Aulani Special Family Treat Suggestions

[cindyzig]

We are heading to Aulani for the first time at the end of January for 10 nights. We just found out that we will have a mini windfall with some extra funds, and I was thinking about adding something really special to the trip that we might not have otherwise have been able to do as a result. It will be me, my husband, and our 7 year old son. I have looked at excursions on the website, and I am not seeing anything that makes me want to spend extra money outside of a whale watching trip which was part of the original plan. It could also be something on site as I am really hoping to get some relaxation and family fun with amenities there. Does anyone have any suggestions for us? We are very excited!

 

[gjl]

Deleted

 

[cindyzig]

I will check it out. Thanks for the idea!

 

[Girimama33]

Some splurges at Aulani would be:

Arrange for an In Room Celebration when you arrive.
http://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/accommodations/celebrations/

Book a Cabana or the Executive Lanai for a day you will be enjoying the resort.

Book a family spa experience.

Paradise Cove Luau is walking distance from Aulani. Their two upgraded luau packages are nice. I wouldn't do the bottom level.

 

[cindyzig]

Some splurges at Aulani would be:

Arrange for an In Room Celebration when you arrive.
http://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/accommodations/celebrations/

Book a Cabana or the Executive Lanai for a day you will be enjoying the resort.

Book a family spa experience.

Paradise Cove Luau is walking distance from Aulani. Their two upgraded luau packages are nice. I wouldn't do the bottom level.

Great ideas! Thanks for suggesting them for us.

 

[drmrchk]

We are doing the Waiema(sp?) Falls excursion booked through Aulani. We have a little one and it goes down to 4 so we know he can handle it. Plus they have little kid activities along the way. Hiking to a waterfall was high on everyone's list and I'm so excited. I've talked to a couple people that have hiked it (though not necessarily through a tour) and loved it. And given that they pick us up at the resort (we aren't renting a car because there's too many of us, we'd have to have 2) and lunch and water are provided I didn't think the price was exorbitant.

Also, I'm going to book surfing lessons with Surf HNL for me and my girls. Under 11 has to have a private lesson...so I am opting for a 1hr private instead of the group lesson so we are on the same time table. I'm super excited. I'm actually going to pay them extra for the photo CD if my mom decides not to ride along, I definitely want pictures of my girls doing this. I've read GREAT things about Surf HNL (used to be Girls That Surf or something like that) so I'm really excited for that. That might be something fun you guys could do together, and it's only $20pp to have them pick you up at the resort and bring you back.

We are also doing a USS Arizona/Missouri tour....we voted for a tour so we can get picked up and some other things. My 8yo is REALLY looking forward to it, she is super thrilled to go to this. She's definitely an academic though, learning gets her excited and she loves history.

 

[Chiomaca]

We are doing the Waiema(sp?) Falls excursion booked through Aulani. We have a little one and it goes down to 4 so we know he can handle it. Plus they have little kid activities along the way. Hiking to a waterfall was high on everyone's list and I'm so excited. I've talked to a couple people that have hiked it (though not necessarily through a tour) and loved it. And given that they pick us up at the resort (we aren't renting a car because there's too many of us, we'd have to have 2) and lunch and water are provided I didn't think the price was exorbitant.

Also, I'm going to book surfing lessons with Surf HNL for me and my girls. Under 11 has to have a private lesson...so I am opting for a 1hr private instead of the group lesson so we are on the same time table. I'm super excited. I'm actually going to pay them extra for the photo CD if my mom decides not to ride along, I definitely want pictures of my girls doing this. I've read GREAT things about Surf HNL (used to be Girls That Surf or something like that) so I'm really excited for that. That might be something fun you guys could do together, and it's only $20pp to have them pick you up at the resort and bring you back.

We are also doing a USS Arizona/Missouri tour....we voted for a tour so we can get picked up and some other things. My 8yo is REALLY looking forward to it, she is super thrilled to go to this. She's definitely an academic though, learning gets her excited and she loves history.

Waimea Falls is a neat trip, much less a hike than a stroll, which is great for little ones. And you get to swim in the waterfall at the end, so bring your suits. They have life jackets for people who aren't confident swimmers. It's really neat getting to sit under the falls!

You might also consider a trip to the Polynesian Cultural Center, which is sort of like Epcot's World Showcase, but for the islands. When I lived on Oahu, I'd go there for evening concerts, but I liked wandering around, too.

And I can't go to Oahu without a trip to the Dole Plantation, complete with Dole Whip and a train ride!

 

[TreesyB]

I was just looking for something to do too as we are going in a few weeks. I noticed that there's a snorkel and luau package that looked fun at Paradise Cove. Since it's so close to Aulani, you can just walk there. But might be fun to make it a day!

 

[seashell724]

Oops! Posted by accident.

 

[DVCTiff]

The spa is SO great. I would highly recommend a splurge there.

 

[cindyzig]

The ideas are all good everyone! The spa sounds like something I would really enjoy as I love to visit them when I have the time and funds in my area. My hope is that my son loves Aunty's as much as he thinks he will so I can keep an appointment there. He is very independent and not the least bit shy, so I have a feeling he will love Aunty's, and we have signed him up for the Fish Are Friends and Chip and Dale activities.

My son actually wants to do the Little Warrier special at the spa that they offer little boys.

We also thought about scheduling more than one sunset meal at Ama Ama. We have one reserved already.

Thanks for the ideas!