andreapd
Lifelong lover of Disney parks!
- Joined
- Feb 3, 2017
- Messages
- 41
I can’t believe I’m already writing a trip report after almost a year of planning and saving for our trip to Aulani! I can’t thank the kind folks on these message boards enough, for all the comments on my pre-trip report as well as all the other helpful posts and threads. I hope this trip report comes in handy for others!
Overall, we had a wonderful stay and I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Ideally, we could have stayed many more days and done lots more excursions, but time and budgets being what they are, we did really well. The kids have decided they want to move to HI and attend university there, so they’re totally sold! We definitely caught the Aloha spirit!
I’ll break down my trip report by topic. I haven’t gone through all my photos yet, but I’ll add some to the post in the coming days.
Arrival
We flew Alaska Airlines nonstop from PDX to HNL, leaving at 7:15am on Tuesday, 5/11. We landed around 10am local time. I’m a frequent flyer on Alaska, and this was a great flight. We carried on a beach bag with our suits, cover-ups and flip-flops in case the room wasn’t ready when we arrived.
Our luggage was waiting for us at baggage claim, and we headed out to the middle roadway to catch our rental car shuttle (we had a reservation with Alamo through Costco). We waited quite a while (around 30 minutes) for a shuttle, which was really tough for the kids, who were tired and anxious. The first shuttle that came by for Alamo after around 20 minutes of waiting was full, and it was about 10 more minutes for the next one. While that was frustrating, when we finally got on board, the ride was quick and there was no waiting at the Alamo kiosk and only a short line at the counter. We had reserved an intermediate SUV, so walked out the door and grabbed a Subaru Forrester. The process was easy. We stopped at the exit gate and the Alamo folks checked the car, signed our paperwork, and we were off.
We waited in the cell phone lot for my DBF, flying in from LAX shortly after us. We had a great view of the local beach park, with Waikiki and Diamond Head off in the distance. By far the best view from a cell phone lot that I’ve ever experienced! We waited for him for about 15 more minutes, swung by to get him curbside, then we were off to Target in Kapolei. Getting on H1 West from the airport is very easy, and traffic wasn’t bad at all.
It was a 20-minute ride to Kapolei, and there was no crowd at Target at 12:30pm on a Thursday. We were in the store for maybe 20 minutes buying our perishables, and spent around $150 for fresh meat and fish, fruit and veggies, bacon, butter, chips and snacks, a couple of 2.5 gallon water containers, milk, eggs, etc. I packed five reusable shopping bags, and we used all of them without having to purchase any bags.
Another 10 minutes, and we arrived at Aulani! Pulling into Ko Olina is incredibly picturesque. You can see Aulani from the road, and the kids were totally beside themselves. There was no waiting when we pulled up the driveway, and were immediately greeted by the friendly bell staff. They figured out quickly that our room was ready, then they loaded up our bags and put our groceries in containers for us, and they were off. The car was put in a temporary spot where we could move it to self-parking later. We did online check-in, and the desk is right there where you pull up. They gave us our leis and cups of fruity water, and then we got our keys and room number. Done! It was so easy.
Our room
As you probably know by now, the open-air lobby is on the third floor. It makes for a dramatic and lovely welcome and, as I assume most people do, we walked directly across to the deck that overlooks Waikolohe Valley and immediately snapped around 1,000 pictures.
We rented DVC points for our stay and reserved a one-bedroom villa, poolside/gardens view, and were given room #276 (second floor of Ewa Tower). We entered the lobby hallway opposite the front desk, went past the gift shops and around the corner to the elevators. Our room was down one floor and just four doors down the hallway on the right.
The villa has a full kitchen, dining area, living room with a sleeper sofa and Murphy bed under the TV, separate bedroom with a king-sized bed and TV, two balconies, a tub and sink separated from the shower, toilet and second sink. The room was very quiet, despite being poolside and close to the elevators. The doors to the balconies are quite heavy, and we only heard hallway noise a couple of times (and only directly in front of our room).
Our bags arrived just after we did. We tipped the CM, unloaded our groceries, changed into our suits and headed down to the pool!
Waikolohe Valley
To get out to the pools and beach, you can either take the elevator to the third floor and walk down the stairs near Makahiki, or just take the elevator down to the first floor and walk right out. It’s a bit overwhelming when you first get down there, as the lush gardens and winding pathways can make everything seem a bit confusing. But just give yourself a short bit of walking around, and you’ll get acclimated quickly. Things are not nearly as spread out as they first seem, and it’s actually quite easy to get around once you get your bearings.
We walked over the bridge to the wrist band/towel station near the Menehune Bridge (which was closed during our stay). As we were arriving around 2pm, lounges were a small issue. We couldn’t find any two next to each other, so we settled on one open lounge across from the Waikolohe Pool, just on the back side of Keiki Cove. But between the time we set our things down and came back, the lounge next to ours had magically been freed up and we were able to take it. With the exception of our last full day at the pools, the four of us only ever took two lounges. The kids were always running around, so saving four wasn’t really necessary. Only on our last full day when we were planning to eat lunch poolside did we grab four chairs first thing in the morning.
There is no shortage of pools or hot tubs to strike your fancy, no matter your speed. The big family pool (Waikolohe) is great, as is the infinity pool. Both have hot tubs. There is a double infinity whirlpool for 18+ on the beach side of the Waikolohe Pool, which wasn’t crowded any of the few times DBF and I had a chance to visit it. We came to discover the whirlpool we liked best was the one just to the right when you’re crossing down into the valley. It was the least crowded and was in a quiet spot overlooking the lazy river and Menehune Bridge area.
We didn’t have a chance to go in the Wailana Pool, just past Keiki Cove and Ulu Cafe, but I strolled near it for a peek. It was quiet and more shady, and has nearby restrooms and a bar. And as my kids are too big for Keiki Cove, we didn’t do that either.
The lazy river, Waikolohe River, was a huge hit with all of us. While it can be crowded at times, you’ll quickly get over saying “sorry” or “excuse me” when you bump into others, as you figure out you can literally just go with the flow and everyone is cool with it. The most popular entry point is near the stairs going up to the waterslides, as that’s where there is the most room for raft storage. But keep in mind that you can enter in three other places: near Menehune Bridge, and across from the entrance to either of the towers. And there are often abandoned rafts at these three locations during busier times.
The waterslides are both a lot of fun. Tubestone Curl requires either a single or double tube, and winds down and around the volcano, leaving you in the entry to the lazy river. So you can stay put in your float and enjoy or exit. The Volcanic Vertical is a non-tube, single rider slide that is enclosed and totally dark until you get to the bottom. It empties into the Waikolohe pool on the other side of the volcano. So you may either exit or swim over into the pool.
