Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, with Disney Vacation Club Villas Ko Olina, Hawai‘i

Aulani is Disney's first resort in Hawaii, and is located in the Ko Olina area on the leeward side of the island of Oahu. Upon completion in 2013 it will contain 481 Disney Vacation Club Villas in addition to 359 hotel rooms and suites. This 21 acre oceanfront resort features white sand beaches, a salt water lagoon, water garden, beautiful tropical landscaping, an 18,000 square foot spa and the Waikolohe Valley pool and water activity area.

Aulani, which means "the place that speaks with deep messages" celebrates the history, art, and traditions of Hawaii.

The first phase of Aulani opened to guests on August 29, 2011, and includes 72 villas and 217 hotel rooms. Phase 2, which expands to 207 villas and 347 hotel rooms, opens in November, 2011.

Guests may check-in at any time during the day, but rooms are not usually available until after 4:00 p.m.

If your room is not ready when you check-in you have the option of having a voice message or text message sent to your cell phone when the room is ready.

Check-out time is 11am. Express Check-out is available to all guests paying with a credit card, arrange for this service at check-in. If you provide an email address then your itemized bill, in PDF format, will be emailed to you the morning of your departure, otherwise a bill will be delivered to your door. If the bill is correct there's no need to stop by the front desk on your way out.

Flight schedules to the U.S. Mainland often have guests arriving early or leaving late, with no hotel room available to them for a number of hours. For guests in this situation, Aulani offers the use of the Luana Lounge. Inside are two seating areas furnished with comfy sofas and chairs. There's a television on one side, and on the other is a work area with tables and a computer for airline check-in. For guests who wish to use the pool area there are men's and women's locker rooms, showers, and restrooms. There's even a "swimsuit spinner" which extracts most of the water out of a wet swimsuit – plastic bags are provided for packing damp suits. So pack a small day bag, leave the luggage with Bell Services, and go out and enjoy the pool area while you're waiting!

Each day the "daily 'IWA" newsletter is published, which contains a list of all of the events that will be occurring at Aulani that day. (Those familiar with the Daily Navigator aboard the Disney Cruise ships will notice a lot of similarities.) Events are listed by time and grouped according to "Hana Activities", 'Ohana Family", "Keiki Children", and "'Opio Youth". The daily 'IWA is available at the Front Desk, the Pau Hana Room, and other areas around the resort, but is not delivered to the rooms.

Room types include Studios, One- and Two-Bedroom Villas, Three-Bedroom Grand Villas, standard hotel rooms and suites.

The available views are ocean and partial ocean views, poolside garden, island garden, and standard.

Studio – Sleeps up to four, 1 queen-size bed, and 1 queen-size sleeper sofa, Flat-panel TV and DVD player, wet bar, small refrigerator, microwave and coffee maker. Private balcony. Approximately 356 square feet.

One-Bedroom Villa – Sleeps five, Master bedroom with king-size bed, living room with queen-size sleeper sofa and single pull-down bunk bed (suitable for child). One full bathroom with dual-sink vanity and whirlpool tub, and separate walk-in shower and toilet room. Flat-panel TV and DVD player in living room, and flat panel TV in master bedroom. Full kitchen includes: coffee maker, dinnerware, glassware, flatware, cookware, microwave, rice cooker, toaster, stove, refrigerator, and dishwasher. Laundry area contains a stacked washer and dryer. Private balcony accessible from living room and bedroom. Approximately 756 square feet.

Two-Bedroom Lock-Off Villa – a combination of a one-bedroom villa and a studio, with a connecting door. Sleeps 9. Approximately 1,112 square feet.

Dedicated Two-Bedroom Villa – Like the one-bedroom villa with an additional bedroom with a full bathroom and two queen-size beds. Instead of a single bunk bed in the living room there is a sleeper chair. There is also an additional half bathroom. The two-dedroom villas accommodate nine adults plus one child under age three in a crib. Approximately 1,125 square feet.

