![\"IMGP0001\"](\"images\/stories\/Aulani\/IMGP0001.jpg\")
<\/a><\/strong><\/span>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.<\/p>\nOahu (also spelled O\u2019ahu) is known 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 The resort is split into two sides, one that represents 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Standard Rate $179 Rental Equipment<\/span><\/strong> Mens and Ladies TaylorMade Burner Series Graphite Clubs $50\/set Golf Shop Hours of Operation: 6:30AM – 7PM 7 Days a Week<\/p>\n Driving Range Hours of Operation*:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.koolinagolf.com\/play-ko-olina\/golf-rates<\/a><\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n Let\u2019s 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\u2019t 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. <\/p>\n<\/a>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.<\/p>\nAulani is located west of Pearl Harbor in an area called Ko\u2019 Olina. Before Disney built in one of four man maid coves, all that was located in Ko\u2019 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.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/a>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.<\/p>\n<\/a>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. <\/p>\n<\/a>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.<\/p>\n<\/a>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.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>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.<\/p>\n<\/a>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 <\/a><\/a>Kingdom Lodge rooms. Here are a few photos that Disney offers up of the rooms showing the resort room and the DVC room. <\/p>\n<\/a>The bathrooms had a unique shower where you have a removable shower head and from the top t<\/a>here 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.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>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 <\/a>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). <\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a>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. <\/p>\n<\/a><\/a>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. <\/p>\n<\/a>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 <\/a>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.<\/p>\n<\/a>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. <\/p>\n<\/a>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 <\/a>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.<\/p>\n<\/a>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.<\/p>\n<\/a>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.<\/p>\n<\/a>Aunty\u2019s 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 <\/a>at the Tikiroom with the rain. Aunty\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n<\/a>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. <\/p>\nThe 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<\/a>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.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Outside rental equipment is not allowed at Ko Olina Golf Club. Golfers may not share rental club sets.<\/p>\n
Junior US Kids Clubs $30\/set
Mens and Ladies Footjoy Shoes $10\/pair<\/p>\n\n
How to save on a trip to Hawaii <\/h2>\n