Some Aulani Disappointments

[tfc3rid]

DVC members on our 5th trip to Aulani. Were here in year 1 and have come every few years since.

Some noticeable disappointments this time.
1. The lei's upon arrival are gone, seemingly for good. This was a neat touch and little lost magic for visitors.
2. Water/fire effects no longer operational. Not sure if this is Disney and operations budgets but the torches are no longer working on the volcano slide or inside the poolside gardens. Some water effects are geysers along the lazy river also aren't working. If you haven't been here before, you wouldn't notice but if you have, it's lousy.
3. Yes, pool chairs are very difficult to find if you're not out early. And a lot of non wristbands folks reserving them. There's not a lot of pressure on folks from the Cast unless it's pointed out.

DVC rooms need the full DVC replacement upgrade program to bring them up to snuff. They are getting well worn and for the amount Aulani owners pay in dues, there should be some ROI.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Wow, what a very one sided negative post.

We saw the water features around the bend weren’t working at one point in the day, but were working later.

Our 2BD OV is in good shape.

The lei’s haven’t been here since 2020… so it’s been a while…. but we made some during the Welcome Home Week event yesterday.

The resort is packed, but most people seem friendly and courteous and the staff has been great.

The entertainment in the ‘Olelo room and night is great and can be enjoyed by anyone with a room on the inner part of the resort.

The dues are what they are because it’s a beach resort, with a lot of entertainment, and everything in Hawaii costs more.

 

[AstroBlasters]

This is where most lei’s end up about 30 minutes after people enter the property….

 

[tfc3rid]

Ok. Again, my points of comparison are when the resort opened and where we are today.

The last thing this place needs is to decline by degrees like a lot of other Disney Parks and Resorts experiences.

 

[tfc3rid]

Mi

This is where most lei’s end up about 30 minutes after people enter the property….

Mine always ended up coming home. Was a little novelty that costs very little. If folks want to adorn the Stitch statute, that's fine, better than throwing it on the ground and littering.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I never experienced the Leis, but I agree that is a little something special that would put the icing on the cake of a great trip. I actually think having Lei greetings only for DVC direct is a great selling point while at the resort, if you see someone getting Lei greeting you most certainly want to know how or why and then you can be presented with a tour of DVC (hire me Disney).

@AstroBlasters how is the chair situation this week?

 

[AstroBlasters]

I never experienced the Leis, but I agree that is a little something special that would put the icing on the cake of a great trip. I actually think having Lei greetings only for DVC direct is a great selling point while at the resort, if you see someone getting Lei greeting you most certainly want to know how or why and then you can be presented with a tour of DVC (hire me Disney).

@AstroBlasters how is the chair situation this week?

We have reserved seating. The best seats are gone by 6:30am.

 

[VGCgroupie]

We have reserved seating. The best seats are gone by 6:30am.

We have reserved seating 1 day. The other days we will just have to wing it and hope for the best, we will probably be okay with just being on the beach on a towel tbh. Its not really the 6:30am thing, its the staying there til 8 that isnt awesome

 

[AstroBlasters]

Ok. Again, my points of comparison are when the resort opened and where we are today.

The last thing this place needs is to decline by degrees like a lot of other Disney Parks and Resorts experiences.

I am curious , if you have gone 5 times in the last 10 then where else do you use your DVC points?

 

[AstroBlasters]

We have reserved seating 1 day. The other days we will just have to wing it and hope for the best, we will probably be okay with just being on the beach on a towel tbh. Its not really the 6:30am thing, its the staying there til 8 that isnt awesome

The sun will bake you in a towel on the beach. You really need to reserve a spot with shade (umbrella or tree)…. whether that’s on the beach or by the pools. If by the beach, it’s a haul up to the restrooms….

 

[VGCgroupie]

The sun will bake you in a towel on the beach. You really need to reserve a spot with shade (umbrella or tree)…. whether that’s on the beach or by the pools. If by the beach, it’s a haul up to the restrooms….

We may have to line up for the same day Casabella offerings then. Hopefully it all works out. We only have 2 days where I planned beach/pool and not leaving Aulani. All other days we have a few things planned outside Aulani.

 

[peder]

We booked our first stay because I had read that Aulani is better maintained than other DVC resorts, so even though Aulani is due for a hard refresh, we thought it wouldn't make us enjoy the resort any less. But OP if you're saying that there's visible wear and tear in the rooms, you've got me second-guessing spending the premium to stay at Aulani.

 

[Paul Stupin]

DVC members on our 5th trip to Aulani. Were here in year 1 and have come every few years since.

Some noticeable disappointments this time.
1. The lei's upon arrival are gone, seemingly for good. This was a neat touch and little lost magic for visitors.
2. Water/fire effects no longer operational. Not sure if this is Disney and operations budgets but the torches are no longer working on the volcano slide or inside the poolside gardens. Some water effects are geysers along the lazy river also aren't working. If you haven't been here before, you wouldn't notice but if you have, it's lousy.
3. Yes, pool chairs are very difficult to find if you're not out early. And a lot of non wristbands folks reserving them. There's not a lot of pressure on folks from the Cast unless it's pointed out.

DVC rooms need the full DVC replacement upgrade program to bring them up to snuff. They are getting well worn and for the amount Aulani owners pay in dues, there should be some ROI.

The lei’s have been gone forever, probably because the vast majority of guests don’t really care, like us, and throw them out within a few minutes . Sure, though it was before our time, I’m sure they were a nice touch, but frankly I prefer the other nice touches which pop up frequently and surprise us, like the pin we occasionally get from housekeeping, the custom magnet we received on Kamehameha Day, and the art print we (and every guest) always receive in our room.

