Some Aulani Disappointments

[J-Dog]

I had never been to Hawaii before this last May. We were given Leis twice (at the Aulani luau and at PCC). I very much respect local culture, but I found them more itchy than anything else. I think that they must take some "getting used to".

 

[VGCgroupie]

Back from our trip and we found a studio and a 1 bedroom to be in good shape, I really attribute this to quality materials / construction when it was built unlike VDH. The only thing I saw that wasn't great was all the build up around the bottom of the walk in shower. So maybe OP room was just heavily used

 

[Paul Stupin]

Back from our trip and we found a studio and a 1 bedroom to be in good shape, I really attribute this to quality materials / construction when it was built unlike VDH. The only thing I saw that wasn't great was all the build up around the bottom of the walk in shower. So maybe OP room was just heavily used

Or maybe OP’s assessment was either inaccurate or an overreaction.

 

[moanatime]

Aulani is our home...been going once to twice a year for 12 years. During that time, they revamped the rooms...they are due to have another soon from what I saw. I have never been disappointed. As for the leis, that stopped when covid started...never came back, but the adult pool also became open to all during that time and has just gone back to adults only. Maybe leis could return. Back in the day, when you arrived in Hawaii, as you left the plane, you got lei'd, not anymore. Things have changed. Focus on the positive. It's a resort with a lot of people funneling through every day...it's Disney...it is beautiful. Go and enjoy! 9 more days!!!!!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Just a note to Aulani DVC Owners and Fans that we’d love to have you over in Aulani Owners thread: https://www.disboards.com/threads/aulani-owners-thread-aloha.2592238/

 

[scoobdoo]

Wow, what a very one sided negative post.

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.

Every other luxury hotel on the island continues to offer a lei greeting, unbelievable people continue to defend this penny-pinching

 

[AstroBlasters]

Every other luxury hotel on the island continues to offer a lei greeting, unbelievable people continue to defend this penny-pinching

Cool story. Do any of them have this?

I’ve been to Hawaii nearly 20x over the last 20 years. Most of it was for work, my Honeymoon in Maui, and then 3x to Aulani on vacation. I never received a lei at any of my hotels and it didn’t bother me.

I also don’t consider Aulani a “luxury hotel”. I consider it a very nice family friendly timeshare hybrid hotel.

One can make an argument “they charge $x for the rooms!” Yes, but half of the people staying there are using timeshare points and most of the other people are on a 20-30% discounted stay off the rack rate. So, IMO it’s not in the same stratosphere as the “luxury hotels”….

 

[WinterSolider]

Every other luxury hotel on the island continues to offer a lei greeting, unbelievable people continue to defend this penny-pinching

Cool. This is their pool.

 

[scoobdoo]

Cool story. Do any of them have this?

Aulani used to have that and a lei greeting.
And flavored, chilled water on arrival.
And a buffet breakfast.
And unlimited open times at the kids club.
And room service.

The lack of room service now is particularly galling. Incredible a resort at this price point would even consider trying to get away with that level of penny-pinching.

 

[WinterSolider]

Aulani used to have that and a lei greeting.

Yes, we all miss the lei greeting.

And flavored, chilled water on arrival.

They have that now, currently, in 2024.

And a buffet breakfast.

The new Makahiki menu is FAR superior to the old buffet.

And unlimited open times at the kids club.

Is that actually true, or were people getting turned away during busy times because they were full?

And room service.

The lack of room service now is particularly galling. Incredible a resort at this price point would even consider trying to get away with that level of penny-pinching.

Room service is revenue-generating. They're not "penny-pinching" by not having room service, they're literally leaving revenue on the table. It's the opposite of penny-pinching.

If they don't have room service it's because 1) there's no demand or 2) there are labor issues.

 

[Nannaj]

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.

Going next year (it’s been a few years). It’s a girls trip that will involve a lot of pool time. Can you expound on the reserved seating and casabellas? Thanks.

 

[mahna2022]

My family is recently back from Aulani. We travel a LOT, to Disney parks and all over the world, due to my job. We stayed at two other properties on Oahu during our trip, and while Aulani was my kids' favorite, I wouldn't categorize it as luxury. It's lovely and a lot of fun for the kiddos, but it's Disney luxury, not a true luxury property. We did have a wonderful time, though!!
Some notes:
1. One of my kids was repeatedly pushed out of the way by adults looking to meet the roaming characters. That's never happened to us at another Disney property!
2. The lack of room service isn't a big deal, as it hasn't reappeared at many, many hotels since the pandemic. But they need more dining choices for a resort of this size. The food we ate, though, was delicious.
3. We rented the pair of upper veranda casabellas for $175 for one day. They weren't super convenient to the pools, but they were PERFECT for us. Really quiet and private and insanely relaxing. Pricing is seasonal, from what cast members told me.R

 

[VGCgroupie]

Yes, we all miss the lei greeting.


