We Spent 36 Hours at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii (What We Loved & What We Didn’t)

Disney’s sprawling Aulani Resort is one of Hawaii’s most expensive resort experiences. Is it worth it? Here’s what to know before you book.

As an Oahu resident, I am, of course, aware that there is a giant Disney resort hotel on the west side of the island in Ko Olina. Yet somehow, until recently, I had never set foot inside Disney’s sprawling Aulani Resort & Spa. Even though it’s literally 40 minutes from my house.

My excuse? Well, my husband, Dave, and I are grown-ups.

We usually prefer to vacation at places where the loudest sound is waves. So, a resort full of kids running in wet swimsuits and squealing about Disney princesses? No judgment, it’s just not our travel scene.

But then our grandkids recently came to visit. Ages 5 and 7. 

Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, I receive a small commission, which I will likely blow on mai tais, poke, and shave ice.  All of this internet voodoo takes place at no additional cost to you. 

They’ve been to Hawaii, but they’ve never been to Disney World. 

And suddenly I had the perfect excuse — and frankly, the perfect tour guides — to finally experience Aulani the way it is meant to be experienced.

Through the eyes of your favorite kiddos.

But as I soon discovered, much like Disney World, a visit to Disney’s Aulani Resort is an expensive vacation. But also like Disney World, sometimes you just have to open up the wallet, throw frugality out the window, and make some core memories. 

And that’s exactly what we did.

So, today, I’m sharing my honest take on this pricey Disney resort in Hawaii. And whether it was worth the price of admission. 

We spent 36 hours on property, shelled out approximately $2,500, and left with two exhausted but very happy grandkids (who promptly fell asleep in their Hawaii-themed Mickey Ears on the drive home).

But before I dive into our one magical night, let’s back up and start at the beginning.

What Is Aulani, Exactly?

Opened in 2011, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa is Disney’s only standalone resort that isn’t attached to a theme park. 

There are no rides, no park tickets, no castle. 

Instead, what Walt Disney Imagineers created here is something much more subtle. It’s a luxury resort that weaves the magic of Disney into an authentically Hawaiian experience.

The property sits on a protected lagoon in Ko Olina, on Oahu’s quieter west side, far from the crowds and noise of Waikiki.

Half the resort is a hotel, the other half is Disney Vacation Club Villas (Disney’s spin on the timeshare market). That means you’ll find Disney Vacation Club members here booking with DVC points alongside regular hotel guests (like us) paying cash rates. 

The mix of room types ranges from standard hotel rooms with queen-size beds up to multi-bedroom villas with full kitchens designed for larger families.

Location 📍

Ko Olina is its own little world on the western shore of the island of Oahu. 

It’s not Waikiki, and it’s not the North Shore. It’s a planned resort community with manicured lagoons, a marina, and a shopping center, all designed to feel like a self-contained vacation destination.

That’s both a feature and a limitation. You’re not going to walk out the front door and stumble onto local culture or grab a plate lunch at a roadside spot. 

Ko Olina is a resort bubble. A beautiful, well-run resort bubble, but a bubble nonetheless.

If you’re flying into Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, the drive to Aulani is roughly 30 minutes without traffic (unfortunately, in Honolulu, there is almost always traffic!). 

There is no official hotel shuttle service from the airport. But there are a variety of airport shuttle services, or you can use a rideshare service. 

However, since Aulani is a bit far from the rest of Oahu’s best things to do, I highly recommend renting a car. Especially if you want to venture up to the North Shore for a day or over to Kualoa Ranch (and trust me, you do!).

Just keep in mind that, like everything else, parking comes with an additional charge per night. At Aulani, it’s $40 a night (which is actually a steal compared to most Waikiki hotels). 

The Aulani App 📱

If you’ve booked a reservation, the first thing to do is download the Aulani app. Like visiting a Disney theme park these days, Aulani runs on an app, and you’ll need it for just about everything. 

You can access your reservation details in the app and book anything and everything in advance. From character meals to “Make Your Own Mickey Ears,” you’ll book it in the app. 

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Once you’re at the resort, the app’s map feature is your essential guide to finding all the magic of Aulani (without it, you will get lost!). You can also order food, book last-minute activities, and find out where and when to meet your favorite characters.

The Rooms 🛏️

The price of entry for a standard room (no ocean view) is about $700 at Aulani. And then you get to add all of Hawaii’s various tourism taxes to that, which adds another 10% before you’ve even ordered your first mai tai.

Thankfully, there’s no resort fee to add into the mix. And that’s a big deal in Hawaii, where nearly every resort tacks on a $50-$60 nightly resort fee.

