Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas Preview Center

This resort was everything I wanted it to be. A trip to Hawaii is expensive and you most certainly do not want to feel let down by the amount of money you spent versus the experience. This resort exceeded all my expectations and delivered a fantastic stay. First and foremost, Disney knows how to provide stellar customer service. If at any point, I had a question all I needed to do was look around and there would be a staff member available to assist. I considered staying in the Waikiki area but am so glad I chose not to. This hotel was in a quieter area giving the stay a luxury feel. The pools are phenomenal. Many different pools to choose from depending on the vibe you want and plenty of shaded areas if you want to avoid the sun. There are two water slides that provided endless fun for the family. The beach swimming area is a man made cove providing protection from the tide and giving a safer area for less skilled swimmers to play in the ocean. There were free life jackets provided at the place you receive your pool wrist bands giving extra assurance. No matter when we went to the pools we were always able to find open lounge chairs. There is a snorkeling pool as well that you can pay to snorkel in. That also gives you access to use snorkel equipment at the beach cove. It was great experience for our younger party members who are not quite ready to snorkel in the open ocean. We did not pay for any enhanced view from our balcony. It faced a parking garage. Even still it provided excellent views of a mountain and a glimpse of the ocean that we could enjoy in the mornings drinking coffee. The valet were all very helpful in providing recommendations for breakfast and tips on sightseeing during our stay. There was not a single negative experience to be had. I would absolutely stay here again. Highlights: flower clips for our hair provided at check in along with stickers and pins. Cute branded food at the pool. Great pools. Gorgeous property. The soaking tub!

We are DVC members and stay here all the time. Location is Great, away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. Private Beach Lagoon, awesome pools with slides and the service staff is Great and super friendly. Unfortunately this time our room was Dirty. Trash was not emptied, rug felt like sand was in it, there was coffee or sticky liquid splashed on the wall and one of the chairs was stained and sticky. We love this place but unfortunately this time was not a great start to the visit.

We are not your typical diehard Disney fans, so we rolled our dice on this one. Our family of five spent this past 1+ week enjoying the marvelous experience at Aulani Disney Resort and Spa. It truly is that Magical Disney Place, for adults and kids alike, EVERYTHING around you is catered to YOUR vacation experience, without breaking a sweat! Ample activities are available on hand, without leaving the premises. Location couldn’t be any better, the beach, the sand, the pools and slides serve the variety of interests across ages and activity levels. Can’t wait to be back next year!

All was great, with the exception of my room not being held. My room was down graded after staff ensured it would be held because my family was flying from Japan. My family and I did not think it would be problematic and we're told it was not a problem because my family has DVC or Disney time share. Just take what custumer service reps say with a grain of salt, oh and if there is a problem, they are on eastern time, which is bad if you need help. Best of luck.

This was my second experience with Aulani Resort. We had a wonderful time floating in the lazy river. The character breakfast was very nice. All of the characters are very interactive with each table, both with the kids and adults. All of the restaurants are reasonably priced. Our room had a large balcony with a partial view of the ocean. We very much enjoyed our stay.

Incredible resort with the perfect pools. Definitely the best Disney resort in the world. The beach is well groomed and great for evening swims. The only downside is onsite food is definitely not up to Disney standards. Options even at the cafeteria style eateries were disappointing. There are a variety of meal options nearby even within walking distance across the street.

The Aulani resort is one of our favorite Disney resorts to stay at. The only place we weren't happy st was Off the Hook restaurant for dinner, and it wasn't the food that was the issue. It was the server. She was absolutely not at the Disney resort level we expected nor received. Great pools, awesome staff with the 1 bad experience at dinner one night and the rooms are fantastic.

This is a beautiful hotel and the pools are beautiful very busy 20min to go down one slide just a heads up also nothing is included with your stay everything needs to be booked in advance and paid very over priced .. This hotel says they only charge for the room and they don't have any resorts fees but that's a lie I booked a room that sleeps 4 people and only added 3 later in the week I added 1 more to make 4 and they charged me a additional 547$ a day for the extra person.. That right there is a resort fee don't be fooled ..

