Anyone at Ko Olina check out Aulani yet?

sbeck22 · Aug 29, 2011

How is it now that the Disney property has opened? What are the effects to the lagoons etc? Maybe it is a bit early to tell he effect on us. Does it seem more crowded?

Did anyone attend the opening if you could or go on-site yet?

http://www.kitv.com/r/29016758/detail.html

I hadn't heard about the firings of the Disney Exec's about NOT charging enough for their TS's.

DeniseM · Aug 29, 2011

There are some current discussions about this on our Disney forum that you may be interested in -

http://tugbbs.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=54

mkahanek · Aug 30, 2011

I am here at Ko Olina now. Aulani opened for business at nine this morning. Haven't really noticed a difference down at this end. They did hold what appeared to be a social event for the employees on Saturday night. I happened to walk by when what I can only assume was a Disney executive was giving a speech to the "troops"

Werner Weiss · Aug 30, 2011

Yes, Disney's Aulani had its opening on August 29 (but not yet its Grand Opening). This morning, I published 22 photos and some information about the opening:

Link to Aulani Opens!

Because Aulani is up at Lagoon 1 with the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort, it really should not have any effect on Lagoons 3 and 4 where Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club is located.

a1000monkeys · Aug 30, 2011

My friends were at Lagoon 1 (in front of Aulani) yesterday and it didn't appear much more crowded than normal (which isn't crowded). Though keep in mind only Phase 1 is open now.

gblotter · Aug 30, 2011

Werner Weiss said:
Yes, Disney's Aulani had its opening on August 29 (but not yet its Grand Opening). This morning, I published 22 photos and some information about the opening.

Thanks Werner. I think Disney should give you a free week at Aulani for the incredible job you have done with highlighting the Aulani developments (and many other Disney topics). May I assume that the Yesterland website is your day job?

Werner Weiss · Aug 30, 2011

gblotter said:
Thanks Werner. I think Disney should give you a free week at Aulani for the incredible job you have done with highlighting the Aulani developments (and many other Disney topics). May I assume that the Yesterland website is your day job?

Thank you! I like the way you think. In reality, I don't get anything for free from Disney Parks & Resorts.

Yesterland earns revenue from advertising, and I pay taxes on my earnings. So, in that regard, it's a business. But if I compare the time I put into the site to what i earn, it's more accurate to call it a hobby with a positive cash flow.

I'd rather think of it as a successful hobby than an unsuccessful business.

taffy19 · Aug 31, 2011

Your photos are beautiful and so much nicer than what I saw yesterday in some of the links. I am glad you were there to see it all and hope that you will be there for the Grand Opening too and enjoy the occasion.

Thanks for sharing your pictures and story.

Clemson Fan · Aug 31, 2011

Werner,

Great article and website!

There's a little typo in the article. In the paragraph under the lazy river photo, decided is spelled incorrectly.

Werner Weiss · Aug 31, 2011

Clemson Fan said:
Werner,

Great article and website!

There's a little typo in the article. In the paragraph under the lazy river photo, decided is spelled incorrectly.

Thank you. I fixed it.

davewasbaloo · Aug 31, 2011

Thanks for sharing Mark. I think with those prices, I would be more inclined to stay at MVCI and book dinner at AMA AMA instead. We did wonder about a split visit between the two, but I am not sure if I will bother.

Sounds like they are having major teething problems with their payment systems and a lack of capacity in the restaurants too.