Even people on a Hawaiian vacation like to get dressed up and go trick-or-treating for Halloween. The Halloween season arrives at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai`i, this weekend, with special activities for guests of all ages through the end of the month.

Between now and Friday, November 2, Aulani will offer “Happy Halloween Hawaiian Style!” featuring Disney characters in costume, Halloween arts and crafts and, on select days, trick-or-treating around the resort, Halloween parties for the kids in Aunty’s Beach House, spooky family film nights and, for older kids, “Hallow Teen” events on the beach and in the Painted Sky teen spa.

Check out these posts for more news from Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa:

• Starlit Hui is Back! And New Programs Delight Aulani Guests as Work Continues on Resort Expansion
• A Mini-Indulgence from Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
• Celebrating One Year at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

Tagged: Aulani, DVC, Halloween

Filed: Aulani, Disney Vacation Club, Hotels & Resorts

After a month-long hiatus while work progressed on expansion to the resort, Starlit Hui returns to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, this evening in its new location on the Halawai lawn. It’s the same exciting and eloquent gathering, featuring live music, world-class hula performance and an after-party with visiting Disney characters. And as before, it will be presented each Monday and Thursday evening.

While work continues on the amenities being added to Aulani, new programs are already being offered for Aulani guests. On the beach adjoining the resort, guests can learn sand sculpting techniques – and compete in a sand sculpting competition – in a program called Ki`I One (Sculptures in the Sand). Uncle shares his knowledge of canoes so that guests and their `ohana can build smaller canoes to race in Uncle’s Kahakai Canoe Racing. There’s also a special teen event, NSBZ (North Shore Beach Zone) designed to evoke the essence of an exciting and fun-filled “North Shore” beach experience.

Aulani guests can experiment with animation cel painting and character drawing, learn more about Walt Disney’s history and inspiration, and take some of that magic home with them when they participate in Disney Family Fun Animation. And kids visiting Aunty’s Beach House at Aulani can learn some comedy tricks of the trade from Johnny Coconut in The Coconut Kings and Queens of Comedy.

These are only a few of the programs available to Aulani guests of all ages. There’s lots of magic waiting to be discovered on an Aulani vacation.

Tagged: Aulani, DVC

Filed: Aulani, Disney Vacation Club, Hotels & Resorts

We find every excuse to indulge on vacation, and recently, we had more than our share of these delicious tiny cupcakes when we booked a spa treatment during a stay at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa on the beautiful island of Oahu in Hawai`i.

Happily, the chef parted with the recipe – a wonderful little treat made with fresh zucchini and carrots. If you’re counting calories, just skip the buttercream frosting (but a little dab will do). And they top each cupcake with a tiny macaron, another low-fat indulgence.

If you’re lucky enough to be at Aulani, start with the hana pōhaku lomilomi heated stone massage and continue your bliss with one of these little cupcakes that they offer guests at the spa. But if you’re baking at home, this mini-indulgence is a treat all by itself.

Zucchini-Carrot Cupcakes

Makes 30 (2-inch) cupcakes

2 eggs
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup finely diced peeled zucchini
1/2 cup finely diced peeled carrot
1/2 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 1/2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
3/4 cup bran flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

• Preheat oven to 320°F.
• Whisk together eggs and sugar in a large bowl. Stir in zucchini, carrot, oil, and salt.
• Sift together bread flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium bowl. Gently stir into egg mixture.
• Stir in bran flour and walnuts until incorporated.
• Lightly spray 30 flexible silicone 2-inch mini muffin molds with non-stick cooking spray. Scoop batter into molds, filling cups no more than 1/2 full.
• Cover molds with parchment paper and place a sheet pan on top to keep the cupcake tops flat while baking.
• Bake for 16 minutes. Cool completely. May be stored in freezer in airtight container to maintain moisture.
• If desired, frost with favorite butter cream.

Look below for more posts about Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa:

• Celebrating One Year at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
• Details Announced for Expanded Water Fun and Dining Options at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
• As Aulani Expands, Vacationers Can Enjoy a Five-Night Stay for the Price of Three Nights

Tagged: Aulani, Dining, DVC, Recipe

Filed: Aulani, Disney Dining, Disney Vacation Club

One year ago today, we welcomed the first guests to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai`i. Throughout the past year, many guests have discovered paradise with a touch of Disney magic at Aulani and, earlier today, we shared details on the resort’s upcoming expansion, which will bring even more magical experiences.

Also today, in celebration of the one-year anniversary of Aulani, we’re launching a new way for you to keep up with all the fun, magic – and expansion – at the resort. Follow @DisneyAulani on Twitter for daily updates and information from Aulani. And don’t forget – you will also continue to find the latest Aulani news here on the Disney Parks Blog, and you can connect with Aulani on Facebook.

Please join me in wishing Aulani a happy anniversary: “Hau`oli la Ho’omana’o!”

