Summary
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, located in the Ko Olina Resort on Oahu’s leeward coast opened to much fanfare and high expectations in August of 2011.
In January of 2012, I had the pleasure of joining a small group of travel writers who were invited to spend several days at the resort, Disney’s first in Hawaii. Since the resort had been opened for just about five months, I was very interested in seeing how the staff (referred to as Cast Members) and resort itself had settled in. Because this resort and everything it has to offer is so extensive, I’m deviating from our standard review format to offer this more photo-intensive feature.
Arrival
I arrived at Aulani about an hour after sunset after a very long day of travel from the east coast. Having been up for almost 20 hours, I was ready to settle into my room and get ready for what I knew would be four busy days. I was greeted at the resort’s port cochere with a kukui nut lei and a welcome drink of pineapple-infused water. I was also offered the opportunity to learn a bit about the resort’s impressive 200′ Maka’ala lobby and its beautiful artwork. From there I was escorted to the guest registration area.
Registration was seamless. Within just a few minutes I was off to my room on the fifth floor of the resort’s 15-story Waianae Tower – where my luggage was delivered promptly by one of the resort’s very efficient bellmen.
The resort consists of two wings on either side of the Maka’ala lobby. The Waianae Tower contains all of the resort’s 351 hotel rooms which include 16 suites as well as several Disney Vacation Club accommodations. The Ewa Tower houses the remaining Disney Vacation Club villas and studios. (Note: The final phase opened in 2013.)
There are 481 Disney Vacation Club Villas. I’ll be writing a separate feature on the Disney Vacation Club, since it is an entirely new concept for Hawaii vacationers and quite different from the other vacation club offerings in Hawaii.
Guest Room
My room was spacious and featured a standard hotel room layout with a poolside garden view and a private lanai (balcony).
The room had 2 queen-size beds, a large flat-panel TV with DVD player, a small refrigerator, combination safe, and coffee maker. The refrigerator was located in the large combination bureau and entertainment center, and, quite frankly, was somewhat noisy and never got very cool. When I asked housekeeping about this, I was advised that it was a common problem.
The room was decorated with muted Hawaiian colors including a taro patterned rug and contemporary Hawaiian artwork. The beds were each adorned with a lovely Hawaiian quilt featuring a small Mickey motif.
The woodwork throughout the room was purposely “distressed” in anticipation of the tendency of young guests to place wet glasses directly on the wood. The charming lamp on the room’s table featured a base containing Mickey Mouse playing an ukulele and leaning on a surfboard. The curtains were designed with traditional Hawaiian kapa (tapa) patterns.
The bathroom was large with an oversized bathtub and shower, a large vanity, and an adjoining room for the toilet.
Taken as a whole, the room reflected a strong emphasis on Hawaiian culture with just a touch of Disney magic – something I would learn the next day to be an overall theme of the entire resort.
The New Day and Exploring Aulani’s Waikolohe Valley
After a good night’s sleep, I was up before dawn eagerly anticipating the opportunity to explore some of the resort’s 21 oceanfront acres before our scheduled character breakfast at the Makahiki restaurant.
As the sun rose and I stepped out on my lanai (balcony), I was awed by the expansiveness of the resort, especially by its central Waikolohe Valley which runs from the high peaked lobby to the beach, reminiscent of a Hawaiian ahupua’a, a subdivision of land that runs from the mountains to the ocean.
I dressed quickly, grabbed my camera, and embarked on my exploration. I was overwhelmed and very impressed by what I discovered on my pre-breakfast wanderings.
The Waikolohe Valley is an impressive creation of Disney’s Imagineers (design team) with a distinctly Hawaiian feel and beautiful island landscaping. The center garden, between the two towers, is designed to simulate Oahu’s landscape: dense and wet in the center; sandy and palm-lined on the outskirts.
The Valley is filled with thematic elements, such as the countless little statues of Hawaii’s little people, the Menehune, dotted throughout the resort – a feature that offers a fun challenge for guests of all ages to find these secretive and often naughty wanderers of the night.
