Wahines on Tour - Hawaii and peek at Aulani! LAST DAY IN THE SUNSHINE UPDATE 8/6

[MAGICFOR2]

Well, let’s see if I can get this posted again – I was hoping Alex would have it all fixed by now :O

After a less than stellar crab dinner and a half gallon Mai Tai, We headed out to the car – We had a little peek at the ocean through the trees across the street:

The sun was shining so beautifully through the clouds – we were on our way to Disney heaven!

At some point I wondered if we were headed to Jurassic Park!

As we started to get closer to Aulani, even the highway was looking magical!

Soon, we got our first glimpse of the resort

For some reason, I got excited with checking in, Valet parking, and “Welcome Home” - I forgot to take entrance pics It was fun to show the Henry’s how to vacation Disney style! They were really impressed with the beauty of the resort!


We walked into the heavenly lobby. Disney just does such a wonderful job of creating the atmosphere. We were greeted by the smell of flowers and spice, and the sounds of Hawaiin tribal music playing in the background…

The lobby reminds me of AKL in a Hawaiin sort of way – does that make sense? Well, maybe the ceiling looks like the inside of a huge canoe….

There were mural borders around the top of the lobby. This ones’ a little blurry – ancient hawaiins fishing and doing chores:

Looking down the hall toward the check in desk.

We went ouside onto the verandah

Looking over the pool area – this volcano lights up and “erupts” at night – so cool! In the daylight, it reminds me of Grizzly Rapids Mountain at California Adventure.

Looking down at the outdoor seating area – I think from ‘Ama ‘Ama, the TS restaurant.

Looks like it’s under water

Looking out toward the beach – so many beautiful plants

TO BE CONTINUED...

 

[dizneeat]

What a beautiful resort! Thanks for posting the photos, Tammie.

I do so understand that you forgot to take pics of the entrance. Happens to me all the time.

 

[karajeboo]

Aulani looks gorgeous! You are right though, looks very similar in a lot of ways to AKL or WL...... Disney is so thorough in their translations, kwim? Looking forward to more pics!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Page 8? The link to page 7 is still broken for me, so I am hoping if we get on page 8 it will get us there. If you can't get to page 7, there are pics of Aulani there you can see it if you hit Reply and then page down.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

One ....

 

[MAGICFOR2]

More!

 

[eandesmom]

I tried to post on your gallon mai tai and then the DIS went down for me, too busy yesterday to get online at all. Bummer about the crab, I can see where that would not have been good. I love nothing more than fresh sweet dungeness so I'd have been rather crabby! At least if the drink was that big, it should have been strong, otherwise it's just extra calories without the kick!

Aulani looks gorgeous (though soggy) so far, I definitely see the AKL resemblance.

 

[Heluvsme]

I'm a little late, but I'm really loving this TR!!! It sounds absolutely heavenly!! And your Mai Tai... also heavenly!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I tried to post on your gallon mai tai and then the DIS went down for me, too busy yesterday to get online at all. Bummer about the crab, I can see where that would not have been good. I love nothing more than fresh sweet dungeness so I'd have been rather crabby! At least if the drink was that big, it should have been strong, otherwise it's just extra calories without the kick!

Aulani looks gorgeous (though soggy) so far, I definitely see the AKL resemblance.

Funny how we depend on the DIS for our "escape moments" huh? Yeah, we didi learn a lesson there. No sense being crabby on vacation, right? I think they try to distract you with the largness of the drinks!

I'm a little late, but I'm really loving this TR!!! It sounds absolutely heavenly!! And your Mai Tai... also heavenly!!!

Welcome! thanks so much for reading - glad you are enjoying - hopefully things will work better now.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I think all systems are go now!!!!

We were just touring Aulani when I left off,(the elusive page 7), so I thought I would post the rest of the pics.

Looking back toward the building from the verandah

Looking up and back toward the entrance

This is the side hall, I think toward the bathrooms

I love how the lobby is divided into wonderful smaller conversation areas, rather than just a huge bay.

