Aulani, Concern Over Non Guests Using Facilities!

[TagsMissy]

As a source of information for my concern, there was a recent review on Trip Advisor stating that nonguests were using the Aulani pools, lazyriver, etc.

Aahhh all this over a report on Trip Advisor.... yeah take what you read there with a grain of salt.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney apparently doesn't have day passes at Aulani but they do offer the locals a 25% discount on rooms and the beach and restaurants are open to the general public not staying there.

Early there were reports of people using the 25% off to get a room and invite friends and family to use the room while hanging out at the resort, some may have tried to use the pools.

Disney has a "we love everyone" policy for PR reasons, they do not like confrontation or making a scene and often it's easier to just turn a blind eye to policy violators.


We were having an included breakfast buffet at AK after a paid tour. A couple who were not part of the group, entered the room, helped themselves to large plates of food, found a table away from the group ate some and put some food in plastic bags that they had brought with them. Some in our group got on them like ticks on a dog.

The tour leaders reported the people to the restaurant, who decided to have a meeting with management to decide what to do. After a couple of phone calls, two managers approached the couple and talked to them for awhile. Shortly thereafter the couple left the room after taking more food from the buffet.

Bill

 

[Fuhnuh]

We have been to Aulani 5 times and I have never really noticed anyone using the facilities for any length of time without bands. I have seen people pulled aside that didn't have bands. I wasn't interested enough to notice whether they just hadn't gotten them or if they were trying to sneak in. I give the benefit of the doubt because we have rented a cabana a few times and sometimes some of us have rented the cabana while others were getting ready or eating and someone has forgotten to get their bands. I look local also, and was asked pretty quickly the day that I forgot to go get my wristband. I had wristbands on but not the color of the day. In my visits, I have not noticed it being a problem. We visited during the day a few days before our first stay and at that time there was no option to use the guest only facilities. Also, on another trip we found out that one of DD13's friend was staying at the Marriott next door. We added her to our room to stay the night, but there was no way we could get her sister access, paying extra or not. They seem to run a pretty tight ship when giving out the bands. I am not saying it doesn't happen, but in my experience, day guests haven't been a problem. The monitoring seems tight enough that I wouldn't feel comfortable using the facilities without a band.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I think CMs are allowed to give wrist bands to friends/family. One very popular youtube video of the resort is from someone who was "gifted" a band from a CM friend.

http://youtu.be/TDmzrf2hpDU

 

[boscoj]

I wouldn't worry too much cause the CM's are pretty on it. On one of our recent visits we took a bunch of DS's friends. On the check out day, all the boys went to the pool while we checked out and loaded the car. While we walked around the pool area to look for them, at least 2 different CM's asked us about our "missing" wristbands....in both cases we explained that we weren't swimming that day and just waiting for our son and his friends. Both of them told us that was no problem but if we planned to sit on a pool chair to wait could we please get a band so no one else would bother us..

 

[DbleTheFun]

Read a few reviews over the last year about guests at Aulani seeing NON GUESTS using Lazy River and Chairs at Aulani! Guests and Members pay $$$$ should have EXCLUSIVE USE rather than people trying to get something for Nothing! I can tell you this...When we are there if we witness this, I will be the FIRST to report it! NOT RIGHT! We are paying too much $$$$ to go there... Anyone else witness NON GUESTS using Aulani facilities???

Never noticed this once. We just got back. If you are having dinner in a restaurant you are welcome to be on property, but as soon as you need a towel or want to sit in a pool lounge or grab a tube, CMs politely ask to see your wristband. One morning my DH went down 15 min early to grab a coffee and our towels, I met him at the pool and as soon as I sat down, and grabbed a towel, a CM walked up and reminded me to go to the kiosk to collect a wrist band or I wouldn't be able to hop in the pool. I don't think you have anything to worry about. It's not like a hotel in the middle of Waikiki beach either/ not a ton of non-guest foot traffic, but the CMs do a great job! (They were also fantastic at keeping the adults only pools/hot tubs 18+ too- which took their constant monitoring despite signs)