They have that now, currently, in 2024.


The new Makahiki menu is FAR superior to the old buffet.


Is that actually true, or were people getting turned away during busy times because they were full?


Room service is revenue-generating. They're not "penny-pinching" by not having room service, they're literally leaving revenue on the table. It's the opposite of penny-pinching.

If they don't have room service it's because 1) there's no demand or 2) there are labor issues.

All of this.

After being in this thread prior to our stay and now after, it is possible to miss the Lei greeting and still absolutley love Aulani.

Can confirm there was flavored water.
Makahiki had great food.
I can see how people would abuse the unlimited Aunties and then ruin it for everyone else.
Id love room service but in reality so many places dont offer it anymore post covid.

 

[mahna2022]

All of this.

After being in this thread prior to our stay and now after, it is possible to miss the Lei greeting and still absolutley love Aulani.

Can confirm there was flavored water.
Makahiki had great food.
I can see how people would abuse the unlimited Aunties and then ruin it for everyone else.
Id love room service but in reality so many places dont offer it anymore post covid.

The flavored water was delicious and my kids loved the not-so-hidden Mickeys in the jugs!

 

[VGCgroupie]

1. One of my kids was repeatedly pushed out of the way by adults looking to meet the roaming characters. That's never happened to us at another Disney property!

I also witnessed several adults getting in kids way with zero awareness of their surroundings and acting like they were the only ones who cared about seeing / filming goofy dance at the side of the pool. Although I have seen this behavior from adults at the theme parks also.

 

[scoobdoo]

If they don't have room service it's because 1) there's no demand or 2) there are labor issues.

weirdly no other hotel on the island has cut room service due to 'demand' and/or labor issues, i.e. DIS not paying a living wage.

 

[mahna2022]

weirdly no other hotel on the island has cut room service due to 'demand' and/or labor issues, i.e. DIS not paying a living wage.

Not true. Another property we stayed at on this trip also cut room service after the pandemic. Plenty of others have as well.

 

[scoobdoo]

All of this.

After being in this thread prior to our stay and now after, it is possible to miss the Lei greeting and still absolutley love Aulani.

Makahiki had great food.

Makahiki's reviews on Yelp say otherwise. Indeed, its rating has tumbled since DIS cut its buffet offering. This is just one example review from 2 weeks ago from a local that says it all:

"Makahiki used to be one of the go-to buffet place on the island. Sadly during Covid they changed it to course menu instead.

In the morning they have character breakfast. Mickey Mouse is always available for a photo with the entire family. Other characters go around the restaurant to take photos with you at your table.

For breakfast, most people are paying for photos with the characters.

The food is edible. I recommend going to the nearest Denny's or a breakfast place instead. It's a lot cheaper and better."

 

[VGCgroupie]

Makahiki's reviews on Yelp say otherwise. Indeed, its rating has tumbled since DIS cut its buffet offering. This is just one example review from 2 weeks ago from a local that says it all:

"Makahiki used to be one of the go-to buffet place on the island. Sadly during Covid they changed it to course menu instead.

In the morning they have character breakfast. Mickey Mouse is always available for a photo with the entire family. Other characters go around the restaurant to take photos with you at your table.

For breakfast, most people are paying for photos with the characters.

The food is edible. I recommend going to the nearest Denny's or a breakfast place instead. It's a lot cheaper and better."

I can admit that if it weren't for characters I may not have bothered eating there.

I never had Makahiki when it was a buffet so I cant comment on the difference in the 2 offerings only what I experienced. The food was good enough that we decided to go a 2nd time while there, but again I can admit I factor the price tag being a character breakfast not about the food. We have zero interest in leaving just for breakfast, takes up too much time.

Storytellers in DL does still have buffet and far superior food imo, but it does cost more and alas not in Hawaii. I would put Makahiki in line with Goofys Kitchen as far as food goes.

 

[WinterSolider]

Makahiki's reviews on Yelp say otherwise. Indeed, its rating has tumbled since DIS cut its buffet offering. This is just one example review from 2 weeks ago from a local that says it all:

"Makahiki used to be one of the go-to buffet place on the island. Sadly during Covid they changed it to course menu instead.

In the morning they have character breakfast. Mickey Mouse is always available for a photo with the entire family. Other characters go around the restaurant to take photos with you at your table.

For breakfast, most people are paying for photos with the characters.

The food is edible. I recommend going to the nearest Denny's or a breakfast place instead. It's a lot cheaper and better."

I am a Pooh-sized American, aka a fat guy, and if you don't leave Makahiki TS breakfast feeling absolutely stuffed, with leftovers, then you might want to see a medical professional about a clinically-diagnosable eating disorder.

Nobody is getting short-changed that it's not a buffet.