| On our first trip to Hawaii, we knew we absolutely had to experience the newest Disney resort - Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawaii, on the beautiful island of Oahu. We could hardly contain our excitement as we drove towards Ko Olina and we identified the signature brown buildings of Aulani as we got closer! |  |
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As we drive up to the entrance, we are warmly greeted by valet staff who help take our luggage and hold it in storage for us while we go check in and wait for our room. Front lobby staff welcome each individual with a lei greeting, including little gifts for the kids! You can check in anytime on the date of your check in and begin using the facilities of the resort immediately. Although your room is not available until 4pm, the Luana Lounge is available for all guests, who are offered a one-time use of the lounge to change into bathing suits and begin enjoying the pool area. The lounge is also available to guests after check out, if they wish to remain for the day and continue using the facilities after check out time.
The Aulani resort offers many value added activities that are included in your stay. During your stay, you can use the pools, watersides, beaches, etc... from the day of your check in until 11:59pm on the day of your check out so you can take advantage of the opportunities to maximize your stay at Aulani!
The Aulani resort offers many value added activities that are included in your stay. During your stay, you can use the pools, watersides, beaches, etc... from the day of your check in until 11:59pm on the day of your check out so you can take advantage of the opportunities to maximize your stay at Aulani!
 Front lobby area |  Check in desk |
RECREATION ACTIVITIES:
We checked in to get our resort cards and wristbands and headed straight to the pools! There are lots of different activities, something for everyone! The Waikolohe pool is 8200 square feet of family fun in the water. The Waikolohe Stream is lazy waterway that moves you through the landscape of Aulani or you can enjoy the Tubestone Curl, an exhilarating slide that launches your tube into the Waikolohe Stream! There is also the Wailana Pool, an adult only pool area that provides some serenity and peace from the little keiki guests. Other pool areas include the Ka Maka Grotto, with an infinity pool that overlooks the beautiful beaches of Ko Olina, Makai Preserve (interactive conservation pool), 4 different whirlpool spas for the ultimate relaxation, 2 of which are specifically placed to catch the spectular sunsets of Hawaii! For the little keiki guests, there is the Menehune Bridge, and interactive water play area for children, and the Keiki Cove Splash zone. Poolside cabanas are also available for rent, for the ultimate in pampering by the pool!
Aunty's Beach House is a state of the art kids club with over 5000 square feet of fun!! Disney Youth Counsellors provide world class children's programming where kids can watch movies, partake in authentic Hawaiian crafts and so much more! Parents can drop off their kids at Aunty's Beach House with the confidence that the kids will be well entertained, while enjoying some adult-only time at the resort! All are value added activities that are included with your stay!
We checked in to get our resort cards and wristbands and headed straight to the pools! There are lots of different activities, something for everyone! The Waikolohe pool is 8200 square feet of family fun in the water. The Waikolohe Stream is lazy waterway that moves you through the landscape of Aulani or you can enjoy the Tubestone Curl, an exhilarating slide that launches your tube into the Waikolohe Stream! There is also the Wailana Pool, an adult only pool area that provides some serenity and peace from the little keiki guests. Other pool areas include the Ka Maka Grotto, with an infinity pool that overlooks the beautiful beaches of Ko Olina, Makai Preserve (interactive conservation pool), 4 different whirlpool spas for the ultimate relaxation, 2 of which are specifically placed to catch the spectular sunsets of Hawaii! For the little keiki guests, there is the Menehune Bridge, and interactive water play area for children, and the Keiki Cove Splash zone. Poolside cabanas are also available for rent, for the ultimate in pampering by the pool!
Aunty's Beach House is a state of the art kids club with over 5000 square feet of fun!! Disney Youth Counsellors provide world class children's programming where kids can watch movies, partake in authentic Hawaiian crafts and so much more! Parents can drop off their kids at Aunty's Beach House with the confidence that the kids will be well entertained, while enjoying some adult-only time at the resort! All are value added activities that are included with your stay!
DINING OPTIONS:
We took the opportunity to book "Aunty's Breakfast Celebration", Character Dining Breakfast at Makahiki, where we were greeted by Mickey Mouse himself, and visited by other characters including Minnie Mouse and Goofy! The breakfast buffet included an array of delicious breakfast items including the signature Mickey waffles! As a part of the Character Dining experience, Aunty and Minnie present a song and dance activity for the kids. Kids join Aunty as she sings and parades through the restaurant while the kids follow along and culminate in the centre with a little coconut dance!
