Disney Aulani Hawaii: My Complete Family Travel Guide, Review + Tips You Need to Know Before You Go

August 27, 2026

if Disney Aulani is on your bucket list, SAVE THIS BLOG POST! After spending a week at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Oahu, I learned so many things I wish I had known before we arrived.

This trip was extra special because we went to Hawaii to celebrate my birthday, and Aulani had been on my bucket list for YEARS.

We are a Disney family, so when we decided to visit Hawaii, I honestly didn't look at any other resorts—or even another Hawaiian island. 😂 I knew exactly where I wanted to stay: Disney Aulani.

And while there are definitely things I would do differently next time, we had such an amazing family vacation.

I'm sharing everything I learned: reservations, characters, food allergies, gluten-free food, activities, pool chairs, excursions, renting a car, saving money on food, what to book before you arrive and all the little tips that can make your Aulani vacation easier.

BEFORE YOU GO: Download the Aulani App

One of the FIRST things I recommend doing is downloading the Aulani Resort app.

The schedule can change throughout your trip, so check it every day for:

Character meet-and-greets
Resort activities
Crafts
Fitness classes
Entertainment
Pool activities
Special events

Don't assume today's schedule will be the same tomorrow.

One of our favorites was the character pool party, so keep an eye on the schedule for things like this during your stay.

BOOK YOUR ACTIVITIES EARLY

This is probably my biggest Aulani tip.

Do not wait until you arrive to start planning your activities.

Popular experiences can fill up before your vacation. Reservation windows vary depending on the experience, so I recommend checking what becomes available around 30–60 days before your trip and booking as soon as your specific activity allows.

This is especially important for things like:

Character breakfast
KA WA'A Luau
Aunty's Beach House experiences
Make Your Own Mickey Ears
Rainbow Reef experiences
Paid crafts and activities
Spa experiences
Special activities for kids

Even some of the complimentary experiences can have limited availability.

But don't panic if something is sold out online!

Ask about a waitlist or show up 10–20 minutes before the activity starts and ask if they have cancellations or no-shows.

We had luck doing this during our vacation.

I wasn't able to reserve the character breakfast ahead of time, for example, but we arrived around 8 AM and were able to walk in.

You never know!

FREE + PAID ACTIVITIES AT AULANI

One thing I really loved about Aulani was that you're not just paying for a hotel room. There is SO MUCH happening throughout the resort.

Some activities are included with your stay, while others have an additional cost.

Depending on the current schedule, you may find activities like:

Ukulele lessons
Hawaiian cultural activities
Arts and crafts
Fire pit storytelling
Menehune Adventure Trail scavenger hunt
Character experiences
Fitness classes
Yoga
Pilates
Rainbow Reef snorkeling
Mickey ear making
Lei and jewelry crafts
Hawaiian dance activities
Spa and wellness experiences

The activities we personally paid extra for included Make Your Own Mickey Ears, a sound bath on the beach and Zoe's makeover at Painted Sky.

Some of our complimentary experiences included making necklaces and keychains, meeting characters and collecting autographs, the scavenger hunt and fire pit storytelling.

Take advantage of these activities! You're already paying to stay at the resort, and they were some of our favorite memories.

PAINTED SKY: ZOE'S DISNEY AULANI MAKEOVER

If you're traveling with a little girl who loves Disney makeovers, definitely look into Painted Sky: HI Style Studio.

Think of it as Aulani's island version of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique experience.

Zoe was able to choose her outfit, swimwear, accessories and hairstyle. They had different braiding options, and the staff was wonderful and patient with her 4C hair.

She chose an adorable pink swimsuit and got her hair braided along with makeup, gems and a temporary tattoo.

It was such a cute experience.

Extra tip: Check the shop inside Painted Sky even if you're not doing a makeover. I found some of the cutest Disney swimsuits there!

AUNTY'S BEACH HOUSE

Parents—you'll want to know about this!

Aunty's Beach House is Aulani's highly supervised kids club for children ages 4–12.

Children can participate in Hawaiian-inspired activities, crafts, games and Disney experiences while parents get a little alone time.