Lagoon
The lagoon is a great beach experience, and there are often lots of free lounges down there. We brought the kids their own goggles, masks and snorkels, but we did borrow a boogie board one day. We didn’t end up doing any other rentals, or using any sand toys. But we did quite a bit of swimming, and the views from the beach are breathtaking. It can be easy to get caught up in the pools, but don’t forget to hit the sand and enjoy that experience, too!
Rainbow Reef
Our first afternoon at the resort, we bought the length-of-stay Rainbow Reef option for the kids. They loved it, and used it pretty much every day. It was never crowded, and they’d spend 20-30 minutes snorkeling every time they went in. If you do the length-of-stay option, they’ll punch a Mickey into your wristband. Then you can sign the waiver and get your band punched when you pick up your bands and towels each day. If you do it that way, you just have to stop at the Rainbow Reef counter for masks and life jackets, which makes the process a bit quicker.
Feeding times at RR were 7:30am and 1:30pm, but we never happened to be near the reef at those times. Peeking in through the observation window across from Lava Shack is a lot of fun, and there are so many cool fish (and even Menehune) to see in the water.
Menehune Adventure Trail
We did a few rounds of the MAT, outdoor version (there is also an indoor version). Aunty narrates, and she’s a hoot! It’s fun and educational, and gives you a great chance to stop an look at so many of the things you may not notice as you’re passing or floating by every day. It also helps you learn your way around the valley really well!
It’s easy to check out the tablet. Just head to the Pau Hana Room and provide your room key. You get the tablet for an hour at a time, and your progress is saved for the next time you play.
My only complaint about the game is that one day we had some pretty janky wifi issues, and the two features my DD8 was most looking forward to (the whale blowhole in the lazy river and the waterfall in the family pool) wouldn’t function because the tablet couldn’t make a connection. We asked, but there was no way to go back and redo those steps without starting the whole thing from the beginning. But we had fun otherwise.
Aunty’s Beach House
I pre-registered the kids for Coconut Kings & Queens of Comedy and Stitch’s Space Goo. The former was Friday night at 7:30 and the latter Monday at 3pm. We were told during pre-registration and again at check-in to go to Aunty’s right away to complete registration so the kids could start enjoying the benefits. We didn’t end up going over until Friday morning, just because the kids were so antsy on the first day to swim. But when you complete registration, bring the kids with you.
During registration, the kids will be given a wristband (looks like the original magic bands). You must pay for them, but if you keep your receipt (or even just a photo of your receipt), you may return them before you leave for a refund. They get “locked” on the kids’ wrists and are waterproof, so they’re totally safe to wear to the pool and beach.
Once registration is complete, the kids can come in any time for free play or activities that don’t require a reservation (unless you are registered for that activity, of course). There are video games, arts and crafts, dress-up and all kinds of other things to do during free play, as well as activities that don’t require a reservation.
The kids need to be clean and dry with proper clothes and footwear when they go to Aunty’s for an activity. If you have a scheduled activity, they ask you to show up a half hour early. The kids will have free play before the event begins, and can stay for free play after.
My kids love Stitch and were really excited for Space Goo. But given their ages (DS11, DD8), they both felt the activities were geared toward kids a bit younger. They still had fun, but Coconut Kings was less enjoyable than Space Goo. Also, a note about Space Goo is that pickup is on the side door, along the pathway across from the drink refill station.
DS11 went back to Aunty’s a couple of times to play Xbox, and he participated in a tween art activity for a little while. DD8 attended only the two events we pre-registered for, opting for pool and beach time instead.
Character meets
Call the character line each morning from a house phone to find out who will be where and at which times. My kids were on the hunt for Stitch and Moana. Stitch never seemed to be an option, but since they were seeing him at Aunty’s Beach House, that was OK. If you don’t call the character line, you’ll still see where the characters are throughout the day, mainly on the garden pathway between Makahiki/Olelo Room and the Waikolohe Valley.
There are also some pool games featuring Mickey, Goofy and friends at times found on the Daily Iwa. There seemed to be photo opps after each of these as well, but we didn’t participate so I can’t say for sure.
The day we met Moana, she was described on the character meet recording as being at “Manawa Island,” which wasn’t on the map (I later saw it IS on the interactive map on the website). But I asked a CM and was directed to a strip of land in the middle of the lazy river, on the other side of the wooden bridge from the Menehune Bridge. I suggest getting to the character spots at least 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled time, as the lines get to be pretty long. We arrived at 11:30 for the 11:45 Moana meet, and we were about the fourth ohana in line.
Pau Hana Room
We were huge fans of Pau Hana Room. We rented a movie one night, and DBF and DS11 took a ukulele lesson. They rent out the grill tools and host all kinds of activities. The CMs are also incredibly helpful if you need to pop in and ask a question.
The Daily Iwa
As everyone says, pick up a copy at the front desk every morning. While it didn’t seem that most activities changed significantly from day to day while we were there, there are some rotating features and good info. We spotted the ukulele lessons at Pau Hana Room before noticing it on the Daily Iwa, for example. So as you notice things you want to do, you will have the schedule handy if you’ve picked up the Daily Iwa.
Mo’ Olelo Fireside Storytelling
Our last night, DD8 and I caught the 9pm fireside storytelling with Uncle. We arrived just before Uncle did, and seating was in short supply. We were able to sit up on a wall, though, so it worked out. Uncle told a tale of the Menehune helping build a canoe. We’d just come from our luau, so we were pretty tired, but It only lasted around 15-20 minutes and DD8 really enjoyed it. It’s a nice way to end your night, with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee and the evening breeze.
Dining
With the full kitchen in the villa, we cooked a good deal of our meals. Our dinners were salads, pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, grilled chicken and fish with steamed rice and broccoli; breakfasts were pancakes, eggs, toast, fruit; lunches were sandwiches, quesadillas, ramen. We had snacks we’d bring down to the pool with us, but we did end up buying snacks every day, as well as eating at on-site restaurants and ordering poolside.
We most often went for soft serve, which is available from Ulu Cafe or beachside at Little ‘Opihi’s in vanilla, pineapple (a.k.a. “Dole Whip”) or swirl. Ulu Cafe has lots of treats like cookies, brownies, mini malasadas, and even Mickey krispies. They also sell a popcorn bucket that doubles as a sandcastle pail. I believe it’s $8 with $1 refills (which come bagged in case you’ve repurposed the pail for sandcastling). Then there’s the shave ice from Papalua. Yum! The standard is three flavors and they’ll put Mickey ears on it for $1 more. But beware! Soft serve and shave ice melt super fast in the hot Hawaiian sun, and the ground outside the shave ice shack is littered with melted, fallen Mickey ears.
The first afternoon we arrived, we hadn’t eaten in ages and ordered the coconut shrimp and chicken tenders baskets from Mama’s Snack Shop, and they were super good. The fries from all the QS places are actually excellent, and you get a good portion. We picked up our refillable mugs right away as well.