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.

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.

As beautiful and grand everything seems on tik toks and all socials I must say I truly had higher expectations for this resort. We stayed in other resorts and I must say this one didn't feel much like a relaxing resort, It gave me overwhelming disney vibes. Let's start with people wake up super early to reserve all chairs near the pools so mind you seating is very limited already. Then pools are NOT heatef just one mind you, we pay over $700 a night and a pool can't be heated? OKAY! kind of insane! everything does close early especially all activities are done by 6-7pm and most restaurants close by 9pm so that was NOT fun. Lazy river closes at 6pm so what is the point of that! At the end everyone's forced to go to the beach in the dark or leave the resort . Disney rooms were comfortable. Villas had a full kitchen washer and dryer which was very convenient. Staff met expectations except our disney with the characters. Characters experience was fun but the basic food was truly overpriced for some pancakes and eggs. Save the money and meet characters throughout the day.

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.

This is a fantastic place for families that love Disney. Voted best family resort in Hawaii in numerous publications. Aulani is a beautiful resort located on the west side of Oahu in Koolina. The hotel opened in 2011 and has been a favorite destination spot ever since. It's a Disney property with a Hawaiian touch. Beautiful architecture and style. The rooms are pricey but beautiful. My DVC is totally worth using on this resort every few months. There are a lot of different pool areas at Aulani. Kids pools, Menehune Bridge (a children's water play area), the main pool, a lazy river, 2 water slides, hot tubs, and an adults only area. There's something for everyone. Get your water park bands and pool side chairs early as lines get long and seats fill up fast. They do a great job monitoring the pools with lots of lifeguards. Rainbow reef is a paid snorkeling area which is a must try for people who love fish. Food is expensive but comparable to other Disney resorts. The characters are great to see and there are numerous photo ops. Staff are friendly and helpful. This place is worth a visit. You may even see a celebrity or two. =)

This resort is magical!! No amusement park rides, but tropical and beautifully appointed. It is all about immersion into an authentic Hawaiian experience rather than posing with Mickey Mouse (though you will have plenty of opportunities to do that, too). Characters pop up unexpectedly for photo opportunities. Lots of water activities to enjoy, including many pools, a lagoon, water slides, hot tubs & a lazy river. The facilities are beautiful and top notch, made with luxurious materials including gorgeous African Mahogany and Alder wood, & volcanic stone floors in the lobby. So much to enjoy with beau coupe relaxation. Most definitely a 5 star experience. Cannot wait to return to Aulani!! Aloha!

This resort was a wonderful experience. We were in a 2 bedroom 2.5 bath with some ocean and resort views and had a blast. The water activities were fun day after day and we enjoyed dinner and character breakfast too. And we had a lot of popcorn, pizza and drinks. It was very different from any other place I've stayed at.

I would give this place 10 stars if I could. It's been a dream to go here for some time and we had the perfect opportunity to spend 2 nights here tacked on to a work trip in Waikiki. Just me and my hubby. It was an early bday celebration for me...yay! What I love about this place is the attention to detail and that it's not overly Disney or Mickey ears everywhere you go. I love that it showcases their strong ties to native Hawaii. I love the beautiful artistic work on the outside of the buildings, the main entryway/lobby, the rooms, the wallpaper...everything...it really takes your breath away. The pools...wow! We absolutely loved the slides especially the people only (no tube) slide. The lazy river was great but at times hard to find a tube. We lucked out during our stay cause they were going to shut down the slides and lazy river for 3 days after we departed but it also makes me happy to hear they stay on top of the maintenance of the park. We dined at almost all restaurants and cafes on a site including AMA AMA, Lite Ophipi, Ulu Cafe, and Off the Hook. All were great. People and service were top notch. Even when you passed an Aulani employee they greeted you and I found that absolutely lovely. The lagoon was great...and for the most part we could find a chair at either the beach or pool areas. We bought the soda cups and definitely got our moneys worth and a souvenir to take home...yay! One of the coolest things is that our last day, our flight didn't leave till 8:30...no problem. We just needed to check out of our room, bell service held our bags and then we could use a specific lounge when we were ready to take showers and head ti the airport. That was a very happy and unexpected positive of the resort. I'd go back in a heartbeat! Also a big kudos to Michael (one of the mgrs.) who was so nice and helpful to me and my hubby. Thank you!!! Kapua at AMA AMA and Keoni at Off The Hook.

