Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa: An Honest Review for Families

Discover the magic of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa where stunning Hawaiian beauty meets unforgettable family fun, creating the perfect getaway for all ages. This Aulani review, as told by a mom of two toddlers, is honest, unfiltered and will breakdown the good, bad and ugly!

My younger sister Katie has lived on Oahu for years, and at this point, visiting her in Hawaii is one of our family’s favorite things in the world. We’ve gotten pretty good at figuring out how to do the islands with little kids — the beach days, the hikes, the shave ice stops, the inter-island flights with a lap baby and a prayer (read all about our visit to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park last year!). Katie knows Oahu like the back of her hand, and over the years she’s become our unofficial tour guide, itinerary planner, and favorite person to split a bottle of wine with once the kids are asleep.

Both times we’ve visited Hawaii with our kids, we’ve spent most of the trip staying with Katie. But both times, she was the one who suggested we carve out a couple of days at Aulani — partly as a little staycation for her, and partly because she knew exactly what she was doing when it came to our kids. Our two are big Mickey fans, full-on Lilo and Stitch devotees and Moana is practically a family member at our house. 

So when Katie floated the idea of a couple of nights at a Hawaiian resort with a side of Disney magic, it took approximately zero seconds for us to say yes.

What we were curious about going in was the balance — how much Hawaiian resort, how much Disney? Because there’s a version of that equation that tips too far in one direction and suddenly you feel like you’re at a theme park that happens to have palm trees.

But Aulani gets it right. It’s a beautiful Hawaiian property first, with the Disney characters and touches woven in rather than plastered on top. It’s packed with things to do, but it never feels chaotic the way a park does — it feels like a family resort that genuinely thought through what families actually need.

Pulling up for the first time, we were all a little awestruck. The entrance and the grounds are stunning — lush and open and immediately transportable. This past trip, we barely made it through check-in before the kids were asking about Stitch. So we beelined straight to find him, and just like that, we were in it.

We’ve now stayed twice — our kids were one and three the first visit, two and four most recently — and the second trip honestly made me wish I’d had this guide before the first one. So here it is: two trips worth of notes, opinions, and hard-won tips from a friend who’s already done the research so you don’t have to.

What and where is Aulani?

Built in 2011, Aulani is a Disney resort on 21 oceanfront acres, nestled between verdant mountains and serene ocean waters in Ko Olina on Oahu’s leeward (west) coast, about 27 miles west of Honolulu and roughly 17 miles from the airport. Ko Olina is its own little enclave: a planned resort community with lagoon beaches, a handful of restaurants and shops, and a walkable strip that is removed from the crowds of Waikiki.

Aulani is more than just a Disney resort with a Hawaiian backdrop — and understanding that will change your perspective on your stay at the resort. The resort was designed by Walt Disney Imagineers working directly with a Hawaiian Cultural Committee, local artisans, and cultural experts from the very beginning. The architecture, the artwork, the volcanic outcroppings throughout the property, the activities, the storytelling — all of it was built to honor and reflect genuine Hawaiian culture and history, not just gesture at it.

The name itself tells you everything. “Aulani” means “messenger of a chief” — or more broadly, one who speaks on behalf of a higher authority. As the story goes, the name came from a Cultural Committee member who dreamed it during the planning process, and it stuck because it so perfectly captured the purpose of the place: a resort that speaks on behalf of Hawaiian culture, stepping aside to let those voices come forward rather than putting Disney between visitors and the islands.

Aulani even has a full-time Cultural Advisor on staff. That commitment to authenticity is something you actually feel while you’re there — in the art on the walls, in the Menehune Adventure Trail, in the way the whole property is laid out. It’s a Hawaiian resort that happens to have Disney magic woven through it, and that distinction matters.

The resort itself is set on beautifully manicured grounds with palm trees and incredible Hawaiian plants and flowers throughout. This place is extremely thoughtful in everything from the moment you arrive and check in, to the special experiences and overall vibe of your visit.

