Aulani | challenge4

Aulani - A Disney Resort and Spa Expansion

Backstory
In 2011, Walt Disney Imagineers designed and opened Aulani - A Disney Resort and Spa, located in Ko Olina on the coast of O'ahu. The resort was influenced by the old fable tales of ancient Hawaii, and blended a mix of culture and entertainment into this getaway vacation destination.

In the 2020s however, O'ahu has become over-saturated with the same type of resorts, all trying to emulate the Hawaiian cultural feel. Disney's Aulani Resort therefore suffered as a result, as aside from the Disney name, guest feedback results indicated that it didn't feel like a Disney vacation, and that other locations offered the same amenities and location as Aulani for a better value. Also guest feedback results claimed that there wasn't enough to do on property, and guests ended up spending most of their vacation elsewhere on the island.

It was then determined by Walt Disney Imagineering that a paramount factor into any sort of Aulani refurbishment had to be a way in which to make it not only stand out among the competition, but to offer something the competition cannot, a touch of Disney magic. In order to not only keep guests on location, but give them the unique offering they deserve, that an expansion and refurbishment to the resort was in order.

Expansion Map

While the resort infrastructure will remain largely in tact, the Waikolohe Valley pool area will be expanded into a full-fledged water park, offering more activities for guests during their stay on property. In addition, the Halawai Lawn will be re-purposed into Pineapple Farms, giving a more personal and aesthetic poignancy to a open area on property. Lastly there will be other addition activities throughout the resort that will give guests the Disney touch they request.

Waikolohe Valley Pool Expansion

Pohaku Mountain

Pohaku in Hawaiian means "rock", or "stone" and Pohaku Mountain is the hub of the Waikolohe Valley expansion at Disney's Aulani Resort. Home to many of Disney's tropical island "Ohana" of characters, here you can ride a first of its kind water slide with Lilo and Stitch, sail the seas with Moana, and much more - in order to add the "Disney" touch that no other resort in Hawaii can produce.

Lilo and Stitch Adventure!
Presented by Dole

Welcome to Lilo and Stitch Adventure, the crown jewel of the New Aulani expansion. This ride is a first of its kind water slide/dark ride hybrid exclusive to Aulani. Here, guests will ride along to the story of Lilo and Stitch, with special effects, screens, AA's, indoor and outdoor scenes, and many thrills!

Facade:
Since the ride is mainly indoors, the building will be hidden behind foliage which will be the setting for the outdoors portions. You will enter the line on a specially marked beach and grab your tube.

Vehicle:
You will ride in a 2x2 water slide tube with handle bars on the sides, holding 4 people at a time.

Queue:
The queue will lead from the beach into the forest of palm trees, where you twist and turn until you reach the loading dock, which is a wooden dock. On your way, make sure to look out for some Experiments causing a ruckus!

Ride Experience:

Scene 1:
Right after you embark, you will cruise around in the bright Hawaiian sun for 2 minutes and going up a 40 foot hill a la Splash Mountain. Be sure to look out for some Easter Eggs referencing the movie!

Scene 2:
You take a small 10 foot dip and enter the show building. You will pass Lilo's house and see her and Stitch playing in the front yard. They wave to you and invite you to come to Hula lessons, which you happily oblige to.

Scene 3:
You enter the dance studio and see the girls dancing all around you, putting on quite a show. Then Stitch bumps into Mertle, and he and Lilo are kicked out of the lesson.

Scene 4:
You pass Lilo and Stitch running down the main road in their town, and Stitch climbs on the Ice Cream Man, knocking his cone down.

Scene 5:
You turn the corner and see Gantu chewing out Jumba and Pleakley for not fining Experiment 626 yet, and that they have until the end of the day to retrieve him and bring him to their ship.

Scene 6:
You are in the forest with Lilo and Stitch, when suddenly Stitch is captured by Jamba! Lilo then chases after him, and we follow in pursuit.

Scene 7:
You hear Lilo yell "Hurry up! We have to get Stitch baaaaaaack!", and when the back kicks in we dive down a 25 foot hill and into a dark water coaster section, where all we can hear is Lilo's screams, but they are drowned out by the guests.

Scene 8:
After the 20 second coaster section, we emerge and see Gantu's ship looming largely in the near distance. Obviously, we head towards it and up the ramp.

Scene 9:
After entering the ship, we pass many other Experiments in vials.

Scene 10:
We have a face to face encounter with Gantu, who starts his ship and "flies" away.
Scene 11: We pass Lilo, Pleakley, and Jumba freeing Stitch, and they alert us to head to the rear because there is an emergency exit.

Scene 12:
We reach the exit and hear everyone yell "Jump!!" while Gantu screams in disgust. The hatch opens and we drop down into a swerving slide and eventual 40 foot drop back to the land.

Scene 13:
We see Lilo, Stitch, Pleakley, and Jumba in front of Lilo's house, and they wave us goodbye.

Guests exit the building and stop at a similar dock as the one you boarded at, and then exit and are led into the gift shop.

Moana

With the recent success of 2016's Moana and sequels on the way, your new favorite Disney princess has made a home here at Aulani resort and she's brought some fun adventures along as well!

Maui Storm Slides
Climb up and inside Pohaku Mountain for a 50 ft drop as you race your friends and family down the mountain in to a slashdown landing.

Waialiki Rafts
Board a family raft ride down from the peak of Pohaku Mountain with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean as you make your descent among steep turns and sudden drops.

Oceania Cove
A small area at the base of Pohaku Mountain with kid-friendly slides and activities.

"I Lava You" - Aquatic Jewelry and Pearl Shop

Located in Pohaku Mountain facing the outer path that goes around the resort complex is this quaint gift-shop themed to the popular Pixar short, Lava. The volcano face can be seen above the store front as you walk in and find a variety of Hawaiian Jewelry and pearls as well as unique merchandise from the Pixar short itself.

Pineapple Farms

Adding to the asthetics and activities of Aulani, a Pinapple Farm was grown on the Halawai Lawn. Guests looking to unwind and relax and find a spot under a palm tree and gaze out at the ocean. Or you and your family can go Pineapple picking throughout the landscape as a fun family activity during your stay. There are also historical tours that take place in Pineapple Farms that explore the cultural significance of hala kahitis (Hawaiian for pineapples) to Hawaiian tradition.

Conclusion
With these new additions, Aulani will have a re-imagined sense of wonder, friendly activities, and excitement to please the whole family. There's much more to do at Disney's Aulani Resort and Spa...Aloha and we'll see you there!