Our Aulani stay was nothing short of magical. Maybe it was the coconut scent wafting through the hallways or just the relaxed serenity that ko olina area brings. Our 3 night stay was memorable. We bought DVC points and enjoyed some of the perks including parking, laundry tokens. Our room was facing the garage but we spent most of our time enjoying the pools, water slides. Our son loved Aunty's beach house, water play areas and we were able to do some snorkeling in their lagoon. The Laniwai spa was such a relaxing experience and luau was one of the highlights. Mahahiki character breakfast was also a great way to meet the characters. We got to take pictures with quite a few of them. If you're a Disney fan, stay at Aulani. It's worth it, all members of the family got to have fun and enjoy ourselves. There's restaurants a short walk away as well.

We spent a few days here for a girlfriend's get-a-way as one of the ladies in our group is a DVC member. We stayed in a two bedroom suite that fit all four of us perfectly. The staff at the Aulani is top notch starting with the valet and front desk cast members. Our room was impeccably clean, three bathrooms for use, a nice sized kitchen with a stackable washer/dryer combo. The decor was more Hawaiian themed, with Disney touches, which I appreciated. This property features amazing pools, a lazy river, two water slides, places for adults only, ample restaurants, stores for shopping, and views galore! All the while each and every cast member I encountered was smiling and friendly. I did not get to experience all the Aulani has to offer, which means another trip is in my future. Would I recommend this resort to anyone...ABSOLUTELY! The Aulani should be experienced if you can at least once. Aloha!

Aulani is absolutely my family's happy place. We have been a few times and have had nothing but wonderful experiences. The staff are always so kind and helpful, it's very relaxing whether you want the pool or beach it's all right there. My kids don't want to leave the resort. It's a beautiful tribute to the Hawaiian culture with Disney Magic throughout. The luau is our absolute favorite on the island and be sure to check out the Menahune Trail! We can't wait to get back.

I think I found a sweet spot. Disney Aulani is an expensive resort West of Oahu (Honolulu). My family (2 adults, 2 children) stayed here for 5 nights, in Nov 2024, 1 week prior to Thanksgiving. We took advantage of 30% discount offered by Disney (website). It's not crowded on our stay. The staff is friendly, the resort is beautiful, clean and AC has a coconut sweet smell. The kids enjoyed all the pools and beach. Adults enjoy the view, scenery, Luau, full service from staff. The food taste good, just expensive. This is not an all inclusive rescorts, so each meal and snack must be paid with credit card or Room charge (same cost). Aulani brings the Hawaiian culture front and center. For kids, there's enough activities for them to be happy. I recommend this for kids under 12 yrs old. If you are a Disney fan, u can take advantage of their DVC. This is just an option. I do see alot of guests with DVC. It's too expensive for me and not planning to fund my future vacations. There are small stature of Hawaiian dwarfs called Menehuene (may be wrong spelling). There's hundreds scattered around Aulani. It's a cool scavenger hunt for kids.

We have been going here since my daughter was 1 (25 ppl character breakfast). She turns 7 at the end of the month. We will be back for sure! We love Disney! Beyond magical even for 44 year old parents.