Getting There

From Honolulu International Airport (HNL), you’re looking at roughly 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Aulani offers a resort shuttle from the airport, but again, if you’re planning to explore the island at all, a rental car from the airport is the more practical move.

I’d strongly recommend renting a car, especially if Aulani is going to be your home base for exploring the island. Ko Olina is lovely but it’s not the whole island, and getting to places like the North Shore, the Dole Plantation, or any of the hiking on the windward side requires a car. You can Uber or rideshare within Ko Olina itself, but for actually experiencing Oahu beyond the resort bubble, a rental car is worth it.

The Beach

The beach at Aulani sits along a gorgeous stretch of coastline on one of Ko Olina’s four man-made lagoons. The white sand in Ko Olina was actually imported from Lanai, the rock barriers keep out the rougher ocean surf from this side of the island, and the result is calm, shallow water that is perfect for families with little ones. If you’re lucky you might spot a Hawaiian green sea turtle in the water — they’re known to make appearances, especially in the central lagoons.

Sand toys and life jackets are complimentary for Aulani guests, which is a genuinely nice touch when you’re trying to manage two kiddos and not think about what you forgot to pack. You can also rent snorkel equipment and paddleboards. The beach is gorgeous at golden hour — sunsets over the lagoons are something else.

Worth knowing: all four Ko Olina lagoons are connected by a 1.5-mile walking path, and the resorts are linked by over five miles of waterfront walking paths — a beautiful way to explore the area or catch the sunset on foot. The lagoon beaches are technically public, meaning anyone can access the water and sand, so don’t expect a completely private experience. The chairs and beach amenities are reserved for resort guests, but the beach itself can get busy, especially once the morning gets going. If you want a quieter stretch, earlier is better.

The Pools (and Lazy River, and Slides)

This is the heart of Aulani and where we spent most of our time. The pool complex — called Waikolohe Valley, which means “mischievous water” in Hawaiian — is enormous and genuinely well-designed for every age and stage. Here’s a quick lay of the land so you know what you’re walking into:

Waikolohe Pool is the main 8,200-square-foot zero-entry pool at the center of it all, great for all ages and where you’ll find poolside character parties and celebrations. Waikolohe Stream is the lazy river, and it winds through rock formations and caverns inspired by Oahu, with fountain springs that offer little bursts of cooling refreshment along the way.

We put the kids in life jackets and they sat in tubes with us, which worked really well. There can be a line or it can be hard to find a tube during peak times, so earlier in the day is better.

For the thrill seekers, the two water slides launch from Puʻu Kilo, a craggy peak overlooking the valley. Volcanic Vertical is an enclosed body slide that drops you straight into the pool. Tubestone Curl is an open-air twisting tube ride that you can do solo or with a partner. The slides require kids to be comfortable swimmers — there’s no strict age cutoff, it’s more about readiness. Our four-year-old was all in. Kids who aren’t quite there yet have plenty of other options.

Ka Maka Grotto is an infinity-edge pool overlooking the Ko Olina beach, with a misty grotto and an after-dark experience with thousands of glittering lights — it’s worth seeing even if you just wander over for a look.

Keiki Cove is the splash pad designed for kids five and under, with rainbow water jets, aquatic creature designs on the pool floor, and hidden Menehune figures tucked throughout.

Menehune Bridge is the bigger splash zone for kids, with two water slides, a climbing play structure, spinning gourds, and interactive water elements — all tied into the legend of the Menehune, the master builders of Hawaiian tradition. And if you need a grown-ups-only escape, Wailana Pool is adults 18 and up, with a tension-edge pool and tropical shade trees.

You can also order pool service from a mix of Off the Hook and the Wailana Pool Bar, so you genuinely never have to leave if you don’t want to. 

Cabana Rental

Saving chairs at Aulani is basically an Olympic sport (more on that below), so if it’s in your budget, a cabana rental is ideal for a day by the pool. 

