Helpful things at Aulani?

[owensamo]

We will be travelling to Hawaii on a multi-generational family trip (10 people, 4 kids, grandparents, etc) at the end of June. Being Disney veterans, I know what kinds of extras to pack for WDW and DCL - but none of us have been to Hawaii before, and I don't know what I don't know!

In the past for trips like this, I've tried to put together some kind of welcome package for the other families on arrival - local information, reservation info, schedules and schedules along with some fun/useful stuff like mini first aid kids, matching t-shirts, water bottles, cards/games, etc. I was thinking of trying to do something similar for Aulani, but I'm at a loss for what would be useful!

So what are some things that would come in handy in Hawaii? Or for those who have been, some things you wished you'd had? We'll be splitting time at both Aulani and on the Big Island.

Thanks!

 

[Lissete]

We usually don't take much to Hawaii, which is great for baggage fees However, for a goodie bag, 1st and foremost ... sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen too. Maybe a sun hat, a water wallet, beach/pool toy, a cute towel, a flower clip for girls, Mac nut kisses all in a cute beach bag. BTW, our Dollar Tree here has beach stuff out. Including bags, hats and flip flops in a ton of colors.

 

[CrazyDuck]

Get a refillable mug for everyone and have it delivered to the room. Also sunscreen, straw beach mats, hydroflask water bottles...

 

[Anal Annie]

I also wouldn't go overboard or overpack a bunch of stuff because of luggage fees. That's nice that you want to do something for everyone but you might consider just waiting until you get there & stop at the Target OR maybe just provide everyone with a gift card or something. A $25 Disney gift card they could apply to their room charges or a Target card maybe (per family not $25 EACH)!? You could even stop at Costco and buy everyone some Macadamia nuts or something.

For any tropical vacation like this we bring the usual 30 SPF sunscreens + lip protection, hats, sunglasses, water shoes (they would be good on the Big Island because the beaches there are mostly lava rock and difficult to navigate - not so many sand beaches there) and we bring our own snorkeling gear. I also bring an underwater digital camera for snorkeling. The digital ones are so much better than the old disposable film ones.