TR June 17th -24th in Paradise (Completed)

[maxbuffmelvin]

We arrive at Aulani!!
We pull up for check in. We have bell hop take our luggage. My DH and son stay at the resort while my parents head to the nearby target for groceries. We decided to skip Costco this time because the bulk sizes were just too much for us last time.
I go into the dvc line. I did not check in online, my mom does not like me doing online check in because she wants me to be able to talk to a person just in case there are issues. The lady was very nice. We booked pool view room in hopes of getting a 1st floor room where u can walk in and out of the room strait to then pools from your lanai I mentioned we are willing to wait longer for a 1st floor room. She said the rooms have already been given out and we have 2nd floor but she can see what she can do. So she offered up being in our room for a night then moving to 1st floor the next day. The one major problem we would be homeless from 10 am to 4pm... I was wanting to do it but called my parents and they said no we will just take the 2nd floor room. I wish 1st floor rooms were their own separate categories so I could just book them directly and guarantee them. It is passed 4 and the lady who helped check us in said they are still finishing up cleaning the room and they are behind. So she gave us a 100 credit for having to wait after 4 without me even asking or hinting at it. That was really nice of her. She even gave my son an alauni coloring page and some crayons to pass the time. I also asked if she go connect our magic bands and she gets a cast member who is better at it to do it. I am soo happy magic bands work here.

My DH finds a spot for our son to color and I do a little exploring.
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I have to check out the store too. I will soo being coming back for these on sale Olu backpacks!! What a great deal.

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Some super cute pride merch out.
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Then head back to my family. My son is almost done with his sheet. He loves coloring.
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The castmember from the front desk saw we were still there and asked if we wanted more sheets. We said yes. She is soo nice and came back with more coloring sheets and some free hair flower clips. She said if she came by again in and little bit and still saw us she was going to get the manager. Again to emphasize I did not complain at all to her about the wait... she did this all on her own. The disney difference.

We get the text the room was ready and we head off. We are in the Waianae tower so head right. We go to 2nd floor and all the way down. We are at the end next to the stairs.

Here is our room.
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Here is the view from the lanai.
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Here is the sucky part of the pool view... no view. It is not a bad view though because it is not the parking lot view and it does feel tropical.

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We love the Duffy and Friends merchandise, especially Olu. We buy so much of their merchandise at Aulani and Polynesian Resort in FL.

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

Day 1: Travel Day

We fly United since my parents have the United card and they are both platinum. They bought first class tickets and use their points to get us economy and then they get free upgrades so we get upgraded to economy plus. There is only one flight that leaves Denver on United each day that is direct to Oahu so that is our flight it flys out around noon.
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We live next to the airport so it is easy to get the airport. We check all our luggage through my parents since they get 6 free luggage, yeah!!

The regular security line in Denver was huge! Lots of summer travel. Luckily everyone has tsa pre check or global entry. A nice fast shorter line. Then we head to United Club level. Dad gets club passes with his credit card and then already bought passes for the rest of the group. United club level is nice. They had breakfast still out.
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View attachment 771420I got some pancakes and bacon!! My son got lots fruit.
Then went to the bar for mimosas!
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Cheers to the start of our vacation trip.
We chill here for a bit. We see the switch over to lunch. Lunch not good... glad we got breakfast.

We head down get some soda and food for the 6 hour plus plane ride and load in.

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They had screens with some great movies. We finally got to watch the new John Wick movie and I got to watch the Emmit Till movie. So did not sleep with the good movie selections My son did well with his tablet and video games. He loves his lego jurrasic world game.

This flight was not as bad as I remembered it and they even got us in early! Bonus.

We landed and grabbed the shuttle to luggage. Luggage arrived promptly. Then we went to Alamo to pick up our rental. We did it through Costco got a mini van for the week for 800 including taxes and booster seat. More than last year but not bad. We did the pre-registration so got to go strait to pick up the car. I highly recommend Alamo. We walked passed other rental car places with huge lines waiting to get their car and there was no lines for Alamo. We picked out our mini van and headed out. No issues

Next up arriving at Aulani!!

