Aulani Spring Break/ Easter Trip

[pinkxray]

​

It has been a very long time since I’ve written a trip report. My last one was before the great photo bucket debacle, so almost 9-10 years maybe? I debated even writing one since I don’t take notes, only take pictures with my iPhone and our vacation style is relaxed. Very relaxed.
However, I found every single trip report on these boards helpful and thought maybe my report might help someone in their planning. (Especially since not many people choose to tackle spring break and Easter on this thread and I couldn’t find many reports around this time) And believe me, I read every one. Sometimes twice. And watched every YouTube vlog on Oahu and Aulani. I tend to get a little obsessive about planning my trips.

We are a family of 5.
Dh, DD17, DS7, DD 4(turned 5 on trip) and myself.
We spent 1 night, April 13 at Hilton Embassy Suites Waikiki on Hilton points.
April 14- 22 was at Aulani in a 1 bedroom ocean view.

 

[pinkxray]

Just a few boring details before we start-

We live in CT so we flew the non stop JFK-HNL and back.

This is the first time to Hawaii for all of us.

We are dvc members (lowly resale, white card only). We only had enough for half the trip since it was a bonus trip on top of a WDW trip a few months earlier. It was supposed to be for my 40th bday in June after having some health issues right before Covid hit that had us all worried I might not be here to celebrate that birthday. No one needs to hear that long ordeal but I’m pretty sure when I woke up in the icu after having half my liver removed the same week Covid closed down all the schools in CT and daycares, I said I’m going to Hawaii for my 40th!

Life always has other ideas though so scheduling issues made us switch to April break instead of June. DD17 graduates in June. I asked her if she wanted to come or we could wait until next year when she’s in college if she didn’t want to go. She wanted to go. She couldn’t wait



Travel Day
We left Wed. April 13 from Jfk. Our flight was fine. The kids did great! Watched movies and colored. We traveled in regular economy seats on Hawaiian airlines. We chose this over upgrading to the extra legroom because in the back of the plane there are 3 seats across from the 2 window seats. Worked well for our family of 5. I am 5’6 and I am pretty sure if I was any taller I would be pretty miserable in those seats though.

We arrived on time and picked up our rental at Alamo. I reserved a standard SUV like 9 months ago. Of course, when we arrived they had none. The attendant went to go look for something. While we waited the manager looking lady came over and asked us what we were waiting for. Dh asked if we could just take a minivan since they had a whole aisle of them. The attendant showed up with a Nissan Rogue which I am pretty sure is not a standard suv and since I drive one at home I know we would be pretty uncomfortable trying to fit five in there. Don’t even think we would be able to fit DD17 or 1/2 our suitcases. The lady manager said go ahead, grab a minivan. I was a little bummed bc I was looking forward to hopefully testing an SUV on my list of possibles to buy soon. Oh well, happy to have something.

We were on our way to Embassy Suites Waikiki Beachwalk. I had some Hilton points and since Aulani was $$$ I figured a free night to recover sounded good. We put in the directions and the map sent us to the hotel but directed us to the one way street that didn’t have an entrance to the parking/ entrance. After 3 loops around we found the other one way street that lead us to the entrance of valet/ check in.

We were tired and hungry so we ordered food from Yardhouse next door that had free delivery. It was nothing memorable. It could have been since it was takeout and was very messy. We stayed up until around 8pm and then we crashed.

 

[pinkxray]

Our first day in Hawaii!
I went to bed at 8pm on Wed. night. I woke up at the bright and morning time hour of 11pm Wed. night. It was 5am in CT and I was wide awake. I think I watched tv until DH and the little kids woke up around 3am.
Dh and I were going to hike up Diamond Head when it opened while the kids stayed back. DS might have been fine but DD4 would have been asking to get picked up after the first 1/4.
We arrived around 5:50am behind a stream of cars. We parking and got our tickets quickly.

We finished in about 50 minutes. Dh had no trouble at all. I don’t do well with heat or humidity so that it was rougher for me. I was happy I brought water. Dh did say at the end he was happy I dragged him out at 6 am because doing it with the Sun up must be brutal.

Afterwards we headed back to the hotel, grabbed the kids and had the free breakfast at the hotel which was pretty good.

