Happy in Hawaii –- Aulani & Oahu with a Toddler ~ Updated 7/20: Final Update and link to new TR!

[Dugette]

Family Reunion

We got up around 6:45am this morning and Dug and I got ready while Izzy slept a bit more. Then we got her up and headed down the path to the beach. We had a meet with Dug’s dad’s cousin (Jim) and family, as they were staying at the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club, just down the coastline from us. I don’t believe we had ever met this part of the family before (I know I hadn’t, at least). They live in Canada and it was just pure coincidence they happened to be here when we were. It was an extended family trip, so we met the couple’s children and grandchildren as well. We just had a brief meet-up as a group and then the children/grandchildren headed off. Jim and his wife were headed to the Starbucks at the JW Marriott (next to Aulani – is now the Four Seasons), so we walked and talked with them. Also got to check out that resort:





We sat down and visited with them a bit. Izzy had Goldfish for breakfast, apparently:



It was really nice to chat with them. I thought it was pretty cool that they took their whole family on this trip to spend time together. (Little did I know that we’d be on an extended-family trip to Hawaii only 14 months later…)

After we parted ways, we roamed the resort a bit and checked out the Stingrays and Hammerheads in this area:













Pretty cool to watch them swimming around.

I also have a video clip:

(click to watch)

It was raining a slight bit this morning, but not too bad. We took a couple more pictures on our way back out of the JW Marriott:





Back to Aulani:



When we got back to the resort, we stopped into the Ulu Café to pick up some breakfast items. Dug got a wrap and I got a croissant sandwich. We brought them up to the room to eat. Izzy watched some Frozen while we were eating:



At some point during this, Izzy just randomly fell off the side of that chair. I guess gravity just shifted on her. Luckily, she wasn’t hurt and happened to land on a pillow that was randomly tossed on the floor:



Still rather scary, though.

Oh, and here is a picture of Dug’s wrap:



Looks like Izzy played with her Aulani figurines for a bit while we got the day’s stuff packed up:



Our little elevator operator was on top of things when we headed out:



And off we go towards the lobby:



We ran into Bob the Photopass photographer there, so he did a little portrait session for us:



(I’m pretty sure that look on my face is, “Please don’t let my child fall into or off of a fountain – she just fell off of a chair!”)















We wrapped that up and moved on. I guess we liked the lighting in the lobby:



We popped into the DVC Preview Center we were passing by so that Izzy could check out this model of the Disney Dream:





We’d be on that very ship just 6 months later (well, the real one, not the model).

Izzy also got a giant plush Mickey hug:



I guess the DVC folks liked her and gave her some stickers too:



It was kind-of a late start to our day’s explorations, as we weren’t heading out to the parking garage until nearly 11am:





Up next: Can we keep Izzy awake for our 3rd attempt at the Dole Plantation?

 

[Imagineer5]

hahahaha looking forward to your 3rd attempt for Dole!!

Nice to meet some family while there and catch up, very cool that you had that coincidence (and so close by too!) I think Aulani looks like a prettier resort though! Although, love the sting rays. We have a sting ray touch tank at the aquarium in Boston and aria could have pet them all day long.

Love the photoshoot, what fun to have all those photos! Photopass really seems to be a good deal in Hawaii (as long as you have your own photopass photographer like you did, hahaha)

 

[cindianne320]

I agree- Aulani definitely looks like the nicer resort, though the shark/stingray pool looked fun!

I hope you were able to make it to Dole!

 

[Leshaface]

Uh, no fence?!? Sheesh, anyone can just fall in!

How pretty!

Oh my goodness, so adorable!

Agh wait, this one is too!

We’d be on that very ship just 6 months later (well, the real one, not the model).

 

[Dugette]

hahahaha looking forward to your 3rd attempt for Dole!!

Coming up!

Nice to meet some family while there and catch up, very cool that you had that coincidence (and so close by too!) I think Aulani looks like a prettier resort though! Although, love the sting rays. We have a sting ray touch tank at the aquarium in Boston and aria could have pet them all day long.

It was just insane that they were so close to us at the same time we were there! But, yes, I think Aulani really stands out compared to the other Ko Olina area resorts. Our zoo has a sting ray petting area, but Izzy couldn't reach any of them last visit - they were swimming just a bit too far out for her little arms.

Love the photoshoot, what fun to have all those photos! Photopass really seems to be a good deal in Hawaii (as long as you have your own photopass photographer like you did, hahaha)

It really is a good deal. And I think a lot of the photographers go above and beyond. Like on our return trip, the whole family got sunset photos on the beach and the gal spent a lot of time working with us to get good shots.

