Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii

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Located in Kapolei, Hawaii on the island of Oahu, Disney’s Aulani resort is a Disney Vacation Club Resort that brings the magic of Disney to the islands of Hawaii, standing out among other Disney resorts for its unique blend of Hawaiian culture and Disney-themed activities. Nestled on the beautiful Ko Olina beaches on Oahu’s leeward coast, Aulani is perfectly positioned to enjoy all the island offers but far removed from its crowds (the resort is approximately 40 minutes from Diamond Head). Find out what it’s like to stay at this magical resort!

Resort Overview

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, is a 4-star beachside haven located in the heart of Ko Olina Resort, Kapolei, Hawaii, on the picturesque island of Oahu. As one of Disney’s unique “stand-alone” hotels, Aulani offers an enchanting blend of Disney magic and authentic Hawaiian culture. The resort boasts 359 hotel rooms and 460 time-share villas, all spread across a sprawling 21-acre property. Guests are treated to breathtaking ocean views, lush gardens, and an array of contemporary Hawaiian art that adorns the resort. Whether you’re a family looking for a fun-filled vacation or a Disney enthusiast seeking a magical escape, Aulani, a Disney Resort, is the perfect destination.

What is a Disney Vacation Club Resort?

Disney Vacation Club is a timeshare program and to become a member you purchase real estate interest directly from Disney (or from a third party on the resale market). Your interest is represented as a yearly allotment of vacation points. Points are used to book vacations at Disney Vacation Club properties like Aulani, Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, and Disneyland Resort Hotels. DVC members also receive special perks like discounts, the option to purchase unique merchandise, and DVC member-only events.

You can still stay at Aulani even if you’re not a DVC member. Rooms can be booked for cash prices on Aulani’s website with rates starting around $500/night. If you’re looking for a more affordable option, consider renting DVC points. We rented DVC points by booking our trip through DVC Shop and saved $660 on our three-night stay at Aulani. #notsponsored

As someone who lives in Orlando, I’ve never rented points before and the process was simple and safe! Once our reservation was booked, we were able to add the confirmation number to the Aulani Resort app so we could make dining reservations and take advantage of all the app features.

Where You’ll Sleep

Aulani has a variety of rooms to suit groups of various sizes. The Deluxe Studio is great for smaller groups and includes a kitchenette, a queen-size bed, and a queen-size sofa bed. One-, two-, and three-bedroom villas are ideal for larger groups and offer separate bedrooms, full kitchens, living and dining areas, as well as a washer and dryer.

I traveled with a friend and we booked a deluxe studio, so we had a queen bed and a queen sofa bed. Even with the sofa bed open, the room was fairly spacious with a small table and two chairs, a dresser, and a kitchenette complete with a coffee maker and mini fridge. We had a balcony with a resort view and spent some time one afternoon watching a Moana show in the courtyard that our room overlooked.

Things You Should Know

Self-parking at Aulani is $40/day. Parking is free for DVC members, but if you rent points or book a room the traditional way, parking is not included.

Whether you pay cash, are a DVC owner, or rent DVC points, all stays at Aulani are subject to Transient Accommodations Tax. TAT is essentially a hotel tax and is based on the number of points used for the stay and fifty percent of the current year’s maintenance fees.

You can use the following formula to determine the amount of TAT, which will be paid on-site at Aulani: Transient Accommodations Tax =  9.25 % x # of points used for reservation x 50% of the annual maintenance fee.

Aulani means “messenger of a chief”
Ko Olina means “place of joy”

Dining at Aulani a Disney Resort

Whether it’s breakfast with the characters at Makahiki or fine dining at AMA‘AMA, Aulani offers a variety of restaurant options. And with in-villa kitchens, you can enjoy home-cooked meals and save a little money if you choose.

We enjoyed a delicious character breakfast at Makahiki, where we met with Mickey and Minnie before being seated and were visited by Pluto and Stitch at our table. Since the food at Aulani can be pretty pricey, we grabbed groceries at the market across the street and enjoyed breakfasts in our room. We also walked across the street and enjoyed a Happy Hour dinner at Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman. There’s also a Starbucks and a Black Sheep Ice Cream Co. near Monkeypod if you’re looking for non-Disney dining options.

Aquatic Paradise with Lazy River

In addition to Ko Olina Beach, Aulani offers a variety of pools including a slide, lazy river tubing adventure, saltwater snorkeling lagoon, and kid’s splash zone. Hot tubs and cabanas (available for rent) complete the aquatic experience. We spent the bulk of our days floating in tubes on the lazy river and in the infinity edge pool that overlooks Ko Olina Beach. The infinity edge pool is a bit more tucked away and we found it less crowded than the main pool.

Activities

While Oahu has numerous cultural and beach activities to fill your days, Aulani Resort has a host of included activities to enhance your trip. Aunty’s Beach House is a high-tech, well-designed childcare facility at Disney’s Aulani Resort that celebrates local culture with its activities. The involvement of Hawaiian elders in the design and cultural authenticity of the resort ensures that Aulani respects and reflects Hawaiian traditions. The Pau Hana room is a community hall that offers crafts, games, and more. Pool parties, Disney movie nights, Disney characters, and live music performed by location musicians are also frequent occurrences. Spa treatments, a luau, and island excursions are available for additional fees.

Staying at Aulani is not a budget experience by any means, but if you’re a Disney fan who is planning a trip to Oahu, it’s worth considering! While the resort is not super Disney-themed like some of the Walt Disney World Resorts are, it’s respectful of Hawaiian culture and traditions with a touch of Disney magic. My friend and I very much enjoyed our stay at Aulani and I would absolutely stay there again!

Location and Area Info

Conveniently situated in Kapolei, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, is just a short 3-minute stroll from the serene Ko Olina Lagoons and a 7-minute walk from the tranquil Lanikuhonua Beach. The resort is approximately 21 miles from Honolulu International Airport, making it easily accessible for travelers. For beach lovers, the world-famous Waikiki Beach and the nearby Hawaiian Electric Beach Park offer additional spots to soak up the sun and surf. Aulani’s prime location ensures that guests can enjoy both the resort’s amenities and the local attractions with ease.

Planning Your Stay

Planning your stay at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, is a breeze and there are a plethora of amenities and services designed to enhance your experience. Enjoy the convenience of room service, allowing you to savor delicious meals in the comfort of your room. Families will find a wealth of activities to keep everyone entertained, from the lazy river and various pool areas to the comfortable beach chairs perfect for lounging. Don’t miss the character breakfasts, where you can meet beloved Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Moana. The resort’s pool area is an oasis of relaxation, featuring a hot tub and a poolside bar for refreshing drinks. For the younger guests, Aunty’s Beach House offers a range of engaging activities and games. With its extensive amenities and services, Aulani is the ideal destination for both family vacations and romantic getaways.

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