StarBulletin.com

Disney picks Aulani as new resort name


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POSTED: Wednesday, January 20, 2010

The Walt Disney Co. has a name for Oahu's new resort: Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawaii.

Disney, which unveiled the official name yesterday, also launched a new Web site, www.DisneyAulani.com, to provide updates on the resort currently under construction.

The first phase of the resort is scheduled to open in fall 2011.

In Hawaiian, “;aulani”; means “;the place that speaks for the great ones”; or “;the place that speaks with deep messages.”;

“;We want this resort destination to reflect the vibrant culture that surrounds it,”; said Joe Rohde, a senior vice president at Walt Disney Imagineering. “;The name 'Aulani' expresses a connection to tradition and deep storytelling, and its roots are here in this land. We're so grateful to the local Hawaiians who led us to the discovery of this name, and our goal is to live up to its meaning.”;

Aulani, which will offer 360 hotel rooms and 481 time-share villas, is under construction on 21 acres of oceanfront property at Ko Olina Resort.

The Walt Disney Imagineering team worked with local architects and cultural experts over the past year in coming up with the resort's village-style design.

Amenities include pools, a saltwater snorkeling lagoon, hot tubs facing the sunset, and a variety of kids' club and other play programs. The highlight is a river running through a specially created volcanic outcropping suitable for tube floating.

The resort will also offer a wedding lawn, two restaurants, an 18,000-square-foot spa designed for families, a 14,545-square-foot conference center and plenty of outdoor venues.

“;We are looking forward to welcoming guests to Aulani to share the fun, immersive family vacation experiences Disney is known for combined with the beauty and culture of Hawaii,”; said Djuan Rivers, vice president of Disney Vacation Club and Resort, Hawaii.

“;We are turning to Hawaiian culture for inspiration in everything we are doing, and we hope our guests will enter into living relationships with Disney, the unique culture of Hawaii and with its diverse people.”;