120625 Disney's Aulani Public Beach 3

Exploring Disney’s Aulani Resort Grounds, Part 2 (Oahu, Hawaii)

After arriving at the Disney Aulani resort in Oahu, Hawaii, and being greeted by an army of waitstaff at the door, we were not given much direction on where to go, specifically as non-staying guests. We were at Aulani just to take in the resort, and really say we just saw it. With that in mind, we were not really too sure how much of the property we would really be given access.

120625 Disney's Aulani Pools 1

120625 Disney's Aulani Water Stand

120625 Disney's Aulani View From Above of Lazy River

We were not completely sure how the Disney staff would treat us non-registered guests on the property. We did notice everyone was wearing wrist bands of various colors, obviously depicting that they were paying guests, but who knew how strict they would actually be with the policy.

So as we got settled in, Mrs. InACents and the boys went into one of the pools while I continued lotioning up. However, almost immediately one of the staff came over asking if we were registered guests, and told us we could not use the pools. Totally disappointing. However, the real beauty came by way of the little lagoon and beach that was public property.

120625 Disney's Aulani Tools Exhibit

120625 Disney's Aulani The Lava Shack

120625 Disney's Aulani The Lava Shack Deco

120625 Disney's Aulani Surf Board Exhibit

120625 Disney's Aulani Southeast Tower 5

120625 Disney's Aulani Southeast Tower 4

120625 Disney's Aulani Southeast Tower 3

120625 Disney's Aulani Southeast Tower 2

120625 Disney's Aulani Southeast Tower 1

120625 Disney's Aulani Rock Lizard

120625 Disney's Aulani Pools 3

120625 Disney's Aulani Pools 2

The wonderful thing about Hawaii is that no matter how exclusive your property, you can not lay claim to the shoreline. That being said, the Disney Aulani resort backs up to a wonderful little nook that provides for terrific beach access and calm waters.

120625 Disney's Aulani Public Beach Panoramic

120625 Disney's Aulani Public Beach 4

120625 Disney's Aulani Public Beach 3

120625 Disney's Aulani Public Beach 2

120625 Disney's Aulani Public Beach 1

Overall, what did I think of Aulani? Honestly, after coming off a 2.5 week trip to both Disneyland and now Hawaii, Aulani was just rather lackluster to me. After seeing the resort, I would have been extremely disappointed to have dropped a ton of money on a room at Aulani, as I would have felt there just was not enough there to get my money’s worth.

I think the illusion of having to stay in a Disney resort, specifically when visiting Disney World, but also sister sites such as Disneyland or Aulani is way over rated. I have said it many times before. Our family is all about Disney, not spending time in hotel rooms. I just do not see the value in spending extra money on a Disney room, when we would much rather use our savings from a cheaper location to create better experiences.

Grant it, when you pay for Aulani, you are also getting access to their pools and outdoor experiences, but is it worth the extra cost when the free beach is right outside your door?

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Source: InACents

1979 Walt Disney World Playful Pachyderms

1979 Walt Disney World Playful Pachyderms

1979 Walt Disney World Playful Pachyderms

“Donald Duck and his nephews discover that surprises await the daring explorers who brave the unknown on the Jungle Cruise in Adventureland.”

I thought these turned out to be some great vintage relics of the past. See some our other cool, vintage Disney postcards from our childhood below.

1979 Walt Disney World Snow White’s Fantasy Bouquet

1979 Walt Disney World You Can Fly!

1979 Walt Disney World The Unknown Beckons

1979 Walt Disney World Tempest in a Teacup

1979 Walt Disney World Extraordinary Confectionery

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JetBlue Kids Fly Free, Stay Free Square

JetBlue Kids Fly Free, Disney Stay Free

For a very limited time, JetBlue is offering discounted packages to Disney World and Disneyland, where http://www.jetblue.com/vacations/Sale/disney-kids-fly-free/?intcmp=HPHero01_Eng__disney-kids-fly-free20121101 kids fly and stay for free. However, there are quite a bit of limitations placed on when you can actually participate.

JetBlue Kids Fly Free, Stay Free

You must book today through March 4, 2013, or until supplies are exhausted.

You and your family must travel April 15 — May 31, 2013; however, there are blackout dates from May 23—27, 2013; and if you are traveling out of Boston, blackout dates April 15—22, 2013. Additional restraints include you must depart and return Monday thru Thursday or Saturday; departures or returns Friday or Sunday are not allowed.

