Some Aulani Disappointments

[VGCgroupie]

Thank you for soliciting my opinion. My vote on that would be yes.

To expand on that a bit as an additional edit, the leis have now been gone for years and years. And years! Many hotels have instituted the exact same policy, including one of, if not the best hotel on Waikiki, the Hakekulani, where we stayed for a few pre Aulani days in June.

If they mean that much to you, you could potentially choose another hotel that hands them out (a few still do), and stay there! Maybe if enough people “vote with their pocketbook,” Aulani will notice and bring them back! One could argue that by continuing to stay at Aulani, you’re offering tacit acceptance of this now longstanding policy.

I’m on a plane to Aulani right now. I just bought Aulani DVC. Leis are not a deal breaker for me, but I still have a right to be disappointed about it. I actually didn’t care heavily about it, I just said it would be magical to still have them even if it were just for DVC. Then people got all in an uproar making a bigger deal about the complaint than actual complaint was. “If you don’t like it go somewhere else”!! Like c’mon that’s super extreme and quite frankly rude.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I’m on a plane to Aulani right now. I just bought Aulani DVC. Leis are not a deal breaker for me, but I still have a right to be disappointed about it. I actually didn’t care heavily about it, I just said it would be magical to still have them even if it were just for DVC. Then people got all in an uproar making a bigger deal about the complaint than actual complaint was. “If you don’t like it go somewhere else”!! Like c’mon that’s super extreme and quite frankly rude.

Ok, these are not huge issues, and it might have been worth adding more clarification to your thoughts initially. And Aulani does offer complimentary gifts to DVC members (it’s a cheap backpack, but the thought counts for something) as well as a nice print in a plastic sleeve in your room. I think you might find that you’d rather have those anyway. For me, complaining about the lack of leis at Aulani is like going to a fancy restaurant and complaining they didn’t give you a toothpick. I mean, give me a break, you’re in Hawaii!!

That said, congrats on your new purchase! It’s a good one…and your Aulani contract will give you years of enjoyment!

 

[Paul Stupin]

lol observations aren’t complaints about complaining therefore my assessment of being askew is affirmed

lol back! There was, however, a slight negative tone to your observations about complaints, which might very well qualify as a complaint itself, particularly to the complainant toward which the complaint was complaining, and possibly to the complainee as well.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Ok, these are not huge issues, and it might have been worth adding more clarification to your thoughts initially. And Aulani does offer complimentary gifts to DVC members (it’s a cheap backpack, but the thought counts for something) as well as a nice print in a plastic sleeve in your room. I think you might find that you’d rather have those anyway. For me, complaining about the lack of leis at Aulani is like going to a fancy restaurant and complaining they didn’t give you a toothpick. I mean, give me a break, you’re in Hawaii!!

That said, congrats on your new purchase! It’s a good one…and your Aulani contract will give you years of enjoyment!

I have comments on this but.. I’m running on 3 hours sleep and still have a loooong day ahead of me being that it’s still morning time in HAWAII. I’ll just step out of the ring for now and enjoy this time on vacation.

 

[pineapplepalms]

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!

Lucky! When we went last year I really wanted to meet Olu Mel and never did. I hope we can next time. Enjoy your trip!

We have December booked from before Christmas until New Year’s. I’m assuming it will be really busy then… has anyone been during that time and can attest to the crowdedness/pool situation during that time? We went during spring break last year and went to the pool usually in the afternoons/evenings. We didn’t have issues finding a chair or two (especially in the evening), but I did notice people staking them out early in the morning from our balcony.

 

[J-Dog]

Lucky! When we went last year I really wanted to meet Olu Mel and never did. I hope we can next time. Enjoy your trip!

We have December booked from before Christmas until New Year’s. I’m assuming it will be really busy then… has anyone been during that time and can attest to the crowdedness/pool situation during that time? We went during spring break last year and went to the pool usually in the afternoons/evenings. We didn’t have issues finding a chair or two (especially in the evening), but I did notice people staking them out early in the morning from our balcony.

This is totally off-topic, but I just don't understand the Duffy and Olu Mel thing.

I understand that there is an Asian popularity component, which translates directly to Aulani, but these characters are not at all emphasized in "Western Disney" culture. My DD is a Disney fanatic, but she had no clue who they were. They were out a lot when we were there, but she had no interest.

Am I missing something? Or it just trendy to want to see Duffy and Olu Mel at Aulani?

 

[AstroBlasters]

This is totally off-topic, but I just don't understand the Duffy and Olu Mel thing.

I understand that there is an Asian popularity component, which translates directly to Aulani, but these characters are not at all emphasized in "Western Disney" culture. My DD is a Disney fanatic, but she had no clue who they were. They were out a lot when we were there, but she had no interest.

Am I missing something? Or it just trendy to want to see Duffy and Olu Mel at Aulani?

It’s a Tokyo Japan and Disney Cruise thing. I think it’s special because you can’t see them in the US parks.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I have comments on this but.. I’m running on 3 hours sleep and still have a loooong day ahead of me being that it’s still morning time in HAWAII. I’ll just step out of the ring for now and enjoy this time on vacation.