Check out these posts for more news from Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa:

• Details Announced for Expanded Water Fun and Dining Options at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
• As Aulani Expands, Vacationers Can Enjoy a Five-Night Stay for the Price of Three Nights
• Makahiki Restaurant Adds Lunch for Guests at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

Tagged: Aulani, DVC

Filed: Aulani, Disney Vacation Club, Hotels & Resorts

I told you a few weeks ago about the enhancements coming to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai`i. This morning, some additional details about the new water features and two new quick-service restaurants were unveiled by Joe Rohde, Walt Disney Imagineering Senior Vice President, who led the design work on Aulani.

New water features will include a themed family pool, extending literally to the very edge of the resort property and highlighted by a misty grotto from which relaxing swimmers may view the sunset. After dark, a magical starscape of glimmering lights will appear on the grotto ceiling and the floor of the pool.

Near the family pool will be a new kids’ splash zone, designed to resemble tidal pools with some playful surprises for youngsters, including rainbow water jets, images of tidal pool creatures on the pool floors, and hidden Menehune – the legendary little people of the islands – who may be spotted through chinks in the rocks. Additional deck space, chairs, chaises and cabanas will surround these new water features.

Also coming to Aulani will be two new food service locations. One of these, located adjacent to the new water play area, will serve continental breakfast and offer a lunch and dinner menu with a selection of sandwiches, salads and snacks that can be enjoyed in the adjoining outdoor patio, which provides a beautiful ocean view. A second quick-service eatery will be located beachside, offering grab-and-go snacks and easy access for beachgoers.

Work on these enhancements will begin in September and conclude in mid-2013, coinciding with the final build-out of the resort. Along with the water play and dining additions, the expansion will provide a new, larger lawn location for events, weddings and the guest-favorite nighttime Starlit Hui show. There will also be additional merchandise space – to provide guests with a greater variety of Aulani products, apparel and memories – and a protective awning over the patio of Makahiki restaurant, home of “Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration,” featuring breakfast with Disney characters.

Check out these posts for more news from Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa:

• As Aulani Expands, Vacationers Can Enjoy a Five-Night Stay for the Price of Three Nights
• Makahiki Restaurant Adds Lunch for Guests at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
• Families Practice Healthy Living Over ‘The Weekend’ at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

Tagged: Aulani, DVC

Filed: Aulani, Disney Vacation Club, Hotels & Resorts

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been almost a year since Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, welcomed its first guests. Over the course of that year, the resort has proven so popular that plans are already underway for expansion, beginning in September.

For those who stay at Aulani this fall during the expansion work, there’s an extra-special travel offer: five nights for the price of three. With this offer, guests can extend their stay for five consecutive nights and get two of those nights for free. That means two extra days to enjoy all there is to do at Aulani – pools and water slides, restaurants and lounges, entertainment, excursions, Aunty’s Beach House kids club, Laniwai Spa, etc., etc.

To take advantage of the offer, visit DisneyAulani.com or call toll-free (866) 309-2384 and mention offer code O8V. This offer will be available for stays most nights September 10, 2012, through December 18, 2012.

Here’s some exciting, additional information:

5 Nights for the Price of 3 Nights promotion for guests who stay five consecutive nights all between September 10, 2012, and December 22, 2012. Book from July 25, 2012, through November 10, 2012. The number of rooms allocated for this offer is limited. Excludes Resort fees and taxes. Not valid in combination with any other discounts or offers. Offer excludes suites and 3-Bedroom Grand Villas. Additional per adult charges may apply if more than 2 adults per room. Offer applied once per reservation. Check for offers for other lengths of stay. Advanced reservations required. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Limit 2 rooms per reservation.

Check out these posts for more news from Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa:

• More Water Fun, Dining Options Coming in Aulani Resort Expansion
• Makahiki Restaurant Adds Lunch for Guests at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
• Families Practice Healthy Living Over ‘The Weekend’ at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

Tagged: Aulani, DVC

Filed: Aulani, Disney Vacation Club

If you’ve had the opportunity to visit Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa – or even if you’ve just been reading about it – you know how much fun it is and how popular it’s been with families visiting Hawai`i.

As a result of all the excitement about Aulani and its amenities, we’re already planning an expansion of the resort. New water features will be added to the Waikolohe Valley pool area, along with additional deck space for sunbathing and relaxing. Two new quick-service food locations also will be part of the enhancements, and the popular “Starlit Hui” show will move to a larger lawn so that even more guests can enjoy the performance.

Work on all this is scheduled to begin in September. Keep an eye on the Disney Parks Blog for regular updates on plans and progress.

Check out these posts for more news from Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa:

• Makahiki Restaurant Adds Lunch for Guests at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
• Families Practice Healthy Living Over ‘The Weekend’ at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
• Aulani and Laniwai Make the Conde Nast Traveler ‘Hot List’ for 2012

Tagged: Aulani, DVC

Filed: Aulani, Disney Vacation Club