Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

Absolutely fantastic stay. The deluxe studio and the 2 bedroom villa were clean and very comfortable. The entire resort is beautiful. The staff are incredibly nice. Doesn't matter on the department. They were all very kind, helpful, took great initiative to go above and beyond and overall....exceeded our expectations. There are "adults only" areas such as a pool with a bar close to the pool and seating area and whirlpool overlooking the ocean and beach. There are great activities for families and they look like they were having a blast. This trip was for adults only for us and we loved it. The lazy river is fantastic! It really worked out great after I broke my foot a month before we were going. I was able to use a float and the other foot to guide me, when needed. I highly recommend and we plan on going back every couple of years. If we lived closer, we would be there at least every year. It was evident that people who frequent the resort, including staff, don't have visitors from Maine that often. Every time we were asked where we were from, they were all shocked. It's not an easy haul to get there.

We loved this property. Aesthetically this hotel is what you expect of the Disney brand. We thought it blended Disney and Hawaiian culture seamlessly. From the moment you arrive at the wonderful valet and you enter the open air lobby and slowly walk across the lobby floor to the open air balcony overlooking the pool area you realize they did this right. The property is gorgeous. There are trees and plants everywhere creating a Polynesian feel throughout the pool area. The lazy river winds through the lush grounds like you are on some ancient tropical river, with hidden water slides dotting the landscape. Past the pool area onto the beach the man-made Cove is absolutely stunning. The water is blue and clear and creates a perfect setting for the focal point of this property. As you make your way around the walking path, you’ll come to a point behind the cove of water where you realize wow Disney really created a very magical place just outside a bustling city. Our experience with the staff was good. It wasn’t exactly what you would expect from a luxury hotel. There were a few snafus along the way, but overall the staff were very good especially considering the throngs of people they have to deal with on a daily basis. We ate at most of the restaurants and honestly the food was really darn good. On all of our vacations we do venture out and try a variety of restaurants. We ate at a bunch in Ko Olina and the food everywhere was excellent. But we were very impressed by the food at the Disney resort. Each morning we would have breakfast at the café. We would order it when finishing the gym. It would be ready right when the app said it would and the food was delicious. We attended the luau on New Year’s Eve. Although it is an expensive endeavor especially for a family of our size it was a tremendous experience. The show itself is amazing and for a buffet the food was really good. Our entire family had an absolutely wonderful time. We were booked into partial Ocean view rooms. We stayed at the property over my wife’s birthday, my birthday and New Year’s Eve. It’s obviously an expensive time to travel anywhere. We spent a whole lot of money on 4 rooms and each of them had a terrible view, considering the cost. When we all complained to the front desk and concierge, there wasn’t much they could do for us, considering the property was at capacity. So when you book do your research and get the room with the view that you really want. Whats shocking is when you view the property from the beach and you see how many rooms there are you realize to get a bad view you have to really have pretty poor luck like we did. It seems most of the rooms at least had a view of the pool and many had views of the ocean. There was only one side of the hotel that is pretty poor where they claim you have a partial ocean view, but you’re really just staring at the back of the four seasons. From what we were told about the resort, most of it is villas or timeshare units. It seemed most of the premium views on the property were not considered hotel rooms. They were the villas or timeshare units through Disney vacation club. So book accordingly. Also, this property is huge. I was told around 1000 rooms. You have to bring your patience. There were times we were so delighted to be off property because it was so unbelievably crowded. The pools were packed, the beach was packed and pretty much everywhere you went there were just a whole lot of people. So you have to be prepared for that. And lastly, this is just a tip for improvement at the hotel. They need more water stations. We’ve stayed at many Hawaiian properties and each and every one of them provide you a logo reusable water bottle where you fill up throughout the property. Most of these properties have water stations everywhere. At Disney, for some reason they didn’t. The water stations were very difficult to find. Many of the ones we had to rely on we’re actually in the restaurants and you’re filling up water from a soda machine. I think it’s very apparent Disney is trying to be environmentally conscious which is similar to every top hotel in Hawaii that we’ve stayed. They did a great job with this, but I think they really could improve the experience pretty easily. For the price you’re paying for these rooms they should include a reusable water bottle and put up a few more stations around the resort! Overall we loved the property. As I stated above, aesthetically, it is such a sublime hotel. In the evenings when it seems a little less crowded or in the early mornings, it’s such a beautiful property to walk around and just kinda get lost in its environment. You do have to come prepared for the crowds though. We would without a doubt come back and try another stay at the Aulani, but we would probably be a little bit more diligent about the room we booked because I tell you if we had a beautiful view from our room the whole experience for our entire family would’ve changed!

