Guide to Aulani
A Disney Resort & Spa
by Adventures by Mama Doc
This guide contains affiliate links. See disclosures for details.
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
92-1185 Aliinui Dr, Kapolei, HI 96707
(866) 443-4763
Why choose Aulani?
Outside of Disney’s stellar reputation for quality and customer service, the reason to choose the resort comes down to what the resort has to offer. Stunning architecture and design. Lush manicured grounds. Oceanfront resort on a protected lagoon. Located in a quiet residential area. Ample pools and water play areas. Lots of kid-friendly activities. I will review the amenities in more detail later.
How can I book my stay at Aulani?
There are several ways to secure your Aulani vacation. You can book your room directly with the resort on your own. If you are contemplating this, please consider letting us book your trip for you. Our services will cost you no more than booking with Disney, and we can take care of all the details for you. As mentioned, you can book through an Authorized Disney Travel Planner, like Adventures by Mama Doc. You can book your room at Aulani from a third-party travel site like Priceline or Expedia. You can rent Disney Vacation Club (DVC) points and have a DVC member book the room on your behalf. Renting can be done through a DVC rental company or directly from the DVC owner. I recommend using a recognized rental company, like David's Vacation Club, if you venture down this path for security. For most of us, this comes down to the availability of the room we want and a cost comparison. Renting DVC points is likely to save you a considerable amount of money on Aulani.
Does Aulani offer discounts?
Yes, Aulani does offer discounts. You can check the current offers here. Remember, we can match any price you see on Aulani’s website.
As an example, the current offer is:
“With this great offer, the longer you stay, the more you save:
Save up to 25% on select rooms for stays of 5 or more nights
Save up to 20% on select rooms for stays of 4 nights
No matter how long you stay, you’ll enjoy an unforgettable vacation brimming with fun for the entire family.
This offer is valid for consecutive-night stays, most nights August 23 to November 18, and November 25 to December 22, 2023.”
When is the best time to visit Aulani?
The most significant factor is when you can go. Outside of the best timing for you, I would look at projected crowd levels and weather. TV shows and movies are filmed at the resort. Search “filming at Aulani” on Google or call Aulani to inquire.
2024 Predicted Crowd Levels at Aulani
Weather at Aulani
When can I make reservations at Aulani?
What room should I choose?
Rooms are distinguished by category (Villas versus Hotel Suites), number of bedrooms (studio to 3 bedrooms) and views (Standard View, Island Gardens View, Poolside Gardens View, Partial Ocean View, Ocean View).
Villas (Disney Vacation Club Villas)
Studios to 3 bedrooms
Designed for DVC members, but can be booked by anyone
Full kitchens (except Studios have kitchenettes)
Washer/Dryer (except Studio)
Hotel Rooms & Suites
Hotel room to 2 bedroom suite
Designed for general hotel use
Aulani Room Types
What dining is available on the property?
Restaurants at Aulani
Does Aulani have a private beach?
There are no private beaches in Hawaii. Aulani is oceanfront and shares a lagoon with one other resort. The beach chair area is for Aulani guests only.
Does Aulani offer beach rentals?
Makiki Joe's Beach Rentals is open from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Boogie boards and lifejackets are free
Snorkel sets are $25 per day
Paddleboards are $45 per day
Beach chairs and umbrellas are free
Beachside Casabellas (2-seat loungers with awning) are $80 per day
Casabellas at AMA AMA (Private Patios)
AMA AMA Upper Veranda
2 casabellas, available for $175 for a full day.
AMA AMA Lower Veranda
3 casabellas are $250 for a full day.
Executive AMA AMA Lanai
2 casabellas, 2 lounge chaises, 1 table, 2 chairs, 2 umbrellas, a locking cabinet, a fruit platter, towels, and 8 bottles of water.
$350 for a full day.
Where are the Casabellas at AMA AMA located?
Where do I get my wristband, towels, and children's life jackets?
There are two towel kiosks where you get your wristbands, towels, and life vests.
What pools are available at Aulani?
Aulani Pools
What is Aulani's policy on beach chairs?
"To provide equal access for all Guests, seating is limited to one lounge chair per guest, and reserving chairs is not permitted.
Before 8 AM, guests must be actively using their chairs.
You are welcome to come and go from your chair as you enjoy the pool area. However, if belongings are left unattended for more than one hour, they will be removed and stored at the closest towel station. Unclaimed items will be sent to Lost & Found."
Are there other pool policies?
"Ball throwing is prohibited on all pool decks and in all pools throughout Aulani Resort & Spa.
Swim diapers, life vests, water wings, infant inner tubes with seats, fun noodles, and goggles are permitted in the pools, but please note the following:
Prohibited Items
On the pool deck:
Coolers (unless for medical purposes)
Wheeled items such as wagons, carts, skateboards, and scooters.
Alcoholic beverages (unless purchased at the resort)
In the pool:
Food and drinks
Snorkels, fins, inner tubes without a bottom, kickboards, large flotation devices without net seats, mesh rings (except for infants), dive toys, and water guns."
Can you rent cabanas at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa?
Yes, cabana rentals are available for $550 per day. Cabanas accommodate up to 7 guests and include a 43-inch flat-panel TV, ceiling fan, refrigerator, Wi-Fi access, upgraded furniture, fruit bowl, and complimentary bottled water.
Where are the cabanas located?