We ordered poolside lunch our last full day as a treat, which is a menu similar to Off the Hook and Mama’s. It seemed to us that when we didn’t want to order, the poolside waitstaff were everywhere with menus, asking if we needed anything. But when we did want to order, it was a bit of a wait to find someone. But service was pretty quick after ordering, and they bring your meal in a covered basket, which helps when it’s windy.
Aside from snacks at Ulu Cafe, we had breakfast there on our last day. We left pretty early (9am) and didn’t want to have to deal with meal prep and clean-up with such a short amount of time in the morning. The selection for breakfast is good, with both hot and cold choices, breakfast/croissant sandwiches and muffins, etc. The breakfast platter had french toast, choice of bacon or sausage, potatoes, scrambled eggs and two slices of fresh cut pineapple. The cinnamon rolls are gigantic, and yummy. The food was good, and not a bad price.
There is an offer that includes an Ulu Cafe dining plan, which is one prepaid meal per guest, per night. We witnessed lots of guests who seemed to take advantage of that plan.
Mother’s Day morning, we had the character buffet breakfast at Makahiki. The buffet is a good hybrid of what you’d experience at a Disney character buffet at the parks with Hawaiian foods and atmosphere. There were the requisite Mickey waffles, but also grilled ham, Hawaiian-style fried rice, fish and local fruits. When you check in at the desk, your party is directed to the outside area to queue up for a photo with Mickey. There’s a Photopass photographer, but the photos are offered as a package, separate from what you may have on your Photopass card from other resort photos. The CM will also use your own phone/camera for photos. After your Mickey photo, you go to the waiting area until your table is ready. We were seated outside, which was great, and Dale, Minnie and Chip came by in fairly short order. The restaurant is much smaller than those at the parks, so if you miss a chance with one of the characters while you’re up getting food, it’s not too long of a wait for them to come back around.
My Mother’s Day dinner treat was a sunset reservation at Ama Ama. Had it not been Mother’s Day, I’m not sure we would have done it, but I’m glad we did. We were seated outside, though we didn’t have the best view. But it ended up being fine, and we had a great meal. I got an 8oz filet and DBF ordered the NY strip. We got salads for starters and a baked potato for a side. DS11 ordered the spaghetti and meatballs off the kids menu, and DD8 ordered the pizza. Kid fare is pretty standard, and the regular dinner menu is full of incredible choices. Everything was incredible, and we ordered dessert as well. As you’d expect with a place like Ama Ama, there is a dress code. Basically, don’t show up in your swimwear!
We used the grills (“Pulehu Place”) one evening for our chicken and fish. The grills are located on the path behind Aunty’s Beach House, past Ama Ama and the drink refill station (formerly One Paddle, Two Paddle). We lucked out and got an open grill, but it seems grill-sharing is totally standard, as we had people asking us if they could put things in any open space we had. We borrowed tools from the Pau Hana Room, and they gave them to us bagged, saying we could stick them back in the bag when we were done and return them without cleaning them. It was dark when we grilled, and each grill has a light to help you see, which is great. There is also a concrete “counter” space next to each grill to give you room to set things down. We brought the food back up to our villa, but there are picnic tables (or maybe just one; it was dark) next to the grills. But at the time we were grilling, it seemed one big family was using the area. So if you’d like to eat at the table(s), you may need to camp out fairly early to get a spot.
As we cooked so many of our meals, we didn’t end up heading over to Monkeypod or Roy’s, etc., though lots of other folks did. Pizza Corner was also super popular. Next trip, now that we’ve done Ama Ama and Makahiki, the pressure will be off to eat at those places again so we can explore outside meals.
Refillable Mugs
We bought our mugs at Lava Shack, but they’re at Ulu Cafe as well. The refill stations are just outside Lava Shack (accessible 24 hours), Ulu Cafe (closes with the cafe) and down the path past Ama Ama/Aunty’s Beach House (formerly One Paddle, Two Paddle; seems to close with Ama Ama). The Ulu Cafe location is the biggest, with two sets of drink selections and ice vending and more choices that the other two spots. I think we got our money’s worth on the first day. As we don’t usually drink soda, I’m currently going through withdrawal since we’ve been home…
Shopping
As everyone notes, the shopping center across the street offers all kinds of opportunities at prices better than at the resort. Island Country Markets (ABC store) is all you’ve heard about it and more. There are a great variety of souvenirs, practical items (waterproof phone cases, swim covers, flip flops), and food items, and prices aren’t bad at all. This where we got the majority of our souvenirs, and the kids picked up little gifts for their friends. We also got several boxes of chocolate covered macadamia nuts to bring back as treats for teachers and friends, etc.
The other stores in the shopping center also offer a variety of clothes and other items. Even if you’re not interested in eating or shopping, it’s a nice place for a stroll, and it’s just across the street.
With all that said, I’d be a total liar if I said we didn’t spend our share of money at the Aulani shops. My kids ended up needing long-sleeved swim shirts, which we picked up at Lava Shack. My son’s shirt was on their small sale rack (at the back near the refrigerated case), and it was great we picked those up when we did. DBF also ended up getting a pair of flip flops there in a jam.
Kalepa Store is very similar to the stores you find in Disney resort hotels, with a bit more of a selection of refrigerated and frozen grocery items. They sell Aulani exclusive merchandise, as well as some standard Disney toys, clothes and souvenirs. This store is also where the Photopass desk is located. The kids chose Duffy and Shellie May bears with Aulani outfits, and we picked up a deck of Aulani-themed playing cards. They have a selection of pins.
The more upscale stores are Hale Manu and at Laniwai spa. Hale Manu has the matching designer Aulani wear (Tori Richard), with some nicer jewelry, footwear, hats and scarves. They also sell CDs, including the elevator tunes you hear which are Hawaiian interpretations of classic Disney songs. The shop in Laniwai has more spa-oriented items like robes, slippers and bath salts, etc., but they also have some dress-up items for girls. The Moana costume, for example, is sold there.
Laniwai Spa
I hadn’t planned any spa time (wasn’t in the budget), but DBF surprised me for Mother’s Day with a Signature Lomilomi massage the following day (they were doing facials only at the spa on Mother’s Day). The spa experience was incredible, and it’s a beautiful, relaxing place. You may use the spa facilities up to 45 minutes before your treatment, then as long as you wish after (until closing, obviously). I arrived about a half hour early, and got in some soaks in the hot pools and cold plunge, used the hydrotherapy garden and walked along the reflexology path. They also custom mix a complimentary body scrub for you, and there are a variety of snacks and flavored waters. Katherine was my guide when I arrived, and she was warm and welcoming, and told me so much about the building as well as the spa. My Lomilomi (hot stone) massage was done by Jason, who was great and seemed expertly trained at handling the hot stones. I could have stayed for hours, but we had our luau that night, so I had to leave soon after the massage. It was quite a treat, and I’m grateful to my DBF for gifting it to me.