3-Bedroom Grand Villa – Three bedrooms, sleeps up to twelve guests. Master bedroom suite with king-size bed, two additional bedrooms, each with two queen-size beds, living room with queen-size sleeper sofa and a sleeper chair. Three full bathrooms: Master bathroom with whirlpool tub, dual sink vanity, and walk-in shower, separate toilet room. One bedoom has a private bathroom with walk-in shower, dual-sink vanity, and separate toilet room. The third bathroom is off the hallway, with combination tub/shower, dual sink vanity, and separate toilet room. with whirlpool tub. There are flat-panel TVs in all three bedrooms, with an additional TV screen that is part of the mirror in the master bathroom. The living room has a flat-panel TV and DVD player. Full kitchen includes: coffee maker, dinnerware, glassware, flatware, pots and pans, microwave, toaster, rice cooker, stove, refrigerator, dishwasher. Dining room with dining table and chairs (seats 8), with additional seating at the bar. Laundry area contains stacked washer and dryer. The balcony is accessible from each of the bedrooms plus the living room and dining room. Approximately 2,174 square feet.

Standard Hotel Room – Sleeps up to four, with either 2 queen-size beds or 1 king-size bed and a queen-size sleeper sofa. Includes flat-panel TV and DVD player, small refrigerator, and coffee maker. One full bathroom with oversized bathtub and shower, dual-sink vanity and separate toilet room. Approximately 382 square feet.

Guest rooms are located in one of Aulani's two 15-story towers: Waianae and Ewa. Each tower has six guest elevators. All rooms are non-smoking. Room decor incorporates elements from Hawaiian history, such as the O'o bird carved on the door, the leaves of the taro plant depicted in the carpet, and the outrigger canoe represented by the shape of the headboard and the blades of the ceiling fans. Whimsical Disney touches include hidden Mickeys in the bed throw, surfboard Mickey lamps, and, in the villas, a surfing Minnie in the living room lampshade.

Housekeeping follows a different schedule depending on whether you are a Disney Vacation Club member (or guest) staying in a villa on points, or a cash-paying guest staying in either a hotel room or a villa.

Those on "cash" stays will receive daily Housekeeping and nightly turndown service.

For those staying in on points the following schedule applies:

• Trash & Towel Service – For stays of seven or less nights, Trash & Towel Service is provided on day four. With Trash & Towel service, Housekeeping will: Empty trash and replace liners in trash bins, provide fresh bathroom linens, replace shampoo, facial soap and bath soap, replenish facial tissues, paper towels and toilet paper, replenish coffee, sugar, cream and sweeteners, replenish dishwashing liquid, dishwashing detergent, sponges and laundry detergent as needed in one-, two- and three-bedroom Vacation Homes.
• Full Cleaning Service – For stays of eight or more nights, Full-Cleaning Service is provided on day four and Trash & Towel Service is provided on day eight. After that, the cycle begins again on day 12. With Full-Cleaning service, Housekeeping will provide everything included with the Trash & Towel Service, plus: Change the bed linens, vacuum and dust, clean the bathroom(s), clean the kitchen/kitchenette and wash the dishes.
• You may also choose to pay for daily housekeeping or have additional towels etc. Check with the front desk for information and pricing.

'AMA 'AMA – this beachside casual restaurant is located on the far end of the Waikolohe Valley, above the beach. It features covered open air seating, and serves lunch and dinner (breakfast service starts in November 2011). The menu focuses on "contemporary island cooking" and features fresh local ingredients, including sustainable seafood. It's a great location for watching a sunset. The restaurant is named after a local type of mullet fish called the 'ama'ama, which may sound familiar to anyone who has heard "The Hukilau Song". (We're going to a hukilau… We throw our nets out into the sea, and all the `ama`ama come a-swimmin' to me …)

Makahiki – The Bounty of the Islands – is a casual buffet restaurant located on the ground floor just below the lobby. There is both outdoor and indoor seating. The buffet selections have quite an international flavor with an emphasis on locally-inspired cuisine and Asian influences. Hawaiian favorites at dinner might include laulau, poi, and poke, while breakfast features the locally popular Loco Moco. Sushi/sashimi, rice, and dim sum are also available, as well as more traditional American fare. "Aunty's Breakfast Celebration" takes place Saturdays, Sundays, and Wednesdays, featuring Aunty and favorite Disney characters like Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy.

