The first guests of Disney’s new resort on Oahu arrived on Monday before the crack of dawn to witness a sunrise ceremony to open the 840-unit luxury hotel and time-share complex at Ko Olina Resort & Marina.
Kahulu De Santos, Aulani’s cultural adviser, delivered an oli, or chant in Hawaiian, to express aloha to guests and staff in attendance.
Tom Staggs, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in Florida, also made welcoming remarks. "We are thrilled to open our doors and invite guests from around the world to experience Aulani," he said in a statement. "This resort is a unique and exciting project that combines the magic and storytelling of Disney with the rich culture and beautiful scenery of Hawaii. It is the ultimate family paradise with a touch of Disney magic."
Disney did not say how many guests booked stays Monday.
ABOUT AULANI
A few facts about Disney’s new Aulani Resort, which opened Monday at the Ko Olina Resort & Marina:
» Hotel room rates: $399 to $1,340 per night; kamaaina discount is 25 percent subject to room availability
» Access for non-hotel guests: Restaurants and retail are open to the public, but not pools and other entertainment amenities
» Parking: Hotel guests $35 per day; visitors free with $35 purchase
» Employees: 1,200 at full employment, though the present staff totals 875
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Aulani is opening in phases. Yesterday, an initial 217 hotel units and 73 time-share units were operating along with all amenities including water features, restaurants, retail stores and a spa. The rest of the hotel and time-share units are slated to open in two more phases later this year and in early 2013.
A grand-opening ceremony is scheduled for Sept. 22.
Monday, as guests waited for Aulani to open, they were greeted and entertained by costumed Disney characters — including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse who pulled up to the porte cochere by car — pretending to be on a Hawaiian vacation.
A kahu, or spiritual adviser to the region surrounding Ko Olina, Auntie Nettie, gave Aulani a traditional Hawaiian blessing. The Mahi family of Waipahu untied a maile lei outside Aulani’s lobby to let guests file in.
Aulani was developed on 21 acres next to the J.W. Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa at Ko Olina for an estimated cost of $800 million. The project is Disney’s first resort not connected with a theme park, and was designed by Disney to convey stories about Hawaii’s history and culture.
"We want this resort destination to reflect the vibrant culture that surrounds it," Joe Rohde, senior vice president and creative executive with Walt Disney Imagineering, said in a statement.
• VIDEO: Aulani opening