Generally we’ve found that whatever water / fire effects we observe not working usually get repaired during our stay.

We always get a one bedroom, and it’s pretty much always in excellent shape.

Yes, pool chairs are a challenge if you don’t reserve some kind of seating. This has been on ongoing discussion on these boards. Were you not aware of this prior to your trip? Was it not an issue during your first four visits? We love the new casabellas, and the DVC price is cheaper than other resorts we’ve visited.

Anyway, did you enjoy your trip at all? If not, perhaps you should consider staying elsewhere.

 

[J-Dog]

We've only been there one time, this last May, so I can't comment on many of these complaints, but I will say that our 2Bd OV room was in excellent shape. There was minor wear and tear as expected, but in no way did it seem dated or drastically in need of a refurb. And we are RIV owners, so we are comparing to a brand-new 2Bd.

Is it just me, or has the complaining about petty little issues on these Dis Boards seemed to have skyrocketed lately?

 

[peder]

We've only been there one time, this last May, so I can't comment on many of these complaints, but I will say that our 2Bd OV room was in excellent shape. There was minor wear and tear as expected, but in no way did it seem dated or drastically in need of a refurb. And we are RIV owners, so we are comparing to a brand-new 2Bd.

Is it just me, or has the complaining about petty little issues on these Dis Boards seemed to have skyrocketed lately?

Good to hear. We're fellow Riviera owners so that's also our comparison point.

 

[eandt]

DVC members on our 5th trip to Aulani. Were here in year 1 and have come every few years since.

Some noticeable disappointments this time.
1. The lei's upon arrival are gone, seemingly for good. This was a neat touch and little lost magic for visitors.
2. Water/fire effects no longer operational. Not sure if this is Disney and operations budgets but the torches are no longer working on the volcano slide or inside the poolside gardens. Some water effects are geysers along the lazy river also aren't working. If you haven't been here before, you wouldn't notice but if you have, it's lousy.
3. Yes, pool chairs are very difficult to find if you're not out early. And a lot of non wristbands folks reserving them. There's not a lot of pressure on folks from the Cast unless it's pointed out.

DVC rooms need the full DVC replacement upgrade program to bring them up to snuff. They are getting well worn and for the amount Aulani owners pay in dues, there should be some ROI.

‘You were only sold the right to reserve a room’ say the defenders …

 

[Paul Stupin]

We've only been there one time, this last May, so I can't comment on many of these complaints, but I will say that our 2Bd OV room was in excellent shape. There was minor wear and tear as expected, but in no way did it seem dated or drastically in need of a refurb. And we are RIV owners, so we are comparing to a brand-new 2Bd.

Is it just me, or has the complaining about petty little issues on these Dis Boards seemed to have skyrocketed lately?

It’s almost funny. Beautiful, swimmable lagoons. Amazing pool. Lots of fun dining options. Some of the best scenery in the world. Architecturally, a stunning design. But the sky is falling if a gas torch is out.

 

[AstroBlasters]

We booked our first stay because I had read that Aulani is better maintained than other DVC resorts, so even though Aulani is due for a hard refresh, we thought it wouldn't make us enjoy the resort any less. But OP if you're saying that there's visible wear and tear in the rooms, you've got me second-guessing spending the premium to stay at Aulani.

I am typing this from a 2BD OV and can report that this particular room is in fine shape.

Could they add a few more charging ports for the magic Bands? Sure.

Is it really busy at the mains areas during the day? Yes.

Might you have to wait a few minutes for an intertube on the lazy river? Almost certainly in the summer.

Slide down the volcano? There will be a line.

Want a character breakfast? You better get on the website and book the second it opens…..

However, if you reserve or secure a spot that’s off to the side under an umbrella with an ocean view and have Coconut Mint Mojitos brought to you…. it’s pretty fantastic.

Didn’t get the character breakfast? Go sit in the covered area of Off The Hook with an ocean view. Pro tip is to get some malasadas from the Olelo Room.

Swim with the fishes in rainbow reef for $45/$50 for the whole trip? Sign me up!

Encounter a chance meeting of Olu Mel and Stich passing by each other, giving each other a high five and a hug, and watch your kids eyes light up…. Have Moana just stop on a bridge and wave while on the lazy river… Fantastic!

Storytelling, Stargzing, Boat rides? Yup all there….

Cash rates? $$$$ DVC points? Yes, please!

 

[Paul Stupin]

I am typing this from a 2BD OV and can report that this particular room is in fine shape.

Could they add a few more charging ports for the magic Bands? Sure.

Is it really busy at the mains areas during the day? Yes.

Might you have to wait a few minutes for an intertube on the lazy river? Almost certainly in the summer.

Slide down the volcano? There will be a line.

Want a character breakfast? You better get on the website and book the second it opens…..

However, if you reserve or secure a spot that’s off to the side under an umbrella with an ocean view and have Coconut Mint Mojitos brought to you…. it’s pretty fantastic.

Didn’t get the character breakfast? Go sit in the covered area of Off The Hook with an ocean view. Pro tip is to get some malasadas from the Olelo Room.

Swim with the fishes in rainbow reef for $45/$50 for the whole trip? Sign me up!

Encounter a chance meeting of Olu Mel and Stich passing by each other, giving each other a high five and a hug, and watch your kids eyes light up…. Have Moana just stop on a bridge and wave while on the lazy river… Fantastic!

Storytelling, Stargzing, Boat rides? Yup all there….

Cash rates? $$$$ DVC points? Yes, please!

Astroblasters! Love that you’re there, enjoying things right now. Hope you and the family have a wonderful time!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Astroblasters! Love that you’re there, enjoying things right now. Hope you and the family have a wonderful time!

Mahalo, Good Sir!