They say that Disney World is the happiest place on earth. I beg to differ. Just imagine all the magic of the planet’s most popular theme park, strip away the crowded lines, and replace the rides with a tropical paradise. This is what you can expect to find at the Aulani Disney Resort in Kapolei, Hawaii. Disney, you’ve really outdone yourself on this one! If you are searching for the perfect family island get away, look no more – this is it.
Our family visited Aulani last May as part of a company gathering. The resort is located on the island of O’ahu (about a half an hour drive from the Honolulu airport). Within and hour of the resort you can be to the North Shore, the Dole Pineapple Factory, Waikiki beach, Pearl Harbor, and a whole bucket list full of awesome family activities. The Disney staff can help set you up with organized excursions or you can rent a car right on site and go it alone. But quite honestly, you could spend a whole week just hanging out at the resort and love every second. Here is a list of things to do without even leaving the Aulani grounds:
Play on the beach- Kayak and canoe rentals
- Snorkeling
- Outdoor Disney movie nights
- Luau’s and entertainment
- Spend time at the Spa
- Hang out with Disney characters
- Adventure trails and nature walks
- Golf
- Shopping
- Manta Ray experience
- Swimming pools (complete with water-slides and a lazy river)
- Restaurants
And if the parents want a little alone time, Aunty’s Beach House is a spot (free of charge) where kids ages 3-12 can have some supervised time to learn about Polynesian culture, sing songs, and play games. This place really has it all. We went on the company’s dime but take into consideration that it does cost a pretty penny so you’ll want to start saving. We loved every second of our vacation spent at this little heaven on earth and recommend it to anyone who likes a little pixie dust with their sand.
Jack & Jill see the world 