The hard hat tour (the edited version)
I posted this report back in June from our May visit to Aulani but I was asked to not make it public because of some of the behind the scenes stuff. I was only allowed to give access to those who were going to be going in our group next summer or those considering going and I had to give password access to this report. I decided to pull out the photos from inside the resort and the rooms and make this version of the resort for all to see.
As a representative of Magical Vacations I went over to Oahu to get a hard hat tour of the new Disney resort Aulani before it opens in August. I 
wanted to share with those going with us in July 2012 and those considering going so you could get excited about next summer and what the new Disney resort has to offer.
Oahu (also spelled O’ahu) is known as the gathering place. Some of you may have read my article about the Hawaiian islands and how they are different. Oahu is what I consider the busiest of the islands and lost much of its culture to high-rise buildings and expensive stores but it also is a place where you can still find history and culture. Disney also found a nice location on the island to build a resort that makes you feel more relaxed than being on Waikiki Beach.
Aulani is located west of Pearl Harbor in an area called Ko’ Olina. Before Disney built in one of four man maid coves, all that was located in Ko’ Olina was the golf club, Marriott Beach Club, the JW Marriott, the Marina, along with a community of houses and condos around the golf course. It is a quiet area and not like being in Honolulu.
We got to our tour of the resort and met Kelly who will be supporting our group for its visit next July. As we walked past the walls that surround the 
construction and up the main driveway it looked like they were working hard to get the construction finished and the landscaping was just going in. The first thing that was pointed out to us was the symbols on the outside of the main buildings. For now it is a secret as to the story they tell but guests will This is only the beginning of the hidden cultural touches be shown how to interpret the symbols. that they have spent much effort to add to the resort. They want the resort to represent Hawaii without being your typical kitchy, tiki, Adventureland look. They also want to make it a fun resortthat represents Disney’s style. I was very worried about Disney trying to have a Hawaiian theme in Hawaii but I think they did a great job so far.
As we walked around the grounds there were some things that had gone in that just did not work and were in the process of being removed. I guess some stuff works great in an Imagineers mind but does not work in the real world.
As many have mentioned, the look and feel is very much like the Animal Kingdom Lodge with a Hawaiian twist. That was my impression the whole time. much of the look and feel is like the AKL and even as you walk the grounds it has the feel of the winding paths of the lodge. There is even going to be a firepit where they will tell stories much like the AKL. I would have to compare numbers but the rooms felt larger than those at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the balconies were larger than any I had seen at a Disney resort.
Some of the items reminded me of the new Polynesian room design and some of the items in the halls looked like some things that were tested at the Polynesian but not used.
The resort is split into two sides, one that represents the Female and one that represents the male. It starts in the lobby where two rivers flow through and meet just outside the lobby structure. The male side will be rough and jacked with rapids and rocks. The female side will wind smoothly through the lobby. At the beach end of each building there is artwork that represents a male and a female.
The rooms we saw were Disney Vacation Club rooms so they were slightly different than what you will see in the resort 
rooms. The first room we walked into was what the resort rooms would look like if you took away the kitchenette. There was a bed and a seating area with a couch that would fold out to a queen bed. The room was good size and the balcony was very large.
The resort rooms will come in two styles. Either the King bed with the sofa sleeper like we saw or a room with two queen sized beds. Both rooms are 382 sqft. Smaller than the rooms at the Polynesian but they did a good job with the size. They are about the size of the Animal Kingdom Lodge rooms. Here are a few photos that Disney offers up of the rooms showing the resort room and the DVC room.
The bathrooms had a unique shower where you have a removable shower head and from the top there was a rain shower head feature. This was how the showers in all the bathrooms were set up. I thought the bathrooms were all a good size and the materials used were not cheap like you sometimes find in some of the Disney resorts. They did a very good job on the design.