Its Disneyland in Hawaii....Lots of family amenities and options to choose, including pool choices. Away from the touristy crowded, waikiki or honolulu. Just do not come here if you don't have children to enjoy it with. They have adult only choices, but not enough or as much as what they offer to young families. The beach is amazing and is a protected bay. Be prepared to shell out some "mula"!!! $$$$

This was our third time staying at Aulani. We are DVC members and used points to book a 2 BR lockoff ocean view villa. The resort was beautiful as usual, and our room was clean. We were there right after New Years, so it started out extremely crowded and slightly tapered off as the days went by. Aulani is always full of families and small children, and the pool chair competition is fierce no matter when you go. Very few seats open up during the day so if you don’t get out there early, you will likely be out of luck. At times, the pools were extremely full, and we counted as many as 30 people (yes, 30!) in the hot tub by the infinity pool at one point. If you want a relaxing time at the pool, I would not recommend Aulani. Staff was always welcoming and friendly! Food is expensive but decent. Loved the malasadas at The Olelo Room. Unfortunately, our stay was marred by a serious safety issue. We were trapped in an elevator on the 11th floor for 55 minutes after a brief power outage, which was extremely stressful. During that time, we were told via the operator on the emergency line in the elevator that they were waiting for the elevator technician to arrive (none of us had cell service). Aulani security showed up to communicate with us through the elevator doors to make sure we didn’t have any emergencies (there were 11 of us trapped, including two young children). There was no A/C in the elevator, so as time went on, it got very hot but luckily no one had a medical event while trapped. What was most disappointing was the resort’s response afterward. We went down to speak with the manager later that evening, who offered an explanation (power went out) and then nothing beyond a brief verbal apology. Even Monkeypod (where we were a little late getting to our dinner reservation due to this incident) gave us free food after we told our waitress what had happened. How a resort handles issues like these matters; especially a resort that prides itself on guest satisfaction and service. I got the impression that elevator issues happen frequently there (this isn't the first time at Aulani that we have questioned elevator safety and function) and that they were hesitant to admit to any responsibility of us being trapped for so long. We love Disney but the next time we come to Ko Olina we may try out one of the other resorts.

Our family just returned from an unforgettable stay at Disney’s Aulani Resort, and we cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience. Traveling with our son, it meant everything to find a place that truly felt magical for the whole family and Aulani exceeded every expectation. The luau was absolutely amazing beautifully done, engaging, and such a special way to experience Hawaiian culture. The pools and water slides were a huge hit for all of us, offering the perfect mix of fun and relaxation. Seeing Disney characters throughout the resort brought so much joy to our son and made the experience feel truly magical. What stood out most, though, was the exceptional staff. We accidentally forgot our son’s baby blanket—the one he sleeps with every night—and understandably panicked. The lost and found and housekeeping teams were absolutely incredible. Their communication was clear, kind, and prompt, and they worked efficiently to locate the blanket and send it back to us. We are beyond grateful for their care and compassion during a stressful moment. Aulani is more than just a resort—it’s an experience filled with heart, magic, and outstanding service. We are so thankful for the memories made and cannot wait to return. 💙✨

