Here at Aulani now….

[Lilsia]

Yes, they keep the kids pool and the adult pool open till 9. They close the spa pool (likely because the spa closes) and the pool near the restaurant. How many spa pools does aulani have? How many adult pools does aulani have? How many pools does aulani have open between 8 and 9? The answer to all the foregoing questions is zero.

You have 12 hours to use the pool. This is one of those cases where you can't please everyone. The majority of people clear out and are not even in the pool that last couple of hours. They also do not light up the pools as much as they do at the WDW resorts and it is most likely a safety hazard to have people swimming in the dark. I am sure that they have their reasons for closing when they do. Yeah, it can be a bit inconvenient if you want a late swim, but there is always the ocean. Water is water.

 

[abdgeek]

you haven’t been to Aulani post-Covid; it’s clear Aulani today is a shadow of its former self

I just returned from a New Year’s Eve stay at Aulani and loved it. Aulani is one of my my home resorts and I was last there December 2019 for the holidays. The only difference with this stay were the Covid protocols. When I checked in, the cast member reminded me of the services that were open. I told them that I was aware as they were on the website. The cast member smiled and remarked that every guest wasn’t as well informed. Although it rained most of the day, the association was able to do fireworks over the lagoon.

During my trip to Hawaii, I also stayed in Waikiki and Maui. Each resort I visited had specific Covid protocols but everything I wanted to do was open. I took tours and dined at lots of great restaurants on my trip and made sure I had reservations for everywhere I could make them. Eating in Hawaii can be similar to trying to get a walk-in reservation at a table service restaurant at WDW during the prime dinner hour—not happening. As long as people understand that while they can travel during Covid, certain services may not be available or may be amended, they should still enjoy their stay. If it’s important for you to have room service, spa access, or daily housekeeping on your trip and it’s not being offered, it is probably best to reschedule for after the pandemic.

 

[corgi_monster]

From a local's point of view: It's too cold to swim once the sun goes down.

 

[monsterkitty]

You have 12 hours to use the pool. This is one of those cases where you can't please everyone. The majority of people clear out and are not even in the pool that last couple of hours. They also do not light up the pools as much as they do at the WDW resorts and it is most likely a safety hazard to have people swimming in the dark. I am sure that they have their reasons for closing when they do. Yeah, it can be a bit inconvenient if you want a late swim, but there is always the ocean. Water is water.

I was in charge of safety at a waterpark here. When people would rent the park after hours, we would tell them that certain attractions would not be available due to low lighting. If you can't see the bottom of the pool it shouldn't be open. The insurance company also would not allow for it.

 

[JC1984]

From a local's point of view: It's too cold to swim once the sun goes down.

Unless your from Montana I could swim 24/7 365

 

[corgi_monster]

Unless your from Montana I could swim 24/7 365

Lol, and I'd turn into an icicle on Montana's hottest day of the year.

 

[scoobdoo]

My kids will be waving back from the open kids pool at 830pm after a day at the kids club .

it‘s beyond reproach that auntie’s remains closed

 

[pixieprincess925]

"not magical enough" is a complaint I don't think I've ever heard about Aulani.

Unfortunately, I encountered a couple cast members that were unfriendly, and one was down right rude. As in - I got a brush off when asking if anyone had turned in a pair of prescription glasses with a "just file a claim on our website and someone will get back to you (with no timeframe) attitude. She couldn't even bother herself to look in the bin first.

That being said, the MAJORITY of cast members have been spectacular and made us feel very welcome. In the hospitality industry though, it only takes one bad apple...

I would hope I encountered isolated incidents and others do not have my experiences.

Most tourists are on serious jet lag, so people tend to wake up early and go to bed early

The first 3 days we were here the pools closed at 10pm - so we were shocked to go down to the hot tub the following day at 8:30 to find it closed.

people just aren't eating dinner that late in Hawaii for the most part.

Once I realized food options at the resort are sparse, I planned accordingly and stocked the fridge. I was trying to help others that may have midnight snackers in their party that may need options.
In the meantime I also realized the convenience store across the street (same shopping center as Monkeypod) is open until 11pm and has ready foods as well as a small market for those that may want to cook something

Did you leave Kapolei at all, or did you stay on that part of the island for the whole trip?

As a matter of fact, we went all over the island and found some really great places (and food trucks!). Such a beautiful Island and such great people.

