Would you rent a cabana in adult area or the Kamaka Grotto Area?

scottmel

<font color=darkorchid>Does my logic in my origina
Joined
Jul 28, 2002
We will be there in July, we are not real swimmers/beach people but have some beach time planned in Waikiki. My resort day at Aulani will be pretty much just enjoying the resort. I am not much of a sunbather and do like my shade hence the thought of the cabana. My DD18 will be with us so we qualify for the adult pool. Is this far away from all the other pools we might want to use? Is Kamaka better situated or is the resort not that sprawling that anything is much of a walk? I have read that seating is NOT a challenge to get in the adult pool area but again I enjoy the shade etc. and maybe adult pool too remote from the other activities? Thanks!
 
The adult pool area is awful. Really pathetic. It's stuck in the far corners and looks like a pool area from a Motel 6. We couldn't believe it. All that's missing was a chain link fence and a concrete parking lot on the other side. I expect SO much more from a Disney resort, let alone Aulani in Hawaii.

We did one walk through because we expected it to be as awesome as the rest of the pool area, and that was it. We just left and said "well, that's that."
Highlight--no kids. But I'd rather deal with some kids than be sequestered in an area that looks like an afterthought.
 
The adult pool area is awful. Really pathetic. It's stuck in the far corners and looks like a pool area from a Motel 6. We couldn't believe it. All that's missing was a chain link fence and a concrete parking lot on the other side. I expect SO much more from a Disney resort, let alone Aulani in Hawaii.

We did one walk through because we expected it to be as awesome as the rest of the pool area, and that was it. We just left and said "well, that's that."
Highlight--no kids. But I'd rather deal with some kids than be sequestered in an area that looks like an afterthought.

I appreciate the feedback. Based on the other cabanas is the kamaka a desirable area with no small kids to watch?
 
I definitely see what PP is saying about the adult pool area, although I wouldn't be as harsh on it! lol! That said, I do agree that the cabanas in that area are tucked in the corner. So they're quiet and the most private, at least. Relatively close to restrooms, the bar, and Ulu Cafe. Not far from the infinity edge pool with the grotto thing either. Nothing is a terribly far walk, though, if you make that cabana your home base.

We grabbed chairs on the deck in front of Ama Ama each morning and just walked to the lazy river, main pool and adult pool. We found the infinity edge pool to be crowded and the adult pool was covered with shade before the other pools - which may be good for you if you're not sunbathers (we are!).

have some beach time planned in Waikiki.

I will caution that Waikiki Beach is pretty busy, from what we saw. Not a ton of shade and kind of crowded. If you're not typically beach people, you might get fed up there quickly. We didn't bother with the beach in Waikiki because there was too much else to see and do in that area. IMO, the beach at Aulani, even though its on the lagoon and not true ocean, was much better. Easier to swim in as well. If you want a beautiful beach on the ocean though - KAILUA!!! I wish we had planned a day there!
 


I definitely see what PP is saying about the adult pool area, although I wouldn't be as harsh on it! lol! That said, I do agree that the cabanas in that area are tucked in the corner. So they're quiet and the most private, at least. Relatively close to restrooms, the bar, and Ulu Cafe. Not far from the infinity edge pool with the grotto thing either. Nothing is a terribly far walk, though, if you make that cabana your home base.

We grabbed chairs on the deck in front of Ama Ama each morning and just walked to the lazy river, main pool and adult pool. We found the infinity edge pool to be crowded and the adult pool was covered with shade before the other pools - which may be good for you if you're not sunbathers (we are!).



I will caution that Waikiki Beach is pretty busy, from what we saw. Not a ton of shade and kind of crowded. If you're not typically beach people, you might get fed up there quickly. We didn't bother with the beach in Waikiki because there was too much else to see and do in that area. IMO, the beach at Aulani, even though its on the lagoon and not true ocean, was much better. Easier to swim in as well. If you want a beautiful beach on the ocean though - KAILUA!!! I wish we had planned a day there!

