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Most of my life I’ve pretty much been known for loving two things 1) Disney and 2) Hawaii. 

So when Disney built its Aulani Resort and Spa in Hawaii, it’s like they were building it just for ME. And it’s since become my home away from home. I mean really…Disney AND Hawaii. What could be better???

I’ve been lucky enough to stay at Aulani several times now (and spent plenty of time on Oahu) so here’s the scoop on everything you need to know about Aulani:

Aulani Tips & FAQs

Disney’s Aulani Resort is a one of a kind vacation experience where the magic of Disney meets the rich culture and breathtaking beauty of the Hawaiian Islands. And really, it’s the perfect blend. 

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 and Hawaii’s incredible culture to deliver…basically the perfect vacation destination. 

Where is Aulani located?

Aulani (pronounced ow-LAH-nee) is located on the west side of the island of Oahu in the resort community of Ko Olina. If you’re not super familiar with Hawaii, Oahu is the main island (but not the “Big Island”) where you’ll find Honolulu (the main city and state capital) and Waikiki (a resort/tourist oriented neighborhood in Honolulu). 

Daniel K Inouye International Airport (HNL) is the airport you’ll fly in and out of (whether you’re coming from the US mainland, a neighboring island, or somewhere international).

Ko Olina is about 20 miles west of Honolulu, but it feels like a world away.  While Honolulu and Waikiki are the pulse of the island, full of hustle and bustle and all manner of goings on, Ko Olina feels like a true island getaway. 

What is so special about Aulani?

Aulani has been welcoming guests to Hawaii since 2011 and while it’s obviously designed to cater to families, I think it really appeals to anyone who appreciates immersive theming, a world class resort, and the beauty of Hawaii. With a touch of Disney magic of course. 

There’s a lot to love about Aulani, but its standout feature is its incredible water complex, the Waikolohe Valley. This oasis is home to swimming pools, whirlpool spas, a lazy river, splash pads and water playgrounds, and thrilling water slides, all designed to mimic the Hawaiian landscape, from its volcanic formations to its lush vegetation. And Rainbow Reef, a snorkeling lagoon filled with native Hawaiian fish, offers guests a safe and accessible glimpse into the underwater world of the islands.

Aulani also offers a variety of experiences that introduce guests to Hawaiian culture including ukulele lessons, traditional Hawaiian crafts, and storytelling sessions under the stars. Plus you can easily spend a full day getting pampered at the incredible Laniwai Spa (I think it’s one of the best in Hawaii). 

And families especially love Aunty’s Beach House, a state-of-the-art kids’ club that offers a wide range of activities and special events designed to entertain and educate young guests about Hawaiian culture and the natural environment (a lot of kids never want to leave!). 

But 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 breakfasts 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.

Is Aulani just Disney’s version of Hawaii?

I know a lot of people dismiss Aulani because they want an “authentic Hawaiian experience” and not “Disney in Hawaii” but I’ve got to tell you…the style and design of Aulani are so on point. The way that they’ve represented Hawaiian culture and history is, in my opinion, the most “authentic” you’ll find anywhere in Hawaii. 

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 cultural experts to ensure that Aulani is authentically Hawaiian in its design, artwork, and experiences, meaning it’s not just a “Mickey Mouse version of Hawaii.” 

And it manages to feel grand and immersive but really relaxed and welcoming at the same time. 

Is Aulani a hotel? I’ve heard they have condos. 

Technically there are two different sides of the Aulani resort, the hotel side and the Disney Vacation Club (timeshare) side. If you’re booking through the resort and paying cash, all room types are open to you. 

The standard rooms on the hotel side are, well, pretty standard hotel rooms. Two queen beds or one king with a bathroom that’s pretty nice. 

On the DVC side, they’ve got studios and one, two, and three bedroom units. The studios are fairly comparable to the standard hotel rooms but have a minibar situation and some have a pull out bed instead of a second queen. 

The one, two, and three bedroom units all have full kitchens, living rooms, and washer and dryers. 

I’ve stayed in rooms on both sides of the resort (regular hotel rooms and one bedroom units on the DVC side) and there’s not much that separates them as far as quality or decor. I’d just book the type of room option that suits you best. 

A couple of notes about beds…I’m not terribly fussy about mattresses and I’ve never noticed much personally about the beds at Aulani, but a LOT of people say that the beds are really hard and uncomfortable. 

Also something good to know…all of the one, two, and three bedroom units have pullout beds in the living room couches (as well as a small pulldown bed under the tv that’s a good size for a kid) and while at most hotels I avoid pullout beds like the plague, the Disney ones aren’t bad at all. 

They have the same type of pullout beds in all of their DVC properties and they all have a platform that opens/slides out that a foam mattress rests on top of (instead of a bar and spring situation) so they’re actually not uncomfortable at all. 