(Will edit and refine further later) Overall 3.5 out of 5 Beautiful architecture inside and out Water slides and beach are great Rooms well furnished and very comfortable Hand soap, shampoo, conditioner, body wash are all top tier. Super friendly staff. Wish the water slides had some cover over the line Easy access to ABC shop and other stores across the street Would have rated a 3 out of 5 simply because I don't see the cost being justified but the staff friendliness drives me to give a 4 out for 5.

Great staff, excellent grounds, wonderful time... I have zero complaints about our time at Aulani. We will definitely return.

TLDR;We walked out of there feeling like we just left a used car dealership. We spent over $300 and had an amazing dinner at 'ama'ama with an amazing wait staff and food. Couldn't ask for more. We had drinks at the 'olelo room and had a great bartender. They validated our parking for only 4 hours and we had to pay for parking in an empty garage. As a principle that is the most ridiculous thing I've seen at a Disney property. Everywhere at the Walt Disney World property is complimentary to guests so we couldn't believe we were being nickel and dimed here. The front desk staff was also very incapable of running the resort and speaking with us about this without running to the back room and speaking to a manager. We walked out of there feeling like we just left a used car dealership.

There are far more guests than pool chairs. For the first two days, we couldn't get lounge chairs, which, from my perspective, defeats the purpose of vacationing. On the first day, we arrived in the afternoon, so there was no way we'd get a chair. On the second day, we got there around 10 a.m., but all the chairs were already taken. On the third day, I got there at 7:30 a.m. and managed to snag four chairs by setting my things down while waiting for the family to wake up. That's how it went for the rest of the week. Let me just say... waking up at the crack of dawn to try and grab chairs in a semi-shady spot isn't exactly how I pictured my vacation.

Would recommend this place for the experience, but not for the food. Everything was very basic and the kids food selection was a big disappointment. My kids (7 and 5) did enjoy the interactions with the characters. We liked that they walked around to the tables during dinner and also had some group interactions closer to the end of dinner. The hotel itself was beautiful and we enjoyed walking around before dinner. Pictures are taken before you get seated for dinner. Overall, for the price... don't bring any extra family that aren't there for the characters interactions.

Amazing customer service. Our character dining framed photo was lost at the bell services/ luggage hold area while we attended the luau on our check out day but they were able to ship a new one to our home! I am so thankful for their team. Lazy river, all ages infinity pool and hot tubs were our favorite pools. Be sure to try the water tube slide that goes into the lazy river! It's very fun and not scary at all. Line can get kinda long though. Snorkeling pond was ice cold so prepare to freeze there. Fish feeding was great and allows you to see some of their reef fish without having to go into the water. Animation session was fun for the whole family! Instructor was easy to follow along. Sign up online in advance. They will leave a voicemail on your cell to remind you of your appointment. Rooms have a clothesline above the tub perfect for drying your rinsed bathing suits! Or you can dry them on the balcony on the chairs. Recommend staying at the resort and not having a rental car so you don't need to pay the nightly parking fee. There are enough places to walk to and eat offsite if you want to save money on food.

