Aulani Trip Report [Archive] - DVCNews.com Discussion Board

steelers1933

06-10-2012, 07:46 AM

We made it to Aulani. After a very long time between becoming owners we are finally here. First impression are VERY positive. We made in about 2PM yesterday and got our rentals and headed straight to the resort. The resort is very easy to locate from the airport and is a beautiful site on the horizon when you turn the corner on 93 heading into Ko Olina. We were greeted when we pulled up by name and and with all the traditional Hawaiian fare. DS and DD also received a little mennehune necklace as well. Next they escorted to the lobby where 2 CMs gave us a short tour of the resort and discussed layout. When we entered the open air lobby my breath was taken away. I have not had this reaction to a resort entry since the first time we entered the WL. Aulani Absolutely phenomenal IMHO. We quickly grabbed a bite to eat at One Paddle Two Paddle and then out room was ready. We are happy withe the room. It is a 2BR SV and in on the end which we can actually see the pull up area for the lobby. Will post pictures later. The view is not the greatest but we were wanting to stay as long as possible. After getting situated the ladies ran to grab some food and my BIL and I put up clothes and emptied the luggage. My daughter did a little mennehune hinting. She loved it. It is 3AM right and I can not sleep so figured I would do a quick update. Today when the rest of the world gets up we are staying close to the resort to swim, hit the beach, and who knows what else. Very happy do far, resort is beautiful, CMs are great, room is great and we're with family. Couldn't be any better. I will try to post pictures here. FB friends are already seeing them from a few I snapped with my phone yesterday.

denlo

06-10-2012, 03:14 PM

Thanks for starting your TR. Looking forward to any photos you can post.

steelers1933

06-12-2012, 11:17 AM

i can not figure out how to post pictures on this site. If anyone would like to follow our pictures and status updates send me a friend request on FB. Just put DVCNEWS in the comments. I will gladly share our photos there, and there are lots of them. Warning, you may get tired of seeing our children :) http://www.facebook.com/dan.haley.56

denlo

06-12-2012, 04:45 PM

Sorry you can post photos Dan. We usually upload our photos to a website like photobucket.com and then post the URL to the image for each photo. Or you can do an attachment but you might have to reduce the size of your photo before you can upload it to the website. Here's the instructions - http://dvcnews.com/forum/faq.php?faq=vb3_reading_posting#faq_vb3_attachment s

DAK2005

06-13-2012, 04:19 PM

wdrl

06-13-2012, 06:01 PM

How has the weather been at Aulani? Any rain?

steelers1933

06-13-2012, 08:06 PM

Hey Dan

It sounds like your having a great time. It brings back memories of our first trip there.
I have a question for you. Have seen the Founding members wall? It is located just outside the gate going to the beach.
Just wondering if they have it done as it was not done when we went.

Have fun.

DaK

Funny you ask we just seen the tiles going up today. Completion is slated for July 15. Two towers are complete and our is already up. So excited we seen it!!! Send me you tile info and I'll see if we can find it.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

steelers1933

06-13-2012, 08:11 PM

How has the weather been at Aulani? Any rain?

Weather has been awesome. I will try to post some more details here in the next day or 2. I have put a lot up on FaceBook. Probably 300+ photos. This place is awesome!!!!! Disney hit a grand slam IMHO. Our family could easily stay here a week and never leave property.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

DAK2005

06-14-2012, 05:39 AM

Hi Dan
Thanks for the update on the wall.
Here is our Pohakus

DaK

worldfanatic

06-14-2012, 02:51 PM

This place is awesome!!!!! Disney hit a grand slam IMHO. Our family could easily stay here a week and never leave property.

ALOHA DAN!!!!

I'm glad you're enjoying AULANI as much as I did. It is truly an incredible accomplishment by Disney!
Having left it this last weekend, I'm still deep in my "withdrawl" from having to depart.
In fact, the only thing that's helped me is beginning to plan for my next AULANI trip, which I'm thrilled to say will be in SEPT 2013.
My WDW trip will just have to move up to June. (A wonderful bonus)

You called it a Grand Slam, and you hit it on the head.
I've done a fair bit of traveling through the Hawaiian Islands, and I've seen nothing that approaches it for me.
Only the Grand Wailea on Maui would even be close.
People shouldn't let the fact that AULANI is on Oahu be a deterent. Ko Olina is a "WORLD AWAY" in feel from Waikiki.

I've never been as enchanted with any Resort on the planet as I am with AULANI.
For a swimmer & a balcony rat, it's perfect heaven!
My 2 favorite vacation dreams have combined, Disney & Hawaii, and I'm absolutely counting the days til I can return.

I also have problems posting pictures here, mostly because my computer stinks.
But I'll give it a try along with a mini trip report as soon as I get some time.

You and your family keep having fun there Dan! You can't imagine how jealous I am that you're still on AULANI grounds.

steelers1933

06-15-2012, 03:39 PM

2 BR standard view, Rm 651
Located in the Ewa Tower
We can see the entry area, parking garage, and tops of the conference center
Views are below. I will try and update other pics as time allows or when we return. GREAT PLACE!!!

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh539/Steelers1933/Aulani%202012/DSC_1134.jpg

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh539/Steelers1933/Aulani%202012/DSC_1126.jpg

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh539/Steelers1933/Aulani%202012/DSC_1125.jpg

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh539/Steelers1933/Aulani%202012/DSC_1123.jpg

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh539/Steelers1933/Aulani%202012/DSC_1122.jpg

wdrl

06-15-2012, 03:49 PM

Very nice views from your villa! The views look more like an Island View than just a Standard View.

Did you notice any noise entry area or the parking garage?

steelers1933

06-15-2012, 03:49 PM

ALOHA DAN!!!!

