Aulani A Disney Resort And Spa - Hotels On Oahu Kapolei, Hawaii

Where do we even begin with this mega resort? If you know Disney then you know two important things. 1: Disney does things right and better than anyone else. 2: Disney isn't a cheap vacation. You could sum up the entire Aulani resort that way but let's dig a bit deeper.

First of all, the theming on this entire property (inside and out) is truly amazing even if you aren't a Disney fan. If you are a Disney fan (as we are here) then this place will be right up your alley. They really researched Hawaiian culture when making this place and the authenticity shows.

Walking inside is better than any of the great Disney hotels (our favorite Disney World Polynesian hotel included) and the staff friendliness here is top notch. You really get a feeling of being welcomed here and the staff really seem to be enjoying themselves, though we didn't exactly ask the janitor fighting a hair-clogged drain in room #932 if he was having fun. Just kidding.

The Rooms

Aulani is part of the Disney Vacation Villas (DVC) and if you are one of those that buys into timeshares (in which case I have swampland in Florida to sell you...we kid, we kid!) then you will have the option to enjoy a room that's a bit bigger than most and comes with a small kitchen area. Or, if you are going all out and blowing a lifetime of DVC points or a ton of cash you can live like a king and avoid the unwashed masses in the 1500 square foot (though only 1 bedroom) Lei Hulu Suite or the even more insanely awesome 1900 square feet (2 bedrooms) 'Ahu 'Ula Suite.

The rest of us will enjoy the well designed, standard rooms (382 square feet) which can sleep up to four guests. We've stayed several times at Aulani and we were happy to find that the rooms still feel new. The room design is pretty much like any hotel but the theming, though different, reminds me a lot of Disney's Polynesian Resort in Walt Disney World.

The best you will do here is around $400 per night before tax, but often rates will be in the $500-$600 range though at least they don't later add on a resort fee like most hotels do these days even if parking is extra. If you are a local with Hawaii ID they do offer Kama'aina discounts on select days of the year but you'll still pay in the low $400's with taxes. It's not for those on a tight budget.

The Pool

The pool here is really a water park with two water slides, a lazy river, big pool areas, a large kids water area, a separated (quiet) adult pool, a family themed infinity edge pool, a kids splash zone, and a few hot tubs.

The slides are a ton of fun, but the lines to get on them take forever in classic Disney style. It's obvious that this water park turned out to be more popular than Disney anticipated.

Food

Disney has a decent amount of food options so we'll cover them individually, just click the links below. For snack and quick serve options you have Ulu Cafe, The Lava Shack, and Mama's Snack Stop. For a lounge try The 'Olelo Room or Off The Hook, both of which also have table service. For a breakfast or dinner buffet (with character breakfast on select days) try Makahiki - The Bounty of the Islands. But our favorite restaurant here (table service) is 'Ama 'Ama - Contemporary Island Cooking.

In most cases, the Disney food will be pretty expensive so if you want some cheaper options check the offerings across the street (you can walk there) in Ko Olina station or head a mile east on the H1 to many more Kapolei offerings.

Activities

Disney does a pretty good job of adding all sorts of activities for you and your family to do while you stay here. Beyond the pool area and beach out back at Ko Olina Lagoon 1 (Kahola Lagoon), you can do all sorts of things like hearing stories over a campfire at night, snorkel, hunt for hidden Mickeys, play an interactive adventure game, and much more.

If you have kids then you'll love Auntie's Beach House which is essentially free babysitting. Yes, free! Drop the kids off and they'll have a blast playing, making crafts, etc. They can eat here as well, which was around $8 per kid for dinner and thus the best dining option here! The security they have here is second to none so your kids will be perfectly safe. They now offer an Aulani specific Magic Band for around $13 per child that further enhances security. You can keep it as a souvenir or return it for a refund if you can get it back from your kids.

There is a neat little snorkeling area (extra fee) where you can snorkel and see a huge variety of marine life all in one little tank. Or watch them from the outside viewing area (free). Get a free iPad tablet and go on one of the adventure trails which is a sort of digital treasure hunt. You'll get clues, find some item on the property, then click a button to activate some sort of real life item. It's very much like the Kim Possible / Phineas and Ferb adventure in Epcot.

There are also various character meet and greet locations that will be scheduled throughout the day.

If you're a golfer then you'll love the fact that you can walk across the street to the Ko Olina Golf Club.

Is It A Mini Disneyland?

No. But it's not meant to be that so that's okay. There aren't any rides, it's just a hotel with a mini water park. But it's a Disney hotel with a Disney mini water park and for many Disney fans that will be all they need to know.

It's probably the nicest Disney property we've ever seen (and we've seen most of them in the USA) and the pool area is really well done, just not big enough for the crowds they're bringing in. The Yacht & Beach Club in Disney World (Florida) is probably the second best Disney hotel pool area after Aulani. If you have kids they are sure to have a great time here because there are all sorts of kid based activities designed for them and younger kids will likely think this is just as good as a Disney theme park.

• Building: High Rise	• Building: Hotel	• Building: Lanai / Balcony	• Building: Resort	• Property: Business Center
• Property: Dining On Site	• Property: Fitness Room	• Property: Laundry On Site	• Property: No Resort Fees	• Property: Stores On Site
• Room: Coffee Maker	• Room: Hair Dryer	• Room: Kitchens Available	• Room: Mini Fridge	• Room: Room Service
• Room: Safe	• Recreation: Beach	• Recreation: Gear Rentals	• Recreation: Hot Tub	• Recreation: Kids Club
• Recreation: Marina / Boats	• Recreation: Pool	• Recreation: Water Park	• Recreation: Water Slides	• Internet: Free In Lobby
• Internet: Free In Room	• Parking: Paid Self Park	• Parking: Paid Valet	• Disney: Deluxe Hotel	• Programs: Discount: Kama'aina