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QUICK OVERVIEW OF AULANI

Do you love all things Disney and tropical locations? Then you will love Disney’s Aulani Resort in Ko Olina. Ko Olina is a vacation resort area with three hotels located on four man-made lagoons. These lagoons are great for younger children as they are protected from any strong waves. There is a walking path making it easy to take a stroller. 

Disney’s Aulani is a one of a kind vacation experience where the magic of Disney meets the rich culture of Hawaii. Whether you’re a Disney person or not, you can’t help but be impressed with how Disney’s imaginative storytelling and dedication to details mingles with the spirit of aloha to deliver the perfect vacation destination for families. 

WHERE IS AULANI LOCATED? 

Situated on the western coast of Oahu, Aulani Resort enjoys a prime location in the tranquil Ko Olina area. The resort is conveniently located just a 30-minute drive from Honolulu International Airport, making it a bit secluded. If you plan on touring the island, it’s best to get a rental car since it will take you a while to get to other sights on the island. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF AULANI 

POOLS

One of the highlights of Aulani Resort is its spectacular water attractions for all ages. Here’s what you can expect:

• Waikolohe Valley: This expansive water complex is the heart of the resort, featuring a lazy river, water slides, a serene adult pool, and an interactive play area for kids.
• Rainbow Reef: Guests can snorkel in a private lagoon filled with tropical fish and vibrant coral reefs. Guided snorkeling tours and equipment rentals are available for guests of all skill levels.
• Waikolohe Pool: This family-friendly pool with poolside service from the adjacent bars and restaurants.
• Keiki Splash Zone
• Menehune Bridge with 2 slides (a giant play structure) 
• Ka Maka Grotto – infinity pool 
• Wailana – quiet pool 
• Spas – 5 whirlpool spas, including 2 adults only spas 

ACCOMMODATIONS

Aulani offers a variety of accommodations to suit every guest’s needs and preferences. From spacious hotel rooms to luxurious villas, there’s something for everyone. Here are some of the accommodation options available:

• Standard rooms: these rooms sleep up for four guests with a choice between two queen beds or a king and sleeper sofa.
• Deluxe Studios: Perfect for couples or small families, these studios feature kitchenettes, queen-size beds, and breathtaking views of the ocean or resort grounds.
• Villas: Ideal for larger families or groups, these villas offer separate living and sleeping areas, fully equipped kitchens, private lanais, and luxurious amenities. They offer a range of options from a studio to a three bedroom villa. 

RESTAURANTS

Aulani Resort boasts an array of dining options sure to satisfy every palate. From casual cafes to upscale restaurants, and there are even more across the street at the Ko Olina Center and station. 

Here are some of the culinary highlights:

• ‘AMA’AMA: This beachside restaurant offers a diverse menu of contemporary Hawaiian food, showcasing fresh seafood, locally sourced ingredients, and innovative flavors. Enjoy stunning ocean views while dining on the open-air lanai. Dinner only! 
• Makahiki: Perfect for families, this buffet-style restaurant features an extensive selection of Hawaiian and international dishes, including made-to-order omelets, fresh seafood, and decadent desserts. Don’t miss the character breakfasts, where you can meet your favorite Disney friends!
• Ulu Cafe: For quick and convenient meals on the go, stop by Ulu Cafe for a selection of sandwiches, salads, snacks, and beverages. Grab a picnic lunch and head to the beach for a day. 
• Wailing Pool Bar 
• Off the Hook poolside lounge 
• Olelo Room Lounge – cocktails and appetizers 
• Mama’s Snack Shop– poolside 
• Papalua Shave Ice 

What really sets Aulani apart from other resorts in Hawaii are the character experiences. Aulani guests get the chance to meet beloved Disney characters who also happen to be on vacation in Hawaii  From breakfast with Mickey and friends dressed in their island best to surprise encounters around the resort, these moments add an extra layer of magic to the Aulani experience. 