Stayed 8 nights in December, split stay. 6 in an island garden room, Ewa tower, 2 bedroom and then two nights in a standard one bedroom in the Ewa tower. We are DVC owners. Just love this place. But if you don’t like crowds/kids this might not be the place for you. Relatively secluded in a glorious part of Oahu. We didn’t experience any of the deck chair rage you get. But the front row seats and seats that face the ocean are claimed all day. There are signs saying you have to occupy them. It must be a minefield for staff policing them. It’s survival of the fittest out there. We just went out on the beach or wherever we could find a seat. I like the heated pool that is over 18 only. They do need two of them though. It gets very crowded around sunset. But just have some tips re staying there… Don’t go in the school holidays… Need to watch when you go. It rained for 3 days very heavily on our last few days in mid December. Probably not possible to avoid rain entirely in Hawaii... Do your research on this. Room location I like the Ewa tower, ground floor as it looks over the luau and you get a free show from your room (usually $170 pp). These are Island garden rooms. I wouldn’t stay in 160 again. My bedroom was very dark due to the trees and I had the lights on all day and all night. A lot of the higher point rooms are also affected by trees growing in front of them. The island garden rooms are the best value for the luau. If you go for the standard room the Ewa short or lobby wings are good. They overlook the conference centre (see my attached photos for the view) but floors 3 to 5 would be fine. We stayed in a one bedroom standard for a couple of nights on level 5. Search up aulani visual room finder to get an idea of the room categories. I usually also download a map of aulani and then send a room request to member services. Transport I would hire a car next time if at Aulani, (even though we don’t drive on that side of the road 😲 so would be a leap of faith). I was going to hire an Enterprise rental car as they have an office onsite at Aulani. Only open 8-1pm for pick up. It was about $75 a day but if you book through Costco you get free additional drivers. If you are prepared to catch an uber I saw some rental car companies quoting $39 a day. You can book a free shopping mall shuttle to get down to the local Kamakanaalii outdoor shopping mall and there’s a Foodland Farms grocery store is there. It’s about a 15 minute drive. The shuttle is part of the shopping mall service and you book online. Concierge has the times on a flyer. There's a small Macys, Cheesecake Factory etc. For uber search for Macy’s Kapolei. There’s a Hampton Inn at that shopping centre too. If I didn’t have enough points or wanted to stay for a couple of nights nearby I think I’d try that hotel. (it’s not that cheap either though…) Food Options The walk way around the lagoons is just glorious, especially in the mornings. Sunsets are beautiful too, from the adult heated pool. I enjoyed Longhis cafe at the Marriott for breakfast, to be honest although Off the Hook at Aulani is good for the ribs. Yum. We were going to try Four Seasons next door for buffet breakfast on our last day but ran out of time. Not cheap, $59++. Looked good though if you take your time there... Monkeypod restaurant over the road is good but just as expensive as inside Aulani There’s a fabulous restaurant called Mahi'ai Table next to Foodland Farms grocery store, Kapolei (nb its the Foodland Farms near the Kamakanaalii Mall, NOT the Foodlands branch closer by at the local stripmall. We got an uber to the wrong Foodlands Farms one time). They have happy hour from 2-6pm every day and the food is really good and won’t bankrupt you. We booked the shuttle there and back one day! The abc convenience store across the road from Aulani is ok, expensive though. Apparently the Roys restaurant at the Koolina golf club across the road also has happy hour but not sure of the details as didn’t make it there. In summary I think since I’ve been there 4x, I would save my DVC points and try and stay in a standard room. Also I would rent a car and get food offsite at Foodland Farms or Target/Walmart.

We went to the spa for the day and had an incredible time. I can't wait to go back. We arrived at the valet and they were super kind about free valet for spa services and super helpful to direct us where to go. the spa was super personalized with a great tour and the facials and massage were incredible. So many pools and quiet rooms to try out in the garden area and inside. Wonderful assortment of snacks and drinks. Prices seemed very good for the quality of the experience.

