman wasnt told that at check in, but had tried to sign up for something at 9am the day before and it was full. I hadnt gotten that info at check in either. Just seemed inconsistent in what information people were receiving. I also heard them turning families away from items listed that didnt even indicate sign-up, space limited in the Iwa.
We cannot wait to go back! So if you have questions let me know as I would love to keep re-living this vacation!
Thanks for the info about Aunty's! I hadn't even processed the whole 'premium experiences' stuff. So...if you register for those premium experiences before you go, you STILL have ot go stand in line the morning of to get on the list for them too? 
