The highly anticipated Disney destination resort currently under construction on the Hawaiian island of Oโ€˜ahu now has an official name. The resortโ€™s name โ€“ Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawaiโ€˜i โ€“ reflects the companyโ€™s deep commitment to celebrating the islandsโ€™ rich history and traditions.ย Plans call for the first phase of the resort to open in fall 2011.

โ€œWe want this resort destination to reflect the vibrant culture that surrounds it. The name โ€˜Aulaniโ€™ expresses a connection to tradition and deep story-telling โ€“ and its roots are here in this land,โ€ said Joe Rohde, senior vice president, Creative for Walt Disney Imagineering. โ€œWeโ€™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.โ€

Rohde noted that Aulani translated from the Hawaiian language to English means โ€œthe place that speaks for the great onesโ€ or โ€œthe place that speaks with deep messages.โ€ย ย Nearby to historical sites on the western side of Oโ€˜ahu, Aulani will be located on 21 acres of oceanfront property in the Ko Olina Resort & Marina development.ย The resort is planned to have 360 hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom equivalent Disney Vacation Club villas.

Design plans call for amenities to engage every member of the family, a hallmark of a Disney vacation.ย Among the recreational highlights planned for the resort are pools and sunset-facing hot tubs, a snorkeling lagoon, a variety of kidsโ€™ club and other play programs for children, and a river, suitable for tube floating, running through a specially created volcanic outcropping.

The resort will also include an 18,000-square-foot spa designed with families in mind.ย The resort, built adjacent to a crystal-blue lagoon and a white-sand beach, is planned to also have two restaurants, a 14,545-square-foot conference center and 48,685 square feet of outdoor venues. Located nearby are the existing Ko Olina Marina and a Ted Robinson-designed, 18-hole championship golf course.

Scheduled to Open Fall 2011
Reservations Begin Summer 2010

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