What I Wish Someone Told Me Before Planning a Trip to Aulani
Nestled along the beautiful beaches of Ko Olina on the island of Oahu, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, is Disney's Hawaiian resort designed to celebrate the culture, history, and beauty of the islands. It's the perfect blend of a relaxing beach vacation and the thoughtful storytelling Disney is known for. Guests can spend their days enjoying stunning pools, a private lagoon, waterslides, a lazy river, and an interactive water play area filled with sprayers, slides, and bridges, while also meeting Disney characters and discovering Hawaiian culture through stories, activities, and traditions woven throughout the resort.
It didn't take long for me to fall in love with Aulani. Like any destination, though, there are a handful of little tips and insider details that can make your vacation even smoother. After experiencing the resort for myself, these are the things I'd tell every client before they go.
The first surprise? There is an Aulani app.
If you're used to the My Disney Experience app, you'll probably assume the website and app work together the same way. They don't. The Aulani app is helpful, but it isn't nearly as robust as what you're used to at Walt Disney World. You'll use it to check daily schedules, find character appearances, and make reservations for activities, but you'll need to rein in your expectations a bit. It's useful - just different.
If you own a MagicBand+, don't leave it at home.
I wasn't sure if we'd actually use ours, but I'm so glad we packed them. They work as your room key and make charging purchases around the resort incredibly convenient. It's one less thing to carry while you're bouncing between the pool and the beach.
Speaking of the pool...
Every day you'll need a new wristband to access the pools, lazy river, waterslides, beach equipment, and water play areas. Is getting a new wristband every day a little annoying? Sure. But it's also how Disney makes sure these amenities stay exclusive for resort guests.
Here's the trick: get tomorrow's wristband the evening before. The lines are dramatically shorter than they are first thing in the morning, and you'll be able to head straight to the fun instead of standing in line. While you're there, grab tomorrow's pool towels too. It's another small step that makes your morning much smoother.
One thing I really appreciated about Aulani is just how much is included with your stay. Beach access, pools, waterslides, the lazy river, character meet-and-greets, storytelling by the fire, ukulele lessons, and so many other activities are all included in your reservation.
But - and this is important - not everything is first come, first served.
Many complimentary activities still require reservations because space is limited. Aunty's Beach House (the kid’s club) also requires reservations, and some of its premium experiences have an additional fee. Spa appointments and cabana rentals open 90 days before arrival. Daily activity reservations open 45 days in advance. If you're planning excursions or the luau, those are handled through a third-party company and generally become available about four to six months before your trip.
A little planning ahead can make a huge difference.
If spending time by the pool is high on your priority list, plan to get there early.
The shady lounge chairs disappear quickly. Disney does enforce its chair-saving policy, though. You can't reserve chairs before 8:00 a.m., and if your chairs sit unattended for more than about an hour, Cast Members will tag them and remove your belongings. As long as someone checks in on your spot regularly, you'll be fine.
Now let's talk about food.
The quick-service restaurants at Aulani completely exceeded my expectations. We ate there multiple times and genuinely enjoyed every meal. Don't be afraid to branch out and try local Hawaiian specialties. Some of our favorite meals were things we probably wouldn't have ordered back home.
If you're hoping to eat at one of the table-service restaurants, make those reservations as soon as they open 30 days before arrival. They fill quickly, especially Makahiki's character breakfast with Mickey and friends.
Also, prepare yourself for the prices. Hawaii imports much of its food, and dining costs reflect that.
If you're deciding where to splurge, I'd choose the luau over an expensive table-service dinner every single time. It's more than just a meal - it's an experience that celebrates Hawaiian culture through music, storytelling, and dance.
That said, don't feel like you have to eat every meal at the resort. There are plenty of fantastic restaurants within about a 15-minute walk of Aulani, and exploring the local dining scene is part of the fun.
In fact, don't spend your entire vacation at the resort.
As beautiful as Aulani is, Oahu has so much more to offer. Consider renting a car directly from the hotel for a day and exploring the island. Whether you want to visit the North Shore, Pearl Harbor, Waikiki, or some of Hawaii's breathtaking scenic viewpoints, it's well worth leaving the resort for a day.
Whatever you do, don't miss at least one sunset during your stay.
Whether you watch from your room's balcony or take an evening stroll down to the beach, the sunsets at Aulani are absolutely breathtaking. There's something so peaceful about standing on the sand, listening to the gentle rhythm of the waves, and watching the sky light up in shades of orange, pink, and purple. It's one of those moments that reminds you to slow down, put your phone away, and simply soak it all in.
One thing that surprised me most about Aulani is that it doesn't immediately feel like a traditional Disney resort.
There isn't a castle. There aren't attractions around every corner. There isn't Disney music playing everywhere you go.
Instead, Disney shows up in the details.
If you've ever wandered through Disney's Animal Kingdom or stayed at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Aulani may feel strangely familiar. That's because legendary Imagineer Joe Rohde helped shape both experiences. Rather than placing Disney front and center, Aulani celebrates Hawaiian history, culture, and storytelling. Disney enhances the experience instead of overshadowing it, and honestly, I think that's what makes it so special.
The Disney magic is still there - you just have to slow down enough to notice it.
Characters wander throughout the resort every day, and the app makes it easy to see where they'll be. Kids will also love the Menehune Adventure Trail, an interactive scavenger hunt that sends you exploring hidden corners of the resort while uncovering pieces of Hawaiian storytelling. It's one of those activities that's easy to overlook but ended up being one of our family's favorites.
And one last tip that many people don't realize: you don't need to pack sand toys, boogie boards, or life jackets.
Aulani provides them complimentary for guests to use on the beach, which saves valuable suitcase space. There are also complimentary ping pong tables and cornhole boards on the beach. You'll just need to stop by the beach equipment shack to check out ping pong paddles and balls or a set of cornhole bean bags before you play. It's one of those little extras that's easy to miss but makes for a fun afternoon between swimming, relaxing on the beach, and enjoying everything Aulani has to offer.
If you're looking for a unique experience, don't overlook Rainbow Reef, Aulani's private saltwater snorkeling lagoon. It's one of the only places in Oahu where you can snorkel with hundreds of tropical fish in a calm, controlled environment. While it isn't included with your resort stay, it's a fun option for families who want to experience snorkeling without heading out on a boat excursion.
Now that I've experienced Aulani firsthand, these are the little tips I share with every client. They're the kinds of insider details that help you make the most of your time at the resort, leaving more room to relax, explore, and enjoy everything Hawaii has to offer.
What makes Aulani so special is that it isn't trying to recreate Walt Disney World on an island. Instead, it invites you to experience Hawaii through Disney's incredible attention to detail, thoughtful storytelling, and genuine respect for the culture.
Once you embrace that, you realize Aulani isn't just another Disney resort - it's something completely unique.
If you think this information helped in making you want to book an Aulani vacation click the link to get connected with one of our advisors.
