Aloha from Hawaii- and Those Spirit of Aloha Ribs!

Disney and Hawaii - or more specifically the many cultures of the people of Polynesia- are intertwined in various ways. It's not just the Enchanted Tiki Room!  The love of the cultures also brought about Disneyland's Tahitian Terrace, Walt Disney World's Polynesian Village Resort, The Spirit of Aloha dinner show, Trader Sams and Trader Sam's Grog Grotto watering holes, and perhaps the most beautiful of all, Disney's Aulani Resort on the island of Oahu. 

Last visit to Walt Disney World, we fell in love with the Spirit of Aloha's ribs! 

We discovered the recipe, and now we'll share it with those of you so inclined to try it at home. Aloha!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

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Disney's Spirit of Aloha -Polynesian Resort

Island Barbecued Pork Ribs

Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

Select 2 each slabs of Raw Pork Spare Ribs (total – 4 lbs.)

Dry Seasoning

1 cup Kosher Salt

1 tsp Celery Salt

2 TBSP Mesquite Seasoning

1 TBSP Onion Powder

1 TBSP Garlic Powder

3 TBSP Sugar

1 tsp Ground Black Pepper

Sauce

1 cup Tomato paste

1 TBSP Corn Syrup

1 TBSP Molasses

1 TBSP Dijon Mustard

2 TBSP Honey

1 cup Pineapple Juice

2 TBSP Rice Wine Vinegar

1 tsp Granulated Garlic

1 TBSP Onion Powder

1 TBSP Caramel

1/4 Tsp Smoked Liquid

Barbecue Sauce Preparation

1. In a mixing bowl combine all ingredients and mix well

2. Keep refrigerated

Preparation

1. Mix all dry ingredients and season lightly the pork rib slabs on both sides; let marinate for 12 hours.

2. Cook the seasoned pork ribs at 325°F for 1 hour.

3. Cut slabs of ribs while hot into individual pieces (one bone each) and place in baking dish.

4. Heat the barbecue sauce to a simmer and pour over the entire pork ribs.

5. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it in a warm oven at 200° for 30-45 minutes.

Return from Paradise

How can it be that my heart grieves and rejoices at the same time? Easy. Just now returning from a long needed trip to Kauai with my wonderful wife. It was beyond wonderful! The beauty of the island and the time alone with my wife was just what The Doctor ordered. Using many miles from all my business travels, we were able to go for $11 a person. Hard to pass that up!

Days at the beach swimming and snorkeling, seeing the sights, and waking up to the sound of the ocean was the perfect complement to spending time alone with my lovely bride.

Granted, this isn't a great photo from my friend and excellent photographer Len Yokoyama, but it's the best I can do in capturing the beauty of God's creation. (Yes, fellow Disney fans, I really did go all the way to Hawaii and skipped seeing the Aulani Resort.) I'm positive that God created Kaui'i and then stopped, saying to Himself- "THIS is perfection!"

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Christmas From Aulani

Hau’oli Makahiki Hou (Happy New Year in Hawaiian) from the island of Oahu and specifically, Disney’s Aulani Resort! Your friendly neighborhood blogger Mark Taft has again kindly allowed me to take up bandwidth to amuse, bedazzle, and mostly irritate his reading audience with my random thoughts, words, and befuddling images.

For this guest post, I wanted to share some photos and thoughts from the Disney Aulani Resort! There won't be much reporting on the activities and events at the hotel as I was there for barely a day. My good friend is a DVC member and she invited me to spend some time with them. Since I arrived at Aulani in the late afternoon, most of the evening was spent shooting sunset and long exposure images. I did a lot of interior and people shots on my last visit, so there won't be much of that for this report. Hopefully, you'll get a feel for the overall ambiance and theming of the resort told through my pictures and words. But again, not much first hand reviews or anecdotes about dining, swimming, or all the other cool stuff one can do at Aulani . 

