The newest addition to the Disney Vacation Club is the fabulous Hawaiian resort and spa called Aulani. Located on the southwestern part of Oahu in Ko Olina, Aulani is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of Honolulu but not too far in case you decide you want to play tourist and visit Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, and Diamond Head. 

The third and final phase of Aulani will be completed in the summer of 2013, however don't let that stop you from visiting this delightful Hawaiian resort now. Yes, it is part of the Disney Vacation Club but if you're not a member there is one section for hotel guests. The Disney Vacation Club occupies about 600 of the 1000 rooms.

Aulani means "the place that speaks for the great ones" or "the place that speaks with deep messages." The idea behind Aulani was to create an authentic Hawaiian atmosphere for visitors to experience during their stay on the island. They have accomplished this, but remember, Aulani is a Disney Resort so there are also some Disney magical touches throughout the property. When I spoke to the cast members at the resort and expressed my concern that there was not as much Disney magic there as I had expected, they emphasized the fact that Aulani was meant to be an authentic representation of Hawaii, and therefore there was no place for animatronics flowers and birds. So don't expect to see singing flowers, birds and fish on your visit. Those are just marketing tools used in the commercials. Of course, one never knows what Disney will add to Aulani in the future. 

While Aulani doesn't scream "Disney", there is a good amount of what we have all come to love about the company infused throughout the resort. Mickey, Minnie and Goofy periodically make appearances throughout the property, all decked out in their Hawaiian duds. And Chip and Dale can be seen around the resort too. But one of the main draws is Stitch. Donning his Hawaiian lei, Stitch greets visitors and poses for photos. But whenever I asked about Lilo I was told that she lives on another island and is in school. One day she will come to Oahu to visit Aulani. Stitch only comes over during the day while she is at school. At night he goes home to Kauai to Lilo and Nani. It's funny that every cast member I asked about Lilo (after all, when you think about Hawaii and Disney you think about Lilo) had the same story to tell. Apparently everyone expects to see Lilo in Hawaii.

Another fun Disney touch is an afternoon pool party with some of the characters. To many kids, this is the highlight of their afternoon. Mickey, Minnie and the gang lead the group in songs and games. 

While the resort is front and center at Aulani, the spa is something I feel visitors must check out. I've been to many spas in my time, but Laniwai is exceptional. If you're a newcomer you should experience a Lomilomi massage. If you're an experienced spa enthusiast, they have a menu of treatments from which you can select or mix and match to create your ultimate experience. The word Laniwai means "freshwater heaven" in Hawaiian. It is definitely heaven. Go ahead. Let yourself be pampered. After all, you are in an island paradise.

Besides the treatment areas which include massage rooms, sauna, steam, showers, and relaxing rooms, there is an outdoor area with plenty of options. And I tried every one of them. Soak in one of the two large round pools at Aulani. There is one to detox your body and one to relieve aches and pains. A series of showers sends water flowing onto you as you travel around from one shower to the next to experience the feel of different water pressures on different parts of your body. If you schedule a massage, I highly recommend arriving early to experience these relaxing waters, because after your massage you'll probably want to simply say "ahh" and go lay by the ocean.

Okay, so now you know about Laniwai spa, but there is another spa in the resort. This one is for teens. Yes, there is a special area where teens can get facial treatments, manicures, and massages that are all designed for their age group. Painted Sky is a great retreat for teens, but a hidden treasure is the yogurt bar. You don't have to be a teen to get a frozen yogurt in Painted Sky. Shh. Don't tell anyone I told you this!

The concierge at Aulani can assist you with outside excursions besides helping with any concerns you have at the resort. Explore a tropical garden and a beautiful waterfall, go hiking through an authentic Hawaiian rainforest, learn about the art, culture and legends of Hawaii at museums, horseback ride, take a haunted tour of the island, or, my recommendation, cruise aboard a catamaran and snorkel with the fish. Surfing lessons and almost anything else you can think of can easily be arranged by the cast members.

There is so much to see and do at Aulani, it would take me a week to tell you about it, but I'll give you an idea of what you can expect - the fact that they have more lifeguards at the pools than any resort I've ever visited,  Aunty's Beach house where kids can go to learn about the culture and create their own Hawaiian art objects, character breakfasts with some of the Disney characters, the little lounge in the lobby foyer where kids can view their favorite Disney films all day long, the departure lounge guests can use if they have a late flight back to the mainland, and much, much more. I do have one final item I would like to share.

When you arrive at Aulani, purchase one of their special plastic mugs ($18.99) and you will be able to fill it as often as you like from the several drink stations situated around the resort. It's the only bargain you'll find on the island. Remember, everything is more expensive in Hawaii. 

Disney Vacation Club

The hotel rooms at Aulani are large and comfortable, but if you are vacationing there with the Disney Vacation Club, you are in for a great treat. As a DVC member, you know that all the resorts in the club come with the same amenities, but Aulani offers one additional kitchen item. A rice cooker is included in every kitchen. Remember, Hawaii is a vacation destination for Asian visitors as well as Americans.

Several different options are available for DVC members. The Grand Villa is amazing. With three bedrooms, a washer/dryer (which is included in all DVC suites except the studio), the villa sleeps 12. Can you think of a better way to spend a family vacation? Parents, grandparents and kids can all enjoy the magic of Aulani together. There are ceiling fans, a balcony with a view of the ocean, 3 bathrooms, flat screen TVs, and 2174 square feet of space so there's plenty of room for everyone. 

All of the suites include a full kitchen, with the exception of the studio which has a kitchenette. There are plenty of different sizes for your specific vacation needs.

So, whether you're visiting Aulani as a Disney Vacation Club member or simply a guest at the resort, you'll experience the friendliness of the entire crew of "cast members" and the feeling of Aloha.