Aulani Resort Preview Trip

[Grey Grimoire]

Hey Everybody!

I've been regularly perusing MiceChat for a few years now and finally decided to officially register and post! Hope this comes out okay.

I was at Ala Moana Center, one of the main shopping malls on the island of O'ahu in Hawai'i the other week and noticed the DVC kiosk there. Having joined DVC about a year ago decided to check it out, and quickly signed up to preview the model units. Our reservation was set for this past Sunday at 10:30am - pickup near Morton's Steakhouse in Ala Moana Center.

An official Disney van (emblazoned with Disney characters) showed up with just enough space for myself, my other half, Mom, Dad, and my sis. The drive was 40 minutes to Ko Olina where the resort is being built. With traffic, the driver informed us it takes about an hour. On the way, we watched a brief 30 minute video about DVC and chatted with the driver who also recently became a DVC member. He also mentioned he does pick-ups from hotels as well, for people interested in checking it out and who've made reservations.

Well, we loved it and added on points, and the rest of my family decided to sign up for DVC as well! The Cast Members were all great, as they usually are - and all of them were locals from Hawai'i with the welcoming "Aloha Spirit". After all the questions were answered and paperwork done, our driver took us back at the next scheduled shuttle time 2pm.

Here's some pics from our trip:


Mickey Lamp


Studio Sofa


Studio Bed


Loved the Hawaiian Quilt with Pineapple motif


Hidden Mickey on the quilt


Studio Kitchenette


Studio Bathroom


Bathroom Wall Art


Hidden Mickey


Shower/Bath


One Bedroom Sofa area


Wall Art above sofa


Beautiful View Outside


Surfing Mickey Lamp in corner


Lamp detail closeup


Flat Screen TV


Full Kitchen / Dining Area


Kitchen


Light above Dining Area


Dining seat detail - Hidden Mickey


Master Bedroom


Master Bedroom - another view


Master Bath from Bedroom view


Master Bathroom


More Bathroom wall art


More Wall Art


Bedroom Ceiling Fan (didn't notice any AC units - may be very warm in the summertime or when we lose our cool tradewinds!)


Front Door detail - love the stylized Hidden Mickeys


Hallway wall patterning (looks inspired by Tapa or Kapa cloth design - more Hidden Mickeys!


Exterior shots of actual in-progress construction

[Grey Grimoire]

Note to self: Resize the pics so they're a tad bit smaller...

Ah well...



There... much better...

[Dagobert]

Thanks for the great pictures. The resort is really beautiful. Is it possible to stay there without being a Vacation Club member?

[yoyoflamingo]

Thanks for the great pictures. The resort is really beautiful. Is it possible to stay there without being a Vacation Club member?

Really gorgeous! As new DVC members (about a year now) we're looking forward to staying there eventually!

And Dagobert, you are allowed to stay there; they will have regular hotel rooms and villas not reserved for DVC members will also be available fo nonDVC members to rent.

Thanks for sharing the pics!

[DVC Mike]

Thanks for posting the pictures!

[mickdaddy]

Really gorgeous! As new DVC members (about a year now) we're looking forward to staying there eventually!

And Dagobert, you are allowed to stay there; they will have regular hotel rooms and villas not reserved for DVC members will also be available fo nonDVC members to rent.

Thanks for sharing the pics!

We are as well! Just a little worried that it may not ever happen with the disclaimer we had to sign in the ownership agreement that we may never get to use our points to swapp to Aulani but hoping eventually none the less!

[stamphead]

There goes the neighborhood! I love Disney and I love Ko'Olina but not the two together.

[lighttragic]

Wow those outside shots are great its really coming along ,,, I cant wait till this opens, I think this will be much better than the two other disney resorts not at a disney theme park property.
I am looking forward to it!
Thanks for the photos

[Grey Grimoire]

Wow... thanks for highlighting this on the Micechat Round-Up! And thanks for the many kind responses.

Can't wait to stay there when we get a chance, even if I am lucky enough to live on the other side of the island.

[Michael808702]

There goes the neighborhood! I love Disney and I love Ko'Olina but not the two together.

i agree the area is very peaceful and clean but add a million zillion rooms with people and the place becomes over packed and loses its beauty :/