There are a few different cabana options depending on where you want to set up camp. The ʻOhana Cabanas are located near Keiki Cove and Menehune Bridge — perfect if you have little ones who are going to be in and out of the splash areas all day.  The Mākua Cabanas at Wailana Pool are the adults-only option, ideal if you’re sneaking away from the kids for a few hours. And the Ka Maka Cabanas are the largest option, accommodating up to twelve guests, with a 55″ TV, outdoor dining table with umbrella, and an upgraded snack spread that includes naan and hummus in addition to the fruit, chips, and dessert platters, as well as a dedicated cabana host.

Katie reserved us Ka Maka Caban near the grotto pool and it was one of the best decisions of the trip. Having a private home base — a lanai to spread out on, a couch and ceiling fan to retreat to, cold water in the fridge, snacks appearing without anyone having to ask — changes the entire experience of a resort day with kids. You’re not hauling everything to the pool hoping to find two chairs together. You just show up and everything is already there waiting for you.

Rainbow Reef

Tucked right in the middle of Waikolohe Valley is Rainbow Reef, Aulani’s own man-made saltwater snorkeling lagoon, The 3,800-square-foot reef is home to hundreds of tropical fish — butterflyfish, angelfish, surgeonfish, tangs — plus hidden Menehune figures and artistic carvings worked into the rocks if you know to look for them.

Because it’s a controlled lagoon environment, the visibility is excellent and there are no unpredictable waves or currents to worry about, which makes it a great first snorkeling experience for kids or anyone who’s a little nervous about open water. Snorkeling access runs $30 per adult and $25 per child for a single day, or $50/$40 for length-of-stay access, with all equipment included. If you want a lower-commitment option, watching through the viewing window is completely free — great for the littlest ones who aren’t ready to get in. The fish feeding experience is $8 per person and a fun add-on for kids who want a more interactive encounter with the marine life For older kids and adults who want to go deeper, the Underwater Explorers scuba lesson is a two-hour intro experience with certified instructors at $189 per person for ages ten and up — reservations required.

Character Breakfast

Worth it. That’s my headline.

There are character meet and greets happening throughout the day at various spots around the resort (more on those below), and you can check the schedule on the Disney app to see who’s appearing where and when.

But the lines for popular characters can get long (we had really good luck with lines during our visits and I share some tips below), but as we were planning our trip we wanted to guarantee some character sightings in case the kids didn’t want to wait in line (with little kids, standing in a long line in the Hawaiian sun when they don;t want to is nobody’s idea of a good time).

You’ll also occasionally spot characters near the pool bridges or other parts of the resort, though those are informal moments and they can’t always stop for photos or autographs.

The character breakfast solves all of the above problems. It also guarantees you face time with Mickey, along with several of his friends. Makahiki hosts the breakfast daily from 7am to 11am. The format is a three-course prix fixe meal, and the food is genuinely really good. Fresh island fruit, malasadas (Hawaii’s version of Portuguese donuts and absolutely addictive), and your choice of entrée. My kids are devoted to the Mickey waffles and my husband loves the loco moco.

But the food is almost secondary to the experience. When you check in, they walk you outside to a beautiful spot by the koi pond where Mickey is already waiting. (A private meet and greet before you even sit down, with a PhotoPass photographer right there capturing everything!)

Unhurried, no line, just your family and Mickey. From there we met Goofy on the way to our table, and then throughout the meal characters came directly to us! Max, Chip and Dale, Minnie, and Pluto all made their rounds, stopped at our table, interacted with the kids, posed for photos and videos, and signed autographs.

Speaking of autographs — skip the autograph book. We picked up wooden mini surfboards at a local ABC store beforehand and they were a huge hit. The characters loved signing them, they’re a fun souvenir, and they’re a lot more memorable than a standard book.

Having a set time to meet characters, at your table, without waiting in line, with food in front of you — it’s just a better experience than the line system, especially with a two-year-old and a four-year-old who have limited patience reserves.

A few logistics worth knowing:

• you do not need to be staying at Aulani to book the character breakfast, so if you’re visiting Oahu and staying elsewhere, this is still worth adding to your trip.
• Reservations open 45 days in advance and they go fast, so set a reminder and book the moment your window opens.

