VWL Lovers & Groupies Thread: Meese-ka, Mice-ka MOOSE-kateers

[npcougar]

There are possibilities of seeing the lake from higher floors. Also, the pool can be seen from some rooms. But IMO, all views are great

Thanks. I had knew the Lodge had views but I've never been in the Villas so I wasn't sure.

 

[DiznyDi]

I just had to let my Groupie cyber friends be the first to know.....
(drum roll, please) finally, DDad and I have high speed internet at home!

We have moved into the techno age, leaving the ice age behind.

I've never experienced internet this fast! I feel like a giddy school girl, This is great! Watched my first YouTube video today. So much to go explore.....

See you soon!

 

[cvrapclark]

I don't have time right now to go through the thread. We've just booked our first stay here for June!! Can anyone point me to a map that shows which villas are studio, one bedroom, etc?

THANKS

 

[twokats]

I just had to let my Groupie cyber friends be the first to know.....
(drum roll, please) finally, DDad and I have high speed internet at home!

We have moved into the techno age, leaving the ice age behind.

I've never experienced internet this fast! I feel like a giddy school girl, This is great! Watched my first YouTube video today. So much to go explore.....

See you soon!

Di,
I am so happy for you. I know from our Christmas conversations how unhappy you were with dial-up. I remember when we switched to high-speed ages ago my first big moment was that I did not have to run the kids off the internet so I could get my work done. Enjoy your explorations!

 

[stopher1]

Greetings Groupies from Aulani! Aloha!



It was a long bit of traveling, but I made it safely this afternoon. When I first was making the arrangements for this trip, I was planning on flying out of Indy on the first o'dark thirty flight Tuesday morning, and then quickly change planes in LA for the Hawaii flight - since I am staying in LA after the Hawaii part, an originating flight out of Indy with a return wasn't in the cards. I needed to fly SWA to LA, and then whichever provider had the best deal to/from Hawaii. But as it got closer, and winter started to set in, I thought better of it since it is a) winter, and b) winter is upon us, and c) you never quite know what winter will do to flight schedules. I did not want to have any mishaps in getting here, so I chose to fly out Monday evening instead, stay overnight in LA, and then fly out Tuesday morning as scheduled. That also helped with the inevitable sore-butt syndrome that 9 1/2 hours of flying will do to you (let alone more). I was thankful that that night of sleep in between flights.

So we landed in HI around 3:30 this afternoon, and by the time I finally got to the resort, it was about 4:45. The baggage claim took quite a while, and then of course it was rush hour by the time I got on the freeway. Aulani is only about 35 min (no traffic) from the airport.

Well - I am downloading pics from my camera now, and will share a few, but not a ton as I am actually planning on doing a small trip report. I've kind of given up on those (both writing and reading) but since this is a new resort, and I've received numerous questions about the resort already, as well as requests for information, I figured I might do one.

But without much further ado - I will say just these few things about Aulani....

• In regards to the theming and overall feel of this resort - Disney not only hit a homerun, but sent the ball way out of the ballpark, into the next city's ballpark, sent it soaring through that one, and then on past the next one. WOW. This place is simply gorgeous. The rooms, the public spaces, the recreational spaces, the landscaping - everything. It just simply fabulous.
• In regards to food offerings - oh my goodness. The food (that I've had so far) is very good, very local/ethnic Hawaiian... so be prepared for that as well. I'm looking forward to the buffet tomorrow and Saturday (one dinner, one breakfast) to see what they have to offer. But at the counter service - if you have picky kids who'll only eat Mac-n-Cheese or Chicken Nuggets/Fingers - forget it! Don't even waste your time. The only "traditional mainland American" offering they had was a cheese burger. Everything else was local fare - for both the adults & the kids.
• In regards to the value of what you'll get - be prepared. I believe it is possible to have a wonderful vacation here - but just be prepared to PAY, PAY, PAY. Through the nose even. EVERYTHING is more expensive than the mainland parks & resorts. Yes, transportation to the island is part of it, but it's just very, very expensive. The same kind of refillable mug that is $14 or $15 at WDW - is $18 here. And there are still NO loyalty discounts of any kind - except for CM, which is brand-new in 2012 according to numerous CM's I spoke with. No DVC, no AP, no AAA, no Senior discounts, nothing. Multiple CM's all said that "it's being worked on" - but NONE of them had any idea when such discounts might be made available. Oh and that basic cheeseburger? For an adult is $14, for the kids is $9. I'd read reports from others that the restaurants are expensive here, but seeing it first hand is something else!
• In regards to the question so many have raised on other parts of the DIS... "what is there to do?" - OR - "will I be bored staying there?". Brief quick answer - NO. First off, just like other Disney resorts - both DVC and not - there are activities galore here. Plus a number of very interesting & exciting sounding excursions. I'm off to Pearl Harbor tomorrow to explore - very close by! But the island itself has a lot to see and do too. I've gathered all kinds of brochures to read up and be able to better market and sell Aulani myself.

SO - with that, I'm going to upload a few pics to photobucket now to share with you all.

I'll write more later, but wanted to pop in and say hi.

 

[stopher1]

I just had to let my Groupie cyber friends be the first to know.....
(drum roll, please) finally, DDad and I have high speed internet at home!

We have moved into the techno age, leaving the ice age behind.

I've never experienced internet this fast! I feel like a giddy school girl, This is great! Watched my first YouTube video today. So much to go explore.....

See you soon!

That's so exciting Di! I'm very happy for you!

 

[stopher1]

Just a few shots, and then I need to hit the sheets. LONG day. Exhausted boy. Full day tomorrow awaits...