Disney spent a lot of time with local Hawaiian artisans to come up with the look of the rooms and the materials used. Disney did throw in quite a few Mickeys around the room but you will see many touches of Hawaiian culture like the poi pounders used as light fixtures and outrigger beams used as some of the headboards. You can also find fish hooks, outrigger canoe sails and butterfly joints (something Hawaiians used to repair things or join them together).
There are also Parlor Suites available that will sleep 5 and are 764 sqft with a separate room and the living room area has a sofa sleeper and a bed that folds out from under the TV. This suite also has one full bathroom and one half bath.
The bathrooms were large and the master bedroom bathroom reminded me of our villa in Maui. It has a large tub that has doors to open up to the bedroom (no jacuzzi like at our villa) and a sink area. All the rooms had falt panel TVs and DVD players. The rooms you can book with a standard view, ocean view, partial ocean view, poolside garden view and island garden view.
There is so much to do for everyone in the family. Not all of it will be open initially, like the quiet adult pool area with views of the sunset is not scheduled to be completed until November of this year and a few of the other activities but by 2012 everything should be in full swing.
I found there to be just as many adult things to do as there was for kids and teens. Even the food that will be offered around the resort ranges from character meals to fine dinning. It seems the character meals will only be 4 times a week so make sure you see what days they are offering it so you can get in.
There will be table service, buffets and room service and even an open air cocktail lounge. There is also quick service at One Paddle, Two Paddle and Lava shack for sandwiches, wraps and desserts or a Hawaiian plate lunch. Both will have refillable mug stations.
For those that want to be pampered there will be a n 18,000 sqft spa called Laniwai. The spa will even offer treatments for everyone in the family They have stuff for toddlers, youth teens 
that will include things like getting their mailes painted and hair done, dressed up in a hula outfit and even hula lessons. Teens will get a yougurt and perfume bar. There will be “men-only” treatments and even get a private room to have treatments for the whole family together. If you would rather work out there will also be the Mikikiki fitness center.
I was not only amazed at how many different things there were to do but how much of them were free. There are some activities that will cost more like the Makai Preserve where you can feed stingrays but the Rainbow Reef (similar to Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon) will allow you to snorkel with over 70 species of fish including Angle fish, Butterfly fish and Tangs. Its not only free but they will give you gear to use.
Another free activity for kids is the Menehune Adventure Trail. It was explained to me that resort guests could check out something that is like an Ipad and the kids take it around the resort on a hunt for the Menehune. Along the way there are things that will come to life as they find them including a sea turtle that can be found in the Koi pond near the lobby.
Aunty’s Beach House was another activity for kids that they told us about. When you walk in you would think you were in a local beach house. You could even look out the windows and it would look like you could see outside but at times it would rain. Sort of a new version of the old trick they do 
at the Tikiroom with the rain. Aunty’s Beach House will not be a free activity and will be similar to the Neverland Club at the Polynesian with crafts, activities and games. There will even be evening storytelling around a fire like you would find at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.
This 21-acre tropical paradise offers 359 hotel rooms plus 16 suites, 4 restaurants, 2 lounges, 18,000 sq. foot spa, fitness center, whirlpool spas, storytelling firepit, character meet n’ greets, wellness activities, sunset ceremonies and lawn parties. In addition, it boasts recreation facilities that include the 8200 sq. foot Waikolohe Pool, infinity-edge Wailana Pool, and Waikolohe Stream where you can climb into a tube and ride along the banks of a swift stream as you are launched into adventure! On this whimsical waterway, slide past fantastic formations of lava rock and encounter plenty of surprises in the mischievous waters.
Aulani’s has a seven-acre water play area. There are two slides. One is used with one person and two person tubes that goes into the Waikolohe Stream where you can float around all day long.
The golf course across from Aulani looked as nice as the courses I have played at Walt Disney World. The Ko Olina course is open t
o the public but must be sort of a hidden secret because it did not look very busy. This Ted Robinson designed golf course is marked by 16 exceptional water features, multi-tiered greens and expansive landing areas for your tee shots.