People shouldn't let the fact that AULANI is on Oahu be a deterent. Ko Olina is a "WORLD AWAY" in feel from Waikiki.

I've never been as enchanted with any Resort on the planet as I am with AULANI.

I agree on all accounts. I prefer this side of the island. This place got my attention the minute we walked in the lobby and has kept it for the whole trip. 5 more days left and loving it!!!

http://i1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh539/Steelers1933/Aulani%202012/DSC_1247.jpg

denlo

06-15-2012, 03:50 PM

steelers1933

06-15-2012, 05:48 PM

Nice photos Dan! Pretty good view for a std view.:thumbsup2:

WOW, I just saw the sunset view pic. DSIL and family are in flight today to Aulani, they will just love it. I can't wait untIl our September trip.

Sunset picture was taken by walking up the beach towards the Marriot (I think??) to get out on the point.

You can find a few hundred photos here ranging from North Shore to Kualoa Ranch. A lot of the resort too.

http://s1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh539/Steelers1933/Aulani%202012/?start=all

We have a ton more not up there as well. I will try to put some more up here as time allows.

idratherbeinwdw

06-16-2012, 07:56 AM

Thanks for the great report and pics Dan. I've been following on FB, but this is even better.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRz6BLgo9B44OBsRKiCbL9j6LuFlVgl0 CLhe2ytK1NKytKSayTV

denlo

06-16-2012, 08:43 AM

steelers1933

06-16-2012, 08:43 PM

Great photos Dan. It looks like your family is doing lots of activities even walking the beach. I really appreciate that you shared your photos here on the DVC News.

Is your DD doing okay? I saw she was in a wheelchair early on but seems to be walking okay now. Was it just a sprain?

Thanks for asking Denise. It is actually a pretty good news story. She was in a cast as a precaution because they suspected a fracture. Well even with a cast protection bag she got it soaked on day 2. Took her to the military hospital here and they did another x-ray. We were dancing in the streets when it came out clear. She actually is doing great and hiked Diamond Head with us today. No problems.

steelers1933

06-16-2012, 09:02 PM

Thanks for the great report and pics Dan. I've been following on FB, but this is even better.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRz6BLgo9B44OBsRKiCbL9j6LuFlVgl0 CLhe2ytK1NKytKSayTV

Mar, glad you are enjoying the pics. Love the photo you posted above. :) I am sure we will give more details later about the trip. Right now we are either busy, or very busy doing nothing. :) Love to share our experience here and now that I have the picture thing figured out we should be good to go.

wdrl

06-16-2012, 09:59 PM

steelers1933

06-17-2012, 12:16 AM

Really loving your trip report and looking at all of your photos! Glad to hear that your daughter can enjoy Hawaii without wearing a cast!

My sister arrived yesterday and mentioned that the cabanas have been removed from the main pool. She was looking forward to renting one for a day. She and her family are loving Aulani. Even her husband, who is not a big Disney fan, is loving Aulani.

Looking forward to more updates!

I am looking at the cabanas right now. They are booked for the week because we tried for departure day but bit removed. It does not surprise me about your DS husband loving his place because it is even way less Mickey Minnie than the cruise ships. It is all about Hawaii and culture here. Not so much Mickey.

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worldfanatic

06-17-2012, 03:33 AM

It is all about Hawaii and culture here. Not so much Mickey.

Very true Dan. More than any other resort I've visited in Hawaii, Aulani is all about the culture, traditions and legends of Hawaii.
However, for those of us that love the Disney "Magic", it's there in droves.
Much like the Boardwalk Resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Polynesian Resort or Grand Californian Lodge.......there's a special feeling at Aulani that's undeniably Disney.
It's been a week now and I still can't get my mind off that place.

steelers1933

06-17-2012, 02:39 PM

Yesterday we took a hike up to the top of Diamond Head. Very cool view from the top. Our 7yo DD and 4yo DS did really well. Here is a tip for those who may do it in the future. Once you got through the first tunnel go to the left if you are looking for an easier finish. Here is a link to some photos from the hike yesterday.
http://s1250.photobucket.com/albums/hh539/Steelers1933/Diamond%20Head%20hike/?start=all

Once we got back from the hike we puts some ribs in the oven and the kids wanted to go to Aunty's Beach House (kids club) for a couple hours. Of course we let that happen. Hope and I went to the pool. Got a couple chairs looking over the ocean right next to Off the Hook pool bar :thumbsup2: After dinner we all headed back to the pool until the 9PM Fire Pit Storyteller show. The kids love the Fire Pit Storytelling. They range from a 15 to 30 minute stories about the islands and lore and culture of Hawaii. They are very relaxing and enjoyable and usually held a couple times each night. The kids wanted to stay for the 945 show as well, so we did.

wdrl

06-17-2012, 03:38 PM

Once again, thanks for sharing your photos. I especially loved the photo of the lighthouse.

denlo

06-17-2012, 05:28 PM

Really nice photos of your Diamond Head hike. And views on top were spectacular. I really appreciate that you are taking the time to share them with us.

worldfanatic

06-18-2012, 01:15 PM

The kids love the Fire Pit Storytelling. They range from a 15 to 30 minute stories about the islands and lore and culture of Hawaii. They are very relaxing and enjoyable and usually held a couple times each night. The kids wanted to stay for the 945 show as well, so we did.

The Fire Pit Storytellers were one of the highlights of Aulani for me.
There's 3 different "Uncles" who perform the song and story, and they all have their own unique style of music and storytelling.

I didn't expect it'd be something I'd enjoy so much. I thought I'd just do it one time.
But I ended up going to 6 shows on 5 different nights.
It was fantastic!