Aulani Trip 2017 - Day 3 (The day we had a rental car) :)

After we had booked our trip to Aulani last summer, Disney released some package specials.  It allowed us to get 30% off our room, upgrade our room to get a pool view (vs. a parking lot view), gave us $350 in resort credit (HELLO POOL COCKTAILS), and get a free rental car for a day!  Pretty awesome!  I had hoped to rent on anyway because I really wanted to drive up to the Northshore and visit Turtle Bay (where we stayed last year).

Here is a pic of Ben by a really cool fountain while Greg waited in line to pick up our car.

 

We stopped at Koa Pancake House for breakfast.  I was craving some macadamia nut pancakes, Ben wanted some bacon, and we loved the value of this breakfast (vs what is offered at most of the places at Aulani) :)

 

Next up we made our way up to the North Shore.  Ben took a mini-nap on the way.

 

The first order of business was to get a cherry coke and a bacon basil bloody mary.  The best I've EVER HAD.

 

 

In all honesty, once we walked around a little bit, we were all ready to just go swimming back at our hotel.  We stopped by a beach on the North Shore, Mokule'ia Beach, that I read is one of the filming locations for LOST (primarily Season 1 and in the Pilot - the beach/mountains were pretty recognizable to me).

 

 

 

It was very windy!

 

Next we ran some errands: grocery store, lunch, and then headed straight back to the pool to hit the lazy river (which was honestly the BEST feature at Aulani and we had SO MUCH FUN here every day)!!

 

 

We also enjoyed some poolside cocktails, courtesy of the vodka we brought with us, the pog juice we bought at the store, and the bartender I married. :)

After several hours at the pool, we showered, explored the grounds a bit more (and found the under water windows of Rainbow Reef), and then Ben wanted to participate in the Coconut Kings and Queens of Comedy at Aunty's Beach House.  (From Aulani: Kids who want to dress up in crazy outfits, dance around like silly people and discover the secret to telling a good joke will love this course where they can learn to “make 'em laugh!").

So Greg and I grabbed some Happy Hour food and wine at The Olelo Room.

 

 

Then we just wandered around waiting for Ben's activity to be over and enjoyed the scenery :)