September 2025
Where We Stayed: Disney’s Aulani Resort
Jeanne and I visited Hawaii for two reasons 1) to scatter some of Denny’s cremains, per his request and 2) to have a week to relax and do n-o-t-h-i-n-g. We decided to split the trip into two parts: Oahu and Maui. I have always wanted to stay at Disney’s Aulani Resort and wow did it live up to expectation. Gorgeous, fully immersive property that we just loved. If you have kids and want to have a fun Hawaiian experience, this is the place for you.
We didn’t go crazy with planning, so we missed out on opportunities to attend a luau at Aulani (you have to make reservations months in advance), but we had a delightfully relaxing 3-night stay. We read books, we went out to eat and I had the best club sandwich of my life, we did some shopping off-property, and just enjoyed a few days with no agenda.
One of the reasons we wanted to visit Oahu was to see Pearl Harbor. Jeanne and I had both visited before, but it was YEARS ago — and I wanted to go back and see it with fresh eyes. Unfortunately, it was closed due to reconstruction and preservation work. We were so bummed! (But hmm… a reason to go back in the future?) Anyway, here are the photos from our stay at Aulani.
Cute arrival at Honolulu’s airport.
A little rainbow spotting!
Our room at Aulani.
Stitch is everywhere.
Jeanne getting her Starbuck’s fix at the nearby shopping center.
I will dream about this lunch situation for the rest of my life.
Was the resort empty? No. I just woke up ungodly early because of the time change, so I was able to take some people-free photos.
Like my Mickey shave ice earrings?
Last morning at Aulani
The Honolulu airport is dreamy!
Off to Maui we go!