Major "Enhancements" to Aulani! There goes the Neighborhood!!

[hilaw]

Originally Posted by DVCQUEEN

I forgot about the furniture fiasco. Do they still have the laquer?

I have yet to visit Aulani, and I am not saying the changes are not welcome, but they should have been addressed in planning. Rarely does a resort open and then require "enhancements" unless time and costs became factors early on and decisions were made to "just go with it" and fix it later when the costs are shared.

Rainbow Reef sounds good from a marketing tool to entice people to Aulani, but it is in the middle of some very prime resort space. Other than marketing shine, its operations are probably a huge money loser. They should have known that that space could bring another financial bonanza doing something else. Remember Disney paid $200 million for all of 21 acres.
Don't get me wrong, people are drawn to Rainbow Reef, but actually doing it, it gets old fast. Plus, ever try to swim in it, way too cold. The staff say the cold temperature is for the benefit of the fish, not to the plain convenience of humans.

[DVCQUEEN]

Originally Posted by kapeman

Actually, this is fairly common with DVD, see: QS at Kidani, pools at OKW and SSR, etc.

Kidani is getting QS?

All were overseen by JL. which is exactly my point. That was his business model and his undoing. Shifting costs to the membership. The membership will feel the impact for many years to come. It's not so much the money, but impacting member vacations in these new resorts which should offer immediate enjoyment upon opening not major enhancements.

Let's hope GF is not too far gone in the planning but I fear it will be another JL special, albeit a highly sought after and expensive one.

[a1000monkeys]

I just got a letter from Aulani about this yesterday. Can't say I'm thrilled with the timing since we will be there in early November. I do hope Starlight Hui is back up and running then. This will likely be our last visit to Aulani so hopefully the construction won't be too unpleasant.

[tonyrx1]

I have up coming Aulani stays scheduled on Oct 19-26, 2012 and March 15 - 22, 2013. Aulani is my Home resort. I received an e-mail telling me that I will receive credit for two of my nights stay for my up coming trip in Oct to thank me in advance for my understanding of their expansion process. "This credit will be applied to your account automatically prior to your check in, and no further action is required on your part."

[mikayla73]

Originally Posted by tonyrx1

I have up coming Aulani stays scheduled on Oct 19-26, 2012 and March 15 - 22, 2013. Aulani is my Home resort. I received an e-mail telling me that I will receive credit for two of my nights stay for my up coming trip in Oct to thank me in advance for my understanding of their expansion process. "This credit will be applied to your account automatically prior to your check in, and no further action is required on your part."

I know you said Aulani is your home resort, but did you book on cash or points for your trips?

[a1000monkeys]

Originally Posted by tonyrx1

I have up coming Aulani stays scheduled on Oct 19-26, 2012 and March 15 - 22, 2013. Aulani is my Home resort. I received an e-mail telling me that I will receive credit for two of my nights stay for my up coming trip in Oct to thank me in advance for my understanding of their expansion process. "This credit will be applied to your account automatically prior to your check in, and no further action is required on your part."

I just got this e-mail as well. We are staying for 8 nights in November so 2 nights will be free. Now I wish I splurged for the 2bd instead of just the 1bd.

Hopefully they will be crediting my 2012 points since I made the reservation with a mix of 2011 and 2012 points.

[DVCQUEEN]

Originally Posted by tonyrx1

I have up coming Aulani stays scheduled on Oct 19-26, 2012 and March 15 - 22, 2013. Aulani is my Home resort. I received an e-mail telling me that I will receive credit for two of my nights stay for my up coming trip in Oct to thank me in advance for my understanding of their expansion process. "This credit will be applied to your account automatically prior to your check in, and no further action is required on your part."

Sorry to hear your trips will be impacted.

The complaints must be rolling in. I already have my reservation for the Condo Meeting in Dec, and it's gonna be another interesting event.

[tonyrx1]

mikayla73

Originally Posted by mikayla73

I know you said Aulani is your home resort, but did you book on cash or points for your trips?

I booked on 2011 points.
I purchased DVC Direct in March of 2012 - (no resale at the time for Aulani) if that matters.
I also already purchased my flight and got a great deal $350 RT/person.... I would have added on 2 more nights if I knew this was going to happened - lol

[jeds]

We stayed their last January and loved it. By far our best DVC experiance in years. I've got to think a lot of these resorts change based on feedback after they opened. And I'm thankful they are quick to make the changes necessary to get it right for the long run. Parts I would imagine we're planned in advance. They had to be planning on more food options before the rest of the towers were finished. Our big complaint was there nice restaurant was just not good. I don't mind high prices if the food is worth it. But it was very underwhelming. I hope they keep the place, but think they need a new executive chef.

I'm glad they tried to do some unique things. Once they stop trying to innovate they will be just as good as any other hotel/timeshare chain if you remove the theme parks. These offsite locations need to stand on their own.

We have a upcoming trip this January again so will be interested to see how things are changing. Hoping we get the email as well saying we are getting some points back.

Originally Posted by DVCQUEEN

Sorry to hear your trips will be impacted.

The complaints must be rolling in. I already have my reservation for the Condo Meeting in Dec, and it's gonna be another interesting event.

[Amy H.]

Originally Posted by tonyrx1

mikayla73


I booked on 2011 points.
I purchased DVC Direct in March of 2012 - (no resale at the time for Aulani) if that matters.
I also already purchased my flight and got a great deal $350 RT/person.... I would have added on 2 more nights if I knew this was going to happened - lol

May I ask where you looked for/booked your tix? I have been looking for tix for June 2013 and they are 2x that amt from LAX to Hawaii. Just wondering...we have never been before.

Thanks! Amy