RunnerMomO
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 3, 2011
This is another trip report with some slightly different adventures I thought we could share.
My DH and two DS (6 and 10) had already been in the Hawaiian islands since May 26 and we were spending our last 4 nights at Aulani. We had an early flight from Maui and were at the Honolulu airport before 8 am. We wanted to see a bit of the island, so prior to driving into Ko Olina, we headed to Pearl Harbour - a perfect stop over on the way to Aulani.
They don't allow ANY bags, so you have to pay a couple of bucks for a bag check, but it can be liberating to be purse-less! We had previously reserved a tour time for the Arizona Memorial online for the early afternoon, so we got tickets and headed to the USS Missouri or the Mighty Mo! A bus took us to Ford Island and to the mighty ship that was most recently in service during the gulf war. While on board we saw a Destroyer heading into the harbor with the sailors manning the rails and all of the other ships blaring their horns and welcoming it home. There was even a giant lei on the front of the ship likely returning from a 6-month cruise. The boys loved the ship and we explored all over - galleys, crew quarters, etc. before we needed to be back for our Arizona tour. The Arizona Memorial tour included a very moving film about the attack on Pearl Harbour and the present day memorial. We then got on a small boat and were taken to the somber memorial, definitely an experience that was moving for the entire family. We were anxious to make our way to Aulani, so we headed out and to the west of the island.
The Ko'olina resort had security as we entered and drove by the JW Marriott and Paradise Cove Luau. I had already checked in online, so when we pulled up to the front, they greeted us by name! I was given a lovely flower lei, my DH a Kuki nut lei and both DS received special menehune necklaces. We were also offered a refreshing cold glass of fruit infused water as we were lead inside and shown the lobby. No need to go to the check in desk, we were handed our room keys and we headed upstairs to our one bedroom villa with a view to the east on the front side of the resort.
Our room was beautiful with the full kitchen and nice touches. Our younger son discovered the pull out bed in the tv console. We had a knock on the door and were given a couple of photo cards with Mickey wishing us a happy birthday and anniversary for our stay. After getting our luggage we changed into our swim suits and headed down to the pool, after checking in on my parents who were also staying at Aulani in a studio. They were taking ukulele lessons and when finished, we all headed to the pool area. The kids loved the inner tube slide that put you right into the lazy river. My younger DS loved as he called it, the slide with the dark, dark tunnel! They also loved playing in the kids area with all of the water showers,dumping boats and mini slides. There was also infinity jacuzzi tub overlooking the beach on a quiet cove shared with some wedding chapels and the JW Marriott. The kids were all clamoring onto a floating mat out in the ocean to jump and slide across. The water was pretty clear and very minimal waves.
After learning that the Starlit Huli was only tonight during our stay, we postponed grocery shopping and ate dinner at One Paddle, Two Paddle poolside. They had a choice of a salad instead of fries with the entree which was a nice option. Afterwards, we wandered to the show area where they mattes were set up on the ground and they pulled out some chairs for folks who couldn't sit on the ground. There were termites flying all over and landing on us, but the kids didn't seem to mind. They played some games and did some crafts like weaving palm fronds. DH got us some tropical drinks to enjoy during the show...a "Disneyfied" luau without the food. It was led by "Uncle" and included singing and dancing and two amazing Ukelele players! We didn't stay for the character dance party afterwards and instead the family went to the room and I went with my parents to Safeway for groceries!
My DH and two DS (6 and 10) had already been in the Hawaiian islands since May 26 and we were spending our last 4 nights at Aulani. We had an early flight from Maui and were at the Honolulu airport before 8 am. We wanted to see a bit of the island, so prior to driving into Ko Olina, we headed to Pearl Harbour - a perfect stop over on the way to Aulani.
They don't allow ANY bags, so you have to pay a couple of bucks for a bag check, but it can be liberating to be purse-less! We had previously reserved a tour time for the Arizona Memorial online for the early afternoon, so we got tickets and headed to the USS Missouri or the Mighty Mo! A bus took us to Ford Island and to the mighty ship that was most recently in service during the gulf war. While on board we saw a Destroyer heading into the harbor with the sailors manning the rails and all of the other ships blaring their horns and welcoming it home. There was even a giant lei on the front of the ship likely returning from a 6-month cruise. The boys loved the ship and we explored all over - galleys, crew quarters, etc. before we needed to be back for our Arizona tour. The Arizona Memorial tour included a very moving film about the attack on Pearl Harbour and the present day memorial. We then got on a small boat and were taken to the somber memorial, definitely an experience that was moving for the entire family. We were anxious to make our way to Aulani, so we headed out and to the west of the island.
The Ko'olina resort had security as we entered and drove by the JW Marriott and Paradise Cove Luau. I had already checked in online, so when we pulled up to the front, they greeted us by name! I was given a lovely flower lei, my DH a Kuki nut lei and both DS received special menehune necklaces. We were also offered a refreshing cold glass of fruit infused water as we were lead inside and shown the lobby. No need to go to the check in desk, we were handed our room keys and we headed upstairs to our one bedroom villa with a view to the east on the front side of the resort.
Our room was beautiful with the full kitchen and nice touches. Our younger son discovered the pull out bed in the tv console. We had a knock on the door and were given a couple of photo cards with Mickey wishing us a happy birthday and anniversary for our stay. After getting our luggage we changed into our swim suits and headed down to the pool, after checking in on my parents who were also staying at Aulani in a studio. They were taking ukulele lessons and when finished, we all headed to the pool area. The kids loved the inner tube slide that put you right into the lazy river. My younger DS loved as he called it, the slide with the dark, dark tunnel! They also loved playing in the kids area with all of the water showers,dumping boats and mini slides. There was also infinity jacuzzi tub overlooking the beach on a quiet cove shared with some wedding chapels and the JW Marriott. The kids were all clamoring onto a floating mat out in the ocean to jump and slide across. The water was pretty clear and very minimal waves.
After learning that the Starlit Huli was only tonight during our stay, we postponed grocery shopping and ate dinner at One Paddle, Two Paddle poolside. They had a choice of a salad instead of fries with the entree which was a nice option. Afterwards, we wandered to the show area where they mattes were set up on the ground and they pulled out some chairs for folks who couldn't sit on the ground. There were termites flying all over and landing on us, but the kids didn't seem to mind. They played some games and did some crafts like weaving palm fronds. DH got us some tropical drinks to enjoy during the show...a "Disneyfied" luau without the food. It was led by "Uncle" and included singing and dancing and two amazing Ukelele players! We didn't stay for the character dance party afterwards and instead the family went to the room and I went with my parents to Safeway for groceries!