Let's start with some photos of the resort area just prior to sunset. Aulani is located at the Ko Olina Resort & Marina in Kapolei. Situated on the west side of Oahu, it’s about a 45 minute drive from Waikiki (up to 2 hours during peak traffic hours). While it’s pretty obvious the hotel is immaculately designed and up to Disney standards, the area its located in is nothing to sneeze at either! With its pristine beaches and a skyline overlooking the mountainous landscape, the resort truly feels unique and apart from the daily lifestyle of most local residents.

I live in east Oahu, so I rarely make it to this side of the island. Because everything is new and mostly unexplored, it almost feels like I’ve traveled to another part of the world. While I remember initial resistance to Disney building a hotel in the area, I never doubted that the Imagineers would do a respectful job of integrating Hawaiian culture into the fabric and theme of the hotel. It’s obvious they did their research and worked with local experts to get the details right. I was lucky to encounter Imagineer Joe Rohde when the hotel first opened. He was walking the grounds early one morning so I ventured forward to ask for a picture and we talked a bit about the design process. Joe is obviously an extremely talented artist who takes great care and pride in his work.

The two towers, impressive in height, never seem to overwhelm or stick out like a sore thumb from the rest of the property. Each and every element works in smooth harmony with the others to incorporate a breathtaking, yet natural vista. Much thought was also put into the surrounding attractions and eating establishments. “Makahiki” is clearly the centerpiece restaurant of the resort, with its traditional Disney character breakfast and buffet. I ate there when Aulani first opened and thought it was a mixed bag. Some of the food, especially the local cuisine (lau lau, kalua pig) seemed a bit bland, but I chalk it up to the kitchen staff getting their feet wet and finding that right mixture of flavor and taste. I’m sure the dining experience has much improved by this time.

While it’s hard to make up for the absence of a Disney park down the road, the Imagineers worked up a little magic in the form of a mini water park. From the active volcano that serves as a base for the water slides, to the lazy streams running throughout the property, children (and many adults) will find the poolside areas the highlight of the stay. I’m particularly impressed with “Keiki Cove’, a play zone for kids. The design work allows this attraction to seamlessly integrate with the resort while providing its own unique taste of Disney. While I was photographing the area after midnight, voices of menehunes (strange, magical creatures) were still being piped throughout the area (reminiscent of the snoring bears at Disney’s Frontierland).

One of the biggest surprises for me on this visit was the overall subtlety of the Christmas decorations. Part of it maybe a conscientious decision not to overwhelm the Hawaiian motif with tons of lights and Christmas décor. But after experiencing the beautiful lobby trees of such fellow Disney resorts as The Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge, not seeing a huge tree was a bit of a disappointment. Thinking of how the AK trees were adorned with ornaments that paid tribute to the local culture and arts, I could see something similarly done for the lobby here at Aulani. There were two small trees placed at the ends of the ground floor, but they were rather pedestrian and something you would find on display at your local Walmart store.

For a kamaaina (local), the cost of a night makes it prohibitive for most to stay at the resort. Being a visitor, and especially if you’re a Disney fan, I can see how this place would be a destination point regardless of the high costs. So if you’re thinking of planning a trip to Hawaii, Aulani should definitely be on your radar.

Until my next intrusion, take care, stay safe, and God bless us all!

(Photographs copyright Len Yokoyama.)

Imagineer Joe Rohde at Aulani

Imagineer extraordinaire Joe Rohde enjoying his personal cup of joe at Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii. The man is an incredible artist and lover of nature- and it shows in his work. Be it Disney's Animal Kingdom- his masterpiece- or the Hawaiian resort, the guy just intuitively knows how to translate the natural and exotic into the commercial.

My friend Len Yokoyama captured this shot of Joe back during Aulani's opening. Thanks, Len, for sharing them with us!

(Photographs copyright Len Yokoyama.)

Disney's Polynesian Dreams

It's time for some beach time, and that usually includes Florida, Hawaii, or California. I've always had an urge to stay at Disney's Polynesian Resort ever since it was The Polynesian Village back in the 70s when Walt Disney World first opened. Difficult to justify the prices when the real beach resorts can be booked for less than half- even in pricey Hawaii or even very close to the price point of  Aulani at Ko O'lina. Guess that leads to more Polynesian dreams...

