Bloom Where you are Anchored

Who's ready for a date night out and about on Oahu? I've pulled together a quick mini rundown of ideas and spots for you and your sweetheart, organized by location... West Side -- Watch the sunset at Paradise Cove beach followed by dinner at Monkey Pod. I recommend their Mai Tai with lilikoi foam on top - a real Hawaiian treat!  If you go before sunset, try to catch their great happy hour specials, usually half off all appetizers and drink specials. Or try Mina's Fish House at the Four Seasons. Request a table with your own private fireplace 🔥 You'll enjoy a meal while looking at a beautiful lagoon right next to Disney Aulani. Waikiki -- Have you tried Tommy Bahamas, Duke's, or Deck (by the Honolulu Zoo)?  All are fun and serve up great meals. Deck has a great view of Diamond Head. Maybe take a stroll along the beach afterwards. North Shore -- Lots of folks enjoy The Beach House in Hale'iwa, or Hale'iwa Joe's.  If you're looking for something more c...

Have you been to Wet n Wild in Kapolei?  What do you love about it?   It's our one and only water park on Oahu! We love the keiki swim areas, the waterslides and the wave pool.  Tips for first timers --  1. Recommend purchasing a season pass even if you think you'll only go a few times. The season pass will pay for itself in a few visits and the Big Kahuna pass includes parking. Parking is typically $8 per visit if you don't have it!  We paid $54.99 per person (including children ages 3 and up) for a season pass at the beginning of the year.      -- If you don't want to commit to a season pass without visiting beforehand, you can buy a day pass at the park upon arrival, or at the MWR ITT office on Pearl in the mini NEX (it will probably be cheaper with ITT), and you can upgrade your day pass to a season ticket at the Wet n Wild ticket booths (at the entrance), after spending the day at the waterpark.  2. You're only allowed to bring in w...

  Have you been to the lagoons at Ko'olina?  If not, here's a handy map that shows all the different parking options. I'd always recommend going early to guarantee a parking spot. The lagoons are an absolutely gorgeous place to sit and enjoy the day as you look out over the blue blue water.  <script data-ad-client="ca-pub-3155612495653989" async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> Each of the lagoons are very calm, but they do get deep. People go to swim, paddleboard, or just float or splash at the edge. I often see people enjoying the long wide sidewalk that connect all the lagoons behind the hotels. Walk, jog, enjoy the scenery.  Enjoy a coffee or bite to eat at the shops and restaurants at Ko'olina -- they have Monkeypod, Vintage Island Cofee, a pizza shop, etc... 

Have you stayed at Disney Aulani on Oahu before? What tips would you share for staying?  We live on Oahu and we are stationed here with the military -- Go Navy!  Disney Aulani is about 25 minutes from our house. Our kids love love going for a little staycation when we're able! Here are some tips and Aulani stay ideas that I'd like to offer up. We love to save money where we can... 1. Bring food if you can!  The food is expensive at Aulani. Every room has a fridge, even the standard rooms have a decent sized mini fridge. We always bring snacks, yogurts, drinks, sometimes a little milk and cereal for easy breakfast in the morning. We splurge for things like "Mickey shave ice" (with ice cream underneath) 🍧 -- $6.25 for one. But, thankfully, it's big enough to share!   We love to get Dole Whip sometimes from the Ulu Cafe. An adult chicken tender meal comes with several tenders, fries and dip for $16 at the Ulu Cafe. My kids like it and it's plenty to share if we ...

 Have you been to the Aloha Bakehouse in Kaka'ako? What did you love about it?  They make delicious fresh scones daily and their special Aloha breads 🍞 in all different flavors.      The cold brew coffee ☕ was strong and  tasty. Service was friendly and quick and the seating area was quiet and pleasant.  Parking can be found in a few spots in front of the restaurant or any of the numbered spots along the street near the Aloha Bakehouse. Recommend this fun spot for breakfast, brunch, lunch or a snack to go.