Adventures By Disney- Arizona

If you love nature, hiking, the great outdoors, then you need to take the Arizona/Utah ABD trip!  While folks may think "I can do that on my own, why do I need ABD?", there is something so magical about the ease of travel with ABD.  You get to ride along and enjoy the scenery instead of worrying about driving and directions.  You get to hike with knowledgeable locals who tell you all sorts of facts and stories about plants, animals, history, geology, food, culture, etc.  You get to make a whole new group of friends and create special memories together, creating a bond like no other.  You don't have to worry about carrying water and snacks... the guides have that covered for you!  You simply show up with your family and let ABD take care of everything while you just enjoy the trip.   Here's some of our favorite highlights: 

·         Sedona We had never visited Sedona so I was glad ABD made this our starting point for the trip.  Definitely a unique vibe to the town, shops, hotels, even the spas.  The desert is absolutely beautiful and it's so much more than dusty cactus nothingness that I had imagined!

·         Grand Canyon National Park I loved our lodging at Thunderbird Lodge.  I had VERY low expectations since I knew it was a National Park hotel, but we were pleasantly surprised with the room.  I would equate it to a Value Disney resort... nothing fancy but it was clean and comfortable, and we were literally steps from the South Rim which was the true value there.  We took a  private tour on the South Rim of this awe-inspiring Grand Canyon and learned so much!

·         Colorado River Rafting A rafting trip was perfect for this hot weather!  We donned life jackets and helmets and rafted our way down the river... loads of fun for all ages!

·         Monument Valley I felt honored to have a Navajo guide lead us to Discover the natural beauty of the buttes, mesas and secret niches.  It was a dusty ride for sure and since ABD thinks of everything, they gave us all bandanas to keep the dust off our mouths and noses.  

·         Diamondback Gulch Off-Road Tour Talk about FUN in Sedona!  We took a Pink Jeep Tour offroad for a bumpy ride through Diamondback Gulch.  Our driver was funny and taught us a lot about the local area as well as topography. I appreciated this tour being included because it's not something we would have normally done but it was lots of fun.

 

·         Bearizona Wildlife Park This wildlife safari park was one of my favorite educational stops on the trip.  Animal lovers will enjoy seeing and learning all about the variety of animals they house here.  The setting is beautiful with lots of trees and it feels like you're in the middle of the forest.. because you are! We had a filling buffet lunch here as well which we all enjoyed.

·         Mather Point Our first view of the Grand Canyon South Rim from Mather Point is something I will remember forever.  Words can't fully describe how awe inspiring the Grand Canyon is.

·         Arches National Park  Having a private local guide for our hike in Arches National Park meant we not only learned about the rocks we were seeing, but we learned about so much more... plants, people, animals, etc.  ABD does a really good job of making sure trips are not only fun, but educational as well.

·         Red Cliffs Lodge I wish we had more nights at Red Cliffs because it truly is a special gem!  Beautiful scenery, loved the rooms, surrounded by cliffs and the river, horses right outside your doorstep.  The staff was super friendly and the food was really tasty.  What more could we ask for?!

·         Williams, Arizona Get your kicks on this small Route 66 railroad town that is steeped in the history of the Old West.  Of course, a stop at Williams, Arizona was HIGH on my list of photo ops!  The guides were awesome & helpful in making sure we got all the Williams sign photos around town that we wanted...I think they were just as excited as I was to be in the town with our last name.  I love when the guides share in our excitement like that!

·         Cowboy Cookout and Entertainment Is there anything better than a riverside campfire with S'mores and a singing cowboy?!  With endless stars and good friends, it was a perfect ending to the evening!

·         Native American Dancing  One of the most interesting cultural experiences we've had was during a visit from some Navajo dancers after dinner.  Seeing them wear traditional outfits and perform traditional dances was such an honor.  The skill needed for some of these dances is unreal, and it really hit me when they said it's a quickly dying tradition and there are only a few left who know how to do things like the Hoop Dance.  

