Aulani - Images

Aloha!  I spent some time wandering the resort yesterday before heading off to explore the island.  I'll write about the excursions themselves soon.  For now, here are a few images from around the resort.


In Waikolohe Valley, this volcanic uprising is home to two waterslides.  One a regular, "sit down" kind, and the other an inner tube kind.
  

Like any other Disney resort, Mickey can be found in various places throughout the resort.  Though he is not the dominant presence at Aulani, he is definitely all over in different ways.

Throughout the resort, the distintive Aulani logo can be found.  Here is is part of a carpet in the lobby.

The Lobby level is actually the 3rd floor of the resort.  This staircase takes guests down to the 1st floor and Makahiki, which is one of three restaurants located on-site.  Makahiki is a buffet-style restaurant located right at the bottom of these stairs, and currently features  a character breakfast Wednesdays, Saturdays & Sundays.  It includes a nice patio seating area at the beginning of Waikolohe Valley. Just to the left of Makahiki's entrance is The O'lelo Room, which is a very attractively designed bar, filled with ways to learn Hawaiian.  I'll be sure to post pictures of it later.

 

Other mischieveous sorts can be found scattered around the resort!

This view is looking from the check-in desk at 'Ama'Ama, another table service restaurant at the resort.  It is beach-side, and the view from the dining room is fantastic.  Like other indoor public spaces in the resort, 'Ama'Ama features movable glass walls that can be opened or closed as weather dictates. 

Here we see the access point to the beach.  Disney does not have exclusive use of the lagoon's beach, it is shared with the neighboring JW Marriott Ko Olina on the north, and an as-yet-to-be-determined neighbor to the south.  Like is found at Disney's Vero Beach Resort in Florida, your room key will secure access back in to the resort when finished using the beach facilities.  Lounge chairs abound on the white sandy beach. 

There are 5 different hot tubs on the grounds, at least that's what I've seen so far, if there's another one, I'll find it soon enough.  This is my favorite though.  It is down very close to the beach access, and has two levels to it.  Both have an "infinity edge", whereby it appears that the water creates a horizon and just disappears.  These two are some of the largest hot tubs of any within the Disney Resort family.

Just another day out on the beach.  Here I was standing down near the beach.

Here we see part of the Menehune Bridge water play area. It is very much like Uwanja Camp at Kidani Village, there at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge in Florida - lots of fun, lots of interactivity... and a few surprises thrown in here and there. Currently, it is open from 8am-6pm, though I'm guessing in the summer it might stay open longer?  I'm not sure.  

A nice feature for all first floor rooms is that they are numbered on the outside, as well as the inside.  Plus they have direct access from the lanai to the Waikolohe Valley via stepping stone paths.

A stylized hidden Mickey in the hallway carpeting. 

Well that's it for now.  I have hundreds of pictures to go through and I will be writing up a report of this visit, including impressions, thoughts, tips and other information. It's coming - really it is.  But for now I must run and get ready to head out for breakfast, and then an excursion to the Kualoa Ranch today for some horseback riding & swimming on a private beach.  Kualoa Ranch was used to film Jurassic Park, LOST and other things.  It is one of the numerous excursions available through the Holoholo Desk at the resort.  


So for now, I'll say a hui hou - til we meet again. 

Wordless Wednesday - Gingerbread at the Boardwalk

Friday Family Fun - Spirit of Aloha

It's time once again to take a look at activities that can be done outside the theme parks at Walt Disney World!  Previously I've talked about boating, miniature golf, and bicycling - all relatively inexpensive activities that you and your family could enjoy on non-theme park days.  Today we'll look at an activity that is not as inexpensive, but could be done on either a theme-park or non-theme park day:  Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show.  The show is performed nightly at Disney's Polynesian Resort. 

As a family, we have enjoyed this show twice in the past 18 years:  once on our honeymoon, and then again in 2004 while on vacation prior to the arrival of my daughter.  (I'd say it was time to see it again!)  The first time we saw it - while on our honeymoon - was part of a non-theme park day.  We had spent the day leisurely enjoying boating with a romantic picnic lunch, shopping and other fun stuff.  The second time we saw it, with our boys, was part of a theme-park day.  We had spent the day in the nearby Magic Kingdom, taking the boat from the park over to the Polynesian when it was time - then returning back to the Magic Kingdom via Monorail. after the show concluded. 

Like the two other dinner show opportunities at Walt Disney World, the Spirit of Aloha includes an all-you-care-to-eat feast, featuring tastes and delights from Polynesia, and beer and wine are included for those over 21.  It features enchanting music, costumes, and authentic dances. Our favorites were the two different fire-dancers.  They were really cool!

As I mentioned previously, this show is not as inexpensive an activity as some of the others I have previously highlighted - but it is an experience that is well worth it, at least once. The cost per person depends on the seating location, and whether you choose to attend during peak or non-peak periods.  But no matter which show you attend, tax and gratuity are already included in the price.  For an adult, it currently costs between about $55 - $75.  Kids (3-9) are less, coming in between about $30 - $40 - and of course the littlest kids (under 2) are free.  If you are a Tables in Wonderland cardholder, you can save 20% off the cost.  And if you are on vacation using the Disney Dining Plan, you could exchange 2 Table Service Credits per person for entry into the show.  


The luau has been running at Walt Disney World nearly since the resort first opened.  Originally performed on the shores of the Polynesian Resort, a few months later being moved into a specially designed area within the protected shelter of what has become to be known as Luau Cove. It is a very popular show, usually selling out pretty quickly, so securing reservations early is key.  Reservations are available as many as 180 days in advance. So prior planning is important.  

Today in Disney Parks & Resorts History - Disney's Yacht Club

November 5, 1990 - Walt Disney World

Just to the west of Epcot's International Gateway, situated along the shores of Crescent Lake, Disney's Yacht Club Resort opens to the public.  This brand-new deluxe level resort located on Epcot Resorts Boulevard, is themed after New England seaside resorts of the late 1800's.