The Waikolohe Valley is also home to the resort’s large family pool; the very popular 900-foot-long, 321,000 gallon Waikolohe Stream, which provides adults and children with a fun tubing experience; the wonderful 3,800 square-foot Rainbow Reef snorkel lagoon where guests can snorkel with thousands of fish inhabiting the waters in and around Hawaii; the 2,200-square-foot Menehune Bridge (an interactive water play area for children); and Makai Preserve, a conservation lagoon where guests can interact with stingrays.
Also within the valley, guests will find a small gift shop and soda station, shave ice stand, four whirlpool spas, the poolside (and fantastic) Off the Hook bar, and much more. Further details will be discussed in an upcoming feature.
For a quieter experience, the Wailana Pool and Wailana Pool Bar is located “around the corner” at the end of the Waianae Tower adjoining the resort’s oceanfront lawn.
** Many of the pools at Aulani are slated to be refurbished in the fall of 2019. Please check the hotel website for updates.
Dining Options
My morning breakfast, which was also my first opportunity to meet my fellow travel writers, was hosted at Makahiki, the resort’s buffet restaurant. It coincided with Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration at the Makahiki. Offered on selected days, the resort’s young guests are welcomed by one of Aulani’s Aunties with songs, dances, activities, and the opportunity to meet their favorite Disney characters such as Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse.
The breakfast buffet features a wide selection of foods ranging from simple Continental offerings to Western breakfast favorites such as eggs, bacon, sausage, pancakes, and waffles; as well as Chinese and Japanese buffet items.
In the evening, Makahiki offers an extensive dinner buffet which includes a large selection of appetizers, fresh seafood, a carving station, local greens, popular Hawaiian dishes such as laulau, poke, and poi; a dessert station; and a special “Keiki Corner” offering foods designed especially for children including chicken noodle soup, hot dogs, mini burgers, grilled chicken breast, and pizza.
For those who prefer an a la carte breakfast menu, the beach-side ‘AMA ‘AMA restaurant offers excellent and reasonably priced breakfast options.
‘AMA ‘AMA also serves a delicious lunch menu, which is available at the nearby, Off the Hook poolside bar and at the One Paddle, Two Paddle take-out window.
In the evening, ‘AMA ‘AMA becomes the resort’s fine dining establishment.
Over the course of my stay, I had the opportunity to dine at each of the resort’s two restaurants for both breakfast and lunch. I found the food quality to be excellent, and while the service was slightly slow at times, it was overall satisfactory. I also enjoyed several lunches at Off the Hook where the grilled Angus bacon cheeseburger was my personal favorite, often accompanied by a Blue Hawaiian cocktail or two.
A favorite after-dinner gathering place for our group was The ‘Olelo Room, where, in addition to great tropical cocktails, Hawaiian beers, excellent wines, and non-alcoholic drinks, we could brush up on our Hawaiian words and learn a few more from the bartenders who are fluent in the Hawaiian language. The room features 150 shadow boxes with wood carvings each showcasing the Hawaiian names for depicted items.
Beach and Lagoon
After breakfast on my first full day, I had a few hours to relax, explore more of the resort and the adjoining beach, and enjoy some lunch at Off the Hook.
Since the resort is relatively new and most guests are first-time visitors, they tend to spend most of their time by the large Waikolohe Pool or tubing along the Waikolohe Stream. Children seem to love the Menehune Bridge, a children’s water play area.
Surprisingly, few guests venture beyond the gate that opens onto Ko Olina’s beachwalk – literally steps away from the pool. Hopefully, during future visits, guests will take advantage of the beautiful beach and lagoon and enjoy a stroll along the 1.5-mile beachwalk that meanders among Ko Olina’s four major lagoons.
Aulani is located on what is known as Lagoon Kohola. Kohola means whale in Hawaiian, and during whale season, you may very well see humpback whales in the ocean from many vantage points along the shoreline.
