The Dreams Unlimited Travel Podcast Discusses Aulani . . .

[TheMaxRebo]

I hope everybody gets a chance to watch this series. The first segment is really good for those trying to decide what room type to pick. Strangely absent from the video was the 3BR.

Seriously though, the videos don't do the resort justice. You really have to go there to appreciate it. Val & I have been annually for the past 3 years and are planning on doing it again next year. We would go more if it weren't such a long plane ride to get there. Oh, and if we had more DVC points.

Aulani is a world apart.

Everything I have heard from everyone who has gone there is how great it is ... guess just trying to justify the flight costs and the time with three little kids but the cost of the actual stay there. And I do think it is something that pictures and video don't do it justice but hard to convince my wallet when that's all we have

Someday maybe - and the episode is definitely pushing us closer

 

[OKW Lover]

I listed to the show and I like how positive everyone is about it. At the same time I would like to here from someone who doesn't enjoy it as much as to me it doesn't really sound like a place I'd want to visit.

I can't imagine anyone not liking Aulani....if they have been there.

I think that's an important point. For those of us who have been there Aulani is a beautiful resort. More importantly, it appears to have been designed with great reverence for the Hawaiian culture while providing all the modern conveniences with a subtle Disney touch.

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

Perfect timing! I am in the throes of post-Disneyland/Alaskan cruise depression and need to plan another trip! This should do the trick!

Laurie

 

[skunkvette]

Perfect timing! I am in the throes of post-Disneyland/Alaskan cruise depression and need to plan another trip! This should do the trick!

Laurie

Pretty sure you will love it.

Cathy and I went for the first time in March and as we like to say, we are not "beach" people and yet we loved every minute of it.

One thing we would change is to allow more time there, the flights were tough. Seven full days just wasn't enough.

Frank

 

[Pooh2]

This was a great show. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

We went to Aulani for our 30th wedding anniversary a couple of years ago. We were sure it was going to be a once in a lifetime trip due to the long flight. We were half way through our 9 day stay before my husband said, we need to find a way to get back here!

So here's hoping we get there for our 35th anniversary in a few years!

We've had many friends chide us for only going to Oahu rather than checking out the other islands. We would do that again.

We are big time beach people. We put on bathing suits, tshirts and tons of sunblock each morning and visited different beaches all over the island, then came back to hang out in the Aulani cove in the afternoons. Oahu beaches and scenery are stunning. Nine days was not quite enough.

One of the things we enjoyed the most about Aulani was the protected cove for swimming (many of the other beaches on Oahu had warnings about strong currents and undertow). Being from New England, our Maine and NH beaches leave you feeling like you have hypothermia after a mid-July swim. We spent hours snorkeling and floating in the Aulani cove.

This resort is absolutely stunning!

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I listed to the show and I like how positive everyone is about it. At the same time I would like to here from someone who doesn't enjoy it as much as to me it doesn't really sound like a place I'd want to visit.

I've voiced some concerns about my trip to Aulani but overall I can't say that I didn't enjoy it.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I think that's an important point. For those of us who have been there Aulani is a beautiful resort. More importantly, it appears to have been designed with great reverence for the Hawaiian culture while providing all the modern conveniences with a subtle Disney touch.

true but what about poel who don't care about going to hawaii? Is Alnia enough to get someone to go there? Being her on the east coast of Canada Hawaii is along way away and an expensive flight, also not really a big destination from here. I here every Disney podcast rave about it but I still want to here someone say something negative about it or at least her the opinion of someone who didn't think it was "the best place on earth"

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

From everything I hear about it it sounds like it would be a great all inclusive resort but then I hear about paying for food and drinks and wonder is it possible for Disney to do an all inclusive resort their instead of nickel and dimeing everyone just because every other resort in Hawaii does it.

 

[DisneyKevin]

true but what about poel who don't care about going to hawaii? Is Alnia enough to get someone to go there? Being her on the east coast of Canada Hawaii is along way away and an expensive flight, also not really a big destination from here. I here every Disney podcast rave about it but I still want to here someone say something negative about it or at least her the opinion of someone who didn't think it was "the best place on earth"

I'm very confused.

