Imagine a world where you can combine the magic of Disney with the paradise of a tropical island. Okay, now stop imagining and start reading what I have to tell you about Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. My family spent 5 days there and were so impressed and overwhelmed with happiness that we may never vacation the same way again.
Disney Aulani is not like a regular hotel on the island, it’s part hotel and part Disney Vacation Club. Disney Vacation Club is a flexible timeshare program that can be a more cost-effective way to vacation. DVC has destinations and accommodations all over the world. At Aulani, guests can stay in a standard hotel room or suite, or in one of the villas.
Which leads me to the reason we’re here: I’m giving you the inside scoop on this resort so you can see my pretty pictures, but also plan your trip there and see it for yourself! If you’d like to listen to a detailed explanation of what we did and saw there you can listen to this episode of my podcast where we break it all down.
Top 13 Reasons You Have to Visit Disney Aulani:
1. The Villas
As I mentioned, you can choose the type of room you want but The Villas are the most like home. There is a full kitchen, stocked with dishes and amenities that will come in handy if you want to make a meal or keep food in the refrigerator. Staying at a resort for a week or longer and only eating at the resort restaurants for every meal can get expensive. So if you’re like me and want to save a little money, you can go across the street to the grocery story and stock up your kitchen with goodies from breakfast items to homemade cookies.
In addition to the kitchen, there is a large living room area, and separate bedroom (can I get an Amen?). Our 1 bedroom villa, which can hold up to 5 people, had a whirlpool tub and my dream shower with multiple spray options.
The morning view from our balcony at Disney Aulani
It also had 2 balconies with breathtaking views. We sat out there every morning (since we were up at 6am) and watched the sun come up with our cup of Disney coffee from Joffrey’s.
But get ready for greatness, there is a washer and dryer in the Villa! What? Amazing! Between wet beach clothes and wet pool clothes, we must have done 5 loads of laundry while we were there. This was such a big help!
2. The View
Disney Aulani is made up of several towers that overlook the resort, the garden and the cove. Each tower is positioned so that you have a great view no matter where you stay, but if you choose an ocean view room you can see all of Aulani. Honestly, there are no bad views in any of the rooms it just depends on how much you want to spend.
Waking up every morning and sitting out on the balcony watching the view of the sun rising over the hills behind the resort and shining on the cove was dreamy. That might have been my favorite part of the trip.
3. Laniwai Spa
Okay, I may have to amend my previous statement. The Laniwai Spa might be my favorite part! In addition to a fitness area (ew, who wants that?) there is also an award-winning spa. As you enter, you are asked to pick a stone with your mantra on it.
One side of the stone has your mantra in Hawaiian, and the other side is in English. You carry that mantra with you as you enjoy the spa.
My stone said “happiness” and it couldn’t have been more accurate. I was floating on happiness as I enjoyed the outdoor relaxation area. There are several pools to enjoy with varying temperatures, from hot tubs to cold tubs.
And a motion censored shower stonehenge, which sounds strange but it was amazing. And the massage itself was just what the doctor ordered after a long flight and weeks of stressing over my new job and new kindergarten schedule. The only thing I wish I would have done is take Chris with me. I think he deserves a spa visit too and would have loved this. But he was playing with Chan in the incredible water areas.
Waikolohe Pool at Disney Aulani
4. Waikolohe Pool and Stream (Aka the Lazy River)
You can’t have a great resort without a great pool. Thankfully Disney Aulani has you covered here. In fact the entire pool and water area will keep you busy for hours. But let’s focus on the Waikolohe (Hawaiian for michevious waters). It’s front and center between the main towers and is just steps away from the beach area. The 8,200 square foot pool area is perfect for lounging poolside, plunging down the Volcanic Vertical water slides, or splashing around in the water.
If you decide you need to get even more lazy on your vacation, then you can’t miss the Waikolohe Stream, or lazy river as we call it stateside. Grab an inner tube and float, or let the water push you along the stream. There are delightful waterfalls, rock formations and tropical greenery to greet you as you pass by.
5. Infinity Pools and The Ka Maka Grotto
Break away from the busy pool and find yourself looking out over the ocean with one of two infinity pools at Aulani. There is one that’s for the whole family in the Ka Maka Grotto. It looks like The Little Mermaid IRL. This beautiful grotto has touches of what underwater sea life might look like. And right next to it is an infinity pool that let’s you look out across the ocean.
Adults only infinity pool
If you want something that’s a little more adult, then drop the kids off at Aunty’s Beach House and head for the adults only infinity pool. Chris and I spent some time in this heated pool with a fancy drink and had some special time to re-connect. What happens in the infinity pool, stays in the infinity pool!
6. Aunty’s Beach House
This is hands down the most incredible part of Aulani. Aunty’s Beach House is a drop-off child care center right in the heart of the resort.