 

[Sydnerella]

Happy Birthday and glad you recovered! Appreciate this report and looking forward to hearing from you for many reasons - one of them is that recently we determined we now have to stay in Waikiki two nights before Aulani and the Embassy Suites is what I’ve settled on after much debate. Let me know what you think about the hotel and location please.

 

[Paul Stupin]

Thanks so much for doing this! I always learn a lot, and really enjoy reading an excellent trip report! We’re going to Aulani in three weeks, and it’s making me feel like I’m starting my vacation early.

 

[alohamom]

Following, this is great so far!

 

[nascargirl]

Following also. Pictures are great.

 

[pinkxray]

Happy Birthday and glad you recovered! Appreciate this report and looking forward to hearing from you for many reasons - one of them is that recently we determined we now have to stay in Waikiki two nights before Aulani and the Embassy Suites is what I’ve settled on after much debate. Let me know what you think about the hotel and location please.

We didn't stay long enough to really have a full review but there was nothing that I didn’t like. If you aren’t going to stay at one of the hotels right on beach it’s a great option. Location was great. Plenty of food options, shopping and quick walk to the beach. I think it took us around 10 minutes to walk from the hotel to Outrigger to have lunch at Dukes. This is with a 4 year old with short legs.

Right before we left to go to Aulani DD17 and I walked down Lewers street and it was such a nice spot. There is a massive ABC store there( we accidentally went to the tiny one on the other side of the hotel), places to eat and shops. It is a quick walk to Kalakaua Ave which is the main shopping street and has all the entrances to the beach resorts.

We didn't get to see the pool or take part in the evening reception. We did have breakfast one morning and they had apples,oranges, bananas and seasonal cut fruit(pineapple and honeydew our day) I think I saw someone with yogurt. Hot foods were eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, and home fries. They had an omelet station but we arrived right after going up Diamond Head plus it was past lunch in our mind and we hadn’t eaten so we didn’t want to wait in the short line. Bagels, bread for toast and drink station with juices(including POG), coffee, sodas

With all that said, I debated back and forth for months do I kept this or stay at Royal Hawaiian? Since we are a family of 5 it was about $1000 a night to stay there since we needed a suite or two rooms we opted not to. Once we walked into Outrigger and saw the view I was a little bummed I didn’t book an on the beach hotel. When we plan our next trip I really want to stay in Waikiki for a few days at Outrigger or Royal Hawaiian. I say this as someone who had to deal with a 4 year old who complains walking in wet shoes, holding a blow up duck tube, along with sand buckets and a body board someone gave DS at the beach. If it was just DH, DD17 and I, Embassy Suites
would have been perfect since we travel lightly and can walk wherever.

The only things that were annoying were the elevators took forever(but that also happened at Aulani sometimes) and you need to swipe your card to use it. Sometimes it didn’t register quick enough so we couldn’t get it to register our floor so we rode the elevator a few times.
Also on our Diamond head morning I wanted some water to bring. It was 530am so nothing was open yet. They had vending machines every other floor so I tried to get a bottle of water or Powerade on each floor of our tower. All the machines were empty. Not a big deal since there is an ABC store on either side of the hotel but we hadn’t had a chance to go anywhere. DH asked the girl at the desk if there was anything close to grab water and she handed him 2 bottles of water. (Of course there are vending machines at Diamond Head which I didn’t even think of)

Another note: I did the online check in. I was able to go on the day before and select my room. Even though I could see my room number we still had to check in at the desk so it seemed kind of pointless. They have to give you wrist bands for the breakfast and tickets for evening reception. We only had a standard view cheap room on points so my options were 2nd or 3rd floor. I picked 2nd floor so we could use the stairs as much as possible which was great. We had no view other than looking at Henry’s place which is supposed to have amazing ice cream(never made it there or steak shake which I had wanted to try).

 

[pinkxray]

After loading up on breakfast we chilled out in the room for a little bit. We took a walk down to the ABC store and grabbed some bottled water and souvenirs. DD picked up a ducky tube and DS grabbed a sand bucket with toys. We mad the mistake of going to the tiny one on the beach walk side instead of the massive on Lewers street. But the cashier was friendly and they had everything we needed so it was fine.