I just got back home yesterday from our 6 day stay at Aulani. Now that I've had time to settle in at home, and really think about how our trip went. I want to write a review. So, we're a young family in our late 20's, it was my husband, our 8 year old, our 1 year old, and myself. It was our first time Ever traveling to Hawaii. The resort is absolutely beautiful, with amazing views. The pool area is so much fun. The staff is So amazing, and friendly. We did not have one bad experience with any of the staff. Shout out to Gene who cleaned our room the entire stay. They were absolutely amazing. The only reason I'm docking a point is for food. Options are very limited, especially if you're staying for more than a couple of days. Off The Hook restaurant was So good, everything else not so much. There are only 3 places to eat, and 2 small fast food areas at the pool section. My husband and I took our kids to Makahiki for the character breakfast, and I noticed the Mickey waffles were more than double the price compared to at Off The Hook. My husband did order the waffles as he thought the portion would be bigger or the plate would be different. Nope, it was the same thing. I believe at Off The Hook we paid $23 for the waffles. It was $50 at Makahiki, so you're paying for the experience just a heads up. If you come with small kids check out Painted Sky! They pamper both girls and boys. My daughter got the Moana swimsuit makeover. Her stylist was Kimmy, and I'm still seriously in awe at how beautiful she did her hair. I also saw them pampering boys and doing their hair all nice, and cool Hawaiian style! I definitely recommend this experience. As far as the pool area goes. We stayed Tuesday-Monday. Sunday was wild. It was crowded with nowhere to sit. I'm very glad we were pretty done and tired by that point, and we got to enjoy the pools, and beach during the week. So be aware that if you want a place to sit you should be out at the pool area by 8-9am. Especially on weekends. Since we traveled with our small children we did not rent a car. We stayed in Ko Olina, and felt that 6 days was more than enough to enjoy what Aulani has to offer. If it's your first time traveling here, and you want to check out other areas in Oahu then renting a car is a Must, because otherwise you're pretty secluded from the rest of the island. We will definitely be coming back to Aulani! Next trip though we will be renting a car to be able to explore other parts of the island we were unable to, and also to get a better taste of Hawaiian cuisine.

Wow! What a magical place this resort is. It is quite a drive from Waikiki and the airport but the views here are spectacular. We had the grand villa and it was so spacious! The nieces and nephews enjoyed that living space since there was enough room for them run around and be as loud as they wanted. The views from the room was breathtaking and being able to sit on the balcony and take in the ocean breeze was just pure zen. I love the lazy river they have set up and the pools and hot tub are a bonus indeed. The beach is right downstairs and they have plenty of lawn chairs where you can sit back and relax. Great resort to stay if you have kids or nieces and nephews! Definitely on the pricier side but it is worth it.

We had an awesome experience for our first trip. App was easy to use and staffs are very nice. We used app to go in and out of parking. You can only use 1 phone for it. We also used app to open the room door. The cleaning crew is like a ninja. You don't see them and they are done when we came back. Nice to be back in the clean room. We also booked messages and i had the best massages. Ended up going there twice. Walking distance to abc store.

I loved that there was a small slice of Disney in Hawaii! The rooms were so beautiful, deff recommend a room with a view of the ocean. The resort overall was so peaceful, calm, and relaxing. One of the days we spent the whole day by the pool/beach, eating and drinking. Their lava flows are so yummy! Really pricy, but it's Disney so you should already go in knowing you are going to pay an absurd amount. The service was unmatched. Everyone was so pleasantly nice. There were quite a lot of kids at the pool which I would say is the only downside. Otherwise, super beautiful and we can't wait to go back!

Lots to do. And good coffee at Aulani. We ordered a Drip Coffee, Ice Mocha Latte, Tropical Mango Açaí Bowl and a Mickey Marshmallow. We had a great time at the Pool Bar/Cafe. The tropical açaí bowl came with pineapple and mangoes. Very yummy y'all! Service was pretty friendly Many families and littles ones. We liked the resort layout. Everything was clean too. Nice views as well from the higher floors. Several options for food/snacks. We liked the Wailana Pool Bar, Ulu Cafe, Off The Hook and Little Opihi Would for sure be back once our baby is older!

