Aulani disappointments

[mamian16]

I Love this resort and visit every year this year when I arrived the slides were closed for our entire stay without notice because they were resurfacing the stairs. There are two different stair wells, why they had to fix both at the same time makes no sense to me. The infinity hot tub was changed to adults only so my family and I could not spend time there. At any point I never say more than two people in this massive two level jacuzzi. The new pool had a jacuzzi attached to it but it was closed as well.

 

[RoutemanDan]

You two should get together, http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3200870

 

[TagsMissy]

While it sucks the slides are closed, they're fun to ride I am glad the infinity hottub is adult only -- as it should be. It's a hottub, a place to relax not have kids swimming, jumping, kicking.... you know being a kid -- that's what the pool and ocean is for.

I remember almost losing my footing a couple times on the steps to the slides so it's wise they fix the steps before someone gets seriously injured.

Enjoy your time in Hawaii and Aulani I am certain you'll find more than enough stuff to do that you'll enjoy yourself.

 

[mamian16]

Here is the thing. This is a Disney resort which is suppose to cater to families. You don't take the main hot tub and not let families use it. It's fine to have an adults area but don't use the main jacuzzi which is located next to the pool for families and change it to adults only. Find a more secluded area to use as the adults only jacuzzi. There literally were a maximum of 2 people in the jacuzzi the entire day yesterday and about 50 people could fit in this thing. It's ridiculous.

 

[TagsMissy]

Here is the thing. This is a Disney resort which is suppose to cater to families. You don't take the main hot tub and not let families use it. It's fine to have an adults area but don't use the main jacuzzi which is located next to the pool for families and change it to adults only. Find a more secluded area to use as the adults only jacuzzi. There literally were a maximum of 2 people in the jacuzzi the entire day yesterday and about 50 people could fit in this thing. It's ridiculous.

Depending on time of day it'll be busy or empty on our last trip we had days when it was packed and times we were the only couple in the tub and it was all ages then. There's so many places for families, as an Aulani owner I am glad they made this tub adults only and I can't wait to relax in it, in peace on our next trip.

Again there's so much to do an enjoy at the resort and island, there's no reason to dwell on these two minor things. Enjoy your time there and don't sweat the small stuff.

 

[mamian16]

Thanks for telling me not to sweat the small stuff miss "kids don't belong in the hot tub".

 

[ImDMous]

Thanks for telling me not to sweat the small stuff miss "kids don't belong in the hot tub".

Who Should Avoid Hot Tubs?
Infants and children

http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/cirp-hot-tubs

 

[darbry]

When we were there our whole family used the infinity hot tub. The other kids didn't bother me at all. Shame they changed it to adults only. My kids were in and out so fast they didn't have time to get hot.

 

[Anal Annie]

I was soooo glad to read that they are now making that infinity hot tub adults only. I was dreading the experience and figured we'd have to forego using it to avoid the chaos. Aulani has other hot tubs the brats can play in so I think this was a wise move. But in reality little kids (esp. ones in swim diapers) do not belong in hot tubs and it's irresponsible of parents to allow it. If you want your kid in a hot tub buy one for your home. I have had more than 1 resort hot tub experience ruined by young children playing in it like it was a personal pool. That's one thing that makes cruising so nice - they actually give the adults some kid-free space with adults only areas.

 

[dallastxcpa]

I have to agree with the others. I am glad that they have made the infinity hot tub adults only. In reality all hot tubs should be adult only and it would be much appreciated if they made it so and enforced it at all Disney resorts.

There are so many other things for children to enjoy. How would people feel if an adult started running and jumping around in the splash fountains. Those are intended for children and you might not be happy if a group of adults started taking over the area so your child couldn't enjoy it.

 

[lodge]

The Grand Californian has a wading pool that is warmer than the others (due to it's shallow depth it hold heat better)... several kids in there, but also some in the hot tub.

There should be a warmer option for kids, but not a hot tub near 104*F, if that's what it is. It can really be harmful to kids.

 

[Airb330]

Thanks for telling me not to sweat the small stuff miss "kids don't belong in the hot tub".

Well they don't. There are several other hot tubs that still allow kids. I'm sorry the new grotto one was closed while you were there; the infinity hot tubs were closed when I was there earlier this month so I understand the disappointment.

 

[bumbershoot]

Who Should Avoid Hot Tubs?
Infants and children

http://www.nationwidechildrens.org/cirp-hot-tubs

Did you read the link? Here are the problems they say are related to hot tubs.

Sinking under the water can lead to drowning.
Jumping and diving into the hot tub can result in fractures and head injuries.
Slipping and falling in or around the hot tub can cause deep cuts and bruises.
Staying in the hot tub for too long can lead to an increased body temperature and overheating.
Water that is too hot can cause burns.
Drain suctions that are not properly covered can lead to entanglement, body entrapment, and drowning.