Our lunch reservation was for Dukes was scheduled for 11:15. We left a little before 11 and made the quick walk over.
We checked in and waited a few minutes. There was no one really waiting. About 15-20 minutes later there was a long line to check in.



Before we got all we had seen of Hawaii was highways and building. Finally the ocean!!
We were not right next to railing but only one row off. The view was beautiful!





Dh had loaded up during breakfast and wasn’t too hungry yet. I knew I wanted dessert here so we split a crispy chicken sandwich. I added a side salad plus avacado for the sandwich and I think the chips went uneaten.


The kids were all happy with their chicken tenders and fries.



We ordered a hula pie to share between myself and the kids.




Dessert was delicious. Probably my favorite of the trip. All 3 kids liked it too.

After lunch we headed straight to the beach. We had packed our beach stuff and worn our swimsuits to lunch. The beach outside the Outrigger was pretty full so we settled right in front of the Royal Hawaiian. It was super bright so I couldn’t really see what pictures I was taking.

I took a selfie decked out in pink in front of the Royal Hawaiian to send to a coworker who had told me to say hello to the hotel she stayed at when she was younger.

The kids hit the water with Dh. Since DD17 was there with DD4 I hung out with the bag. For some reason had brought a computer bag and a DD had her purse so I didn’t just want to just leave our bags if I could help it. Plus I’m more of an admirer of the ocean from the sand. I love looking at the water but don’t love going in the water.

The kids had a blast. Someone on the beach gave DS a body board since they were headed home soon. He loved that. The waves were fun but knocked DD over a few times. Not going to lie I didn’t love watching them since they aren’t the best swimmers. We live on Long Island sound and have no waves or great white sharks. Plus we always go to the beach at low tide so we can play on the sandbars. Dh always tend to think DS is a better swimmer but he has no interest. He said he let go of DS for a minute and if he hadn’t grabbed him he would have just sunk since he didnt bother to swim. This is one of the main reasons we spent so much time at Aulani. I didn’t want the stress of the kids being in the ocean right now.






We stayed a few hours and then headed back to the hotel. Apparently DD17 did not think she needed sunscreen despite having my fair skin and got sunburn quickly. DD17 and I headed to the store get aloe. We stopped in a few shops on Lewers street and DD found a cute sundress. Once we were out shopping I wished we had just kept another day in Waikiki but too late. No way I was going to let a night at Aulani to unused. We packed up and a left the Hilton around 5ish. On to Aulani!

 

[pinkxray]

Despite my wanting to head to Aulani asap after the beach DH wanted to wait. I think he was dreading moving to Aulani since he just does not like Disney. We finally got on the way before 5. Of course, we hit traffic. Then as we got closer I failed in my job as navigator. Maps told me take a slight right ahead. What slight right? The exit that only says exit? How is an exit a slight right, map? Yes, take the exit. Oops. We went ahead and made a UTurn. Thankfully we were treated to a nice view from the parking lot we pulled into to make the turn.


We pulled into Aulani right before 6. (Again, no real signage. If I hadn’t read that they is no sign when to turn DH would have driven right past it.)


We dropped our bags with the valet while Dh went to park the car. I had to check in in person since we had 5 reservations over 8 nights. I had used a mix of our dvc points and then over times added nights with rented points. Since I didn’t own all the points I couldn’t merge the reservation but did ask to make a note asking not to change rooms.
Thankfully it worked and we did not have to change rooms. I did have to go down each morning we had a new reservation to get new keys and present my Id but that was fine.



I had put in a room request for upper floor, overlooking pool, preferably Waianae.
We ended up in room 1170 which was in EWA tower. It was the first room off the elevator so that was convenient. Our view ended up being pretty nice




Room pics before it was used. I can never catch a pic before Dh hits the bed. It is always the first thing he does.








We had discussed what are plans were going to be for tomorrow. If we were the leaving the resort I would head to Costco or target for some groceries. The family decided on a resort day so I ended up placing an instacart order for some breakfast items and foods for the kids.


On the way to dinner


We grabbed a quick dinner at Ulu Cafe. Apparently I had a flatbread.

Guessing the kids had chicken tenders and Dh had a burger. We also picked up some refillable mugs. We got 5 but next time we would be fine with like 2. Maybe 1. We primarily drink water at home so the kids aren’t used to having hi c or sugary drink often. I let them get something sugary once a day so even over 8 days it worked out ok.