Aulani currently offers both complimentary programming and premium experiences at an additional cost. Advance registration and reservations are strongly recommended.

There are also family activities offered in this area. This is where we did some of our bracelets and keychains.

CHARACTER MEET-AND-GREETS: GET THERE EARLY!

Do NOT arrive at the exact character meet-and-greet time.

I recommend getting in line 10–20 minutes early.

They do a head count and WILL cut the line off once they reach capacity. If meeting a particular character is important to your child, get there early.

We brought something special for Zoe to collect all of her signatures.

You can grab an inexpensive wooden board from the ABC Store across the street, but we found a beautiful Aulani Disney wooden surfboard inside the resort's Disney store.

It became the perfect souvenir because all the characters could autograph it!

CELEBRATING A BIRTHDAY? GET YOUR BUTTON!

If you're celebrating a birthday, anniversary, first visit or another special occasion, ask the front desk about a celebration button.

I wore my birthday button, and Cast Members would notice it and say happy birthday throughout the resort.

At meals, you may even get a special birthday acknowledgement or treat.

It's such a small thing, but it makes the Disney experience even more magical.

THE AULANI POOL WRISTBAND SYSTEM

This is something you'll definitely want to understand.

Aulani's pools and pool chairs are reserved for resort guests, and you need a new wristband each day.

You'll show your room key at a towel station to receive your daily wristband.

Aulani's current policy also states that belongings left unattended on a chair for more than one hour can be removed and stored at the closest towel station.

During our stay, we noticed Cast Members monitoring chairs by folding a towel on chairs that appeared unattended. If you see that, make sure you're actually returning to and using your chairs rather than leaving them abandoned for long periods.

You can come and go while enjoying the pools and beach, but don't expect to claim a prime pool chair in the morning and disappear for half the day.

My advice: grab your chairs early if having a particular location matters to you, but actually use them.

FREE BEACH EQUIPMENT!

Don't unnecessarily pack everything for the beach.

Aulani provides several complimentary beach items for resort guests.

During our stay we were able to use things like boogie boards and sand toys.

Disney also currently lists complimentary boogie boards and life jackets for resort guests, while equipment such as paddleboards and certain snorkel options are available for an additional fee.

DO THE MENEHUNE ADVENTURE TRAIL

If you're traveling with kids, don't skip the Menehune Adventure Trail.

It's an interactive scavenger hunt throughout Aulani where kids solve clues and discover hidden surprises.

And it's included with your stay!

It's an easy activity to add when you want a break from swimming.

MY THOUGHTS ON THE FOOD AT AULANI

I'm going to be completely transparent: I didn't love the overall food selection at Aulani.

As someone who is very particular about ingredients, oils and the foods my family eats, there weren't a ton of options that matched how we normally eat at home.

However, I was VERY impressed with how seriously Disney takes food allergies.

I eat gluten-free, and I was able to find things like:

Gluten-free pizza
Tacos
Fries
Desserts
Allergy-friendly meals

The poolside tacos and gluten-free pizza were actually really good!

Gluten-free obviously doesn't automatically mean healthy, organic or seed-oil-free, so I still asked questions.

If you have a food allergy or intolerance, tell the Cast Member every single time you order.

And still read ingredient labels on packaged foods when possible. Something being gluten-free or allergy-friendly doesn't mean it automatically meets every other ingredient standard you may have.

Even something as simple as a cookie can contain ingredients you weren't expecting. I noticed that some chocolate chip cookies contained Red 40, so always read the ingredient list or ask before ordering, especially if there are certain ingredients you avoid.

Surprisingly, one of the BEST meals I had during the entire trip was at Makai Plantation at the airport! The teriyaki chicken was AMAZING. Seriously, if they had served that at Aulani, I probably would have eaten it every single day. 😂 It was easily one of my favorite meals of the trip!

BRING SNACKS AND SAVE MONEY

Food in Hawaii is EXPENSIVE.

If you're traveling with kids—or you're picky about ingredients like I am—BRING SNACKS.

We packed a ton of our own snacks, and I'm so glad we did.

