Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa combines two of the most popular destination weddings on one beach — Hawai’i and Disney are the perfect marriage for a perfect wedding. No, they didn’t pay me to say that.

Don’t worry, there are plenty of family activities at Disney’s Hawaiian paradise to make everybody happy. They didn’t pay me to say that either.

This post is part of UpTake’s Wordless Wednesday Series. If you would like to see your photo featured here please contact us via the link in the sidebar using subject line: WW.

Photo:  Whit Honea

You may have noticed how beautiful and romantic Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai’i (O’ahu) is. It’s hard to miss. However, just because Disney has taken the best of Hawai’i and sprinkled it with pixie dust, doesn’t mean that it’s all walks on the beach and drinks with umbrellas (not that there is anything wrong with that). There’s plenty of fun for the kids, too!

In addition to the natural wonders of Hawai’i and the popular tourist sites of the island, the resort offers an array of family fun. Most of it is wet.

There are two water slides, a lazy river, snorkeling (in a mouse-made reef), and a water play area.  There are also indoor places to play, relax and hang out — some of which are no parents allowed! Well, I suppose they’re allowed, but they don’t have to be there, which is nice.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with many of the Aulani cast members and Walt Disney Imagineers that created the resort, and they shared some interesting facts and stories about the area. Videos below. Read More »

I know what you’re thinking, Stitch is probably all over Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawai’i. It makes sense, his movie (Lilo & Stitch) and all subsequent spin-offs have been set on the islands (and space), but this lovely carving is the only nod to Experiment 626 that I could find (aside from some merchandise in the gift shop). Leave it to Disney to surprise you with the subtle.

Aulani is now open and it is amazing. Please check back for continued coverage of the time I spent there as Disney’s guest.

This is a Wordless Wednesday entry. The words are just a bonus. You’re welcome.

Photo: W. Honea

Paradise has a new name, and it is: Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. You can call it Aulani (ow-la-nee) for short. They’re laid-back like that.

The resort is located in Ko Olina, Hawai’i on the island of O’ahu — about 30 minutes from Honolulu International Airport. It sits on a beautiful slice of sand and sea, and offers all of the amenities and luxuries that one would expect (or at least hope for) from a Hawaiian resort. Of course, the difference between Aulani and the rest is in the magic — Disney is good like that.

However, Aulani may not be filled with the kind of Disney magic that some people have in mind. There isn’t a bustling theme park on the property. There aren’t a lot of shows, parades and characters paying homage to Walt Disney or the various classic movies that the company has created. There isn’t a churro for miles.

No, the magic at Aulani, which I was lucky enough to experience firsthand, comes from Disney doing something that some might consider unconventional, they let Hawai’i tell the story. It is as simple as that. The emphasis of Aulani is on Hawai’i: the people, the culture, the stories. Then Disney did what Disney does best, and took all that Hawai’i offered, put it in the hands of their legendary Imagineers, and built a living, breathing testament to the islands. The end result showcases a respect and collaboration between one of the greatest story-telling cultures in the world and a company built upon words of dream and wonder.  The fit is seamless.

Here’s what I’m talking about:

There’s too much to write about Aulani in a single post, so make sure to come back for more updates!

Photos courtesy of Aulani/Disney.

Disclosure: I was Disney’s guest at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa for their grand opening and media event.