Cabanas are located at 2 locations, near the Menehune Bridge Play Structure and behind the Wailana Pool.
What water play areas are available?
Outside of the beach, pools, lazy river, and waterslides, kids can play at the Keiki Cove and Menehune Bridge play structure. Keiki Cove is geared toward 0-3 year olds and the Menehune Bridge is for older kids.
What activities are available at the resort?
Check the calendar on the app or website for daily activities.
General
Character Experiences
Aulani Lei Hiwahiwa
Thingamabobs - A Mermaid Tale
Make Your Own Mickey Ears
Kapala Kii T-shirt Stamping
Mo'olelo Fire Pit Storytelling
'Imi Loa Nā Hōkū - Stargazing
Pin Trading
Welcome Hula
Ukulele Lessons
Shake-a-shaka Pool Party
Ohana Movie Nights
Ohana Painting Party
Disney Family Fun Animation
Makaikai: The Culture Through Nature Tour
Makaikai: The Art and Culture of Aulani
Aunty's Beach House
Kakamora Chaos with Moana
SURF'S UP! A Surfin', Fishin', Dancin' Party!
Themed Experiences 1-3
Becoming Sea Creatures
Celebrate Ke Kauwela (Summer)
Fitness
Ocean Fitness
Total Body Circuit
Slam Ball Madness
Sunrise Yoga
Beach Bootcamp
Seaside Stretch
Splash and Dash
Pilates
Rainbow Reef
Fish Feeding
Snorkeling
Supplied Air Snorkeling (SAS)
Underwater Explorers - A Beginner Dive
Painted Sky
Wikiwiki Hair Braiding
Boys Luau Bound Makeover
Boys Surf and Swim Makeover
Girls Luau Bound Makeover
Hawaii Girls Swim Makeover
Moana Costume Makeover
What excursions does Aulani offer?
Aulani does not offer excursions. Excursions on the official website are from outside companies. I recommend using Viator to find excursions. If you want cash back or travel points, sign up for Rakuten. You must add an American Express card that earns Membership Rewards to Rakuten to earn points. The default is cash back. Download the browser extension at the bottom of the website under Tools. Once installed you can earn points with Rakuten even when using our affiliate links, which helps us keep the website running and free from clutter.
Does Aulani offer babysitting services?
No, Aulani does not provide babysitting services. However, children ages 4 to 12 can be signed up for supervised activities at Aunty's Beach House.
Does Aulani have a Luau?
An outside company, Pleasant Holidays, does a Luau at the Aulani resort.
What should I pack from my vacation to Disney's Aulani, a Resort & Spa?
You're going to be spending most of your time in the water. I recommend having a series of 3 bathing suits and cover-ups. There is no need to bring towels as the resort provides them. Towels are available at the resort entrance as you head off the property, and there is a place to return towels.
Sun Hats
3 swimsuits
3 cover-ups
Pool shoes
Sneakers
Dress shoes
1 dressy outfit for Luau and Ama Ama
Shorts outfits
Reef safe sunscreen*
Face moisturizer with SPF
Lip balm with SPF
Aloe
Laundry detergent
I take Earth Breeze laundry detergent sheets with me when traveling. We use them at home too! Eco-friendly as you ditch the giant disposable plastic bottles, easy to pack, and has no worries about leaking.
*Hawaii Act 104 banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate
Does Aulani have laundry facilities?
Yes, Aulani has one laundry facility on the first flower in each tower.
If you're lucky enough to be staying in a Villa with a bedroom, you have a washer and dryer in your room.
What airports can I fly into to get to Aulani?
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)
Are there any airport lounges available?
The Ko Olina Club Lounge is exclusively for guests of Aulani, Marriott, and Beach Villas.
Terminal 2, 1st Floor
Free Wi-Fi and charging stations
Reservations can be made 90 days in advance
One reservation per party per day
Limit of 5 guests per reservation
Reservations can be made online
Is a direct flight available to HNL from my airport?
List of nonstop flights to HNL with days of weeks # of flights and carriers
https://www.flightsfrom.com/HNL
What transportation is available from the airport to Aulani?
If you aren't renting a vehicle, I suggest using your favorite ride-share service for transportation. An UberXL will run around $85. There are shuttles and taxi services available. The most costly way is to rent a private car service.
(808) 427-1500 or dial ext. 6798 while at the resort
6:00 AM and 9:00 PM
$25 per person (ages 3+)
$10 per baby (2yo and under)
Can be added to vacation package
$90-100
What rental car services are available at the airport?
Consolidated Rent-A-Car (CONRAC)
Entrances directly across Terminal 2, outside of Baggage Claims 26 and 31
You can walk to the facility from the Terminal
Shuttle service is provided for other terminals from 0400 am-Midnight.
Alamo
Avis
Budget
Dollar
Enterprise
Hertz
National
Payless
Thrifty
Sixt
Does Aulani offer car rentals on the property?
Aulani has a car rental desk in the resort. This is an excellent option for creating your excursion for guests. Guests can book a car with resort pickup or dropoff. You can book the vehicle online (links below) by calling 808-676-5924 or by stopping by the rental car desk in the conference center.
What parking options are offered at Aulani?
For overnight guests:
Self-parking and valet services are available at the resort. Both are $37 per day. Each reservation is limited to 2 cars.
For day guests:
Valet parking is $37 per day
Self-parking is $12 for the first hour and $5 for every half hour after that, up to $37
