Aulani - Too High Expectations ?

[PirateMel]

Hello,
BOS - CA - Hawaii
Just back from our Honeymoom - we spent 3 full days at Disneyland, and then a week at Aulani. Not really a trip report but some info we would like to share for anyone else who has never been.

The good, the Bad, and the -

Disneyland - we were told by everyone that we would be sooo disappointed with DL, we prepared ourselves for worst, but I am glad to say that we experienced just the opposite. Knowing the size and historical value was a bonus, but we LOVED DL! First day we broke evey newbie law there was and walked and galked around the park -

It is so adorable, both parks easily accessible, and DTD was Wonderful!
We stayed at one of the good neighbor Hotels across the street!

We did find ouselves comparing "our" rides to those of DL, like we own WDW POTC, Indy, and SM were on the top of the DL list!

Our only complaint wtih DL - was with the cast members.
Maybe it was just us, but the cast member there were so not a nice as the ones in Florida. Not many warm fuzzies here at all. We took a detour to the Grand California to check it out, this was so not a good experience, I was glad we did not waste points to stay there - the DVC guy there was very rude.

Aulani - we had very high expectations based on what I had seen and read thus far but was soooo Disappointed with the DVC experience. Maybe our expectations were over-inflated based on our Amazing experience with the Dream, and with DVC in Florida, but Aulani although extremely Beautiful, was not such a magical experience for us.

On-line check in although convienient, left much to be desires upon our arrival at Aulani. As previoulsy stated you stop at the guard shack, about 5 pm for us, when you get to Ko'olino and explain you are cheching in. Once you pull up to the Amazing lobby you are greated by CM's who had you a your keys and wisk you off to your room.

NO Welcome Home, nothing -

No other information was given to us at that time. We went back down to get keys that worked, and a parking pass to go move the car I had to ask, and still nothing was said, I should have know better and asked for at least the map of the resort.
We paid for the Island view Stuido for the first half of the trip and was disappointed with being located on the 9th floor with a spectacular view of the refinery, but I never said anything at that time.
When we book DVC - I always request highest floor possible due to anxiety issues, and although only a request most DVC's are accomodating.

[PirateMel]

Dinner booked booked for 7 pm at AMA AMA for the start of our Honeymoon - $$$$ and nothing great or spectacular to report here, would have expected more like Artist point - NOT!

Awoke the next moring really early - still on Eastern Standard time! - UGH
Unpacked and decided at 9:30 am it was time to explore the resort and find something good to eat!
We walked all around the pool, we ended up back infront of AMA AMA to find they still had breakfast until 10:30, and by the looks the menu good selection and sorta resonable prices.
No abundance of quick service here, no bakery carts, nothing we are used to
Full service breakfast was Great - would be our go to place to start the days with a filling meal - average $45-60 for breakfast for 2.
After breakfast we headed for the lazy river to enjoy the sun, only to be spoken to by the lifeguard as to where our rist bands were ????
So looking dumb founded, he must have felt bad for 'speaking to us' he then explained were we needed to go to get banded Daily!

Serioulsy - WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO KNOW - Seriously!

Spoke to a really, really nice CM Paul - who explained to our hearts content all abount Aulani, the Hawaii culture and the respect they have for what Disney did with the resort! lokes like Kindani & the Poly next to the JW Marriott is soooo Impressive looking but Natural! Very Impressive Design!

[chevl66]

Originally Posted by PirateMel

It is so adorable, both parks easily accessible, and DTD was Wonderful!

Our only complaint wtih DL - was with the cast members.
Maybe it was just us, but the cast member there were so not a nice as the ones in Florida. Not many warm fuzzies here at all. We took a detour to the Grand California to check it out, this was so not a good experience, I was glad we did not waste points to stay there - the DVC guy there was very rude.

I like the DTD area too - we went off-site once during our stay last November, it's amazing that you walk right over a busy roadway and can't hear the traffic or anything - you can't even tell with the way Disney has it decorated and foliage that you're basically walking over an overpass.

We too noticed a few not-so-friendly CM's at DL. And even less keeping "in character". Caught a couple girls chatting about what they did last night, etc., seemed very unprofessional.

[PirateMel]

This was Friday - So we spent the entire first full day in the lazy river, enjoying the Awesome water slides, and just relaxing. Something we never do on a Disney trip!
After a really big breakfast and our bodies still not being sure what time it was, we opted to skip lunch and go in serach of an ealry dinner. Headed back to the room about 5 pm, We took a look at the lounge - $$ pubby food and other resturant on property, buffet only - as we though origionally.
We decided to dress and head across the street to try "Just taco's" like we read about from so many on MO!
Let just say - the food on the west coast is very different that what we are used to. Awesome drinks here, but the food was not great and very very salty. UGH

I forgot to mention our first nights excursion to the local Saveway grocery store and Hawaii sticker shock at the Register - OMG!