We had 5 people for our one-night stay. Our son couldn’t make this trip, so it was me, Dave, our daughter-in-law, and the two kiddos. 

With 3 adults and 2 kids, we booked a one-bedroom villa for our one night, and it was (cough) $1,400, give or take. 

I’m not going to sugarcoat that number, because it matters when you’re planning your family vacation budget. Room rates at Aulani are firmly in luxury hotel territory, and that’s before you add in food, activities, and parking. 

Oh, and anything else you might want to do on Oahu (and there’s a LOT to do!).

👉 The Ultimate Oahu Bucket List: 50 Fun Things to See, Do & Eat🍍🌺🏖️

That said, the villa itself was terrific. 

The one-bedroom layout gave us a separate living area, a full kitchen, a king-size bed in the bedroom, and enough space for our family of five to not feel on top of each other.

The living room had a queen sofabed (shared by mom and daughter) and a single “Murphy-bed” style pull-down bed that our grandson thought was awesome. It was cozy for 5 people, but it was fine for just one night.

The design reflects contemporary Hawaiian art throughout, with warm wood tones, custom artwork, and subtle nods to Hawaiian culture woven into every detail.

Booking a standard hotel room will bring the price down, though you’ll give up the full kitchen and extra space.

The bottom line?

If you’re visiting Oahu on a tight budget, it’s probably time to jump ship on this post and check out this one instead:

👉 These 7 Waikiki Boutique Hotels Are So Chic You’ll Forget You Saved a Fortune

The Pool Area and Water Features 💦

This is where Aulani earns its reputation. The pool complex is extraordinary.

The centerpiece is Waikolohe Stream, a winding lazy river that snakes through the property past fantastic lava rock formations, grottos, and water jets. Kids (and let’s be honest, my husband) could spend hours just floating through it. 

There are water slides built into the volcanic rock landscape, themed recreation areas for different age groups, and multiple pool areas spread across the grounds.

The whole thing is designed to feel like you’re playing in a natural Hawaiian landscape, not a water park slapped into the middle of a resort.

Hot tubs are tucked throughout the property, including a few adults-only spots if you need a break from the chaos. There’s also a dedicated area for younger kids with shallow splash zones and gentler water features.

We arrived at 9:00am on check-in morning, ready to make the most of our limited time. Of course, we knew our room wouldn’t be ready until the afternoon, but the kids hit the ground running from the moment we walked through the gates. 

That’s the beauty of Aulani. You don’t even need your room to start having fun.

Aunty’s Beach House & Kids’ Activities 🎨

Aunty’s Beach House is Aulani’s dedicated kids’ club, and it’s one of the few activities on property that’s included with your stay. There are, however, a few premium activities that come with an added fee. 

Aunty’s is a supervised space where kids can drop in for crafts, activities, games, and general Disney magic while adults take a break. No parents allowed at Aunty’s; it’s just for the kids.

Our grandkids loved it (so did their mom!).

We also pre-booked the “Make Your Own Mickey Ears” activity, which was a big hit. It’s a “Premium” activity, but the cost was pretty reasonable compared to what fancy Mickey ears cost in the park these days.

Character Meet & Greets 🐭

Disney characters appear throughout the day at various locations around the resort, and this is where the Aulani app is essential. You can track character appearances, book activities, and check wait times all from your phone.

Our granddaughter got to meet Moana, and her reaction was adorable. She was completely in awe.

Rainbow Reef Snorkeling 🐠

One of the things we didn’t book before we arrived was Rainbow Reef, Aulani’s private snorkeling lagoon. This one is not included in your room rate; it’s an extra charge. But it was 100% worth it for our grand-littles.

The lagoon is stocked with tropical fish and designed to give first-time snorkelers a protected, calm environment to build confidence. Our 5 and 7-year-olds had never snorkeled before. 

Within ten minutes, they were face-down in the water, pointing at fish and absolutely losing their minds with excitement. The marine life here is pretty impressive for a managed environment. And the enclosed design means there’s no current, no waves, and no reason to panic.

It’s going to be hard to compete with this experience when we actually take them snorkeling in the ocean someday. And it sure beats trying to get a reservation at Hanauma Bay!

👉 The Foolproof Guide to Oahu’s Hanauma Bay for Snorkeling 🤿

Aulani Dining 🍽️

In typical Disney fashion, dining at Aulani covers a wide range. From a coffee shop for quick morning fuel to sit-down restaurants with full menus rooted in Hawaiian flavors.

Ulu Cafe is the go-to for grab-and-go items at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Off the Hook is perfect for a poolside lunch, and Mama’s Snack Stop serves kid-friendly favorites at a convenient poolside stand.