How much does Aulani cost? And is it REALLY worth it?

I’ve got so many thoughts about this that I wrote a whole post about it you can read here. 

***Want to save major $$$ on your trip to Hawaii? I get asked ALL the time how I’m able to travel so often to Hawaii and stay at really nice resorts. Well, my favorite travel hack 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. Seriously, it’s going to save you soooo 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 full post about how many days (and where to spend them) here. 

When is the best time to go to Aulani?

Honestly, any time is a good time to go to Aulani. That’s what’s so great about Hawaii…the weather is always good! If you’re looking for lower crowds though, skip any time the kids are out of school – especially the winter holidays. 

My all time favorite time to go to Hawaii is January and February because it feels sooooo good to escape the cold back home (plus it’s whale season!), but I usually find the cheapest rates on hotels at the end of August through September (once the kids have gone back to school).

Do I need a rental car?

Do you need a rental car to see Oahu? Absolutely. Do you need one to stay at Aulani? Not really. Let me explain…

Every time I’ve 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. 

Meaning, I don’t make plans to tour Pearl Harbor, have dinner in Waikiki, or see the dinosaurs at Kualoa Ranch while I’m staying at Aulani. There was one trip that coincided with Billabong Pipe Masters on the north shore so we rented a car at the resort just for that day and drove over to see it, but other than that I either take a shuttle from the airport out to Aulani OR I drop off my rental car at Aulani if I’ve been staying elsewhere on Oahu first.

Here’s how that works: If you fly into Honolulu and you’re staying somewhere else on the island and want to rent a car for a few days, you pick it up 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 others. I always use Hawaii Discount Car Rental and when you put Ko Olina as your drop off location it will only show you companies that have this feature available.

Full disclaimer: I travel to Hawaii a LOT. I have seen and done and explored Oahu like you wouldn’t believe so I don’t feel like I have to get out and “go and do” when I’m staying at Aulani. 

BUT. If you’ve never been to Hawaii, I do NOT recommend never leaving the resort. Whether you do a split stay and 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 I don’t rent a car, how do I get to the resort? 

Honestly, I would personally just use Lyft/Uber. But if you’re traveling with a bigger group or you have kids that would need car seats, Disney contracts their airport shuttle service with Speedi Shuttle. Sometimes you can book a package with Aulani that includes airport transfers. 

It’s nice because they know what time you’ll need to leave the resort to get to the airport depending on the time of day. But it’s really easy to organize it on your own as well. 

If you’re driving yourself, don’t underestimate how long the drive is with traffic. Generally traffic is worse going into Honolulu in the mornings and coming back to Aulani in the evenings (it follows commuter patterns) and even though the airport is only 20 miles or so it can take an hour or more with traffic. 

The Honolulu airport is also really hit or miss with crowds. It seems like groups of flights leave all at once which can create bottlenecks at the check in counters and security so leave plenty of time. 

What is the beach like?

I get a lot of questions about the beach at Aulani and that makes me think it’s because it’s a topic of conversation ; ) 

It’s not the best beach in Hawaii but it’s also not the worst! There are four lagoons in Ko Olina (they’re actually man made) and Aulani and the Four Seasons share lagoon #4. 

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. I can’t imagine going out there to snorkel (it’s literally all sand), but there are always people out there and they say there are a few fish. I think it just depends on what your expectations are. I wouldn’t call it “real” snorkeling. 

So some people really like the beach (hey, locals come out to Ko Olina with their kids or to sunbathe) and some are disappointed. 

When I stay at Aulani, I’m not there for the beach so it doesn’t 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 on Oahu. 

I will say, at pretty much any time of day and time of the year, you can always find good chairs on the beach. That is hardly ever the case for the pool.

Is the pool really “all that”?

The main attraction at Aulani is definitely the pool. I wouldn’t call it a pool so much as a complex. It’s almost a waterpark. 

There are pools for families, adults, small children, EVERYONE. 

My personal favorite spot is the family infinity pool. I like to be able to see the ocean from the pool and it’s a great spot for that. There’s also an adjoining hot tub. 

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

There’s also an adults only infinity HOT TUB nearby which looks out over the ocean and that is hands down my favorite place to be. But while there are a few chairs it’s not really a place I’d want to set up for the day. It’s a great place to watch the sunset though! 

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

I think you can skip Rainbow Reef. It’s essentially a large fish tank you can snorkel in for an extra fee (it’s a lot like Shark Reef at Typhoon Lagoon if you’ve done that). There are a lot of fish, but it’s not terribly big and the water is COLD. It’s $25/adult and $20/kid for one-day access and $45/adult and $35/kid for length of stay access. When my friend and I took her daughter (age 7) we were all ready to get out about 15 seconds after we got in and still to this day laugh about that time we thought it would be a good idea to go in there. 

