Aulani--A Disney Resort and Spa

Blog Post by DreamFinder agent Kim Merrill

I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that you’ve at least heard of Aulani, Disney’s newest resort.  This is not their first off-theme park resort: Hilton Head in South Carolina and Vero Beach in Florida have been around for years, but 5 years ago Disney debuted their newest off-site Disney Vacation Club offering in Ko Olina, on Oahu, Hawaii. 

So, what is Aulani?  Aulani is a free-standing resort not affiliated in any way with any sort of theme park offering.  It’s located about 25 miles away from the Honolulu International Airport, and depending on traffic can take a mere 30 minutes to more than an hour to reach.  It’s located on the windward side of the island (on the western coast of Oahu), and is drier than the middle or eastern side of the island.  The landscape is also a lot different than what you may think of when you think “Hawaii” as it looks almost desert-like as you drive to the resort.  Never fear, though!  That beautiful ocean and all those palm trees are right there when you arrive.

So, what isn’t Aulani?  Well, Aulani is not in the center of all the tourist attractions.  Being outside of Honolulu, you have the opportunity to get away from all the hustle and bustle of the city center.  Depending on how you like to vacation, this may be a plus or a minus.  Personally, after experiencing the traffic and crowding of Waikiki, I came to appreciate the fact that Aulani was a “getaway”.  While I could seek out tourist experiences in town, we were able to relax while at the resort. Aulani is also not out there isolated on it’s own.  Aulani is surrounded by other Ko Olina resorts, including a Marriott, the soon-to-open renovated Four Seasons, as well as a shopping center, Paradise Cove (where a luau is held), and a recently announced new Atlantis location.

Studio Kitchenette

Aulani is a mixture of DVC villas and hotel rooms.  So if you have a larger family or are traveling in a larger group, Villas are available for reservations for non-DVC guests. There are Studios, 1, 2, and 3 bedroom villas, all of which have at least a kitchenette (studios) and/or a full kitchen so that you can save a bit of money cooking some meals in your room.  Hawaii is notorious for expensive food, so whether you eat at the resort or outside of Aulani you are still going to have theme-park food prices no matter where you are. While Aulani does have a quick-service grab-and-go option as well as sit-down meal options, they have yet to institute any sort of “dining plan” like what you would see at Walt Disney World. 

3-Bedroom Villa Kitchen

I’ll cover dining options at the resort at another time, but suffice it to say here that the food is tasty Aulani is not over-the-top with characters. While Mickey, Minnie, Chip, Dale, Goofy, and Stitch are all vacationing at Aulani with you, there has to be effort made to interact with the characters.  There is a phone line that you can call to see where your favorite character may be located that day, or you can opt to have a character breakfast or dinner at Maki Maki during your stay.  Otherwise your visit is character-limited.  

There is something for all ages at Aulani.  Stay tuned for a post on recreation offerings at the resort coming soon!

D-Luxe Burger menu sneak peak

Yes, I'll admit it--I'm a foodie.  Usually my "foodie-ness" comes out in the form of gourmet dining, but I'm a SUCKER for a good burger.  There is just something so tantalizing about a flattop pressed, seared burger, dripping with juiciness.  My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Southern Classic Burger

Sometimes it can be difficult to find a really tasty burger when you are at a theme park.  Fear not!  Your inner gourmet burger craving can soon be satisfied at D-Luxe Burger, slated to open  in May in the Town Center area at Disney Springs in Florida.  An exact opening date has not yet been announced, but you better believe we will be watching closely for this location to open its doors!  The menu looks like it's going to have something for just about everyone (including unique toppings, fresh baked buns, fresh cut fries with plenty of dipping sauces to go along with them, and "twisted" milkshakes.)

   We have a sneak peak at the upcoming menu, and I'm getting hungry just reading it.  I know I'll be asking for those fries nice and crispy please.