THanks! My husband was a hard sell on Aulani. He is a huge Disney fan as well but was really turned off with the lagoon. He likes to body surf etc. with waves and the lagoon reminds us of a local lake near us. Hence my promise of Waikiki swimming. Even if just for 2 evenings he will be fine! Tansk for the heads up. I will check out Kailua! I have a free day planned at Aulani. I know they are only good for one resort day my family so having Kailua could be perfect. Thanks again.

did you notice the other cabanas there besides the adult pool? trying to find out which one to request...thanks!
 
We love the Adult pool. Being off in a secluded area is exactly what we seek. Its got a very convenient bar. The pool itself is very nice too.
 
did you notice the other cabanas there besides the adult pool? trying to find out which one to request...thanks!
We had a cabana not far from the adult pool area. While it was nice, we didn't feel the need to repeat the experience.
 


We love the adult pool, too. While true that it has no bells and whistles, that is part of the attraction. It is a truly quiet pool. You can see some of the bustle in the distance but are not part of it.

We were also fans of the cabanas in that area. We rented one most days of our last trip.
 
We enjoyed the adult pool area. It is tucked into the side but we always found there to be plenty of loungers and umbrellas and the pool was often empty. I'm not sure if a cabana would be necessary in that area if you're just using it for shade. Having said that we've never got a cabana anywhere on property. Also, you can't see the ocean really from there so we usually did not spend our entire time there.
 
THanks! My husband was a hard sell on Aulani. He is a huge Disney fan as well but was really turned off with the lagoon. He likes to body surf etc. with waves and the lagoon reminds us of a local lake near us. Hence my promise of Waikiki swimming. Even if just for 2 evenings he will be fine! Tansk for the heads up. I will check out Kailua! I have a free day planned at Aulani. I know they are only good for one resort day my family so having Kailua could be perfect. Thanks again.

He will love Waikiki for bodysurfing, if there is enough space (as @nkereina said, it can get very crowded)

Kailua is so amazing, really one of the worlds most gorgeous beaches and well worth a day (or two) BUT because it is actually a very large wide shallow bay, you dont always get huge waves for bodysurfing, they are a more gentle wave. Still fun if they are there but I wouldnt hit Kailua expecting them. You see a lot of people kite surfing and ocean kayaking here because it is so calm.

You guys are going in July so the waves up on the North Shore should be swimmable and really really fun to body surf. Sunset Beach is AMAZING for this in the summer and there are other places up and along the North Shore that are great too. You can easily make a day of early morning snorkelling at Sharks Cove or Three tables, lunch at a food truck or Ted's Bakery and an afternoon at Sunset or even Waimea Bay if the conditions are mild.
 
I agree with @alohamom about the North Shore. If Kailua isn't ideal for body surfing and the north shore is, then that would definitely be my pick. We spent a day in Haleiwa and wished we had more time!
 
I would recommend considering he executive lanai instead of a cabana--the only drawback being it's very sunny in the afternoon. We did both a cabana and the executive lanai and much preferred the latter! It's also cheaper.
 
I would recommend considering he executive lanai instead of a cabana--the only drawback being it's very sunny in the afternoon. We did both a cabana and the executive lanai and much preferred the latter! It's also cheaper.

In addition to being cheaper, I also think the executive lanai is more conveniently located. It's between the beach and main pool so easy access to both, and pretty close to Off the Hook. The only drawback, IMO, is that it's not as private as the cabanas are. The entrance to the executive lanai is off one of the main stairwells that goes down to the beach, so there will be people passing by all day long. The other drawback is that there is only one executive lanai so it may be harder to reserve.
 
The adult pool area is nice and quiet but it could have been in my backyard. It's the only pool without a view. the quiet was nice and we could always find a chair, but no Hawaii feel at all.
 
The adult pool area is nice and quiet but it could have been in my backyard. It's the only pool without a view. the quiet was nice and we could always find a chair, but no Hawaii feel at all.
Let me second that when you say "no view," you mean mean NONE. Like, almost totally surrounded by walls, and not Disneyfied creatures-in-the-rocks walls. Just walls. It was really dull.
 

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