Visited Aulani yesterday

[dvc_john]

Visited Aulani yesterday, and all I can say is WOW! It's really going to be beautiful. The model rooms are very Hawaiian, with some scattered hidden Mickey's. (You really have to look for them, they're not obvious.) I can't believe that I left my camera back at Waikiki though!

Also, the Black Pearl from Pirates of the Caribbean is docked at the nearby marina. It's on the other side, so you can't get too close, but you can get a good shot with a zoom lens (if you don't forget the camera).

Right now I'm battling a severe case of addonitis, but I think I'll survive.

 

[wink13]

Thanks for the update. Hoping to stay at Aulani in Oct 2011.

Visited Aulani yesterday, and all I can say is WOW! It's really going to be beautiful. The model rooms are very Hawaiian, with some scattered hidden Mickey's. (You really have to look for them, they're not obvious.) I can't believe that I left my camera back at Waikiki though!

Also, the Black Pearl from Pirates of the Caribbean is docked at the nearby marina. It's on the other side, so you can't get too close, but you can get a good shot with a zoom lens (if you don't forget the camera).

Right now I'm battling a severe case of addonitis, but I think I'll survive.

 

[mdsd8700]

Thanks for your personalzied view/report on Aualni. I can't wait for it to open and hear/read the TR from those who stay. We are hoping to make it a "last" of sorts family vacation before our son heads off to college in the summer of 2012.

Also see that you DVC John have been to all 11 Disney Parks, I am jealous and can only dream to accomplish that someday as well.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Thanks for the update DVC_John!

Can't wait to see my new home next September. Counting down the days until my reservation window opens up!

 

[csharpwv]

I looked a the cost of adding on 50 points at Aulani and using every three years - but DW quickly brought me back to reality by pointing out the travel cost - and the overall cost of vacationing in Hawaii. I'm sure we will go at some point - but not as Aulani owners! LOL

 

[gonzalez8530]

I looked a the cost of adding on 50 points at Aulani and using every three years - but DW quickly brought me back to reality by pointing out the travel cost - and the overall cost of vacationing in Hawaii. I'm sure we will go at some point - but not as Aulani owners! LOL

Funny, we were at BLT in August and my DW had to keep stressing to me that we would not be buying more points, including Aulani. We too plan to go to Hawaii in the future but our reservations will be made 7 months prior instead of 11 months.

 

[bwvBound]

Recent Aulani construction photos posted on TUG ... see post #18
http://tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130494

Edited to add:
Ah, just finished reading through the thread and see that DVC John is cross posting there, too.

 

[adminjedi]

So glad to hear and see my construction crew is keeping on schedule!

 

[boscoj]

Hey John,

Did i read this right.....the model rooms are open at Aulani? Did u see what the weekend hours were?

thanks hope u are enjoying your stay!

 

[jerseygal]

Can't wait for Sept.2013 to celebrate 30th wedding anniversary!

First time for us in Hawaii! Really looking forward to it!

 

[DenLo]

Wow, I think I'm ready for a stay a Ko Olina now. But we too will be trying to stay there using our WDW resort's points. Gee I hope we can get a villa. It sounds like many members have the same idea.

 

[dvc_john]

Hey John,

Did i read this right.....the model rooms are open at Aulani? Did u see what the weekend hours were?

thanks hope u are enjoying your stay!

Yes, they have a structure built that has a 2-br lock-out available to view. It is on the site of the hotel, with a great view of the lagoon. To see it, you have to go the the sales office on the 2nd floor of the marketplace building across the street, and they drive you over in a golf cart to see the model.
They said the models will be moved to the main building in January, and the temporary model site will be removed to make room for a wedding pavilion.

They don't have a Grand Villa model or a 2br dedicated model available for viewing. The 2br dedicated is a little different than the 2br lock-off in that it has and additional 1/2 bath that the 2-br lock-off doesn't.

I didn't notice the hours. I was there about 2pm on a Tuesday. I would imagine that they would be open on the weekend.