Aulani Disney Resort - thumbs up!

Hi All - we're already at our next stop, but while it is fresh I will jot down a few notes on the Aulani Disney Resort.

This place is totally amazing! It's less than a year old, and is so well thought out. I think there are 3 or 4 towers of 16 stories, with prob 70 or 80 rooms on each floor - so you can imagine how busy it is! But the facilities handle it really well. With 2 water slides, about 7 different pools (including a lazy river and reef pool for snorkelling - full of fish!), 3 hot whirlpools, a water play castle - the kids (and Trent) didn't know where to start!

We had to "get with the program" quickly and work out the system - get wrist band, dash for the prime pool loungers, spot the gathering crowds (this was the indication Mickey, Minnie or one of the others, was about to put in a appearance for photos). But we drew the line at the "bottomless" drink vessels that everyone was walking around with (you were never a few feet from a soft drink re-fuelling stations!). It was not exactly a picture of health around the pools.

The beach/lagoon that this resort sits on is stunning - def my favourite part. The broader resort of Ko-olina is made up of 4 lagoons, that are buffered from the ocean (man-made I believe) meaning people can safely swim, paddle in the warm aqua water. Beautiful soft green grass borders these beaches, and there are lots of local hawaiian families enjoying these grassy spots, for picnics and snoozing.

The kids have been having a ball! They loved the kids club complex - which I can't explain how fantastic this place was - and would go there for an hour or so while Luke slept after lunch. I have to tell you one of Thomas' classic quotes..... the kids were getting excited about collecting the different coloured wristbands each day and in the queue Thomas piped up with "Daddy, Daddy!! Look how many bands our African friend has!!" pointing to the little African American boy in front of us. Lots of awkward smiles and looks came our way........spot the Aussies!!

Here are a couple of shots our new underwater camera!

Overall things are off to a spectacular start! Much love. XXxxx

PS. Livvy wanted you to know that she got stuck down one of the waterslides. She wasn't heavy enough to get her inflatable ring to stay on track and therefore turn backwards and got stuck. Bit of a scary moment for all - but she was very brave, and we all learnt a valuable lesson!