Hello all,
Below you will find my report
on Disney's Aulani Resort, and at the bottom I've included some of my favorite
resort pics with descriptions. Some of the text didn't copy over well, so I've
also attached a document with all of the pictures. This should also be easy to
save to your computer. Enjoy :)
Willow
To me, Disney tends to be
pricey whether it's a theme park or a resort, but you
definitely get what you pay for, and the Aulani Resort and Spa
is no exception. When you take into account the free inclusions like Aunty's
beach house, pool parties, star gazing, talk story time at the fireplace, etc. I
think the hotel is priced very reasonably. For adults only.. if you are like me
and love Disney and want exceptional service then this is great place to stay.
If you want a quiet pool area there is an adult pool with a nice bar, and of
course you can enjoy the spa. I think the Aulani has everything a 5 star resort
offers with the service aspect but it is very casual with no dress code. Most
high end resorts require you to wear cover ups when not at the pool or have a
dress code for the restaurants, not at Aulani. People were at dinner in shorts,
t-shirt and rubber slippers (typical attire for
Hawaii).
As I drove to the Ko Olina gate they asked for my name on the reservation, checked me off, gave me resort directions and waved me through. I drove up the driveway and was greeted by the the bellman by name. Another castmember gave me a lei,orchid and tubberose. Men get a kukui nut lei, kids a tiki necklace. After being offered some fruit infused water I was taken inside and given a brief tour and explaination about the hotel and where things are. The bellman toured me around the room and explained about the tv, how they have all the adapters to plug in your wii or ipad, showed m where the bedding was for for the hideabed. I'd suggest that if your clients are celebrating anything to let the hotel know as Disney will try to do special things such as leaving a welcome/congratualtions message for the guests upon arrival.
As I drove to the Ko Olina gate they asked for my name on the reservation, checked me off, gave me resort directions and waved me through. I drove up the driveway and was greeted by the the bellman by name. Another castmember gave me a lei,orchid and tubberose. Men get a kukui nut lei, kids a tiki necklace. After being offered some fruit infused water I was taken inside and given a brief tour and explaination about the hotel and where things are. The bellman toured me around the room and explained about the tv, how they have all the adapters to plug in your wii or ipad, showed m where the bedding was for for the hideabed. I'd suggest that if your clients are celebrating anything to let the hotel know as Disney will try to do special things such as leaving a welcome/congratualtions message for the guests upon arrival.
Favorite Room Features: Carved
wooden Mickey light, probably the only specifically "Disney"
feature
Good sized mini-Fridge and
comp. coffee/tea service
Rain shower AND
detachable handheld shower with deep set tub, makes showering kids
easy
THE BATHROBES!! Seriously, I
have tried on many a hotel bathrobe and these are like
heaven!
Now for the resort: In the center of the resort I found the awesome Menehune Bridge, a 22,000 ft water playground for children, as well as a lazy river, a huge meandering big pool and slide that looks like a large volcano. There's a super fast body slide and another slide you ride a tube down, and both looked extremely fun. Oh before going into the pool stop the Rainbow Reef hut and get a wrist band. They allow kids of all ages to go down the slide even with their life vest on. Their are other hotels that don't allow kids with any flotation devices on the slide. Of course in true Disney style they have life guards all over the pool area. I think they are positioned so that each lifeguard can see each other and their scan area overlaps with the other person. That is something that is enforced strongly. No playing on the slides without a band. If you like to snorkel you can snorkel in their man made lagoon stocked with fish and hidden creatures, or if you like to play on kayak, paddle long-boards and other things you can buy a length of stay pass that includes everything. The big plus I noticed in the pool area is the water dispensers. They are located throughout the area and it was always filled with ice water so you could stay hydrated while enjoying the pool. Also available by the pool were life vests, towel stands, a shave ice hut that looks like an old shop in a counrty hawaii beach town, a snack and beach sundries shop and bathrooms.
Now for the resort: In the center of the resort I found the awesome Menehune Bridge, a 22,000 ft water playground for children, as well as a lazy river, a huge meandering big pool and slide that looks like a large volcano. There's a super fast body slide and another slide you ride a tube down, and both looked extremely fun. Oh before going into the pool stop the Rainbow Reef hut and get a wrist band. They allow kids of all ages to go down the slide even with their life vest on. Their are other hotels that don't allow kids with any flotation devices on the slide. Of course in true Disney style they have life guards all over the pool area. I think they are positioned so that each lifeguard can see each other and their scan area overlaps with the other person. That is something that is enforced strongly. No playing on the slides without a band. If you like to snorkel you can snorkel in their man made lagoon stocked with fish and hidden creatures, or if you like to play on kayak, paddle long-boards and other things you can buy a length of stay pass that includes everything. The big plus I noticed in the pool area is the water dispensers. They are located throughout the area and it was always filled with ice water so you could stay hydrated while enjoying the pool. Also available by the pool were life vests, towel stands, a shave ice hut that looks like an old shop in a counrty hawaii beach town, a snack and beach sundries shop and bathrooms.
I was able to take a tour of Aunty's Beach House and it looked like an amazing good time to be had by kids 3-11 (under 3 with parent) and it is very secure. You register (online before arrival or upon arrival), put emergency contacts and anybody who is authorized to pick up the kids, the kids are given a wrist band with a gps tracker like thing so they know where in Aunty's house they are at all times. Then to pick them up you have to show your ID and give them the special password that you registered them with. Inside Aunty's house they have a dress up area (princess, buzz, woody, pirates and others), large touch screen table games, computers, wii, play station, xbox kintec, board games, play kitchen area, arts and crafts room and a tv room with comfy chairs (at night they put out blankets in case kids want to sleep before parents get back). They also have organized activites that happen in there, and there are snacks every few hours for the kids. For me it's a good feeling to know the kids enjoy themselves there so it's not as if they are being "dropped off". It helps the parents be able to enjoy adult time and not worry about the kids.
A MUST DO for everyone who enjoys this resort is the Menehune Adventure Trail. It's a phone like device that you talk to Aunty who sends you on different quests. Each quest will make something happen. Rocks move, things come up from places you never knew they were, lava flows and erupts, plants shoot water, etc, and seeing the special effects was a ton of fun!
I did the Kula Wai treatment which consists of soaking in
their different aroma therapy baths, and outdoor showers and tubs. For about $40
you have all day access and you can even order food and have it delivered to the
spa. I talked to other guests who said that the Disney Spa experience topped any
others they have been to. Prices were comparable to other spa prices but even in
there the Disney Service was exceptional.
Dining:
Dining:
There's an upscale beachfront lunch/dinner restraunt Ama
Ama, and you can get service from the beach. Room service is one of my favorite
things about vacation and their options were pricey but tasty. The main
restaurant , Makahiki, has indoor outdoor dining by the lily/coi pond below the
lobby area, serving buffet options for Breakfast/lunch dinner with a "Kids"
erea. There's a special character breakfast here on select days. You should
make reservations in advance (part of the online check in I believe). Goofy and
Minnie visit tables while Mickey is at the front greeting people and taking
pictures. Aunty comes out and sings songs and they lead the kids on a parade
around the restaurant. The fastest way to get food around the pool area is to go
to the take out counter, and bring it back to your chair.
Check out was fast and easy. They do have a lounge area where you can store your things, shower and change before your flight. Or after check-out the kids can swim, and then shower before heading home.
Check out was fast and easy. They do have a lounge area where you can store your things, shower and change before your flight. Or after check-out the kids can swim, and then shower before heading home.
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