I frequent Denver Airport because we love visiting Rocky Mountain National Park. Denver and Orlando always seem to have the longest security lines.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

We love the Duffy and Friends merchandise, especially Olu. We buy so much of their merchandise at Aulani and Polynesian Resort in FL.

Same, specifically I love Olu. I may have bought more than that bag later... I wish I bought soo much more but budgets.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

Next we get ready for the pool after breakfast.

Forgot to mention my dad went out to save seats. Yes to get good seats u should be out there by 7 am during the summer season.

We go into the line for snorkeling and get signed up. U did not need to get in the early line for snorkeling. U can sign up at any point during the day. We did a day pass and we can upgrade to our entire stay if my son ends up liking. 10:30 it opens up so we go down to the beach. My son is in heaven.



My mom came down to watch too and gave me a drink she made. Such a great mom. POG Mimosa yeah digging in the sand!



We finish up and head to snorkling! You check in and get the equipment. They go over saftey issues and u have to shower ahead of time.

Wow it is super cold.

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[DisneyMountainWoman]

Snorkling here is soo cool though even though it is cold. This feels soo real. My son was scared at first but he got used to it and loved it. And pointed out every fish. I love this place. I also love the window, my mom watched us from the outside and my son loved being able to see mom on the other side.







My son was shaking so we needed to get him to warm him up. My son looved it though and says he wants to do this all week. So we warm up. DH takes our son to our seats and I go extend our snorkling to the whole week. I highly suggest everyone doing this avast once. The best snorkling exp and I am scuba certified and done snorkling/scuba all over.

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[DisneyMountainWoman]

Next food and drinks!
I get a drink from the pool bar and food from shack. I think this was the moijito. Disney drinks are very yummy but not that much alcohol.


We all get the coconut shrimp. Soo good. We did not get anything else there because nothing else is good for the price at the pool shack.

After we eat our lunch it is now to drop off my son at Aunty’s. First day so need to arrive early to fill out paperwork and get him his band.
My son was nervous but the castmembers started chatting with him and really made my son happy. The castmembers here are wonderful. I signed up for the free program which is 1 and half hours. I love that it is included. Having a little break is sooo nice!!!
I head to the adult hot tub! Loove this place.

Next I check out the Pool shop. I wanted one of the cute covers. Then had a few different color options. I had such a hard choice. I decided the blue one.


I love these types of sprit jerseys. Breathable and sun protection of 50 and can get wet. I wish WDW sold more spirt jersey with this material instead of the thicker material which is just to hot for any Disney place.
Next time for spa..
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[DisneyMountainWoman]

So spa appointment got a little mix up so we had to move it around to today. We walked over to it and the smell is amazing. Check in was easy.


We can only get in an hour ahead of time. It is a whole process they tell u a story. U pick a stone that will represent your feeling for the spa journey. We both got happiness. CA
They tour the spa for us. I loove this spa. Such a great outdoor area for the spa. One of the best I have ever seen.

They had some light snacks and flavored water too.






It was soo nice to be away from all the kids and the hustle and bustle. We felt very relaxed even before our massages. The showers were a little crazy but fun.
Remember to bring your bathing suits so u can enjoy this area. We also went into the herbal steam room and ended in the Sanna. They come find u to let u know it is time for your appointment so you do not need to worry about time.

I got the dvc special for 50 mins. The massage was wonderful. Mom went with the deep tissue 80 min massage. She loves really deep massages and was actually impressed. We both came back super relaxed. This is worth the price to come here. Too bad you cannot come earlier for the outside spa area.

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[DisneyMountainWoman]

After the spa we get ready for the dinner. My DH pick up our son from auntys and they were playing dinosaurs in the room. In auntys they made some fathers day presents which was cute.