Our room was absolutely fantastic, the views were amazing. The complex is beautiful. We ate at off the hook a couple of times and had drinks and nibbles at Ole Bar. Food at both was great. The sun loungers are somewhat of an issue. Day One, we strolled down to swim and chill. All chairs were taken, taken by towels. We finally got some around 4pm. I ventured out around 7:15am the next day in the hope of securing 4 chairs for our 9 strong party. Too late! All chairs overlooking the beach with umbrellas were already taken. Families had sent a sacrificial lamb down very early to claim the prime spots. Ironically these families claim the same spots as the day before. They are also responsible for taking about 30 towels per family. Resort antics in full flight. I guess if you can't beat them, join them! These seasoned campaigners outsmart the resort staff with their antics with timed activities to avoid chair loss. Oh well, who cares, first world problems, just very funny to watch these folks feeling so chuffed that they secured their little slice of paradise. Happy New Year!

Aulani as any Disney resort is spectaculor. The outside area is so nice. A lazy river, slides, kid pools, adult pools and jot tubs. Snack shacks and restaurants. I only went on lazy river once because there were so many kids in to without a tub. The beach area had plenty of seats and servers for food and drink. There is 3 sit down resturants. 2 very expensive. There a take and go or order food cafe and a lounge that offers food too. The rooms are great. Service was excellent.

The Aulani resort is great in many ways. It has one substantial drawback that may or may not be important to each visitor: It is quite crowded. Too many guest rooms and facilities are crowded onto a small piece of land. The positives include a multi-faceted water park that will keep kids engaged for hours. There are also a wide range of other kids' activities, some for an extra charge. The rooms are large and handsome, done in the style of old Hawaii (except for the statue of Mickey holding a lamp). The beach is great, assuming you are OK with VERY calm water; again, it's great for kids. Beach chairs are numerous and close together. It's usually possible to find empty chairs here, unlike around the pool where most everything is claimed early in the morning. The overall setting is beautifully landscaped, between a Marriott Vacation Club and a Four Seasons hotel, in a rather quiet part of Oahu. We enjoyed this location, but it's a bit of a drive (with heavy traffic at rush hours) to get to Honolulu and Waikiki. Except from the ocean-view guest rooms and the gourmet restaurant, it can be hard to find a spot with a view of the ocean. Both of the upper-scale restaurants have only Prix fixe meals, at $85 and $135 before drinks etc. We enjoyed "Off the Hook'" which had a substantial variety at reasonable (for Hawaii) prices and good table service. If you were lucky you could even get a table with a partial view of the ocean. The fast food restaurant Ulu was very disappointing. It's back in a corner with just picnic tables, rather claustrophobic, and no view whatsoever. The menu is quite limited, but the pizza was good. We suggest trying either the informal beach restaurant or the more formal Italian restaurant at the Marriott. In summary, we had a great time and will happily return. We just wanted to point out some aspects that might or might not bother another person at all.