Standard Rate $179
Mid-Day Rate (12/25 – 2/28: NO MID DAY, 3/1 – 3/14:12PM – 1PM) $149
Twilight* $109
9-Hole (Same day reservations) $89
Replay (Based on availability) $79
Junior Golf (17 years and under) $60
Junior Golf AFTER 3pm FREE**
Non-Golfing Rider $20
Rental Equipment
Outside rental equipment is not allowed at Ko Olina Golf Club. Golfers may not share rental club sets.
Mens and Ladies TaylorMade Burner Series Graphite Clubs $50/set
Junior US Kids Clubs $30/set
Mens and Ladies Footjoy Shoes $10/pair
Golf Shop Hours of Operation: 6:30AM – 7PM 7 Days a Week
Driving Range Hours of Operation*:
- Monday: 6:30AM – 5:30PM (last bucket sold at 5:00PM)
- Tuesday: 8:00AM – 5:30PM (last bucket sold at 5:00PM)
- Wednesday – Sunday: 6:30AM – 6:30PM (last bucket sold at 6:00PM)
http://www.koolinagolf.com/play-ko-olina/golf-rates
Special rates for July 2012
COME WITH MAGICAL VACATIONS TO AULANI – 2012 !
Join Magical Vacations & the Tikifest Ohana as we head to Hawaii in 2012 !
For those of you who have been with us at Tikifest at the Walt Disney World Resort with Steve (aka Tikiman) from the Unofficial Polynesian Resort Pages, we have such a treat planned for you in 2012 !
Magical Vacations has obtained exclusive rates on various room categories at this exclusive Disney tropical paradise !
In addition to special discounted room rates, we will also be putting together a fun activity (optional) for those who would like to get together while at the resort.
Island Garden View: $345.93 per night (tax included)
Poolside Garden View: $402.64 per night (tax included)
Partial Ocean View: $425.32 per night (tax included)
Ocean Front: $459.35 per night (tax included)
Parking Fee at resort is also included complimentary for those guests who will have a rental car.
*All room rates are based upon single/double occupancy. Additional persons in room (18 yrs and older) will be charged an additional $25 per person, per night.
The travel period associated with this offer will be between July 7 and 14, 2012. Additional days, if needed, subject to availability at discount rate. For reservation infomation, contact us at requests@magicalvacationstravel.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and put “AULANI” in the subject line. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Tip: Magical Vacations is also coordinating mini-trips to Disneyland for those guests who plan to make a stop-over in California on their way to/from Hawaii. To book a stay at Disneyland California, please contact us.
Aulani opens late August 2011; for guest interested in other travel opportunities here, please let us know and we’ll be glad to help you with your planning.
How to save on a trip to Hawaii
So many of you who might be on the East Coast have not been to Hawaii because of the cost, length of flight, or why go to Hawaii when you have the Bahamas. I hear different reasons but I have a few things for you to consider.
Let’s start with not all islands are created equal. A trip to the Hawaiian Islands is totally different than a trip to the Bahamas. There is so much culture, history and amazing sights to see in Hawaii. That is why Hawaii has been such a sought-after destination for so many around the world. You really don’t know what the experience is like until you get there and smell the smells and see the sights and learn about the culture. When you visit Hawaii you are not visiting one culture but a hub of Pacific cultures.
Now if you are use to going to Disney World for vacation and think Hawaii is too expensive then let’s consider this. Deals on flights can be found if you take the time to look. To start go and sign up with www.airfarewatchdog.com. It will email you when an airline has a low fare. Also fly and return midweek is the cheapest. When we were looking at tickets this May it was cheaper to fly out on a Monday or Tuesday and returning on a Thrusday. You may even consider breaking up your flight with a day or two in California. Either San Francisco or a stop in L.A. Shopping for flights that go out of S.F. or L.A. might be a cheaper way to fly out to Hawaii also.