By: Heather Williams

Jo@traveltimetravel.com

Let us make your vacation even easier!  We'll help you plan from the start and can advise you and handle your arrangements, including dining, fast passes, room requests, discount application, and celebrations.  We are the same price or less than if you book on your own, and you get us for FREE!  Have an expert on your side at zero cost to you and contact one of our agents today!

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort – A Hidden Gem on the Treasure Coast

When most people think of a Disney vacation, they imagine visiting the theme parks, or maybe taking a cruise.  They picture a trip full of activities, characters and attractions, with very little time left for rest and relaxation.  While amazing and magical, these trips can also be exhausting, and I often arrive home needing a vacation from my vacation!

But did you know that Disney also owns two beach resorts?  That’s right, you can get Disney’s world-class customer service and amazing attention to detail in a quiet, relaxing setting.  With an abundance of recreation options for the entire family and plenty of dining options (including Dole Whips!), all you’ll be missing are the crowds! Sound about perfect?  It is!

 

Disney's Vero Beach

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort is located just 2 hours south of Walt Disney World, on the Atlantic Treasure Coast, sharing space with the nesting grounds of the Loggerhead Sea Turtle. And five hours north of Walt Disney World, Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort can be found on the picturesque coast of South Carolina, fashioned after a 1940s hunting and fishing lodge, and featuring 12 miles of heavenly beaches.  Though both resorts are Disney Vacation Club properties, both can be booked directly with Disney by non-DVC members.  Both resorts are very small, however, with Hilton Head having less than 150 units (ranging from studio to 3 bedroom layouts) and Vero Beach just under 250 (including 132 DVC layouts and 112 rooms in the main building, or “inn”), so advance planning remains a must, just like with any other Disney vacation!

Welcome Home Sign for DVC Members

My family got the opportunity to visit Disney’s Vero Beach Resort this past June.  We did use our DVC points to book this trip, and when we wanted to tweak our dates we struggled to find the availability we needed, and had to move our room type in order to accommodate the change in plans.  And by the time we travelled, there wasn’t a single available room in any room category for our trip dates. Having never had a problem booking the resort I wanted at Walt Disney World, even for last minute trips or during holidays, I was a bit surprised by how quickly this resort filled up, even given its small size.  But now that I’ve experienced it for myself, it’s very easy to understand why this resort is in such high demand!

Resort Property

Beach at Resort

Let me begin by saying that while beautiful, this resort does not “scream” Disney.  There are several subtle (and some not-so-subtle) touches throughout the resort that let you know you are on a Disney-owned property, but you won’t see characters roaming the grounds or hear Disney music being pumped throughout the common areas.  You will, however, get the same level of care and customer service that you have come to expect from Disney Cast Members.  And just like other Disney resorts, you have all the amenities you need right at your fingertips, with no need to leave the resort if you don’t want to!

Resort pictures

Recreation

The resort itself is situated right on the beach (unlike Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort, where you must take a shuttle to the beach) with beach chairs, umbrellas and cabanas available for rent (you can also bring your own).  They also offer body boards, kayaks and surf lessons on the beach, all for an additional charge. 

Body Boarding

Fishin' Time!

Back up at the resort there is also a large pool with a water slide, and plenty of pool games going on throughout the day.  A 9-hole miniature golf course surrounds the pool, and there is also a ping pong table and activities center right outside the pool gates.  The activities center houses different crafts and programs throughout the day, some free of charge and some for a nominal fee.  My kids made shark tooth necklaces one day and did a fishing excursion another (the best part about this activity was that the price included their own rod and reel that we got to bring home!). Needless to say, for those kids who don’t know how to RELAX (like mine!) and need some extra stimulation, they won’t be bored!

Miniature Golf

And during sea turtle nesting season, you can reserve your spot on a guided sea turtle night walk.  This event is currently offered select nights in June and July to those ages 8 and up.  The walk begins at 9 p.m. and lasts 2-4 hours, depending on how quickly a nesting turtle can be found.  Scouts will search for sea turtles while you enjoy a presentation on the nesting process, and once a nest is located you’ll be provided with night vision goggles to watch the turtle lay her eggs, cover the nest and return to the sea.