This has been on my bucket list for more than a decade finally getting a chance to go as we now live on this island (originally from Northern California). It was amazing as well as it should be for the money we paid to stay. We got the military discount as well as stayed during low season for the island but it was still about 2600 for the stay in a standard room with a balcony. Also the tub was amazingly big that both my son and both took turns taking a bath using the bath bombs sold downstairs. Aulani had some free activities and we were able to use their gym facilities. Oh and also character meetings throughout the resort. Must reserve for activities and wait in line for character meetings and some stuff that have a bit of a charge too. That was more fun than the free stuff though. We did Ohana painting and my son did t-shirt stamping. So food was outstanding as I expected but too pricey to keep eating there. We did venture off to pho and chili's for a couple of dinners. You have got to try the Mickey shaved ice with ice cream and sweet milk. Parking is not free but we get in/out privileges. I think the best overall feature that I went to daily was the infinity pool soaking up the sun and view. As warm as Hawaii gets their spa kept the water lukewarm throughout the day which felt good all day long. I usually get back in/out cuz I would be too hot and too cold from outside jacuzzi but I just wanted to stay for hours at a time in their spa The most noteworthy was just watching the sun set over the beach while at the infinity pool. They many restaurants to chose from and a bar on site with live band that would play. They have on site child care that does activities with the kids and teen night free of charge. I brought a 13 year old which is about the end of the age of bringing here as all he would do was swim for a bit then go to room. He did do a lot of classes but he thought it was okay. I would recommend it for more younger kids than teens unless they are totally into Disney and willing to pay. There was no aggressive sales pitch to buy into DVC but there if you have questions. Every one was friendly and took time to show me how to get somewhere if I got lost. EVERY person on staff did that. Bravo Disney for this outstanding resort. P.S. Wi-Fi was exceptional carrying all the way out to the beach. I have never seen that before in any resort I've stayed in. Yes, pricey as hell but nothing but 5 star service all around.

Shopping in Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii... My cousin's son saw a Spirit Jersey on Instagram and wanted one for his wife. I told him that the Aulani Disney Resort was about a half-hour drive across the island, and I'd probably have to pay for parking... No response... That's how badly he wanted that shirt. He eventually told me that he drove for about 8 hours from Northern California to Anaheim. He and his wife were at Disneyland for his birthday. Yeah. He's saying that a 30-minute drive is like nothing in comparison to mainland driving. Okay... They are true Disney fans. So... I had to drive to Aulani... and found that everyone gets 30 minutes free self-parking. If you purchase something from one of the 3 stores and spend $50 or more, you can get one hour of free validated parking. The first time I went shopping for him, I bought a t-shirt and ornament for over $70 and got my free hour of parking. The second time I went to look for that Spirit Jersey, they still didn't have medium size. I ran back to my car and made it before the 30-minutes was up. Note: the entrance is very understated. I went around and around a couple of times before I figured it out. And... When you exit, you have to turn right, then make a U-turn at Ko Olina Golf Club to get back to the highway to Honolulu. The traffic pattern is quite inconvenient! LOL! I guess I will return when the shirt arrives. I will call first!

Have kids? This resort is great for families that want to take their vacation to the next level. This place is awesome. Why wouldn't it be--it's Disney. This is the place to be when you're done with all the activities in Waikiki.

Love This resort! The Friendliness,cleanliness and I always look forward to our yearly visit. The kids love all the activities they have going on here. Shave ice no matter what the weather looks like:)) Movie nights are the best outdoor! Restaurants are 5 star too!

Finding a cockroach in our bathroom was a big surprise. it was surpassed only by the assistant manager telling me that it was an outside roach ( really it was in my bathroom sink) and that it cam in through a door I left open. I had not left a door open and took insult with being told so. Having been to this resort several times I can honestly say that clearly the guest no longer comes first. At 530 plus per night I highly recommend that you look elsewhere!!!!

This Disney property is extremely overpriced and overrated. The grounds are very pretty and the pool and waterslide is great. The problem is that the rooms are extremely overpriced and small, the food is ridiculously expensive, there is no room service available in the hotel which is unbelievable, and it's just not a good value. There's an occasional Disney character walking around, but there's a long line to meet and greet that character and frequently the characters leave before the kids have a chance to meet them as they have a time limitation. Our small basic hotel room was $1300 a night, a price fixed dinner is $77 a person not including tax and gratuity or beverage, breakfast starts at about $50 as a price fix in the restaurant, it's just ridiculous for working families, as is Disneyland. Mickey Mouse is giving us the middle finger!