In your words, every Disney podcast is raving about, but you want to hear people say negative things about it because you don't want to go ?

I don't get that.

If you don't want to go, or it's too far, or it's not a popular destination in your area, or it's too expensive, or the flight is too long.....don't go.

You're not going to hear us say negative things about Aulani because, we all love it and can not wait to go back. And, I'm not sure you need to hear others say negative things, as you seem to have already made up your mind.

 

[DisneyKevin]

From everything I hear about it it sounds like it would be a great all inclusive resort but then I hear about paying for food and drinks and wonder is it possible for Disney to do an all inclusive resort their instead of nickel and dimeing everyone just because every other resort in Hawaii does it.

Disney isn't known for being an "all inclusive" company.

None of Disney's destinations are "all inclusive".

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

I'm very confused.

In your words, every Disney podcast is raving about, but you want to hear people say negative things about it because you don't want to go ?

I don't get that.

If you don't want to go, or it's too far, or it's not a popular destination in your area, or it's too expensive, or the flight is too long.....don't go.

You're not going to hear us say negative things about Aulani because, we all love it and can not wait to go back. And, I'm not sure you need to hear others say negative things, as you seem to have already made up your mind.

No I just would like to see a show do a balanced opinion of it for once,. It just seams a lot of poel seem to have the same opinion.

Disney isn't known for being an "all inclusive" company.

None of Disney's destinations are "all inclusive".

Yes but their other properties are different and from the description of Alumni it feels like it should be an all inclusive resort. Just because they aren't know for it doesn't mean they can't experiment with it at one location.

 

[OKW Lover]

No I just would like to see a show do a balanced opinion of it for once,. It just seams a lot of poel seem to have the same opinion.

Is it possible that the place is uniformly liked?

 

[JJZMgailey]

Is it possible that the place is uniformly liked?

I haven't heard or read a negative review on Aulani. I also think its unanimously liked!

 

[DisneyKevin]

No I just would like to see a show do a balanced opinion of it for once,. It just seams a lot of poel seem to have the same opinion.

If a lot of people have that same opinion of anything...thats usually a good indicator.

A great deal of our society is based on "majority" rules. It's pretty much how we make decisions around here.

I think our description of Aulani was pretty well balanced, but bottom line...we all loved it.

You are not going to get a negative opinion when everyone loves the place.

But again...you seem to have made up your mind that it's not the place for you.

There are lots of places I'm not interested in going...regardless of anyone else's opinion.

but their other properties are different and from the description of Alumni it feels like it should be an all inclusive resort. Just because they aren't know for it doesn't mean they can't experiment with it at one location.

Yeah....Disney has the Hilton Head Resort and the Vero Beach Resort and neither of them are "all inclusive", so you can see that they have a business model in place.

I understand that this is your opinion, but Aulani isn't an "all inclusive" resort and probably won't be based on Disney's business strategy.

 

[DSNYDREAMER]

To add to this, in addition to it not being Disney's model, Hawaii doesn't have all inclusive resorts. Not because they are nickle and diming people but because they simply couldn't afford to, and nobody would pay the prices. All inclusive is a Caribbean thing really, and other places where wages are lower, cost of food is lower, cost of living is lower, etc.

I have to say, if I have a negative experience you are going to hear about it. Honesty is a must in my line of work. But, if I enjoy something I'm not going to reach to find negatives to offer balance.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

If a lot of people have that same opinion of anything...thats usually a good indicator.

A great deal of our society is based on "majority" rules. It's pretty much how we make decisions around here.

I think our description of Aulani was pretty well balanced, but bottom line...we all loved it.

You are not going to get a negative opinion when everyone loves the place.

But again...you seem to have made up your mind that it's not the place for you.

There are lots of places I'm not interested in going...regardless of anyone else's opinion.

I get that but sometimes it's nice to hear an opsite review of something as well. It just feels like to me thath because everyone has the same opinion there has to be at least one person who didn't like it or had a bad experience?

