Scarlett Stahl: A Tour of Aulani
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by Scarlett Stahl (archives)
April 22, 2011

Scarlett traveled to Hawaii in January and took a tour of Aulani. Here are her story and pictures.

At the Disneyana Fan Club Show and Sale in Garden Grove, Ca, I met an acquaintance of mine, Bruce Lau, who is a well known sculptor for Walt Disney�s Classic Collections, as well as Lenox classic line of Disney sculptures and also Disney animation maquettes for Disney Animation Features, to name just a few. When I mentioned that I was leaving the next day for Honolulu, Bruce urged me to visit the construction site of Aulani, the new Disney time share resort and hotel, which is presently under construction, as he recently had done. I can only relate that he was more than impressed with it, which stirred my own interest.

After arrival in Honolulu, I took his advice and called the resort, Aulani, and was referred to the Director of Public Affairs, Todd Apo. After explaining my wish to visit Aulani to write about it, Todd promised to check and call me back. After verifying my credentials, he did call and arrange to pick me up for a drive to the west side of the island, past the airport, where it is under construction in Ko Olina. Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, is part of the Ko Olina Resort & Marina, which is located on the western shore of Oahu about 17 miles from the Honolulu International Airport in Hawaii. Aulani rests on 21 acres of beachfront property in the Ko Olina Resort & Marina development.

Nearby are the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa, and Marriott�s Ko Olina Beach Club. The other properties are lovely but plain compared to the theme oriented Disney property, or at least this writer thought so.

In the course of the drive, Todd mentioned that he had always been a huge Disney fan and particularly liked Mary Poppins, because of its beautiful blending of animation with live action and also its incredible music. He had served as a councilman for his district in Hawaii and had only been in his present position at Disney for two months. His enthusiasm was contagious and it was evident that Disney had picked the right man for his job.

At other Disney Resorts like the All Star Movie Resort at WDW, there are characters in various places, like the Three Amigos on an island in the pool where Mickey is doing the "waves on the cliff" scene from the Sorcerer's Apprentice, and so forth. Asked if there was going to be anything like that at the Aulani, Todd answered there won't be anything like that because "the story is that the characters don't live here. They will be here on vacation just as the guests are, learning about Hawaii along with everyone else".

The resort is still in its construction phase but there are furnished models for potential time share buyers to view. The models are only one story and will be torn down after construction of phase one of the high rises are completed and opened, according to plans on August 29, 2011. However the design and d�cor will be utilized in the final phase. Todd explained that many traditional Hawaiian features have been used in the design, even on the outside of the high rise buildings. There will be 481 villas, of different sizes to accommodate families, and all will include fully equipped kitchens, as well as whirlpool tubs. There will be 360 hotel rooms, including 16 suites. You can look for Hidden Mickeys within the bed coverings as well as the wall covering patterns.

The main lobby is in a traditional Hawaiian building with a triangular roof, much like a church and will be filled with many murals and tiny carvings. Afternoons can be spent on the beautiful beaches and in the warm water of a blue lagoon. There are restaurants and pools, lush green forests and fragrant plumeria trees. The Resort is a blend of the Hawaiian heritage mixed with the magic of Disney, nestled between the mountains and the lagoon. There is a spa for adults, while the children have a supervised play area in Aunty�s Beach House. See the picture of the entire area depicted on a map, which is shown in the Aulani sales office on the wall. Some of the activities include the following: a thrilling encounter with gentle stingrays at the Conservation Pool, a plunge down the Waikolohe Stream in a tube ride, and trekking down the Menehune Trail with surprises, to name just a few of the Disney activities.

Available are the following at the Vacation Club:

Deluxe Studios accommodate four guests and one child under age three in a portable crib. Each features one full bathroom, a kitchenette, a queen-size bed, and a queen-size sleeper sofa.
One-Bedroom Vacation Home will accommodate up to five guests and one child under age three in a portable crib. Each features a master suite with king-size bed and bathroom, a kitchen and a living room with queen-size sleeper sofa and a pull-down bunk-size bed.
Two-Bedroom Vacation Home will accommodate up to nine guests and child under age three in a portable crib. Each features a master suite with king-size bed and private bathroom; a separate bedroom with two queen-size beds and private bathroom; a kitchen; and a living room with queen-size sleeper sofa and sleeper chair.
Three-Bedroom Grand Villa will accommodate up to twelve guests and child under age three in a portable crib. Each features a master suite with king-size bed and private bathroom; two additional bedrooms, each with two queen-size beds and bathrooms; a kitchen; a living room with queen-size sleeper sofa and pull-down bunk-size bed; and a dining room with dining table and chairs.

For more information on purchasing a Vacation Club membership visit www.DisneyVacationClub.com or call 888-508-1225.

Aulani can also be booked as a regular hotel (separate from the Disney Vacation Club) via Walt Disney Travel or your Travel Agent.