It saved us money and meant I always had something available that I knew Zoe and I would eat.

There is an ABC Store across the street from Aulani, but the selection of snacks that fit our normal preferences was pretty limited during our visit. I found things like LesserEvil popcorn and OLIPOP, but don't expect a huge natural-food grocery store.

If you're staying longer, consider making a grocery run.

There are larger stores within driving distance, including Target, Costco and Whole Foods Market.

If you book a villa with a kitchen, buying groceries and preparing some of your meals could save a significant amount of money.

RESTAURANTS ACROSS THE STREET

You are NOT limited to eating at Aulani.

There are restaurants and shops within walking distance across the street at Ko Olina Station and Ko Olina Center.

We checked out places like Monkeypod Kitchen, and I actually went there for my birthday dinner.

You'll also find the ABC Store nearby, which is great for drinks, snacks, souvenirs and things you may have forgotten.

And because I always find the Puerto Rican food wherever I travel 😂, if you're Puerto Rican like me or just love Puerto Rican food, check out Coquito's Latin Cuisine. It's roughly a 25-minute drive from Aulani depending on traffic. It's not seed oil free but it was pretty delicious.

LOOKING FOR SEED-OIL-FREE FOOD?

Finding restaurants that matched the way we normally eat was definitely more challenging in Hawaii.

I used Seed Oil Scout to search for options.

One restaurant we found was Jax Wood Fired Pizza, which offered organic and gluten-free pizza options when we visited. Unfortunately, the day we tried to go they were closed for a special event, so always check current hours before driving somewhere.

The biggest lesson?

If you have specific dietary preferences, research restaurants BEFORE your trip and save them to a list.

SHOULD YOU RENT A CAR AT AULANI?

YES—especially if you want to explore Oahu.

Aulani is beautiful enough that you could spend several days without leaving the resort, but Hawaii has so much more to see.

There is an Enterprise rental car location at Aulani, which made getting a vehicle extremely convenient for us.

We booked ours while we were already there, but I recommend reserving ahead of time so you have more vehicle options and aren't depending on last-minute availability.

Also keep in mind that many excursions do NOT include transportation.

OUR JURASSIC PARK ADVENTURE

One of our favorite days outside Aulani was our Jurassic Park adventure at Kualoa Ranch.

If you've seen Jurassic Park, you've probably seen this incredible landscape.

It was absolutely worth leaving the resort for.

Book popular excursions BEFORE arriving in Hawaii. You don't want to wait until your vacation and realize the day or tour you wanted is sold out. It happened to us I really wanted to of the ATVs. Also check out the other activities at Kualoa Ranch. They have Hollywood tours, horse back riding and even a secret island excursion.

We rented a car for our excursion day, which also allowed us to explore more of Oahu afterward.

WE SAW SEA TURTLES!

After our Jurassic Park adventure, we drove up toward the North Shore and stopped at a beach known for sea turtle sightings.

And YES—we actually saw turtles!

If you do visit an area where Hawaiian green sea turtles are resting, enjoy them from a respectful distance and follow all posted wildlife guidelines.

Seeing them in their natural environment was such a cool experience for Zoe.

SHOULD YOU BOOK THE AULANI LUAU?

Aulani has its own KA WA'A Luau, which makes attending a luau extremely convenient because you don't have to leave the resort.

But you don't HAVE to do your luau at Disney.

There are plenty of luaus around Oahu, and some may be larger or less expensive.

If supporting local Hawaiian businesses is important to you, research locally operated luaus as well and compare the experiences before booking. We did the Mauka Warriors Luau its bigger, cheaper, has more activities and they offer FREE transportation.

Whichever one you choose, reserve it before your trip because luaus can sell out.

TAKE PICTURES NEAR THE GOLF COURSE

Here's a photo tip!

Walk toward the side of the resort near the golf course for some absolutely beautiful scenery and photo opportunities.

Just be careful around rocks, landscaping and sprinklers.

Some of my favorite photos came from simply exploring outside the main pool area.

MAGICBANDS AT AULANI

If you already own compatible Disney MagicBands, bring them!