I agree- Aulani definitely looks like the nicer resort, though the shark/stingray pool looked fun!

Agreed. I wonder what that other resort looks like now, though, as it has since become a Four Seasons and had a lot of work done, I think.

I hope you were able to make it to Dole!

Uh, no fence?!? Sheesh, anyone can just fall in!

Can't imagine why I am holding Izzy...

How pretty!

It was really nice to look at.

Oh my goodness, so adorable!

Thanks, I actually have that one on my desk at work (MIL printed it as a gift).

Agh wait, this one is too!

He did a nice job capturing cute poses.

I'm sure it would still cost $2k+ to cruise in a pool on the model.

 

[Dugette]

Pineapple is in the Air

Since we had previously established that Izzy apparently falls asleep the second she gets a whiff of pineapple in the air , Dug had to constantly play with her hair in the car to keep her awake. I am fairly certain that she would have drifted off to sleep if he hadn’t been annoying her. So, success! Third time is the charm.



(Yes, she’s awake there).

We were fascinated by this tree in the parking lot:



Ready for our Dole Whips:





Our plans here were actually pretty minimal. We just wanted to ride the little train through the fields (mostly for Izzy) and have some Dole Whip, then move on. Our timing was great and we were able to get tickets and then immediately hop on the train that was ready to depart:



Well, after having to pose holding a pineapple so that they could try to sell us that picture later, haha. Looks like Dug snuck a photo of that (as he was a bit behind us). Can’t imagine why we didn’t want to pay for this shot :



Anyway, we all hopped onboard:







It was a nice ride through the grounds with some Hawaiian music playing:





















(Um, thinking of Pineapple Upsidedown Cake? )

















We enjoyed the pleasant little ride more than we expected. Maybe because it was a kind-of similar experience to Living with the Land and we love that. Dug even bought a copy of the CD that was playing.

Izzy and I had to pose in the cutouts afterwards:





We wandered the grounds just a bit:







Up next: Time to obtain Dole-Whip-y goodness. And the North Shore! And a turtle!

 

[cindianne320]

Glad you finally made it! We took the Train ride on our honeymoon, as we also did the pineapple maze. My favorite was my very first Dole whip! I hope you enjoyed yours as well!

 

[Leshaface]

So, success! Third time is the charm.

Yay finally!

Good job Dug!

Looks like it was worth a third trip!

(Um, thinking of Pineapple Upsidedown Cake? )

Darn it, now you got me thinking of it!

We enjoyed the pleasant little ride more than we expected.

How long was the ride?

 

[DVC Debbie]

Sounds like a dream trip!! And great pictures!! Thanks for sharing.
Aulani is definitely on our bucket list one day

 

[Imagineer5]

So, success! Third time is the charm.

Woohoo! It gets interesting when you try to keep a kid awake in the car. Seems to happen quite often if we want Aria to get a full nap at home or for whatever reason.

We were fascinated by this tree in the parking lot:

I love these trees! I don't remember what type it is but it reminds me of our visits there

Our plans here were actually pretty minimal. We just wanted to ride the little train through the fields (mostly for Izzy) and have some Dole Whip, then move on. Our timing was great and we were able to get tickets and then immediately hop on the train that was ready to depart:

YAY this pic brought me back, too!! Like 20 years ago I was on that train!

Can’t imagine why we didn’t want to pay for this shot :

bahahaha seriously, they can't make much by paying that photographer to stand there.

Andrew has a plumeria he babies at his office. He is always talking about that darn plant lol

Dug even bought a copy of the CD that was playing.

Well that's neat! Do you listen to the music often?

 

[schmass]

That's so nice that you got to meet up with Dug's family and didn't even know they would be in Hawaii!

I love the photopass pictures you got!

Yay - you finally got to go to the Dole Whip plantation! We stayed at the Polynesian a couple of weeks ago and I was so happy that even though I couldn't have dairy, i could have a Dole whip!

 

[Dugette]

Glad you finally made it! We took the Train ride on our honeymoon, as we also did the pineapple maze. My favorite was my very first Dole whip! I hope you enjoyed yours as well!

We skipped the maze, but I've heard it's fun. Can't go wrong with a Dole Whip in Hawaii (though I see you were enjoying one at WDW w/rum today! )

Yay finally!

I know, it's about time!

Good job Dug!

Looks like it was worth a third trip!