Something to consider is while airfare to Florida might be cheaper for you, how much do you spend on other costs of going to Disney World? How much are tickets alone for a week? Well a week in Disney World with tickets will cost you almost $300 a person for a base ticket. Add on park hopper like most of us do and your at $450 a person. For a couple that is $900 you won’t have to spend going to Hawaii. Right away you can put that toward your ticket to get to Hawaii. Looking today at flights from New Jersey to Oahu it was only about $650 which is even a good rate from the west coast.
Your next highest expense at Disney World I would guess is food. Well food in Hawaii can be very reasonable and much better quality than anything you will find in a park. Here are some tips. Don’t always eat at the resort or even the big name restaurants, check out the local places to eat or drive around the beaches and eat at one of the lunch wagons that are all around. The food is much more affordable and you usually get more to eat. There is a large variety of what they have to offer and if you stop and don’t like what one has there will be another one not too far away. You may even get to sit and eat looking at Sunset Beach.
If you want to try the local fruit, don’t buy it from the resort store, go to the farmers market or some of the road side vendors. Farmers markets are also great to pick up flower arrangements and flower leis. Don’t buy them at the airport.
Now there are tours and gifts you will be spending money on in Hawaii but there can be great discounts on tours if you research before hand and usually book directly with the place that runs the tour. Don’t trust those discount websites that try and sell you discounts to tours. Also there is much to see that is free. If you really want to bring home the traditional tourist souvenirs I suggest going to the local Costco or Walmart on the island and buying your chocolate macadamia nuts, Aloha shirts and other items because this is where many of the gift shops get their stuff and you can get it for a lot less.
If you want to rent a car to get around the island to see the sites here is a tip. When I go to get a rental car I look at every rental company that is available. When we went to Oahu in May the best price, service and decent location ended up being Thrifty. You do have to shuttle down the street to get it but it is not far and we did not wait long for a shuttle. There were a few companies at the airport but their prices were double or triple what I paid at Thrifty. Make sure whatever place you book with you sign up for their free club (whatever its name is for that company). Doing this gave me a free upgrade and a special “city” rate. It also allowed me to not wait in the regular line and I had just signed up with their club the week before I got there. Just make sure you do it before you book and log in with that club number when looking at rates. I ended up with a Dodge Charger for less than the other companies were charging for the smallest car they had, or should I say clown car. If you do rent a car, make sure you gas up in Honolulu. Gas will be cheaper in the city than in the smaller towns around the island.
We all know there are things to do that cost money like the Atlantis sub ride that will take you down to see wreckage from the Pearl Harbor attack and other things but there are also many free or cheap things to do, not only at the new Disney resort but all around Oahu. First thing that many love to see are animals and under sea life. Sea turtles are not uncommon to see in the water or on the beach. Grab a snorkel or rent one and see plenty of fish or sometimes even a monk seal. If you are not a fan of putting your face in the water or you can’t get your little one to, go to the Waikiki Aquarium. is just $2 for ages 5 to 12 (younger free) accompanied by adults ($9, seniors $6.). Try and see how fast you can do the maze at the Dole plantation and when your done get one of the many different Dole Whip desserts they offer.
Head on around the island and stop at the North shore or to the Pali Lookout (Nu’uanu Pali State Wayside). It is the cliff where the story is told of King Kamehameha drove attacking warriors over the cliff in 1795. There are many locations to see botanical gardens and waterfalls. Right down from the Aulani is a marina that you can go over and see the Black Pearl from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Check out the Halona Blow Hole.
With the special pricing Magical Vacations has negotiated with Disney for Aulani it is the chance of a lifetime to see a great resort for a price you won’t see again.
The best part of a Hawaii vacation is there is lots to do at the resort (especially Aulani) for adults and kids but you will find that when you are done with your vacation in Hawaii you will feel relaxed. Sometimes when I get back from Disney World I need another vacation.