MagicBand functionality is available at Aulani, and the resort usually has a limited selection available for purchase as well.

It's one less thing to worry about carrying around when you're spending the day at the pool.

DON'T SKIP THE AULANI STORES

The main Disney shop at Aulani isn't huge, but there are some really cute resort-exclusive items.

We found:

Aulani pins
Hair flowers
Souvenirs
Disney merchandise
Our wooden Aulani surfboard for character autographs

Also check the shop at Painted Sky for adorable Disney swimwear and accessories.

If you see an Aulani-exclusive souvenir you love, I wouldn't necessarily wait until the last day to buy it because inventory can change.

REFILLABLE MUGS

Aulani offers refillable drink mugs for purchase.

If your family drinks fountain sodas, coffee or the beverages included with the refill program, this could potentially save you money during a longer stay.

We didn't take advantage of it because we don't really drink conventional soda or juice, but for some families it could be worth it.

WHAT TO DO ON YOUR LAST DAY

Checkout is currently 11 AM, but that doesn't necessarily mean your vacation has to immediately end.

You can store your luggage with Bell Services and continue enjoying the resort before leaving for the airport.

Aulani also has departure-day facilities that may help guests freshen up before heading to the airport. Ask the front desk about current availability and access instructions during your stay.

This is especially helpful if you have an evening flight.

One tip: if you're given limited or one-time access to a departure facility, don't activate it until you're actually ready to use it.

CAN YOU VISIT AULANI WITHOUT STAYING THERE?

You can visit certain public areas of Aulani without staying at the resort—for example, to dine or shop—but many of the experiences that make Aulani special are reserved for registered resort guests.

The pools, pool chairs and many resort amenities require a valid daily wristband, which is issued to Aulani resort guests.

So while you can certainly visit, staying at Aulani gives you the full experience.

MY TOP DISNEY AULANI TIPS

If I could give someone planning their first Aulani vacation a quick checklist, it would be:

Download the Aulani app before your trip.
Start checking reservations 30–60 days before traveling.
Book your must-do activities as soon as their reservation windows open.
Reserve your luau and character dining early.
Book excursions before arriving in Hawaii.
Rent a car if you want to explore Oahu.
Pack plenty of snacks—especially if you have dietary restrictions.
Tell Disney about food allergies every time you order.
Get to character meet-and-greets 10–20 minutes early.
Check the app every morning because schedules can change.
Take advantage of complimentary activities instead of only booking paid experiences.
Do the Menehune scavenger hunt with your kids.
Grab your celebration button when you arrive.
Bring something special for character autographs.
Don't spend your entire vacation inside the resort—explore Oahu!

WOULD I STAY AT DISNEY AULANI AGAIN?

Absolutely.

Was everything perfect? No.

The food wasn't my favorite, and Aulani can definitely be expensive, especially once you add food, activities and excursions.

But the experience of combining Disney magic with Hawaii was so special.

I loved watching Zoe meet the characters, get her makeover, collect autographs, swim, make crafts, explore the resort and experience Hawaiian culture.

And I finally got to celebrate my birthday in Hawaii—something I had dreamed about doing for years.

For our family, this wasn't just another Disney vacation.

It was a bucket-list trip.

And I'm so grateful we got to experience it together.

WATCH OUR DISNEY AULANI HAWAII VLOGS

Want to actually SEE everything we did?

I vlogged our Hawaii vacation, including Disney Aulani, the pools, characters, food, activities, Zoe's makeover, our luau, Jurassic Park adventure, North Shore and more.

Watch my Disney Aulani + Hawaii Vlogs on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@Iamjasyra

SHOP MY HAWAII + DISNEY TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Need help figuring out what to pack for Hawaii, Disney or a long flight?

I've organized my favorite travel, flight and Disney essentials in my Amazon folders.

Amazon USA https://amzlink.to/az0KEbgpUCcij

Amazon Canada https://urlgeni.us/amazon/Canada_

Happy travels! 🌺🌴🌊

And if Disney Aulani is on your bucket list, I hope this guide helps you plan an amazing vacation while avoiding some of the mistakes I made along the way.

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