UGH- I am so frustrated! I have been planning a family vacation for DH, DS 14, and myself to Hawaii this upcoming Memorial Day- we will be starting our trip in Maui at the Marriott in Wailea and then headed to Oahu for a week. The plan was to spend 5 nights at Aulani and then 2 nights on the North Shore.
Last night my husband came home all excited that he was able to get a 1 bedroom at Marriott Vacation Club in Ko Olina for our entire stay on points and that there would be no cost. While I understand the value of free- I am so bummed. I really want to stay at Aulani. DH is sort of drawing a line in the sand on this (which he rarely does) and says there is no way to justify spending 3k for a smaller room on the same beach just for Disney themeing. Mind you, we are big Disney fans and annual passholders at WDW (we live in Orlando)- so this stance really shocked me. DH is stating that we can go to the Luau at Aulani, or have dinner, and get a similar experience. What is even more shocking is my DS fully agreed with him and is ecstatic at the thought of having his own space/tv (albeit the living room sleeper sofa) and a kitchen!
I am definitely outnumbered on this one, and don't feel like I am going to win the battle. I am really disappointed and hate feeling like I am going to be missing out of the experience of Aulani. Am I being ridiculous? I do understand its a lot of money and that I should be truly excited about having this as an option (who wouldn't want a free week in Hawaii)- however, with that said, this was not what we had been planning and I just feel so thrown off. Living on the East Coast, we probably will not be back to Hawaii for awhile so its not like we will be doing this again in the near future. Is DH right? Do you think we can get an "Aulani feel" by visiting for a meal or the spa- if so, is there a particular experience that would be best?
Last night my husband came home all excited that he was able to get a 1 bedroom at Marriott Vacation Club in Ko Olina for our entire stay on points and that there would be no cost. While I understand the value of free- I am so bummed. I really want to stay at Aulani. DH is sort of drawing a line in the sand on this (which he rarely does) and says there is no way to justify spending 3k for a smaller room on the same beach just for Disney themeing. Mind you, we are big Disney fans and annual passholders at WDW (we live in Orlando)- so this stance really shocked me. DH is stating that we can go to the Luau at Aulani, or have dinner, and get a similar experience. What is even more shocking is my DS fully agreed with him and is ecstatic at the thought of having his own space/tv (albeit the living room sleeper sofa) and a kitchen!
I am definitely outnumbered on this one, and don't feel like I am going to win the battle. I am really disappointed and hate feeling like I am going to be missing out of the experience of Aulani. Am I being ridiculous? I do understand its a lot of money and that I should be truly excited about having this as an option (who wouldn't want a free week in Hawaii)- however, with that said, this was not what we had been planning and I just feel so thrown off. Living on the East Coast, we probably will not be back to Hawaii for awhile so its not like we will be doing this again in the near future. Is DH right? Do you think we can get an "Aulani feel" by visiting for a meal or the spa- if so, is there a particular experience that would be best?
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