Disney Names Hawaii Resort and puts up a web site!

[WRWDisney]

The newly named "Aulani: A Disney Resort and Spa" now has its own web site. The site has pictures, renderings and a virtual fly-over that I had never seen before. Check it out at: http://resorts.disney.go.com/hawaii-resort

[Tinkermom]

This....is.... AWESOME!! We are saving our points now for a Hawaii stay (hopefully) in 2012. It is so great to actually see photos of the progress! Thanks for posting!

[faline]

Pretty cool! Anyone know where it's located in relation in Waikiki?

[mouseketeer mom]

This is a dream. I will be there!

[BMan62]

Disney Announces Name and Launches Web Site for New Family Destination Resort on O‘ahu

Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i conveys the connection of the new resort to the islands

KO OLINA, Hawai‘i (Jan. 19, 2010) – The highly anticipated Disney destination resort currently under construction on the Hawaiian island of O‘ahu now has an official name and a dynamic new Web site offering an inside look at the project. The resort’s name – Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai‘i – reflects the company’s deep commitment to celebrating the islands’ rich history and traditions. Plans call for the first phase of the resort to open in fall 2011.

“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 Joe Rohde, senior vice president, Creative for Walt Disney Imagineering. “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.”

Rohde noted that Aulani translated from the Hawaiian language to English means “the place that speaks for the great ones” or “the place that speaks with deep messages.”

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 is planned to have 360 hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas.

Design plans call for amenities to engage every member of the family, a hallmark of a Disney vacation. Among the recreational highlights planned for the resort are pools and sunset-facing hot tubs, a snorkeling lagoon, a variety of kids’ club and other play programs for children, and a river, suitable for tube floating, running through a specially created volcanic outcropping.

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 Web Site

Disney has launched a new preview Web site, www.DisneyAulani.com, to provide updates and background information on the resort now under construction. The site also details some of the adventures and amenities under development, and includes conceptual art, descriptions of resort highlights, regularly updated resort information and photos of Aulani as it nears completion.

“We are looking forward to welcoming guests to Aulani to share the fun, immersive family vacation experiences Disney is known for combined with the beauty and culture of Hawai‘i,” said Djuan Rivers, vice president, Disney Vacation Club and Resort, Hawai‘i. “We are turning to the Hawaiian culture for inspiration in everything we are doing at Aulani, and we hope our guests will not only enjoy the Disney experience, but will also embrace the unique culture of Hawai‘i and its diverse people.”

Press Release

[magicofdisney]

Tell me something for those planning to vacation here. In the back of your mind would you think, "As soon as I unpack we'll jump on the monorail and hit MK!" For even just 1 millionth of a second? If I'm in a Disney resort, I think I'd want the entire theme park experience. Looking at the pictures just makes me want to visit a park and ride my favorite rides.

[fupresti]

Originally Posted by faline

Pretty cool! Anyone know where it's located in relation in Waikiki?

West of Waikiki on the Ko Olina section of the island. It really is a fantastic area. We stayed at the Marriott next to where the Disney resort was and could not have been happier. We are so happy this resort is in Ko Olina.

[vizsla]

[DVC2004]

Looks soooo nice! We visited Hawaii (Big Island) 2 years ago and DH said we can go back when the DVC resort opens. Patiently waiting!

[Ian]

We've been putting off any plans to go to Hawaii until this resort opens.

Looks like that was a good decision!

[TheDuckRocks]

Originally Posted by faline

Pretty cool! Anyone know where it's located in relation in Waikiki?

Ko Olina is located just before you get to Makaha on the eastern most part of Oahu. According to AAA the drive is 40 minutes to central Waikiki. As a former resident of Oahu I know for a fact that if you are making that drive during rush hour you can add on anywhere from a half hour to hour to that time.
I can hardly wait for this resort to open as Ko Olina has been developed along a series of man made lagoons that are absolutely beautiful.

[GreenBeetle]

OMG! Beautiful! Saving up points (im)patiently.

Now, if Disney would just start their own airline to fly us all over there . . . does anyone know if they have ever considered this??

[DVC2004]

Originally Posted by GreenBeetle

OMG! Beautiful! Saving up points (im)patiently.

Now, if Disney would just start their own airline to fly us all over there . . . does anyone know if they have ever considered this??

Yeah that would be cool! Like a flying "Magical Express"! I don't know if they have ever considered it; my guess is that it would not be profitable like most airlines so they probably would not do it. However, it's been my theory that with the addition of the new cruise ships maybe they will have a Hawaiian cruise. We will see!

[Tinkermom]

Originally Posted by magicofdisney

Tell me something for those planning to vacation here. In the back of your mind would you think, "As soon as I unpack we'll jump on the monorail and hit MK!" For even just 1 millionth of a second? If I'm in a Disney resort, I think I'd want the entire theme park experience. Looking at the pictures just makes me want to visit a park and ride my favorite rides.

Nope, I would not. We vacation at Disney's Vero Beach quite a bit and never have the thought of wanting to head to a park. Of course we are all beach lovers in our family in addition to Disney lovers so for us a resort like Aulani is the best of both worlds and even more so since it is in HAWAII!! We have never been to Hawaii and are now so excited to be able to stay at a Disney property there as we know that we will have a quality resort experience.

[Joannelet]

Originally Posted by magicofdisney

Tell me something for those planning to vacation here. In the back of your mind would you think, "As soon as I unpack we'll jump on the monorail and hit MK!" For even just 1 millionth of a second? If I'm in a Disney resort, I think I'd want the entire theme park experience. Looking at the pictures just makes me want to visit a park and ride my favorite rides.

I'm guessing that maybe you were never in hawaii?
I ask that because when you are in hawaii you don't even think of rides. Its sooooooo gorgeous and naturally amazing that you don't need anything else. The fact that Disney is putting their own hotel there just makes it a double amazing experience. You have a great company in the most beautiful place on earth!! You can't go wrong!

Although I do know there are many amazing hotels in Hawaii as well that are gorgeous and amazing in their own right. I will definitely one day go back just to stay at the Disney resort though. It looks amazing!

[mdhiggin]

Has anyone heard how many points it will be to stay there yet?

[c&d]

Originally Posted by mdhiggin

Has anyone heard how many points it will be to stay there yet?

I'm also waiting to see how many points and if it's not your home resort how hard it will be to get in. I'm guessing really hard to book. But, I'm still wicked excited about it.