What do I think? Pretty much posted my own opinion earlier in this thread.
I always have to smile when someone doesn't love a resort that we do. Why? 'Cause if everyone adored the same resort I'd have a heck of a time booking it!!
Seriously I do get what Cp73 is saying though I don't agree. For instance, our other TS at Marriott Ocean Club Napili is an entirely different experience from our stays at Aulani w/DVC points. Both stunning resorts with excellent cast/staff and lovely locations. MOC has a huge plot of beachfront real estate on Ka'anapali Beach and we love love the property. Aulani is certainly more "vertical" as they have a LOT less property to build upon.
Aulani is definitely more "Hawaiian". Olelo Lounge is only staffed by CM's that are fluent in Hawaiian. Aulani has absolutely stellar nightly live music nightly in both lounges by well known Hawaiian artists, most are Na Hoku award winners. Jerry Santos, Teresa Bright, Tony Conjugacion, Ben & Maila and on and on. If one knows Hawaiian music, they would know these names. Hawaiian lore and legend is interwoven throughout the resort and the Starlit Hui show they have a couple of times a week is wonderful and Keali'i Reichel's handprint is all over it. He also wrote music specifically for the resort and it took some convincing for him to even agree to be one of their cultural consultants. He had to be convinced that Disney truly WAS going to honor the Hawaiian culture as they said they were. There really are no "hidden Mickeys" but hidden Menehune. I have made it my personal mission on our multiple stays there to chat w/CM's that are native to Hawaii (which is the vast majority) and ask them what they really think. I have been impressed by their opinions of Aulani. Aulani has a topnotch spa that is world class by any standards. Superb.
I have not been onsite at Marriott Ko'Olina but from aerial views it's easy to see they have a much larger plot of land. Marriott seems to be pretty darned savvy to buy large pieces of real estate to develop. I'm always amazed when using the beach walk at Ka'anapali (MOC) at just HOW much beachfront MOC has. It's a very good "stroll" from one end to the other. I prefer having the views at MOC to Ko'Olina's. Seeing the island of Lana'i, Moloka'i and Kaho'olawe from this property is just beyond gorgeous. MOC is much more spread out because they have the real estate to do so, which is awesome. We love a lot of things about MOC that Aulani may not have and vice versa.
In summary, both Aulani and MOC are 2 of our favorite places anywhere. We go as often as possible and love our experiences at each. And I love that we don't all love the same thing. It's what makes travel and the human experience so wonderful.