Aulani: What's the One Thing You Wish You Knew?

We're going to Aulani for the first time in June. DH, myself DD15 DD13 and my parents. Has anyone rented the cabana? It says it holds 6 people, but I'm curious are there 6 chairs to lay in the sun? Having 2 teenage girls there will be 4 of us wanting to lay out quite a bit.

Also anyone have experience with the teen spa/activities? I signed the girls up for massages there to go on their own and facials. I saw quite a bit of other activities they can do on their own as well. Thanks!
 
also going for first time in June. any new things to add to the list? looking for all the info I can get
thanks
 
I'd plan out our dining a little bit more. I didn't want to plan seemingly every meal like you do when going to WDW so we didn't make any reservations. Too many times we ended up just grabbing quick service at Ulu Cafe because it was the only thing open or driving around the island looking for something or googling the best places to eat in the area.
 


I wish I had checked out Aunty's beach house open house with the kids on the first day. We signed up for a couple of the special events but my kids really preferred just having some free play time. Unfortunately, we didn't figure that out until the last day and they left feeling sad that they couldn't spend more time there. I would not have wanted to leave them for a long time but a couple hours of adult time each day could've been really relaxing, especially in the middle of the day when they wanted to rest in the room and I wanted to be out and about.
 
I wish I had checked out Aunty's beach house open house with the kids on the first day. We signed up for a couple of the special events but my kids really preferred just having some free play time. Unfortunately, we didn't figure that out until the last day and they left feeling sad that they couldn't spend more time there. I would not have wanted to leave them for a long time but a couple hours of adult time each day could've been really relaxing, especially in the middle of the day when they wanted to rest in the room and I wanted to be out and about.


I think my 12 yr old won't want to do any of the activities, but are they allowed to just go in to Aunty's Beach house and hang out? I am trying to find this information, but I keep getting confused.
 
I think my 12 yr old won't want to do any of the activities, but are they allowed to just go in to Aunty's Beach house and hang out? I am trying to find this information, but I keep getting confused.
They can when there is open house and availability. Some times you'll encounter a sign that says they're full, and then no one else is allowed in. The only way to guarantee a spot is with the pre-scheduled activities. My 11yo was meh about those activities, generally speaking, and felt too old, but being registered for them meant she was guaranteed free time afterward.
 


First trip there this Oct. we are excited, this is all great information.
 
I think my 12 yr old won't want to do any of the activities, but are they allowed to just go in to Aunty's Beach house and hang out? I am trying to find this information, but I keep getting confused.
Yes, they absolutely can just go play. My kids actually preferred that to the activities and we were never turned away, even when we took them at lunch time. We didn't buy the meal though, you did have to get in line early to purchase that. The kids can still use the rest of the area minus whichever room they served the food in. Same with the activities, if you are not in the activity, you can still be in the rest of the areas.

Well that was poorly written, I hope it makes some sense!!
 
Our first trip will be in October as well. This thread (and I read it all!) was very useful. We're very excited for our trip now and feel very well prepared thanks to all the advice here. I'm saddened that the Starlit Hui was replaced by a paid Luau, as our friends told us that was their favourite event when they went. My only concern is that the Luau won't be able to cater to my food allergies and I'll be starving because I paid for a meal I cannot eat.

Otherwise, have there been any upgrades to the PhotoPASS system recently? Also, will more excursions become available beyond the list online right now - it seems like most excursions people have mentioned here no longer exist.
 
I'm saddened that the Starlit Hui was replaced by a paid Luau, as our friends told us that was their favourite event when they went. My only concern is that the Luau won't be able to cater to my food allergies and I'll be starving because I paid for a meal I cannot eat.

All the Disney chefs at WDW are so accommodating with severe food allergies. What makes you think Aulani chefs won't be the same?
 
Our first trip will be in October as well. This thread (and I read it all!) was very useful. We're very excited for our trip now and feel very well prepared thanks to all the advice here. I'm saddened that the Starlit Hui was replaced by a paid Luau, as our friends told us that was their favourite event when they went. My only concern is that the Luau won't be able to cater to my food allergies and I'll be starving because I paid for a meal I cannot eat.