Lava Shack – this poolside location serves snacks and cold boxed lunches like fried chicken and salmon.

Off the Hook – is an open-air bar between 'AMA 'AMA and the Waikolohe Pool. The menu includes sandwiches and wraps, as well as traditional and specialty tropical drinks.

The 'Olelo Room – this bar is located on the ground floor next to Makahiki. All the bartenders speak Hawaiian, and guests are encouraged to brush up on some Hawaiian words. To help, the decor features the Hawaiian name on things like chairs and tables, with even more names on wooden figures on the walls. The 'Olelo Room serves a continental breakfast in the morning, and appetizers and drinks in the evening.

One Paddle, Two Paddle – this counter service restaurant is next to 'AMA 'AMA. It opens in the late morning with an all-day menu that includes a pork sandwich, burgers, fish tacos, and wraps.

Papalua Shave Ice – the shave ice stand is located in the pool area, with 12 different syrup flavors – select your favorite two or three or five.

Rip Swirl Yogurt – though it's located just inside the Painted Sky Teen Spa, the yogurt bar is open to anyone. Select from four flavors of frozen yogurt, and as many as three different toppings from the variety of fruits, candies, nuts, and sprinkles available.

Room service is also available.

Refillable mugs are $18.99 and can be purchased and refilled at Kalepa's Store (next to the main lobby), the Lava Shack, and One Paddle, Two Paddle.

At 7 acres in size, the Waikolohe Valley is the main recreation area for Aulani, and all kinds of activities take place there. "Waikolohe" means "waters of mischief" and the waters in the valley more than live up to their name.

The pool area is exclusively for the use by Aulani guests, who must visit the Kawele Korner booth near the pool each day and show their room key to get a new and different-colored wristband for the day. Each guest, whether child or adult, must show a room key. Pool towels are also available there.

Waikolohe Pool – The Waikolohe Pool is the main pool. It is a maximum of 3' 6" deep, with zero-entry access at one end. A large number of lounge chairs surround it.

Waikolohe Stream – this 900' lazy river follows a course around the upper part of the Waikolohe Valley. Tubes are available for those who wish to float on the slowly moving river. There is a zero-entry point near the beginning of the stream. Menehune are visible along the banks – and watch out for unexpected dowsings by those mischievous waters!

Pu'u Kilo Slides – there are two waterslides located at the top of the Pu'u Kilo volcano. Tubestone Curl is the tube slide – select a single or double tube at the bottom before climbing up the stairs to the slide. The slide dumps into a side tributary of the lazy river, so it's easy to just continue floating after coming down the slide. Volcanic Vertical is a body slide, and is almost all in the dark – not recommended for those with claustrophobia. It comes out in a grotto off to the side of the main Waikolohe Pool. Both slides are accessible only by stairs.

Menehune Bridge is an interactive water play area for kids 48" and under. There is a climbing structure with bridges and water flowing all over it, as well as three different slides. Mischievous menehune can be spotted all over the bridge, dumping water from gourds, pipes and other water containers onto those below. There's an outrigger canoe on top that gradually fills with water and periodically dumps the entire contents all at once (you'll hear the sound of a conch shell blowing just before it happens).

Wailana Pool is the "quiet" pool, located way off to the side of the valley next to the Waianae Tower. This pool is also 3' 6" deep with a zero-entry. Towels and chaise lounges are available at the pool.

