Sydnerella
enough is as good as a feast
- Joined
- Mar 24, 2008
I’m going to Hawaii with my family of four for the first time as a HS graduation gift for our son. My kids will be 18 and 15.
We are all Disney fans. And immersion is the reason. Aulani appears to be a terrific example of that - in the most authentic and relaxing way possible.
My kids are not too cool to hug a character but will prefer the chill vibe, getting specialty coffee drinks, reading a book, snorkeling, Paddleboarding, swimming, sunbathing and spa time.
We are planning 2 nights in Waikiki at Embassy Suites - because of flight cancellations our current flights cost 1.5 x original cost so we needed to cut costs by reducing Aulani nights. And 5 nights are at Aulani in 1BR Oceanview at rack rate.
We are doing more SE Island outings during those two Waikiki days: surf lessons, Pearl Harbor, Pali Lookout, Lanikai Beach, China Walls, Swap Meet, Leonard’s and Dukes.
Then a North Shore self guided loop tour from Aulani with a couple resort/spa days, and we still have open time for more resort time or North shore or Hanauma Bay or exploring more of the west side. We will see what happens.
I think knowing your family’s tastes and setting expectations is key. We all appreciate and value Disney service and immersion.
If that just doesn’t matter to some then it may not be worth it. I certainly know many friends and family for whom that’s the case.
And I believe with teens, if you expect eye rolling and boredom sometimes that’s exactly what you will get.
We are all Disney fans. And immersion is the reason. Aulani appears to be a terrific example of that - in the most authentic and relaxing way possible.
My kids are not too cool to hug a character but will prefer the chill vibe, getting specialty coffee drinks, reading a book, snorkeling, Paddleboarding, swimming, sunbathing and spa time.
We are planning 2 nights in Waikiki at Embassy Suites - because of flight cancellations our current flights cost 1.5 x original cost so we needed to cut costs by reducing Aulani nights. And 5 nights are at Aulani in 1BR Oceanview at rack rate.
We are doing more SE Island outings during those two Waikiki days: surf lessons, Pearl Harbor, Pali Lookout, Lanikai Beach, China Walls, Swap Meet, Leonard’s and Dukes.
Then a North Shore self guided loop tour from Aulani with a couple resort/spa days, and we still have open time for more resort time or North shore or Hanauma Bay or exploring more of the west side. We will see what happens.
I think knowing your family’s tastes and setting expectations is key. We all appreciate and value Disney service and immersion.
If that just doesn’t matter to some then it may not be worth it. I certainly know many friends and family for whom that’s the case.
And I believe with teens, if you expect eye rolling and boredom sometimes that’s exactly what you will get.