Here are a few of the burgers that are going to be offered on the menu:

Classic Cheeseburger – Beef patty topped with cheddar, lettuce, tomato and pickle

Barbeque Classic Burger – Beef patty topped with a fried onion ring, smoked Gouda, bacon, barbeque sauce and lettuce

El Diablo Burger – Chorizo-and-signature-blend patty, fried banana peppers, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato and chipotle mayonnaise

Southern Classic Burger – Beef patty, topped with fried-green tomato, pimento cheese, lettuce and bacon

Cluck Burger – Ground chicken patty, garlic herb sauce, avocado, lettuce and tomato

Veggie Burger – house-made patty topped with Tzatziki, green bean salad, lettuce and tomato

Red Velvet Burger Macaron

In addition to the burgers, there will be gelato shakes (keep an eye out because the offered flavors will change from time to time), soda floats, and for the adults, there will be "adult" beverages available, including beer, cider and and "spiked" milkshakes!

Not in a milkshake or ice cream sort of mood?  Check out the adorable Red Velvet Burger Macaron (complete with raspberry "ketchup" on it!)


I know that I can't wait to sink my teeth into one of these juicy burgers at this new location!  How about you?

2015 Epcot Candlelight Processional Narrators

The holiday season is one of my favorite times to visit the Disney Parks.  The parks are always decorated so beautifully, and it always seems as if everyone is even happier than usual.  Strolling through the decorations, seeing it *snow* in the parks, having hot chocolate....ahhhh....

I have written before about the Candlelight Processional, as it's a very popular event and is frequently standing room only (often with long lines waiting to get a seat for the shows.) If you are not familiar with the Processional, it is part of the Holidays Around the World celebration at Epcot and is a re-telling of the Christmas story with celebrity narrators, a large choir singing traditional and contemporary Christmas songs, complete with a symphony orchestra. 

Continuing with tradition, it is held in the America Gardens Theater at Epcot, it will be presented three times nightly (beginning November 27th and continuing until December 30th.)  The showtimes are at 5 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.  Want the BEST way to see the show?  Book a Candlelight Processional Dinner Package and get guaranteed seating for the show.  Dining packages include an appetizer, an entrée, a dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage at select Epcot full-service restaurants (or one full buffet where applicable). (Dining packages do not include park admission.)  Contact your DreamFinder agent for more information on booking one of these dinner packages.

Here is the list of narrators for the 2015 Candlelight Processional (subject to change). 

11/27 – 11/29 — Gary Sinise
11/30 – 12/3 — Neil Patrick Harris
12/4 – 12/5 — Whoopi Goldberg
12/6 – 12/8 — Joe Morton
12/9 – 12/11 — Ana Gasteyer
12/12 – 12/14 — Meredith Vieira – NEW
12/15 – 12/17— America Ferrera – NEW
12/18 – 12/20 — Chandra Wilson – NEW
12/21 – 12/23 — Daniel Dae Kim – NEW
12/24 – 12/26 — Edward James Olmos
12/27 – 12/28 – Blair Underwood
12/29 – 12/30 — Amy Grant

So who will be the narrator for your Candlelight Processional?

Book your holiday trip to Walt Disney World today and take advantage of DreamFinder Travel's FREE Santa Mickey Hat/Holiday Minnie Ears promotional offer!  Click here for your complimentary no-obligation pricing quote.

Epcot's Food & Wine Festival by the Numbers

Epcot's Food & Wine Festival.  By far one of my favorite times to visit Walt Disney World (well, other than the holidays!)  Being a self professed foodie and wine enthusiast, the festival is a wonderful time to just take in the sights and sounds of Epcot, and enjoy amazing food and wine from around the world.  The festival is believed to be the largest Food & Wine Festival of its kind in the world.  

There are so many wonderful events that you can attend, with great seminars and culinary gastronomy.  One of my favorite Festival offerings is the Premium Package.  This will be the second year that this is offered, and it provides "VIP" treatment from Noon until 8:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday of the Festival.  This includes cast members to get your food and beverage selections for you, as well as shaded areas to relax, eat and drink the festival offerings. The Premium package also includes admission to one Illuminations Sparkling Dessert Party, a culinary demo or beverage seminar, a wine glass, special Festival theme MagicBand, and a bottle of 20th celebration Festival Wine and more.   Later this month we will blog more pictures as we "show you the world" of Food & Wine and the Premium Package advantage.  Also, be sure to keep a watch for a live periscope video from us of the festival as well.