Destination Signs

Dining

There are several dining options at the resort.  The Wind & Waves Market is a quick service location, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and also carries some groceries and to-go items.  Also, if you purchased the refillable mug (yes, they have those here, too!), this is where the drink station is located.  (Pro Tip: If your trip to Vero Beach follows a resort stay in Walt Disney World, the mug you purchased at WDW will still work in Vero.)  This is also where you will find the Dole Whip station!! Wind & Waves Market is situated right outside the pool gates, next to the Wind & Waves Bar.

The Wind & Waves Grill is a sit down restaurant, open for breakfast and dinner.  Located just off the lobby and steps away from the pool and beach, the Wind & Waves Grill has a small, hearty menu, with dinner specials that change daily.

The Green Cabin Room can be found on the second floor of the resort, with sweeping views of the ocean from its patio.  The Green Cabin Room serves a full selection of beer and wine in addition to specialty cocktails.  There is also a small menu of appetizers available.  It’s a great place to unwind with a drink before heading to dinner.  The Green Cabin Room is also host to several after-dinner activities for the over 21-crowd, like trivia contests (Disney-themed, of course!) and karaoke.

Lastly, in true Disney fashion, the resort does offer two character meals – Goofy’s Beach side Breakfast (offered seasonally on Saturday mornings) and Pirate Night Dinner (offered seasonally on Monday nights).  This is the ONLY place to see characters at the resort, and both meals include appearances by Goofy and Donald.

Goody's Beach Side Breakfast

Guest Services

One gift shop is located off the lobby of the inn, Island Grove Packing Company.  This shop sells a variety of Disney themed apparel and souvenirs, in addition to groceries and sundries, and even provides DVD rentals.

Parking is available in an underground garage, adjacent to the parking lot.  There is no overnight parking fee for resort guests, but you will be required to display a pass on your dashboard for the duration of your stay.

The resort also has a spa, onsite laundry and dry cleaning services, fitness center, tennis courts, bike rentals, outdoor grills and childcare options.

Offsite Activities

While you certainly don’t have to leave Disney’s Vero Beach property for a single minute during your vacation, there are a variety of things to do in Vero Beach and the surrounding area if you choose to venture out.  Delicious restaurants line the coastline, offering every type of cruise – from seafood to steakhouses, Italian and American.  For the golfers, there are several courses in the area.  You can also schedule airboat rides or take a private boat tour.  My family did a personal tour of the Sebastian Inlet with Capt. Christy Lenz Casual Cruisin’ and it was a definite highlight of our trip.  We got the chance to view dolphins, manatees, stingray and a variety of other fish and birds up close and personal during our 2-hour tour.  It was truly amazing!

Dolphin sighting

Manatee Sighting

So for those of you that are looking for a relaxing vacation, without all the hustle and bustle of the theme parks, but with the legendary customer service you’ve come to appreciate from Disney – look no further than Disney’s Vero Beach Resort.  After just one stay, my family has decided this needs to be an annual trip for us.  We paired our days in Vero with a few days in Walt Disney World prior, and it was the perfect mix of theme park fun followed by pure relaxation.  And I actually came home from this trip refreshed, which was definitely a Disney first! This resort is truly a hidden gem, just waiting for you to discover all it has to offer.  Call your travel agent today to book your stay at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort – I promise you won’t regret it!

Family Cruisin'

By: Alyssa Gates Schreiber

Alyssa@traveltimetravel.com

Let us make your vacation even easier!  We'll help you plan from the start and can advise you and handle your arrangements, including dining, fast passes, room requests, discount application, and celebrations.  We are the same price or less than if you book on your own, and you get us for FREE!  Have an expert on your side at zero cost to you and contact one of our agents today!

 

You May Need a Travel Agent If...Planning a Vacation? Where Do You Start?