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Loss for Words

After such an invigorating and challenging time away, it seems I have found myself at a loss for words. That doesn't happen very often! If you frequent this blog, you know I always have something to say about the Walt Disney Company, especially what is happening (or should be!) at the parks.

Yes, I have surely missed some important landmarks and milestones in the Disney community: the 10th anniversary of perhaps the most beautiful of all Disney parks, Tokyo DisneySea; the grand opening of Aulani, Disney's newest DVC location in Hawaii; and lastly the second D23 gathering. Rest assured- once I get going again, I have much to share. It's just a matter of time. But for now, be patient as words are not coming easy.

Tangaroa Terrace and Disney's Cop Out

Just caught a glimpse of the art for the new Tangaroa Terrace planned for the expansion and renovation of the Disneyland Hotel. This quick casual dining experience will have tropical decor and great music. The outdoor seating is perfect for those beautiful California nights. But what is missing?

This Tahitian Terrace inspired eatery is missing the very thing that made the Terrace so popular when it was first opened: Polynesian dancers and live music! With a bit more creativity in space planning, there is no reason Disney suits couldn't bring in a smaller venue similar to the Spirit of Aloha show at Walt Disney World's Polynesian Resort. A serious misstep.

With the live dancers and musicians, this would be the evening place to be found- and the crowds would have a great signature experience to mark their vacations. Without the live entertainment, this location is nothing more than a Disneyfied Rumbi Island Grille! If the Disneyland Resort is indeed a resort, there needs to be an increase in the offerings- and Disney missed the mark here by taking the easy way out.
(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Disney's Aulani Resort at Ko Olina

The Ko Olina beaches must be one of the most beautiful stretches of sand in Oahu, if not in all of the Hawaiian islands! It is here that the Walt Disney Company has wisely chosen to build a new Vacation Club resort.

My wife and I were at Ko Olina just a couple of years ago. The beach was fairly secluded, undiscovered by most tourists but known to the locals- and we were blessed to be staying with a local who loved the area and knew it would be the perfect place for a day's getaway. We'll see how long this area will stay feeling intimate. (Search "Ko Olina" on this blog for some photos.)

From looking at this skyview, it is clear that this will be a magnificent property!

The following tour of the resort is all based on the delicate renderings done by the famous Disney Imagineers. Joe Rohde, the genius behind the lush and detailed Animal Kingdom theme park, has the much coveted role of leading the design for the project. If it is anything as beautiful as his previous work or even slightly resembles Walt Disney World's Polynesian Resort, we are in for a treat.


Let's begin our tour with the rooms themselves. As you can see from the renderings above, the rooms at Aulani will have all the modern amenities required by today's demanding travelers with the charm of the island's culture.

A view of the lobby shows the incredible craftsmanship and attention to detail. In some ways reminiscient of Florida's Animal Kingdom Lodge, its an appropriately grand scale. But who comes to a lovely place like Hawaii to stay indoors? Let's go outside through the doors seen below.

Needless to say, the pool and surrounding gardens will be the showpiece of the resort. Of course, the gorgeous stretch of beach on Disney's 21 acres will give the manmade pools some fierce competition.


Being Hawaii, land is at a premium as with any island property. Therefore, as you can see in the rendering below, the resort will mainly consist of a series of towers. This enables a Disney to provide guests with over 350 rooms and more than 450 timeshares. And the requisite convention center, mini water park complete with a lazy river, and other outdoors attractions.

Since this is a family resort, activities for children will also abound beyond what is offered at the pools. Games, crafts, and storytelling are sure to please. To please adults needing a little time alone, babysitting services will be readily available.

Should some adults need to create a storybook ending all there own, weddings in the gardens overlooking the Pacific can be arranged as well! (There is also an existing and quite beautiful chapel on the Ko Olina grounds right next door to the Disney property.)

Come 2011, Disney's Aulani Resort will be the place to go! Hawaii in any form has always held me fascinated, so I know it will be difficult not to be dreaming of some time away at Disney's small piece of paradise.