Walt Disney World® Resort offer details:
– Must travel 5 or more nights to Orlando, FL (MCO)
– Only select airports are participating: Providence, RI (PVD); Boston, MA (BOS); Hartford, CT (BDL); Westchester County, NY (HPN); Syracuse, NY (SYR); Newburgh, NY (SWF); Buffalo, NY (BUF); New York (JFK, LGA, EWR); Washington, DC (DCA); Austin, TX (AUS); Richmond, VA (RIC)
– The Walt Disney World® Resort hotels that are participating include:

  • Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
  • Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
  • Disney’s Pop Century Resort – Classic Years
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
  • Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
  • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
  • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
  • Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary
  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Disney’s Fort Wilderness Cabins
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Disney’s Polynesian Resort
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney’s Beach Club Resort
  • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Villas

– Tickets to the parks are an additional fee.

Disneyland® Resort offer details:
– Must travel 3 or more nights to Long Beach, CA (LGB)
– The participating airports are: Seattle, WA (SEA); Portland, OR (PDX); Oakland, CA (OAK); Sacramento, CA (SMF); San Francisco, CA (SFO); Salt Lake City, UT (SLC); Las Vegas, NV (LAS).
– Only the following Disneyland® Resort hotels are included:

  • Disneyland Hotel
  • Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel
  • Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

– Tickets to the parks are an additional fee.

A free child is defined as age 2-11 with every adult (18 and over) booking.

JetBlue Kids Fly Free, Stay Free Square

I decided to plug in flying in and out of Buffalo (BUF) on May 16-21, 2013 for two adults and two kids. With direct flights, the cheapest price I was able to pull up was via the Disney’s All Star Sports Resort at $307.62 per person or $1,230.46 for the total package. Note, the price is calculated per person based on the free children. “The savings you receive from this offer will not be specifically displayed upon searching for or purchasing a Getaways vacation package. The savings will be divided among all travelers on the Getaways booking. In other words, you will be quoted a lower per person cost when searching for a vacation package with a child eligible for this offer than you would if you were traveling with an adult in place of that child.”

I priced the same flights separately at $342.32 x 4 = $1,369.28 + taxes & fees $189.92 = $1,559.20
The hotel booked separately would be $672.35

Therefore, you can see this promotion creates a savings of over $1,000, which can be used to cover the cost of tickets. If you have any desire to visit the American Disney Parks, now may be a good time to consider going.

*Restrictions: Offer valid for JetBlue Getaways vacation packages of 3+ nights from the select JetBlue cities identified above to the select Disneyland® Resort hotels identified above; or Getaways vacation packages of 5+ nights from the select JetBlue cities identified above to the select Walt Disney World® Resort hotels identified above. Eligible packages must be purchased 2/26/13 — 3/4/13 (11:59 PM EST) or while supplies last for travel 4/15/13 — 5/31/13 (Blackout Dates: 5/23/13 — 5/27/13 for all packages; add’l blackout dates 4/15/13 — 4/22/13 apply for packages from Boston). Must depart and return on Mon. — Thurs. and Sat. only; no Fri. or Sun. departures. For every 1 adult (18 and older) on an eligible Getaways package, 1 child (age 2-11) will fly and stay free. Maximum two adults and two children per room. For any reservation that includes more than 2 adults per room, an additional adult rate will apply. Offer not valid for park admission, meals, flight-only reservations, cruises, baggage fees or any other products, services, fees, expenses or charges. For discount to apply, both departing and returning flight and hotel stay must be within the eligible travel period. All deadlines based on Eastern Time. Offer valid for new Getaways purchases only; not valid for previously booked travel or travel booked using TrueBlue points, in whole or in part. Offer cannot be combined with other offers, cannot be partially redeemed, has no cash value, and is not redeemable for cash. In the event you change or cancel your Getaways booking, this offer will only apply to any modified or new reservation if this offer is still available and the modified or new reservation is booked by 3/4/13, is for travel within the eligible travel period, and otherwise satisfies all terms and conditions for this offer. Changes/cancellations after 3/4/13 or after this offer sells out will result in the discount being forfeited; you will be responsible for any increase in package price. Cancellations are for Getaways credit only, valid for 1 year. JetBlue reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time for any reason without notice or liability. Proper documentation required for boarding. Other restrictions apply. See full Getaways Terms and Conditions for details.

†Disney Theme Park tickets and meals are not included in this offer and must be purchased separately. For purposes of theme park tickets, children are three to nine years of age; juniors are ten to seventeen years of age; and adults are eighteen years of age and older.

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