We get changed for dinner. We booked at Minas fish house for fathers day dinner. This was a special request from my dad. Last year we could not book here, in July they had it only for hotel guests. We are all super excited. We had a 5pm reservation so we can get the dinner meal but we walked over a little early to get a happy hour drink that ends at 5. I love the restaurants location. Perfect view.


Out table was a little farther back but my parents requested shade and we can still see the ocean.

It is a small happy hour but what they have is good quality. We get our drinks and some apps cause why not?



If Minas fish house is too expensive, I would highly suggest coming during happy hour. The food and drinks are really good still and give u a nice taste of Minas fish house.

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[lexxus379]

So spa appointment got a little mix up so we had to move it around to today. We walked over to it and the smell is amazing. Check in was easy.
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We can only get in an hour ahead of time. It is a whole process they tell u a story. U pick a stone that will represent your feeling for the spa journey. We both got happiness. View attachment 773145CAView attachment 773144
They tour the spa for us. I loove this spa. Such a great outdoor area for the spa. One of the best I have ever seen.
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They had some light snacks and flavored water too.
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It was soo nice to be away from all the kids and the hustle and bustle. We felt very relaxed even before our massages. The showers were a little crazy but fun.
Remember to bring your bathing suits so u can enjoy this area. We also went into the herbal steam room and ended in the Sanna. They come find u to let u know it is time for your appointment so you do not need to worry about time.

I got the dvc special for 50 mins. The massage was wonderful. Mom went with the deep tissue 80 min massage. She loves really deep manages and was actually impressed. We both came back super relaxed. This is worht the price to come here. To bad you cannot come earlier to that massage.

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Looks amazing! How much is DVC discount and how do you book it?

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

So they bring out a different menu for dinner. Including a whole new page that is made new every day to reflect the fresh catch fish everyday. Loove that. They have he fish sommelier. My son wanted to touch the fish. The fish menu is printed out at 5pm everyday because the fish are fresh daily.

The spam drink was not on the happy hour menue so we got it for dinner was a Mai Tai type where you add your favorite spirit.



Okay do this bread was my undoing... it was the pita and hummas dip that comes with the meals I have had in a long time. Warm right out of the oven. I filled up way to much on this.
Next I got the soup lobster and coconut. Sooo good!!! And they pour it right infront of u.
Dad got pork belly and raved about it all night.

I do not remember what this was...lol

They served my son his meal. I love their kids meal has a mix of fancier food and basic food so your child could be fancy if they wanted or be basic. My son was basic and a burger. He loved it and they served him earlier like we requested.

Next dinner... my DH got his own fish and they debone it infront of u. My husband could not stop raving about his fish! I tasted his too. Tasted soo good.

trying to remember this one... no idea..

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[DisneyMountainWoman]

Looks amazing! How much is DVC discount and how do you book it?

So u book the regular basic massage and then u let them know you are dvc and they give a free upgrade to use the stones. So not exactly a discount.. a free upgrade instead.

 

[lexxus379]

So u book the regular basic massage and then u let them know you are dvc and they give a free upgrade to use the stones. So not exactly a discount.. a free upgrade instead.

Gotcha, thanks!

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

My fish came with kimichi... so I asked for it on the side. My parents love it, I do not. My fish was grilled perfectly. They deboned it for me.



My dad get the famous lobster pot pie. The chef won a contest with this pot pit. The waiter prepares it foe my dad.




The finished product... dad was in heaven. We all took a bite of it and loooved it!!!

then we tried their dessert. Tasted soo light and fresh. Perfect ending.

Me doing a selfie cause why not... lol.

Then we did a group pic of us at the end.

We looved this restaurant. It was expensive but worth the cost. The food and servuce was amazing... everything was good to amazing level. We are pleased we choose this over Ama Ama and both the d
Dads were happy this was their father's day meal. We also handed them their fathers day cards to during dinner.