Only ONE of them actually has anything to do with it being a properly run HOT tub (added "properly run" because obviously a burning-hot hot tub has to do with it being hot), and that can easily be avoided by not letting the children stay in there too long.

The others are worked out with supervision. Which goes along with being in it too long.

NOTHING in that list is a reason for all children to stay out of a hot tub. When my son was 7, he liked putting his legs in. Now that he's 9 he loves being in one, using it as it is intended, to sit and relax. He is VERY good at regulating how long he's in it; I haven't had to tell him it's time to get out yet because he's already out. Of course, obviously, I've been in there at the same time. He's not one of the roving packs of kids at a Disney pool (so far just at POR).

So instead of making the "no kids" rule, if they strengthened the ability to monitor the *use* of the hot tub, from time in it to behaviour in and around it, it would be far more fair.


While I mention the roving packs...by no means has that been ALL of the kids I've seen at the hot tub. I would say that in my experience about half of the kids are well behaved and using the hot tub in the way it is intended to be used. If they could control the other kids it would be perfect. (of course, then they would probably boot me out after a certain time, too, because I am an over-stayer in a hot tub, most definitely, LOL....don't have the self-preservation instincts my son has, I suppose.)

 

[Airb330]

It really is reasonable to have one adults only hot tub.

Maybe they picked the wrong one to make adults only? That can be debated of course, but I think the "pro kids in hot tubs" camp is blowing this hugely out of proportion. There are still THREE other hot tubs children are allowed to use.

 

[TagsMissy]

Thanks for telling me not to sweat the small stuff miss "kids don't belong in the hot tub".

There other other hottubs on property which the kids are more than welcome to use, there are kids only clubs, there's the pool, ocean, lazy river and a slough of other things for kids to do. It's not asking too much to have one hottub, which happens to be the infinity tub, be adults only.

Kudos to Disney for doing this.

 

[jdm_dkm]

I think they should ban all adult only areas.

Adults only Beach at Castaway Cay - how outrageous? Who needs a quiet pristine beach?

Adults only areas on Disney Cruise Ships - how selfish! That a couple with out kids, or parents who want a break while kids are in kids club to want a quiet area.

Victoria & Albert's - Why would anyone want to pay $150 and expect a quiet dinner?

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I'm happy to hear that they have made that hot tub adults only. There are other hot tubs available and isn't the new pool an infinity pool that overlooks the same view? When we were there a year ago it really was ridiculous the way that hot tub was treated as a swimming pool by families. After getting splashed in the face multiple times by children jumping in 1 - and only 1 - parent apologized and made a half hearted attempt to control their children. It remained a free for all for the others.

I understand the change is disappointing to you OP - especially that together with the slide but I do agree that there are other hot tubs that were available for you and the children in your party to use.

 

[Neraj]

Occupancy at the Resort is so low right now you can't really use the numbers you see in the hot tubs as a realistic barometer.
I can understand the disappointment that comes from being told you can't use a specific area of anything. I do think that adults may have a greater appreciation for the beauty that comes with Alohi Point, so I can understand the reasoning to pick the infinity pools as adult only.

 

[Julylady]

Add me to the list of those who are thrilled that this hot tub is adults only!

 

[okiedokieartichoke]

First off I want to say how extremely sorry I feel that the slides are closed this week. If I were in your situation I would be really upset! The slides at Aulani are one of the most favorited things about the resort.

It seems I can't get away from hearing this hot tub debate about adult only/kid friendly. My two cents. I've spent my fair share of time telling parents that the Menehune Bridge is for children only, for safety reasons. Now it's the same thing but with the infinity pool being for adults only. One reason being it was something widely requested that we have a hot tub for adults only. Not sure exactly why that particular place was chosen, but I'm happy. Being at Aulani day in and day out I've witnessed plenty of children jumping from the top tier to the bottom tier, regardless of how many times a CM has gone over to talk to them and their parents and tell them to *please* stop. It is SO incredibly DANGEROUS! Do their parents not realize how dangerous it is to do that??? The water is no more than 3 feet in there. I'm surprised nobody has gotten hurt. Although I've seen many well behaved kids in the hot tubs I've also seen it the other way around where there is literally no parent monitoring their children in there and kids stay in there way longer than the 15 minute max time allotted. I am in agreement that children shouldn't be in hot tubs, but it's not my place to say. I feel like this will always be an ongoing disagreement amongst people, but the bottom line is that Disney caters to ALL families, not JUST families with children! Respect it. There are a total of 4 spas located at Aulani. One of them happens to be for adults only. If you and your children want an infinity edge ocean view we have the brand new Kamaka Landing Pool alongside the Kamaka Grotto Spa! It's truly beautiful. That's all I've got! Enjoy!