 

[jillt2ph]

Have not seen anyone in lazy river without a band. I was even woken up while floating in the lazy river for a band check. Seems like the staff are actively enforcing band policy. Maybe because I look like a local. This past week has been pretty slow. Able to find an unoccupied chair at anytime slow. Slow like no one in the infinity edge jacuzzi but myself at sunset. One afternoon at the new pool in front of Ulu Cafe we were the only people using it. I will tell everyone that this has been the most relaxing time I have stayed at Aulani in the 20 plus visits. We usually come on holidays or school break times.

So glad to read this as I am sitting at the airport right now waiting for my flight!

 

[jerseygal]

Did you enjoy your trip? Can I assume by a few other posts that the resort was not crowded at all? Probably a great time to travel!

Hope that you had a great time! CAN'T WAIT FOR AULANI SOON!

 

[DbleTheFun]

Did you enjoy your trip? Can I assume by a few other posts that the resort was not crowded at all? Probably a great time to travel! Hope that you had a great time! CAN'T WAIT FOR AULANI SOON!

Aulani was spectacular... I have been to Hawaii over 15 times staying at some really nice resorts and this hotel was bar none- the nicest resort in the islands.... It was not crowded at all, the pools were well maintained and not a bug/lizard in site. (Because of the climate it's not unusual it see cockroaches in even nice places) CMs were friendly, and the landscape was beautiful. There is a great "strip mall" about a 5 min walk across the street with a fabulous coffee shop, a market for necessities, a fantastic pizza shop and a few restaurants and dress shops. We rented a car and didn't eat at the resort very often but the food we did have was good.

Can't say enough great things... We will definitely be back. We carried on to Kona for a week following, and stayed at what was claimed to be the nicest hotel on the big Island (hilton) and it was such a disappointment compared to Aulani.

 

[jerseygal]

GREAT to hear from Hawaii Veterans!!!

Awesome feedback!

Yay!!! Can't wait!

 

[bumbershoot]

Aahhh all this over a report on Trip Advisor.... yeah take what you read there with a grain of salt.

Exactly. I don't know what happens when people go onto that site, but I trust nothing there, especially if it's Disney-related.

 

[nabi]

Old thread, but since it's being advertised on the bottom of the DIS page, and I have first-hand experience, I thought I'd share.
First, the bay where Aulani is placed, is part of a homeowners association area, not a public beach. Aulani enforces the homeowners organization rules of no private use of surf boards, boogie boards, SUPs, and the like- they must be rented there at the beach. This controls amount of usage of such items, and covers liability.
Beside Aulani is a public access parking lot- limited spaces, no fee. Locals, or anyone with ability to grab these spaces, may use the parking to access the bay, and do so for free. They are able to play on the beach, rent the equipment, and, if no one is securing the gate that leads up to the Aulani pool, they are able to go onto Aulani's property. They may also eat there too. Usage of the slides, snoring area, and group activities such as at the community center and Aunties is supposed to require proof of staying on site, but not always enforced.
We were happy to find some locals to play with, on the beach- real nice kids and family. Let it be known, though, that public persons may be amongst on site guests.

 

[vikequeen]

I was there in March. It was crowded, but with people wearing wristbands. I did see any guests using the pool facilities who shouldn't have been there. the beach was wide open but that was as expected.

The previous year, we were staying at a neighboring resort and asked if there was anyway to use the pool for a few hours, as we had friends staying there and had just purchased DVC points. We talked to everyone imaginable, and even for a brand new DVC person there was absolutely no way to get a day pass. We were pretty annoyed given the amount of money we had spent, but it was impossible. The crowding issue is that they simply have too many rooms for the facilities available. I heard Disney radically underestimated how many people would stay on site, rather than exploring the island and that is why it is so crowded at peak times. Check out the Aulani specific board. There is a thread on the new pool chair policy there that just started in the past few weeks.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

don't you have to show your room key?