You’ve decided to go on vacation!  A cruise sounds just perfect for your family, you think, so, you can do one of the two following options:

1. Look up what cruise lines service where, because I’d prefer to go out of Florida.  Or maybe Galveston?  Oh gosh, there are like 300 ships in Florida.  Okay, which is better? Carnival?  Royal Caribbean?  Norwegian?  Princess?  Celebrity?  Disney? I’ll check Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, Disney.  Should I call?  Look online?  How do I know I’m getting the best price?  Why does my state of residency matter?  Should I call? I have small kids, what line is best? Do I need a hotel the day before?  I’ll check Expedia, Kayak, Trivago, Hotels.com. Oh, gosh, some of those have cruises too. What is better? Should I go through the hotel directly? How do I know it’s a safe hotel?  I’ll check Trip Advisor.  Oh, I can price things there too.  Maybe Hilton?  Hampton Inn? A Disney hotel? Where do I book that? Staybridge? Where has free breakfast?  Any of them have shuttles to the port? Should I call? What is onboard credit?  What is OBC?  What can I use it on?  How much will I get? What type of cabin?  Are insides really dark?  Will it be noisy?  What deck is good?  Why can’t I find one that fits four people?  I guess I’ll call. I heard dining is handled differently on cruises, how does that work?  Should I call?  Is three days enough?  Four?  Seven?  Is Nassau safe?  What should we do about shore excursions?  Is a verandah worth it? What does gratuity cover? Oh, main, late and anytime dining…what should I choose?  What are specialty restaurants? How can I celebrate a special occasion?  Can I decorate my cabin door?  What is muster?  What time will my cabin be ready?  What legal documents do I need for my family? I have a stepchild, should I call? Can I bring my own alcohol? Is there a nursery? Charge for nursery?  Do I need reservations?  Soda? Water?  What do I do about motion sickness?  What is debarkation? I read somewhere luggage pick up is the night before?  How do I get to and from the airport and port?  Should I come in a day early?  What items aren’t allowed onboard?  Should I call? How are the kids clubs?  What times do they run?  What programs do they offer?  How do I sign up for those?  Do they cost?  How much spending money should we plan for?  Do I tip anyone else? What about tour guides?  What do I do with my luggage when we arrive at port?  My Grandma might want to come but is disabled, should I call? How do we link dining to sit with someone else we know?  How do we request that we not be seated with anyone else? What are the adult only areas like?  Is there gambling?  Should I get insurance?  How should I time the flights, can I book one for 10 AM the debarkation morning? And what exactly is debarkation? Do they have accommodations for autism?  Food allergies?  I should call.  How much luggage can we bring?  Is there ice in the cabin?  What are the bathrooms like?  Where do we store our suitcases in the cabin?  What if we don’t want to sit down for a formal meal, what else can we do?  Soda is included, right?  Should I look into loyalty programs?  What do the cruise lines mean by “private island”?   Can I get wake up calls?  I read somewhere there might be a sewage smell in the bathroom?  What difference does it make if the ship is older? Smaller?  Bigger?  What if there is rough waters?  What do we do for breakfast and lunch if dinner is the only planned meal?  Why do we only get to eat in one dining room?  What is rotational dining?  For the flights, should I pay for assigned seating?  Do more open up later?  How much is luggage check?  How much can I bring?  Can we bring golf clubs? I see flights on American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, some mixtures that I found on Kayak, I’m not sure what the difference is?  I called, but they aren’t nice.  How far in advance should I buy flights? Should I call the cruise line, when I pick it, and try to get flights that way?  How far in advance should I do online check in? When is final payment due?  Should I book spa treatments in advance?  I found one cruise that is $800 per person and one is $1300 per person, why would anyone choose the more expensive one?  Can we use cash onboard?  Why do I have to put a credit card in?

Or

2. Contact an agent at Travel Time, for free.

Join our Facebook Group!