Photopass
We grabbed a Photopass card during Moana photos, but didn’t really use it otherwise. However, pictures were taken at Aunty’s Beach House during the kids’ scheduled activities, and we were able to go to the Photopass desk, tell them the time and day the kids were there and get the photos hooked up. So we went for the $99 flat fee for a CD off the images, and got all the Moana character photos as well as the ABH pics. I would liked to have done some shots with a photographer in the pool area with all of us, but it just never seemed to work out. It would have made the flat price for the CD of the photos even more worth it.
If you’re looking for a Photopass photographer, look between Lava Shack and the restrooms, near the Waikolohe pool. There was always a photographer standing there waiting.
Excursions
We had big plans for all kinds of excursions, but ended up doing only two!
Saturday morning, we did an early morning dolphin snorkel with Ko Olina Ocean Adventures. The Ko Olina shuttle picked us up right out front at Aulani and dropped us off at the nearby marina. Before the snorkel, they served a light QS breakfast with coffee, hot cocoa, muffins, etc., then a hot lunch (pulled pork, teriyaki chicken or veggie burger) with chips and drinks upon return. We had a great crew with Captain Mark, Steve and Ray (who speaks fluent Japanese). They are incredibly knowledgable, made everyone feel at ease, and were great with my kids (who were the only kids on board that day). We set out from the marina and went up the coast quite a way. along the way, we saw monk seals and turtles. We stopped three times, first to see tropical fish and more turtles, then to a coral reef with more fish and finally—the piece de resistance—we found a pod of spinner dolphins and snorkeled as they swam by us. It was incredible, amazing, breath-taking, unforgettable. And the crew know so much about the island and the wildlife. This was an amazing experience, and I highly recommend it.
The only other time we left property was for the luau at Paradise Cove. As some of you may know, the lawn where Aulani holds Ka Wa’a is current under refurb, so they have moved the luau indoors. That didn’t appeal to us, so we went with the recommendation for Paradise Cove. It’s within walking distance, and the evening begins with activities on the beach like games (spear-throwing, a form of lawn bowling, canoe rides in the lagoon, temporary tattoos, etc.) and there are a variety of cultural shows and demonstrations. The show struck me as very traditional, with a great band, a celebration of traditions and cultures from other sister island nations, and the much-anticipated fire feature. DD8 and I went up on stage with a group of others and got a hula lesson (we even received certificates!). The food from the buffet was good, and there is a bar for extra drinks. Depending on which package you opt for, they give you “cove credit” to use at the bar and shops. They also take a group photo upon entry, which you can, of course, purchase as a souvenir. We chose the lowest end package, and we ended up with a great end seat along a side table. If you want a total VIP experience, you can get that option, but if you don’t fancy that, the standard basic package was plenty for us.
Because of all kinds issues from indecision to confusion, we didn’t book our Pearl Harbor tickets in advance (though I knew we should have). It became too tough to work it in once we arrived, though I’m sure we could have made it happen if we’d been willing to get there by 7am day-of to get the daily tickets they release. So that would be my one regret. If we’d gotten the advance tickets, we definitely would have done it. Next time!
Departure
Boo-hoo! Leaving was just gut-wrenching. I stayed up the night before packing so we wouldn’t be pressured during our precious few morning hours at the resort the next morning. Our flight out of HNL was at 11:15am on Tuesday, 5/16, and we planned to leave the resort by 9:15-9:30am. We got up and got dressed, leaving the room around 7am. We took a few last-chance pics by the pool area and down by the beach. We hung our orchid leis on Stitch then got QS breakfast at Ulu to save us from cooking and clean-up. After breakfast, we went to Aunty’s to have the kids' magic bands unlocked. After that, we collected our pool bands for the day to complete our collection, then we took one last stroll through the lobby and shops. Finally, we went back to our room, did another once-over to check for stuff and headed to the lobby with our bags. DBF got the car from the garage and we were off.
Insert ugly crying here.
The drive to airport was quick and easy, and not terribly crowded. There was a traffic accident snagging one of the ramps. And be prepared to send your checked baggage through an agricultural scanner prior to checking your baggage. They’ll put a sticker on it, then you can grab it and move on.
Random/Other Comments
-I’d done some significant searching for lists of amenities and kitchen utensils, never having stayed in a DVC villa. The utensils our villa didn’t have that I’d hoped/expected were a flat spatula/turner, pizza wheel and tongs. We made out fine with what was there, but turning pancakes with the rice cooker spatula was a bit of an adventure. We subbed a fork for the tongs (cooking bacon) and just used a knife to cut the pizza. All good. But next time, I might pack those few things just to be safe.
-Don’t forget to ask for your “first visit” buttons! We didn’t even think about it at the online check-in desk (and they didn’t offer). But we later saw others with theirs, so we went to the front desk to get some.
-In the heat of the afternoon, the walkways in the pool area can get very hot! I recommend either finding a place to ditch your flip flops while you swim, or wearing a pair of water socks/shoes if you are comfortable in them. Depending on where you’re coming from, the sun may feel intense. I ended up getting my kids long-sleeved swim shirts and re-applying sunblock about every hour. We also brought a bottle of aloe with us and slathered it on every night after showering.
-It gets windy. Super windy. Like really, super breezy windy. Things go flying, like plates and napkins, hats and anything else not secured down. It’s not usually a big deal, as it’s beautiful and refreshing in many ways, but there were instances of plates with food scraps on them going airborne, so be prepare and secure your belongings at your lounges and chairs, and be careful when getting up to throw away your food.
-I had originally bought a couple of disposable underwater cameras for the trip, but opted to return them and getting a regular digital underwater camera at Costco (a Fujifilm FinePix XP120). While Amazon reviews were mixed, a wider Google search had good info, and I found the camera to be a great investment. The kids took tons of pictures in the pools and lagoon, we used it on the dolphin snorkel, and we got fun videos on the water slides and lazy river. In the end, it’s much easier to deal with a standard digital camera than to have to develop the disposables. And now we have a good underwater camera for other trips.
-If you’re looking for turtles, head over to the lagoon at Paradise Cove in the morning around 10-11am. They hang out in the water and come up frequently for air.
-While it’s tempting to hang at the resort because it’s both so relaxing and there’s so much to do, getting out and talking to locals (including the Ko Olina shuttle bus drivers) is a great way to get ton of information and meet wonderful people. And the scenery is so gorgeous, a drive around the area (or up to the North Shore, etc.) really is a great way to appreciate the island. Next time, we definitely want to to more outside of Aulani.
