Visiting Hawaii in Septmeber, but not booked at Aulani

[b-c-k-a]

Hi everyone,

Just closed on my membership. I couldn't use my points this year but I do have a trip I had previously planned for Hawaii in September, I'm staying in Waikiki and am renting a car.

I was curious that as a DVC member at that point if I'd be allowed to tour or use any of the facilities at Aulani?

Thanks for any insight any one can provide.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

You can't use the facilities such as the pool but you can go look around Aulani, eat there etc.

 

[b-c-k-a]

Thank you Kathy, hoping I can get over there to check itr out.

 

[bwvBound]

Thank you Kathy, hoping I can get over there to check itr out.

Suggestion: Wait until the end of your trip before you visit Aulani. Allow it to create anticipation for your return visit to the island but w/out interfering with the enjoyment of the current trip.

 

[b-c-k-a]

Good idea.

 

[Cinderpamela]

You should totally go and visit the property while you are there... even think about making a dinner reservation or a Spa visit.

It will help you to see it on this trip so that when you visit next time you will have a better understanding of the layout of the resort/ room request options/ how Ko Olina is set up in general. You could also tour a unit, they usually have one open, just check in the DVC office there.

You get your parking validated with a reciept- note: parking is free as a DVC member but only when staying there on points.

From the Aulani website:

Parking for Daytime Visitors

Valet parking is $35 per day; Self parking is $10 for the first hour and $5 for every half hour after that, with a maximum day rate of $35.* When you spend $35* or more at Aulani dine-in restaurants and lounges or at Laniwai Spa during a single visit, you'll get validated valet or self parking for up to 4 hours.

 

[wuzzles]

Why not get on a waitlist to see if you can get a room for one night?

Even if you don't actually sleep there it would get you two full days (check in, check out) of access to the pools and beach. As a member you would have free parking for your rental car. All you would need to pay would be the tax on the room.

 

[b-c-k-a]

Thanks, I called United to see what the change penalty would be to extend an extra day. They said 'as a courtesy' they'd waive the fee! So I'm booked for one night at Aulani on the back end of my vacation...my kids, who aren't coming with me, are going to hate me

 

[bwvBound]

Perfect! Well played!

 

[mpusateri]

The resort is not worth the trip. I just stayed there and was disappointed and will never go back. It is in the middle of no where and the surrounding area is not nice and no nice places to eat. The resort is nothing special and there is no beach access to the ocean, just a calm lagoon. You do not want to make the trip for this. Stay in honalulu and enjoy that area. Frankly, you should go to Maui or Kaui as those islands are much nicer.

 

[JoeA]

The resort is not worth the trip. I just stayed there and was disappointed and will never go back. It is in the middle of no where and the surrounding area is not nice and no nice places to eat. The resort is nothing special and there is no beach access to the ocean, just a calm lagoon. You do not want to make the trip for this. Stay in honalulu and enjoy that area. Frankly, you should go to Maui or Kaui as those islands are much nicer.

You didn't like it so you're qualified to tell people to not bother? I've been several times and like the area. And I love the resort. Nothing better than floating down the river while "in the middle of no where". As for food, we rather enjoy walking over to the ABC store and grabbing a meal and them taking it, with a bottle of wine, to that claim lagoon and enjoy a peaceful evening.

I'd rather cut off my right foot than stay in Honolulu but wouldn't tell somebody to "not bother". Heck, some people people like that over crowded city I guess. It's LA on an island.

 

[BLTtinkerbell]

Thanks, I called United to see what the change penalty would be to extend an extra day. They said 'as a courtesy' they'd waive the fee! So I'm booked for one night at Aulani on the back end of my vacation...my kids, who aren't coming with me, are going to hate me

Excellent! Have a wonderful time & come back & share your thoughts.

 

[jekjones1558]

Thanks, I called United to see what the change penalty would be to extend an extra day. They said 'as a courtesy' they'd waive the fee! So I'm booked for one night at Aulani on the back end of my vacation...my kids, who aren't coming with me, are going to hate me

So glad that you are doing this! I hope that you love it as much as we did. Have you ever been to Hawaii? Honolulu and Ko'Olina are very different from each other and each Hawaiian island has its own charms but they are all paradise in my book! Have a fabulous trip!! And welcome to the DVC family!

 

[patsal]

The resort is not worth the trip. I just stayed there and was disappointed and will never go back. It is in the middle of no where and the surrounding area is not nice and no nice places to eat. The resort is nothing special and there is no beach access to the ocean, just a calm lagoon. You do not want to make the trip for this. Stay in honalulu and enjoy that area. Frankly, you should go to Maui or Kaui as those islands are much nicer.

The island is small, you can drive wherever you want within an hour!

We visited as we were unable to stay when we went to Hawaii because it was just phase I open and over Easter so they were fully booked. Hubby had a business trip and DD and I tagged along. We had a lovely afternoon there and were able to tour the resort and such. While we could not use any of the amenities for guests we were able to purchase food and we determined we would love to stay for a few nights on the back end of our next trip to Hawaii.

 

[b-c-k-a]

So glad that you are doing this! I hope that you love it as much as we did. Have you ever been to Hawaii? Honolulu and Ko'Olina are very different from each other and each Hawaiian island has its own charms but they are all paradise in my book! Have a fabulous trip!! And welcome to the DVC family!

Thank you! First time to Hawaii, meeting up with some friends, then I'll spend my last day at Aulani, probably do a spa thing

 

[b-c-k-a]

The island is small, you can drive wherever you want within an hour! We visited as we were unable to stay when we went to Hawaii because it was just phase I open and over Easter so they were fully booked. Hubby had a business trip and DD and I tagged along. We had a lovely afternoon there and were able to tour the resort and such. While we could not use any of the amenities for guests we were able to purchase food and we determined we would love to stay for a few nights on the back end of our next trip to Hawaii.

Thanks for the input! I hope you get to go back

 

[bwvBound]

The island is small, you can drive wherever you want within an hour!

You are seriously underestimating the influence of "island time" and its impacts on all time-based-calculations.

Beyond that ... Google Maps estimates 1.5 hours from Makaha to James Campbell National Park. Of course, while this may be an extreme example to mainlanders it it sufficient to make locals cringe. When we stayed in Makaha a few years back, before Aulani was under construction, local friends in Kailua refused to visit us -- not for the fear of Makaha's reputation but for the 1:10 minute drive! That was waaaaaay to far for them and we had to meet them in the middle.

 

[blondietink]

I think you will love it! We did and are saving our pennies to go back in September 2015. the airfare is the killer. The September weather was gorgeous.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think you will love it! We did and are saving our pennies to go back in September 2015. the airfare is the killer. The September weather was gorgeous.

So good to know! We just booked a 1 way cruise to Hawaii next September, and cannot wait to use our points in Aulani...I hope we get in at 7 months!

 

[blondietink]

So good to know! We just booked a 1 way cruise to Hawaii next September, and cannot wait to use our points in Aulani...I hope we get in at 7 months!

You will have no problem booking Aulani at 7 months for September. There was plenty of availability even 3 months out. I kept checking even though we were already booked. It is considered shoulder season in Hawaii. there really is no low season, just high season (most of the times) and shoulder season. The summer crowds are gone, and the holiday/winter crowds have not yet begun.