Thats great. you either have alot of points or you are a good saver upper of points. We have 460 a year and seem to never have enough. We will be back to Aulani in a GV if we have to buy more points.Those GV's are awesome!!! We've been fortunate to go to Aulani 5 times now and had a GV each time.
Well, we do have a lot of points. But we also have DVC friends who travel with us so we can pool our points to stay longer.Thats great. you either have alot of points or you are a good saver upper of points. We have 460 a year and seem to never have enough. We will be back to Aulani in a GV if we have to buy more points.
We have been twice and will go again.I’m a DVC owner and have been blessed by staying at the Deluxe resorts in Disneyworld. I’m debating a trip to Aulani and other then Pete singing it’s praises, I wanted to hear from fellow travelers especially if you are used to staying Deluxe at WDW. Did Aulani blow you away? Did it wow you and make you not want to leave?
My favorite resort is the Polynesian so from what I’ve seen, Aulani should be right up my alley.
Also, I only have 4 nights planned to be in Hawaii so any first timer tips would be appreciated.
P.S : Does Aulani NOT have tiki torches lit all over the resort?? It’s one of my favorite parts about the Polynesian.
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I just recently returned from a 5 day 4 night trip, first time to Aulani and Hawaii. Its more Animal Kingdom Lodge like , not Polynesian. There were some tiki torches out in front and a couple in the miidle of the courtyard but rare. The lighting though is absolutely stellar, nice yellow orangish lighting EVERYWHERE. First impressions was BEAUTIFUL but not blow me away because at WDW im used to the big lobbies that make a huge first impression. Aulani lobby is smaller, But as you explore Aulani, its grandness takes over, so many paths and trees and greenery and bridges . Its like a trail of Animal Kingdom placed outside Animal Kingdom Lodge and then the ocean instead of a savannah.I’m a DVC owner and have been blessed by staying at the Deluxe resorts in Disneyworld. I’m debating a trip to Aulani and other then Pete singing it’s praises, I wanted to hear from fellow travelers especially if you are used to staying Deluxe at WDW. Did Aulani blow you away? Did it wow you and make you not want to leave?
My favorite resort is the Polynesian so from what I’ve seen, Aulani should be right up my alley.
Also, I only have 4 nights planned to be in Hawaii so any first timer tips would be appreciated.
P.S : Does Aulani NOT have tiki torches lit all over the resort?? It’s one of my favorite parts about the Polynesian.
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I agree, Joe Rohde’s touch emanates from both AK and Aulani. We travelled from Aulani to Jambo House on our last trip and the two are so similar, but with different themes and the cast members love and care for Aulani sets it apart. It’s 10 years old now but doesn’t seem it anywhere. I know Jambo house is older but mid-refurb in 2019 it was really showing compared to Aulani which is very well maintained.Its more Animal Kingdom Lodge like , not Polynesian.
Wow that... is certainly a take. I've heard many complaints about Aulani but "the lobby is insufficiently themed" is not one of them.I love the other Peter Dominick designed Disney Resorts (Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Grand Californian) so I was expecting the same level of character. While Hawai'ian themed, Aulani doesn't have the expansive lobby, the cozy "hidden" nooks, and the resort-wide related art piece displays of the aforementioned Disney resorts. It seems like the emphasis was shifted to the outdoor design, which I guess makes sense for a beach resort.
Totally agreed. And as much as I love the Peter Dominick resorts, there is a certain sameness to those huge lobby spaces. I’m glad the design wasn’t cloned for Aulani, which is stunning in its own right.Wow that... is certainly a take. I've heard many complaints about Aulani but "the lobby is insufficiently themed" is not one of them.
Totally agreed. And as much as I love the Peter Dominick resorts, there is a certain sameness to those huge lobby spaces. I’m glad the design wasn’t cloned for Aulani, which is stunning in its own right.
Perhaps you mistake my meaning. The other Peter Dominick resorts are more explorable, with more hidden gems. Aulani has no quiet room spaces such as the Sunset overlook at AKL or the small lounges with fireplaces above the entrance at WL. Just a couple of generic chairs and a table in the open space by the elevators. AKL and WL have African and Native American handicrafts displayed throughout. While there is a painting on each elevator lobby wall and Hawai'ian themed paintings in the lobby, the only Polynesian artifacts I saw at Aulani were in a small case in the lobby area. Not saying that Aulani was insufficient for what it was, it just wasn't on the same design level for me as the other Peter Dominick resorts.Wow that... is certainly a take. I've heard many complaints about Aulani but "the lobby is insufficiently themed" is not one of them.