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OK, so what is Aulani actually like?

Image: Disney

Alright, enough of the history lesson. Let's get down to what you really want to know: Is this place really as magical as I've heard? The answer is yes, yes it is. I mean, look at this:

Imagineering genius Joe Rohde is a talented man, but not even he could design something that looks quite like that. That's the natural beauty of Hawaii. Granted, the parts that Disney actually did design aren't too shabby either:

The first thing guests will encounter at the resort is its grand and magnificent lobby – a kind of cross between Disney's Polynesian Village Resort and Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. While the rest of the resort is, indeed, stunning and luxurious, the lobby has an artistic quality all its own. Its high arching roof and open-air feel make it the perfect place to begin the Aulani story: One rooted in Hawaiian history and culture, but also relaxation.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the lobby is its impressive collection of Hawaiian art. Disney claims it has “one of the world's largest private collections,” and it's hard not to believe such a statement with one look around the entryway.

One of the lobby's most impressive murals was created by an artist named Martin Charlot, and features masculine and feminine sections designed to showcase, as Disney says, “the works of men and women in traditional Hawaiian life.”

Image: Disney

The tension between the masculine and feminine is an important theme both in Hawaiian culture and at Aulani. Several works of art explore this relationship, from the aforementioned mural to the massive sculptures that greet guests upon their entrance to the resort.

Beyond just the art within it, the lobby also serves an important role architecturally. Throughout the resort's construction, Disney committed to using Aulani to tell the story of Hawaii in its entirety: From the mountains, to the valleys, and out to the sea. As such, the lobby came to represent the mountains – its verticality echoing the dramatic topography inland.

The heart of the resort, the massive and lush pool complex, came to represent the island's valley, with the lobby and towering resort structures calling to mind the mountains off in the distance.

And then the beach – well, they didn't have to do much to make that feel special.

Image: Disney

When nerds like us talk about the Disney difference, this is what we're talking about – a commitment to storytelling that extends way beyond what you'd notice immediately, and obsesses over the things you could really only perceive subconsciously. That's what sets Disney – and by extension, Aulani – apart: They don't just want you to feel relaxed, they want you to feel relaxed while never once forgetting the magical location you've traveled to.

Of course, all of that obsession with the minutiae isn't really what draws the guests in. For that, there's also the usual amazing Disney attractions: Everything from charming character shows, to thrilling water slides, and delicious dining experiences all right there on site. Some have compared Aulani to a Disney Cruise that just happens to be on land – and that's a pretty apt comparison.

The resort has a handful of dining options, the pick of which is the high brow 'Ama 'Ama, which serves modern interpretations of classic Hawaiian cuisine. While many of the island flavors and garnish options will seem exotic to some travelers, the experience isn't so out of the ordinary that mainlanders will feel uneasy.

Image: Disney

But while Disney has always been great about keeping guests on their property, they understand that many guests will want to experience Hawaii outside the Disney bubble – and, in keeping with the grand cruise line tradition, they've offered excursion packages for that very purpose. Visitors can do nearly anything: Visit a local ranch, take a sightseeing helicopter ride, tee off at one of the many resort golf courses nearby. There are plenty of ways to enjoy Hawaii, and the excursions are there to help you find something to do. Or, alternatively, there's a rental car site on property, giving you the option of exploring the island yourself.

Essentially, Disney has built its most magical theme park at Aulani, only the forgot the theme park part. If you love the feeling of walking into a deluxe Disney resort, but have always wanted to visit Hawaii, you're in luck: Disney went ahead and combined the two experiences for you. How nice of them.   

What does this mean about the future of Disney vacations?

Image: Disney

Disney has knocked it out of the park with Aulani, creating a vacation destination in an exotic land that is beautiful, luxurious, and respectful of its local culture. And so, it's hard not to ask what's next for the company.

Remember: The goal of the Walt Disney Company since the turn of the millennium has been to capture an ever-growing share of vacationers' money. As much as Disney is in the filmmaking business – and make no mistake: After the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Pixar, and Star Wars, they definitely still are – travel and tourism is an ever-increasing asset in their portfolio.

So, how do they get bigger? Well, there are a few ways – but the biggest is already underway.

Image: Disney

Have you heard the best kept Disney secret? I'll give you a hint: It's actually the worst secret Disney has ever kept. It's their timeshare program, Disney Vacation Club – and it's where Disney thinks it can win the vacation game.

Timeshares have long had a bad reputation for charging large fees for limited flexibility and stringent rules. The Disney Vacation Club has largely escaped this bad reputation because, while it is a large expense, it provides enough flexibility for travel to a location guests tend to visit year in and year out. And, the more flexibility Disney can give its Vacation members, the more people will likely join the ranks.

For a long time, DVC members were really only able to use their memberships to book resort stays at Walt Disney World, but that portfolio has now expanded to include hotels in South Carolina, the East Coast of Florida, Disneyland, and now, Hawaii. And, if you need proof that DVC has been an overwhelming success, you need only look as far as Bay Lake, where the shores are now home to construction of the newest DVC property: Lakeside cabins at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

Image: Disney

Disney has been ramping up its investment in DVC properties, and that is not going to slow down. As long as memberships keep flying off the shelves, they'll keep building new resorts, enabling transfers to Disney Cruise Line and Adventures by Disney, and doing everything they can to make sure that they're the first people you think of when you want to travel somewhere. Don't be surprised if Disney announces another stand-alone resort in another exotic location, recreating the Aulani magic somewhere else.

And so, Aulani is important not just because of its wonderful homage to local culture, its beautiful and luxurious design, or its unique Disney magic: It's important because it shows that the Disney vacation model can work even when there's no theme park in sight. That means Disney can really start getting ambitious about taking you places you've never been before -- and when you consider how well they've done creating a Hawaiian resort, that's something to be pretty excited about.

 
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Comments

While politically it is part of the US, it is geographically not part of any continent. It is considered an archipelago.

I'm sorry but Hawaii IS part of North America - politically. It is not on the North American continent in a geographical sense; officially it is not 100% part of any continent, although saying Oceania wouldn't be incorrect. To say that Hawaii isn't in North America in any sense (like the fact in the opening paragraph implies) is simply incorrect.

Besides an unclear opening statement, nice article.

This is, to me, one of the best articles this page has ever posted. It's funny, yet informative and it's on a great subject- Aulani. Keep them coming guys!

Hawaii is part of North America...

In reply to by Larry2 (not verified)

Hawaii is part of THE UNITED STATES, it is NOT part of North America.

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