More Aulani this Spring Means More Disney Magic

Stepping into the voluminous resort lobby brimming over in Hawaiian legend and art is all it takes to realize that Aulani is unlike any other Disney property you have visited. The resort, a perfect marriage of Disney pixie dust and Hawaiian lore, is a haven of beauty and magic for families and couples alike. And, for a limited time this spring, you can take advantage of a special offers that rewards you for staying longer–which you will need to enjoy all the resort has to offer. The offer, for stays up to 20% on stays of five or more days and 15% off stays of four nights. Book through February 6 for stays May 10, 2022 through June 1, 2022. Also, get a resort credit of $150!!

Imagining the experience

Disney’s Imagineers conceived the concept of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, working alongside local historians. Together, they produced a destination resort that is a cultural work of art. Not intended just for the youngest in the family, the resort has been carefully crafted to have something for every age. The result is a multi-generational magical destination where grandparents frolic alongside grand kids, kids and honeymooners.

Ko Olina: Place of Joy

Part of the allure of Aulani has to be its locale, secreted far enough from the buzz of Honolulu to be a true island getaway. Located in Ko Olina, a 600-plus acre master planned community on the leeward coast of Oahu, guests fly into Honolulu Airport and never need to stray again unless it is to explore culturally lush Waimea Valley just beyond.

Ko Olina appropriately translates to “place of joy” in Hawaiian, a fitting name for this enclave with miles of coastal frontage, natural and man-made lagoons and perfect white-sand beaches. The resort sits on 21 oceanfront acres, nestled between verdant mountains and serene ocean waters with turquoise lagoons. Although Aulani opened in August 2011, a major expansion was completed in fall 2013 offering families even more to enjoy, including villa-style facilities with living rooms, bedrooms, dining areas, full kitchens and washers and dryers.

The resort was voted No. 1 in Travel + Leisure‘s “World’s Best Awards 2014 for Top Family Hotel in the U.S.A.” for its over-the-top child amenities such as bassinets and baby-proofed balconies that come standard with most rooms and an outstanding complimentary kids’ club, Aunty’s Beach House, that leads treasure hunts around the grounds. However, the outdoor experiences are what really set Aulani apart. Kids of all ages can go snorkeling amid hundreds of brightly colored fish in private Rainbow Reef or paddleboard in the shallow waters off the beach—not to mention hitting the main pool’s waterslides that burst from imagined volcanic lava flows.

Lots of the magic that mimics Disney is subtle—so understated you may have to search for it. Look for hidden Mickeys in the Hawaiian print wallpaper and secret animal drawings carved into the stone. You may not be conscious of the Hawaiian words that play in familiar Disney tunes in the elevators, but the feeling of Disney magic prevails, especially in the gift shop with Disney Aulani gift ideas and in the Bippity Boppity Boo princess transformation salon for the little princesses.

Hawaiian inspired traditions

Imaginatively designed to embrace time-honored traditions, Aulani offers an array of Hawaiian-inspired experiences, including an impressive display of contemporary Hawaiian art and design throughout that includes bountiful murals, carved indigenous wood and water features. After dinner fireside storytelling and Starlit Hui, an evening celebration of Hawaiian traditions with hula dancers blended with Disney storytelling, offer something for every age, and Hawaiian activities include hula and lei-making classes.

Spa ala Disney

Aulani’s spa, Laniwai, stands as the very first Disney-owned spa facility. With its design came a huge responsibility to mold the facility into something ultra-creative and geared for all ages—something foreign to even the most luxurious spas in the world. To create the concept, Imagineers worked with top spa director Lucia Amasio.

“We also worked with 15 cultural advisors,” said Amasio. “We wanted to tell the story of Hawaiian traditions, including the true ‘Lomi’ treatment…We wanted to create a 6^th sense experience throughout.”

The spa experience begins with the selection of a wishing stone that puts the guest in what Amasio calls a “meditative place.” From there, guests choose the spa experience they seek from a long menu of restorative treatments, including the signature “Lomilomi,” after concocting their own personal scrub at the Pulu Bar in the hydrotherapy garden. The hydro garden retreat, Kula Wai Gardens, is a 5,000-square-foot outdoor eden filled with co-ed hot and cold mineral pools and shower heads that dance ala Disney.  Guests can spend time here enjoying the island tranquility and also grab a healthy lunch.

Since this is a spa for all ages, Disney created an area for families to experience the benefits of spa going in its Ohana treatment room. Ohana means family in Hawaiian, and this unique area allows all generations to spa together. New families can also enjoy the Ka Makana – for mom, dad and baby – where one parent learns the art of ‘baby’ massage while the other enjoys a classic Hawaiian massage. Not to leave the teenagers out, the adjacent Painted Sky Spa was designed for teens only. The adult-supervised facility offers spa treatments and make-overs, computer stations and more in a safe environment.

Sunrise and sunset

Guests at Aulani can enjoy a fitness studio, but nothing beats sunrise yoga on the beach or perhaps a paddleboard balancing class. The beach becomes the perfect morning run or walking “track” for early risers or a pre-dinner “appetizer.” The resort offers several locales to dine from casual to the more elegant AMA AMA overlooking the Pacific and open to the ocean breezes. Serving classic Hawaiian cuisine highlighted by fresh, local ingredients, the restaurant is perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Side trip to Waimea

It is easy to just stay at Aulani for your entire vacation. But consider a side trip close by to Waimea Valley on the north shore. Historically ruled by a long line of kings, take a leisurely walk through lush botanical gardens past village remnants to Waimea Falls where you can swim under a powerful waterfall. One of last partially intact ahupuaa on O`ahu, Waimea Valley consists of 1,875 acres and has been a sacred place for more than 700 years of native Hawaiian history. After visiting the falls, enjoy lunch at a local shrimp truck and do some North Shore shopping in the village.