Ugh i hate aulani

[gumbypee]

First I drive up and there is no one to guide me. I don't know what to do.

Finally someone comes up and the most confusing conversation ensues. Finally we get that I am checking in so I take all my stuff and checkin, drop off bags in room, then back down to park

Map given is useless

I stop to ask for help and dude walks by with an aloha. Gee thanks

Cannot find any food. Told to go by pool to get service. No one in sight. Someone else tells me not til later will there be pool service.

Starving and just want a sandwich. Concierge directs me to outside shopping. I get halfway there and realize I just have aulani card and no money

Meltdown time

I ask if I can leave and refund points to my dad and they said too late ( which I figured)

Now I'm in room with blinds shut eating donuts and having a coke. Yay aulani

 

[DvcDoc]

Hope your trip gets better - it almost has to.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I don't know how far you had to travel to get to Hawaii. I can tell you from experience the travel time, time change and jet lag are an absolute KILLER! The first time I went I arrived super cranky and the little bumps in the road (not knowing my way around, rental car issues, needing to eat, etc) didn't help matters. On subsequent trips I was more prepared for it and didn't let the little things get to me.

I think you'll have a whole new outlook after a nice meal and a good night's sleep.

Aloha!

 

[crisi]

Yep, it wasn't Aulani, but our Hawaii trip had us landing after very little sleep, renting a car, trying to find our condo, being tired, cranky and hungry, and sleeping for two hours only to get evacuated for a tsunami and spending a sleepless night in the car with the sirens going off every half hour and no bathroom. And I had one of those colds where you are pretty sure you could drown in your own mucus. The trip got way better once there was adequate sleep and food.

 

[disneynutz]

Go talk to a manager and follow up with an email to Member Satisfaction.

They can't fix it if they don't know that it is broken.

dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com

Bill

 

[gumbypee]

I've been on cruise so no jet lag. Meltdown was result of no breakfast but the confusing layout and frustration with the map is still there. Still haven't left room. Don't know how to get to pool, beach, lazy river, slides. Found kids area though nut I have no kids.

 

[PetePanMan]

wow, I don't blame you for being so upset....

 

[wdrl]

Have you turned on your in-room TV and checked the information channel?

Have you looked at the Daily Iwa, the daily activity newsletter, which should have been given to you when you checked in?

Have you gone into the gift shop and checked out their food selection?

Have you tried to call room service?

I have to ask: How do you go all the way to Hawaii and not have any money on you? Not even a charge card?

Every cast member we encountered at Aulani, whether it be Front Desk, Concierge, maid, lifeguard, etc., was extremely helpful when we were there. Maybe you need to try again.

I really hope things improve for you.

 

[TagsMissy]

I am scratching my head how can you not find the pool, lazy river and beach? The resort is basically a horseshoe (with a small wing on either side) with the amenities in the middle? Even just walking the corridor you can see the ocean/pool every x-distance as they have large windows.... the lobby is just over the pool/and a bar below....

 

[gumbypee]

Have you turned on your in-room TV and checked the information channel?

Have you looked at the Daily Iwa, the daily activity newsletter, which should have been given to you when you checked in?

Have you gone into the gift shop and checked out their food selection?

Have you tried to call room service?

I have to ask: How do you go all the way to Hawaii and not have any money on you? Not even a charge card?

Every cast member we encountered at Aulani, whether it be Front Desk, Concierge, maid, lifeguard, etc., was extremely helpful when we were there. Maybe you need to try again.

I really hope things improve for you.

Yes looked at Iwa. Looked at map. Got snickers bar and coke from gift shop for breakfast. I had money and cards in room but only aulani card with me when I hunted food down. Other ppl now have been helpful, very helpful. I guess they were busy in morning??? In fact chef at ulu cafe just made me a turkey and cheese sandwich and so that was nice

 

[gumbypee]

I am scratching my head how can you not find the pool, lazy river and beach? The resort is basically a horseshoe (with a small wing on either side) with the amenities in the middle? Even just walking the corridor you can see the ocean/pool every x-distance as they have large windows.... the lobby is just over the pool/and a bar below....