It was a nice stop and I'm glad we did it.

Darn it, now you got me thinking of it!

Haha, did you whip one up?

How long was the ride?

Good question. Longer than I expected - maybe 20 minutes or so?

Sounds like a dream trip!! And great pictures!! Thanks for sharing.
Aulani is definitely on our bucket list one day

Thank you! It's worth the trip for sure!

Woohoo! It gets interesting when you try to keep a kid awake in the car. Seems to happen quite often if we want Aria to get a full nap at home or for whatever reason.

Yes, that's right, I remember you have experience with this! I don't know what it was, but she was just knocked out whenever we got near that place.

I love these trees! I don't remember what type it is but it reminds me of our visits there

They were so cool!

YAY this pic brought me back, too!! Like 20 years ago I was on that train!

How funny! Probably hasn't changed a whole lot, I'd guess. Seems like a pretty classic thing.

bahahaha seriously, they can't make much by paying that photographer to stand there.

I doubt it. I mean, couldn't I just go to the grocery store and get basically the same picture?

Andrew has a plumeria he babies at his office. He is always talking about that darn plant lol

Guess he'd love this!

Well that's neat! Do you listen to the music often?

I never have, but I wonder if Dug does? He listens to a ton of music, but I have no idea what's in his rotation (headphones). I'll have to ask him.

That's so nice that you got to meet up with Dug's family and didn't even know they would be in Hawaii!

It was very cool. I don't know how astronomical the odds could have been that we'd have family staying down the street the same week - so glad they posted something on FB or we never would have known.

I love the photopass pictures you got!

Thanks, they did a great job!

Yay - you finally got to go to the Dole Whip plantation! We stayed at the Polynesian a couple of weeks ago and I was so happy that even though I couldn't have dairy, i could have a Dole whip!

That's right, they're dairy-free, I forgot! Nice perk (among others) of staying at the Poly, for sure!

 

[Dugette]

Turtle!

We headed inside to place our Dole Whip order:



Izzy enjoyed the line management devices (and it looks like she's trying to do the shaka sign with her hand?):



You know that I can’t resist a deal and we saw a sign for one while we waited. The Dole Whip Floats in the big “sipper cups” were Buy One Get One 50% off. Well, that’s practically free, sign us up. Turns out this was a bad idea, as these things are HUGE! We could and should have just split one and saved that extra 50%. Oh, well, you live you learn. And, speaking of, we asked if they had a kids size for Izzy. Nope. So, we just got her a dish of Dole Whip (didn’t know if she’d like the float and figured she’d want her own dish of ice cream). Well, this was HUGE too. There was more than enough Dole Whip to go around our table.

While we were waiting, I noticed this receipt sitting by the silverware. Made me wonder if someone wanted to brag that they had hundred dollar bills :



Making the float in a sipper cup:



The regular dish of Dole Whip:



Better perspective on how big it was :



I’d say she enjoyed it:



We also discovered that she gets ice cream headaches, just like her daddy. (I am lucky and rarely get them, but Dug does often).

Our sippers:





Those cups have now been added to Izzy’s collection of “toys”, as we had no idea what to do with them once we got home.

Meanwhile, I guess Izzy decided to double-spoon it:



We saw the train go by:



There were some bugs around and Izzy did a lot of “Ewwwww”-ing.

After we finished as much as we could, we washed out our cups to bring home. Then we headed into the store and Izzy grabbed a basket to shop, so we let her carry our stuff:



Such a helper! We bought her a little toy Dole semi-truck and got that CD for Dug. She didn’t want to give up the basket, but we convinced her to trade it for the bag:



Little shopping assistant right there!

Here’s the truck:



We still have it, but it doesn’t get used much. Front and back fall apart really easily. But still fun for that next bit of car ride:



Onward to the North Shore:



We left there about 1pm and turned on our Gypsy app for North Shore touring. First stop was the little roadside beach known for turtle sightings:



We parked on the side of the road and ended up walking all the way down to the other end to find the right area:







There was a wildlife volunteer there to record turtle sightings. He told us that the daily sightings were down from 90% to 83% recently and they didn’t know why. (Sadly, we returned 14 months later and they seldom see turtles here anymore at all! ) He told us that one would likely be coming soon, though, so we waited around a bit.

And, sure enough, a turtle came drifting in, looking like a big rock. Do you see the turtle?



How about now?