Overall, we had a wonderful stay and I wouldn’t have changed a thing. Ideally, we could have stayed many more days and done lots more excursions, but time and budgets being what they are, we did really well. The kids have decided they want to move to HI and attend university there, so they’re totally sold! We definitely caught the Aloha spirit!
I’ll break down my trip report by topic. I haven’t gone through all my photos yet, but I’ll add some to the post in the coming days.
Arrival
We flew Alaska Airlines nonstop from PDX to HNL, leaving at 7:15am on Tuesday, 5/11. We landed around 10am local time. I’m a frequent flyer on Alaska, and this was a great flight. We carried on a beach bag with our suits, cover-ups and flip-flops in case the room wasn’t ready when we arrived.
Our luggage was waiting for us at baggage claim, and we headed out to the middle roadway to catch our rental car shuttle (we had a reservation with Alamo through Costco). We waited quite a while (around 30 minutes) for a shuttle, which was really tough for the kids, who were tired and anxious. The first shuttle that came by for Alamo after around 20 minutes of waiting was full, and it was about 10 more minutes for the next one. While that was frustrating, when we finally got on board, the ride was quick and there was no waiting at the Alamo kiosk and only a short line at the counter. We had reserved an intermediate SUV, so walked out the door and grabbed a Subaru Forrester. The process was easy. We stopped at the exit gate and the Alamo folks checked the car, signed our paperwork, and we were off.
We waited in the cell phone lot for my DBF, flying in from LAX shortly after us. We had a great view of the local beach park, with Waikiki and Diamond Head off in the distance. By far the best view from a cell phone lot that I’ve ever experienced! We waited for him for about 15 more minutes, swung by to get him curbside, then we were off to Target in Kapolei. Getting on H1 West from the airport is very easy, and traffic wasn’t bad at all.
It was a 20-minute ride to Kapolei, and there was no crowd at Target at 12:30pm on a Thursday. We were in the store for maybe 20 minutes buying our perishables, and spent around $150 for fresh meat and fish, fruit and veggies, bacon, butter, chips and snacks, a couple of 2.5 gallon water containers, milk, eggs, etc. I packed five reusable shopping bags, and we used all of them without having to purchase any bags.
Another 10 minutes, and we arrived at Aulani! Pulling into Ko Olina is incredibly picturesque. You can see Aulani from the road, and the kids were totally beside themselves. There was no waiting when we pulled up the driveway, and were immediately greeted by the friendly bell staff. They figured out quickly that our room was ready, then they loaded up our bags and put our groceries in containers for us, and they were off. The car was put in a temporary spot where we could move it to self-parking later. We did online check-in, and the desk is right there where you pull up. They gave us our leis and cups of fruity water, and then we got our keys and room number. Done! It was so easy.
Our room
As you probably know by now, the open-air lobby is on the third floor. It makes for a dramatic and lovely welcome and, as I assume most people do, we walked directly across to the deck that overlooks Waikolohe Valley and immediately snapped around 1,000 pictures.
We rented DVC points for our stay and reserved a one-bedroom villa, poolside/gardens view, and were given room #276 (second floor of Ewa Tower). We entered the lobby hallway opposite the front desk, went past the gift shops and around the corner to the elevators. Our room was down one floor and just four doors down the hallway on the right.
The villa has a full kitchen, dining area, living room with a sleeper sofa and Murphy bed under the TV, separate bedroom with a king-sized bed and TV, two balconies, a tub and sink separated from the shower, toilet and second sink. The room was very quiet, despite being poolside and close to the elevators. The doors to the balconies are quite heavy, and we only heard hallway noise a couple of times (and only directly in front of our room).
Our bags arrived just after we did. We tipped the CM, unloaded our groceries, changed into our suits and headed down to the pool!
Waikolohe Valley
To get out to the pools and beach, you can either take the elevator to the third floor and walk down the stairs near Makahiki, or just take the elevator down to the first floor and walk right out. It’s a bit overwhelming when you first get down there, as the lush gardens and winding pathways can make everything seem a bit confusing. But just give yourself a short bit of walking around, and you’ll get acclimated quickly. Things are not nearly as spread out as they first seem, and it’s actually quite easy to get around once you get your bearings.
We walked over the bridge to the wrist band/towel station near the Menehune Bridge (which was closed during our stay). As we were arriving around 2pm, lounges were a small issue. We couldn’t find any two next to each other, so we settled on one open lounge across from the Waikolohe Pool, just on the back side of Keiki Cove. But between the time we set our things down and came back, the lounge next to ours had magically been freed up and we were able to take it. With the exception of our last full day at the pools, the four of us only ever took two lounges. The kids were always running around, so saving four wasn’t really necessary. Only on our last full day when we were planning to eat lunch poolside did we grab four chairs first thing in the morning.
There is no shortage of pools or hot tubs to strike your fancy, no matter your speed. The big family pool (Waikolohe) is great, as is the infinity pool. Both have hot tubs. There is a double infinity whirlpool for 18+ on the beach side of the Waikolohe Pool, which wasn’t crowded any of the few times DBF and I had a chance to visit it. We came to discover the whirlpool we liked best was the one just to the right when you’re crossing down into the valley. It was the least crowded and was in a quiet spot overlooking the lazy river and Menehune Bridge area.
We didn’t have a chance to go in the Wailana Pool, just past Keiki Cove and Ulu Cafe, but I strolled near it for a peek. It was quiet and more shady, and has nearby restrooms and a bar. And as my kids are too big for Keiki Cove, we didn’t do that either.
The lazy river, Waikolohe River, was a huge hit with all of us. While it can be crowded at times, you’ll quickly get over saying “sorry” or “excuse me” when you bump into others, as you figure out you can literally just go with the flow and everyone is cool with it. The most popular entry point is near the stairs going up to the waterslides, as that’s where there is the most room for raft storage. But keep in mind that you can enter in three other places: near Menehune Bridge, and across from the entrance to either of the towers. And there are often abandoned rafts at these three locations during busier times.
The waterslides are both a lot of fun. Tubestone Curl requires either a single or double tube, and winds down and around the volcano, leaving you in the entry to the lazy river. So you can stay put in your float and enjoy or exit. The Volcanic Vertical is a non-tube, single rider slide that is enclosed and totally dark until you get to the bottom. It empties into the Waikolohe pool on the other side of the volcano. So you may either exit or swim over into the pool.
Lagoon
The lagoon is a great beach experience, and there are often lots of free lounges down there. We brought the kids their own goggles, masks and snorkels, but we did borrow a boogie board one day. We didn’t end up doing any other rentals, or using any sand toys. But we did quite a bit of swimming, and the views from the beach are breathtaking. It can be easy to get caught up in the pools, but don’t forget to hit the sand and enjoy that experience, too!