Have a fun time!

 

[pineapplepalms]

This is totally off-topic, but I just don't understand the Duffy and Olu Mel thing.

I understand that there is an Asian popularity component, which translates directly to Aulani, but these characters are not at all emphasized in "Western Disney" culture. My DD is a Disney fanatic, but she had no clue who they were. They were out a lot when we were there, but she had no interest.

Am I missing something? Or it just trendy to want to see Duffy and Olu Mel at Aulani?

In my case, I’ve been to the Tokyo parks and love them, and I’m also a fan of sea turtles in general.

 

[tfc3rid]

There was a time when "The Disney Difference" really meant a difference.

It's why I bought into DVC at Boardwalk in 2000 l and have added on direct 3 times since.

But bury your heads at losing the little things, that's ok.

BTW, speaking to Aulani cast members, the standalone torches inside the Valley are in the process of being removed, unsure of for refurb or for good. That would of course run counter to Joe Rohde's vision of water, fire, and earth. After all, part of the charm of our beloved Polynesian Village are the torches across the property.

 

[Paul Stupin]

There was a time when "The Disney Difference" really meant a difference.

It's why I bought into DVC at Boardwalk in 2000 l and have added on direct 3 times since.

But bury your heads at losing the little things, that's ok.

BTW, speaking to Aulani cast members, the standalone torches inside the Valley are in the process of being removed, unsure of for refurb or for good. That would of course run counter to Joe Rohde's vision of water, fire, and earth. After all, part of the charm of our beloved Polynesian Village are the torches across the property

I’d hate to lose the torches! But before we all lament their passing, and the diminishment of “The Disney Difference,” maybe we should find out what exactly is going on? Maybe we’ll get better torches! Seems like there have always been functional problems with that particular design.

 

[tfc3rid]

I’d hate to lose the torches! But before we all lament their passing, and the diminishment of “The Disney Difference,” maybe we should find out what exactly is going on? Maybe we’ll get better torches! Seems like there have always been functional problems with that particular design.

Again, working to find out what's going on.

 

[lilsonicfan]

BTW, speaking to Aulani cast members, the standalone torches inside the Valley are in the process of being removed, unsure of for refurb or for good. That would of course run counter to Joe Rohde's vision of water, fire, and earth. After all, part of the charm of our beloved Polynesian Village are the torches across the property.

As an airbender, I'm perturbed about the lack of acknowledgement of the Air Nation

 

[Paul Stupin]

As an airbender, I'm perturbed about the lack of acknowledgement of the Air Nation

Excellent point! Who would visit Aulani if Disney removed the air? You guys don’t get enough credit.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I think the volcano or erupting occasionally counts as fire. All of the torches next door at the 4 Seasons look cool… but I can see how it would be a legal liability….

 

[Paul Stupin]

I think the volcano or erupting occasionally counts as fire. All of the torches next door at the 4 Seasons look cool… but I can see how it would be a legal liability….

I was thinking that as well. There could very well be issues of which we’re unaware regarding those torches. There always seems to be one or two not working, so maybe their design is problematic. So many people have a knee jerk reaction that stuff like this is a result of management being cheap and evil and intent on diminishing the “magic.”

But maybe, if they do go, we’ll get new torches, or new led torches, or some other form of cool island lighting.

 

[bookbabe626]

This is totally off-topic, but I just don't understand the Duffy and Olu Mel thing.

I understand that there is an Asian popularity component, which translates directly to Aulani, but these characters are not at all emphasized in "Western Disney" culture. My DD is a Disney fanatic, but she had no clue who they were. They were out a lot when we were there, but she had no interest.

Am I missing something? Or it just trendy to want to see Duffy and Olu Mel at Aulani?

We just got back from Tokyo Disney and Duffy and Friends are HUGE there. Almost every second store is only Duffy stuff, and you can still find a smaller selection of Duffy items in the other stores. Had trouble buying any souvenirs there, got a small Olu Mel and a resort magnet easily enough, but it took the better part of two days to find a TDL t-shirt in my size. Could have bought a dozen different Duffy and Friends parade mats, though.

 

[Paul Stupin]

We just got back from Tokyo Disney and Duffy and Friends are HUGE there. Almost every second store is only Duffy stuff, and you can still find a smaller selection of Duffy items in the other stores. Had trouble buying any souvenirs there, got a small Olu Mel and a resort magnet easily enough, but it took the better part of two days to find a TDL t-shirt in my size. Could have bought a dozen different Duffy and Friends parade mats, though.

We were at Tokyo Disneyland a few years ago and had the same problem! Impossible to find an interesting, fun t-shirt! They're all in English, with relatively generic character designs that look like WDW merchandise. I finally found one single T-shirt somewhere in Frontierland I think that said, in English, “Tokyo Disneyland.” What I really wanted, though, was something in Japanese, which was nowhere to be found.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Lei acquired. Heading back to the water now but had to post this . Also got necklaces at the member party last night. All is well.

 

[Paul Stupin]

Lei acquired. Heading back to the water now but had to post this . Also got necklaces at the member party last night. All is well. View attachment 888029

Looking good!