It's the Disney Aulani- what can we say? Good: - the room is beautiful and the view - the pools are plentiful and lots of fun, we can spend all day in the lazy river - the people are friendly, always cleaning - we pay a lot to stay, we saw a lot of people without the bands, the staff were checking and this was good. - Valet and Bell service is the best, they really take care and make you feel comfortable and welcomed. - love the use of the cubby holes Cons: - the lines for everything are long - only to stores - the sodas are free refill but are extremely tasteless and watered down. - I paid $4 for a tiny bag of chips!! Come on, you can buy a whole box for about $20 with 30 bags. Even if you charged $1 or $1.50, you still make money but $4 okay Disney. - not sure how much chlorine they use but I started to get a rash all over my legs and by the time you showered it felt like thick grime on your body- the smell didn't leave until a few days after we got home. - Not enough chairs We do love staying here. Will stay again.

Absolutely gorgeous hotel. Came for a quick visit for some shopping and shave ice and beach day, and the views were breathtaking. Of course, it was extremely busy and crowded, but that didn't stop from a fun pool day! Room prices are to be expected when staying on a Disney property, but the access to the beach is just phenomenal. The shops are a lot of fun as well, lots of great souvenirs and exclusive items if you're a Disney fan, too!

Haiku: Aulani, Disney Resort & Spa Magical resort Honors Hawaiian culture Miss you, Aulani. --- TBH, it's been a few weeks since we've returned home and I realized I left my heart in Aulani. This resort was an awe-inspiring experience of Hawaiian culture, relaxation, joy, hospitality, and adventure--with a sprinkling of Disney magic. Aulani is hands down one of the best (& kid-friendly) hotel with sprawling pools, comfortable rooms, warm hospitality, Instagrammable desserts, and oh so many unique activities. They do this by preserving and sharing the Hawaiian culture with their guests. Aulani exceeded my wildest dreams in decor, entertainment, and activities. My daughter loved every single moment. We just soaked it up every day. We pretty much lived in the Waikolohe Valley pool area during the day. We engaged in all the aquatic fun areas--floated along the lazy river, snorkeled with fish in Rainbow Reef, water slides on the Menehune Bridge, splashed in the various pools, relaxed in the calm beach lagoon, and played sand castles on the beach. Top picks/tips: - Menehune Adventure (free): Possibly one of my daughter's favorite activities on the resort. We all embarked on an interactive scavenger hunt (on an electronic pad)--solved riddles, spotted landmarks, and uncovered magical surprises through the resort. No reservations are needed. - Maka'ika'i Art & Culture Tour (free): Learned about the rich cultural heritage of Hawai'i within the art and culture displayed at Aulani through this guided walking tour. Our guide was Uncle Mahina and he was friendly and knowledgeable. - Animation Class (free, reserve early via app): Learn to draw Disney Aulani-resident characters. It was tough for my young daughter to keep up, but the animator took mini-breaks from sketching during this 30-minute class. She felt so accomplished after every class. Also note: if you book back-to-back evening classes on the same day, there's a possibility the same character is drawn. - Character Meet & Greets (free): In the main courtyard on the first floor, take photos with favorite Disney characters that stay at Aulani. (Eg. Chip & Dale, Olu mel, Moana, Max, Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald Duck). Download the Aulani app to see daily times of meets. - Download the Aulani app ahead of time and add your MagicBand+ (you can open doors, self-parking gate, charge to the room). You can also view all the daily activities on the app. The service and hospitality were outstanding. The front desk as well as kid-friendly activity desk staff were always giving away some Disney pixie dust to my daughter. They always made her feel so special. The food was good. We had dinner once on the resort at Off the Hook, a casual sandwiches, burgers, beers, and pasta joint. All the other meals we ate off-site. For about the same price of a meal at Aulani, we dined at Monkeypod and other local restaurants around the area. It was good to switch it up and have variety. Next time I come back, I'll definitely do the Ka Wa'a luau at the resort.

