Hawaii Prepares for Opening of Disney’s Aulani Resort, a Destination for Families

Come 2011, Mickey Mouse will stake his claim to the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Nestled next to a sand-fringed blue lagoon, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa will be located on 21 oceanfront acres on the western side of the island. This is the first "stand-alone family destination resort" for Disney and the facilities promise to be extensive. Think snorkeling lagoon, various Kids Club programs, and a lazy river for tubing. Not to mention the adult-friendly spa and golf course. Guest room tally at the $800 million resort: 360 hotel rooms and 481 two-bedroom timeshare villas overlooking the ocean. Curious about the name? Aulani means "the place that speaks for the great ones" or "the place that speaks with deep messages."

Image (artistic rendering) via Travelagentcentral.com