gwensgoofy
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2008
Just got back to town, after 13 days on Oahu. We spent 12/20 through 12/27 at Aulani, and the rest down in Waikiki. I'm not able to get pictures posted but thought I would share our experience.
We had a 2bedroom oceanview ., as that was the only view available at the time of booking. I called member services a week before we arrived to request a high floor. We had a lockoff on the 16th floor and loved it. I will always request an ocean view-it was fabulous. We were in room 1656 and 1658. The resort was crowded, but didn't seem overly crowded. We were lucky enough to have points refunded due to construction, and it was minimal enough that I would never have complained about it.
The pool and lagoon are beautiful. We loved the location, especially after experiencing Waikiki.We had a car, but really only used it a couple of days. We stocked up at Safeway, and supplemented our reserves with the Island Market/ABC store across from the resort.
It was expensive, but we went in expecting that. We ate from poolside service, and ordered food a couple of days from the new food service right on the beach. We dined at Ama Ama on Christmas night, and were really disappointed. The food was fine, the service was poor. The entire dining experience, including appetizers took an hour. The server never stopped back at the table once he took our order, and drinks, including water, sat empty for the duration. This was the 730 seating, and it wasn't crowded-we won't go back.
Food was really the only downside for us, and next time we will probably just plan most meals in the room, unless the area gets more restaurants. Monkey Pod, a local chain, was scheduled to open soon, right by Just Tacos. We didn't do the buffets, as I have one son with a severe food allergy (shellfish) and a buffet is just too risky with that allergy. There aren't a lot of options for eating after 7, if you are looking for something like a sandwich, or a casual meal. The new beachside spot had some good options, including a california roll, and 7 layer dip with pita chips, but it also closed before 7.
We loved the resort, and will head back in the summer of 2014, I hope. I didn't understand the need to show my drivers license, as well as my dvc card and room key, to get the merchandise discount, but those in the marketplace told us this was the new policy. I thought most of those working seemed to truly enjoy their jobs, especially the valets, housekeeping and recreation workers.
One other thing-we had reserved a cabana for Christmas Eve, but wound up canceling. They just didn't look like they were worth the money-they stand five in a row, right on top of one another, behind rows of chairs, and seem minimal. We just saved the money and went to the pool early to get a great spot. Someone on the waiting list had to be very happy! Only saw a few trying to save chairs....we just went down early and drank coffee and read the papers while waiting for the pool to open. The new areas of construction look huge, and will have a big impact I'm sure. Happy to answer any questions, as I know I asked a million on these boards getting ready for this trip.
We had a 2bedroom oceanview ., as that was the only view available at the time of booking. I called member services a week before we arrived to request a high floor. We had a lockoff on the 16th floor and loved it. I will always request an ocean view-it was fabulous. We were in room 1656 and 1658. The resort was crowded, but didn't seem overly crowded. We were lucky enough to have points refunded due to construction, and it was minimal enough that I would never have complained about it.
The pool and lagoon are beautiful. We loved the location, especially after experiencing Waikiki.We had a car, but really only used it a couple of days. We stocked up at Safeway, and supplemented our reserves with the Island Market/ABC store across from the resort.
It was expensive, but we went in expecting that. We ate from poolside service, and ordered food a couple of days from the new food service right on the beach. We dined at Ama Ama on Christmas night, and were really disappointed. The food was fine, the service was poor. The entire dining experience, including appetizers took an hour. The server never stopped back at the table once he took our order, and drinks, including water, sat empty for the duration. This was the 730 seating, and it wasn't crowded-we won't go back.
Food was really the only downside for us, and next time we will probably just plan most meals in the room, unless the area gets more restaurants. Monkey Pod, a local chain, was scheduled to open soon, right by Just Tacos. We didn't do the buffets, as I have one son with a severe food allergy (shellfish) and a buffet is just too risky with that allergy. There aren't a lot of options for eating after 7, if you are looking for something like a sandwich, or a casual meal. The new beachside spot had some good options, including a california roll, and 7 layer dip with pita chips, but it also closed before 7.
We loved the resort, and will head back in the summer of 2014, I hope. I didn't understand the need to show my drivers license, as well as my dvc card and room key, to get the merchandise discount, but those in the marketplace told us this was the new policy. I thought most of those working seemed to truly enjoy their jobs, especially the valets, housekeeping and recreation workers.
One other thing-we had reserved a cabana for Christmas Eve, but wound up canceling. They just didn't look like they were worth the money-they stand five in a row, right on top of one another, behind rows of chairs, and seem minimal. We just saved the money and went to the pool early to get a great spot. Someone on the waiting list had to be very happy! Only saw a few trying to save chairs....we just went down early and drank coffee and read the papers while waiting for the pool to open. The new areas of construction look huge, and will have a big impact I'm sure. Happy to answer any questions, as I know I asked a million on these boards getting ready for this trip.
