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Disney Aulani Tips 2

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Here’s my second set of tips focusing on food and dining while staying at the Disney Aulani.

Whoops, this post was in draft mode all this time, and I guess I forgot about it. So here it is nearly one year from my first set of Aulani tips.

Don’t Buy Bottled Water

Yes, the west side of Oahu is hot and dry, and you do need to stay hydrated. But this is the Disney Aulani where this basic necessity is provided to you. At the front check-in desk, you’ll immediately see the water containers perhaps with a fruity Mickey silhouette inside. Around the pool area, you’ll find more water dispensers brimming with ice cold water. These are out all day, constantly being replenished so you can always refill your own bottle or cup.

aulani-water

Tip: There’s also a water dispenser in the gym but that one does get empty often enough and while it’s there during the evenings, I believe it’s not available 24-hours like the workout facilities.

Dine on Kids’ Meals

The kids meals are pretty sizable. All the food is on the more expensive side, but the variety and convenience cannot be beat. While at the pools, you are literally surrounded by dining facilities – upscale to locale kine snacks, you name it.

Check Out Across the Street

Eating every meal at the Aulani will add up costs quickly. If you don’t mind a short jaunt across the street, you’ll find several eateries that’s more affordable. Don’t expect bargain prices since the tourists and guests of the nearby hotels are still a captive audience, but the price break is worth it.

My suggestion, make at least one reservation at the Monkeypod Kitchen at Ko’olina. The place is trendy and hip and the food is tasty though for the more mature palettes. There are kid options though. Get there early for Happy Hour special but be wary of the crowds during this time.

Starbucks Next Door

Although Starbucks and Disneyland have recently partnered, you won’t find the Seattle siren at Aulani. For her caffeinated song, you have to go next door to the Ihilani. Starbucks has a small spot in the Ihilani lobby but with big prices. Don’t expect local neighborhood costs, get ready for premium prices, but hey, you’re on vacation so go ahead. You can earn Starbucks Reward stars though I very much doubt you can redeem them at this location. If you can, do that to save yourself from a $6 mocha (that’s a slight hyperbole).

Resist the Shave Ice

All I can say is that buggah expensive. Convenient, yes, but not the best you can find. But then again, you would have to drive somewhere else for shave ice so if you want to splurge, you’ll at least save on driving.

Style Tips from Bath & Body Works

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Visited the new Bath & Body Works at Ala Moana and like most major retail chain openings in Hawaii, it’s still packed with people. Since shopping for actual Bath & Body products is simply too hard in this crowd, I took some style tips from the store itself.

Nice blue accent in the signage. Recessed lighting above the signage provides emphasis and contrast. Forgot to look what kind of bulbs were used. Probably CFL, not LED.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way. Yes, the store is still crowded. Moving on… Neutral wood tones and white walls. Combination of recessed and track lighting. The shelves match the white and wood tones.

Hmmm, what kind of flooring is this? A wood laminate? Actual hardwood is probably too expensive.

Oh, Nectar Mint. Sounds like a new scent. With the wide palette of colors throughout the product line, no wonder neutral colors for store hardware are used to minimize contrast.

By the cash register area, the oversized ceiling light fixtures project an amber hue that matches that lighter maple wood. More importantly, I think the lights provide focal points to create queues for each register. The fixture’s round shape helps offset all the square, right angles throughout the store.

I like how these silver capped bottles of colorful Country Chic lotion are on glass shelving near the entrance of the store. The silver and glass is a striking combination and the translucent glass shelves near the entry way lends an open sensation, not building a barrier for incoming shoppers.

Thanks for the styling tips Bath & Body, but now I have a tip for you. I really can’t remember what the Bath & Body shopping bag looks like. With all the shoppers on a scented buying frenzy, memorable shopping bags should be abound as free advertisement ala Apple and Victoria’s Secret. It doesn’t have to be as extreme as Abercrombie & Fitch shopping bags, but you get the idea.