Lagoon Kohola is the first of the four major lagoons in the Ko Olina Resort and is, in my opinion, the calmest and best lagoon for ocean activities. The beach and lagoon are shared with the neighboring JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa, but it is rarely very crowded.
Makiki Joe’s Beach Rentals is the place to rent a beach umbrella (beach chairs are complimentary), a beach premium-seating casabella (2-seater lounger with awning), kayaks, snorkel sets, and stand-up paddleboards. Hawaiian Ocean Adventures offers experienced instructors who will teach you how to kayak, canoe, or stand up paddle board. You can even ride on a Hawaiian sailing canoe. Children enjoy the floating platform placed in the lagoon each day for their fun.
Maka’ala Lobby
On the afternoon of my first full day, our group toured the resort, starting in the Maka’ala lobby. Maka’ala in Hawaiian means alert, vigilant, and watchful. To appreciate all that surrounds you in the lobby, one must be just that.
From the moment guests enter the resort, they begin their Hawaiian experience and introduction to Hawaiian culture, traditions, music, and art.
As guests are welcomed and escorted to guest registration, they receive a brief overview of the lobby with its soaring ceiling that resembles an ancient Hawaiian hale, adorned with kapa bands designed by artist Dalani Tanahy running along the walls – each band representing one of the three realms: land, sea, and sky. These sections are further divided into distinct masculine (right) and feminine (left) sides.
The 200-foot-long mural wrapping around the lobby walls was painted by artist Martin Charlot and is also divided into masculine and feminine sections, illustrating the works of men and women in traditional Hawaiian life.
This feminine/masculine design element is consistent throughout the resort, evident in the large 15-story murals at each tower, the two murals in the lobby’s transverse corridor arches, and the 12×12 foot compass rose embedded in the lobby floor. The four points of the compass, instead of pointing north, south, east, and west, point towards the sea (makai), towards the mountains (mauka), towards the feminine side of the resort on the left, and the masculine side of the resort on the right.
The music heard in the lobby and throughout the resort features Keali’i Reichel, one of Hawaii’s top musical artists and award-winning kumu hula (master/teacher of hula). Several pieces were written by Keali’i Reichel and Grammy-winning producer Mark Mancina specifically for Aulani.
As guests approach the registration desk, they can’t miss the impressive “Rainbow Wall,” a collage of photos taken by students in kindergarten through Grade 12 from across Hawaii. Each was asked to capture the essence of the islands in a photograph focusing on a single color. The 138 photos exemplify the islands’ beauty – flowers, plants, animals, and places – in brilliant shades of green, red, purple, pink, blue, orange, and yellow.
What is visible in the lobby is just a sample of the artwork throughout the resort. Aulani houses the largest collection of contemporary Hawaiian art in the world.
Aunty’s Beach House
Our tour continued throughout most of the resort. A noteworthy location is Aunty’s Beach House, Aulani’s kids club designed for children ages 3 to 12. Parents can leave their young children under the care of Aulani’s Cast Members, and Aunty, together with Uncle, will ensure that they are taken care of in a secure environment.
Young children can explore Hawaiian culture through supervised entertainment as Aunty and Uncle share stories from their youth. They’ll learn the hula, create Hawaiian arts and crafts, play traditional Hawaiian games with visiting Disney characters, or enjoy one of the great interactive touch-tables.
Older children will appreciate the Beach House’s game or computer terminals, or they can sit back and watch one of their favorite Disney films. A large and secure outdoor area is also available. There is no added cost for parents allowing their children to enjoy Aunty’s Beach House.
Laniwai Spa
In Hawaiian, laniwai means “freshwater heaven,” and Laniwai, a Disney Spa at Aulani truly lives up to its name. The spa encompasses 18,000 square feet of indoor space and a 5,000 square-foot outdoor space, easily making it the largest outdoor spa space in Hawaii.
Spa patrons are encouraged to arrive at least an hour before their scheduled appointment to enjoy the outdoor Kula Wai Hydrotherapy Garden, featuring herbal pools, a reflexology path, six rain showers, and cold and hot whirlpools.
