Post #607419 by tigertail777 on Mon, Sep 19, 2011 11:30 PM

Great photos Vantiki. That place looks awesome. Regarding your question of why the Hawaii theme in Hawaii: I went to both Maui and Oahu several years ago for a friends wedding, even though I was born in Honolulu and had not been back since I was little I was HORRIFIED of what had become of the place. It was to me like someone had plopped Las Vegas on island... the only part I did enjoy was the windward side of the island mainly due to the Polynesian Cultural Center, and the unspoilt areas. Maui was much better in my opinion because it was not so overly developed. I looked in the town area of Honolulu for areas that had an older island vibe and could not really find much...maybe that is just because I was a tourist and didn't know where to look.

So that is my long winded way of saying, I think there is a niche for people like me who want a more "authentic" Hawaiian experience than what is currently being offered by the majority of the developed part of the island. Something that harkens back to the kind of paradise we are all told Hawaii was, (or at least I was told, and saw lots of old slides growing up).

Now the big question for me about Aulani is: are there any tikis anywhere at all? :tiki:

And as a Disney fan, I generally feel I can trust Disney to provide the experience I am looking for down to every detail. DCA was a misfire; I think the idea COULD have worked had they utilized the old California theme in such a way that portrayed things of California's past that are now long gone, or were fantasy and gave them an interesting new spin. Still think they should have had a full Zorro "land" with a dark ride...but I an getting off topic so I'll stop there.:wink: