I just got back from my very 1st DVC stay. A little backstory, my Dad was a huge Disney fan. He raised his 4 children to be fans also and we have passed it onto our children. We had many special vacations with Dad and when he passed he left us some funds which 3 of us used a portion of to buy into DVC. We took care of a few things and each determined how many points and where we would buy for ourselves.
Then we collectively decided to go to Aulani for our first trip. Dad never went there but he always wanted to, and we felt going to the parks would be too emotional. So we booked rooms, flights, dining and we were very careful for months. There was a group of 18 that was planning this trip, 8 in my brother’s group, 4 in my sister’s group and 6 in mine. We knew that in the current times there was a chance that one or more groups might not make it and my sister and her husband turned up Covid positive 3 days before the trip. We were all sad but we also couldn’t rebook for 14 of us so close to the trip. 14 of us made it to Aulani and what a trip we had.
Arrival Day: we pulled up to Aulani at about 2:30 pm. We got our rooms before 4pm and we all dropped our bags and hit those pools. They were much needed and appreciated after a long flight. Got to do the lazy river before heading to Off the Hook for garlic shrimp tacos that were delicious. Little did I know just how much I would come to love that lazy river. Fairly exhausted we hit the hay early.
Day 2: up early for a morning run, I took in the sights and beauty of a “sleeping” Aulani. Ran 2 miles along the cove path and came back just in time to grab a coffee and rent casabellas for the day. Took a quick shower and then off to Makahiki for character breakfast. The macadamia nut pancakes are not to be missed. My brother and I did a Costco/Target run for groceries and got back and unloaded into our rooms.I hit that Lazy river again and grabbed dinner and popcorn buckets at Ulu cafe. I got the special of pineapple chipotle ribs, mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables, all of it amazing. We had a 2 bedroom villa overlooking the lawn and we could see the O’hana Movie Nights from our balconies. So I watched Cars 2 with my popcorn and a hard seltzer. Then off to bed.
Day 3: I had scheduled a tour of the island. It picked up and dropped off at Aulani. We saw Byodo In Temple, Mac Nut Farms, went to Fumi’s for lunch, Waimea Falls and Dole Plantation just to name a few. Got back at about 5:30 pm and grabbed dinner at Off the Hook with the kids and hit the lazy river again. Then a little shopping, watched part of the luau from the balcony and off to bed.
Day 4: Spa Day!! Breakfast in the room, and my daughter and I headed to Laniwai Spa for massages. The hour before the massage you get to relax in the private pools. There’s a warm pool, cold pool and a hot tub. We both used the cold plunge 2 times and then jumped into the hot tub. There’s really not enough time to do everything in that area. The massages are heavenly and so very relaxing. Afterwards, we hit the lazy river again and grabbed some food from Mama’s Snack Stop. We got fish and chips and the coconut shrimp. It was all delicious. A bit more playing and shopping and then dinner at Makahiki. I got the New York steak and the cut and cook were amazing but it could have used more seasoning. Watched part of the luau from the balcony again and then met my brother for some drinks at Olelo room. After that, it was bedtime.
Day 5: After breakfast, my daughter and I went across the street to the ABC store and a few other shops. Enjoyed some girl time and picked up some souvenirs. Came back and did the lazy river again. Started mentally figuring out how to put one into my yard. Shopping and just chatting and relaxing took up the rest of the day. Went to Off the Hook for dinner and had the Garlic shrimp flatbread. Good stuff but it wasn’t hitting the spot. Was about to order some food to take back to the room when my brother showed up with his group. That’s when things got serious. 2 orders of buffalo chicken wings, lava fries, onion rings and a tropical itch and 2 coconut mint mojitos later and it was time for bed.
Day 6: last full day was spent getting the last souvenirs and another trip down the lazy river. Then it was time to pre pack for the trip home and get ready for the luau. The luau was amazing and worth every cent in my opinion. So much food and drink none of us could finish it all. The show was amazing. The stories, the dancers and musicians were all captivating. Afterwards, it was shopping with my sister in law and off to bed.
Day 7: last day, I really didn’t want to go. Time moves differently on the island. You wake up earlier, you go to bed earlier and it seems your always moving there. I did a 10k or more of walking every day there, and I loved it. I barely paid attention to my phone and I didn’t watch tv the whole week. The weather is gorgeous and it’s tailor made for you to go out and do something. I finally got pictures with a few characters just before we had to call bell services and catch the shuttle.
My sister gets to do her trip in 2 weeks and I was happy she was able to reschedule but sad she couldn’t be with us. There were signs all during this trip that Dad was “with us”. His favorite movie was Peter Pan. The Disney desk calendar had a scene from Peter Pan on the day we left for the trip. The very first day my daughter bought a mystery pin pack and when she opened it, a Peter Pan pin came out. When we did the 3 bedroom villa tour, the guide gave my daughter and I Tinkerbell pins. There we other things but all through the trip, he was there.
Aulani is different from the parks, where you’re constantly going from ride to ride, reservations and experiences, here you’re moving slower, sitting on beaches and in pools. Slowing down and soaking it in. You aren’t hit repeatedly with the Disney stick but it’s all around you and it’s just enough.