This is our second trip to Aulani. Disney does do detail well. Lots of Hawaiian art, landscaping, the animals in the lazy river pool rocks, etc. It is so enjoyable. Loads of fun at the various pools and ocean. However, having to get up at 5:30 am in order to secure a pool chair that is partly shaded is ridiculous. Tip: if guests are taking the innertubes and keeping them at their chairs, staff needs to retrieve them and explain they can't do that. Many people were waiting for an inner tube for the river or the slide and none were to be found except at certain people's pool chairs. Love Dole Whip, shave ice with sweetened condensed milk, iced mochas in a.m. at Off the Hook. Malasadas are ok but way overpriced (go across the street to ABC store and pay less than half what you pay at Aulani and with the option of coconut filling). On last trip, we really enjoyed the various entertainment at the lounge, especially Jerry Santos. We were so glad that he was still performing there. We made sure to go the night he was there. Unfortunately, there was a very loud drunk yelling almost the whole time he performed. When the waitress came by to see if we wanted another round, I told her we just couldn't as I had a huge headache from this guy. Even though it was only us 2, she moved us to a table for 6 away from him and comped us a dessert. Finally, the bar cut him off and he left. However, long before that, some waitress or hostess kept coming to his table to gab because they went to high school together which made him even louder. Couldn't she tell how disruptive he was to all of the other guests? Some people are so selfish. We ate at every restaurant on site (see separate Ama Ama review). Surprisingly the fast food options at lunch are great. The adult pool bar, however, had a nasty bartender, who, when I asked for a refill on ice water and lime because waitress was missing in action, told me I need to go to Ulu cafe and help myself. I was sitting there being served lunch and that's what she told me. I do not understand people who work in service industry and are nasty. Speaking of pool bar restaurant, one day we both had a wonderful salad. We came back a few days later, ordered the same thing and waited forever. Once it came, it was missing half of the ingredients. I went to the bar, they had to get the waitress and she refunded us. We went to one of the fast food places instead as we weren't going to spend any more time there. We did go back a few days later, had a great waitress, explained what happened and she made sure that everything was correct. Housekeeping, when called, were prompt (usually) with requests. But this only cleaning the room every 4 days is ridiculous. I'll bet they clean the room every day at the next door 4 Seasons. Also we requested that the bed be flipped since we both have bad backs and need a firm mattress, and they refused to do so. So I was miserable the whole time. Literally crying out in pain constantly our last night there. Got no sleep. Had to go to doctor upon return home to get an injection because of it. This is service? I never stayed anywhere else that refused to honor this request. Since Aulani knows that folks are coming from quite a distance and that usually rooms are not available upon arrival, they should really have a huge lounge that is air conditioned for waiting. Trying to find a seat somewhere is nuts. We found a quiet area with a breeze but still we were exhausted, sweaty and just wanting at least A/C while we waited for our villa to be ready. Ditto for return flights home. Considering the price point, they really need to up their game. It's great now but it could be so much more.

Aloha! We spent just one night at Aulani Disney Resort during our Honolulu trip and it honestly felt like a six-star experience. Even though it was short, it was the highlight of our vacation — especially for our 5-year-old. This place is perfect for families. Parking is about USD 40 a night, which is reasonable for Hawaii. Check-in is at 3 p.m., but we arrived early, dropped our luggage at the concierge and were given access to a lounge to rest and change so we could start enjoying the pools right away. The changing rooms have bathrooms and lockers, and as long as you’re an overnight guest you can use all the water facilities any time before check-in and after check-out. There are multiple pools, lots of chairs, a calm private beach, and even a rainbow river for snorkeling with fish (USD 30 per day or USD 50 for your whole stay includes snorkel, surfboard, fins, life jacket and sand toys rentals). We were lucky enough to see a green sea turtle while snorkeling! Everywhere you look is Instagram-worthy and full of Disney touches, from character meet-and-greets to craft workshops for kids (check with the front desk for schedules). We treated ourselves to Mickey shave ice for USD 8, and Ulu Café turned out to be the most affordable spot on the resort , a bit pricey compared to off-property, but totally fine for Disney. Our standard mountain-view room was very clean (just a little older in style) and super comfortable. If you’re looking to add something magical to your Waikiki trip, even one night here lets you enjoy nearly two full days of fun. Highly recommend Aulani for an unforgettable family experience!

We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village earlier in the week and then moved over to Aulani. We preferred Aulani—it had a more laid-back, tropical vibe compared to the hustle and bustle of the Hilton. The lagoon was calmer than Waikiki Beach, which my daughter especially appreciated. The pools were fantastic, with the infinity pool being a highlight. The water slides were also a big hit with our family. We were able to book ukulele lessons and the family animation class on the day we checked in, even though I had missed the 75-day advance booking window. Our studio garden-view room met our expectations. Dining-wise, we only ate at Off the Hook during our stay, but it was quite good. For most meals, we ventured off property. The room was expensive, but well worth it.

I stayed at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa on vacation. This resort is in a secluded area of Oahu but still has shopping and dining on property, across the street, and a quick drive away. The resort is very nice with a well-designed atmosphere and vibe. There are plenty of common areas and lots of space outside to sit and relax; just make sure to reserve pool chairs early in the morning. The pools, lazy river, and poolside atmosphere were all great. Rooms were a decent size. No issues with room cleanliness or service. I highly recommend this resort for relaxing when not touring the Honolulu area or Oahu, or simply just to enjoy the property.