Character Meet and Greets

I already covered the character breakfast in detail above, but it’s worth talking about the broader character experience at Aulani because it works a little differently than the parks. Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, Donald, Daisy, Chip ‘n Dale, and Duffy all make appearances, along with Moana, Stitch and Angel (who , of course, feel especially at home in Hawaii).

Unlike the parks where character schedules are posted weeks in advance, Aulani keeps it casual and the resort posts the charcter schedule daily in the morning to the app. (You can also call the character hotline from your room phone by dialing CHIP (2447) or see the schedule on the digital billboard in the lobby, or grab a printed copy at the front desk).

Meet and greet locations rotate, but you’ll typically find characters at Halawai Lawn, the front of the Ewa Tower, by the koi pond near Makahiki, Manawa Island, and near the Waikolohe Stream entrance by the wristband station. 

A few tips for meeting your favorite characters:

• Check the schedule first thing every morning and set phone reminders ten minutes before any appearances you want to catch.
• Lines aren’t super long and will be shorter if you get to the location about 5 minutes before the meet and greet is scheduled. (We did this and usually only had to wait for a few families ahead of us).
• Characters do occasionally appear near the pool bridges for informal wave-and-wave moments — not official meet and greets, but great for a quick photo.

And if you want your character photos to really pop, a little effort goes a long way — matching Hawaiian shirts, Mickey ears, or coordinated outfits photograph beautifully and you’ll be glad you did it.

The character experiences at Aulani have a few advantages:

• Wait times are minimal compared to the parks
• The interactions feel genuinely unhurried and personal
• The characters wear exclusive Hawaiian-themed outfits you won’t find anywhere else — which makes for really beautiful, unique photos. 
• You’ll also occasionally encounter rarer characters like Duffy and Angel who don’t make appearances at the parks
• The backdrops around the resort — the koi pond, the lush landscaping, the Hawaiian inspired architecture — make for photos that look nothing like your standard theme park character shot.

Dining

You will not go hungry at Aulani, and honestly the casual dining options are where it’s at with little kids. We kept coming back to Off the Hook, the poolside and beachside sit-down restaurant — the menu is solid and you can also order pool service from a mix of Off the Hook and the Wailana Pool Bar, which is incredibly convenient when you don’t want to drag wet kids anywhere. 

Ulu Cafe is the grab-and-go spot on property and we used it constantly — and if you’re a family that runs on caffeine and fountain drinks, spring for the $20 refillable cups that get you unlimited soda and coffee for the trip.

They have Mickey waffles at breakfast, poke bowls and acai bowls for lunch, along with a Mickey shaped spam musibi, as well as standard fare like sandwiches and salads. Their pizza for dinner is also the best price for resort food, and perfect for a dinner in your hotel room after a long day in the sun.

We also made multiple stops at Papaula Shave Ice, which comes in a Mickey shape and lets you pick up to three flavors — a completely non-negotiable treat. 

For something special, the on-site lū’au, Kā Waʻa, is a full evening of traditional Hawaiian storytelling, dance, and buffet-style island fare including a kid-friendly bento dinner — worth considering if you want one elevated night out that the kids will actually enjoy too. 

Other on-property options include ʻAMAʻAMA, a more formal prix fixe restaurant on the beach (we skipped it with our two and four year old, but filed it away for a future trip), The ʻŌlelo Room for Hawaiian cocktails and global bites, and Makahiki, where the character breakfast happens but which also serves lunch and dinner. 

We also dined in Ko Olina at two different restaurants during our trip that I’d love to recommend. If you want to venture next door, the Four Seasons Ko Olina is walking distance and worth the trip for dinner. Mina’s Fish House came highly recommended and did not disappoint — James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Mina brings a line-to-table philosophy to a beachfront seafood experience that feels genuinely special without being stuffy.

Think whole roasted fish, expertly crafted tropical cocktails, and panoramic ocean views. It’s a grown-up dinner that still has a relaxed enough vibe that you won’t feel out of place if you’re winding down after a full day with kids.

