Aulani Lobby, Artist Concept
As of April 21, 2011, major structural work at Disney's Oahu Resort at Ko Olina, just west of Honolulu, has been completed. The resort is named Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai'i. The resort will open for guests on August 29, 2011.
Disney feels that the name reflects the company's deep commitment to celebrating the Hawaiian Islands' rich history and traditions.
Joe Rohde, Senior Vice President, Creative for Walt Disney Imagineering explained that Aulani when translated from the Hawaiian language to English, means "the place that speaks for the great ones" or "the place that speaks with deep messages."
"We want this resort destination to reflect the vibrant culture that surrounds it. The name 'Aulani' expresses a connection to tradition and deep story-telling - and its roots are here in this land," said Rohde. "We're so grateful to the local Hawaiians who led us to the discovery of this name, and our goal is to live up to its meaning."
It's now Disney's "time to add the magic", weaving Hawaiian stories into the buildings, interiors, art and gardens of the resort with the help of local architects, artisans and historians. The celebrated Disney magic, storytelling and service will create wonderful family vacation memories at the resort, drawing on the beauty, fun, enchantment and traditions of the islands.
The Resort
Nearby to historical sites on the western side of O'ahu, Aulani will be located on 21 acres of oceanfront property in the Ko Olina Resort & Marina development. The resort will feature 359 hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas upon its completion.
Rooms are housed in two 15-story towers with commanding views of the ocean, mountains and magnificent grounds. On-site are two restaurants, an 18,000-square-foot spa, a wedding lawn, a conference center and extensive water activities, including a central swimming pool, 900-foot tube floating watercourse, wading pool, body slides, sunset-facing hot tubs, a quiet adult pool, a snorkel lagoon, and a conservation pool. Aulani will also include a signature kids' club - Aunty's Beach House - where kids can explore Hawaiian culture through fun and games, arts and crafts, and many other experiences created just for them.
The resort will also include an 18,000-square-foot spa designed with families in mind. The resort, built adjacent to a crystal blue lagoon and a white-sand beach, is planned to also have two restaurants, a 14,545-square-foot conference center and 48,685 square feet of outdoor venues. Located nearby are the existing Ko Olina Marina and a Ted Robinson-designed, 18-hole Championship Golf course.
The resort will also offer excursions that invite families to discover the island of Oahu. Guests can enjoy one-of-a-kind adventures that blend the wonders and excitement of Hawaii with the Disney tradition of storytelling, choosing from a variety of experiences that include surfing, rainforest hiking and learning how to prepare Hawaiian cuisine.
Web Site
Find out more and book your stay at the resort's website.
We'll keep you posted as we hear more about this exciting new Disney resort.
Can’t wait to visit this new resort! It sounds amazing!!!!
Outstanding, cant wait, Disney in my favorite place
what could be better? Bags are packed……
When can we start booking reservations?
It looks like you can right now at:
http://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/faq/resort-information-faq/
John
I can’t wait till Aulani opens up. It’ll be so much fun.
I need to go now while the australian dollar is good! lol
time off work is the only issue.
It will be a nice boost to the economy! =))
web site is horrible… resort overpriced
I hope it doesn’t over crowd the Ko Olina area. I’m afraid all those added people there will make traffic terrible and the lagoons over crowded. There already isn’t enough public parking.
Lower your prices!
Hoping for a kamaaina rate!
The website is lousy. You can’t book in advance for 2012 for some reason. Don’t they realize that people plan ahead for trips to Hawaii? Duh! Plus the prices (for 2011) are pretty high compared to other resorts.
If you are a Disney Vacation Club member and own at the Aulani Resort you can book 11 months in advance. If you belong to another resort you can only book 7 months in advance. Outsiders….who knows!
WOW! I have two grown sons that live on the Island and one Grandson…. we will definately be over to enjoy the water park!
You really need to cater to the local people and give better kamaiiana rates. In the long run it will be more beneficial for the Disney Co.
How can I apply for Disney’s Oahu Resort as in to work there ?
These prices are ridiculous! Really Disney? Locals can’t afford this. It’s just a hotel, it’s not Disneyland for goodness sakes! A week here costs more than a 7-day Disney cruise from Los Angeles to Vancouver!