Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

I had a total ball visiting Disney's Aulani resort. From the moment we checked in we felt very well taken care of. My best friend and I are Disney adults and I was a little concerned that the resort would be to child-friendly for out Girl's Trip. We found ways around that. So if you're a Disney adult or attending Aulani childless, this review is for you. If you can, try to do mobile check-in before you arrive. This made the check in process so easy. We were greeted by a wonderful cast member who was able to spend more time giving us details about the resort since we got all of the main resort check-in stuff out the way beforehand. Our room wasn't quite ready when we arrived so we were able to walk around the resort and go grocery shopping until our room was ready. It didn't take too much longer for the room to become available after the 4:00 pm check-in time. I highly recommend the spa. It is a 5 star spa and the massage I received was fantastic and not long enough. I will mention that there isn't any in and out privileges in the spa. So plan on staying there or getting there early to truly enjoy the spa when you go. I enjoyed the pools outside and the steam room. I enjoyed how we were treated from the moment we arrived at the spa. We ate at all the spots on property. Ama Ama is a must for atmosphere but it was an ok dining experience. It is a pre-fixe 4 course menu and it is pricey. I am used to dining at Club 33 at Disneyland and they nail the food every time. This wasn't as good as Club 33 but still a wonderful experience with history of the restaurant building and views of the lagoon. Be sure to have your picture taken at sunset on the beach. We did it before our Ama Ama reservation. I think it was worth the photopass cost. I also highly recommend the character breakfast. I was a little skeptical at first but I did love it. the breakfast was delicious and all the entertainment between the characters and the uke singer, it was all-around a wonderful experience. If I go back I will definitely do it again. There's a lot to do around the resort that doesn't cost much. We watched the free shows and attended the free workout classes. We also had a rental car and didn't stay at the property every night. I do think if we didn't have a rental car, I would've gotten bored at the resort quicker. I was able to appreciate the resort because we got to leave. I enjoyed the lazy river but it can get crowded with kids. I didn't use any of the pools with slides or kids access. When I went to the pool or hot tub, it was always the adult pool. I am so grateful because it was much more quiet and I could relax. I am a huge Disney Caramel Apple lover. Aulani has the best caramel apples hands down. I have been to many Disney resorts and theirs is the best. I don't know if I'll have enough room to post all the photos but I had a wonderful time and I can't wait to go back. Shoutout to Joy and Ulu who were wonderful at helping my bestie and I with looking into Disney Vacation Club options and just being wonderful the entire time. If you're on the fence about going, just go.

During our recent stay, Cora provided outstanding housekeeping service. She was extremely friendly, accommodating in every way, and went above and beyond to ensure our comfort. Her attention to detail and warm personality truly made a difference in our experience. Thank you so much, Cora! I hope the management team recognizes her exceptional service.Also, Ann Taylor who was so helpful in ensuring that we have the best experience as a family! Mahalo Nui!

Wow, this place was so magical! We dreamt of going to this place with our kids and it all came true this January! My kids enjoyed it so much! The food, service, and experience was top notch, 10/10! I can see why people spend top dollar to come here! You have everything you can ever imagine on this resort. They have their own private beach where the waves were small and perfect for my kids. We did pretty much every activity that was offered, and my girls loved the ear making! We also did the character breakfast, and it was so cute to see the kids hug Mickey, and Minnie, Chip, and Dale. Our goal this trip was to meet Stitch and Moana. They release the character meet schedule at 9am and we scheduled all our activities around the characters! The lines can get long, and they have a worker cutting off the lines at a certain point, so be sure to get there as early as possible.The pools are amazing, and they even have a Mickey and Goofy pool party that the kids loved! I'd say 80% of our time at Aulani was spent in the pools swimming and relaxing. Their shaved ice and ice cream were made into Mickey shapes, and my kids thought it was so delicious. The food is definitely pricey, but they have an Island Country Market across the street, so we got a lot of snacks for the kids. Overall, our experience was amazing, and I would definitely go back again. Worth every penny!

Beautiful resort located on the west side of the island of Oahu, one of the resorts featured in the luxurious Ko'olina Lagoons. Recognized by its beautiful Polynesian-inspired architecture, Aulani is the symbol of first class luxury in Hawaii. The resort features multiple pools for children and adults of all ages, the stand out for water activity is the massive volcano slide in the middle of the resort. If the beach is more your thing, it's only 20 feet away. The gorgeous Disney resort has one restaurant and two full bars, the restaurant's main feature is the breakfast with characters at $55/per adult, an all you can eat table service with Disney characters walking around taking photos with you. Although the resort has only one restaurant, Ko'olina has other restaurants only 10 mins walk from Aulani as well other Lagoons you're free to explore. If you're a local visiting, you may park at the resort, first structure on the right of the entrance, it's only one way so be careful, parking validation is free for any 50$ purchase at any of the many stores in Aulani. Whether you're a local or a visitor, Aulani is an experience you wouldn't want to miss.

