Disney's Aulani Resort & Spa
Disney's Aulani Resort & Spa
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa is a luxury beachfront resort located in Ko Olina, O’ahu, Hawaii.
It opened in 2011 and seamlessly combines Disney magic with Hawaiian culture and traditions and the end result is a family-friendly tropical retreat. Aulani is not attached to a theme park, making it a standalone vacation destination. A trip here allows for the perfect blend of relaxation, cultural experiences and adventure.
The resort is exceptionally themed and was heavily inspired by Hawaiian culture and mythology. It features authentic Hawaiian architecture with natural wood, volcanic rock and lush, tropical gardens.
Disney characters are plentiful here and Disney’s subtle storytelling is incorporated with hidden Menehune (mythical Hawaiian trickster spirits) sculptures throughout the resort.
Rooms
Aulani offers standard rooms, larger suites and Disney Vacation Club villas.
The standard resort rooms sleep 4 guests. They are decorated with island inspired décor and views are either garden, pool, ocean or mountain.
You will find DVC studios (pictured below) along with a wide range of other DVC room types such as 1 bedroom villas (sleeping up to 5 guests), 2 bedroom villas (sleeping up to 9 guests) and 3 bedroom grand villas (sleeping up to 12 guests).
Dining
Aulani offers a great mix of casual, fine dining and quick service options all with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients.
‘Ama’Ama’ (Signature Dining Restaurant)
Excellent fine dining experience with a set 4-course dinner menu.
Stunning location looking out over Ko Olina Beach where you can watch the spectacular sunset views from this open-air restaurant.
Makahiki (Character Breakfast and Dinner Restaurant)
Breakfast offers character dining where you are served a 3-course breakfast and and see some beloved Disney Characters.
Dining available indoors and outdoors in this gorgeous restaurant as you can eat as you are tastefully entertained by live music.
The character breakfast is a really popular reservations so make sure to book this as soon as booking opens to ensure a spot!
Off The Hook (Casual Sit-Down Dining)
Open air poolside lounge open from 6am to 9pm daily that is designed to resemble a Hawaiian fisherman’s seaside shack!
Sport plays on TVs here and menu highlights include tropical cocktails, Mickey waffles, salads and burgers.
Poolside service is offered from here too with an extensive menu and drinks brought straight to your sun loungers.
Ulu Café (Quick Service Restaurant)
Offers both grab and go items along with freshly made hot food. The delicious Monkey Bread is amazing!
Popcorn can be found here - buckets are $10 and refills are $3 but DVC members actually get free refills - a brilliant perk.
Other offerings here include açai bowls, poke bowl and dole whip.
Mama’s Snack Stop (Poolside Quick Service Counter)
Offers a full menu of island fare and family favourites such as fish and chips and coconut breaded shrimp.
Pāpālua Shave Ice (Poolside Kiosk)
Do not miss this famous Hawaiian snack. Customise your own shave ice where you can even add on Mickey Ears!
The ‘Ōlelo Room (Bar and Lounge)
Sit indoors or under the stars and enjoy the sights, sounds and flavours of Hawaii.
Extensive drinks menu and food options include beef sliders, vegan tacos and sushi.
Wailana Pool Bar
Poolside service is offered from here with an extensive menu and drinks brought straight to your sun loungers.
KA WA’A (Luau Experience)
An immersive Hawaiian feast with live music, hula dancing and storytelling, all with a Disney twist.
Advanced reservations are required for this unforgettable evening of family entertainment.
Pools and Beach
Aulani features a massive pool complex complete with lazy rivers, waterslides, infinity pools and a private beach - this a a resort designed for maximum fun!
Waikolohe Pool: The largest pool featuring a zero-entry area and waterslide.
Waikolohe Stream: A lazy river with gentle rapids and winding paths, tubes are available at the entrance.
Menehune Bridge: An interactive kids water play area with water cannons and slides.
Rainbow Reef: A private snorkelling lagoon stocked with tropical fish (extra fee).
Wailana Pool: A quieter adults-only pool.
Ko Olina Beach Lagoon: A calm, protected bay perfect for swimming and paddle boarding with free bodyboard hire available (and other paid water activities).
Family Fun
Aunty’s Beach House: A free kids club with Hawaiian arts & crafts, storytelling and games.
Character Meet and Greets: Meet a wide array of Disney characters such as Mickey, Minnie, Moana, Stitch, ‘Old Mel, Duffy and many more.
Menehune Adventure Trail: An interactive scavenger hunt around the resort.
Stargazing Experience: Explore the night skies through a powerful telescope whilst a local expert talks you through the stars and planets.
Adult-Only Activities
Laniwai Spa: A full service spa with Hawaiian inspired treatments, a vitality pool and a hydrotherapy garden.
Fitness Centre & Classes: Ocean-view workouts and yoga classes.
Cultural Experiences
Hawaiian Inspired Experiences: Including lei making, hula dancing and ukulele lessons.
Mo’olelo Fire Pit Storytelling: Hawaiian legends told by Aulani’s cultural ambassadors.
‘Ohana Disney Movie Nights: Outdoor movies under the stars.
Is Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa the one for you?
✔ Stunning Beachfront Resort: Private access to a calm lagoon with some of the most gorgeous Hawaiian sunsets
✔ Genuinely Authentic Hawaiian Experience combines so well with Disney’s storytelling touch
✔ Fantastic Pools: Huge variety of pools and water attractions such as a lazy river, infinity pool, waterslides and even a snorkelling reef
✔ Family Friendly Disney Entertainment without the theme park crowds: Character meet and greets are plentiful here
✔ Ideal Base to Explore O’ahu: Combine relaxation at this resort with exploring the island - there is a car rental office on site
Who Should Stay Here?
DVC members: This is an excellent resort to use your points with so many DVC perks (free popcorn and special DVC party nights)
Families looking for a Disney vacation without the crowds or stresses of the Theme Parks
Couples & honeymooners seeking a memorable trip with incredible adult experiences such as the brilliant spa and sunset yoga
Adventures x Paradise Review
This was a Bucket List trip for Paradise Falls Family and if anything it managed to far exceed our expectations! We all fell in love with this beautiful resort, the stunning islands of Hawaii and it’s wonderful people. We used Aulani as a base for exploring the island of O’ahu where there is so much to see and do. We then carried on to explore some of the other Hawaiian islands on a cruise and would highly recommend travelling to as many of these as you can as they are all so beautiful and unique.
The resort itself was absolutely brilliant - it was the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure. There was so much to do (we loved the ukulele lessons and stargazing activities) and the kids spent so much time in the ocean taking full advantage of the free bodyboard rentals. We went into our trip to Hawaii thinking it would be a once in a lifetime experience but we are already planning when we can next go back. We don’t think the Adventures By Knapp gang will take much persuading to come along with us next time too!
TOP TIP - The beaches here are absolutely gorgeous, walk around the cove towards the four seasons hotel to see what wildlife you can spot. We spotted Hawaiian Monk Seals on the beach here and know there are regular sea turtle sightings too!