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 pretty much anything. Including sitting down on a pool chair. Which brings me to…

Is it hard to find pool chairs?

All of you little Disney planning nuts are going to LOVE this. One does not simply show up poolside at Aulani and plop down in a chair. Planning is involved. Alarms need to be set. Dads must be loaded up with the family’s possessions and sent down to the pool early in the morning to secure the family’s basecamp. 

All jokes aside, here’s the deal…while chairs are pretty easy to come by down at the beach, the pool is by far the most popular spot at Aulani and those chairs fill up fast. 

I’ve seen so many people come down around 10 or 11 and not be able to find chairs in the main pool areas (Waikolohe Pool and Ka Maka Grotto Infinity Pool). There is often more availability in the more kid oriented sections (where the water feature/playground and splash pads are) and the adults only area. 

The pools don’t open until 8 AM but many people come down early to get prime spots. There are signs posted saying that if you leave items on chairs unattended BEFORE 8 they will be removed. So if you go down early, you’ll have to hang out with your stuff. 

There are also signs warning that 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. And I’ve seen this happen a few times.

Lest this sound like a crazy Disney thing, I can assure you that this happens at every resort with a desirable pool around the world. Even at the classiest, most high brow joints. Dads can be found lining up at a nondescript gate with their family’s possessions ready to throw an elbow to ensure that they snag the most desirable spot at the pool. It happens at Disney, it happens at the Four Seasons, it just happens everywhere. So if having a good spot by the pool is important to you, definitely plan to show up early. 

The good news is that with the time change, most people coming from the mainland are up and at ‘em pretty early anyways. Which might actually fuel the problem. 

Also, the pool chair situation does seem to fluctuate with the season. During slow season when the resort isn’t at capacity it may be a LOT easier to find a place to sit and they may be more lenient about clearing your items away if you’ve been gone for a while. 

If you’re starting to freak out, don’t worry too much. If you’re going to spend most of your time in the water, on the slides, lazy river, etc and just like to have a few chairs somewhere to keep your stuff, you’ll usually be able to find something. 

BUT, if you’re wanting those front line chairs at the infinity pool that look out over the ocean…set those alarms baby!

What’s the food situation? 

Aulani has a handful of restaurants plus there are a bunch of spots within walking distance. Read everything you need to know about dining in this post. 

What’s the scoop on all of the activities?

If you’re a Disney planner, you’re going to live for the “Daily Iwa.” This printed daily schedule is the holy grail of information for what is scheduled to happen at the resort every day. 

If you’re familiar with Disney at all, you know that even when things appear spontaneous, they’re not. They’re carefully planned. Every activity from fish feedings and yoga to movie nights and dance parties are listed in the Daily ‘Iwa. 

It designates locations for events and activities as well as what’s complementary and what has an additional charge plus what requires a reservation. 

They usually start to put out copies of the next day’s Daily ‘Iwa around the lobby the night before. 

Here are a few things to keep an eye out for: the Menehune Adventure Trail (a high tech scavenger hunt), yoga (and other fitness classes) on the beach, resort tours, and the hours (and happenings) in the Pau Hana Community Center (where they have group activities AND movies that you can check out to watch in your room). 

Are there characters at Aulani?

There are, baby! I’ve written a FULL post about meeting characters at Aulani here (including monthly schedules), but basically there are about 14 different characters that meet at Aulani. Some are out every day and some 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 it in the Aulani app each morning. 

Who are Duffy & Friends?

If you know, you know and if you don’t, well then let me introduce you! 

Duffy and Friends are a set of Disney characters that are very popular in the Asian parks. I think of them as Disney’s answer to Hello Kitty. They’re cute little stuffed animals (all with their own backstories) and in Asia (and now Aulani!) you can buy absolutely everything you can imagine with their faces on it. 

You can also meet Duffy, Shellie May, and Olu Mel at Aulani and even if you’re not super familiar with them, jump aboard the Duffy train because…when in Rome!

More about the backstory and details on Duffy and Friends in this post.

Is the luau a must do?

Going to a luau is at the top of most people’s Hawaii bucket lists. Good news: if you’re 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 is just down the street at Paradise Cove. 

So I get a LOT of questions about which luau is better. The honest truth is…they’re just totally different. 

The Aulani luau is smaller, has better food (prime rib!) and feels a bit like a backyard party. The lush garden setting is beautiful and there are quite a few activities and cultural crafts to participate in before dinner and the show starts. 