Whirlpool Spas – there are four spas in Waikolohe Valley. The round and rapidly bubbling Caldera Spa is located above the Waikolohe Stream. The Waikolohe Spa is next to the pool, and has a hot water waterfall flowing into it. The large Sunset Spas – Sunset Upper and Sunset Lower – are at the very end of the valley just above the beach, and as the name suggests, they provide a great location for viewing the sunset.

Poolside cabanas – private cabanas are available to rent at both pools.

Rainbow Reef – is a self-contained saltwater snorkeling lagoon near the center of Waikolohe Valley. The 3,800 square foot lagoon contains a variety of fish that are native to Hawaiian waters, like butterflyfish, tang, and triggerfish. (And there are even some menehune in Rainbow Reef!) There is an additional charge to snorkel in Rainbow Reef: $20/day adult or $15/day child, or length-of-stay access is $39 for adults and $45 for kids. Guests are welcome to come and view the twice a day fish feedings.

Makai Preserve gives guests an opportunity to interact with several brown stingrays. The stingrays are in a Mickey-shaped pool and the guests stand next to it but are able to reach in and touch them. This experience is available by reservation only, $50 for adults and $45 for kids.

Menehune Adventure Trail – pick up a special cell phone at the Pau Hana Room that will allow you to communicate with Aunty as she helps you to explore some of the special surprises in the Waikolohe Valley. (You will be required to leave your room key as a deposit for the phone.) An adventure takes about 45 minutes, upon completion you may return the phone, or start a new adventure.

Po'la'ila'i Sunset Gathering – held most evenings at sunset, Uncle and his assistants welcome the night with a Hawaiian chant.

The Pau Hana Room (Community Hall) located on the bottom floor of the Ewa Tower, offers a variety activities. Board games and DVD rentals are available there. Almost every day a local Hawaiian artisan teaches some kind of hands-on craft activity, such as making leis or kukui nut necklaces, or feather work. There are also classes on the hula.

Mo'olelo Storytelling – where Uncle "talks story" and relates Hawaiian legends, or sings and plays his ukulele, is held several times a week in the Pau Hana Room or at The Circle or 'Alae'Ua Firepit near 'AMA 'AMA.

Fitness Center – The Mikimiki Fitness Center is located on the ground floor of the Waianae Tower next to the Laniwai Spa. The fitness center is free for use to all Aulani guests – simply use your room key for access.

Beach Activities – The Kohola Lagoon behind Aulani is a calm and sheltered body of water suitable for snorkeling, swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding. All of these items, as well as chaise lounges, are available for rent at Makiki Joe's Beach Rentals, located on the beach walkway just behind Aulani. Be aware that there is no lifeguard on duty at the lagoon.

Walking/Running Path – The beach path behind Aulani is a nice place for a morning walk or run. The entire path is about 1.5 miles long – Aulani is about 1.2 miles from the south end, and about .3 miles from the north end.

Advanced reservations can not be made for Top of the World Lounge. Space is offered on a first-come-first-served basis on any given day. Check-in takes place at a podium in the lobby of Bay Lake Tower. From here, you will be escorted to the 16th floor. Currently it is only open to Disney Vacation Club members staying at Bay Lake Tower on points. The lounge is not open to guests staying on a cash rental basis.

In addition to serving alcohol, the lounge serves appetizers such as flatbreads as well as other light snacks.

Breathtaking views can be had of the Wishes fireworks show from the 16th floor Fireworks Viewing Area adjacent to the Top of the World lounge. They can also be seen from rooms overlooking the Magic Kingdom. The Sky Bridge also boasts spectacular views of the festivities.

If you have a Magic Kingdom View room, you can listen to the music on your TV (currently Channel 20).

For all Disney transportation you must go to the Contemporary Resort. The covered bus depot is just outside the lobby of the Contemporary. The Monorail station is accessible via the 4th floor escalator in the Contemporary.

