Aulani visit
Many of you know I just returned from a hard hat tour of the new Disney Resort in Hawaii. The good news is I can tell you all about how great the resort is going to be but the bad news is I can only show all the behind the scenes photos to those of you that are going to be in the group going next July through Magical Vacations. I will be writing up a full report from the tour with details of the resort as well as the photos taken while touring the grounds but they asked that it not be posted to everyone. If you are interested in going next year I can give you access to the report when Lisa at Magical Vacations gives me your email and name. I will need that information to give you access to the special articles on my site. Most of 
you already know that even with all the email addresses I have from people over the years I don’t share them with anyone and I don’t spam you with anything. I just need that info to give you access to that part of my site. I will continue to post info just for that group going next July under the discounted group rates. I know that even some cast members at the Polynesian are interested in going with us so make sure you book while we still have rooms with the group rate. When I was on my tour they even told me they were discussing giving us an even better deal than I posted in my past article.
Some of the Aulani Cast Members were sent to Disney World to get an idea how things work at Disney. The one we got the Tour from stayed at the Polynesian. Many of the photos used for the Aulani site and brochure were staged at the Polynesian resort.
This resort will be a great place to relax and have a different experience than anything you have had at Disney World. You will not come home tired from hopping parks all day. You will feel like you got a real vacation. There are plenty of places to relax but with that said there are plenty of activities just at the resort. This can be your only destination. There are not only things for kids but things for adults and it’s all right on a beautiful beach in a quiet cove. We also got to see the Black Pearl docked next door to the resort.
Once we start getting the group together we will discuss what other activities or events we might want to do as a group and the Aulani has assigned us someone to take care of our planning needs. There is huge interest in this new resort so this is our chance to get in with a great deal while the place is still new and everything will be open by 2012. Also many of the bugs will be worked out by that time. Every new resort has its growing pains. The best part is none of the construction will still be going on by then since the last part of the resort will be completed the end of 2011.
For more information about the group rates for July 2012 at Aulani or to get access to the special articles on my site to to this article. http://www.tikimanpages.com/tiki/news/183-party-ttime-and-guest-review
East Pool
So the East Pool (quiet pool) opened back up on Mothers Day. No major changes to the look, just some 
new tile along the edge 
and the deep end is filled in. Here are some photos thanks to Nancy Bolger and Mark Yerkes.
Recreation Changes, good or bad?
Well with trying to be like the other resorts the Polynesian has added and expanded its recreation. The idea is good but the reports I am getting are not so good. For a while they have had pool side activities that are great for the kids with music and a recreation cast member leading the activity. Well it looks like it goes even longer now which might be cutting into the relaxation around the pool for many. Not only has staff complained that the 80’s and 90’s music is too loud but guests have been emailing me like crazy telling me something has to be done or they will not be returning. No more Hawaiian music to relax by to pool during the evening. Now you can’t even talk to the person next to you over the loud Michael Jackson music (a quote from a returning guest). Some even said they could not even order a drink at the pool bar because they could not hear them.
Now after a loud afternoon at the pool there is a new addition to keep you awake if you are in a building near the beach. At first report I was excited to hear the movies and camp fire were now located at the Polynesian beach but I think it is too close to where people will be trying to sleep and relax. At the Beach Club the movies are way out at the beach and not close to the rooms. Before the Grand Floridian and Polynesian had the movies over next to the Wedding Pavilion that moved them away from both resort rooms. The Polynesian movies are now right near the pool and the dock. People staying in Samoa and Hawaii have said that it is loud until late. Activates says it starts at 9:10 so you will hear the movie in your room until long after 10:00 PM. I think it is great for the guests that want to see a movie and have it close but my opinion is it could be bad for people and little kids staying in longhouses close to the beach that are trying to sleep after a long day in the parks. Complaints have been made to management but guests have all told me that they feel they are uninterested in their concerns. In some cases I feel management has responded well but lately it seems like I hear more and more that people feel they don’t care. Even some staff has voiced this displeasure in how management is set on doing something regardless of how guests feel. It has been a while since I have gotten this many bad reports and they mostly have to do with staff and not so much the condition of the resort. In fact most say the resort is in great shape lately. It is always helpful to share your thoughts with the resort so make sure you write in to let them know.
To let them know how you feel, good or bad, you can send an email to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com
Club Level
Along with some of the complaints about the new activities I have been getting quite a few reports of people having problems with club level pre planning. I have been getting some horror stories about first time users of the Planning office and long time users having major mistakes made. They are telling me they will not do club level again because most if not all of their reservations for dinning and activities have been done wrong or completely missed. I remember years ago there were some problems like this and not only did management address it but they got in some great cast members to assist the guests with their pre planning so I have faith that these issues will be addressed and the good people that work in IPO will be up for the task of assisting the guests with whatever they need. It always helps make their job easier if the guest remembers to be pleasant and helpful also. We also have to remember that there are many people that have had good experiences that I don’t hear from. I just like to make sure that things that get reported to me I share with my readers.
Pool Cabanas
Many know the addition of the two cabanas next to the pool well now there is a premium cabana that looks like it was built out of the old hair wrap station and it has a section of beach roped off with lounges in the sand.
The Regular Cabanas can be booked for 4 hours from 10am-2pm or 3pm-7pm
for $117.15 or for 9 hours from 10am-7pm for $197.03. They include:
Two padded chaise lounge chairs
Two padded straight-backed chairs
Plush towels
32 inch LCD television with cable access and optional earphones
DVD/CD/MP3 player
Phone for internal resort calls
Ceiling Fan
Mini refrigerator stocked with complimentary sodas and water
Fruit basket (may not be available without advanced reservation)
The Premium Cabana can be booked for the day 10am-5pm or for the night
7pm-12am for $319.50. They include:
Plush Veneman (high-end brand name) cabana furniture
Within the Premium Cabana:
Separate Small table and two chairs
Two padded Love Seats
Two padded Lounge chairs
Within the Private Deck:
Separate Large Dining Table (up to 6)
Separate Conversational Seating area with 2 Canoe couches and ottoman
Within the Beach
Two padded Chaise Lounge chairs
55 inch LCD television with cable access
DVD/CD/MP3 player
Phone for internal resort calls
Ceiling Fans
Mini refrigerator stocked with complimentary sodas and water.
Exclusive Cabana Space (154 Sq. Feet)
Exclusive Deck Space (456 Sq. Feet)
Exclusive Beach Space (200 Sq. Feet)
These can be reserved 180 days from your visit by calling 407-WDW-PLAY. This information and photos will also be found on my pools page. (Carl if you are reading this I tried to reply to your email and it bounced back saying it could not be delivered). Photo thanks to Aaron DelPrince
