What will those crazy parents do next? Michelle and Charlie Baumann celebrating their vow renewal at Disney’s Aulani resort, on Oahu
When Disney opened its Aulani resort on the island of Oahu in 2011, it sounded—well, unnecessary. What could a brand known for its princesses and castles bring to a place that was already a genuine fantasy? As it turns out, some pretty good things. Praised for its embrace of Hawaiian culture (it shelters the largest collection of local art in the state), the Aulani sits comfortably on 21 acres in the Ko Olina area of Oahu, close enough to the airport to make getting there easy; far enough from Honolulu to feel like a true escape.
While the developers took care to make this a Hawaiian resort with a touch of Disney, there’s no mistaking which empire is behind Aulani. That’s Stitch (of Lilo and… fame) posing for photos in the lobby, and the fellow on your dresser holding the ukelele is indeed Mickey Mouse.
So, why marry here, unless you’re one of those couples who’ve registered for Beauty and the Beast champagne flutes? The kids. Because while most of Hawaii’s luxury resorts have good children’s programs, the kiddie stuff here is over-the-top: a lazy-river pool, water slides, a platoon of lifeguards, a calm swimming beach, scavenger hunts, a shave-ice stand, character breakfasts, storytelling hours, a 5,200-square foot kids’ clubhouse (free childcare!)…and a Pack ‘n’ Play in every guest room closet. For parents who can afford it, your wedding invitation might be the chance for a once-in-a-lifetime family vacation
And for the singletons in your crew? There’s an award-winning spa, a well-shaded quiet pool, and a very tasty pineapple papaya cosmo at the bar. They’ll survive.
Disney meets Hawaii at the Aulani Resort