It's the same with Royal Caribbean no one wants to talk about anything bad about them and it's the best cruise experince in the world.

Yeah....Disney has the Hilton Head Resort and the Vero Beach Resort and neither of them are "all inclusive", so you can see that they have a business model in place.

I understand that this is your opinion, but Aulani isn't an "all inclusive" resort and probably won't be based on Disney's business strategy.

To me Hilton head and Vero beach are just hotels they built elsewhere or standard time share properties. With Alini it looks like to me that they built an all inclusive resort but decided to nickle and dim everyone because that's what they do.

 

[DSNYDREAMER]

I get that but sometimes it's nice to hear an opsite review of something as well. It just feels like to me thath because everyone has the same opinion there has to be at least one person who didn't like it or had a bad experience?

It's the same with Royal Caribbean no one wants to talk about anything bad about them and it's the best cruise experince in the world.





To me Hilton head and Vero beach are just hotels they built elsewhere or standard time share properties. With Alini it looks like to me that they built an all inclusive resort but decided to nickle and dim everyone because that's what they do.

This confuses me. You want us to find someone that didn't like Aulani, perhaps bring them on the show? To give an opposing view of something we all love? Not only those of us on the show, but many friends and clients that have also experienced it. It would seem a little counter productive of a travel podcast, presented by a travel agency to search out that one person who doesn't agree. I'm actually sure there is more than one person, I can't say for sure, but I would think there are a few out there. What I would suggest is googling " Aulani reviews" I think you may find some of the opposing opinions you are looking for.

As a travel agent my goal is to sell travel. I do this by sharing my experiences both positive and negative. If I have a negative experience, I'm honest about it. If I feel there are drawbacks or obstacles I address them. Did this on our show earlier this year after my family's visit. I addressed a number of concerns people have....cost of food. I spoke of ways to reduce food budget. Cost of flights...with information on airlines and suggestions. In this series, we talk about things to do at the resort as well address the question is there enough things to do on the island.

In regards to Royal Caribbean, I believe I gave a very honest report on positives and negatives as well as what is different from Disney Cruise Line. On one of our shows, Pete was on, and mentioned how unhappy he was with a number of things on our group cruise to Alaska. I also can't say for sure when, but I think I have said I think Disney is the best cruise line and that RCL is a great option for those that have been priced out or want to try something new.

I'm sure John and Kevin would agree, our number one goal is to be honest.

 

[DisneyKevin]

I get that but sometimes it's nice to hear an opsite review of something as well. It just feels like to me thath because everyone has the same opinion there has to be at least one person who didn't like it or had a bad experience?

It seems that you will continue to be disappointed in our Aulani shows.

Other than whats been discussed, there are no negative reviews.

You can trust us, or not. Or.you can go and decide for yourself.

As Tracey has mentioned, we are not going to search for someone that did not have a good time at Aulani.

to me Hilton head and Vero beach are just hotels they built elsewhere or standard time share properties. With Alini it looks like to me that they built an all inclusive resort but decided to nickle and dim everyone because that's what they do.

Tracey and I have pointed out the differences, but again...you are welcome to your opinion.

As I have stated previously....it seems you have made up your mind that Aulani is not the place for you.

No one is trying to convince you to go.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm sure John and Kevin would agree, our number one goal is to be honest.

That's just one of the things I appreciate about the Dreams podcast as well as the regular DIS Unplugged podcasts.

 

[KathyTX]

I actually saw Tracy when I was there - but I don't bother people on vacation she looked very busy with her family.

I'm sure Tracey would have been delighted to meet you! I know of one Podcaster who met a listener while floating in the Aulani lazy river...

And this really is not an "all-inclusive" kind of place. That model works okay in the Caribbean where there are huge resorts that people do not leave so they are on property for every meal, or for budget travelers who want to have a price cap and know exactly what their trip will cost. Honestly, good quality meals with great service is not something I've ever experienced at an all inclusive. I much prefer the normal a la carte model where you pay for what you use.

The closest things I know of to "all-inclusive" in the Disney world are DCL cruises and Adventures by Disney trips. And neither are cheap!!!