Overall, it was a nice stay at Aulani, but just be ready to wait in long lines for everything. The hotel is big and has a lot of amenities. The entrance is so inviting. And the smell is so lovely! The front desk was definitely busy at check-in. They have separate dvc vs. regular guest lines. If you booked w dvc points, we still went to the regular line. Pool - definitely crowded in the morning, but it thins out later in the day. Loved the lazy river. It was harder to find chairs in the afternoon, but we opted for the beach chairs and walked to the pool when we wanted to. Rentals - One thing that was so annoying was having to fill out paper waivers EVERYDAY to rent the sand toys, boogie boards, etc, as well as reef snorkeling It makes the lines so much longer. You'd think by now everything could be electronic. Towels/pool bands - It was annoying to get it every day, but it was efficient. But it's hard to hide for pictures. When we first arrived, we were greeted by bell hop who took our luggage. We wanted to do it ourselves, but they wouldn't let us take the carts. Just to note- the claim ticket suggested $5/ bag but not required. Characters- If your priority is seeing characters and getting autographs, get ready to wait an hour. We saw many people line up 45 min before a character meet. Character breakfast - we were able to get reservations when it went live. The experience was underwhelming. For one, no Stitch. For being in Hawaii, that was a character you would think you'd see alot. Nope. Not here. We saw mickey... after we waited 30 min in a line after we checked in. And then Minnie and Chip/Dale while we ate. Not worth it. Fitness Center- very small and crowded. It was tucked in a side and was really had to do a workout yourself. Reef snorkel- they offer it for your whole stay doe $50 or $35 single. We had a 5nt stay thinking we would go there everyday but really we really forced ourselves to go 2x on our trip. Fish are beautiful and it was a nice excursion but I'd say one and done. Food- loved the snack and shave ice. However, i wish it was open later. Closes at 5pm. As a disney resort, I totally forgot about the discounts. They do have disney visa 10% discount at the shops and the reef snorkel. Photo- we ended up not getting the photopass. We were able to add it if we got alotnof photos but we ended up we not many bc we didnt want to wait in the long lines. We did however do the private photo session for $275/ 20min. That was worth it. Our photos were in the front of the hotel in the grassy area which it's roped off. Room- we had a studio room. We booked w dvc points so we didnt have housekeeping but it was fine. They have a garbage area to toss your trash away. Bathroom was spacious and the pull out couch did its job as a 2nd bed. Our view was the mountains which was nice. Kids club- I was able to snag 1 reservation and it was a nice 90 min session. We also booked a paid Galactic Games ($65) 3 hr experience which was well received. Dvc- we booked w rented dvc points so we did get some benefits. The biggest one was free parking. We also got free laundry daily. You just have to get your tokens daily (4 tokens- wash, dry, laundry detergent, bounce sheet)

Our stay at Aulani Resort in Oahu was amazing! It was our first time at a Disney hotel, and the atmosphere truly captured that magical Disney feeling. The room was beautiful, comfortable, and very relaxing. The food was delicious, and for being both Disney and Hawaii, the prices felt very reasonable. The service was excellent, and every cast member was kind and helpful. While we went as a couple and found it perfect for a relaxing babymoon, we also noticed there are plenty of activities for kids, making it a great option for families too.

Amazing stay in a beautiful hotel. It has everything that kids would love. This is now my sons favourite hotel. The pools were amazing, the beach is beautiful, the service was great from all the cast members. We loved oleo room for food. Cocktails were great, and beautifully presented. Sushi and music was grea too Most of the quick service outlets had quite unhealthy food options like burgers and pizza, so I would love to see healthier options added to which are not just boring salads. This was my only negative. The rooms are very comfortable and have lovely large balconies. This stay isn’t an authentic Hawaiian experience by any means, but we went to the north shore prior so just enjoyed this hotel for what it is…a lovely resort hotel. We really hope to visit again soon!