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A week in Hawaii on vacation with my toddler cost $4,500, and she'll never remember it. Here's why I'm glad we went anyway.
A week in Hawaii on vacation with my toddler cost $4,500, and she'll never remember it. Here's why I'm glad we went anyway.
Emily HochbergJan 28, 2023, 17:42 IST
The author and her daughter in Hawaii.Emily Hochberg/Insider
In 2022, I planned a big family vacation to Hawaii for me, my husband, and our toddler.
We spent a week on Oahu, dividing time between Honolulu and Aulani, a Disney Resort in Ko Olina.
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Last summer, I wanted to plan my family's first big vacation that wasn't a road trip to somewhere tropical.
The author and her family.Emily Hochberg/Insider
We didn't feel ready for an international trip, and as a West Coast-based family, we decided Hawaii was our top option.
The author's family on the plane to Hawaii.Emily Hochberg/Insider
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Right away, my research showed it would be pricey. I ruled out my first island choice, Maui, and decided on Oahu as it was more affordable.
The author's daughter in the lagoon at Hilton Hawaiian Village.Emily Hochberg/Insider
Usually, when I travel for a week with my husband and daughter, I expect it to cost between $1,000 and $2,000. Our trip to Hawaii cost more than double that.
The author and her family at Hilton Hawaiian Village.Emily Hochberg/Insider
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So why'd we do it? We thought satisfying our tropical wanderlust was worth the cost.
The author with her daughter on the beach at Aulani.Emily Hochberg/Insider
Going into the trip, I knew the memories I wanted to make with my daughter would be ones I was more likely to cherish.
The author and her family pose with Minnie Mouse at Aulani (L), and the author and her daughter after going down the water slide at the Hilton (R).Emily Hochberg/Insider
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Truthfully, on the trip and immediately after, most of what I remembered was the frustration of traveling with a toddler.
The author and her family at a restaurant in Hawaii.Emily Hochberg/Insider
But now, months later, we always talk about what a good trip it was.
The author and her daughter at one of their hotels in Hawaii.Emily Hochberg/Insider