Inside kids can do arts and crafts, make leis, sing and dance or play outside in one of several play structures. It’s all supervised by highly trained Disney child care staff members who will engage with your kids while they’re there. There are several rooms inside the house where the kids can play dress up, watch movies or play on a computer.
Channing kept asking if she could go back and we were more than happy to let her play while we explored the resort. Honestly, I don’t know why more hotels and resorts don’t offer this kind of service but thankfully, Disney gets it.
Man made coral reef at Disney Aulani
7. Rainbow Reef
I have a water baby. She loves swimming and exploring pools and the ocean, and her bathtub. Thankfully Disney has an enclosed coral reef in the resort so she could see colorful fish and corals up close without battling the deep waters of the ocean. This saltwater lagoon is home to thousands of tropical fish like butterflyfish, angelfish, surgeonfish and tangs.
There’s even a glass viewing window where you can show your little one what it looks like before you take the plunge. Rainbow Reef is a man-made, enclosed lagoon so you don’t have to worry about strong ocean currents in open waters. There is an extra charge for the Reef but it’s worth it if you have a water baby like I do.
8. Menehune Bridge
There is no play structure quite like the Menehuge Bridge! Kids can climb, slide and splash their way through this rope water play structure. It’s near the entrance to the lazy river so kids can go between the two easily. Chan loved running and climbing, then dumping water on her head.
9. ‘Ama ‘Ama
‘Ama ‘Ama is Aulani’s signature dining experience. We enjoyed a beautiful four course meal here, complete with Disney Aulani’s own wine (which you can only get at the resort!).
We sat in the open-air patio and watched the sun set as we dined on classic Hawaiian dishes with a modern flare.
Our amazing four course meal at ‘Ama ‘Ama
We started with a macadamia nut horchata apértif which set the tone beautifully for our meal of crabcakes, steak and scallops and a mocha chantilly cake that made my toes curl. I had to pinch myself a few times because having a meal that divine, with wonderful wine and my family by my side must mean I’m in heaven.
10. Character Dining at Makahiki
Since we’re talking about food, we have to talk about breakfast with Mickey and Minnie! You can join several Disney characters at the Makahiki (Bounty of the Islands) buffet. And when they say bounty, they mean it! We stuffed our faces with Mickey waffles, salmon bagels, and all of our regular breakfast favorites. Plus lots of fresh fruit and dishes from the Islands.
We got our picture with Mickey as we entered, then were greeted by Goofy and a dance with Minnie while we ate. The buffet is also available for lunch and dinner so you’ll want to stop by several times during your visit to see all of the menu offerings.
I did it! I made it up on the paddle board for a few seconds before plunging into the ocean
11. Paddleboarding and Beach Activities
Marking this down as a first – I went paddleboarding! It’s just one of the beach activities you can do at the Ko Olina Lagoon.
This beach cove area has a ton of chairs to choose from so you can drop your bags and hit the water. And if you are brave, you can rent a paddle board, get some instruction on how to use it, then paddle away like a pro. Or fall off in an epic fail like I did. But at least I tried!
You can also rent snorkel equipment if you want to see the bottom of the lagoon or a sailing canoe to explore out a little farther. Little O’pihi’s is right on the beach so you can get a snack or drink and lounge on the beach all day.
12. Painted Sky Studio
This brand new studio was a highlight of our trip! Think of it as a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique with a Hawaiian twist. Channing had a Moana make over and was beaming the rest of the day.
Kids can choose from a luau style make over or a character theme and get into the Hawaiian spirit. Chan’s package included a Moana outfit, hairstyle (gorgeous braids) jewelry, shoes and fairy dust to top it off. There’s also a hair salon if parents want to get made over too.
13. Fireside Storytelling
Another beautiful way Disney has incorporated the culture of Hawaii into this resort is with fireside storytelling. Each evening around sunset, an island storyteller stops by the fire pit near the lagoon, and families can hear stories from Hawaii. The stories teach words from the Hawaiian language as well. And if you’re lucky, Moana stops by to help tell the story too! It’s a perfect way to end the day after dinner and get the kids ready for bed.
After reading all of this, are you ready to go to Disney Aulani? Well you’re in luck because they are having a Fall/Mahalo special offer! This is valid on travel from now until December 21st, 2018. You can save 30% when you book 5 nights or more at Aulani. Visit www.disneyaulani.com for details and get your trip started.
A wise man once said, “It is better to see something once than to hear about it a thousand times.” What are you waiting for? Leave a comment below if you have any questions!
Packed up our 90th Anniversary Mickey luggage from American Tourister but we didn’t want to leave!
*Disclaimer: I was compensated or given free product in exchange for my honest review of this resort. For more information please visit my disclaimers page.
