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

[travelbug]

Or... What's the one thing you are glad you knew about so you didn't miss it?

I'm glad I knew from fellow DISers that the Starlit Hui was not to be missed. We loved it!

 

[Cinderpamela]

Where are you staying on Waikiki before Aulani?

I went on VRBO and found a nice, refurbished one bedroom condo in the Ilakai Building. It's right on the water looking out at the marina, has a great central location with a view of the evening fireworks. I am hoping we like it!

 

[BowlingAriel]

Has anyone heard if all the construction is done?

I'll be there in a little over 3 weeks and LOVE this thread.
Thanks!

 

[Cinderpamela]

Has anyone heard if all the construction is done?

I'll be there in a little over 3 weeks and LOVE this thread.
Thanks!

They have opened up all the areas that were under construction, so you should be able to enjoy all the new stuff! Be sure to post pictures if you get the chance, so we all can see what it looks like!

 

[Tlcf114]

Target for groceries is a must!

Also if you don't do the activities at aunties it's boring for the kids. We just got back and while my 4 and 6 year old loved it last year it was boring this year. They only had one room open (videos) when we dropped them off. But unless you want adult time, we didnt need to use aunties.

 

[Tlcf114]

Has anyone heard if all the construction is done?

I'll be there in a little over 3 weeks and LOVE this thread.
Thanks!

The only part still under construction this week appeared to be the walk way between aulani and the Marriott.

Starbucks is now open at the Marriott too! Lifesaver.

 

[luv2sleep]

We were there for 1 week in December 2011. I wish I could have known that my 7 year old son would refuse to go to Auntie's Beach House. It is a nice facility, but the kids seemed much younger and it really felt like "daycare". He tried it twice but "hated" it. My expectation (and need) for the trip was to relax and have some down-time. The "mommy hat" never came off... There were no lifeguards in the lagoon, so rather than relax/read on the beach, My husband and I had to closely watch (or be in the water with) my son. It was not a relaxing vacation for our family.

Uh oh. Do they at least have movies, Disney clips, or video games? My son isn't a joiner so the activities won't interact him. He tend to like downtime in the form of media and I'm ok with that for a couple of hours.

 

[hamilton23]

Go to costco and stock up on groceries. We have been to Aulani twice now and we have not eaten breakfast or lunch at any of the restaurants st the resort as we prefer to dine back in our room. Costco has a poke bar in it where you can buy some of the best poke at great prices. I nearly ate my own weight in ahi poke from Costco both trips.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Going to the "hidden beach" beyond the Marriott to the little cove where the sea turtles and Monk seals were. We walked down there nearly every morning and walked out onto the rocks to enjoy the turtles, seals, crabs and waves.

The one negative thing I hadn't known about and wish I would have was how crowded the wonderful infinity edge hot tub was with children. It was more like a kiddie pool than a hot tub.

 

[jerseygal]

Maybe that problem can be solved if there is a hot tub by the adult only pool????? Hope so!

 

[BowlingAriel]

The only part still under construction this week appeared to be the walk way between aulani and the Marriott.

Starbucks is now open at the Marriott too! Lifesaver.

YES - Starbucks! I knew there was one in Target - but right next door. Woo Hoo

 

[Neraj]

The one negative thing I hadn't known about and wish I would have was how crowded the wonderful infinity edge hot tub was with children. It was more like a kiddie pool than a hot tub.

I've heard a rumor they may be changing those hot tubs to 'Adult Only'... maybe soon.

 

[BowlingAriel]

Ok - with the National Parks being shut down. What's the status of Pearl Harbor?

Hoping it will all be settled soon - we are Aulani bound in 25 days!

 

[Cinderpamela]

I've heard a rumor they may be changing those hot tubs to 'Adult Only'... maybe soon.

I am wondering if you might be thinking of the Adult only pool? I haven't heard anything about an "adult only hot tub".... though that would be an absolutely great thing!!

The adult only pool is pictured on this post about 4 pictures down:
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=49745791&postcount=7

 

[luv2sleep]

I've heard a rumor they may be changing those hot tubs to 'Adult Only'... maybe soon.

I hope not! I'd be all for an adult only hot tub at an adult only pool but not the only one that I've seen that let's families in.

 

[jekjones1558]

Ok - with the National Parks being shut down. What's the status of Pearl Harbor?

Hoping it will all be settled soon - we are Aulani bound in 25 days!

The Arizona Memorial is closed because of the government shutdown.

 

[jerseygal]

It would make sense to have another hot tub by the adult pool!

 

[Disney Dreams]

We have just returned from eight amazing days in Hawaii. Thanks for all the last minute tips posted here.

We shopped at Target on morning 1. Definite must.

We aren't coffee drinkers, but heard people talking about Starbucks at the Marriott.

We saw zero construction and all the new areas were open (although the upper level of the infinity jacuzzi was closed the entire week "due to tile work").

...The one negative thing I hadn't known about and wish I would have was how crowded the wonderful infinity edge hot tub was with children. It was more like a kiddie pool than a hot tub.

We were in the infinity hot tub three nights and did not experience any issues with being overrun by children. It was crowded, but mostly adults.

- Dreams

 

[dianeschlicht]

I've heard a rumor they may be changing those hot tubs to 'Adult Only'... maybe soon.

I hope so!!! I begged them to do that when we were there. On top of it all, I came home with a whopping female infection that the DR. said was likely caused by small children in the hot tub.

 

[Disney Dreams]

Ok - with the National Parks being shut down. What's the status of Pearl Harbor?

Hoping it will all be settled soon - we are Aulani bound in 25 days!

The USS Arizona Memorial is not able to be visited, nor is the Visitor Center. However, you can view the Memorial from across water from the dock of the USS Missouri. The Missouri CAN be visited and toured. Additionally, the folks that run the USS Missouri have put together a nice presentation that they present about December 7th. We found it moving, educational, and informative.

HTH,
Dreams