The funny thing is that we leave Friday morning and the whole family wants to spend our last day here at the resort soaking up the good vibes. As often happens with our rocky starts, the resort and its cast members have won us over.

 

[pixieprincess925]

You have 12 hours to use the pool. This is one of those cases where you can't please everyone. The majority of people clear out and are not even in the pool that last couple of hours. They also do not light up the pools as much as they do at the WDW resorts and it is most likely a safety hazard to have people swimming in the dark. I am sure that they have their reasons for closing when they do. Yeah, it can be a bit inconvenient if you want a late swim, but there is always the ocean. Water is water.

As far as I can tell, the lighting at the pools seems bright enough - but I agree that most people clear out after dark. The exception is really the adult hot tub which seems well used until closing

 

[pixieprincess925]

Olelo Room and Longboards are the only 2 places we do on a whim. But I'm pretty sure neither takes anything but in person reservations.

Olelo room does not take reservations - walk up only. We were there tonight. Great drinks and food

 

[JGINPL]

Unless your from Montana I could swim 24/7 365

Coming from Minnesota in February to Aulani and I agree kids and myself will feel like it is a heat wave even at night.

 

[Lilsia]

As far as I can tell, the lighting at the pools seems bright enough - but I agree that most people clear out after dark. The exception is really the adult hot tub which seems well used until closingView attachment 638451

I was thinking more of the lifeguards that patrol the area. They kind of have to walk around the bushes and such, especially at the lazy river. I can imagine that it can be a hazard for them. That is just poor planning on Disney's part.

 

[pixieprincess925]

I was thinking more of the lifeguards that patrol the area. They kind of have to walk around the bushes and such, especially at the lazy river. I can imagine that it can be a hazard for them. That is just poor planning on Disney's part.

Oh yes! For sure the lazy river patrol would be difficult, but that closes at 6pm regardless - so not open after dark (probably to keep the lifeguards safe!)

 

[KELLY]

Well I leave next week and can't absolutely wait! I plan on taking full advantage of the pool, beach, reef and all the amenities. We book a character breakfast and we are thinking of booking a dinner. I did have to call my reservations in because we booked last week for next week. We are going to look at the island excursion as well. I prefer to book everything with Disney due to convince as I do the same when we cruise. This trip is in place of a Disney cruise where you have to take turns to get in the pool. I'm going in with low expectations as long as we can swim, eat and meet some characters we are good.

Like I said we booked late so the luau wasn't a option. But we got everything else we wanted.

 

[Lilsia]

Well I leave next week and can't absolutely wait! I plan on taking full advantage of the pool, beach, reef and all the amenities. We book a character breakfast and we are thinking of booking a dinner. I did have to call my reservations in because we booked last week for next week. We are going to look at the island excursion as well. I prefer to book everything with Disney due to convince as I do the same when we cruise. This trip is in place of a Disney cruise where you have to take turns to get in the pool. I'm going in with low expectations as long as we can swim, eat and meet some characters we are good.

Like I said we booked late so the luau wasn't a option. But we got everything else we wanted.

Just so that you are aware, Aulani does not do any excursions. It is a third party company that they refer you to.

 

[KELLY]

Just so that you are aware, Aulani does not do any excursions. It is a third party company that they refer you to.

I understand that we are just booking through the resort.

 

[pixieprincess925]

Just an FYI to anyone coming soon. The grills are still closed.

Marriott's are open down the path...

 

[La2kw]

it‘s beyond reproach that auntie’s remains closed

Aren‘t all of the kids clubs shut down at Disneyworld and Disneyland? I believe That happened pre-Covid. It makes sense that this one would close too.

 

[Kmk2]

Aren‘t all of the kids clubs shut down at Disneyworld and Disneyland? I believe That happened pre-Covid. It makes sense that this one would close too.

I think this is a temporary closure. If that closes for good people will freak.

 

[dreamit]

We stayed 11 nights at Aulani two years ago, coming from CST in Minnesota. We intentionally didn’t try to adjust to the time change so never had a desire to use the pools in the evening. Mornings are glorious in Hawaii and there’s so much to do early in the day. Not to mention that for many activities it’s a benefit to get going early. We avoided paying attention to the time in the evening and were typically heading to bed at 8:00 or 9:00 pm. I do wish more of the food options were available in the evening. We’re heading back the first week of March and I’m beyond excited.