| Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaiʻi | |
|---|---|
| Aulani Resort in August, 2011 | |
| Address | 92-1185 Aliʻinui Drive, Kapolei, HI 96707 |
| Hotel chain | Walt Disney Parks and Resorts |
| Opening date | August 29, 2011 |
| Owner | The Walt Disney Company |
| Rooms | 359 hotel rooms 460 Disney Vacation Club Villas, including 21 Grand Villas |
| Suites | 16 |
| Restaurants | 4 |
| Website | Official website |
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa is a beachside hotel, resort and vacation destination at the Ko Olina Resort & Marina in Kapolei on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Part of the Disney Vacation Club, it is the third Disney Vacation Club Resort located outside of a Disney theme park property. The resort opened on August 29, 2011.
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Initially announced in October 2007,[1] Disney unveiled the resort's name in January 2010. The project was estimated to cost $800 million and eventually generate about 1,000 jobs at the resort. The project is managed by Disney Vice-President Djuan Rivers,[2] who said he was committed to integrating environmentally friendly initiatives into the resort.[3]
Walt Disney Imagineers collaborated with local architects and cultural experts to design and construct what will celebrate the customs and tradition of Hawaii.[4] Disney characters including Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be seen at the resort, however unlike at theme parks where they act as hosts, at Aulani they will be presented as fellow guests.[5]
There are four room categories from studios to grand villas: two full-service restaurants, a buffet eatery, two lounges, and two pool-side "shacks" that serve beverages and pūpū's. The grounds include a 8,200 square feet (760 m2) pool complex that includes two slides, a lazy river and an artificial snorkeling lagoon.[6] Other amenities include Disney kids' club custom-planned activities and adventures, a spa encompassed 18,000 square feet (1,700 m2) and a 15,000 square feet (1,400 m2) conference center with approximately 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) of outdoor venues.
The resort began timeshare sales in July 2010, and began taking room reservations in August 2010.[7][8] On August 12, 2011, Disney suspended Aulani timeshare sales indefinitely and fired three executives, including Disney Vacation Club president Jim Lewis, after senior management realized that the annual dues had been set too low to cover maintenance costs.[9]