Rainbow Reef
Our first afternoon at the resort, we bought the length-of-stay Rainbow Reef option for the kids. They loved it, and used it pretty much every day. It was never crowded, and they’d spend 20-30 minutes snorkeling every time they went in. If you do the length-of-stay option, they’ll punch a Mickey into your wristband. Then you can sign the waiver and get your band punched when you pick up your bands and towels each day. If you do it that way, you just have to stop at the Rainbow Reef counter for masks and life jackets, which makes the process a bit quicker.
Feeding times at RR were 7:30am and 1:30pm, but we never happened to be near the reef at those times. Peeking in through the observation window across from Lava Shack is a lot of fun, and there are so many cool fish (and even Menehune) to see in the water.
Menehune Adventure Trail
We did a few rounds of the MAT, outdoor version (there is also an indoor version). Aunty narrates, and she’s a hoot! It’s fun and educational, and gives you a great chance to stop an look at so many of the things you may not notice as you’re passing or floating by every day. It also helps you learn your way around the valley really well!
It’s easy to check out the tablet. Just head to the Pau Hana Room and provide your room key. You get the tablet for an hour at a time, and your progress is saved for the next time you play.
My only complaint about the game is that one day we had some pretty janky wifi issues, and the two features my DD8 was most looking forward to (the whale blowhole in the lazy river and the waterfall in the family pool) wouldn’t function because the tablet couldn’t make a connection. We asked, but there was no way to go back and redo those steps without starting the whole thing from the beginning. But we had fun otherwise.
Aunty’s Beach House
I pre-registered the kids for Coconut Kings & Queens of Comedy and Stitch’s Space Goo. The former was Friday night at 7:30 and the latter Monday at 3pm. We were told during pre-registration and again at check-in to go to Aunty’s right away to complete registration so the kids could start enjoying the benefits. We didn’t end up going over until Friday morning, just because the kids were so antsy on the first day to swim. But when you complete registration, bring the kids with you.
During registration, the kids will be given a wristband (looks like the original magic bands). You must pay for them, but if you keep your receipt (or even just a photo of your receipt), you may return them before you leave for a refund. They get “locked” on the kids’ wrists and are waterproof, so they’re totally safe to wear to the pool and beach.
Once registration is complete, the kids can come in any time for free play or activities that don’t require a reservation (unless you are registered for that activity, of course). There are video games, arts and crafts, dress-up and all kinds of other things to do during free play, as well as activities that don’t require a reservation.
The kids need to be clean and dry with proper clothes and footwear when they go to Aunty’s for an activity. If you have a scheduled activity, they ask you to show up a half hour early. The kids will have free play before the event begins, and can stay for free play after.
My kids love Stitch and were really excited for Space Goo. But given their ages (DS11, DD8), they both felt the activities were geared toward kids a bit younger. They still had fun, but Coconut Kings was less enjoyable than Space Goo. Also, a note about Space Goo is that pickup is on the side door, along the pathway across from the drink refill station.
DS11 went back to Aunty’s a couple of times to play Xbox, and he participated in a tween art activity for a little while. DD8 attended only the two events we pre-registered for, opting for pool and beach time instead.
Character meets
Call the character line each morning from a house phone to find out who will be where and at which times. My kids were on the hunt for Stitch and Moana. Stitch never seemed to be an option, but since they were seeing him at Aunty’s Beach House, that was OK. If you don’t call the character line, you’ll still see where the characters are throughout the day, mainly on the garden pathway between Makahiki/Olelo Room and the Waikolohe Valley.
There are also some pool games featuring Mickey, Goofy and friends at times found on the Daily Iwa. There seemed to be photo opps after each of these as well, but we didn’t participate so I can’t say for sure.
The day we met Moana, she was described on the character meet recording as being at “Manawa Island,” which wasn’t on the map (I later saw it IS on the interactive map on the website). But I asked a CM and was directed to a strip of land in the middle of the lazy river, on the other side of the wooden bridge from the Menehune Bridge. I suggest getting to the character spots at least 15 minutes ahead of the scheduled time, as the lines get to be pretty long. We arrived at 11:30 for the 11:45 Moana meet, and we were about the fourth ohana in line.
Pau Hana Room
We were huge fans of Pau Hana Room. We rented a movie one night, and DBF and DS11 took a ukulele lesson. They rent out the grill tools and host all kinds of activities. The CMs are also incredibly helpful if you need to pop in and ask a question.
The Daily Iwa
As everyone says, pick up a copy at the front desk every morning. While it didn’t seem that most activities changed significantly from day to day while we were there, there are some rotating features and good info. We spotted the ukulele lessons at Pau Hana Room before noticing it on the Daily Iwa, for example. So as you notice things you want to do, you will have the schedule handy if you’ve picked up the Daily Iwa.
Mo’ Olelo Fireside Storytelling
Our last night, DD8 and I caught the 9pm fireside storytelling with Uncle. We arrived just before Uncle did, and seating was in short supply. We were able to sit up on a wall, though, so it worked out. Uncle told a tale of the Menehune helping build a canoe. We’d just come from our luau, so we were pretty tired, but It only lasted around 15-20 minutes and DD8 really enjoyed it. It’s a nice way to end your night, with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee and the evening breeze.
Dining
With the full kitchen in the villa, we cooked a good deal of our meals. Our dinners were salads, pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, grilled chicken and fish with steamed rice and broccoli; breakfasts were pancakes, eggs, toast, fruit; lunches were sandwiches, quesadillas, ramen. We had snacks we’d bring down to the pool with us, but we did end up buying snacks every day, as well as eating at on-site restaurants and ordering poolside.
We most often went for soft serve, which is available from Ulu Cafe or beachside at Little ‘Opihi’s in vanilla, pineapple (a.k.a. “Dole Whip”) or swirl. Ulu Cafe has lots of treats like cookies, brownies, mini malasadas, and even Mickey krispies. They also sell a popcorn bucket that doubles as a sandcastle pail. I believe it’s $8 with $1 refills (which come bagged in case you’ve repurposed the pail for sandcastling). Then there’s the shave ice from Papalua. Yum! The standard is three flavors and they’ll put Mickey ears on it for $1 more. But beware! Soft serve and shave ice melt super fast in the hot Hawaiian sun, and the ground outside the shave ice shack is littered with melted, fallen Mickey ears.
The first afternoon we arrived, we hadn’t eaten in ages and ordered the coconut shrimp and chicken tenders baskets from Mama’s Snack Shop, and they were super good. The fries from all the QS places are actually excellent, and you get a good portion. We picked up our refillable mugs right away as well.
We ordered poolside lunch our last full day as a treat, which is a menu similar to Off the Hook and Mama’s. It seemed to us that when we didn’t want to order, the poolside waitstaff were everywhere with menus, asking if we needed anything. But when we did want to order, it was a bit of a wait to find someone. But service was pretty quick after ordering, and they bring your meal in a covered basket, which helps when it’s windy.
