A evaluation of Disney’s Aulani Resort and Spa in Hawaii

What’s Disney’s Aulani?

How a lot is Aulani, and what are one of the best methods to e book?

Commonplace rooms at Aulani can simply value $600 and up per evening earlier than taxes, however fortunately there are a number of methods to economize in your journey.

The place is Aulani?

Aulani is on the island of Oahu, about 17 miles from Honolulu’s Daniel Ok. Inouye Worldwide Airport (HNL). It is on the western facet of the island in Ko Olina, which could be a 30-to-40-minute drive from the Honolulu airport, relying on visitors.

There are a lot of room decisions at Aulani

Aulani has 351 lodge rooms, together with 16 suites, in addition to 481 two-bedroom Disney Trip Membership villas and 21 Grand Villas unfold out over a few towers. We’ve accomplished each of our stays in one of many customary lodge rooms with two queen beds.

A basic rule of thumb at Disney: Even when the rooms are costly, do not anticipate them to be the star of your trip.

The room at Aulani was fully satisfactory, but it surely was — because the title described — customary. Your $600-plus per evening is not going to over-the-top room lodging with butlers and soaking tubs; it will the on-site actions, so alter your room expectations accordingly.

The 2 queen beds had been comfy, and housekeeping was immediate every day. I might have appreciated further shops by the mattress, however I am going to take that trade-off for the very cool air-con that labored higher than at lots of the lodges we’ve got visited in Hawaii.

Subsequent to the TV space was a small desk with two chairs, which was purposeful and significantly appreciated when ordering room service or bringing a pizza up — which is, with out query, one of the best worth dinner on the property.

My favourite a part of the decor within the room was seemingly the Hawaiian-themed Mickey lamp on the desk. Usually talking, Mickey was an understated factor at Aulani, although he’s actually there when you search for him.

Our rooms on each visits had a minifridge and a balcony. On our second go to, we had been even upgraded to a partial ocean view.

The lavatory has a single vainness, which in all probability would have been higher as a double, given this was a room for households.

Having a shower-tub combo, although, was the precise name for a room with two queen beds. Disney’s H2O line is now not at Aulani, which is a bummer when you’ve come to affiliate that odor with all issues trip, however as a substitute, it presently has Malie.

Aulani’s swimming pools and seaside are the celebs of the present

There’s a lot to do at Aulani. And that is the place the resort actually will get each nice and overwhelming on the identical time. Given the costs and the plethora of facilities, whenever you keep at Aulani, you’re in all probability staying put at Aulani. Except you are working with a bigger price range, this in all probability is not a lodge you keep at to make use of as a house base to plan journeys from whilst you take pleasure in all that Oahu has to supply.

Aulani swimming pools

With that in thoughts, let’s begin with a dive into Aulani’s swimming pools, seaside and waterslides.

Aulani has a large 7-acre pool complicated that goes means past conventional, fundamental swimming pools.

The Waikolohe Stream is 900 toes lengthy and features a conventional lazy river in addition to two tubing slides. On one, you may go in single or double tubes, and the opposite was a physique slide. And, sure, there have been lifeguards in every single place.

Professional tip: The road for the slide with the tubes is often for much longer than the road for the physique slide.

There may be additionally the Menehune Bridge, with waterslides, splash options and extra.

Subsequent up are three swimming pools and a 3,800 square-foot snorkeling lagoon, Rainbow Reef, which is stocked with lovely fish and another underwater surprises to search out. In case you are an skilled snorkeler, this in all probability will not be very spectacular, however it’s a good way for youths to get their flippers moist snorkeling in a really managed atmosphere.

It prices $20-$25 for one-day snorkel entry (that features gear), or you should buy a length-of-stay move when you suppose you will go a number of occasions. Or, simply benefit from the view without cost from these cool peekaboo home windows.

Throughout our March go to, the Rainbow Reef was a bit too chilly for our tastes because it is not heated, which made our classes further temporary, so contemplate that in case your crew would not like chilly water.

Aulani additionally has an adults-only pool, a zero-entry pool, infinity swimming pools, sizzling tubs and loads of water actions to maintain your group busy. These swimming pools had been all a snug, regulated temperature.

We vastly desire heading to the swimming pools both very first thing within the morning or round 5 p.m., when most individuals are leaving for the day. The slides and lazy river had been open till 8 p.m. throughout our keep, and the principle pool stayed open till 10 p.m.

Pool chairs are sizzling commodities through the center of the day, and it’s essential to decide up a coloured wristband on the towel hut day by day. Sadly, in order for you a “good” chair spot, that is a type of locations the place you in all probability have to both begin your pool day early or look forward to the primary spherical of individuals to begin to depart. Cabanas and lined chairs can be found however dear, so anticipate to spend a number of hundred {dollars} per day if you wish to go that route.