Otherwise, have there been any upgrades to the PhotoPASS system recently? Also, will more excursions become available beyond the list online right now - it seems like most excursions people have mentioned here no longer exist.

All the Disney chefs at WDW are so accommodating with severe food allergies. What makes you think Aulani chefs won't be the same?

They had better take allergies into account for the cost of the event!! I can't imagine they wouldn't though. We ate at all the on-site places; only the quick sandwich place by the pool wasn't ok for DH (celiac - strictly cannot have gluten). We had Makahiki for breakfast and dinner, which can be dicey just by nature of being a buffet - but they worked with him. Hopefully the luau will be the same!
 
Hints/tips-Ask the CMs anything-suggestions on dining, shopping (that's how we found Foodland for groceries), driving, things to do and see- not just at the resort but all over Oahu. One of the valet's gave us the tip about the preprinted directions that they have at the valet desk! Super directions with the return trip on the reverse. We left on a Sunday and the valet's told us how much time to allow to drop off the rental car and get to the airport. remember the traffic can be insane especially heading east towards Honolulu.
If you get 'lost' ask any of the CMs for directions around the resort. We actually got escorted to the Ulu Cafe on our first afternoon!
Read your Daily Iwa for activities. It is usually available by the front desk between 5:00 and 7:00 every evening for the next day! Take the free tours of the resort. We learned a lot about Hawaiian culture, flora and fauna and the resort in general. If you are a DVC member there are tours of the Grand Villa every afternoon. Just stop at teh DVC desk.
 
I have a long list of severe food allergies. Disney Parks are practically the ONLY place I can safely eat away from home, and I am hoping that will be the same with Aulani. I have to talk with special diets before we go - to see what I can eat at each restaurant, including the luau - then we'll decide. Buffets are not an option with my allergies. With the luau not actually being in a restaurant, my concern is that they may not be able to make me a separate meal in the kitchen. I have a reminder to call special diets a month before we go to double check everything and coordinate meals with the chefs. But I always worry when going somewhere new.

Great tip about the tours!
 
Just got back from a week over Memorial Day weekend! We rented points through David's DVC rental and had an ocean view studio. Aulani really is an incredible resort and we had a great stay. My husband and I were there for our honeymoon. Here are a few of my observations since I found this thread so helpful prior to our trip!

- Pool chairs were not as hard to come by as I expected. Over Memorial Day weekend, it was much more crowded than during the week. If you wanted a prime ocean view from the pool area, you had to get those seats by 7-730am. Otherwise, it was easy to find two shady seats with an umbrella at 8am. We weren't picky about where we were. On days where we came to the pool later in the morning, we just dumped our stuff on a free chair and then moved around as other chairs opened up. Lots of people leave around 4-5 so spots opened up then.
- We ate a lot of meals at Aulani since we wanted to try the restaurants. The food does get boring quickly, so I wish that we did more research on nearby restaurants. We brought some breakfast supplies with us so we ate in the room a few days, but I wish we would have done that more. Ulu cafe is a like a tiny version of a cafeteria at WDW. A few menu items change daily, but otherwise it is the same stuff each day. It was never crowded when we went. We did the character breakfast and the dinner at Mahakiki. Both were really good and I would recommend them. We also did one dinner at Ama Ama. The views were incredible for sunset. The service was also really nice - they let you take your time instead of rushing you. We loved the food too! We went to the Olelo Room for happy hour once and while the menu is small, everything we ate was really flavorful and worth the price. The live music was a really nice touch as well. Our room was near Olelo Room too, so we could hear the music from the balcony at night which was really enjoyable.
- We did the indoor luau and were pretty disappointed. The food was good, but it otherwise felt like a cheap dinner show. You sit so close together. The show is really more for kids than adults. I wouldn't go back, but I've read mixed reviews on almost every luau, so I'm not sure that there is a really good one!
- We got a couple's massage at Laniwai Spa and it was as incredible as everyone describes. If you feel like splurging, I would definitely do this again. We spent an hour before the massage in the garden/showers/hot tubs and then stayed for an hour afterwards. I honestly could have stayed a lot longer. It is so relaxing and calm. Bring a change of clothes because you can shower and get ready after your massage. I wish that we had planned for a nice dinner right after the massage because the bathrooms had EVERYTHING you could possibly need. It was all a really amazing experience.
- Definitely go to the beach behind Paradise Cove to see the sea turtles. It is incredible how close they get to you! Walk through the parking lot and then you'll see a little path down to the beach. It is public so don't be shy! We had to ask a woman who was the security guard in the parking lot how to get there, but she was very friendly.
- There are a few places to eat across the street. We weren't a fan of Monkeypod (they charged us $9 to add chicken to a salad!) but Island Grounds Coffee was really good! They have a small breakfast and lunch menu and everything was fresh and delicious. I highly recommend the Acai bowl!
- I do wish we had done more of the activities listed in on the Daily Iwa (tours and crafts, etc) but we just loved sitting by the pool or the beach! One of the premium activities was stargazing and it was $40/adult for only 45 minutes. That price was absurd. Lots of things were free though.
- Luana Lounge was an awesome benefit to have. Our flight left at 11pm, so it was so nice to be able to shower before a long night of travelling. There were only two other people using the lounge when we were there around 6pm.
- I'd recommend bringing your own snorkels. We did and we used them a bunch out on the beach and in Rainbow Reef. I wish we had bought one of the snorkeling life vests too because they made it really easy to keep your head above the water. If you go to Rainbow Reef for the fish feeding, there is a photopass photographer there who will let you hold the fish food and take pictures of you. The pictures are awesome!
- The photopass photographers are readily available - just look for their shirts. They are all over the pool and beach, and they are willing to take pictures with your personal camera too.

