“Big ‘H,’ small ‘d'”. This is how Djuan Rivers, vice president of Aulani, characterizes the complex.
The impressive property, which sits on Oahu’s west or lee side, is not connected to a theme park and represents Disney’s first attempt at an independent resort. (The company has two park-free resorts in the southeastern US, but they are timeshare properties aimed at the Disney Vacation Club.) Those who might be expecting Daisy Duck and a cavalcade of toons in grass skirts, a fairytale castle that is home to a Polynesian princess, a boat full of animatronic pirates storming the shoreline, or other Mouse House conventions might be surprised. discover that the little “d” represents Disney.
Sure, Mickey and the gang, including hometown heroes Lilo and Stitch, can be found in the complex. But the emphasis is squarely on the big “H,” Hawaii, and its culture, people, and traditions. Rather than telling mythical tales as is their custom, Disney Imagineers have used their considerable skills to tell the true story of the Hawaiian Islands. The result is a delightful combination of tropical paradise, high-end hotel, and whimsical adventure.
Initial information of Aulani
- Location: Part of the gated community of Ko Olina in Kapolei on Oahu, Hawaii. It is about 17 miles west of the Honolulu International Airport.
- Directions from Honolulu: I-H1 W, which becomes Farrington Hwy / HI-93, to the Ko Olina exit. Go through the Ko Olina gate and take the Aulani complex.
- Watch Aulani: Aulani Video
- My picks for the main reasons to visit Aulani
- Phone: (808) 674-6200 or (714) 520-7001
- Review date: October 2011 at the opening of the complex.
- In 2013, the complex was expanded and made some modifications. See my article on additions and changes to Aulani.
- Room rates: $$$$, luxury. Expect to pay $ 400 and more. Room types include standard rooms and suites. Some of the activities require additional fees, although many are complementary. When completed, the property will be split approximately 60/40 between Disney Vacation Club timeshare villas and hotel rooms.
- Official Website: Aulani
Distinctively Hawaiian and Distinctively Disney
The pampering begins the moment you arrive. Bell service representatives welcome guests, coordinate their luggage and parking, and direct them to people receiving pineapple-infused water and awarding leis and beads. They, in turn, hand guests over to an attendant who escorts them to the hotel, spends a few minutes orienting them and pointing out some of the highlights in the grand lobby, and leads them to the registration desk. Phew. At that point, I had the feeling that we were no longer at the Kansas Motel 6.
The first moments set the stage for the Hawaiian adventure that is about to unfold. “The lobby begs you to look,” says Joe Rohde, senior vice president at Walt Disney Imagineering and chief designer at Aulani. “The voices are calling you.” In fact, the totem poles, artifacts, murals, and other works of art that adorn the lobby, with its arched ceiling, dramatic lighting, and spectacular views of the bay, make a powerful and welcoming statement.
Disney’s outreach to the people of Hawaii and their efforts to make Aulani as authentically Hawaiian as possible is impressive. Rohde said he and his team worked closely with cultural advisers, consultants, artists, and even spiritual leaders to guide them as they developed the complex. The name, “Aulani,” which means “a messenger from a chief, or one who delivers messages from a higher authority,” was given by one of the advisers who said the name came to him in a dream.
“We have one of the largest collections of contemporary indigenous Hawaiian art in the world. It may be the biggest, ”says Rohde. The Imagineer, who grew up on Oahu, is passionate about dispelling myths and avoiding stereotypes about his homeland, and says that led to the construction of the complex. “It is important that the work of art is contemporary,” he adds. “Hawaiian culture is not just something from hundreds of years ago. She is alive. It is today.
Posh Resort
But Aulani is more than a museum or an educational entertainment experience. It works quite well as a classy complex. The standard rooms, which are generous in size with balconies, are elegantly decorated. All furniture is made from koa, a native Hawaiian wood that has a rich burnt orange hue. The loft beds are exceptionally comfortable. The flat screen TV includes a Blu-Ray player and a command center that allows guests to easily connect their cameras and other devices.
The significantly higher rate parlor suites feature ocean or mountain views, sleep up to five people, and have a separate bedroom and living room with dining area. They offer a nicely appointed half bath and full bath with a walk-in shower, a jetted tub, and a toilet / bidet with customizable controls (!) And a heated seat. Comfortable robes and slippers are a nice added touch.
Restaurants on the property include the high-end ‘Ama’ Ama, which, like all establishments in Aulani, features local ingredients with an emphasis on fresh produce and seafood. Signature dishes include sustainable whole fish and an island favorite, ahi poke, which includes chopped vegetables to complement the tuna. The restaurant is decidedly gourmet, and the food is delicious; but the portions are small, and the prices can cause a label shock. Expect to pay around $ 45 for a la carte main dishes.