ACTIVITIES AND ENTERTAINMENT

From cultural experiences to outdoor adventures, Aulani offers a wide range of activities to keep guests entertained throughout their stay. There is SO much to do here that trying to keep to any sort of activity schedule may leave you feeling exhausted. Take it slow and choose a few enjoy. Here are just a few highlights:

• Ka Wa‘a – A Luau at Aulani: Immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture with an unforgettable evening of music, dance, and storytelling. Feast on traditional Hawaiian cuisine, watch breathtaking hula performances, and witness the fiery spectacle of the Samoan fire knife dance.
• Menehune Adventure Trail: Embark on an interactive scavenger hunt around the resort, following clues and solving puzzles to uncover the secrets of the mischievous Menehune. Perfect for families, this self-guided adventure is a fun way to explore the resort and learn about Hawaiian folklore.
• Laniwai Spa: Treat yourself to a day of pampering and relaxation at Laniwai Spa, the largest spa in Hawaii. Indulge in a massage, facial, or body treatment inspired by ancient Hawaiian healing traditions. 
• Aunty’s Beach House – a free kids club for ages 5-12
• Character Experiences- Pose for photos and meet your fav Disney characters
• Ukulele lessons 
• T-shirt Stamping (additional fee) 
• Mo’olelo Fire Pit – storytelling 
• Rainbow Reef – swim with the fish & snorkel (additional fee) 
• Stargazing (additional fee) 

IS AULANI JUST DISNEY’S VERSION OF HAWAII?

I get asked a lot about Aulani because people traveling long distances and paying a lot of money for a Hawaii trip, want an authentic experience and not “Disney in Hawaii.” This is far from true. You make this trip what you want out of it and I help families craft the perfect balance. The way Aulani captures the Hawaiian culture and history, in my opinion, is authentic. 

The name “Aulani” means “messenger of a chief” and reflects the resort’s commitment to sharing the culture, history and traditions of Hawaii with its guests. Disney’s Imagineers worked closely with local artists and culture experts to ensure that Aulani is authentically Hawaiian in its design, artwork and experiences, meaning its not just a “Mickey Mouse version of Hawaii.” 

HOW MUCH DOES AULANI COST AND IS IT REALLY WORTH IT? 

I’ve got so many thoughts on this. Want to save major $$$ on your trip to Hawaii? One of my fav travel hacks is cashing in points to score free airfare and free nights at some of Hawaii’s most high end resorts. Read my full guide on the exact system I use to max out credit card rewards here. It will save you so much money. 

HOW MANY DAYS SHOULD I SPEND AT AULANI? 

If we’re talking about checking in and never leaving the resort area, I think four nights is pretty ideal but I would say it’s worth it for as few as two nights. But I never recommend coming to Hawaii for less than a full week and you’ll definitely want to add extra days for exploring the island. I’ve got a post with a 7 day Oahu itinerary with kids here.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO GO TO AULANI?

Honestly, any time is a good time to go to Aulani! The weather in Hawaii is always good. If you are looking for lower crowds though, skip any time the kids are out of school-especially the winter holidays. The cheapest rates on hotels are at the end of August through September (once kids have gone back to school). Check out my blog post here on when is the best time to visit Hawaii. 

DO I NEED A RENTAL CAR?

If you are staying at Aulani and want to explore Oahu, then absolutely you will need a car. Do you need a car to stay at Aulani? Not really. 

When I stayed at Aulani, I’ve worked it out so I stay there the last few days of my trip with absolutely no plans to leave the Ko Olina area. I usually start my trip in Waikiki, rent a car and explore the island and get all of my tours and activities out of the way. I rent a car through Turo and when I get to Aulani, the owner comes and picks it up. You can also drop your rental car at Aulani if you’ve been staying elsewhere on Oahu first. 

If you fly into Honolulu and you are staying somewhere else on the island and want to rent a car for a few days, you can pick up at at the airport as normal but select your return destination as Ko Olina – Aulani. For a $50 fee, you can drive right up to the portico and hand your keys to the bellman instead of taking it back to the airport. This works with Alamo for sure and maybe some others. I always use Hawaii Discount Car Rental and when you put Ko Olina as your drop off location it will show you companies that have the feature available. 