We found our way to the gift shop, Kalepa's store. I love the inlay in the floor, at the entrance, and then all around the store.

- here's a cool video of the store- can't get the link to work, but it's at WDW DAILY NEWS .COM / DVC/AULANI - if you want to see this, you have to put these letters all together and then click on the gift shop link - the DIS won't let me post this site.


I have to go right now, but I will be back later to finish this chapter-

 

[anewmac]

I thought it looked like AKL too and more then that then like the Poly you would have thought. Also I see what you mean about the volcano looking more like Grizzly Rapids. LOL

Cant wait to see more!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I thought it looked like AKL too and more then that then like the Poly you would have thought. Also I see what you mean about the volcano looking more like Grizzly Rapids. LOL

Cant wait to see more!

It is funny how they use some of the same designs and then tweak them to fit the theme they want. Just like the rides - Indy at DL and Dinosaur at WDW for instance. I think the Imagineers are amazing!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I left you waiting while I was shopping in the gift shop. Sorry. Now you know what it's like to be Jim.

We looked around the gift shop for quite awhile. Except for the drink station and refillable mugs and snacks on one side, it feels more like an upscale boutique than a hotel gift shop. It smells wonderful, the merchandise is mostly Hawaii themed, even special D&B bags, Karin!

I bought a beach towel

... and a cup of kona coffee. The CM who rang me up tried to upsell me into a DVC membership. J/K - but she did say things like wouldn't it be wonderful to come back here every year? Let me tell you the addonitis was hitting pretty hard about now! She carefully wrapped the towel in tissue and closed it with an Aulani sticker, then put it in a beautiful gift bag. It made my purchase feel so special - made the $40 price tag seem better somehow!

When we stepped out, we found it was getting dark outside!

Everyone headed out to check out the pool, but I was thinking of all of you, and I headed down to take pics of Mkahiki, the buffet

The hostess was very gracious, and invited me to "please take pictures to show your friends!" Sorry these are a little blurry -

I think I was wishing we had just come here for dinner, but we would have been met with resistance on the price from our friends, so next time....

I stepped out on the verandah, and Jim was waiting for me. We meandered down toward the pool area, in search of the shaved ice station

I got a nice shot looking back in the dark - most of my night shots did not turn out - I need a faster night shutter

We walked around the pool area, and found a CM who pointed to the other side of the pool for the shaved ice station, then another one walked up and told us it was closed for the night.

I don't know if you can see it in this shot, but there is a float around that goes around the pool and volcano area, with life guards on duty. It seems to me that the volcano was lit up with steam coming out of the top, like it was going to errupt.

I did not get a good shot, but there is an infinity pool on the bottom side This of course looks out toward the ocean.

We found Wayne and Michelle and Jesse down by the beach, which was just steps away from the pool. I took my shoes off and walked in the surf for a little bit, and we sat in the chairs for awhile and just enjoyed the serenity.

This beach seemed a little small, but def big enough for the resort. There seemed to be a reef at the entrance to the bay, so I don't know for sure where the snorkeling can be done. I do know you can get a rental package for the snorkel gear.

We headed back toward the resort, and found a decorative entrance

Reminds me of the bar district on the Disney Wonder!

Aunty's Beach House

This looks like a good place to be on a rainy day! There were several families in there playing games, etc. I didn't see Aunty though.

We headed back inside and came across these gentlemen playing a marathon game of checkers - they were attached to the wall.

Stepped into the restroom and found this beautiful sink

Another beautiful lobby area

Well all good things must end, but one last shot of a mural on the way out

Good-bye Aulani -

We left with plans to return and stay on points some day, hopefully not too far in the future.

So yes, we did visit Aulani, but there was no show this night.

I'll be back with some points totals

 

[Heluvsme]

Oh my gosh, what a beautiful place! I'd love to visit there...someday...someday... ahhhhhhh.....