Aulani seaside

Aulani is on the shore of Ko Olina seaside, with comfortable sand and water that’s typically calm sufficient for swimming and ideally suited for images.

Life jackets, boogie boards, chairs and umbrellas are complimentary, however you may as well lease snorkel units ($25) and stand-up paddleboards ($45) or dwell out your “Moana” adventures and e book a crusing canoe expertise for $119.

However no matter you do, do not miss the epic sunsets at Aulani, that are nearly motive sufficient to come back all on their very own.

The sunsets are actually epic right here and I extremely suggest you make it some extent to be exterior and try to catch one not less than a couple of times in your journey.

There are Disney characters, Aunty’s Seashore Home and extra

Now, let’s speak about all of the non-swimming issues there are to do at Aulani, of which there are lots of.

Aunty’s Seashore Home

Youngsters ages 4 to 12 could make a reservation to play at Aunty’s Seashore Home, which is basically a children membership just like what you discover on a Disney cruise, simply on land and with a Hawaiian aptitude.

Throughout our 2019 go to, my children completely beloved Aunty’s Seashore Home, which was a severe draw to the property for us. Nonetheless, we could not go to Aunty’s Seashore Home this time for 2 causes. First, my oldest child has aged out. However my youthful kiddo could not go both, as the method to e book a slot there has modified through the pandemic, and also you now have to essentially plan forward.

You e book 90-minute slots to play beginning three months out, and so they completely promote out. Don’t wait till you get to Aulani to determine the Aunty’s Seashore Home state of affairs — e book this a part of your journey months upfront or danger being upset and pissed off with this function of the resort whenever you arrive.

Additionally of be aware is that there appear to now be extra premium (i.e., pricey) choices at Aunty’s Seashore Home than there was, which additionally limits the “free” occasions to go. However even these replenish, so make these bookings for issues like video games with Moana or a dance celebration with Disney buddies.

Meet Disney characters

Aulani is nice for assembly Disney characters with strains which are a lot shorter than what you’d typically discover at Disney theme parks. And so they haven’t solely a few of the normal suspects, equivalent to Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Chip, Dale and Goofy, however some harder-to-find pals, equivalent to ShellieMay, Duffy, Sew and Max.

The Aulani app is nice for telling you who can be out at completely different occasions through the day, so be sure you set it up earlier than you begin your journey. We wish to line up about 15-20 minutes earlier than the beginning time for the favored characters.

Lessons and actions

At Aulani, there are lots of completely different actions and courses you may participate in. Just a few, like night storytelling by the fireplace pit, are open to all who present up, however many, equivalent to making your individual Mickey ears, koi fish feeding, T-shirt stamping and animation courses, have restricted capability and require you to enroll upfront.

A few of these actions are included, whereas some (equivalent to making ears or T-shirts) require an additional charge. You possibly can e book within the exercise room on-site, however I like to recommend reserving actions within the Aulani app not less than a number of days earlier than your journey.

Laniwai Spa

I have never had the time or the price range to splurge on therapies on the Laniwai Spa, however from a walk-by, it appears to be like (and smells!) incredible.

There are 15 therapy rooms, together with a household therapy room that sounded actually cool for these seeking to chill out collectively. There’s even a teen portion of the spa for these 14 to 17 years previous and a hydrotherapy backyard.

If you wish to ensure you get the therapy you need on the time you need, it’s essential to — you guessed it — e book it properly upfront. You possibly can e book spa appointments as much as 90 days upfront on-line.

What to eat at Aulani

There are a number of eating choices at Disney’s Aulani, starting from the you-gotta-get-it Mickey-shaped shave ice to virtually high-quality eating at Ama Ama.

Makahiki

I like to recommend doing one breakfast while you’re at Aulani at Makahiki, which affords a standard Disney character breakfast. You will seemingly begin by assembly Mickey in his Hawaiian trip apparel, then get to say hello to Minnie, after which a number of different characters will come by as you take pleasure in your meal.

It is a three-course breakfast that begins off with a tropical yogurt parfait with fruit equivalent to coconut and pineapple, together with sugary and completely scrumptious malasadas.

You then have your decide of entrees, equivalent to varied omelets, French toast, pancakes and a Hawaiian-style loco moco, to call a number of.

This meal prices $50 per grownup and $29 for youngsters ages 3 to 9, which you will quickly understand is a relative discount for a sit-down meal at Aulani. This restaurant can also be open for dinner with the identical three-course idea and priced at $75 for adults and $30 for youths, however with out the characters, as they’re solely there within the morning.