If this is your first time going to Hawaii, I do NOT recommend never leaving the resort. Whether you do a split stay or do your exploring while you’re staying somewhere cheaper, or whether you rent a car the whole time or just for certain days (you can do that right at Aulani), definitely make a plan to see the island. And seeing the island will definitely involve a rental car, at least some days. 

If you don’t want to use a rental car you can use Uber/Lyft or a taxi. 

WHAT IS THE BEACH LIKE?

I will be honest here, it’s not the best beach in Hawaii but it’s also not the worst. There are four man made Lagoons in Ko Olina and Aulani and Four Seasons share a Lagoon. It’s a little crescent of a beach with calm water. It’s almost entirely protected from the ocean which makes it GREAT for kids. 

Some people really like the beach and some are disappointed. When I stay at Aulani, I’m not there for the beach so it does not bother me but if you’ve never been to Hawaii then definitely plan to spend time out exploring the island because there are some truly amazing beaches in Oahu. 

WHAT ARE THE POOLS LIKE?

The main attraction at Aulani is the pool. It’s an entire complex. There are pools for families, adults and small children. I love the infinity pool because you get to see the ocean! 

The main pool is great for kids and it’s close to the pool bar/restaurant and has easy access to the beach. 

Don’t miss the lazy river and the slides (there’s body slides and a tube slide). 

Rainbow Reef can be skipped, in my opinion, it’s essentially a big fish tank you can snorkel in but its an additional fee and the water is cold. There are def. other spots around the island you can snorkel for free and much better! 

You can pick up towels and wristbands from a few kiosks spread out around the pool deck and you must have a wristband to do anything. Including sitting down on a pool chair. While chairs are pretty bay to come by down at the beach, the pool is by far the most popular spot and they fill up fast. The pools don’t open until 8AM but many people come down early to get prime spots. There are signs posted saying if you leave times on chairs unattended BEFORE 8 they will be removed. If you leave your chairs for over an hour, they will be marked by the staff and if you don’t return in another hour, your belongings will be removed so that others can use those chairs. During non-peak seasons you will have better luck! 

WHAT’S THE DISH ON ALL THESE ACTIVITIES 

If you are a Disney planner, you will love the “Daily Iwa.” This printed daily schedule has information for what is scheduled to happen at the resort everyday. It designates locations for events and activities as well as what’s complimentary and what has an additional fee and what requires a reservation. These are put out in the lobby the night before. 

ARE THERE CHARACTERS AT AULANI?

Yes! There are 14 different characters that meet at Aulani. Some are out daily and some are only a day or two a week. The character meets aren’t printed in the Daily Iwa but there’s a number listed that you can call from a house phone to hear the daily character schedule. They also post in the Aulani app each morning. 

WHAT ABOUT THE LUAU?

Going to a luau is at the top of most people’s Hawaii bucket list. If you are staying at Aulani you’ve got plenty of good options. Disney has their own luau (Ka Wa’a Luau) on property several nights per week, but also, the #1 rated luau on Oahu (controversial)is just down the street at Paradise Cove. 

I get a lot of questions about which luau is better. The honest truth is, they’re all different and offer different things. My personal favs are Toa Luau at Waimea Valley on the North Shore and the Ali’i luau and Ha Breath of Life show at the Polynesian Cultural Center. 

The Aulani luau is smaller, has good food (prime rib) and feels a bit like a backyard party. The garden setting is beautiful and there are quite a few activities and cultural crafts to participate in before dinner and the show starts. There are some Disney elements during the show. Moana comes out to start the show, Mickey and Minnie lead the children’s hula lesson, there are Moana cupcakes. This is a better option for younger kids. 

Check out my top kid-friendly luau’s on Oahu here.

