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.

Wake up and smell the travel deals, people. It’s that time of the week when we look at what’s new in the travel news on this here internet.

If you would like to see your stories linked here please use the contact link in the sidebar. I’m easy to find.

And now, travel:

Rail tours through Canada (iTravelnet)

North America’s most charming fall islands (MSNBC)

6 Ways to Safari in Africa (Travel + Leisure)

5 items you really need to bring in your carry-on (Consumer Travel)

Exploring the Secret River Flowing Beneath London (Vagabondish)

Six Islands to Visit Before They Disappear (BootsnAll)

Jordan: The Baptism Site, the Dead Sea, Mount Nebo and Madaba (Viator the Travel Blog)

Wisconsin cheese map lures dairy devotees (USA Today)

And that’s a wrap! Safe travels.

Get it? It’s one duck, and he needs to row because he’s in a boat/dingy. You can use that.

The above picture was taken with Instagram which is a great free app for your smartphone or Droid. It’s a fun way to take and view your travel photos. The duck in question was floating outside his actual boat, which isn’t actually a boat, but a big building shaped like one for children to run through while screaming. Welcome to Toon Town, Disneyland guests. It’s wacky!

This post is part of the UpTake Friday Family Series.

Photo: W. Honea

Hello, true-believers! It’s time for more traveling and internet fun! Try to contain yourself.

Here’s how it works. People send emails to the contact link in the sidebar, and then we look at them and put our favorites in this list for you, the reader. We also find stuff on the Twitter, which, apparently, all the kids are using. Sometimes we find information on Facebook, but most of the time we just tend our farm and fight ninja zombies.

And that’s how computers work.

Here:

BREAKING: Two Pakistani planes receive bomb threats, via MSNBC

CNN, “What’s next in airport screening?”

To which Time replies, “It’s gotta be the shoes.”

Global Grasshopper lists 10 beautiful spots for autumn vacations.

USA Today wants to know if you would use refilled hotel toiletries?

The Disney Blog reports that Disney Cruise Lines are sponsors of environmental summer camps in the Bahamas.

Gadling reflects on 9/11.

Nerd’s Eye View looks at travel from A to Z.

Disney’s Aulani on Oahu is almost open!

Help Cape Town save the rhinos!

Bondi Beach in Australia is NatGeo’s photo of the week.

Lonely Planet helps you eat elsewhere.

Yahoo! shows that idiot tourists can be from anywhere.

Frommer’s on hurricanes and travel.

And there you have it, fellow travelers — stuff from the internets. Enjoy, and travel safe!