My mom, sisters, and I got to go to Hawaii last week and stayed at the new Disney resort, Aulani. It was WONDERFUL! My sweet mother treated us three the entire trip. Just like my Nana, generousity runs in her veins.
For those that don't know the story, my mom won the trip on the radio. She had entered a few Hawaiian words throughout the week on their website and then was entered into the drawing. The day of the drawing, she and Dad were in Arizona and the radio station only had their home phone number. The DJ who was working knew her from Mom's principal years. She called her mother (who also worked with Mom) and got her cell number about an hour before they would have had to pass the prize onto someone else! After they learned the details of the trip and that it was a standard room with 2 queen beds, Dad graciously backed out and let mom take her daughters. Thanks, Dad!
The trip started with a little stress for me, as we had 3-4 inches of snow and I was flying to Seattle at 6 am. My airport was on top of it and the tarmac was plowed and ready by 6:10. Our flight out of Seattle was a bit delayed, but sitting at an airport with no kids is no big deal! We were greeted in Honolulu by an "icy" and impatient driver...but she was driving a limo!
Every guest is greeted with lei's and offered water with fresh fruit. You are guided into the Maka 'ala (the lobby) and given a short description about the art work before you check-in.
The resort is beautiful. It is in every way Disney, as it is themed throughout. Yet, there are only little touches of the characters. They did a fantastic job of surrounding you in the Polynesian culture with that special touch of magic. We were constantly in awe. Jen got some great pictures of the resort that are on a video on my facebook page. There are so many great details I will try to explain some as I get to pics.
When our luggage arrived in our ocean view room, the bell man came out onto our lanai and told us about some of the features of the resort and some of the activities that would be happening. It was a wonderful welcome! (Do you see any hidden Mickey's below?)
My camera did not get a great shot of our view, but the ocean is the white area. The middle of the hotel is called the Waikolohe Valley...which means something like dancing water (I can't remember!). This is where we spent much of our time. The volcano is the home of 2 water slides. One is a tube slide that shoots you into the lazy river, which you can also access without going down the slide. The other is a body slide that is completely dark...so fun! There is also a large water play area for little kids. It was great being able to see the ocean and the activity from our balcony.
We had our first dinner looking out at the ocean with food from one of the counter service restaurants. The food was decent, though a little spendy and not much variety. This is really the only "complaint" I would have about this place. That and the weak coffee, being the Starbucks snob that I am. BUT...not enough to not recommend it to everybody! :o) I want to come back soon!!!
There is a market place across the street that has an ABC store with a deli and a couple of restaurants. You can easily find other options than eating at the resort everyday.
As you can see, the beach is right off the hotel. It is on a man-made lagoon which allows for calmer waters, great swimming, and lots of room for sand castles.
The Olelo Room had snacks and mochas, etc. The entire wall was decorated with common items and its' Hawaiian name. The chairs, tables, doors, etc, were also all labeled. Another fun fact about this "restaurant" was that any cast member that worked in here had to speak fluently in Hawaiian and were suppose to only speak to each other that way also.
This Stitch and a similar looking Mickey lamp in our room where the only "Disney" items seen...besides the hidden Mickey's if you were looking for them!
All of the rock work had sea animals carved in them. They show up much better in a picture, where as walking around you don't notice them right away.
Day 2 we started with a walk around 3 of the 4 lagoons. The weather was nice, though the clouds were in and out most of the time we were there. I swam in the lagoon a few times...very chilly when you first get in, but nice after you start moving. I snorkeled once, though only saw a few silver fish. The resort has a "reef" they made that you can pay to snorkel...much more fish! Would probably do that Jackson next time!
Does anyone know what this tree is growing? It is not a pineapple.
See the mug Mom is holding? This was one of my favorite things. We all purchased a mug and they have "filling stations" throughout the resort where you can fill up with soda, coffee, or tea your entire stay.
Our room was on the 8th floor...you can barely see Julie on the balcony.