For slightly less than the cost of a ticket at ‘Ama’ Ama, diners can eat as much as they want at Makahiki, a buffet restaurant that’s open for dinner and breakfast. Articles focus on Hawaiian delicacies, as well as Western and Asian inspired dishes. (Like the rest of Hawaii, visitors to Aulani are split fairly evenly between the continental United States and Asia, especially Japan, with a large number of visits from other parts of the world.) The food is generally quite good, if it doesn’t meet gourmet standards at ‘Ama’ Ama, and offers a chance to try some island food.
Local and local meals.
My wife and I got to try loco muco, a native cholesterol-busting dish consisting of a sticky fried egg layered on top of a burger that sits on a serving of rice. Everything is covered in sauce; Makahiki chefs add their own twist by topping it with mushrooms. A fruit fanatic, I think I got my money’s worth nibbling on the mango, pineapple, star fruit, and other heavenly fruits available only from the buffet.
On Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, Makahiki offers a Character Breakfast. You need to make reservations well in advance as meals, especially on weekends, are quite popular. In addition to guests staying at Aulani, vacationers from other hotels, as well as locals, flock to breakfast so they can communicate with Mickey and his friends. Note that character breakfasts cost more than buffets without Mickey, and are much louder.
Among other dining options, the Quick Service One Paddle, Two Paddle features surprisingly healthy (and tasty) selections like a tofu lettuce wrap. The Papalua Shave Ice stand delivers cold Hawaiian treats that were just as good as the ones we tried elsewhere on the island.
For vacationers who spend more than a couple of days in Aulani, restaurant receipts can really add up. While the Makahiki buffet is extensive and costs significantly less than ‘Ama’ Ama, $ 43 ($ 21 for those under nine) is still a pretty hefty amount for dinner. But unlike Disney theme park resorts, where the goal is to keep guests on property and extract most, if not all, of their vacation dollars, those staying at Aulani can easily leave the resort and explore other restaurants. The off-property restaurants are even advertised in Aulani magazine which is available in the rooms.
There are a few chain restaurants and other options within walking distance in the Ko Olina resort area. And for guests with a car, there are a plethora of restaurants in all price levels available throughout the island.
Small alert «d»
The Aulani for Hawaii celebration implicitly encourages its guests to venture outside its doors. In fact, the resort offers a number of excursions, such as surf lessons, a delightful catamaran cruise that includes a snorkeling experience, and a tour of Chinatown followed by a cooking class with a renowned Honolulu chef. Some of the excursions have been developed for Aulani by Adventures by Disney and are guided, while others are self-guided opportunities.
But there is a lot to do in the complex itself. A kids’ clubhouse (which is included in the room rate) has a full list of organized activities, as well as free games. And, little “d” alert! Disney characters are often integrated into activities. Tweens and teens have their own programs, like poolside games. A community room offers experiences for all ages, such as hula lessons and leis.
Among Disney’s most intriguing and exclusive offerings is the Menehune Adventure Trail, an interactive experience (which is complimentary) similar to the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure at Epcot. The Menehune are mischievous little people from the Hawaiian tradition (think island-raised elves). Using handheld devices, participants solve mysteries with Menehune and activate built-in pieces throughout the complex. He’s pretty smart and a great group experience.
The Imagineer-designed “Waikolohe Valley,” stretching from the main building to the ocean, is packed with more Disney fun. At its center is a mini-volcano that is home to two surprisingly powerful waterslides. The tube slide empties into Waikolohe Creek, a nice slow river that flows through the valley. The Menehune Bridge is an interactive water play center full of ways to get wet. There are also two pools and four hot tubs.
Two additional activities include a stingray encounter and a snorkeling experience. Rates are somewhat steep, especially for the Makai Reserve, which offers guests the opportunity to climb into the water with stingrays and pet them (under supervision). Royal coral reefs abound throughout Oahu, making snorkeling an easier and more exciting experience than the Aulani-made Rainbow Reef lagoon.
A once in a lifetime vacation?
In addition to mouse water fun, a beautiful beach (which Aulani shares with the neighboring Marriott resort and, like all Hawaiian beaches, is also open to the public) offers swimming and all manner of other recreational opportunities. Kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, and other equipment are available for rent. My only complaint: the breakers prevent attractive looking waves from entering the bay and allow for any decent body or surfboard surfing. On the other hand, it keeps the beach relatively calm and safe for swimmers of all levels.
The long name of the property is Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa. The spa in question, Laniwai, is delightfully decadent and offers a peaceful and quiet retreat complete with a unique outdoor hydrotherapy garden and the usual menu of massages, treatments, saunas, and other amenities. A special area caters for teenagers.
A departure for Disney, Aulani is an intriguing and charming resort. Of course, all that intrigue, charm, storytelling, luxury, and pampering comes at a price. Quite a high price. If money is not an object for you, you will have a ball. If money is a concern, Aulani may deserve a once-in-a-lifetime getaway, deplete the vacation account, and get away. Or, if you’re planning on traveling to Hawaii, maybe you could consider setting aside a couple of days on a low budget to savor the Aulani experience and spend the rest of your vacation in a more pedestrianized hotel.
As is common in the travel industry, the writer received supplemental services for review purposes. While you have not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our Ethics Policy.