At the airport

Upon arrival in Ko Olina

Inside the Lobby - looking west, out to Waikolohe Valley and the Pacific Ocean beyond

Lei-type necklaces are given upon your arrival. This beaded variety is for the men. She explained it to me, but I don't remember it all now. Something about these beads are an oil producing bead, and like everything else at Aulani are very traditional in Hawaiian culture

The view from my 5th floor room - looking down at Waikolohe Valley (the pool, lazy river, water play area, etc) - plus I have an Ocean View - not a great view, but it is an ocean view. That dark water in the bottom of the picture is Rainbow Reef, the snorkeling lagoon. It was closed by the time I got down there to look at it all, but it looks pretty neat. Expensive to try at $20 for one visit, or you can pay $39 for a length of stay pass. Not sure I'm going to do it, but it does look neat.

I love the etheral look of this particular entrance into the caves under the water slides (for the lazy river)

One of the many, many Menehune found around the resort. This particular one is similar to the "follow you" busts in my favorite attraction - the Haunted Mansion. It's a very blurry shot, as the camera kept trying to refocus as face wouldn't stay still. I'm determined to get a better one before I leave here.

One last one... looking west

 

[franandaj]

Greetings Groupies from Aulani! Aloha!

So glad you made it safe and sound Stopher! I was going to ask you a TA question today and realized that you were probably already on vacation! I can't wait to hear about it and see pics! So do they have a Garden Grocer or WeGoShop there? For $14, I could make my own Cheeseburger in the room!

 

[stopher1]

So glad you made it safe and sound Stopher! I was going to ask you a TA question today and realized that you were probably already on vacation! I can't wait to hear about it and see pics! So do they have a Garden Grocer or WeGoShop there? For $14, I could make my own Cheeseburger in the room!

I don't know... yet. But I intend to find out.

Yeah, I was kind of in shock at the $14 for a cheeseburger thing. But then, $43 for a buffet is a bit much as well.

I'm working on getting answers for your other question about the Rainbow Reef too... - hopefully tomorrow.

Well, I'm off to bed now. LOOOOOOONG day.

 

[franandaj]

I don't know... yet. But I intend to find out.

Yeah, I was kind of in shock at the $14 for a cheeseburger thing. But then, $43 for a buffet is a bit much as well.

I'm working on getting answers for your other question about the Rainbow Reef too... - hopefully tomorrow.

Well, I'm off to bed now. LOOOOOOONG day.

Good night! I'm about on my way as well! Have fun tomorrow!

 

[Dizny Dad]

Hey Stoph - SHAKA!!!!

If you get to Waikiki, be sure to seek out a cool beverage and buffet lunch at DUKE'S. It is unbelievably inexpensive for the buffet!

Here's DiznyDi enjoing her Ocean Breeze at DUKE'S

And of course, here's DUKE himself . .

And don't miss the opportunity to climb Diamond Head!

And of course, the home of our beloved Dole Whip . . .

Aloha!

 

[eliza61]

Stopher,
Glad you arrived safe and sound. Food has always been extremely expensive in Hawaii, I don't know why I thought it would get better over time.

Looks lovely.

 

[Muushka]

Welcome to high speed internet D Di and D Dad!
Now when a page like this comes up (lots of big pictures) you don't need to leave and go get a beverage!

Thank you both for the wonderful HI pictures. Have a great time Stoph!

 

[jimmytammy]

Stopher
So glad you made it! Pics are great!! Just how far is Pearl Harbor from Aulani? We are doing the SW flight to LA too, then probably catch American to Aulani, come back to LA and stay at GC(we hope) for a few days before returning on SW

Di
Congrats on the HS Internet. Does this mean we will be seeing even more of you and Dad? If so, wonderful!!

 

[jimmytammy]

I don't have time right now to go through the thread. We've just booked our first stay here for June!! Can anyone point me to a map that shows which villas are studio, one bedroom, etc?

THANKS

I think Granny may be the guy who has that layout...maybe he will check in soon

 

[edk35]

ABSOLUTELY LOVE STAYING HERE. We are in a two br 5536......love it!!! We have visited WL but never stayed here. We have been DVC members for 5 years this month....WHY HAVE WE NOT STAYED HERE BEFORE?! We now own 150 points here.....soooooooo happy. VWL is our new fave!!! I will be sad to leave on SAT.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Welcome to high speed internet D Di and D Dad!
Now when a page like this comes up (lots of big pictures) you don't need to leave and go get a beverage! . . . . . . . .

Mush - go back and review the posted pictures - she likes the beverage . . .

 

[Muushka]

Ah yes, looks tasty!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I don't have time right now to go through the thread. We've just booked our first stay here for June!! Can anyone point me to a map that shows which villas are studio, one bedroom, etc?

THANKS

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/villas-at-wilderness-lodge/maps-a-photos

 

[stopher1]

Stopher
So glad you made it! Pics are great!! Just how far is Pearl Harbor from Aulani? We are doing the SW flight to LA too, then probably catch American to Aulani, come back to LA and stay at GC(we hope) for a few days before returning on SW

Pearl Harbor is only about 20 minutes from Aulani. It is an awesome experience. I went today, and want to go back. Oh my goodness. I don't know if you've ever been there or not Jimmy, but there are 4 different memorials to view plus the Visitor Center. I only did the USS Arizona and the Visitor Center. I purchased the Audio Tour in addition, and that really augmented the overall experience. I would highly recommend getting that when you go.

It was extremely moving. WOW. I had known & studied a lot about Pearl Harbor years ago, but this sure brought it all to life. Just like when I went to Valley Forge and Gettysburg. My goodness. I've never seen the Bruckheimer movie, "Pearl Harbor", but now I kind of want to.