There is however in the plaza across from "Just taco's" the Island Country Market = ABC store chain, which would become our go to place and vacation savior. Super Nice people, reasonable prices for Hawaii, deli sandwiches and salads, and a wide variety of quick service fruits and vegtables, Beer and spirits!

We headed back to the resort to see if we could find something to do, Right!
You can drink, or listen to the lounge singer

Diney Fail #1 IMHO - Dinsey really dropped the ball here - nothing like the Cruise, no shows, no Bob Jackson, Nothing!

[PirateMel]

Saturday - rinse and repeat with a trip to the beach too!
The clouds rolled in and offered up a breif shower in the afternoon, but otherwise 80's no humidity and breezy! So not Florida but Beautiful!

fast forward - jat lag was worn off and we the PARK people are bored stiff. So not good at the relaxation thing apparently. So we awaited the storm out in the room, read some more, then ventured off to find something to do.

Headed down to the excursions desk to inqurie about a Sunset cruise - best option was Waikiki beach area - go figure.

not sure where we were or whom we spoke to at this time, so many nice people to talk to, but they FINALLY mentions the daily EWA and activites list to see what was scheduled ?????

Disney Fail #2 - seriouly a daily paper we didn't receive cause we were staying on points, and had not been told on check in they were avialbe every morning! Where had I miss this on other's trip reports

[PirateMel]

This the post where I express my extreme displeasure with Disney's DVC and Aulani

So all we kept hearing is that Aulani has only been open for 8 months as the excuse to why no discounts ? why no quick service? why the serious lack of communication?

So all the other DVC resorts didn't have bugs upon opening but Aulani get 8 months of the excuse - seriously ?

RIGHT!

IMO - it appeared to us that Aulani does not want the DVC's there, they were just intrested in the almight $$$$$!

Vent over for Now, until I address the room issues!

[Goofygrl]

Sorry that you were so disappointed in your trip. Was it your first to the islands? Overall Aulani sounds like most large resorts in Hawaii. I've always had a complaint in Hawaii that once the sun goes down you apparently are supposed to go to bed. Comparing to a cruise doesn't really work at WDW either where no resort provides free shows to the extent you will find on a cruise so I do think your expectations were just a tad out of whack. But I can understand the disappointment when traveling such a long distance at a large expense and am sorry to hear about that.

[cardaway]

Interesting stuff...

We have never found the DLR CM's to be any different than those at WDW. If anything, there seems to be a lot more older and more friendly "originals" at DLR rather than the ever changing new crop of recruits at WDW. But int he last few years I would agree that overall both are slowly going downhill. Likely due to the crop of people they have to choose from these days.

At Aulani we were thrilled with the effect of on-line check-in. When we pulled up we were greeted by name, welcomed home, bell services unloaded our trunk (which included lots of stuff from Costco) , the valet took my keys and described the self park system so I could return later and re-park, we got lei'd, and were given our welcome packet/room keys and were on our way to our room. Loved not having to actually have to deal with the front desk.

We found the CM's to be very helpful and it seemed like there was one of them for every 10 guests. Really, a ton of CM's. Before the first day was over we were told how eveyrthing worked, including the daily Ewa, which we thought was really well done.

Personally if we thought anything was a fail it was a the lack of dining options. Any resort wanting you to spend the majority of your time there should have more to offer food wise.

Did you skip all the evening activites? There were mutliple options and we didn't take them all in. For example we thought the evening Hui show was very enjoyable. Especially for the little ones given how many activites they had going for them before the show started. Our daughter had a blast and made us go back to see it again later in the week.

[Murphy7573]

Always interesting when "right" coasters come out to the left coast. Since I wuz active duty and Navy reserve and currently Air Force reserve i've been to Hawaii numerous times. Haven't been to Aulani but Oahu many times. My gripe with Aulani (since i've) never been there is it's location on the Windward side of the island. Being young but old enough to "get my drink on" Waikiki is the place to be especially for night life. If you've never been there and with the location of the resort, you definitely need a rental car to get to Waikiki, Diamond Head, Hunama Bay, Pearl Harbor and the North Shore. Like I said, haven't been to Aulani specifically, but Oahu numerous times. As far as the VGC, love it. I never hear of any negative comments about it. Oh yeah, Hawaii = Expensive ! Everything has to be shipped in so everything is expensive including the groceries... I don't know, maybe they can put in a "Mt Kilauea Coaster" for you and add rides at HHI and Vero Beach? Don't know what to say. I've also been stationed on the east coast. Only gripe...sports!!! Hated staying up 'til midnight watchin' MNF !!!

[ceegibbs]

Pirate Mel!

We must have been at Aulani about the same time. While it is a beautiful resort major fail on a lot of the same points for you and me.

I never heard a simple Welcome Home and while people were nice it was not Disney enough for me.