Question: Kids @ Aulani...

[DVCRSheridan]

My fiancé & I are strongly considering Aulani for our honeymoon next summer, but while we don't mind kids we don't wanna feel like we're overrun with kids. Can anyone speak on their experience @ Aulani and the presence of kids? Are there adult only activities, more romantic type things, etc? We know there will obviously be some children being a Disney resort, just curious if there's any separation. Thanks guys!

 

[tjkraz]

With the exception of DCL (which does have an adults-only beach and pool), IMO anytime you visit a Disney venue your trip will be impacted by children. That's the primary audience to which they cater.

Scheduling adult activities can minimize the exposure. Spa visits and more adult-oriented excursions would help. But in general I would expect there to be kids in the hotel room next to yours, kids on the poolside lounge chair next to yours and kids at the dinner table beside yours.

Other people's experiences may have no bearing on what you find during your stay. Even if a poster claims that they saw few children during their stay, your experience may be very different...particularly during summer vacation months.

 

[DVCRSheridan]

Yea I understand that there's ALWAYS children at a Disney resort, I've been enough times to know that. My main question is whether there are enough things to do there where it won't be like being surrounded by children 24 hours a day. There's gotta be some romance lol

 

[taaren]

Its family oriented, but like a PP said, you can tailor your experience towards non-kid activities. Have a meal at Roy's across the street and have some souffle, there aren't that many kids there because its high end dining. There is a quiet pool. Go have a happy hour at the Ihilani next door, its cheaper than drinking at Disney and almost as gorgeous.

The pool and beach are mostly where you're going to see the kids and hear the shouting (but I don't consider water slides terribly romantic anyways ). Other than that they're going to be in the kids clubs, at the character breakfasts. I did one trip with my DS5 and one without, and I didn't notice the kids much on the latter, because I was focusing on hanging with my adult friends (and their relationship issues, but that's another story).

Btw, walks on the beach are terribly romantic at any age and every beach in Hawaii is public property by law, maintained by the parks and recreation departments so other than a few nude beaches (which children are allowed at but not seen frequently), there will be a few kids but mostly not obnoxious ones. At least this has been our experience and we walk on the beach every week at least.

 

[DVCRSheridan]

So basically it is what you make of it. Thank you very much for your input! We kinda figured this was the case but just wanted to make sure! Thanks

 

[DVCRSheridan]

Bump

 

[aymekae]

My DH and I are going to Aulani in November (we have no kids). We went to DL and WDW for our honeymoon and loved every second of it. At no time did we feel that the presence of families detracted from the romance. We also went on a DCL cruise last December, and felt the same way (though the adults only pool helped!) We have no reservations about our Aulani trip either. We are planning on doing our own touring of the island, not booking excursions through Disney. We will probably eat off site or in our studio every day, as neither of us are excited about the food offerings there. And we're planning one whole relaxing day in the spa. I've heard of a pool on site that doesn't have any bells or whistles, and so while it is not "adult only", I've heard it doesn't attract many kids. The only thing I'm a teensiest concerned about is the reports of rowdy kids in the hot tubs. I don't mind kids in there, just not screaming and splashing, you know? Hopefully because we're going at a time of year where most kids are in schools, we will be able to have some quieter moments in the hot tubs.

 

[taaren]

I've heard of a pool on site that doesn't have any bells or whistles, and so while it is not "adult only", I've heard it doesn't attract many kids. The only thing I'm a teensiest concerned about is the reports of rowdy kids in the hot tubs. I don't mind kids in there, just not screaming and splashing, you know? Hopefully because we're going at a time of year where most kids are in schools, we will be able to have some quieter moments in the hot tubs.

Yep that's the quiet pool. Its over by the hotel wing.

The infinity hot tubs are quite spectacular and attract lots of kids, and there was too much splashing for my taste (and I had DS5 with me the first time who is quite energetic, but he wasn't splashing!). There are two other hot tubs in the pool complex that didn't seem to have many kids when we passed by, probably because those hot tubs didn't have the "wow" factor of the infinity ones.

 

[rentayenta]

DH and I are considering Aulani for our 20th next year sans our own kids. Stay away from the obvious like character meals and kiddie pools and I think you'll be fine.

 

[mkburme]

Yes, the quite pool is nice. There were not many kids and we saw Kelly Ripa and Carson Kressley enjoying it while we were there!

 

[tguy47]

We dropped our kids off at Aunty's and went to the quite pool on our recent trip and were surprised to find it full of little kids playing. Unless it's an adults only pool, there's going to be kids. It would be nice if Aulani had an adults only pool, but they don't. Likewise, the hot tubs...full of kids. I personally would recommend Maui for a honeymoon, especially the Wailea area. Aulani is great, but it's very family friendly.

 

[mousejunkie98]

Just got home from Aulani today We saw tons of couples! There is plenty to do just the two of you. I rarely saw kids in the quiet pool, or the hidden hot tub in the middle of the lazy river. Also, there are beach chairs on an overlook in front of AMA AMA that never had kids - families tend to hang out by the main pool. We did have our kids with us, but they loved Aunty's so we had lots of alone time. The Kula Wai hydrotherapy garden is amazing - and kid free!

 

[aymekae]

The hydrotherapy garden is in the spa, right? Did you have any treatments done? I am looking for recommendations for our trip.

 

[DenLo]

Maybe if you look at this way. My niece was married in Jamaica at an all inclusive resort. Pre wedding the entire family and friends stayed at a family inclusive resort and then the bride and groom moved to an adults only resort for their honeymoon. They enjoyed interacting with couples, but felt that they were no longer special like they had been at the family resort, where my niece was one of the few brides and everyone noticed them in the wedding clothes. And remembered them later when they returned to visit after being bored at the adult resort as we all were still there too. Whereas at the adult resort there were hundreds on their honeymoon. Been there done that.

So, at Aulani you will have opportunities for private times, the spa, swimming in the moonlight etc., walks on the beach and any other activities you do together. And the privacy of your villa and balcony. If you tell the resort you are there on your honeymoon, they'll probably treat you special.

Or you could go to Maui and one of the adults only resorts and be just one of many brides and grooms on their honeymoon.

 

[bmalonef45]

We spent Spring break at Aulani in March and while the majority of people in the resort were families I think you can definitely have a good honeymoon at this resort. Now you must know that DW and I honeymooned at WDW so take that with a grain of salt.

Seriously though the resort is beautiful and the quite pool seemed fairly kid free. The hot tubs not so much. Our kids loved them but didn't abuse them. We heard stories of kids jumping from one level to the next while we were there. The beach is large enough that you can definitely get away for some alone time and the sunsets are amazing.

Good luck on your planning and if you go to Aulani enjoy your stay.

 

[ACDSNY]

What time of year are you planning on going. DH & I were there last January and there weren't very many kids around. We loved it enough to head back in December, this time we'll have another couple with us. Still no kids.

 

[trs518]

We were there in March and I agree with everyone...lots of kids are there, but they can be avoided. Here are some more suggestions for adult only things to do...

1. Fitness classes
2. Tour.
3. Exploring the shore near Aulani. Lots of animals (crabs, fish, birds, turtles, and possibly seals)
4. Snorkeling in Rainbow Reef
5. Paddleboarding

 

[mousejunkie98]

Yes, it's in the spa. We had a couples Signature Lomi Lomi massage, which was total heaven!