CaptainAmerica
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 12, 2018
We were there for 15 nights in a one bedroom ocean view and it was a little over $400. But that tax is imposed by the state of Hawaii on every hotel stay on the islands.The hotel taxes when added together is around 18%, ouch, there is also a small tax on DVC rooms but closer to about 1 or 2%. DVC you save on parking and taxes. If you love Aulani, consider it.
thanks for the info
What were the changes? I remember a big discussion a long while back about why it hadn't reopened yet (when it was still closed that is), wondering what was up. It did seem like a decent amount of people booked Aulani with Aunty's in mind.The big bummer for us is changes to Aunty’s
Did you try Mina’s, Longhi’s, or Noe, all nearby? They’re fantastic restaurants, not at Aulani, but a short walk away. And re entertainment, the luau, movies on the lawn, the character meet and greets, the storyteller, the nighttime star gazing, were all, for us, quite enjoyable. Were the absence of the leis that catastrophic? But if Oahu isn’t your cup of tea, and you prefer visiting the other islands, why did you stay at Aulani in the first place? Not trying to be confrontational, just genuinely curious.We are non-DVC members and had to get a 1 bedroom as a family of 5 so Aulani was $$$ for us. Agree it did not have the level of service we would expect at that price point. We absolutely love the pools and subtle theming. Restaurants are disappointing so we mostly did quick service and ate our own groceries in the room. The big bummer for us is changes to Aunty’s and lack of entertainment, plus various other cuts like no more leis, pool parties, etc just make it less magical. We did not have friendly cast members overall. Oahu is not my favorite island and for the price point we hang at the resort. If we were sightseeing we would book a more affordable hotel and do that a couple days. We typically rent a condo and car on other Hawaiian islands that we prefer visiting.
Now restricted to 5+, limited hours, mandated masks, Vax requirements…the usual BSWhat were the changes? I remember a big discussion a long while back about why it hadn't reopened yet (when it was still closed that is), wondering what was up. It did seem like a decent amount of people booked Aulani with Aunty's in mind.
We were there for 15 nights in a one bedroom ocean view and it was a little over $400. But that tax is imposed by the state of Hawaii on every hotel stay on the islands.
Wow. Yes, must buy more points ASAP!Rooms booked with points are subject to the state and city TAT taxes, but the monetary value of points is significantly less than the monetary value of a cash stay.
For example, if a 1BR stay is $1000/night, the state would assess a ~10% TAT and the city would assess a 4.712% GET and a ~3% TAT. The total taxes would be about $180/night. Times that by 15 nights and your total tax bill on a cash stay would have been over $2,500. Just another reason to go buy more points
For us, a weeklong Aulani vacation is a similar overall price to a weeklong WDW/DL vacation. Flight and rental cars are more expensive on Aulani vacations, but there are no theme park tickets or Genie+ to purchase. Our Aulani costs are less than the average Aulani vacationer's because we have no interest in the expensive Hawaiian excursions and don't dine that often at table service or signature restaurants while in Oahu.I know this is going to be crazy but Hawaii is cheaper than Disney world and disneyland for our family. Accommodations aside, we spend far less on food as we stock the room and use the kitchen for breakfast and dinner. At Disney world we really only eat breakfast and the occasional pool day snack lunch. We find on beach vacations we head to the pool and beach in the morning and then around midday get sunned out and relax in our room with the ocean view and usually have lunch and then back to the pool and beach play more get tired head to the room have dinner and put the kids to bed and relax on the balcony and talk/play games and watch the sunset. Its a great way to relax with our 2 year old and 6 year old. they get down time to just veg inside ac while we make a quick meal and then take a break and relax. It works great for us. Our last beach vacay was one of the cheapest we have done in a while. I think it helps they are still too young for the luau and dining out is more work than its worth. You can go and have a blast and spend less than 1k for a week, its possible. We have a trip planned after Christmas and I'm excited as flights were reward tickets, points for the hotel. Not renting a car and having food delivered. Just a week of relaxing and fun while its snowing at home.
Having just gotten back from Disney World, I can definitely see this. A rental car and activities around the island will almost definitely be less than park tickets (unless you do something like a heli tour). Aulani is in line with the other deluxe resort prices, and Disney World food has really gone up in the last year while I think in Hawaii it hasn't as much. The only big difference would be the flights, depending on where you live.I know this is going to be crazy but Hawaii is cheaper than Disney world and disneyland for our family. Accommodations aside, we spend far less on food as we stock the room and use the kitchen for breakfast and dinner. At Disney world we really only eat breakfast and the occasional pool day snack lunch. We find on beach vacations we head to the pool and beach in the morning and then around midday get sunned out and relax in our room with the ocean view and usually have lunch and then back to the pool and beach play more get tired head to the room have dinner and put the kids to bed and relax on the balcony and talk/play games and watch the sunset. Its a great way to relax with our 2 year old and 6 year old. they get down time to just veg inside ac while we make a quick meal and then take a break and relax. It works great for us. Our last beach vacay was one of the cheapest we have done in a while. I think it helps they are still too young for the luau and dining out is more work than its worth. You can go and have a blast and spend less than 1k for a week, its possible. We have a trip planned after Christmas and I'm excited as flights were reward tickets, points for the hotel. Not renting a car and having food delivered. Just a week of relaxing and fun while its snowing at home.
Not crazy at all. In fact, this is probably true for most, especially at the rate Disney has been increasing prices in recent years.I know this is going to be crazy but Hawaii is cheaper than Disney world and disneyland for our family.
Especially with theme park tickets increases and Genie+.Not crazy at all. In fact, this is probably true for most, especially at the rate Disney has been increasing prices in recent years.
We are regular visitors to Maui and WDW, and Maui is definitely less expensive, and the gap is growing.