This whole experience was amazing. Izzy still talks about it. The turtle just hung out for a few minutes before heading back out to sea:



I think the video captures the excitement a bit more (except when someone stands right between me and the turtle at the end):

(click to watch)

One more clip:

(click to watch)

Izzy wanted to stay longer, but we convinced her to move on.

We made a brief stop at a fruit stand, but decided to pass as we couldn’t find anything pre-cut and, though Dug wanted sweet corn, it was just way more than we needed. We ended up back there on our return trip to Hawaii, though, and got some yummy things then.

I have no idea where this tree was, but pretty picture:



And a wind farm:



Oh, I guess those were between the turtle beach and the fruit stand, as this is Izzy’s status at the fruit stand :



They must have had pineapple. Given that, we didn’t stop at any other beaches, just looked as we drove by.

Also, in true 2-year-old fashion, Izzy had removed her socks and then put her shoes back on before napping. Guess you don’t need socks in Hawaii.

Up next: My very favorite lunch in Hawaii!

 

[schmass]

Those Dole Whips are HUGE! I could go for one right now!

So cool that you got to see that turtle, but that is very sad that they aren't really there anymore.

 

[Imagineer5]

I’d say she enjoyed it:

Hahha so cute! It looks so similar to dole whips at WDW, did it tast ethe same?

We also discovered that she gets ice cream headaches, just like her daddy. (I am lucky and rarely get them, but Dug does often).

Aww, what happened when she got the headache? Those are the WORST! I get them and I don't think Aria ever has.

That's cute. You could make lapu lapus in it!

There was a wildlife volunteer there to record turtle sightings. He told us that the daily sightings were down from 90% to 83% recently and they didn’t know why. (Sadly, we returned 14 months later and they seldom see turtles here anymore at all! ) He told us that one would likely be coming soon, though, so we waited around a bit.

And, sure enough, a turtle came drifting in, looking like a big rock. Do you see the turtle?

That is sad, but maybe they just moved on to another area? IDK. Really cool turtle though!!

This whole experience was amazing. Izzy still talks about it. The turtle just hung out for a few minutes before heading back out to sea:

It sounds really neat!!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

We enjoyed the pleasant little ride more than we expected. Maybe because it was a kind-of similar experience to Living with the Land and we love that. Dug even bought a copy of the CD that was playing.

If it's anything like Living with the Land I'm sure it was very pleasant. Also, trains.

The Dole Whip Floats in the big “sipper cups” were Buy One Get One 50% off. Well, that’s practically free, sign us up. Turns out this was a bad idea, as these things are HUGE!

How is that a bad idea?

Well, this was HUGE too. There was more than enough Dole Whip to go around our table.

Still not seeing the problem here.

Meanwhile, I guess Izzy decided to double-spoon it:

Can you blame her??

He told us that the daily sightings were down from 90% to 83% recently and they didn’t know why. (Sadly, we returned 14 months later and they seldom see turtles here anymore at all! )

Wow. I wonder what the deal is there. That IS sad.

This whole experience was amazing. Izzy still talks about it.

Excellent! So glad you all got to see one!

 

[Leshaface]

Yep, super big!

(I am lucky and rarely get them, but Dug does often).

I don't think i've ever had one! It's called brain freeze right? DH tells me to eat it as fast as I can but all it does is hurt my teeth, not my head And even then, why would I want to eat my ice cream so fast that it gives me pain?!

Oh that's super cute! But you're right, what do you do with it when you get home?

I love this! Too bad it wasn't good quality though.

He told us that the daily sightings were down from 90% to 83% recently and they didn’t know why. (Sadly, we returned 14 months later and they seldom see turtles here anymore at all! )

That's awful. We are huge turtle lovers!

So stinkin' cool!

They must have had pineapple.

 

[Dugette]

Those Dole Whips are HUGE! I could go for one right now!

Me too!

So cool that you got to see that turtle, but that is very sad that they aren't really there anymore.

It was a really neat experience to be right there as it came in to visit. We were bummed when we returned in January and there was nothing to see, though.

Hahha so cute! It looks so similar to dole whips at WDW, did it tast ethe same?

Yeah, tasted the same, just HUGE.

Aww, what happened when she got the headache? Those are the WORST! I get them and I don't think Aria ever has.

I think she just scrunched up her face and said, "Ow" or something. Poor kid!

That's cute. You could make lapu lapus in it!

Mmmmmmm...

That is sad, but maybe they just moved on to another area? IDK. Really cool turtle though!!

I'm hoping there is a new beach the turtles are visiting, but it was sad they weren't there much anymore this year. We were feeling very lucky to see that one come in, though!

