1st DVC Member Trip - Aulani

[AstroBlasters]

Great trip report.

It reminds me of the first time we went as DVC members where we booked a lot of activities and excursions.

This most recent trip my wife said that she wanted to have as little pre-planned activities as possible, to be a resort bum, spend more time watching sunsets, and having late night dates at the Olelo Room….. I feel like this is a luxury that being a DVC Owner provides because you can check one or two things off the list each trip and save some things for future trips.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Great trip report.

It reminds me of the first time we went as DVC members where we booked a lot of activities and excursions.

This most recent trip my wife said that she wanted to have as little pre-planned activities as possible, to be a resort bum, spend more time watching sunsets, and having late night dates at the Olelo Room….. I feel like this is a luxury that being a DVC Owner provides because you can check one or two things off the list each trip and save some things for future trips.

Our next trip will be like this. Can’t wait!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Our next trip will be like this. Can’t wait!

I’m really glad you enjoyed it so much. I feel like a lot of people on here either overhype it “it’s paradise!” which sets the expectation too high OR talk bad about it “wrong island, too crowded, too long of a flight, too expensive”.

I think that using or renting points to stay at Aulani offers an incredible value to us West Coasters with a family who want a tropical vacation with the safety and quality of Disney…. and Ko Olina is NOT Waikiki.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I’m really glad you enjoyed it so much. I feel like a lot of people on here either overhype it “it’s paradise!” which sets the expectation too high OR talk bad about it “wrong island, too crowded, too long of a flight, too expensive”.

I think that using or renting points to stay at Aulani offers an incredible value to us West Coasters with a family who want a tropical vacation with the safety and quality of Disney…. and Ko Olina is NOT Waikiki.

I went into thinking it would be our only trip or only trip for a very long time because I’m not a big beach person. So I overbooked things, thinking gotta get it all done! I realize now I am not a Waikiki style beach person but I sure am an Aulani beach person. Loved the whole vibe of the place and Im super excited I went ahead and secured our Aulani contract.

 

[tx911]

Great report, and descriptions of all your activities! Sounds like overall you had a really enjoyable trip. Makes me want to go!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Great report, and descriptions of all your activities! Sounds like overall you had a really enjoyable trip. Makes me want to go!

We did. And even the things we didn't love/like is just learning for future trips what not do to. Next time I may not even bother with a car rental and stay 100% at the resort. You should totally go. Especially if you can catch a flight deal, so worth it.

 

[Orbitz2003]

Great report

 

[VGCgroupie]

Great report

Thanks!! Can’t wait for trip 2!

 

[DianaMB333]

Hi @VGCgroupie thanks for sharing this!
We are going on July for the first time ..

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind pls:
1. Photographer. Would you book it again? I’m thinking on a studio at sunset but reading that photo-pass photographers will be there, then that might be enough (?)
2. Glass bottom boat. Worth it vs doing the fish feed at Marriott? (Going with a 9yr old girl and a 73 yr old senior)

Thanks!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Hi @VGCgroupie thanks for sharing this!
We are going on July for the first time ..

I have a couple of questions if you don't mind pls:
1. Photographer. Would you book it again? I’m thinking on a studio at sunset but reading that photo-pass photographers will be there, then that might be enough (?)
2. Glass bottom boat. Worth it vs doing the fish feed at Marriott? (Going with a 9yr old girl and a 73 yr old senior)

Thanks!

We would book photographer again. The Disney one is a great free perk but it’s much like the park photopass photos, great for memories but not a professional beach photo for printing and hanging on the wall imo unless you get the perfect timing, perfect photopass cm and you are great at looking good in all photos.

We loved the glass bottom boat as adults but my 9 year old boy had a blast feeding the fish and was slightly bored 20 min into the glass bottom boat ride.

 

[DianaMB333]

We would book photographer again. The Disney one is a great free perk but it’s much like the park photopass photos, great for memories but not a professional beach photo for printing and hanging on the wall imo unless you get the perfect timing, perfect photopass cm and you are great at looking good in all photos.

We loved the glass bottom boat as adults but my 9 year old boy had a blast feeding the fish and was slightly bored 20 min into the glass bottom boat ride.

Thanks!

 

[VGCgroupie]

Thanks!

Have an amazing trip!