Our instacart order arrived right after dinner and after putting that stuff away we all got ready for bed.

 

[buzzrelly]

Following along! Loving your photos!

We are also from CT and my DD18 and I will be heading to Aulani at the end of May!

So sorry to hear of your health woes...truly makes you appreciate the time we get to spend with family!

I'm so glad that you didn't have to change rooms over the week! Your view was amazing!

 

[cgattis]

Ok, when I saw the pic in all pink, I thought that was your 17YO……you look amazing at 40, especially considering your health issues! Maybe I’ll get half my liver removed too Anyway, following along!!

 

[pinkxray]

As I said in the intro, we like to relax on vacation. We spend lots of time at whatever resort we are at and it despite my best efforts to stay organized and scheduled it takes the kids and Dh forever to get out the door. Since I spend close to a year planning I always need to keep my expectations low of how much we will actually do of the list of things I’d like to do. For this trip I made a list of absolute must dos for each day, a list of would really like to do, and lastly, a list of would like to do if in the area and everyone is up to it.

Absolute must dos for this trip included
Kualoa Ranch
Zipling(Dh and DD17)
Pearl Harbor
Family Pictures

Really like to do
Kailua or another beach on the east side
Explore the north shore
Waimea Falls
Dole plantation/ coffee place down the street
Diamond Head


And things I’d like to try to get to
Maona Falls
punchbowl cemetery
Haleiwa
byodo-in temple



Friday April 15 (also Good Friday)
Todays only must do was family pictures. I scheduled us for a 20 minute photo shoot at sunset months ago.

My possible ideas were head to Maona Falls or maybe go to Costco/Target after checking out the Dole Plantation.

After seeing the pools and the beach everyone voted to just have a resort day. You will not sure many pictures of DD17 on this trip. Her idea of spring break was to sleep in, show up for lunch for around an hour and get wet for about 5 minutes. She would then retreat to the bed and spend her days texting and facetiming her friends and boyfriend. She came with us 2/3 offsite days.

After waking up around 3, I killed some time putting the tub to good use and organizing the room while waiting for someone to wake up. The little kids were up early and by 6am we were all fed, dressed and ready to go. We decided to go walk the path along the lagoons.





We had some many nice people that offered to take a family picture when one of us was taking the picture. I don’t think we ever even asked. Thanks to everyone who does that! We try to return the favor whenever we can.









The walk along the lagoons is beautiful. It doesn’t look real. I think we made it less than half way in an hour because the kids were having to much fun running around the grassy areas to get far.
We headed back to get ready for the pools opening.

After getting our wristbands and life vests we found some chairs and jumped in the pool. The front pool is always the most crowded but so much warming than the larger pool. We made it down around 740 and grabbed some chairs. I was nervous about reports of not finding a chair but it was fine for us. I did notice some days that people came down around 630 and staked out the best chairs. The ones in the first row with an umbrella or directing looking over the beach but we came down throughout the days at different times and could usually find something. Umbrellas were harding to find but the pool attendant were keeping an eye on unused chairs and marking who wasn’t using them.

Around 10am, we decided to head to the beach. I think DD17 had showed up at that time.
DD4 was ready to go!

 

[pinkxray]

We headed to the beach and it was just so beautiful. You see the pictures of Hawaii, Aulani and the lagoons and it looks pretty but it is just so beautiful in person. The water was crystal clear and clean, like being in a pool. Since it was close to lunch, DD17 had finally come down.







We decided to take a break for lunch and get out of the sun for a bit. DD4 was anxious to get to the gift shop since she had a $50 gift card to spend for her birthday from family. Dh and DD17 hung out in the room while I took the little kids to the store.
We picked up a Gelatoni for my cat loving, Disney loving sister.


DD4 was looking for clothes for her Duffy that she has had since she was a baby. They didn’t have any outfits for anyone besides Stella. She settled on the Duffy and friends headband. She also got a small Duffy.
Ds picked out a giant lollipop since he is too cool for Disney toys.