 

[DenLo]

I was there in March. It was crowded, but with people wearing wristbands. I did see any guests using the pool facilities who shouldn't have been there. the beach was wide open but that was as expected.

The previous year, we were staying at a neighboring resort and asked if there was anyway to use the pool for a few hours, as we had friends staying there and had just purchased DVC points. We talked to everyone imaginable, and even for a brand new DVC person there was absolutely no way to get a day pass. We were pretty annoyed given the amount of money we had spent, but it was impossible. The crowding issue is that they simply have too many rooms for the facilities available. I heard Disney radically underestimated how many people would stay on site, rather than exploring the island and that is why it is so crowded at peak times. Check out the Aulani specific board. There is a thread on the new pool chair policy there that just started in the past few weeks.

In Hawaii including other resorts on Oahu, guests are rarely at the resort during the day. I think it was perfectly understandable for DVC to think that guests would go out and enjoy the island at least half the time they are booked. But after talking to many guests during our stays at Aulani, many never leave the resort except to dine somewhere else. They are not doing a Hawaii vacation but an Aulani vacation. The locals compound the situation as they too do staycations.

don't you have to show your room key?

You only show a room key to get towels and a wrist band. But they really only ask one guest from a room for a key and then ask that guest the name(s) of the other guests staying in the room before issuing the wrist bands. All guests must be present to receive a wrist band. Once you have a wrist band you can get towels at any time.

 

[pmurph]

We were staying at Aulani last summer and had a wonderful time. I can't help but wish that the pool areas weren't quite so crowded, though. It was July and at times it was uncomfortably crowded when trying to relax in a pool chair. I wasn't really looking for the absence of arm bands.

I know the lagoon was public and I can believe it because our brand new soft-sided cooler was taken right off our chair at the beach one day. No sign of it. I went to lost and found a couple of times to no avail.

Clearly someone was watching when my son and I gathered everything off the chair next to the one with the cooler on it. Not realizing my husband and other son were still in the water, and were going to grab the cooler when they left (half an hour later).

My point in relation to the topic of this thread, is that I find it doubtful that someone staying at the resort was a thief looking for an opportunity.

 

[danygirl]

for those who complain about locals on the beach - the public has the right to beach access Aulani does not own the beach
" public has a right of access along the beaches and shorelines in the State situated below the "upper reaches of the wash of the waves."

http://seagrant.soest.hawaii.edu/public-access-rights

 

[gdrj]

As a source of information for my concern, there was a recent review on Trip Advisor stating that nonguests were using the Aulani pools, lazyriver, etc.

Where'd you hear that "on the internet... they cant lie on the internet" and yes this was a zombie thread (just noticed that it was revived a few posts up but I always like when I can use the "can't lie on the internet")

 

[EuropeanLiam]

In most resorts, beaches are public property.

We go to Cabo Mexico every other year. The place we stay if you want to get on the beach past a certain point you must be a member at that resort. if not you are told to leave. if you refuse you are escorted by armed security. they will ask for your room key. if you say "oh i left it in the room", they will follow you to your room, no kidding. It is a 5 star resort and they dont play. Dues and points here are expensive.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

We just returned about 10 days ago from our Aulani stay. I have decided it is heaven, and when I die, I will go to Aulani, or at least Hawaii. I loved everything, and the service was really great! CM's did make a half effort to prevent chair hogging, but hard when you have a family member watching over a group of chairs. I did see some people try to drop stuff off esrly and leave for the morning. Some days their stuff was picked up and moved to the towel hut, and other times not. Amusing to see one particular chair being used on and off by four strangers who dropped towels off and left to enjoy, only to have their towel removed and someone else came by. They would comebavk, pick up the other person's towel and walk off, then someone new showed up and the 2nd person took their towel. I think they all shared the chair for the day and never ran into each other.

I did see a few guests asked to get a wristband, which they did. I also saw others leave dejected after being told. I am assuming they were staying at another hotel, they had towels with them.