The spa provides 15 treatment rooms, including a couples and family treatment room. Over 150 types of treatments are offered, including body polish, vitality baths, massage, body treatments, and facials.
The Painted Sky Spa is for children ages 3-12, offering services such as new hairstyles, makeup, and costumes.
A full-service salon boasts four manicure, four pedicure, and two hair stations.
The Mikimiki Fitness Center is open 24 hours daily at no additional charge for guests 14 and older. It includes Life Fitness cardiovascular and strength training equipment, a kinesis machine, and free weights.
I will share more about my personal spa experience at Laniwai in a future feature.
Disney Fairy Tale Weddings
The second day of our Aulani visit began with a morning breakfast buffet where we had the chance to meet and talk to several of the resort’s senior Cast Members.
I thoroughly enjoyed my discussion with Mark Regan, Aulani’s Sales Director, who arranged for me to speak the following day with one of Disney’s Vacation Club Guides. I also spoke with Spa Director Lucia Rodriguez and Spa Manager Brett Perkins, who arranged for me to experience a facial on the last morning of my visit before flying home.
I had the opportunity to converse with Marla Dunn, Aulani’s sales and services director, about Disney’s Fairy Tale Weddings & Honeymoons. While Aulani is primarily a resort designed for families with children, I noticed a significant number of couples of all ages vacationing at the resort without children.
Curious about the number of weddings Aulani had hosted at the resort, I observed that the Makaloa Garden, where our breakfast was being held, seemed an ideal location for a wedding. The flora-filled enclave offers a stunning view of the ocean and beach, providing ample space for both the wedding ceremony and reception, along with potential visits from Disney characters if desired.
Marla explained that since the resort opened less than five months prior, over 50 weddings had taken place, and they were expecting more than 100 during the resort’s first year.
Aulani has hosted weddings for both Hawaii residents and mainland guests. Additionally, weddings in Hawaii are quite popular with Japanese visitors, who represent a good portion of Aulani’s guests.
As many weddings are planned well in advance to coordinate travel for all attendees, the number of weddings already held indicates that Aulani will likely become a very popular wedding destination in the future.
For more information, visit disneyweddings.com.
Catamaran Cruise and Adventures by Disney
The remainder of our second day consisted of a catamaran cruise on Hawaii Nautical’s Honi Olani catamaran. I will write a separate feature on our catamaran cruise; however, it was a fantastic experience sailing along the Ko Olina and the southwest coast of Oahu, where we spotted numerous Hawaii spinner dolphins and abundant tropical fish at our snorkel stop.
The Honi Olani offers several excursions exclusive to Disney Aulani guests, which can be arranged online prior to arrival or at the Holoholo Tours and Travel desk at the resort.
Adventures by Disney at Aulani provides a variety of excursions that take guests to various sites across the island of Oahu. Many of these excursions are specifically designed for Aulani guests and feature knowledgeable and friendly Adventure Guides who accompany guests throughout the excursions.
Aulani Starlit Hui
Following a dinner reception on the second evening, we enjoyed Aulani’s signature nighttime event, the Aulani Starlit Hui.
Uncle and a talented ensemble of dancers, musicians, singers, and cultural practitioners gather under the stars in the Makaloa Garden.
A pre-show features traditional Hawaiian games and local artisans showcasing popular Hawaiian crafts.
Guests are then invited to enjoy a 25-minute show featuring live music, including an energetic dueling ukulele performance by the Na Hoku Hanohano Award-nominated ukulele duo Heart and Soul (Jody Kamisato and Chris Salvador) as well as traditional and modern hula performances. There are many opportunities for audience participation throughout the pre-show and during the performance.
The evening concludes with a DJ-driven, high-energy dance party, featuring a chance to dance with various Disney characters.
(Since this review, the evening entertainment has transitioned to the Ka Wa’a luau. Details can be found on the hotel’s website.)