Also in Ko Olina and absolutely worth knowing about: Monkeypod Kitchen by Merriman. Chef Peter Merriman has been a culinary pioneer in Hawaii for over twenty years and his commitment to local farmers, brewers, and artisans shows up in every bite and sip.

The food is chef-driven and locally sourced, the atmosphere is warm and lively, and the cocktail menu is outstanding. My personal favorite is the Monkeypod Mai Tai — made with Kula organic silver and dark rums, lime, house-made macadamia nut orgeat, orange curaçao, and a honey-lilikoi foam on top that I think about more than I’d like to admit. 

Laniwai Spa

Both times I visited Aulani, I was lucky enough to have time away to sneak away from my family and enjoy the spa. 

The spa at Aulani, called Laniwai, is not just a spa. It’s an experience in itself, and the treatment is honestly just one part of it. In Hawaiian, Laniwai means “freshwater heaven” and the name reflects a reverence for nature and traditional Hawaiian healing practices, which often blend water and massage to restore the body.

Your arrival to Laniwai is just the beginning of the experience. Somehow, they have been able to create this serene, beautiful, quiet oasis in the middle of a bustling resort that caters to families. When you arrive, you’re brought to the center of the spa — called the piko, meaning belly button — where you’re given a stone engraved with a word to focus your intention for the visit. Things like “happiness” or “confidence.” Both visits, the intention I got was “listening.” You gently toss it into the pond at the piko, and there’s something about that small ritual that immediately shifts your mindset. 

The spa offers over 150 treatments with prices ranging from approximately $100 to $400 — a 50-minute couples massage starts around $205 per person. But what’s included with any full-service treatment is what really sets it apart: complimentary access to Kula Wai, the outdoor hydrotherapy garden, which is the only one of its kind on Oahu. The 5,000-square-foot garden is a completely sequestered retreat with private vitality baths, co-ed soaking pools, six rain-style showers, a reflexology path designed to massage your feet and lower legs, a cold plunge pool, and heated whirlpool jet spas. Arrive early and plan to stay after your treatment — I spent half the day there and genuinely could have stayed longer. It’s worth its own visit honestly.

Both visits, I got the signature lomilomi massage, which was mind and body altering and one of the best massages I’ve ever gotten. Each time I left the spa I felt calm and rejuvenated and ready to take on more water slides with my kids.

A few practical things: book your spa treatment before you go because it fills up. Arrive early to your appointment (you can come up to an hour ahead of time) and the earlier you arrive for your appointment, the more time you have in Kula Wai. Complimentary self-parking for up to four hours is included with your spa appointment. And if you’re visiting with another adult, tag-team kid duty and get yourselves in there. Going mid-trip, right when the cumulative exhaustion of traveling with small children hits its peak, is exactly the right call.

Aunty’s Beach House

Aunty’s Beach House is the resort’s kids club, and the minimum age is four, so Dylan got to spend a few hours at Aunty’s during our most recent trip.

The 5,200-square-foot space is a kid’s dream. There’s a movie room showing Disney favorites with cozy rain windows, Hawaiian arts and crafts, an enclosed and secure backyard, enchanted fireplaces, magical portals depicting scenes from around Hawaii, and supervised programming run by Disney Youth Counselors. Complimentary programs and drop-in activities are included for resort guests, and you can reserve a spot in advance — which I’d strongly recommend because it fills up.

Aunty’s Beach House also offers are the Premium Experiences, available at an extra cost, which is what we signed Dylan up for during out trip. He participated in the Moana Wayfinding Adventure; an immersive, activity-based journey where Moana guides kids through the sacred art of Polynesian wayfinding. Other premium options include Surf’s Up — a surfing, fishing, and dancing party with Disney pals where kids decorate their own mini wooden surfboard — and the Galactic Games, an athletic challenge series that ends with kids making their own ice cream. All premium experiences include souvenir keepsakes, which is a nice touch.