This trip was truly magical. We didn't know where to stay in Hawaii, but we knew that out of all the options that Disney would make it magical. There was so much to do at the resort alone, and we made the most of it. One morning I decided to order the Elvis French Toast from room service and not only was it absolutely stunning, it was delicious. There were movies on the grounds for the kids to watch just about every day. There was a luau that we missed and I really regret that. We ate at every dining area there was and was blown away. I fell in love with poke bowls while we were there. The shopping in the property was also amazing. Truly one of the best family vacations I've ever had. 10/10

Aulani will always have a piece of our heart. We came here in April and it was truly magical. From early morning swims, to eating everything we could from their restaurants. These were a few of our favs. You get the full experience when you are here and you just forgot that everything is charged to your room key so you just say "f it" I'm on vacay! C'est La vie! If you can make it here at least once in your life, DO IT! We left sunkissed and 10 pounds heavier but it was worth it. We met the Disney characters, we did the luau on site and it was so much fun, the singers sang beautifully and there was so many activities to do before the show started.

Ko'Olina beachfront is an amazing location and always has been far before Disney moved in. The Aulani is a beautiful resort but not as grand as I expected. There are many activities for young children and early teens to participate in. I was disappointed in the evening activities for adults, there absolutely nothing to do but return to your room after 9pm. A lot of the restaurants, bars and activities close shop early in the evening, leaving you no choice, but to leave the resort to look for evening fun. The island bites along the water were great, fairly priced and on point with the theme. I was displeased with the dinner options, fine dining locations are over priced, quality of food and themes are lacking. A birthday dinner for two, one alcohol drink and one soda was over 400$ We left feeling we had experienced nothing special but felt cheated.

As kamaʻāina to Oʻahu, we decided to celebrate our daughter's birthday with a weekend stay at Aulani, and it was truly unforgettable! From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with warm aloha and exceptional service. Aulani does an incredible job blending Disney magic with the beauty and culture of Hawaiʻi, creating an experience that feels both familiar and unique.The lazy river quickly became a family favorite. We spent hours floating through lush greenery and enjoying the gentle waterfalls--it was so relaxing yet fun for everyone. The water slides were a big hit too! They offered just the right mix of thrill and adventure, and it was hard to pull our daughter away from them. The character meet-and-greets were another highlight. Watching her light up as she met Mickey, Minnie, Moana, and Stitch was pure joy. The interactions felt personal and unrushed, which made them even more special.We stayed in a deluxe studio, and it was absolutely perfect for our family. The room was spotless, spacious, and thoughtfully designed. The small kitchenette came in handy for preparing quick snacks, and the lanai offered a peaceful spot to relax with a morning coffee while taking in the tropical views. The attention to detail in the decor, which combines Hawaiian motifs with subtle Disney touches, made the space feel extra magical.Dining at Aulani was also a treat. While we brought some food to enjoy in the room, we couldn't resist trying the poolside snacks and the delicious offerings at Ulu Café. The fresh poke bowls and locally inspired desserts were a standout!We also loved exploring the cultural activities offered at the resort. The nightly storytelling around the fire pit was enchanting, and our daughter enjoyed the craft sessions that taught her about Hawaiian traditions. It was heartwarming to see the emphasis Aulani places on honoring and sharing the local culture.Overall, our weekend at Aulani exceeded all expectations. The staff were friendly and attentive, the resort was impeccably clean, and the activities were engaging for guests of all ages. Whether you're looking for relaxation, family fun, or a bit of both, Aulani offers an experience that's second to none.Mahalo nui loa, Aulani, for helping us create such beautiful memories for our daughter's birthday. We're already planning our next staycation!

Aulani was not originally in our Oahu itinerary, but due to a poor hotel experience in Waikiki I booked a room on the last day of our trip. You definitely get what you pay for here. The service from front desk all the way to cast members at the pool were amazing. Our room was upgraded, and I loved that we were able to use the amenities right away. Our room by far has been more comfortable compared to our prior hotel stays. Being that I am a father now, my toddler lit up seeing all the Disney characters around resort, and food items. Last thing I will say is that we loved our stay so much that after a month of much thinking and post vacation, we bought into DVC. We decided to make Aulani our home resort and look forward to our annual trips to Oahu.

I would give this place 10 stars if I could. We have 6 nights of amazing bliss. My husband who is not a Disney fan, loved Aulani and was the first to say "let's consider DVC so that we can come back every year". I am a mega Disney fan and loved the Disney magic sprinkled into everything. This place is not your typical Disney hotel where Disney is vomited everywhere. It's very tasteful so that non-Disney folks can also enjoy without feeling too much Disney.Our rooms were standard- did not feel as luxe as some of the 5-star hotels we have stayed at. However, the service, the proximity to the beach, the kid-friendly things, and the ambiance makes this place the perfect vacation spot. It's worth every penny!Highly, highly recommend! TIP: Walk over to the Four Seasons for more food options via the beach in the back- it's a short 1-2 minute walk. Don't use the front- that took forever.