Magic Kingdom – The Magic Kingdom is the closest park to the Bay Lake Tower. Simply board the monorail at the station above the Contemporary's Grand Canyon Concourse for the ride to the park. You can also walk the short distance to the Magic Kingdom — simply cross the street (near the guard's entrance gate) and walk along the pathway. Careful, though, this is a busy intersection. At park closing time, walking will usually be your quickest and easiest way back to the resort.

Epcot – To get to Epcot take the monorail from the Contemporary to the Transportation & Ticket Center (TTC). At the TTC transfer to the Epcot monorail for the trip to the park. Bus transportation is also available at the Contemporary bus stop beginning 1 hour prior to park opening to one hour after the park closes. There is no separate bus stop for Bay Lake Tower, use the Contemporary's bus depot.

Disney's Hollywood Studios – There is a bus stop at the Contemporary where you can catch a bus to the Studios.

Animal Kingdom – There is a bus stop at the Contemporary where you can catch a bus to the Animal Kingdom.

Downtown Disney – Marketplace and Westside – Bus transportation to The Marketplace begins 30 minutes prior to opening (usually 9am) and the last bus returning to the Contemporary leaves at 12 midnight. There is no direct bus service to Westside. Take the bus to Pleasure Island then walk the remaining distance.

Grand Floridian Resort and the Polynesian Resort: The Resort Monorail circles Seven Seas Lagoon, stopping at the Transportation and Ticket Center, the Polynesian Resort, the Grand Floridian Resort, the Magic Kingdom, and returning to the Contemporary. It takes approximately 20 minutes to make the circle.

Fort Wilderness (for the Hoop Dee Doo Revue) & Wilderness Lodge/Villas: These resorts can be reached by taking a boat launch from the Contemporary's marina, which is located on the Bay Lake side of the resort. The small watercraft makes a circle between the three locations. Seasonally, a boat also runs between the Wilderness Lodge/Villas and the Contemporary Resort, ask at the front desk for hours of operation.

Other Disney resorts can be reached by taking a bus to Downtown Disney and then transferring to the bus for the resort you wish to visit. You can also walk to the Magic Kingdom bus station and select your desired resort.

Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach: The water parks can all be reached by bus which leaves the resort approximately 30 minutes prior to Water Park opening and run until the Water Park clears.

The clock radios have an IPod docking station.

Studio Villa – one quirky note is that the bathroom sink is opposite the kitchenette (microwave, coffee maker).

The bathrooms have sliding doors and do not lock. The bathroom off of the living quarters in the one-bedroom has a quarter inch gap running from floor to ceiling where the door meets the wall.

Hidden Mickeys – these are found throughout the resort and make for a great rainy-day activity! Hint: when crossing the lobby bridge, look down.

Groceries – The Fantasia Market located in the Contemporary sells frozen foods, wine, chips and baked goods. Candy, magazines, souvenirs, and other consumables are also available.

Taxis – Cabs are readily available in front of the Contemporary.

Internet Service – High speed internet access is available in guest rooms. If you are a Disney Vacation Club member the Internet service is no charge.

There are 167 miles of post-tensioning cable running through the concrete slabs. These cables could stretch from Bay Lake Tower to Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and back.

There are 1,398 tons of reinforcing steel, known as rebar, within the structure. This is equal to the weight of 254 full-grown elephants.

Bay Lake Tower rests on a foundation of more than 800 concrete piles that are 16” in diameter and extend 70’ into the ground. Stacked on top of one another, these would reach more than 10 miles into the sky.

Although demolition of the North Garden Wing of the Contemporary began in the spring of 2007 and construction began in the summer of 2007; it wasn't until September 16, 2008, that the Disney Vacation Club officially announced Bay Lake Tower!

Owners of Bay Lake Tower were able to begin making reservations on February 8, 2009. All other Disney Vacation Club members began making reservations on February 22, 2009.