A major thing to note is that while it’s not over the top Disney, there ARE some Disney elements. Moana comes out to start the show, Mickey and Minnie lead the children’s hula lesson, there are Moana cupcakes, etc. Overall, I’d say it’s probably better for younger kids. My 7 year old professional luau reviewer had a GREAT time. Read my full review of the Aulani luau here (plus whether or not I think it’s worth it). 

Paradise Cove is a serious operation. The luau grounds are enormous (and right on the ocean!) and they offer soooo much entertainment. There’s an emu ceremony (where they pull the pig out of the ground), a hukilau (pulling the nets in from the ocean), the shower of flowers (where a guy climbs up a palm tree and showers the onlookers with flower petals), hula lessons and so much more. 

There are several crafts/activities that have a separate fee and there are a lot of booths and kiosks with things to buy (which I’ve heard some people don’t like that vibe). The food and drinks are ok (not great), but on par with most large luaus. Paradise Cove is probably the best overall luau on Oahu. Read my full review here. 

And I’ve also got a full post breaking down the best luaus (and which ones to avoid) on Oahu. 

Is the spa worth a visit? 

Absolutely! I’ll tell you a secret…not all fancy resort spas are created equal. Some are high on the “snoot” and price and low on the amenities. Well folks, the Laniwai Spa is one of the most spectacular spas in Hawaii and definitely not to be missed. 

The outdoor hydrotherapy garden is one of a kind! The treatments are great and the facility is out of this world. Even if you’re not the type to always hit the spa, you’ll seriously want to consider this one. 

What is there to do near Aulani? 

Here’s a list of things to do within walking distance of Aulani (in the Ko Olina area) and also on Oahu’s west side >> Things to Do NEAR Aulani

What are the don’t miss sites on Oahu?

You REALLY don’t want to come all the way to Aulani without getting out and seeing Oahu…it is a SPECTACULAR island. 

Here are my favorite things to do on Oahu. 

What do you do when your flight is not till late?

Check out is at 11 AM but a lot of flights to the US mainland don’t leave until much later. No worries! 

Check out, store your bags with bell services, spend the day enjoying the resort, and when you’re ready to get cleaned up, bell services will give you a pass to the Luana Lounge where there are lockers and showers. 

I love going back on the red eye (or at least a late flight) so I can take full advantage of that last day. 

Want to read more posts about Oahu (& Aulani)? I’ve got plenty!

My Favorite Things to Do on Oahu // Things to Do in Waikiki // 5 Day Oahu Itinerary // Oahu North Shore Guide // Oahu Windward Coast (Kailua) Guide // Easy Hikes on Oahu

My Favorite Boutique Hotels in Waikiki // Where to Stay on Oahu Besides Waikiki // The Laylow Review

The Best Luaus (and the Worst) on Oahu // Paradise Cove Luau Review // Is the Polynesian Cultural Center Worth It? // Paradise Cove vs Polynesian Cultural Center

Where Locals Eat in Waikiki // Jurassic Park at Kualoa Ranch // Shangri La and the Honolulu Museum of Art // Tips for Visiting Pearl Harbor

Tips for Staying at Aulani // Is Aulani Worth It? // How Many Days to Spend at Aulani // Aulani Character Schedule // Ka Wa’a Luau Review // Things to Do Near Aulani (in Ko Olina) // Where to Eat Near Aulani

Everything You Need to Know BEFORE You Go to Oahu

Here’s one more really important thing you need to know before your Hawaii trip…

Reservations You Need to Make BEFORE Your Hawaii Trip

You’ve got your airfare, hotel, rental car and your big activities booked, so you should be good to go, right? Wrong!

Travel is BOOMING in Hawaii so a lot of state and national parks used the closure and reopening to institute reservation systems at some of the island’s most popular spots to make things a little more sustainable.

That means that there are now over half a dozen sites (beaches, trailheads, etc.) that require advance reservations. And some sell out well before you arrive on the island so you really need to have some sort of a plan.

I recently saw somebody in a Hawaii travel group post in a panic that they didn’t know they had to make reservations for things in advance…they thought they could just show up and “go with the flow.” I was tempted to say, well, “as long as the flow doesn’t take you somewhere that requires reservations, you can!” ; )

But I don’t want YOU to be that person, so I’ve pulled together a list of all the places you need to reserve entry in advance (plus all the details on booking windows, price, links, etc.) and a handful of popular tourist hotspots that book out really far in advance too.

 

P.S. Thanks for sticking around and reading this whole post! If you have ANY questions about planning your trip to Hawaii, you can join my free Facebook group here. I’m there answering questions every day and there are 7500+ other friends who have a ton of Hawaii information to share!

Also, if you want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. And 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 want to follow along on my travel adventures in real time, you can follow me on Instagram (@caitylincoln). My post captions are full of travel tips and I have a ton of story highlights and videos with great info. And share my account with your travel loving friends! Your support really helps me keep this blog running!