Aulani Resort Will Plan to Begin a Phased Reopening on November 1

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

Aloha! Great news Disney fans! Aulani Resort is planning to begin their phased reopening on November1, 2020. Check out all the details as shared below by Disney.

Over the past several months we have enjoyed sharing some Aulani Resort magic with you at home. We shared peaceful scenes from the resort to help you find your Zen, an inside look at Aulani Resort, Cast Member performances of hula at home and celebrated national Lū‘au Month. Through it all, we have looked forward to welcoming families back to our vacation paradise when the time was right, and today we’d like to share our plans with you. 

Credit: Disney

Given Hawaii’s recent announcement of a pre-arrival testing program for those traveling from out-of-state, we are working toward a phased reopening of Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa beginning on Sunday, November 1. And just like our other Disney destinations that have re-opened, we are using a measured approach that focuses on the health and safety of our guests, cast and community. 

Our gradual, phased approach to reopening considers the guidance of local and national government and health authorities, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as the U.S. Travel Association and Disney’s team of health and safety experts. This deliberate approach allows us to evaluate and adjust along the way, as circumstances and the recommendations of health authorities evolve. 

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa Cancels Reservations Through September

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

With a reopening date still yet to be announced, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa has cancelled reservations through the month of September.

Disney sent this message to guests, noting that their room reservation cancellation penalties would be waived for those affected.

Aulani Resort remains closed and a reopening date has not been identified. We will continue to follow guidelines from government and health officials as we plan our reopening.  

As a result, reservations at the resort throughout the month of September will be cancelled. We understand that some guests may have reservations booked at Aulani Resort during this time. For stays occurring during the month of September, room reservations can be cancelled and Disney will waive Disney-imposed room reservation cancellation penalties.

Upon reopening, Aulani Resort rooms, restaurants and other locations may be limited in capacity and subject to restricted availability or closure based on direction from health experts and government officials to promote physical distancing. Furthermore, experiences, services and amenities may be modified, have limited availability or may remain closed. Offerings are not guaranteed. Aulani Resort reserves the right to cancel any reservations or purchases and provide applicable refunds.

The resort closed on March 24th due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last month, reservations through August were cancelled.

Currently, guests can save up to 35% on select rooms for stays of 5 or more consecutive nights most nights October 1st through November 22nd and November 28th through December 21st, 2020, with check-out no later than December 22nd, 2020, when booked by October 24th through the resort’s Summer and Fall Offer.

Aulani Resort in Hawaii Donates Fresh Food To Community

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

How does pineapple, sweet rolls, potatoes, cookies, and even ti leaves sound? Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii is closed but the magic is still flowing! The Aulani Resort is donating fresh food to the surround community. Check out the details below from DisneyParksBlog:

The bountiful fresh food normally enjoyed by Aulani Resort guests won’t go to waste during Aulani’s temporary closure. That’s because it will be used to feed the community through a donation made to Aloha Harvest, a food collection and redistribution organization located on Oahu. Over the past week, Aulani Resort has donated approximately 7,000 pounds of perishable food to Aloha Harvest, which delivers it the same day to social service agencies across the island to help feed those in need.

“Donations like this are so important during times of uncertainty,” said Aloha Harvest Executive Director “Phil” Augustus Acosta. “This food helps ensure that people who are already faced with hunger continue to receive resources.”

The donation included fresh fruit and vegetables such as pineapples, watermelons, lemons, lettuce and onions, bread and milk products, as well as treats such as cupcakes, cookies and popcorn.

“Over the past nine years, Aulani Resort has contributed to the community in a number of ways. That’s why during these unprecedented times, this donation was the kindest and most heartwarming decision to make,” said Aulani Resort General Manager Kimberly Agas. 

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa Will Close Beginning March 25th Due To Coronavirus

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

The Disney Vacation Club Coronavirus (COVID-19) Travel Alert was updated yesterday (March 21, 2020) to now include the closure of the stunning Hawaiian Disney Resort and Spa, Aulani. See the details below as shared in the DVC Travel Alert:

Disney Vacation Club continues to make timely decisions, based on guidance of health agencies and our medical teams, and adjust its COVID-19 precautionary measures for the safety of its Members, Guests and Cast Members.

In line with state guidance, in an abundance of caution and in the best interest of our Guests and Cast Members, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa will close beginning at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, March 24, through Tuesday, March 31. This will give Disney Vacation Club Members and Guests the time to make necessary travel arrangements or book alternative accommodations.

Disney temporarily closed its Resort hotels at Walt Disney World Resort, including all Disney Vacation Club properties, as well as Disney’s Vero Beach Resort and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, effective Friday, March 20, through the end of the month.

The beautiful Aulani has 351 hotel rooms and 481 Disney Vacation Club timeshare villas. Reservations for guests who had booked hotel rooms from March 24-31 will automatically be canceled, according to the advisory. Change and cancellation fees will be waived through June 30.

See details here via the DVC Travel Alert webpage.

Duffy’s New Friend, CookieAnn Makes Debut @ Aulani Disney Resort and Spa

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Do you know Duffy? Duffy is Mickey Mouse’s cuddly teddy bear that Minnie gave him so he could travel the world without being lonely. Duffy used to be available for a meet and greet in Epcot but hasn’t been seen in any of the Walt Disney World parks recently. It is exciting however that Aulani Disney Resort and Spa is embracing Disney fans’ love for Duffy by introducing his new friend, CookieAnn. Check out CookieAnn’s story below from DisneyParksBlog:

We’re thrilled to share some wonderful news for fans of Duffy and his friends. CookieAnn, Duffy’s creative, food-loving friend, has arrived on Oʻahu to bring her recipe for friendship to Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa.

In an Aulani-exclusive outfit that celebrates her imaginative spirit, CookieAnn showcases her passion for the culinary arts in a pretty pink outfit adorned with a colorful sweet treat motif. Her look is topped off with her signature chef’s hat, with a beautiful pink flower inspired by the flowers of Hawaiʻi.

So, how did Duffy’s inventive friend arrive at Aulani Resort? Here’s the story of how CookieAnn came to bring her delicious recipes and creative spirit to Hawaiʻi.

Duffy and his friends were planning a lūʻau to welcome CookieAnn, who loves to put things together to create something new and interesting, like delightful recipes and desserts. Duffy and his friends decorated with beautiful flowers like plumerias and prepared snacks and fruits that are enjoyed in Hawaiʻi.

As soon as she arrives, CookieAnn is fascinated by so many things she had never seen or smelled, such as pretty flowers, tropical fruits and a never-ending blue ocean.

All these sights and scents inspired CookieAnn to decorate plain cupcakes with blue icing, slices of star fruit and mango, and a plumeria flower to create a tropical cupcake.

Duffy and his friends are all excited that CookieAnn shared her liking of Hawaiʻi in such a delectable way. They all enjoyed the cupcakes and the special time of friendship together.

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