My mom gave us spa treatments for Christmas. We spent about 4 hours here, going in the therapeutic pools, steam rooms, 6 massaging showers and then our massage appointment. There were fruits and muffins, water and hot tea. We felt very pampered and relaxed.
They mixed you a scented sea salt scrub to take home or use there.
That evening was the Starlight Show. It was a short luau minus the food. It was inviting and intimate with a small crowd sitting on grass mats. Before the show, there were different crafts and games that you could do. I made the boys fish out of palm leaves with "Uncle" below.
This guy and one other were AMAZING on the ukeulele!
After the traditional Hawaiian dances, the characters appeared and started a dance party. Wishing my kids were there for that! This resort is my idea of a Hawaiian vacation with kids. There is so much for them to do and the parents can relax, too. They even have "Aunty's Beach House", a complimentary daycare of sort . The have dress-up, books, movies, toys, wii games, and outdoor play. They also do special activities like nature walks, science experiments, and crafts. There is a special "spa" for tweens and teens, and evening events like movies on the lawn.
Day 3 started with an excellent Character breakfast. The weather was nice enough to sit outside and those of you who know me, know that I love breakfast and all it's smells! Sigh.
The characters visited each table and participate in many fun activities. "Aunty" was the leader of the songs, parades, and dances. The kids were having a blast and we enjoyed watching everything while filling our tummies!
Jen and Mom on the Waikolohe Stream
Julie is such a good sport! As we were floating down the stream she said something as we were headed into the cave with waterfalls. In a spontaneous moment, I grabbed her tube and whirled her straight into the waterfall. As she was recouping from it she went under another small one. Oh, what fun!
A few characters come out to the pool and have an interactive "Shake-a-Shaka" party.
One of the fun extras they have created is the Menehune Adventure Trail. You check out a device similar to an iTouch and start your adventure with Aunty as you guide. You are needed to help various people around the island and learn about Hawaiian culture, history, and geography in the process. At each stop, there is something interactive with the game. Below is the stream I released from the volcano, a waterfall that could have doused an unsuspecting swimmer, and a lava cave.
The gas tiki lamps are all over the resort, but this one was linked with the game.
Here is a rock that we had walked by many times but never notice anything different about it. During the game you learn about a native owl and it started lighting up and hooting...can you see the eyes?
Even the stone work on the floor in the lobby started lighting up like rain drops while we learned about the Iwa (bird).
There are menehunes everywhere! One little girl had counted around 180!
Hidden Mickeys
We took another walk before dinner to see the beautiful sunset!
AND DINNER! Oh, how I love to eat! We ate at Makahiki's again for the dinner buffet. It was fabulous! They had so many options, some of which were crab legs, large shrimp, salmon, and the best prime rib I have had. They are so smart with the desserts, every thing in bite size...which means you can try them all! (With a side of more prime rib and salmon!)
On our last full day, we had originally planned to go into Honolulu and shop before meeting up with my mom's cousin for dinner. We were so content at the resort that we spent another 8 hours at the pool, beach, and activities. Mom and I went to a bracelet making session where we used Hawaiian beads and words to make my kids bracelets. We learned that Aulani means "Messenger of the Chief", which to us is Christ. It was only fitting to put that on their jewelry.
My mom's cousin, John, and his girlfriend, Susan, took us to a city not far away and we had a great time at a wonderful Italian restaurant with homemade noodles and sauces.
We had the morning before our flight to buy souveniers, go for a walk, and have lunch. Mom, Julie, and I even squeezed in one last trip on the tube slide and Waikolohe Stream. We only left ourselves about 1/2 hour to get showered and packed, but it was worth it. Aulani does have a lounge room with TV's, flight info, showers, and a boarding pass printer, so you can stay and play the whole day after you check out if you wanted.
We were all a bit quiet as our ride took us back to the airport for a long flight back to the cold. I will be constantly be checking for great deals to bring my family back to Aulani!