And let’s not forget Papalua Shave Ice (our grandkids sure didn’t!). There’s no better way to cool off by the pool than with a fruity and refreshing shave ice.

There’s also a luau, which is one of the few things you can book at Aulani even if you’re not a hotel guest.

Character Dining at Aulani

The flagship dining experience is Makahiki, the open-air restaurant that hosts the character breakfast.

We booked the Makahiki character breakfast a few weeks before arrival, which I’d strongly recommend because it books up fast — especially during spring break and peak family travel seasons.

The breakfast menu had plenty of fun options, including tropical French Toast, omelettes, and Mickey waffles (a must!).

Rotating Disney characters make the rounds visiting tables as you dine. For families with young kids, it’s absolutely worth it.

Tip: Book the character breakfast at Makahiki and any Premium activities like Make Your Own Mickey Ears at least two to three weeks before arrival, especially during peak travel seasons. They sell out, and you don’t want to be the one explaining to a 5-year-old why she can’t make the Mickey ears every other kid is wearing at the pool. 

The Hawaiian Culture Element 🌺

I want to spend a moment on this because it matters to me as someone who lives here. A lot of people assume Aulani is just Disney slapped onto a beach, and that’s not fair to what they’ve actually built here.

The resort hired Hawaiian cultural advisors during its design, and it shows. The name “Aulani” itself comes from the Hawaiian language, meaning “a messenger that speaks on behalf of a higher power.” 

The Hawaiian language appears throughout the property in signage and activity names. The artwork is not generic tropical decor. There’s real contemporary Hawaiian art displayed throughout. And the storytelling built into the architecture references the spirit of the island in ways that feel thoughtful rather than performative.

Is it still Disney? Yes, completely. But the Disney folks definitely did their homework on this one. And as an Oahu resident, I appreciate that.

Let’s Talk Pros & Cons

Pros

• The water complex — Waikolohe Stream, the water slides, the hot tubs, the pools — is the best resort pool setup in Hawaii
• Rainbow Reef is a fantastic first snorkel experience for young kids
• Aunty’s Beach House is a real gift for parents who need 90 minutes of quiet
• The resort is beautifully designed with authentic Hawaiian cultural elements woven throughout
• Character experiences are magical for the right age group (roughly 3-10)
• The Aulani app makes logistics easy
• Ko Olina’s lagoon beach is calm and protected — great for small kids

Cons

• Room rates are steep, and they don’t include most of the best activities
• Additional charges stack up fast: parking, Rainbow Reef, character meals, Mickey Ears activities, food and drinks
• Ko Olina is isolated — you’re not near local Oahu culture or affordable dining alternatives
• Not the right fit for couples or adults without children — the energy is completely family-focused

Does Aulani offer a day pass?

Nope. And believe me, I looked for that option! 

The pools, beach equipment, and activities are only for overnight guests. 

However, there are a few things you can enjoy as a “day guest,” including dining, shopping, and the spa. They’ll even waive the $40 parking fee for up to 4 hours if you spend $100 or more at the following venues (taken straight from the Aulani website):

• ‘AMA‘AMA – Contemporary Island Cooking – up to 4 hours
• Makahiki – The Bounty of the Islands – up to 2.5 hours
• The ‘Ōlelo Room, valid for purchases made between 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM – up to 2.5 hours
• Off the Hook, valid for purchases made between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM – up to 2.5 hours
• Laniwai – A Disney Spa – up to 4 hours
• KA WA‘A – A Lū‘au at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa – up to 4 hours
• Merchandise locations, including Kālepa’s and Hale Manu – up to 1 hour

So, is Aulani Worth It?

After our whirlwind 36 hours on property, here’s what I can tell you: Aulani is not for everyone, and it’s definitely not for tight budgets. 

Between the character breakfast, other meals, drinks, snacks, and a little shopping at the resort store, our family added another $1,100 to our one-night room rate over 36 hours.

But for families with kids in roughly the 3-to-10 age range who want a first Disney experience without the full intensity of a Disney theme park, this is a truly special place.

It’s not a theme park or a Disney cruise. It’s a luxury resort with Disney’s storytelling and impeccable service layered into every expertly landscaped corner. 

If you have kids who are in that sweet spot of Disney obsession and old enough to snorkel, ride water slides, and sit through a character breakfast without melting down, Aulani delivers.

For us, watching our grandkids experience their first snorkel, decorate their own Mickey ears, and meet Moana on the island where her story was set was worth every dollar. Probably not something I’ve ever said about a $2,500 “day” trip. 

But the older I get, the more I realize that some memories really are priceless.