Since it was the week of Easter they had a stand across from the gift shop with items to make an Easter basket or buy a pre made one. I had hopped to sneak down and get DD a Stella Lou for Easter but she insisted on using her bday money for one.
While we made the purchase the register froze. The nice cast member told the kids the background story for each of Duffy‘s friends. They then proceeded to ask her where each one was from again and she kindly answered there questions over and over. Wait, the bunny is from Japan. No, china. I thought the cat was China. No italy. I was very happy when the purchase went through and very thankful the poor CM was so patient.







We went back for lunch in the room. The kids are stuff in the room. I had seen a salad place on Uber eats called Aloha Salads before our trip. I tried twice to place an order for a couple salads to have in the next few days but they cancelled my order saying the store was unable to accommodate at this time.

Dd17 and I went to Ulu Cafe.Guessing she had chicken nuggets and I had an açaí bowl.


On the walk back to the room we saw Shelli Mae and Minnie Mouse. Shelli Mae was adorable! I was hoping DD would see her at another time since we still had a week left but we never saw her again. She must have been out on days we were offsite.


We stopped in the community center to sign us up for Make your own Mickey ears two days later. I signed up all 3 kids. DS picked out the flowers to make one for me. He isn’t the biggest Disney or Mickey ear fan but he is a fan of hot glue guns and activities.


They had little bags full of Easter eggs and Easter activities they handed out.


(we open them the next day I think)

Once DD woke up she asked to take a picture with her to friends to send to her aunt that wanted the cat plush.

DD4 LOVES Duffy. She sleeps with him every night and has since she was old enough to have a toy to sleep with. She likes his friends but since we have been home the headband and Stella haven’t been touched. Along with the Shellie Mae in her closet that I bought her two years ago. She is just all about Duffy.

We had sunset pictures at 630 so we hung out until then since I didn’t want anyone getting dirty or too messed up.

 

[buzzrelly]

After seeing the pools and the beach everyone voted to just have a resort day. You will not sure many pictures of DD17 on this trip. Her idea of spring break was to sleep in, show up for lunch for around an hour and get wet for about 5 minutes. She would then retreat to the bed and spend her days texting and facetiming her friends and boyfriend.

Sounds like when we took my then 15yo DS to Hilton Head. We never saw him and yet he says he didn't like it there

The walk along the lagoons is beautiful.

So pretty!

we came down throughout the days at different times and could usually find something. Umbrellas were harding to find but the pool attendant were keeping an eye on unused chairs and marking who wasn’t using them.

That's good to hear. I don't have any desire to be fighting over chairs at 6am...I do enough of that at WDW!

 

[buzzrelly]

Dd17 and I went to Ulu Cafe.Guessing she had chicken nuggets and I had an açaí bowl.

That looks SO fresh and good!

Once DD woke up she asked to take a picture with her to friends to send to her aunt that wanted the cat plush.

Adorable!

 

[pinkxray]

Thanks so much for doing this! I always learn a lot, and really enjoy reading an excellent trip report! We’re going to Aulani in three weeks, and it’s making me feel like I’m starting my vacation early.

Have a great trip! I love trip reports too. Vlogs are great too but something about reading trip report is better for me.

Following, this is great so far!

Thanks!

Following also. Pictures are great.

Thank you!

Following along! Loving your photos!

We are also from CT and my DD18 and I will be heading to Aulani at the end of May!

So sorry to hear of your health woes...truly makes you appreciate the time we get to spend with family!

I'm so glad that you didn't have to change rooms over the week! Your view was amazing!

Thanks for joining. It was such a relief not to change rooms. I really dreaded having to pack up 5 people. Lesson learned to be more careful in planning next time. I just constantly felt the need to add more days at Aulani. I think I added our last day 2 months out. I was checking the DVC website and they had a room. I went on the rent/trade board, messaged someone and they booked it.

Ok, when I saw the pic in all pink, I thought that was your 17YO……you look amazing at 40, especially considering your health issues! Maybe I’ll get half my liver removed too Anyway, following along!!

Lol. That made me smile. The glasses hide my face but I appreciate the comment!

Sounds like when we took my then 15yo DS to Hilton Head. We never saw him and yet he says he didn't like it there



So pretty!



That's good to hear. I don't have any desire to be fighting over chairs at 6am...I do enough of that at WDW!

