Day Four- Checking In At Aulani

Read about how we spent the morning of Day Four here.

This trip was divided into two parts.  Part one was introducing the kids to Hawaii.  So we explored Waikiki, Diamond Head, and the North Shore.  Part two was total relaxation at Aulani, the Disney Resort.  For this second part, we were turning in the rental car and not leaving the resort.  As you can imagine, we were excited for total immersion in a Disney version of Hawaii.

It was about a 30 minute drive from Ford Island to Aulani.  As you cross to Ko Olina, where the resort is located, you notice the vegetation changes.  It was less green and lush on this side of the island.  The drive was easy, traffic was light and before we knew it, we spotted the resort.  Hooray!

From the minute we pulled up, I knew I was going to love this place.  Disney service is top notch and Aulani is no exception.  First, we were greeted by a cast member with a mini iPad like device.  He said, "Aloha Ohana! Can I get your name?"  I answered Schneider and he pulled us up on his device.  He said welcome again and out of nowhere a second man appeared to get our bags.  They showed Rob where he could turn in the rental car (there is an Alamo on site) and a female cast member approached us with fruit infused water, a lei for me, a kukui nut necklace for Rob, and Menehune necklaces for Anne and Ryan.  

This woman was to be our assistant for the duration of our check-in.  She started by explaining about the legend of the Menehune, playful spirits who live in the area and are hidden around the resort. If you are a WDW visitor, this is the Aulani version of a hidden Mickey.  There are over 300 Menehune waiting for you to find them! 

Sleepy Menehune in an elevator.

Next, she walked us into the breathtaking lobby with its gorgeous view of the ocean.  She pointed out the shops, the concierge desk, the tour desk, and bell services.  She also pointed out the area where the kids could watch tv while I checked in.  Brilliant! Then she stood in the check-in line with me and chatted about the resort and our vacation so far.  Once there was an available cast member to check us in, she introduced me to her by name and wished us a great trip.  This was such a warm and personalized way to check into a resort, and it set the stage so well.  Well done, Disney!

I should also tell you, this whole experience can be shortened by doing online check-in.  I didn't do this because I wanted to pay the balance of our reservation with a gift card.  The check-in cast member took care of that quickly and then let us know our room wasn't ready yet.  She verified my cell phone number and said they would text me around 4pm with our room number.  She also gave me a map of the resort and then check-in was done.

In our excitement, we had forgotten to put gas in the rental car.  Rob texted me that he was doing that and about 30 minutes from the time we had separated (him to do the car, me to do the check-in) he found me... in one of the stores of course!

The only thing better than Hawaiian shortbread cookies, are Hawaiian shortbread cookies shaped like Mickey Mouse!

At the start of our visit, they were filming American Idol at Aulani.  Did you know American Idol was still a thing?  Me either.  Apparently they were filming the top 40 at the resort.  They had the stage set up on the beach and the crew was everywhere.  We saw them filming various interviews in the resort restaurants during the day.  In the evenings they taped the competition on the beach stage.  you could go see it, but you had to stand in line for awhile and then you weren't allowed to leave during the filming block, which was 3 hours.  Pass.

Funny story.  At one point I was in an elevator alone with this young man in jeans and a t-shirt.  We were chatting and he asked if I was going to the taping.  I was like "I didn't come to Hawaii to stand in the sun and watch people I've never heard of sing."  He replied "oh" with a sad look on his face. Later, I saw him in line with the contestants waiting to go into the stage area.  Oops!  

This general release was posted in the lobby. Look for us in the background of the top 40 episodes!

Back to our First Day at Aulani Tale.  Reunited in the gift shop, we asked the kids what they wanted to do.  Of course they said, Kids Club! So we went to check it out and check them in.  First, we ran into some friends.

Yeah, my kids lead a charmed life. We walked out and there were Chip and Dale with no line! And a very nice lady in the lobby gave Anne a lei because she was checking out and couldn't take it with her.

So we dropped the kids off at the kids club, Aunty's Beach House (the home of Aunty from Lilo and Stitch).  Now, if you are curious, it is very secure.  The whole thing is contained and the outdoors section isn't accessible except through the main entrance, which is well guarded.  The kids get magic bands that are scanned whenever they enter and leave.  The first time you visit Aunty's, you have to register and they take a picture of the whole family.  Then, every time you pick them up, they can tell you are who you are supposed to be.  You also create a password that you have to give each time you pick the kids up.  

I'll tell you more about the awesome Kid's Club in another post, because they have Open House hours and I was able to go in with the kids and see all the fun!  For now, all we knew is the kids were having fun and the adults were in search of a beverage.  Which we found, along with a flat bread at the quick service restaurant, Ulu Cafe.  Of course, Rob had to check in a beer.

From our table at Ulu Cafe, you could see where the stage was set up on the beach for the American Idol taping.

We relaxed at the cafe and then we found some chairs in the shade to sit and relax in.  Then it was time for the room to be ready, but I never got a text.  So I walked to the front desk and got our room assignment.  Now is a good time for me to tell you about the rooms at Aulani.

Aulani is a Disney Vacation Club Resort, Disney's version of a timeshare.  Because it is DVC, there are two kinds of rooms, regular hotel rooms with two queen beds and Villas.  The Villas are available in studio (one king bed and a sleeper sofa with a kitchenette) or 1, 2, and 3 bedrooms (which have proper bedrooms and a full kitchen for preparing meals).  For our budget, we went with the regular hotel room, which we got with a military discount.  We also went for the standard island view (you can also pay for pool view, garden view, or ocean view).  

From what I read online before our trip, the standard view is a view of the parking lot with sometimes a squinty view of the ocean.  Also, most reviews said something like, always get a villa, never-ever-ever get the regular hotel rooms.  So I was prepared for (and more than a little worried about) a tiny room with a view of concrete.  When Rob and I arrived at our room, I learned that it is true, don't believe everything you read on the interwebs.

Two queen sized beds, but plenty of floor space.

Here is something that Disney does right. Each side of both beds had a bedside table. I hate hotels that have one table between the beds and that's it. People on both sides of the bed need a place to put their phone and glasses!

Another Disney detail (this time borrowed from the cruise line) is storage space under the beds. We were able to unpack and then store all the bags (and carseats) under the beds and out of the way. It makes the room seem so much bigger.

This lamp is available for purchase from the gift shop in the lobby and we seriously thought about buying him for the tiki bar we are putting in the basement.

Our view. So happy with it and you didn't even need to squint to see the ocean.

And now for a tour of the bathroom.  One thing the internet was right about is that the lighting in the bathroom wasn't that great.  They are going for a warm amber glow, and it's not great for putting on makeup.  Luckily, we were on vacation in Hawaii and who wants to stand in the bathroom putting on makeup anyway?

This place was big. And the tub? Huge with a rain shower head.

The real thing people on the internet should complain about?? This toilet room has a louvered (is that the word?) door. So yeah... not much privacy if someone needs to use the sink while someone else is doing their business.

H20+ toiletries. Yes, these all came home with me.

How sweet is this dental kit? It contained a toothbrush and a tiny tube of toothpaste.

After photographing the room and unpacking, we retrieved the kids from Aunty's Beach House and heard all about their fun.  Then we went for a swim and a trip down the waterslides, which is something Ryan and I were very excited to try.

Anne got her face painted and it was so cute.

First dip in the Aulani pool was awesome. And a little cold.

Our stay at Aulani was off to a great start!

Keep reading about our Aulani Adventure!