Let us make your vacation even easier!  We'll help you plan from the start and can advise you and handle your arrangements, including dining, fast passes, room requests, discount application, and celebrations.  We are the same price or less than if you book on your own, and you get us for FREE!  Have an expert on your side at zero cost to you and contact one of our agents today!

Disney's Le Cellier Cheese Soup Recipe (tweaked to perfection!)

The recipe I found on the internet for Le Cellier's famous Canadian cheddar cheese soup needed some adjustments.  This recipe contains my tried and true recipe.  I typically double the ingredients so I have a nice big batch.  Enjoy!

Le Cellier Canadian Cheese Soup

*1/4 lb bacon finely chopped

*1 med red onion cut into ¼ pieces

*1/2 c finely sliced celery

*1/2 c finely chopped carrots

*3 tbs cornstarch (or flour but I recommend cornstarch for thickness)

*1.5 c whole milk

*1.5 c whipping cream

*2 c chicken stock

*12 oz grated white cheddar (I’ve used shredded regular cheddar, white is expensive and hard to find)

3 dashes tobacco

½ tsp worchestershire

½ c beer, room temperature

*salt and pepper to taste

*thinly chopped chives

Directions:

1)      Cook bacon in large soup pot over med heat until wilted but not browned

2)      Add onions, celery and carrots and cook until onion is translucent and bacon has crisped (takes a while)

3)      Sprinkle in cornstarch and stir constantly for 2 minutes.  Stir in chicken stock, milk and whipping cream (stock first) a little at a time, blending well to ensure there are no lumps. I use a whisk.  Bring to boil then cover and simmer 15 minutes.

4)      Remove from heat and whisk in cheese tobacco, worchestershire and beer.  Season with salt and pepper.

5)      Optional: serve with bacon pieces, chives, shredded cheddar and/or bread.

Pretzel bread recipe available upon request

By Lucy Wolfe

Lucy@traveltimetravel.com

Traveltimetravel.com

*New* Pineapple Lanai Dole Whip kiosk at Disney's Polynesian Village

Here are a few details about the new Pineapple Dole Whip location just opening at the Poly!  It is located in part of what used to be the Wyland Gallery (lower level of the Great Ceremonial House) with the order window outside on the way to the pool area.  It has several tables for seating, and it is not self serve any longer.

You can choose Pineapple or Vanilla Soft Serve, Swirl, or Floats, or bottled water.  You can also choose to get a Souvenir Tiki Bowl or Tiki Sipper!

By Lucy

Disney's Ohana Bananas Foster Bread Pudding Recipe at the Polynesian

Ohana Bread Pudding

5 eggs
3 cups whole milk
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 1/2 cup sugar
8 cups french or 'Ohana breakfast bread

1. In bowl mix eggs, milk , salt, sugar and nutmeg. Set aside.
2. Cut bread in medium pieces, place on cookie sheet pan put in 350 degree oven.
3. Bake bread until lightly toasted, about 15 minutes. Remove bread and place in egg and milk mixture.
4. Place mixture in a greased 10-inch cake pan and bake at 325 degree for 1 hour.
5. Let stand 5 minutes, serve hot with ice cream.

BANANA FOSTER SAUCE
4 oz sugar
4 oz brown sugar
4 oz corn syrup
4 oz unsalted butter
1cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1cup spiced rum
1cup banana slices

1. Combine sugar, brown sugar, corn syrup, butter and half of heavy cream in a large pan. Bring to a boil and slowly add remaining heavy cream keeping mixture at a steady boil.


2. Add spiced rum and flambe.

3. Candy will brown slightly; cook 3 minutes until candy forms into a firm ball in cold water. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Add sliced bananas. Serve warm.

Enjoy!

Review of Disney's Aulani Resort & Spa on Oahu, Hawaii

The resort is located in Ko’Olina, on the leeward side of Oahu, about 30-40 minutes from Honolulu Intl’ Airport. Ko’Olina is a much quieter area than the hustle & bustle of Waikiki.