If you want the perfect chair that’s one thing. If you are okay being a few rows back and not having an umbrella, there was usually something available. When we came down in the afternoon a few times we could only find one chair but since we heading in the water it was fine. The beach had chairs available all the times, just not the front 2 rows.


LOL. Teens. She was the one who constantly asked to stay at Aulani the whole time. When I asked her if she wanted to come back she said not really. Later in the trip Dh and I were discussing coming back in 2 years and she said she was coming. Um, no you’ll be in college. No way am I paying for her to sit in a dark room with the curtains closed again. It was so much more expensive for 5 than 4 since we needed a bigger room.

That looks SO fresh and good!




Adorable!

Thank you!
The fruit was fresh and granola was good. I might not be an açaí fan though. Something was so tart but I’ve never had açaí before so it could just be the flavor.

 

[buzzrelly]

I was checking the DVC website and they had a room. I went on the rent/trade board, messaged someone and they booked it.

Oh my gosh, so lucky!

The beach had chairs available all the times, just not the front 2 rows.

Do you recall if there were umbrellas available on the beach?

Um, no you’ll be in college. No way am I paying for her to sit in a dark room with the curtains closed again. It was so much more expensive for 5 than 4 since we needed a bigger room.

Exactly! Planning with teens is no fun because they have so much going on and trying to coordinate with their schedules can be so frustrating. We are going to CA/Anaheim prior to Aulani and the whole trip was originally going to be me and DD18 but last month my DS20 decided he could come so I had to go back and make sure we had all the reservations for 3 instead of 2. But I'm happy he's coming. He has to fly home after CA because he starts his internship but then DD18 and I will head to Aulani.

 

[pinkxray]

One last quick post to wrap up Friday
I had scheduled sunset photos months in advance. Unfortunately, by the time 6:30 came around there was no Sun. Just clouds and dark skies. Dh asked if we could cancel and I doubted there would be another day we could schedule it or be around at that time. We were dressed and ready so we just headed down to the beach.
DD17 came out of the room looking like she rolled out of bed and asked how long it would take. I said 20 minutes. She was shocked after months of me telling her she needed a dress for the photo shoot that it was an actual photo shoot. She thought it was one picture and we were done. The girl who spends an hour on her hair and makeup before going to the pool had no make up now

I’ll just share a few pictures. The photographer was very nice and we at least got a family photo to frame and possible Xmas card.
It started to rain right as we finished.













Afterwards we ordered 2 large cheese pizzas from Ulu cafe and spent the night in the room. It was kind of a bummer weather wise. I did by the Photopass for the length of the stay but we never made it back to take pictures at sunset. There were a few nights that were going beautiful for pictures. We did ask about getting the $50 sunset premium back since the pictures were no different than another time but they gave us a number to call and we haven’t heard back.

 

[pinkxray]

Oh my gosh, so lucky!




Do you recall if there were umbrellas available on the beach?





Exactly! Planning with teens is no fun because they have so much going on and trying to coordinate with their schedules can be so frustrating. We are going to CA/Anaheim prior to Aulani and the whole trip was originally going to be me and DD18 but last month my DS20 decided he could come so I had to go back and make sure we had all the reservations for 3 instead of 2. But I'm happy he's coming. He has to fly home after CA because he starts his internship but then DD18 and I will head to Aulani.

Yes, we were always able to get an umbrella at the beach. If we went mid day we were usually 3rd row or so to get one but a few times we went later in the day and most people had moved on so we got front row. I burn easily so I was always looking for an umbrella. The beach we always got one. The pool was tougher to find one later in the day but we could always find a chair. You probably aren’t heading to the play area but that was the toughest spot to get an umbrella since most people are on their chairs watching their kids and there aren’t many chairs.
There are a two rows of chairs turned facing the beach next to the pool and those went quick.

I have spent 2 years telling DD17 once she is in college I can’t plan around her for vacations. She had 10 years of vacations before the little kids were born. I work in a hospital and it is tough to get the weeks I actually want with kids to travel. I had to beg and plead with my coworkers not to take April break this year. I asked my boss 18 months in advance.

I can’t plan around hospital time off, elementary school calendar, college break and whatever job she has at the moment. I am planning a trip to WDW in Nov. and DD17 said she was coming. As though she can miss a week of college and her job will let her have the week after Thanksgiving off.