Aulani
On the island of Oahu. Beaches of Ko Olina. Aulani means Messenger of the Chief.
What makes Aulani stand out from other Hawaiian resorts? The stories and traditions of Hawaii are passed along to guests with a bit of Disney magic, and since no resort does it like Disney (unless you want an adults only resort), Aulani is going to be the best in quality and entertainment!
Aulani is all about serenity in nature and everything that celebrates Hawaiian culture. Disney made a big effort to make sure Aulani respects and honors the Hawaiian culture, so you can rest assured you are getting the most authentic experience!
This is a luxury destination with amazing experiences for guests of all ages! The location is exquisite as well – right in the middle of the exotic leeward coast of O’ahu on the gorgeous beaches of Ko Olina. Disney boasts that Aulani is far enough away to be secluded but close enough to the best attractions of the island – and only 17 miles from the airport.
Perfect for All Ages
Disney wanted to create a place for families to enjoy this beautiful island, but they also understand the importance of having a kid-free vacation.
Adults can escape the kid-friendly areas with exclusive pools, lounges, and restaurants. There are entire sections of the resort dedicated to adult only conveniences and luxuries, so do not let kids stop you from this breathtaking experience!
You can even get married at Aulani! They have a full service wedding and special events team. I can help you with that!
Parents can enjoy the adult-exclusive amenities with peace of mind while their kids enjoy (included) arts and crafts time, hula lessons, and other entertainment at Aunty’s Beach House, supervised by dedicated Youth counselors.
There is a also water park located between the two sides of the resort with activities for kids and adults.
Resort Activities
Surf Lessons from expert locals
Scenic ride on a Catamaran Sunset Cruise
Hike through exquisite nature trails
Private snorkeling on Rainbow Reef
Ko Olina Lagoon
Cabana Rentals
Maka’ika’i Guided Tours
Shopping, Golf, Paddleboarding
Island Activities
Kualoa Ranch
North Shore Beach Surf Competitions
Pearl Harbor Tour
Dole Plantation Tour
South Shore of Waikiki
Catamaran Cruise
Hidden Waterfall Hike
Explore the Stars
Pool & Water Activities
Aulani Water Park
Ka Make Grotto Family Pool
Keiki Cove Interactive Splash Zone
Menehune Bridge
Waikolohe Pool and Stream (Lazy river)
Wailana Adult Exclusive Pool
Rapid Adventures Water Slides
Infinity edge pools & Whirlpool Spas
Entertainment
Aunty’s Beach House for kids
KA WA’A
Fire Pit Storytelling with Uncle
Moana Mania
Disney Movie Nights
Community Hall
Starlit Hula hosted by Uncle
Don't Forget!
Do not forget about the towel station and wristbands per day to enjoy the different water and resort activities. Make sure to get a new one each day as the colors change! so you will have all day access!
Accommodations
Aulani accommodations were built to create a perfect environment for families but to also provide a romantic oasis for couples. Designed with Hawaiian authenticity and true elegance, they managed to master both while also offering untouched comfort. You will find Disney touches throughout for an extra bit of magic. There are several room types within the 359 guest rooms including 14 parlor suites and 2 signature suites, and they are classified by view options. Below is a list of amenities that are available in each room, no matter which view you choose.
Partial Oceanview
Poolside Gardens View
Islands Garden View
Standard View
Deep soaking tubs
Raised beds for storage
Private balconies (lanai) Complimentary wi-fi
Hawaiian Art
Disney style service
Ocean & Mountain Vista Views
Villas (1, 2, 3 Bedrooms)
If you can splurge and want the amenities of home (plus more luxury and VIP treatment), you can choose one of Aulani’s villas. Fully equipped with a kitchen, master suite, and even washer and dryers! This is a huge perk because you can pack less, avoid laundry when you get home, and everything stays fresh. I also love deep soaking tubs and ability for more people to get ready simultaneously. Any time I can choose a 1-3 bedroom villa for the whole party to stay together, it is worth it. This is how to get that family feel. Villas make the most sense for extended families or multiple families traveling.
Laniwai Spa
Dining Options
The dining at Aulani is everything you would expect from Disney! They have fancy table service that require reservations, quick and easy self serve stations with abundant flavor, and also some eccentric lounges to explore all the tastes of Hawaii! And I know you are surprised by this revelation… but you can also take part in character dining! Mickey, Minnie, Moana, Lilo, and Stitch… to name a few. Aulani grows their own food and catches their own fish when possible, and they work with local farmers to outsource and support the local community, so you know everything is fresh… YUM!
Daily IWA
The equivalent of a daily itinerary. It shows entertainment, dining, character meet and greets, operation hours, and much more.
Photopass locations are listed on the IWA, and there are Photopass cast members around the resort to snap those amazing photos of your trip. Rental cars can be rented at Aulani, but you must make reservations at least 24 hours in advance, and you can do that on the IWA!
Daily IWAs are located in the app, on the Aulani website, and in paper form in your rooms at the resort, guest services, and other select locations around the property. Download the Aulani app, called “Aulani Resort.” The IWA is listed here as well as other information so you can make choices before your trip!
Luana Lounge
Don't Forget!
Time limit of 30 minutes to use the facilities, so while it is not an all day experience, it is a huge help for families wanting to completely maximize every second of their vacation!