Aside from snacks at Ulu Cafe, we had breakfast there on our last day. We left pretty early (9am) and didn’t want to have to deal with meal prep and clean-up with such a short amount of time in the morning. The selection for breakfast is good, with both hot and cold choices, breakfast/croissant sandwiches and muffins, etc. The breakfast platter had french toast, choice of bacon or sausage, potatoes, scrambled eggs and two slices of fresh cut pineapple. The cinnamon rolls are gigantic, and yummy. The food was good, and not a bad price.
There is an offer that includes an Ulu Cafe dining plan, which is one prepaid meal per guest, per night. We witnessed lots of guests who seemed to take advantage of that plan.
Mother’s Day morning, we had the character buffet breakfast at Makahiki. The buffet is a good hybrid of what you’d experience at a Disney character buffet at the parks with Hawaiian foods and atmosphere. There were the requisite Mickey waffles, but also grilled ham, Hawaiian-style fried rice, fish and local fruits. When you check in at the desk, your party is directed to the outside area to queue up for a photo with Mickey. There’s a Photopass photographer, but the photos are offered as a package, separate from what you may have on your Photopass card from other resort photos. The CM will also use your own phone/camera for photos. After your Mickey photo, you go to the waiting area until your table is ready. We were seated outside, which was great, and Dale, Minnie and Chip came by in fairly short order. The restaurant is much smaller than those at the parks, so if you miss a chance with one of the characters while you’re up getting food, it’s not too long of a wait for them to come back around.
My Mother’s Day dinner treat was a sunset reservation at Ama Ama. Had it not been Mother’s Day, I’m not sure we would have done it, but I’m glad we did. We were seated outside, though we didn’t have the best view. But it ended up being fine, and we had a great meal. I got an 8oz filet and DBF ordered the NY strip. We got salads for starters and a baked potato for a side. DS11 ordered the spaghetti and meatballs off the kids menu, and DD8 ordered the pizza. Kid fare is pretty standard, and the regular dinner menu is full of incredible choices. Everything was incredible, and we ordered dessert as well. As you’d expect with a place like Ama Ama, there is a dress code. Basically, don’t show up in your swimwear!
We used the grills (“Pulehu Place”) one evening for our chicken and fish. The grills are located on the path behind Aunty’s Beach House, past Ama Ama and the drink refill station (formerly One Paddle, Two Paddle). We lucked out and got an open grill, but it seems grill-sharing is totally standard, as we had people asking us if they could put things in any open space we had. We borrowed tools from the Pau Hana Room, and they gave them to us bagged, saying we could stick them back in the bag when we were done and return them without cleaning them. It was dark when we grilled, and each grill has a light to help you see, which is great. There is also a concrete “counter” space next to each grill to give you room to set things down. We brought the food back up to our villa, but there are picnic tables (or maybe just one; it was dark) next to the grills. But at the time we were grilling, it seemed one big family was using the area. So if you’d like to eat at the table(s), you may need to camp out fairly early to get a spot.
As we cooked so many of our meals, we didn’t end up heading over to Monkeypod or Roy’s, etc., though lots of other folks did. Pizza Corner was also super popular. Next trip, now that we’ve done Ama Ama and Makahiki, the pressure will be off to eat at those places again so we can explore outside meals.
Refillable Mugs
We bought our mugs at Lava Shack, but they’re at Ulu Cafe as well. The refill stations are just outside Lava Shack (accessible 24 hours), Ulu Cafe (closes with the cafe) and down the path past Ama Ama/Aunty’s Beach House (formerly One Paddle, Two Paddle; seems to close with Ama Ama). The Ulu Cafe location is the biggest, with two sets of drink selections and ice vending and more choices that the other two spots. I think we got our money’s worth on the first day. As we don’t usually drink soda, I’m currently going through withdrawal since we’ve been home…
Shopping
As everyone notes, the shopping center across the street offers all kinds of opportunities at prices better than at the resort. Island Country Markets (ABC store) is all you’ve heard about it and more. There are a great variety of souvenirs, practical items (waterproof phone cases, swim covers, flip flops), and food items, and prices aren’t bad at all. This where we got the majority of our souvenirs, and the kids picked up little gifts for their friends. We also got several boxes of chocolate covered macadamia nuts to bring back as treats for teachers and friends, etc.
The other stores in the shopping center also offer a variety of clothes and other items. Even if you’re not interested in eating or shopping, it’s a nice place for a stroll, and it’s just across the street.
With all that said, I’d be a total liar if I said we didn’t spend our share of money at the Aulani shops. My kids ended up needing long-sleeved swim shirts, which we picked up at Lava Shack. My son’s shirt was on their small sale rack (at the back near the refrigerated case), and it was great we picked those up when we did. DBF also ended up getting a pair of flip flops there in a jam.
Kalepa Store is very similar to the stores you find in Disney resort hotels, with a bit more of a selection of refrigerated and frozen grocery items. They sell Aulani exclusive merchandise, as well as some standard Disney toys, clothes and souvenirs. This store is also where the Photopass desk is located. The kids chose Duffy and Shellie May bears with Aulani outfits, and we picked up a deck of Aulani-themed playing cards. They have a selection of pins.
The more upscale stores are Hale Manu and at Laniwai spa. Hale Manu has the matching designer Aulani wear (Tori Richard), with some nicer jewelry, footwear, hats and scarves. They also sell CDs, including the elevator tunes you hear which are Hawaiian interpretations of classic Disney songs. The shop in Laniwai has more spa-oriented items like robes, slippers and bath salts, etc., but they also have some dress-up items for girls. The Moana costume, for example, is sold there.
Laniwai Spa
I hadn’t planned any spa time (wasn’t in the budget), but DBF surprised me for Mother’s Day with a Signature Lomilomi massage the following day (they were doing facials only at the spa on Mother’s Day). The spa experience was incredible, and it’s a beautiful, relaxing place. You may use the spa facilities up to 45 minutes before your treatment, then as long as you wish after (until closing, obviously). I arrived about a half hour early, and got in some soaks in the hot pools and cold plunge, used the hydrotherapy garden and walked along the reflexology path. They also custom mix a complimentary body scrub for you, and there are a variety of snacks and flavored waters. Katherine was my guide when I arrived, and she was warm and welcoming, and told me so much about the building as well as the spa. My Lomilomi (hot stone) massage was done by Jason, who was great and seemed expertly trained at handling the hot stones. I could have stayed for hours, but we had our luau that night, so I had to leave soon after the massage. It was quite a treat, and I’m grateful to my DBF for gifting it to me.
