Unique DVC Amenities at Disneyland and Aulani

Disney Vacation Club members cannot possibly see and do everything at all the various resorts. No matter how much time you spend at Disney theme parks and hotels, it’s not enough. Disney offers literal decades of entertainment on its various campuses.

So, we want to highlight a few activities you might have missed. And we’re focusing on the West Coast and beyond today. Here are some unique DVC amenities at Disneyland hotels and Aulani.

Art of the Craft Tour

Disneyland just announced a group of new upgrades coming to its three hotels. We’re getting two more lounges, an improved dining experience at Napa Rose, and more. You can read the Parks Blog announcement here. 

What should jump out at you is how much this press release mentions the Craftsman style of design. It’s the driving force behind much of the theming at the Grand Californian. 

Be honest, though. How much do you understand about Craftsman style? Here’s a designer who has collaborated with Disney on several elements of the Grand Californian over the years.

Photo courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog

As useful as that is, there’s a more direct way to learn about the hotel. You can take the Art of the Craft Tour. It’s a walking tour wherein a Cast Member explains how the Arts and Crafts movement has played an integral role in the Grand Californian’s unique look and style. For fans of the hotel, it’s a must-do. 

Also, I’ll add that Disney officials are reverential about Craftsman because Walt Disney himself preferred it. So, you’re learning quite a bit about Disney history when you take this tour.

Learn to Draw

This activity moves around. So, it’s not guaranteed to be available at a DVC resort. Most recently, you can find it at the Sketch Pad Café at Pixar Place Hotel. Since the three Disneyland Resort hotels reside so closely together, it’s not a big deal, though. 

No matter when the Learn to Draw class is, the outcome is the same. A talented Disney artist teaches you the intricacies of drawing your favorite characters. They’ll teach you how a few geometric shapes meld together to create the faces of Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Elsa, Mr. Incredible, and more. 

I’ve taken this class multiple times. While I’m still terrible as an artist, I’m always fascinated by the simplicity of creating Disney characters. Here’s an example of the class:

Live Music

I’m only mentioning this briefly because it’s not always available. However, Disney often hosts live musical performances at the Grand Californian, especially on holidays and during special events.

For example, Lunar New Year is ongoing at Disneyland Resort at the time of publication. As part of this event, you’ll find live music at the Grand Californian’s Great Hall on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. There’s also a character greeting with Mulan on Mondays and Saturdays. So, you should always pay attention to the calendar posted at the hotel. It features a swath of rotational amenities.

The Disneyland Hotel Tour

I previously mentioned this one in a discussion of unique DVC amenities throughout the DVC library. It bears repeating now, though, as it’s probably my favorite option of its kind at Disneyland Resort. 

As a Disney historian, I’m obsessed with the early days of the Disneyland campus. Walt Disney, who had already won several Oscars by the early 1950s, risked his entire fortune on a family-friendly theme park. 

Uncle Walt was so broke at the time that he sold one-third of Disneyland to ABC. Yes, a major television network owned a sizable part of The Happiest Place on Earth in the 1950s. Meanwhile, Disney couldn’t afford to build Disneyland Hotel. So, he persuaded an acquaintance to foot the bill. 

The Walt Disney Company wouldn’t fully own the Disneyland Resort that you know until the 1980s, more than 30 years after its opening! On the Disneyland Hotel Tour, you can learn countless behind-the-scenes anecdotes like these as you explore the breathtaking hotel. This is an exploration of the vast history of Disneyland, which makes it a bucket list amenity. 

Learn to Play the ‘Ukelele

At Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas, you’ll never lack for activities, nor will any children in your traveling party. Aunty’s Beach House will entertain them in between your meaningful family hangs at the pools and beaches. 

Several activities are designed to entertain people of all ages. One of my favorites is this music class. As the name implies, a Cast Member will tutor you in playing the ‘Ukelele, the staple of Polynesian sounds. Pay attention, and you may be able to play a masterpiece!

Ohana Painting Party

The Pau Hana Room at Aulani hosts several crafting and artistic opportunities. One of them is a bit more expensive than most, but I heartily recommend it, nonetheless. 

For $50 per person plus tax, a Cast Member will help you draw one of two scenes. The first is a daytime scene of the idyllic lagoon, while the other is an ethereal sunset by the ocean. 

You’ll paint on a 14” by 18” canvas. Presuming all goes well, you’ll end with a keepsake you can put on the living room wall. Then, you’ll always have a memory of your Hawaiian vacation in plain sight! These are the types of unique DVC amenities I prefer, as they’re long-lasting. 

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