The moment you pull up to the resort, you will be in awe. We were greeted by name as soon as we stepped out of the car (how the heck did they know who we were?!). We arrived a bit earlier than our room was ready, but that was no issue. The bell hops took our belongings, gave us our key cards for our room, and little gifts for each member of the party. I received an Aulani pin, and the kids received Menehune necklaces. We were given a brief tour of the grounds, and were told we could go right out and enjoy the resort while we waited for our room. We decided to take advantage of the time by walking across the street to the ABC store, and stocking up on drinks and snacks for our room.

          

      Once we returned from the store, our room was ready, and our luggage was brought straight to the room. We had an island view standard room, which included a mini fridge. There are studio and larger rooms that feature kitchenettes.  We had 2 queen beds, with the cutest pineapple & Mickey head designed quilt (available for purchase in the gift shop). There was also a carved wooden lamp of Mickey & a surf board (also available for purchase). In regards to the island view, I would recommend upgrading to pool or ocean view, or just sticking with standard view. The only difference between standard & island view is how high up in the resort you are. 

             

        

 

Once we were settled in, we changed into our swimwear, and headed for the pools! We first went to get our towels & daily wrist band, as resort amenities are for registered guests only. Once we had those, we went straight to Waikolohe Stream (lazy river). My boys were not in the water more than 10 minutes before they started screaming “best vacation ever!!!”. I knew right then & there, the money was well spent.

We enjoyed the lazy river for a while, before they were ready to check out the Menehune Bridge (a water play structure). There is now also the new Keiki Cove Splash Zone, where kids can run & around and get wet, without having to get in a pool.

          

 The boys made many friends, and spent many hours playing in the Waikolohe Pool (the main pool, with zero entry). There are also 2 waterslides, one which drops you into this pool, the other into the lazy river.

The slide that drops you into the lazy river, you ride down on an inner tube, and the slide for the pool, you just go on your bottom (we LOVED this one). There is also the Ka Maka Grotto (infinity pool), which is for families. We spent variety little time here, as the pools are much smaller than the Waikolohe, and the kids didn’t feel they could play as hard. The views from this pool are amazing. There are also cabanas that can be rented for full or half days at the pools.

                We spent some time at the lagoon, were you can also rent beach toys. The water in the lagoon is very calm, and there is some sort of netting to help keep the big fish out of the lagoon. We walked the path from the Aulani lagoon, around the neighboring resort, to some beach that was behind private property (no beaches on Oahu are private, so feel free to explore the beaches). We had heard that earlier dolphins and sea turtles were spotted, but we must have missed them, as we didn’t see a single one.

           

Since we missed them, we decided it was best for us to see some fish! We headed back to the resort, to experience Rainbow Reef (private snorkeling lagoon). They offer single day passes, or multi day passes for the length of your stay. They also provide all the equipment needed for snorkeling. The water in this lagoon is pretty cold compared to the other waters we had spent time in, so it took quite a bit of adjusting.

We took turns snorkeling, so one of us could always go over the viewing windows and take pictures of the others of us snorkeling. It just took a few attempts for my boys to learn how to snorkel, next thing I knew, they were on the other side of the ‘reef’.  When you finish in the snorkeling lagoon, there are warm showers in which to rinse off.

        

Ready for some Disney characters?! Characters are featured at various times throughout the day, and each character does not appear every day. They rotate. Characters found at Aulani are Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Chip, Dale, and Stitch. Pluto did not want to ride in the cargo space on the plane, so he stayed back on the mainland.

All of the above characters do meet n greets, except Goofy, he appears different times during the day and does entertainment at the pools. And guess what?! He gets IN the water!! We got a kick out of that!

Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy can also be found at the character breakfast, Mahahiki.

