Family Vacation in Hawaii: A Memorable Trip to Disney Aulani and Waikiki

Family Vacation in Hawaii: A Memorable Trip to Disney Aulani and Waikiki

It’s been a month since we returned from our Christmas vacation, and I’m finally finding time to organize the photos and itinerary from our trip. Hawaii is quickly becoming our go-to winter vacation spot! My little one has visited four times since she was five, and my son has tagged along three times. This time, we enjoyed our stay at Disney’s Aulani for the first three nights, followed by three nights at the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki.

🏨 Hotels

🌟 Disney Aulani: The Perfect Choice for Families

• Kids Club: Each day, the resort offers two hours of complimentary kids’ club services, allowing parents some well-deserved relaxation time. We signed up but decided to enjoy our time together instead!
• Pool and Water Activities: Aulani features multiple large pools, a water park, a lazy river, and a paid fish feeding/snorkeling pool.
• Beautiful Beach: The hotel shares a bay with the Four Seasons, providing a less crowded beach that’s perfect for capturing stunning sunset photos.
• Character Photos: There are daily opportunities to take pictures with Disney characters; schedules are available on the app. Note that Olu, the character, appears every other day.
• Room Amenities: Our suite included a fully equipped kitchen. We always brought rice and beef stew, purchasing vegetables locally for easy meals.
• Location: While it’s somewhat secluded, there are options for shopping and dining within walking distance. We didn’t rent a car during this stay.

🌟 The Royal Hawaiian: A Central Waikiki Location

• Pool: The hotel pool is small, but we enjoyed the nearby family pool at the Sheraton, which had a large waterslide that my son loved!
• Busy Beach: The beach can get crowded, and rentals for umbrellas and lounge chairs are available but should be booked in advance. We found limited options by renting the same day.
• Room Quality: We booked two oceanfront rooms—though they were small and a bit dated, the views were stunning. Each room provided a $50 credit daily, which I used for lovely seaside breakfasts and lunches. The bakery treats were delightful, and they even gifted us with muffins upon check-in!

🎠 Exploring with the Kids

During our last two days at the Royal Hawaiian, we rented a car and drove around the island. We’ve previously visited attractions like the Pineapple Plantation, Hanauma Bay, and Pearl Harbor, but this time, we opted for the Kualoa Ranch movie tour. The scenery was breathtaking, although the movie scenes weren’t as exciting. The kids enjoyed the trip! On the way, we stopped at two beachfront parks for photos (check out picture 15) and hiked at Makapu’u on the return trip, which was stroller-friendly and perfect for kids.

🍴 Dining Delights

One of our team’s favorite dining spots was Fook Yuen, renowned for its Hong Kong-style seafood. We recall enjoying lobsters there in 2012 for a very different price, much lower than today’s rates! Aside from hotel dining, we frequently visited Stix Asian across the street for Japanese fast food like ramen and udon.

We also dined twice at Ginza Won for barbecue; the taste was satisfying, and the portions were generous for four!

Conclusion

This Hawaiian getaway continues to be a treasured memory for our family. From the magic of Disney Aulani to the vibrant atmosphere at the Royal Hawaiian, every moment was filled with fun, adventure, and relaxation. If you’re considering a family trip to Hawaii, I highly recommend these spots to create unforgettable experiences with your loved ones! 🌴🌊