Reservations open up 30 days upfront — and it’s essential to e book precisely on that day to have one of the best likelihood of getting a breakfast spot as it is rather fashionable.

Ama Ama

The nicest restaurant at Aulani is the beachside, open-air Ama Ama. We ate there on a visit a number of years in the past and positively loved the meals. We had reservations to return on this journey, however as soon as we realized that it’s now a four-course meal that prices $125 per particular person ($55 for youths 3 to 9 years previous), we opted to skip a return go to.

I am unable to say that I am thrilled with this transfer to the dear set-course meals at so lots of Aulani’s eating places, because it makes it powerful for households and children who need a nicer meal however aren’t going to get wherever close to their cash’s value out of a pricey multicourse dinner. Paying $125 for a 10-year-old to have dinner is only a complete lot, even for Hawaii.

Ulu Cafe

For a meal that does not high $100 for 2 individuals, head to Ulu Cafe, which is the place we have loved most of our Aulani meals over time. This quick-service and grab-and-go venue had an assortment of pastries, muffins, drinks and packaged items along with a number of sizzling objects at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

At lunch, you will get Mickey-shaped Spam musubi, which I believe is fairly incredible. It does promote out, so do not wait till too late within the day in order for you one.

There are additionally build-your-own poke bowl and acai bowl stations, that are very stable.

From 5:30 p.m. to eight p.m., you may order a pizza for $24, which is the most affordable household dinner on the property. You should buy a refillable mug to load up with comfortable drinks and such in the course of your journey.

Off the Hook

Subsequent to the pool and seaside is an assortment of kiosks, snack retailers and a poolside cafe with desk service for lunch and dinner referred to as Off the Hook.

Youngsters meals listed here are $15, a poke bowl was $25 and my teen’s burger was $23. Fortunately, this restaurant remains to be a la carte, so you may order as a lot or as little as you need. Additionally, reservations are usually not required, so simply head over there whenever you’re getting hungry.

Olelo Room

One spot we have not tried but however that was all the time intriguing with some night music was Olelo Room. Right here there was a sundown glad hour menu with appetizers, sushi and sashimi, together with drinks.

Accessibility

Disney’s Aulani has wheelchair- and hearing-accessible rooms you can reserve by checking the accessible rooms field when making your reserving. The big exterior pool space is paved for wheelchair entry, and there are ramps to entry many of the areas. Moreover, the swimming pools do have lifts out there.

Causes Aulani may not be for you

• Aulani is an costly trip vacation spot, and I am not simply speaking in regards to the rooms (once more, I extremely suggest renting DVC factors to assist there). However your on-property meals, drinks and snacks and any actions you e book will add up in a rush, which makes this not the precise match for each price range.
• Getting slots for some actions, Aunty’s Seashore Home and even breakfast is aggressive and requires advance planning or excessive luck, which is not everybody’s cup of tea.
• Aulani may be very busy and, with a number of towers of rooms, can host many individuals, so if you’re seeking to “get away from all of it” and have some peace and quiet, this is not essentially the precise trip alternative.
• Aulani does have some Disney-themed actions and characters, but it surely is not a alternative for, say Disneyland or Disney World, so in order for you an all-in Disney journey, you could not discover that at Aulani. On the flip facet, in order for you a Disney-free a part of Hawaii, this is not that.

Trying out

Aulani is a Disney resort in Hawaii, but it surely is not actually like most different resorts in Hawaii, neither is it precisely like most different Disney locations. I’ve discovered that liking one or each of these issues would not essentially assure that Aulani can be a slam-dunk in your trip.

In truth, on my first journey to Aulani, I did not take pleasure in it as a lot as I hoped at first. I discovered it too frenetic and it required extra planning and advance reserving than I needed out of a Hawaii trip.

However, by the tip of that journey, I had adjusted my expectations and actually began to take pleasure in it. And now, with the advantage of understanding what to anticipate from previous experiences (and having children which are older), I very a lot loved Aulani the second time, and I am even plotting a 3rd go to.

That stated, when you actually wish to maximize Aunty’s Seashore Home, your meals, and so forth., then there’s simply no means round planning and reserving not less than elements of your keep beginning 90 days upfront on-line.

However I additionally discovered that with my children now older, a few of that mattered a bit much less; we might go to the later-timed actions that the youthful households typically do not do, and it was simpler to have a extra laid-back Aulani journey that was fairly satisfying.

Aulani was an ideal lesson that typically, when two of your favorites combine, what you find yourself with is not fairly what you had been anticipating, however that does not imply it might probably’t nonetheless be superb.

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