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE BOOKING AULANI

Before you book your stay at Aulani Resort, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Book Early: Aulani is a popular destination, especially during peak travel seasons. To ensure availability and secure the best rates, it’s recommended to book your stay well in advance. If you need help with booking or planning, feel free to reach out. 
• Join Disney Vacation Club: If you’re a frequent visitor to Disney destinations, consider joining the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) to enjoy exclusive perks, discounts, and access to vacation ownership opportunities at Aulani and other Disney resorts worldwide.
• Day Passes: Disney Aulani does not offer any day passes. Most amenities—including the pools, beach equipment and activities—are exclusive to overnight Guests staying at Aulani. However, day Guests are welcome to enjoy the dining, shopping and spa experiences offered at Aulani as well as the beaches and Lagoons. 
• Resort Fees: Aulani never charges a Resort fee. All room rates include all applicable taxes. 
• Baby Items: Disposable diapers are available for purchase at our gift shop—Kālepa’s Store—located near the Maka‘la lobby on the ‘Ewa Tower side. Electrical outlet covers and diaper disposal system are available upon request from the Front Desk.
• Strollers & Cribs: While all rooms at Aulani Resort come with a complimentary Pack ‘N Play^® Playard, they do not rent strollers or cribs. You can beck out Baby Quip for rental items. 
• Crowds: The resort is large and crowded so finding a quiet spot can be difficult. It is located on Lagoon 1, which is also shared with Four Seasons. Lagoon 1 is the most crowded of the four. 
• Long Lines: Some experiences book up early. If you want to get into a character breakfast, book 2-3 months in advance (or queue early morning). Want to snorkel, get there first thing. There will likely be lines for towels at the pool. 
• Overwhelming: There is SO much to do here, you won’t need to leave the resort. You’ll be checking schedules daily & trying to make reservations. Parents were pulling kids from the pool to go do activities. It can be a lot of you are not prepared. If you don’t want to do it all, then don’t. Just relax! 

PARKING & TRANSPORTATION 

• Car Rental – This is optional. If you want to tour the island then I suggest renting a car, at least for a portion of your trip. You can rent one at the airport, at the resort or use Turn which allows you to rent a car by the hour/day/week & will drop the vehicle off and pick it up at a designated location. Check their fees. 
• Parking –There’s so much to do at and around Aulani Resort that you may not need a car! For overnight Guests who wish to park, self-parking is $40 per day or for the same price, enjoy convenient valet parking service. Each reservation is limited to a maximum of 2 cars, and rates are subject to change.
• Parking for Disney Vacation Club Members and RCI Members –Disney Vacation Club Members can enjoy convenient self-parking at no daily charge for a maximum of 2 vehicles.
• Shuttle Service – Hele Hele Shuttle – this can be booked with a package. Check here for more details. 
• Charley’s Taxi Service – Great taxi service to get around the island or to and from the airport. Click here for details.

MY REVIEW OF AULANI

The pool is the best pool on the island, however, it does get crowded. It is easy to spend a full day here. Everything is kid-friendly making it the perfect resort for families. They offer a pack and play, electrical outlet covers, diaper disposal system and bed rails! This was great for our toddler! There are also NO resort fees at Aulani. Resort fees are normal in Hawaii, so finding a hotel that does not charge a resort fee, at this caliber of a resort, is a win. The service here was wonderful. Everyone is extremely friendly and happy to help. There is a LOT to do here, so you do not even need to leave the resort to be honest. We are an adventurous family and we like to explore, so we make it a point to get out of the resort. If you are staying for 7-8 days, take 2-3 days to explore. Check out my blog post 15 Best Things To Do In Oahu With Kids if you need some ideas.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading this whole post! If you want to follow along on my travel adventurous in real time, you can follow me on instagram @saltyluxetravelagency. My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. Also please share my account with your friends that are headed to Hawaii! Your support really helps me keep this blog running! 

P.S. – If you’re feeling overwhelmed or don’t have time to plan a trip to Oahu, let me build a custom itinerary for you! The itinerary is structured to grab and go on your mobile device whether you have service or not. You can customize this any way you’d like! This is what I am good at and I LOVE planning trips for families to Hawaii.

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