![Lobby of Disney Aulani in Ko Olina with stained glass](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0003.jpg)
11 Jul Aulani, A Disney Spring Break | Ko Olina Vacation Photography
Disney Aulani in Ko Olina. I’m still pinching myself four months later. How were we so lucky to spend a glorious week at this paradise?
During Spring Break this year, we totally splurged and stayed at the Disney Aulani Resort. Springtime at the Nelson house is a crazy rat race- we’re knee deep in school work, volunteering, music lessons, photography and winter blues. Our minds dream of seeing a blue sky and feeling the sun shine down on our faces.
So when we walked through the doors to this gorgeous view, my shoulders fell, my breath released and peace filled my heart. It was more than I could have imagined.
![Aulani_0003 Lobby of Disney Aulani in Ko Olina with stained glass](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0003.jpg)
If you know Disney, you know they don’t do anything half way. Every detail is meticulously thought out and executed. Down to continuous ice water dispensers placed exactly where you need them throughout the resort.
![Aulani_0002 Lazy River, Tower, and huts in Disney Aulani](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0002.jpg)
![Aulani_0034 Disney Aulani towers and water station](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0034.jpg)
![Aulani_0015 Chip and Dale on the lawn of Disney Aulani with two kids in swimsuits](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0015.jpg)
![Aulani_0011 Boy greeting Goofy at a Disney Character Breakfast at Aulani.](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0011.jpg)
![Aulani_0012 Mickey Mouse and Stitch signing autographs](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0012.jpg)
Stitch was drawing funny things on her Boogie Board and spending extra time with my kids means that four months later, and this girl still sleeps with a Stitch stuffy. He completely won her over.
![Aulani_0013 Stitch signing an autograph for a little girl smiling at Disney Aulani](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0013.jpg)
![Aulani_0017 Girl wearing purple tank top and a flower in her hair](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0017.jpg)
Just in case you need a break from one of the many pools or the beach, they have a magical treasure hunt that takes you around the resort. You simply check out a tablet from the Ohana room and prepare to be amazed and completely entertained.
![Aulani_0014 A dad with two kids doing the Disney Aulani treasure hunt](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0014.jpg)
![Aulani_0004 A nanny holding hands with a little girl walking across the grass](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0004.jpg)
![Aulani_0006 Boy and Girl sitting on the tide pools in Ko Olina](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0006.jpg)
![Aulani_0005 A nanny exploring tide pools in Ko Olina](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0005.jpg)
The Aulani is amazing enough on it’s own, but add these two girls to the mix and life is complete. They have both been our regular sitters here in Utah and have had an enormous impact on our children. We felt so lucky to spend some time in paradise with them.
![Aulani_0016 Two kids with their nannies on a paddle board in Ko Olina](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0016.jpg)
![Aulani_0032 Kids playing on a paddle board on the beach in Ko Olina](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0032.jpg)
Check out Maddie’s mad skills on the paddle board.
![Aulani_0019 Paddle boarders in the distance in the ocean with two islands](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0019.jpg)
![Aulani_0020 Boy reading on the beach](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0020.jpg)
And just to continue on the theme of paradise, we ran into friends from home who were staying just a few doors down! So we got to spend a few glorious days with them.
![Aulani_0031 Two boys with swim goggles on their head at the edge of a pool in Hawaii](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0031.jpg)
![Aulani_0030 Kids playing in the pools of Disney Aulani](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0030.jpg)
![Aulani_0035 Girl on the beach with Disney Aulani in the background](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0035.jpg)
The Ohana room has a variety of family activities to do from stargazing at night and canoeing to game tables and ukulele lessons. Seriously, there is not one reason to leave this resort once you’re there. We had to force ourselves to go see the other side of the island. And then we could only bear to leave for one day.
![Aulani_0008 Girl playing a ukulele](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0008.jpg)
![Aulani_0009 View of ukuleles on a table](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0009.jpg)
![Aulani_0007 A boy holding a ukulele at Disney Aulani](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0007.jpg)
You can always tell how many days any particular child had been at the resort. They all wear their wrist bands like trophies, which makes for a funny tan line.
![Aulani_0033 Disney Aulani wrist passes stacked on two little kids arms](https://amandanelsonphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Aulani_0033.jpg)
Thank you, Alauni. Someday, somehow we will make it back to you!