Aulani Scores Big as Multi-Gen Getaway

A Hawaiian vacation had always been my 83-year-old mother-in-law’s dream.

So when we searched for a destination that might work for our entire family ranging from a “young” great-grandmother to active eight and ten-year-olds, Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa on the island of Oahu sounded like the ideal fit. And it was.

Perfect Location

There are myriad daily flights coming in and out of Honolulu, so even though our family of nine was coming from the East and West coasts, getting to the island was a piece of cake.

Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa is situated on Oahu’s western shore, along the sunny picturesque coastline of Ko Olina. Though only 17 miles from the airport, it feels far away from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu and Waikiki.

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Shuttle service is available from the airport, but we rented vehicles for the freedom to explore the island.

Cultural Experiences

Walt Disney Imagineers worked hand in hand with local Hawaiian artisans to create the Aulani, which means “messenger of the chief.” Inspired by the natural wonders and traditions of Hawaii, the resort celebrates the islands' beauty and Polynesian culture with remarkable authenticity.

Three A-frame thatched huts with a pair of towers resembling an ancient canoe rise majestically from the landscape. The resort’s stunning interior features high ceilings, lustrous wood and an impressive 200-foot long mural, a tribute to the Hawaiian people.

We were warmly greeted with alohas and leis—orchids for the ladies and kukui nut strands for the guys.

In the spirit of the Hawaiian culture, the resort offers hula, ukulele lessons, lei making and art and nature tours—all geared to family activities.

Our grandkids loved the Menehune Adventure Trail, an interactive treasure hunt consisting of electronic videos and interactive clues. Menehune were the legendary “little people” of Hawaiian folklore known for their mischief and magical powers.

When clues are answered correctly on the trail, scenery comes to life in a magical way.

The Mo‘olelo Fire Pit Storytelling features “Uncle,” a native Hawaiian who enchanted families with island lore and legend. Seated around an outdoor fire pit overlooking the beach with his Disney guests, Uncle weaves music, puppetry and special effects into his tales, leaving his avid listeners spellbound.

And “Aunty,” a lifelong resident of Oahu entertains the Keiki (children) at her 5,200 square-foot Aunty’s Beach House. With her ukulele, Hawaiian songs, art and storytelling, she enthralls young listeners while sharing her island’s colorful history.

Villas and Views

The views and accommodations at the Aulani are spectacular.

Lodging at the resort ranges from standard guest rooms to grand vacation villas.

We booked a 1,100-square-foot, two-bedroom, 2.5-bath ocean-view villa that sleeps up to 9, and a deluxe, garden view 356-square foot studio villa that accommodates four. With Disney’s stellar customer service, they did a wonderful job getting the villas as close as possible.

Our two bedroom villa included two private lanais (balconies), separate living room, fully furnished kitchen, washer/dryer, three flat-screen TVs with Blue-Ray/DVD player—all the conveniences of a home away from home.

Stepping out on the balcony, we couldn’t have been more excited about the panoramic views—ocean to the left, pools and lagoons below and the main Aulani building with mountains towering behind us.

Pools and Water Fun

The resort sits on 21 oceanfront acres, between the stunningly green Waianae Mountains and the crystalline waters of the Pacific. Grounds are lushly landscaped with palms and a stunning variety of tropical flora.

Water fun is premier at Aulani: The resort has three pools, two waterslides and four whirlpool spas. Our favorite—the infinity edge pool overlooks Ko Olina Beach. There is a separate adults-only pool, though it was virtually empty on our visit.

The water slides traverse guests down a man-made “active” volcano at breakneck speeds. The body slide’s twisting plunge into total darkness and the tubing slide were a blast. Kids loved the interactive splash and play zone, along with a climbing structure known as The Menehune Bridge.

One of the most popular water activities involves tubing and relaxing in the meandering, twisting Waikolohe Stream. This lazy river’s name means “mischievous water.” It’s the perfect moniker, as the grandkids lured the adults into caverns with waterfalls from above, bringing laughter and squeals of delight. Word of warning though—it’s hard to get even the big kids out.

Rainbow Reef, a 3,800 square foot, private snorkeling saltwater lagoon is perfect for beginning snorkelers to get up close with thousands of tropical fish. And we could photograph our swimmers from both a viewing window and observation deck. Fins and masks are available for rent for those who don’t bring them.

Protected Beach and Cove

Another fabulous water feature of the resort happens to be the ocean and the postcard-perfect white sandy beach of Ko Olina. Boogie boards, beach umbrellas, chairs and sand toys are all complimentary for Aulani guests.

Thanks to the calm, protected waters of the sheltered cove, our grandchildren tried stand up paddle boarding for the first time and loved kayaking with the adults. Grandma enjoyed sitting under the beach umbrellas watching her family have fun in the sun.

READ MORE: The 25 Best Beaches in the US

Dining Options

Having a fully-furnished villa means that some meals and snacks can be prepared and eaten in the room—so convenient for a family.

With one single trip to a local warehouse club, we were set for our week’s stay. Aulani also offers a limited selection of groceries in their market.

Dining at the resort ranges from grab-and-go selections and quick-service options to full-service dining at ‘Ama ‘Ama, the oceanfront restaurant. Poolside dining at Ulu Café offers breakfast, lunch and dinner service. And I’m certain we kept Papalua Shave Ice in business, staying cool and refreshed while sampling their many delicious combinations.

The Disney character breakfast was delightful. Overlooking the lush koi ponds and pools, Makahiki (meaning “bounty of the islands”) is a casual family eatery with island-inspired touches.

Our sumptuous breakfast buffet was spectacular, but the highlights of the dining experience were the Disney characters in full Hawaiian attire and a fun ukulele performance by Aunty.

Ease of Island Exploration

Though there’s so much to do at the resort, there is an island to explore. And Oahu has many wonders to share.

For those like us with a rental car, guest services staff were more than happy to provide maps and points of interest. Cars, mopeds and motorcycles can also be arranged by the rental company at the resort.

Aulani’s concierge will gladly book excursions for families wanting to enjoy outside activities such as sailing, sunset cruises, horseback riding, zip lining, dolphin encounters or visiting Oahu’s rich military historical sites. And Oahu’s North Shore is the perfect place to “hang ten.”

Round trip shuttle service can also be arranged between Aulani and Waikiki.

We’d pre-arranged a photo session, and an Aulani photographer captured our family together on the beach at sunset. When one of the kids dropped their lei on the way to the beach, another just magically appeared.

On the plane returning to the mainland, we all reveled in the unforgettable experience the family shared on this vacation. It was definitely one of our very best.

Walt Disney once said that “Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever.”

I wish he could see Aulani. He would love it. But, maybe he can.