Today I'm going to just leave you with some "Food & Wine Festival by the numbers" to chew on!  

Contact your DreamFinder Travel agent today to make reservations to attend the Festival.

Here are 20 fun facts about the 20^th festival celebration.

• ·         Now 53 days long, the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival began in 1996 with a first run of 30 days
• ·         At the 2015 festival, a record 30 global marketplaces will include the new Sustainable Chew, Chew Lab and Artistry of Wine & Cheese marketplaces
• ·         Producers of ABC’s “The Chew” will tape 5 episodes of the show before 5 festival guest audiences numbering in the hundreds for each show
• ·         The 20^th festival will feature 32 new marketplace dishes and 75 new cocktails, beers, wines and ciders
• ·         In 1998, 200 domestic and international wines were poured at the festival. This year, at marketplaces and premium events, more than 300 domestic and international wines will be offered
• ·         More than 60 wineries and more than 40 breweries from around the world, including local craft beer operations, will be represented at festival marketplaces
• ·         The 20^th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Cookbook by Pam Brandon and the Disney Chefs features 75 recipes from the global marketplaces that span the entire 20 years of the festival.
• ·         3 Rockin’ Burger Block Parties and 5 Party for the Senses grand tastings will take place at World Showplace during the festival run. In all, the festival will feature 193 premium events ranging from Signature Dinners and Food & Wine Pairings to Beverage Boot Camps and Festival Events in World Showcase pavilions
• ·         Guest chefs and Disney chefs numbering 250 will present culinary demonstrations and will cook for festival events
• ·         Celebrity chefs and visiting culinarians from 6 countries and 26 U.S. states will participate in the festival at culinary demos, book signings, and special tasting events and dinners
• ·         Nearly 400 culinary demos, beverage and mixology seminars will take place during the 53-day festival
• ·         During the new Remy's Ratatouille Hide & Squeak festival scavenger hunt, guests can help Remy scour the park for the ingredients to make his signature dish, ratatouille.  Along the way they will find 12 Remy statuettes hidden in each of 11 countries of the World Showcase and at the African Outpost location.  Guests can redeem the 12 stickers they collect for one of 6 special pins at Port of Entry.
• ·         159 Eat to the Beat concerts will be performed; 4 musical acts will appear for the first time at this year's festival featuring entertainment ranging from rock and soul to fun and blues.
• ·         The Marketplace Discovery Passport was introduced in 2010 for the 15th annual festival; today the free passport will feature pages with all 30 festival marketplaces that guests can have stamped during their dine-around-the-world culinary adventure.
• ·         More than 1,200 fireworks will explode each night over World Showcase Lagoon in IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth nightime spectacular
• ·         Chase is the festival’s presenting sponsor for the 4^th year; its Chase Lounge at American Adventure Parlor features guest amenities that include complimentary beverages and comfy furniture where guests can chill out and recharge
• ·         The Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog, back for a fourth year, is filled with 900 pounds of the tart red fruit and is accessible to cast members who wear waterproof waders
• ·         100,000-plus desserts, including the Chocolate Cherry Explosion and Strawberry Basil Champagne “Toast” at Desserts & Champagne Marketplace, are expected to be served
• ·         In 1997, during the festival’s second year, festival planners introduced the first Grand Tasting culinary extravaganza; in 2002, the event was renamed and moved to World Showplace as Party for the Senses, now featuring up to 50 food and beverage stations and breathtaking entertainment by Cirque du Soleil’s “La Nouba” performers
• ·         At the new Artistry of Wine & Cheese, each keg of premium wine on tap will hold the equivalent of 26 wine bottles, eliminating bottle, cork, cardboard and paper waste from labels. Recycling and repurposing of glass bottles and corks from other marketplace locations will be part of the 20^th-year festival story

Bon Appetit!