Lei-making Experience
On the morning of our third day, our group gathered near the Menehune Bridge in the Waikolohe Valley for a Lei-making Experience with Aulani Cast Members Marcus and Uluwehi. Using blossoms of tuberose and white orchids, we relaxed, made our own lei, listened to Hawaiian music, and shared stories.
The rest of the day allowed plenty of free time to enjoy Aulani.
I decided to take a walk along the 1.5-mile beachwalk that extends along Ko Olina’s four major lagoons. As tranquil as the ocean was at Kohola Lagoon at Aulani, it grew rougher at each succeeding lagoon as I walked towards the Ko Olina Marina. Nonetheless, it was enjoyable to view the wedding chapels and other resorts at Ko Olina Resort & Marina.
My only regret is that I missed, by ten minutes, the shuttle that stops at Ko Olina Marina, which would have taken me back to Aulani with several additional stops along the way. Consequently, I turned around and made the long walk back.
(Please note that craft activities change; check the website for information. In 2019, the activity is Kapala Ki’i, a t-shirt stamping event.)
Rainbow Reef
During the afternoon of my third full day, I spent over an hour snorkeling in Rainbow Reef. I made sure to arrive in time for the afternoon fish feeding, which provided great photo opportunities.
Everyone entering Rainbow Reef must wear a life-vest, which can be inflated as needed. Those needing snorkel equipment and assistance learning the basics of snorkeling receive guidance, and lifeguards are present both in the water and on the edge to ensure safety.
The area where you enter Rainbow Reef is shallow, allowing you to stand as needed. After spending time in the deeper parts, it’s an excellent spot to return to for a rest. While in the deeper sections, instructors request that you do not kick with your feet, dive beneath the water, or attempt to touch any fish. The fish, however, can and will come right up to you.
Bring your own underwater camera or purchase a one-time-use camera, but regardless, do not forget to bring a camera. I recommend visiting in the afternoon when the sun is shining. Water temperatures are warmer than in the morning, and the sunlight enhances photo quality. I captured much better photos of Hawaiian reef fish in Rainbow Reef than I ever have in the open ocean, as the waves can make photography challenging.
In the evening, our group gathered for a farewell dinner at Makahiki, followed by after-dinner cocktails in the ‘Olelo Room.
My Visit Ends and Some Final Thoughts
All too soon, my final day at Aulani arrived. I spent the majority of the morning at the Laniwai Spa, enjoying the Kula Wai Hydrotherapy Garden and receiving a wonderful facial with Julie.
I then enjoyed a final lunch at Off the Hook, did some shopping at Kalepa’s Store, and packed for my long trip back to the east coast.
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in the Ko Olina Resort.
Our hosts, Mike Hyland and John McClintock, were with us throughout our visit and ensured everything went smoothly, and indeed it did! Both Mike and John, alongside all of the Cast Members I encountered throughout the resort – from the department heads we met on our resort tour to the housekeeping staff and reception clerks – all reflected the aloha spirit crucial to any resort in Hawaii. Additionally, I consistently felt the hospitality and attentiveness for which Disney is renowned.
Were there a few issues that need addressing? Indeed, aside from the refrigerator problem previously mentioned, there were just a few others.
As I approach senior citizen status, I found it somewhat challenging to get in and out of the tub/shower in my bathroom. A grab bar or two would be beneficial.
I can also foresee a time when, once the remaining Vacation Rental units are completed, the resort will need an additional dining facility – ideally, a moderately priced full-service restaurant. Finally, given the abundance of activities at the resort and the excellent optional island excursions, many visitors may not require a rental car.
Ultimately, I would like to suggest a Disney airport shuttle service, akin to that found in Orlando for transportation to and from Disneyworld.
All things considered, however, these are minor concerns when looking at the numerous positive aspects Aulani has to offer and how much they have successfully achieved in less than six months since their Grand Opening in August 2011.
The silver lining with Disney is their commitment to addressing these issues, continuously innovating, modifying, and enhancing the resort to meet the needs of the many guests likely to return to Aulani repeatedly.