 

[glennbo123]

Wow, thanks for the pictures. It looks awesome! I can't wait to visit it myself...the plan is for 2014.

I wonder what the gift shop clerk gets if she sells a DVC interest? Cha-ching!

 

[dizneeat]

O ..... M ..... G!!!!!!!!!!

What a beautiful resort! Thank you so much for the photos - it looks awesome.

And they have




......



D&B bags?


Okay, need to leave now to check out flights to Hawaii!


In all honesty, Tom and I have discussed adding on a trip to Hawaii when we will do our California trip.
I'd love to stay at Aulani, Dooney or no Dooney.

 

[anewmac]

it does look like a nice place to stay.. maybe someday for us!

Maybe we all could make a Dis moms trip there! give me 5-10 years to save up though k lol

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Oh my gosh, what a beautiful place! I'd love to visit there...someday...someday... ahhhhhhh.....

I knew it would be nice, but it was just amazing. It engulfs you with relaxation the minute you pull up! It is truly heavenly!

Wow, thanks for the pictures. It looks awesome! I can't wait to visit it myself...the plan is for 2014.

I wonder what the gift shop clerk gets if she sells a DVC interest? Cha-ching!

It's great you have a plan, not just a "some day" It will be wonderful. I really want to go back, but next year is our WDW with kids, and then 2014 is a cruise on Fantasy, I think.

That's funny! Maybe the DVC guides give them a little kick back if they send you over and you purchase! It seemed like all the CMs were so excited about the property!

O ..... M ..... G!!!!!!!!!!

What a beautiful resort! Thank you so much for the photos - it looks awesome.

And they have




......



D&B bags?


Okay, need to leave now to check out flights to Hawaii!


In all honesty, Tom and I have discussed adding on a trip to Hawaii when we will do our California trip.
I'd love to stay at Aulani, Dooney or no Dooney.

See, the D&B is the final hook for you! You will love it there! So relaxing, so many new foods to try around the island, all that fresh pineapple, and the D&B too!

it does look like a nice place to stay.. maybe someday for us!

Maybe we all could make a Dis moms trip there! give me 5-10 years to save up though k lol

Okay, here's the deal, MILITARY mom! You just have to. You can stay at Pearl or Hickham in a room really cheap, or even a suite at Ford Island -Or reasonable at Hale Koa - also one of the beach cottages at Bellows AFS for most of it, and then stay at Aulani even for a few days at the end to finish it off right. That's our plan - to stay military while we explore the island again, and then stay at Aulani at the end just for pure relaxation! YOU CAN DO IT!

Oh, a DIS moms trip would be wonderful, too! I want to be a Hawaii enabler!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I promised a points total - Of course everyone who said we would see Aulani – I think it was all players – got a point. Those who made an extra guess or mention of no luau here got an extra point. So our total so far:

Marv – 1
Glenn-1
Cynthia-1
Ellen – 2
PKonz – 1
Drea- 2
Dan - 1

Up next - Riding High!

 

[anewmac]

Okay, here's the deal, MILITARY mom! You just have to. You can stay at Pearl or Hickham in a room really cheap, or even a suite at Ford Island -Or reasonable at Hale Koa - also one of the beach cottages at Bellows AFS for most of it, and then stay at Aulani even for a few days at the end to finish it off right. That's our plan - to stay military while we explore the island again, and then stay at Aulani at the end just for pure relaxation! YOU CAN DO IT!
OHH thats true didnt even think of that! Good idea!! OK IM SOLD... now to sell it to E lol

Oh, a DIS moms trip would be wonderful, too! I want to be a Hawaii enabler!

ME TOO!!

I promised a points total - Of course everyone who said we would see Aulani – I think it was all players – got a point. Those who made an extra guess or mention of no luau here got an extra point. So our total so far:

Marv – 1
Glenn-1
Cynthia-1
Ellen – 2
PKonz – 1
Drea- 2
Dan - 1

Up next - Riding High![/COLOR]

woohoo Tied with El