Just Back from first Aulani trip! March 12th-18th 2017

[aliceinwonder]

My family of 3 just got back from a great first trip to Aulani. My DD is 11 years old. Thanks to everyone who posts on the Disboards with information. I have been reading for years but hardly ever post. I wanted to help out and just let me know if you have any questions.

Things I was glad I had:

• Waterproof pouch for cell phone
• Portable charger for cell phone
• Groceries from Target
• Refillable mugs from Dreams Unlimited Travel
• Water shoes
• Tribord Snorkel Mask- My daughter loved this as she is not good with a regular snorkel. All she had to do was put mask on and breathe.
• Beach bag
• Collapsible cooler for day trips- I forgot to get one at Target so bought it at Aulani for $15.
• I got towels every night from pool area so we had some for early morning excursions the next day. Towel stands open at 8am.

Tip- I almost paid $225 for a private photograph session but I was able to get tons of photos from photo pass photographers on Friday night at sunset. They were there at 3 different spots. We have some great family photos. I received these and all the other photos from around the resort on a CD for $99. Keep a list of photos taken when you don't have your photo pass on you like at Aunty's Beach House or in the lazy river so you can get those added.

Here are some highlights from our trip.

• Sunday- Arrived around 2pm, rented car, trip to Target for supplies, meal at the burger place across from Target near Vitamin shop (it was very good), off to hotel to get some swimming in before pools close at 8pm. I loved our room location (room 840) ocean view overlooking the resort. It was not too far from elevators and the door leading to lazy river/pool.
• Monday - Breakfast in room and for some at Ulu Ulu Cafe (food was pretty good). 10 am zip lining at Coral Crater World. This is a new place close to Aulani (~15 minutes). This was our first time zip lining and we loved it. We chose this one as it was not quite as high off the ground as others. Then we went to Monkey Pod for lunch and everyone really enjoyed their lunch. Then it was back to Aulani for some lazy river time and then the Aulani Luau. We traveled with another family of 3 and we all enjoyed this. We were VIP and enjoyed front row seating and unlimited drinks.
• Tuesday - Breakfast at Anna Miller's (loved it) on the way to Pearl Harbor. We had 9 am reservations for the USS Arizona. Afterwards, we toured the Bow Fin. We all enjoyed it and went to lunch at a nearby restaurant--Restaurant 604. The food was very good and we had a great view. Then we drove to Kualoa Ranch (very scenic) and stopped at the Pali lookout. We had the 3:30pm Movie Scene tour scheduled, but we were early so ended up on the 3:00pm tour. This tour was really good, but is so much better if something is being filmed that day. The views were incredible and I had no idea how many movies and tv shows are filmed there. We got to see some very neat movie props from Lost, Jurassic Park, Skull Island, Jumangi, etc, etc, etc. Then we headed back and had dinner at Ulu Ulu Café. We enjoyed the pizza.
• Wednesday- We spent the entire day relaxing at the resort and hanging out by the pool. We had the character breakfast in the morning at the hotel and really enjoyed this. We called the character line at 8 am and took note of the character greetings that day. We met Stitch and Donald and Daisy in the afternoon. For breakfast, we had Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto. My daughter and my friend's son were signed up for the Chip and Dale Surf craft while we had reservations at Ama Ama. We never made it to Ama Ama as my daughter got a stomach bug that day. But she was fine in the morning. However our friend's son enjoyed it and he is 10. We borrowed movies from the resort and my husband and I had dinner on the balcony with take out from Off the Hook near the pool.
• More to come... Next up is North Shore, turtles, shaved ice, etc.

 

[cgattis]

Great details! Can't wait to read more!

Thanks for the Photopass tip...I'd been debating the same thing. About how long before actual sunset time did you have pics made? I've seen several that were pretty dark. Want to make sure we get there early enough to get good ones. Thanks!!!

 

[aliceinwonder]

We were there about 5 minutes after 6pm to start taking photos. The sunset was at 6:35pm that day. The photos turned out wonderful and are not dark. The photographers were there from 5:30- 7:00pm but the photographer recommended I come around 6 pm. She was taking my daughter's photo with one of the characters in the afternoon and told us to come get our photos taken at 6pm on the beach. They take them on the beach right in front of Ama Ama's. I have about 40 pictures at sunset.

 

[alohamom]

10 am zip lining at Coral Crater World. This is a new place close to Aulani (~15 minutes).

WOW-thanks for this. I just looked it up, looks like fun

 

[cgattis]

We were there about 5 minutes after 6pm to start taking photos. The sunset was at 6:35pm that day. The photos turned out wonderful and are not dark. The photographers were there from 5:30- 7:00pm but the photographer recommended I come around 6 pm. She was taking my daughter's photo with one of the characters in the afternoon and told us to come get our photos taken at 6pm on the beach. They take them on the beach right in front of Ama Ama's. I have about 40 pictures at sunset.

So about half an hour before....thanks!!!! Super info!!! Would love to see one (if you post pics with kids in them--understand if you don't).

 

[aliceinwonder]

Here are some pictures on the beach.

 

[alohamom]

I LOVE how you coordinated your colors without being too matchy, and the blue looks stunning against the background.

 

[alohamom]

So about half an hour before....thanks!!!! Super info!!! Would love to see one (if you post pics with kids in them--understand if you don't).

@cgattis I cant remember when you are going but you might want to check the sunset forecast for your date before you book your appointment

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/honolulu

it doesnt fluxuate by much but sometimes 15 minutes can make all the difference if you have a specific look to the sunset you are hoping for

 

[cgattis]

I LOVE how you coordinated your colors without being too matchy, and the blue looks stunning against the background.

Definite second! Those are great. "Suitable for framing" I'd say Thanks for sharing!

 

[cgattis]

@cgattis I cant remember when you are going but you might want to check the sunset forecast for your date before you book your appointment

https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/usa/honolulu

it doesnt fluxuate by much but sometimes 15 minutes can make all the difference if you have a specific look to the sunset you are hoping for

I've already been stalking this and the tide charts....obsessed much?? LOL Hey, it never hurts to have the info. If you end up not using it, no harm done.

 

[alohamom]

I've already been stalking this and the tide charts....obsessed much?? LOL Hey, it never hurts to have the info. If you end up not using it, no harm done.

LOL-I do the same!