Honestly, as a parent, Aunty’s Beach House is a gift. Dropping off a happy four-year-old who is thrilled about his Moana adventure and then having even an hour or two with just your younger one — or, wild idea, just yourself — is a vacation within a vacation. 

The Menehune Adventure Trail

The Menehune Adventure Trail is a complimentary, high-tech resort-wide scavenger hunt built around the legend of the Menehune — the mysterious “little people” of Hawaii, known for their magical powers and mischief. To get started, you check out a special tablet from the Pau Hana community center; the tablet then guides you along the trail throughout the resort with videos and interactive clues, and at certain spots the scenery actually comes to life when you answer correctly. Along the way kids learn about Hawaiian culture, art, music, and the Menehune legend itself — all with a dash of Disney magic woven through.

A Few Things Worth Knowing Before You Go

Book early. The character breakfast, spa, resort activities and Aunty’s Beach House all fill up fast, especially during peak travel times. Reservations for the character breakfast open 45 days in advance. Set a reminder and book the moment your window opens. You will be sad if you don’t.

Download the Disney app before you arrive. Character schedules, wait times, activity sign-ups, and dining reservations all live there. Check it first thing every morning and set reminders for character appearances you don’t want to miss.

Know your room options. Aulani offers a range of accommodations beyond standard hotel rooms — including one and two bedroom villas that are worth considering if you’re traveling with young kids or extended family. The villas have full kitchens, separate living areas, and laundry, which sounds like a luxury until you’re traveling with a toddler and realize how much you need all three. Many rooms have balconies with garden, pool, or ocean views, and the ocean-facing rooms are worth the upgrade if it’s in your budget. Standard rooms have two queen beds and work perfectly well for a family of four.

Resort Activties. Aulani offers a variety of complimentary and add on (read: extra cost) activities for kids and adults alike. The variety includes things like make your own Mickey ears, tshirt stamping, grabbing a board game from the Pau Hauna room, hula lessons and more. My sister and Dylan signed up for the complimentary ukulele lessons together, and it such a sweet and fun moment for them on our trip. Dylan loves music, so this was right up his alley, and there’s something about learning a few chords of a Hawaiian song in Hawaii that just feels right.

The lessons are open to guests and are a fun, low-key activity that breaks up pool time nicely. If you have a kid who’s into music at all, or if you just want a reason to try something different on a resort day, it’s worth adding to the schedule.

Stop at an ABC store before you get to Ko Olina. There are several on the island, and while an ABC store in North Carolina sells liquor, an ABC store in Hawaii is more like a gift shop. Pick up a few small wooden mini surfboards for character autographs — they’re more fun than an autograph book,  and they make a much better souvenir. While you’re there, stock up on sunscreen, snacks, and any other basics because convenience store prices inside the resort are resort prices.

Make your spa appointment before you leave home. Laniwai books up, especially on weekends and during holiday travel periods. Decide in advance which day you’re sneaking away and reserve it. Arrive early to maximize your time in the Kula Wai hydrotherapy garden — that part alone is worth the trip.

Arrive early to the pool. The chair situation is strict. Prior to 8AM, you can reserve chairs but a person from your party needs to be present with the chairs and all of your stuff. At 8, you can leave your stuff and walk away, but only for an hour. If you arrive at 8 to claim your spot, all the best ones will already be taken, so I’d recommend getting there around 7 (fill up your reusable cup with coffee on your way) and enjoy the peace and quiet of some empty chairs and the sunrise.

You don’t have to be a resort guest to do everything. The character breakfast at Makahiki and Rainbow Reef snorkeling are both open to non-resort guests, which is worth knowing if friends or family are staying elsewhere on Oahu and want to join you for a day.

Ko Olina is walkable but Oahu is not. Rent a car. The resort strip has shops, restaurants, and four lagoons all within easy walking distance, but if you want to see the North Shore, hike Diamond Head, or explore literally anything else on the island, you’ll need wheels. Don’t let Aulani be all you see of Oahu — it’s a beautiful island and it’s worth getting out into it.