We took the opportunity to book "Aunty's Breakfast Celebration", Character Dining Breakfast at Makahiki, where we were greeted by Mickey Mouse himself, and visited by other characters including Minnie Mouse and Goofy! The breakfast buffet included an array of delicious breakfast items including the signature Mickey waffles! As a part of the Character Dining experience, Aunty and Minnie present a song and dance activity for the kids. Kids join Aunty as she sings and parades through the restaurant while the kids follow along and culminate in the centre with a little coconut dance!
 Mickey Mouse |  Goofy |
Aunty's Breakfast Celebration with parade, songs and dance!
There are both full service dining restaurants onsite, and grab & go dining options as well. Poolside lounges and quick service restaurants are easy options to quench your hunger or thirst, without leaving the pool areas.
ADDED VALUE ACTIVITIES:
There are many value added activities that are included in your stay at Aulani to provide an authentic Hawaiian experience! Aunty's Beach House provides world-class children's programming. The Aulani Starlight Hui lawn party show is an evening entertainment show mixing authentic Polynesian cultural songs and dance including hula dancers, and a Disney character dance party! Join "Uncle" for Mo'olelo Storytelling by the fire for stories about traditional Hawaii culture and history. On other evenings, you can enjoy "Ohana Movie Nights" on lawn where you can watch Disney movies under the stars.
There are many value added activities that are included in your stay at Aulani to provide an authentic Hawaiian experience! Aunty's Beach House provides world-class children's programming. The Aulani Starlight Hui lawn party show is an evening entertainment show mixing authentic Polynesian cultural songs and dance including hula dancers, and a Disney character dance party! Join "Uncle" for Mo'olelo Storytelling by the fire for stories about traditional Hawaii culture and history. On other evenings, you can enjoy "Ohana Movie Nights" on lawn where you can watch Disney movies under the stars.
PREMIUM FEE-BASED EXPERIENCES:
With so much to offer with your vacation stay, Disney offers even more for those who wish to go beyond the included value of your stay.
- Laniwai Spa - award winning full service salon and spa treatments available.
- Painted Sky - spa created just for teens ages 13 to 17, with its own private entrance and frozen yogurt bar!
- Rainbow Reef - Hawaii's only private saltwater lagoon providing up close and personal snorkelling adventures.
- "Adventures by Disney" excursions offering offsite experiences including learning to surf, horseback riding, sailing on catamarans or kayaking through protected offshore islets.
- Alamo Car Rental - onsite car rentals for those who wish to rent a car and explore the island on their own for a day or two. The car rental office is onsite so you can rent a car for only the time you need without having to pay for parking onsite.
With so much to offer with your vacation stay, Disney offers even more for those who wish to go beyond the included value of your stay.
- Laniwai Spa - award winning full service salon and spa treatments available.
- Painted Sky - spa created just for teens ages 13 to 17, with its own private entrance and frozen yogurt bar!
- Rainbow Reef - Hawaii's only private saltwater lagoon providing up close and personal snorkelling adventures.
- "Adventures by Disney" excursions offering offsite experiences including learning to surf, horseback riding, sailing on catamarans or kayaking through protected offshore islets.
- Alamo Car Rental - onsite car rentals for those who wish to rent a car and explore the island on their own for a day or two. The car rental office is onsite so you can rent a car for only the time you need without having to pay for parking onsite.
ROOMS:
Aulani is designed for families. Both hotel rooms and vacation villas are available to book with spacious accommodations and lots of amenities specifically for families. The beds are raised so that luggage can be stored underneath without the need to take up extra floor space in the room. Each room includes a pack and play, and a stool for little ones to reach the sink! Connecting rooms are available for families travelling together. Each room also includes refrigerator, microwave, in-room safe and so much more! For larger families travelling together, there are also 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom suites available.
Our stay at Aulani was much too short! We didn't have enough to enjoy all that Disney had to offer at the resort! Which only means that we MUST go back!! (Which I think that's what Disney wants anyway....) As with anything Disney does, they do it well and Aulani is no exception. The attention to detail, and the authenticity of the Hawaiian experience make Aulani and truly exceptional experience for families vacationing to Hawaii!
For more pictures of our visit to Aulani, please visit my Facebook page at Facebook.com/ReneeTsangTravel.
And because I simply couldn't capture the magic and wonder of Aulani myself, here's a fantastic video by Disney showcasing the amazing resort that is Aulani!
For more pictures of our visit to Aulani, please visit my Facebook page at Facebook.com/ReneeTsangTravel.
And because I simply couldn't capture the magic and wonder of Aulani myself, here's a fantastic video by Disney showcasing the amazing resort that is Aulani!
If you have any questions about the resort or are interested in booking your next family vacation, please let me know!! I would love to help you book your family vacation at Aulani or anywhere else (including all things Disney)!
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