What I wish I would have brought with me:
- More sunscreen: we went through a ton and it is expensive at the resort!
- More breakfast/snacks for the room: see above - food options got a little boring
- Snorkel life vests to use on the beach
- Cheap sunglasses that I don't mind getting wet in the pool or the ocean. It is SO BRIGHT and I didn't want to wear my nice sunglasses in the water.
 
I heard back from the Aulani chefs. Both main restaurants (Character meals and 'AMA'AMA) are able to accommodate allergies and special diets. The luau is, to some extent, but options will be severely limited due to its specific menu and remote location - as I thought.

Just sharing what I learnt today.
 
:rotfl2:
We'll be staying in a 1 bedroom villa in April.
I've booked a rental cat. Does any one know or have any tips about parking in Waikiki? Also is there free wifi for DVC members?
Thanks for any advise.

there are some gems in here....

where does one rent a cat? is there a cleaning upcharge? who has the best deals on litter.
 
Just back from our trip that started at Aulani and ended at Disneyland. I wish we'd had even more time at Aulani, even though it was the longest part of our trip! I also wish that I'd planned all of our resort days after Memorial Day, as the crowd thinned way out, but I was trying to do a "one on, one off" type strategy.

I wish I'd known that the flying termites problem people complain about at Ama Ama really only lasts about 15 minutes, as I would have been much happier for those 15 minutes knowing it was temporary.

We did all breakfasts and 2 lunches in the room. Wish I'd known we wouldn't have been able to find kalua pig in the Safeway (we substituted prepared carnitas and still enjoyed the pork tacos I'd planned). Also wish we packed tortillas from home! They were like $8 and the 12 pack of Coke Zero cans was $8.99 plus tax and the recycling deposit. We saved a lot of money buying our liquor and mixers and making our own drinks, no matter how expensive Safeway was.

I way overpacked - never used the inflatable tubes or half the clothes I brought. I wish I'd left the extra junk at home! I also wish I'd have known where to find the airport rental car shuttles before arriving in Honolulu. We came in on Hawaiian and our baggage claim area seemed to be in an odd location where the route to rental car shuttles was not obvious - that caused unnecessary stress but Aulani helped us get over it pretty quickly once we arrived at the resort!
 
:rotfl2:

there are some gems in here....

where does one rent a cat? is there a cleaning upcharge? who has the best deals on litter.



Ok, that literally just made me crack up. I would totally rent one. Make me less homesick for two I have to leave behind while on vacation ;)
 

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