Our plan for next time when we come to Aulani is to come to their sunday brunch. (I love owning here and being able to say that.)

We slowly head back to aulani after dinner... slowly cause we are super full. Lol.

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[DisneyMountainWoman]

After dinner the group splits up. My mom and dad head to the room. The rest fo the family heads to Auntys for their animation class. My son is soo excited, he loves to draw. When passing the pool we see they are doing a show so we stop to watch it. I loove that show happen all the time around here.

We check in and they have us pick a seat. My son is excited.
Then I spot the quaky!! The quacky got famous for measuring the temperature of the pools during the infamous pool temps debate. I of course had to get a pic of the rubber duck. Also u can follow him on Facebook he has his own page now. Quacky 2.0.
We start the animation class. They do fun trivia while we are doing it. It reminds me just like in the parks but way more intimate. We had a lot of fun.


They did not have these classes last year I am soo happy they brought them back! I just wish they had more of these classes.

We head back to our room and bed now. Wow what a great first day!!! As my son did say at the end of the day, best day ever!

 

[AZMermaid]

How was the speed of the animation class? My normally chill tweens were both in tears last time at DCA because they couldn’t keep up!

your dinner looks amazing. It’s making me wish we were booked there instead of Ama Ama in a few weeks. But we do have brunch booked!

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

How was the speed of the animation class? My normally chill tweens were both in tears last time at DCA because they couldn’t keep up!

your dinner looks amazing. It’s making me wish we were booked there instead of Ama Ama in a few weeks. But we do have brunch booked!

So it is quick, it is an half an hour. But my 6 year old son did it okay. I do wish it was longer, though I agree.

Our family was debating between Ama Ama or Minas Dish house since we could only afford one really expensive dinner. The menu looked better at Minas for us. Like the portions are huge while at Ama they looked tiny. But honestly I do not think u can go wrong. I am excited u have brunch! We have that on our list for next time.

 

[alohamom]

I loved your last report, so happy you are taking the time to write another!

Thanks so much for all the early morning running route pics, I adore how the Ko Olina path looks in the early morning.

Also, thanks for the details about Mina's Fish House. I knew they had a happy hour but I guess I thought it was just a few fish items so now I am looking at the menu and planning to go to happy hour on our next trip!

Can wait to read/see more...great report so far!

 

[EllieBride]

Enjoying all of your updates and photos. Thanks for sharing.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

I loved your last report, so happy you are taking the time to write another!

Thanks so much for all the early morning running route pics, I adore how the Ko Olina path looks in the early morning.

Also, thanks for the details about Mina's Fish House. I knew they had a happy hour but I guess I thought it was just a few fish items so now I am looking at the menu and planning to go to happy hour on our next trip!

Can wait to read/see more...great report so far!

Yeah glad u enjoyed the last one too.
I agree happy hour is very nice!

Enjoying all of your updates and photos. Thanks for sharing.

Yeah thank u!

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

DAY 3:
So we woke up to early again.

I take pictures of some of the stuff we bought yesteday.... I forgot to post that we went to do a little shopping yesteday. We did a quick trip to the Aualni store since my parents wanted bigger mugs than what was provided in our suite. My parents coffee mugs are adorable!


Also this resuable bag is amazing. ( I now use it as my bag to hold all my other bags when going to the grocery store, in Colorado we went baggless too). It even zips up!!
Then of course I had to grabs this amazing deal!! Only $20 for olu mel bag, yes please!!
After breakfast that we made in our room and taking pics of my out new buys. It is time for our morning workout. My son wanted to join in so it became a walk. We decided to try I chance at pardise cove and see if we can spot in turtles or seals. The walk is a nice little walk. My son loves spotting all the cool plants along the way.


We make it into pardise cove... very pretty but no animals.


Well we tried.
We head back to the room and my son wanted to do the painting canvas that we found in the ABC store.
We set it up on our balcony.


On my side of the table I have yummy candy and a pog mimosas.
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