I SEE lazy river, just can't find how to enter and get tubes. I see ocean just can't get to it. Missed feeding at rainbow reef bc couldn't find it. This must be how ppl feel at magic kingdom- I grew up going there so never plan and don't get lost. Just not good with maps

 

[TagsMissy]

I SEE lazy river, just can't find how to enter and get tubes. I see ocean just can't get to it. Missed feeding at rainbow reef bc couldn't find it. This must be how ppl feel at magic kingdom- I grew up going there so never plan and don't get lost. Just not good with maps

There's various entry steps along the pathway that follows the river, I can't remember how many there are, 4? At each entry there's stacks of tubes. The entrance to the beach is near the infinity hottub, there's steps going down. You need your key to get back in so make certain you have it with you.

Not being personaly able to read a map vs saying the map is useless are very different things.

 

[gumbypee]

Ill look for stacks, thank you


I guess I should say, though grounds are beautiful from up in room, they are not conducive to easy yo follow mapmaking

 

[Donna M]

Ill look for stacks, thank you


I guess I should say, though grounds are beautiful from up in room, they are not conducive to easy yo follow mapmaking

How about just spending some time walking around the grounds to get a feel for the place without a destination in mind, that way you won't get frustrated because you aren't actually trying to get somewhere.

You sure don't want to spend too much time sitting in your room annoyed.

I hope the rest of your trip gets better.

 

[PetePanMan]

I am scratching my head how can you not find the pool, lazy river and beach? The resort is basically a horseshoe (with a small wing on either side) with the amenities in the middle? Even just walking the corridor you can see the ocean/pool every x-distance as they have large windows.... the lobby is just over the pool/and a bar below....

Ditto....
I don't quite understand what the problem is. In about 10 mins you can walk around the entire inner area, access beach etc. Don't get me wrong, we've all had travel melt downs at some point, but think an over reaction is at play here?

 

[gumbypee]

Ditto....
I don't quite understand what the problem is. In about 10 mins you can walk around the entire inner area, access beach etc. Don't get me wrong, we've all had travel melt downs at some point, but think an over reaction is at play here?

Nope no overreaction. Things are difficult to find first time here

 

[gumbypee]

How about just spending some time walking around the grounds to get a feel for the place without a destination in mind, that way you won't get frustrated because you aren't actually trying to get somewhere.

You sure don't want to spend too much time sitting in your room annoyed.

I hope the rest of your trip gets better.

Yes it is better thank you
Good idea to wander

 

[PetePanMan]

Nope no overreaction. Things are difficult to find first time here

For some....

 

[mom2aidanNpiper]

As someone who is awful with maps and directions I personally found Aulani very easy to navigate. All pool features are close to each other and eateries are clearly marked on the map. I even managed to find the gym at 4:00am in the dark

I do feel bad for the OP that they had such a rocky start to their trip. However I think their experience was unique and people shouldn't be scared off from Aulani or think its a big maze. If I can navigate easily then anyone can lol.

 

[Disney Dreams]

I'm not going to quote specific people, but I just wanted to say that I think some are being VERY harsh towards the OP with their replies here. If you're having a frustrating first day on vacation is the solution to bury yourself in your hotel room? No. However, the OP has stated they have since ventured out and about. Does everyone find new places easy to navigate? No.

I have cruised on the Disney Wonder four times and I still have to refer to signage/maps to figure out how to get from A to B in some cases. I am HORRIBLE at finding my way around a new place. I could very easily see something from a balcony, but not be able to get to it once I'm in motion. Go easy on others that are having a rough vacation, folks, they are probably posting because they need support --- not criticism.

My DH says that I could get lost in a paper bag if someone sealed the top. New places aren't easy for everyone.

- Dreams