(Concept art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Ko Olina Update

Thanks to my friend Len, here are a few picture updates of the construction of Disney's Ko Olina resort on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. As you can see, they are just starting to some degree. Yet we have all seen how quickly construction crews move when they have to!

This new Vacation site is on a gorgeous piece of land- one I've seen with my own eyes and posted about long before it was Disney property. (You can search the blog for an old post or two.) Let's hope this all comes together really fast and well!

Hilton Head or Disney's Private Carolina Island

Last month, thanks to a recent promotion with our cel phone company and some free hotel space, my wife and I were able to get away for a few days to Charleston and Hilton Head, South Carolina. Vero Beach could have worked but South Carolina won out.


Being quite aware of the Walt Disney Company's Vacation Club offerings, I was curious to check out their timeshare property at Hilton Head Island, so we spent about an hour stopping to take photos and ask some questions. When we saw the small Bambi and Thumper topiary (actually fake topiary) and the "Year of a Million Dreams" banner, we knew we were at the right place. We checked in at the registration desk upstairs at the main building. It is a very small area with a tiny lobby and slightly larger library/den. Our hostess was nice enough to provide a map to the island and the property, a copy of the latest newsletter, and the offer to explore without being escorted- the nicest surprise of all.

Hilton Head Island is comprised of mostly resort properties with just about every piece of beachfront property developed. Large, well-known companies specialize in providing amenities associated with any luxury resort: golf, tennis, spas, pools, restaurants, shopping. Disney is no exception, although their roster falls short in comparison. Walking the Disney grounds, it became very clear that the property was pleasant and well maintained but not nearly as nice as many of the surrounding resorts.

The biggest difference: although it may not be immediately obvious to a reader of the promotional materials provided, the primary piece of property, the one where the vacation homes are located, is not beachfront or even across the street from it! In fact, although the Disney resort is on (its own) Longview Island in Shelter Cove Harbour, the complex sits in Broad Creek and its marsh.

Sure, it is beautiful to look at with the area's live oaks and pines, but where's the swimming beach? Follow that 1.5 mile bike path between the main lodging area to Disney's Beach House on the sand. The path runs under Highway 287. To be fair, a shuttle service is available, but at Vacation Club pricing, beachfront should be the order of the day.

Replacing the beach for 31 main buildings of accommodations are one medium-sized but well themed pool and a horseshoe pit with a nearby snack bar and small shop. No tennis or golf. I was expecting something as nice as the Wilderness Lodge or at least the Sarasota Springs Resort in Florida. Instead, everything here was very low key with nothing grand to be found.


We did find the usual and expected nice touches of theme, found here particularly in the signage. (Although a sign referencing "Michael and Michael" now seems to poke a bit of fun at Eisner's grand plans with Mr. Ovitz.) The vacation home buildings were very well done. The gardens were nice but not much more than adequate. A bit of character merchandise and a small collection of pins could be purchased in the shop, and Walt Disney World Resort paper cups were used in the snack shops. Cast members were friendly, smiling quite a bit, enjoying conversation with the guests.

After our walk around, we drove to the Beach House and were slightly more impressed. The main house was well appointed in a nautical theme. The outdoor pool was of decent size with a fountain play area sporting a beach ball theme. A small snack shop and a deck side bar rounded out the offerings with promises of a weekly shrimp roast. The sand was before us but mostly hidden by lots of trees affording privacy to members.





We spoke with a vacation club member who, with a slight smile and sigh, told us it was difficult but not impossible to use his vacation club points to get here due to the popularity of Hilton Head, but he much preferred Disney's Vero Beach resort. I can only hope that property is beachfront. I am sure that once word gets out that Disney's Hilton Head Island resort is not on the sand and has no golf or tennis, it will be much easier to book time there.

To sum it up, this was one of the first times we were glad not to be "on the property". In a strange way, I was happy to discover that our longtime decision not to purchase was a wise one, leaving our options open for staying at a variety of destinations. However, if Disney's Ko Olina turns out terrific, we may have to reconsider! 

(Most photos copyright Mark Taft. Couple of photos copyright The Walt Disney Company.)