Photopass
We grabbed a Photopass card during Moana photos, but didn’t really use it otherwise. However, pictures were taken at Aunty’s Beach House during the kids’ scheduled activities, and we were able to go to the Photopass desk, tell them the time and day the kids were there and get the photos hooked up. So we went for the $99 flat fee for a CD off the images, and got all the Moana character photos as well as the ABH pics. I would liked to have done some shots with a photographer in the pool area with all of us, but it just never seemed to work out. It would have made the flat price for the CD of the photos even more worth it.
If you’re looking for a Photopass photographer, look between Lava Shack and the restrooms, near the Waikolohe pool. There was always a photographer standing there waiting.
Excursions
We had big plans for all kinds of excursions, but ended up doing only two!
Saturday morning, we did an early morning dolphin snorkel with Ko Olina Ocean Adventures. The Ko Olina shuttle picked us up right out front at Aulani and dropped us off at the nearby marina. Before the snorkel, they served a light QS breakfast with coffee, hot cocoa, muffins, etc., then a hot lunch (pulled pork, teriyaki chicken or veggie burger) with chips and drinks upon return. We had a great crew with Captain Mark, Steve and Ray (who speaks fluent Japanese). They are incredibly knowledgable, made everyone feel at ease, and were great with my kids (who were the only kids on board that day). We set out from the marina and went up the coast quite a way. along the way, we saw monk seals and turtles. We stopped three times, first to see tropical fish and more turtles, then to a coral reef with more fish and finally—the piece de resistance—we found a pod of spinner dolphins and snorkeled as they swam by us. It was incredible, amazing, breath-taking, unforgettable. And the crew know so much about the island and the wildlife. This was an amazing experience, and I highly recommend it.
The only other time we left property was for the luau at Paradise Cove. As some of you may know, the lawn where Aulani holds Ka Wa’a is current under refurb, so they have moved the luau indoors. That didn’t appeal to us, so we went with the recommendation for Paradise Cove. It’s within walking distance, and the evening begins with activities on the beach like games (spear-throwing, a form of lawn bowling, canoe rides in the lagoon, temporary tattoos, etc.) and there are a variety of cultural shows and demonstrations. The show struck me as very traditional, with a great band, a celebration of traditions and cultures from other sister island nations, and the much-anticipated fire feature. DD8 and I went up on stage with a group of others and got a hula lesson (we even received certificates!). The food from the buffet was good, and there is a bar for extra drinks. Depending on which package you opt for, they give you “cove credit” to use at the bar and shops. They also take a group photo upon entry, which you can, of course, purchase as a souvenir. We chose the lowest end package, and we ended up with a great end seat along a side table. If you want a total VIP experience, you can get that option, but if you don’t fancy that, the standard basic package was plenty for us.
Because of all kinds issues from indecision to confusion, we didn’t book our Pearl Harbor tickets in advance (though I knew we should have). It became too tough to work it in once we arrived, though I’m sure we could have made it happen if we’d been willing to get there by 7am day-of to get the daily tickets they release. So that would be my one regret. If we’d gotten the advance tickets, we definitely would have done it. Next time!
Departure
Boo-hoo! Leaving was just gut-wrenching. I stayed up the night before packing so we wouldn’t be pressured during our precious few morning hours at the resort the next morning. Our flight out of HNL was at 11:15am on Tuesday, 5/16, and we planned to leave the resort by 9:15-9:30am. We got up and got dressed, leaving the room around 7am. We took a few last-chance pics by the pool area and down by the beach. We hung our orchid leis on Stitch then got QS breakfast at Ulu to save us from cooking and clean-up. After breakfast, we went to Aunty’s to have the kids' magic bands unlocked. After that, we collected our pool bands for the day to complete our collection, then we took one last stroll through the lobby and shops. Finally, we went back to our room, did another once-over to check for stuff and headed to the lobby with our bags. DBF got the car from the garage and we were off.
Insert ugly crying here.
The drive to airport was quick and easy, and not terribly crowded. There was a traffic accident snagging one of the ramps. And be prepared to send your checked baggage through an agricultural scanner prior to checking your baggage. They’ll put a sticker on it, then you can grab it and move on.
Random/Other Comments
-I’d done some significant searching for lists of amenities and kitchen utensils, never having stayed in a DVC villa. The utensils our villa didn’t have that I’d hoped/expected were a flat spatula/turner, pizza wheel and tongs. We made out fine with what was there, but turning pancakes with the rice cooker spatula was a bit of an adventure. We subbed a fork for the tongs (cooking bacon) and just used a knife to cut the pizza. All good. But next time, I might pack those few things just to be safe.
-Don’t forget to ask for your “first visit” buttons! We didn’t even think about it at the online check-in desk (and they didn’t offer). But we later saw others with theirs, so we went to the front desk to get some.
-In the heat of the afternoon, the walkways in the pool area can get very hot! I recommend either finding a place to ditch your flip flops while you swim, or wearing a pair of water socks/shoes if you are comfortable in them. Depending on where you’re coming from, the sun may feel intense. I ended up getting my kids long-sleeved swim shirts and re-applying sunblock about every hour. We also brought a bottle of aloe with us and slathered it on every night after showering.
-It gets windy. Super windy. Like really, super breezy windy. Things go flying, like plates and napkins, hats and anything else not secured down. It’s not usually a big deal, as it’s beautiful and refreshing in many ways, but there were instances of plates with food scraps on them going airborne, so be prepare and secure your belongings at your lounges and chairs, and be careful when getting up to throw away your food.
-I had originally bought a couple of disposable underwater cameras for the trip, but opted to return them and getting a regular digital underwater camera at Costco (a Fujifilm FinePix XP120). While Amazon reviews were mixed, a wider Google search had good info, and I found the camera to be a great investment. The kids took tons of pictures in the pools and lagoon, we used it on the dolphin snorkel, and we got fun videos on the water slides and lazy river. In the end, it’s much easier to deal with a standard digital camera than to have to develop the disposables. And now we have a good underwater camera for other trips.
-If you’re looking for turtles, head over to the lagoon at Paradise Cove in the morning around 10-11am. They hang out in the water and come up frequently for air.
-While it’s tempting to hang at the resort because it’s both so relaxing and there’s so much to do, getting out and talking to locals (including the Ko Olina shuttle bus drivers) is a great way to get ton of information and meet wonderful people. And the scenery is so gorgeous, a drive around the area (or up to the North Shore, etc.) really is a great way to appreciate the island. Next time, we definitely want to to more outside of Aulani.
Last edited:
We will leave one day for North shore. Pearl Harbor will be a shore excursion on way to airport. Happy we were able to work that in because I was having trouble fitting it in from Aulani as well.
Aulani t-shirts and wine glasses. Got lucky with the wine glasses as they were on sale at half off near the end of our stay. We wound up having them shipped home. 