We are all trying to figure out how to do Aulani again and again in the future. It’s just that special.
Then we collectively decided to go to Aulani for our first trip. Dad never went there but he always wanted to, and we felt going to the parks would be too emotional. So we booked rooms, flights, dining and we were very careful for months. There was a group of 18 that was planning this trip, 8 in my brother’s group, 4 in my sister’s group and 6 in mine. We knew that in the current times there was a chance that one or more groups might not make it and my sister and her husband turned up Covid positive 3 days before the trip. We were all sad but we also couldn’t rebook for 14 of us so close to the trip. 14 of us made it to Aulani and what a trip we had.
Arrival Day: we pulled up to Aulani at about 2:30 pm. We got our rooms before 4pm and we all dropped our bags and hit those pools. They were much needed and appreciated after a long flight. Got to do the lazy river before heading to Off the Hook for garlic shrimp tacos that were delicious. Little did I know just how much I would come to love that lazy river. Fairly exhausted we hit the hay early.
Day 2: up early for a morning run, I took in the sights and beauty of a “sleeping” Aulani. Ran 2 miles along the cove path and came back just in time to grab a coffee and rent casabellas for the day. Took a quick shower and then off to Makahiki for character breakfast. The macadamia nut pancakes are not to be missed. My brother and I did a Costco/Target run for groceries and got back and unloaded into our rooms.I hit that Lazy river again and grabbed dinner and popcorn buckets at Ulu cafe. I got the special of pineapple chipotle ribs, mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables, all of it amazing. We had a 2 bedroom villa overlooking the lawn and we could see the O’hana Movie Nights from our balconies. So I watched Cars 2 with my popcorn and a hard seltzer. Then off to bed.
Day 3: I had scheduled a tour of the island. It picked up and dropped off at Aulani. We saw Byodo In Temple, Mac Nut Farms, went to Fumi’s for lunch, Waimea Falls and Dole Plantation just to name a few. Got back at about 5:30 pm and grabbed dinner at Off the Hook with the kids and hit the lazy river again. Then a little shopping, watched part of the luau from the balcony and off to bed.
Day 4: Spa Day!! Breakfast in the room, and my daughter and I headed to Laniwai Spa for massages. The hour before the massage you get to relax in the private pools. There’s a warm pool, cold pool and a hot tub. We both used the cold plunge 2 times and then jumped into the hot tub. There’s really not enough time to do everything in that area. The massages are heavenly and so very relaxing. Afterwards, we hit the lazy river again and grabbed some food from Mama’s Snack Stop. We got fish and chips and the coconut shrimp. It was all delicious. A bit more playing and shopping and then dinner at Makahiki. I got the New York steak and the cut and cook were amazing but it could have used more seasoning. Watched part of the luau from the balcony again and then met my brother for some drinks at Olelo room. After that, it was bedtime.
Day 5: After breakfast, my daughter and I went across the street to the ABC store and a few other shops. Enjoyed some girl time and picked up some souvenirs. Came back and did the lazy river again. Started mentally figuring out how to put one into my yard. Shopping and just chatting and relaxing took up the rest of the day. Went to Off the Hook for dinner and had the Garlic shrimp flatbread. Good stuff but it wasn’t hitting the spot. Was about to order some food to take back to the room when my brother showed up with his group. That’s when things got serious. 2 orders of buffalo chicken wings, lava fries, onion rings and a tropical itch and 2 coconut mint mojitos later and it was time for bed.
Day 6: last full day was spent getting the last souvenirs and another trip down the lazy river. Then it was time to pre pack for the trip home and get ready for the luau. The luau was amazing and worth every cent in my opinion. So much food and drink none of us could finish it all. The show was amazing. The stories, the dancers and musicians were all captivating. Afterwards, it was shopping with my sister in law and off to bed.
Day 7: last day, I really didn’t want to go. Time moves differently on the island. You wake up earlier, you go to bed earlier and it seems your always moving there. I did a 10k or more of walking every day there, and I loved it. I barely paid attention to my phone and I didn’t watch tv the whole week. The weather is gorgeous and it’s tailor made for you to go out and do something. I finally got pictures with a few characters just before we had to call bell services and catch the shuttle.
My sister gets to do her trip in 2 weeks and I was happy she was able to reschedule but sad she couldn’t be with us. There were signs all during this trip that Dad was “with us”. His favorite movie was Peter Pan. The Disney desk calendar had a scene from Peter Pan on the day we left for the trip. The very first day my daughter bought a mystery pin pack and when she opened it, a Peter Pan pin came out. When we did the 3 bedroom villa tour, the guide gave my daughter and I Tinkerbell pins. There we other things but all through the trip, he was there.
Aulani is different from the parks, where you’re constantly going from ride to ride, reservations and experiences, here you’re moving slower, sitting on beaches and in pools. Slowing down and soaking it in. You aren’t hit repeatedly with the Disney stick but it’s all around you and it’s just enough.
We are all trying to figure out how to do Aulani again and again in the future. It’s just that special.
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I'm happy you were able to feel your dad with you.