     There is also Aunty’s Beach House, which once my kids were introduced to it, I could not peel them away. It is a free child care service; that’s right, free, for kids ages 3-12. There are premium experiences offered at an additional fee, and each of my boys did one of those. These are available on a first come, first serve basis, and you can sign up for them when the Beach House opens in the morning for any day during your visit. Your daily ‘Iwa (daily newsletter) is left in your room nightly during turndown service, and lets you know what activities will be offered the next day, and at what time and location. One of my boys picked the experience ‘Fish are Friends’. This activity took place over lunch, so it included his lunch in the cost. The kids also got to make fish food, and they went up to Rainbow Reef to feed the fish. They also received drawstring backpacks, and a copy of Disney’s Oceans on DVD. The older of my two boys did an experience called “Surfs Up with Chip n Dale”. This event took place over dinner time, so it included his dinner meal. The kids then had time to decorate mini surf boards, which they got to keep, followed by a dance party with Chip n Dale at Aunty’s Beach House. They got a drawstring backpack as well, although a different one. There are more premium experiences offered than just these two, some are kids only, some are for families.

                In addition to Aunty’s Beach House, there is Painted Sky, for teens ages 13-17. Painted Sky is a teen hangout area, much like those on Disney Cruise Line, where teens can play video games, go on computers, participate in other activities, as well enjoy their own spa treatments.

                Speaking of spa treatments, there is Laniwai, Disney’s spa for adults. Laniwai is open daily, and offers a variety of packages from facial treatments, to various massage therapies, to couples massages, and more. Most spa treatments last roughly an hour.

                In addition to the adults spa treatments, there are various areas around the resort that are adults only, so if you are traveling sans children, there is still some areas you can be tucked away in tranquility. There is the Wailana Pool, for resort guests over 18 years. The resort was undergoing renovations when we visited, and this pool was not yet open. Now I need to go back, and see this pool for myself! In addition to these adult only spots, there is also yoga & fitness centers, as well as golf featured at Aulani.

       

There are also many activities for families to enjoy together. There are various excursions that can be booked through Aulani, such as a catamaran experience, and there are even activities right on Aulani property, some of which are free of charge. There are movies under the stars, which were being offered twice a week during our stay, stories around the fire pit, and the Starlit Hui, a Hawaiian cultural show complete with hula dancers. In addition to these free activities, there are premium experiences for families as well, such star gazing and Hawaiian art classes.

                Tucked away on the side of the pools, are lockers and showers that can be used for free while you enjoy the pools. In this same room, there are computers with printers should you need to print something, such as boarding passes. Next door to this room, is a family activity room. Some of the Hawaiian art classes are held here, but they offer more than just this. They have a TV, where I believe you can watch movies. There are books and puzzles that can be enjoyed, as well as a decent sized collection of movies that you can rent over night for $2-3 each, limit of 2 per night. We often picked up a movie at the end of our day, and would watch it until we fell asleep. There is also an activity offered here, that is kind of like a cross between hide & seek, and a scavenger hunt. You are given a device to take around the property with you, and you follow clues.

                My youngest & I also created our own adventure on our last night. Aulani has many, many hidden Menehune around the resort, there are likely over 200. And they are EVERYWHERE. From hiding in bushes, to being in Rainbow Reef, to hiding in elevators, and more. This is a fun, and free activity, and can really send you off all over the resort.

                There resort also features two gift shops, where in addition to souvenirs they sell a small assortment of food & drinks for those of you staying in rooms with kitchenettes. Even frozen pizza! You can also purchase your refillable mug here, to use around the resort.

                Food. How have I not mentioned food?! Aulani features a few different type of dining experiences, from beachside dining such as ‘Ama ‘Ama, to the above mentioned character dining, to pool side dining at Off the Hook, and quick service such as Mama’s Snack Stop. There are also places that sell shave ice (amazing!), as well as Mickey Bars. Aulani also offers cocktail lounges, and of course, room service.  Reservations are recommended for ‘Ama’Ama and Makahiki. At Off the Hook, you can use their dining tables, or, you can remain in your beach chair and one of the waitors/waitresses will take your order and bring your food to you.

                There are also a few options for dining off property, within walking distance, such as Roy’s and Monkeypod. They are located over near that ABC store I mentioned earlier, as well as some shops. I am sure there are also dining locations within the surrounding resorts, but we did not explore them.