It sounds really neat!!

It was - very exciting to see it right there in front of you.

If it's anything like Living with the Land I'm sure it was very pleasant. Also, trains.

How is that a bad idea?

Too much ice cream for three people.

Still not seeing the problem here.

Wasting money vs. consuming way too much sugar.

I know, still not a "real" problem.

Can you blame her??

Not at all.

Wow. I wonder what the deal is there. That IS sad.

It is - we returned there with such great memories and there was nothing to see this time around. We even stayed a while, hoping for a rare turtle, but no such luck.

Excellent! So glad you all got to see one!

Me too - very worth the stop!

Yep, super big!

Ice cream as big as her head!

I don't think i've ever had one! It's called brain freeze right? DH tells me to eat it as fast as I can but all it does is hurt my teeth, not my head And even then, why would I want to eat my ice cream so fast that it gives me pain?!

Ha, I have had them, but pretty rarely. And it goes away if I put my tongue against the roof of my mouth. But Dug gets them a lot and Izzy apparently does sometimes too. You are lucky!

Oh that's super cute! But you're right, what do you do with it when you get home?

They are currently on our living room floor...

I love this! Too bad it wasn't good quality though.

It was still fun, but just not a great toy for a 2-year-old, as it comes apart SO easily, but she couldn't put it back together herself.

That's awful. We are huge turtle lovers!

We were really bummed that we didn't get to see one on our return visit (though SIL and BIL spotted one on the North Shore!)

So stinkin' cool!

It really was.

 

[Dugette]

Somewhere Under the Rainbows

After driving along the North Shore a bit, we arrived here:





The Turtle Bay Resort is a large resort on the North Shore that is fairly well known for having had some movies and TV shows filmed on site (like Forgetting Sarah Marshall, which we re-watched before staying in the Turtle Bay resort area on our return trip).

Our plan was to have lunch at Ola, the restaurant right on the beach. However, it was nearing 3pm and the end of their lunch service and we were driving around and around and around all the parking areas without finding any spots. Plus, Izzy was still sound asleep in the backseat. We considered skipping this and trying to grab lunch elsewhere once she woke up. But, thankfully, we didn’t. I think I dropped Dug off near the entrance so that he could make sure we got a table. Then I drove around some more and finally managed to snag a spot where the people were just leaving. Once parked, I had to deal with this :



Oh, and here’s the removed socks and replaced shoes and all the sand (and the Dole truck that had already come apart):



Lucky for me, this transfer went really well. I put her in the stroller and she did wake up. However, I had to park so far back in the parking lot that the long stroller ride put her back to sleep before I reached the building:



Because we had a stroller, we chose to sit within the restaurant rather than at a table in the sand. They actually brought us right to the very edge of the floor, so we were right next to the beach, but still had the stroller inside, which was great. Our lunchtime view:



And the other view:



And Dug took a picture of me taking that picture :



So, I took a picture of him too, haha:



But back to that view :





And, yes, that singer was serenading us with lovely Hawaiian melodies and ukulele music.

Toddler check:



Yep, still in dreamland.

We shared this lovely chocolatety drink:



I can’t remember exactly what it was, but I know we enjoyed it. We had decided to skip the stop for pie at Ted’s Bakery, so this fulfilled that sweet spot.

I guess we started with a salad:



And it appears we shared a burger and a kalua pork sandwich:





As we ate, the view proceeded to get even better:



And I have a video clip that pretty much sums up how perfect this was:

(click to watch – and, yes, I do believe that is Dug singing along)

We had a really lovely lunch, just enjoying the atmosphere and simple, tasty food. And it was so nice to have a break from entertaining a 2-year-old:



We had planned to return to Ola on our repeat visit to Hawaii, but were very sad to find out that it had closed down shortly before our visit. So, this was our one and only meal there. And it was wonderful.

After lunch, we decided to walk around the resort grounds a bit:















I have no idea why there was a car filled with shoes in the lobby :



We headed out then to do a bit more sightseeing along the North Shore.

Up next: More pretty views and back to Aulani.

 

[Imagineer5]

Lucky for me, this transfer went really well. I put her in the stroller and she did wake up. However, I had to park so far back in the parking lot that the long stroller ride put her back to sleep before I reached the building:

Woohoo that is nice!

Beautiful spot!!

We had a really lovely lunch, just enjoying the atmosphere and simple, tasty food. And it was so nice to have a break from entertaining a 2-year-old:

PERFECT lunch!! How nice she stayed asleep the whole time.