Disney resort being built next to Ko Olina Golf Club in Hawaii gets a name

Construction on the first Walt Disney resort in Hawaii has been under way for some time. Now it has a new name. It’s being called The Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawaii, and it’s located right next to the Ko Olina Golf Club.

“Aulani,” translates to “the place that speaks for great ones,” and “expresses a connection to tradition and deep story-telling,” according to Disney officials. This is totally in line with the painstaking research Disney did to embrace Hawaiian tradition and culture to tell the story of the islands and their peoples with the new resort.

The 21-acre property is scheduled to open during the fall of 2011. Set on the western shore of Oahu, it’s supposed to have 360 hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom Disney Vacation Club suites. It’s the first Disney resort not to be associated with a theme park.

The resort will include an 18,000-square-foot spa, two restaurants, and a nearly 15,000-square foot conference center. And even though it doesn’t have its own golf course, residents and guests will be close enough to walk to the Ted Robinson design next door.

No doubt, The Aulani will offer golf packages with Ko Olina, which has hosted both the LPGA Tour and Champions Tour. Already, the J.W. Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa, which is also next to Ko Olina Golf Club, offers golf packages.

The J.W. Marriott is probably geared more toward couples, while he Disney resort, of course, is aimed more toward families. Together, they will give visitors who play golf two great stay-and-play options.