Stayed here a couple of times now and it's the little BIG details that make the Disney difference. Like yes you can read on and on about the rooms and villas and restaurants and the costly food and so on. But what strikes me the most about this resort is the cleanliness, quiet and layout of the clean beach experience. I mean the lagoon is calm, clear, and magical.... Like swimming in a pool except you're in the ocean! Not even Lanikai, nalo, Waimea, etc can offer that same experience! And then there's groomed grass to walk on as well!??! No other beach I've been to has that comfortable experience of amenities. Tip: Look for specials and Facebook rentals for vacation club for a better priced deal. Highlights: character sightings, handful of daily activities, refillable soda cups for sale, great service, resort pools, spa.

So this is my second visit to Aulani. I have to say we enjoyed our stay much more in 2020. We are DVC members with our home resort being Aulani. We vacationed here this year the end of June to early/mid July. The resort felt packed. Every single time we went down to look for a seat at the pool we would look for at least 25 minutes sometimes successful and sometimes turned back around to go to our room. We weren't too picky just needed a little shade and 1-2 chairs as the teens spent most time in the water. There were so many chairs that sat empty for hours with nothing but towels in it. Since this is a resort owned by Disney there are kids and lots of them. They do have Aunties Beach house for the kids but y teens are too old for that. There is also lots of activities some cost and some do not. We love Disney but having two teens it feels as if Disney has lost some of the magic that it used to for us. I actually preferred my stay in Maui at an older name brand resort than I did this stay. Aulani is on the beach. Very low waves which is great for kids. Saw a few brides at the beach over having photo sessions done on the beach. They have paddle boards and canoes for rent by the hour. My kids did enjoy the paddle boards. Dining is expensive as it is Hawaii and Disney so we generally opt to cook in our room or eat off site since we have visited before. The drink package was worth it to us and we did the upgraded more expensive metal larger cups (although I do wish they were dishwasher safe). They currently have a Mickey Mouse design and a one that had a Moana design. Unlike the previous tiny plastic cups I actually plan to use my cup for my coffee when I return home. The drink machines are busy and at times I found not fully stocked with the syrups but mostly they were. There are character times throughout the day and if you are a DVC member there is an evening where there is a DVC party with the characters. It was a little show and lines to take pictures in the evening with some of the characters. Although it is Disney it is also Hawaii and they built their resort to teach and honor the Hawaiian culture so expect to see hints of Disney but also a lot of Hawaii. We stayed in a1 bedroom garden view unit which was fine for our family of four. I have to say that yes we saw mountains and greens but we were also over looking the valet parking lot which when outside felt more like a standard view. The accommodations are great and overall comfortable. The bed was harder than my personal preference but I know that is hard to please for everyone. However my kids have grown some and my daughter was almost taller than the murphy bed and my 6 foot plus son would have fit on it but did okay on the pull out couch. The neighbors next to us had a child who pretty much didn't stop screaming when in their room. I loved the bath products that they use in the bathrooms. The are by Malie and are all organic. I personally loved the scent (although my daughter didn't like the scent) and the way my hair looked when using them. I am generally not a fan of lotion but I actually liked their lotion. I may need to order some when I run out my products at home. We did do the DVC Mixology course which was fun as always and had wanted to do the Macarons and Mimosas event but that one was sold out. The Mixology course had 3 drinks and some yummy eats to go with them. Loved the Yuzu tart that they served. Although we have enjoyed our stay we felt it was a little too crowded. If we choose to come back we will plan to come at a less busy time.

The ocean views are not ocean views and I don't understand how they get away with their deceptive marketing. We booked an ocean view villa and our room overlook an empty lot in the side of the hotel. The view of the ocean was off to the right from the balcony bakery qualifies as even partial ocean. When I called 3 different reps said the only ocean views are the 3 bedroom villas which is not the website shows or sells. This is NOT a resort as it feels like an apartment complex or timeshare. No room service and not even water as they sell you bottled water or a refillable mug like those on a cruise. 3 stars. Should have stayed at the Four Seasons next door. Live and learn.

Aulani is insane! Great resort, awesome pools, slides, lazy stream, and private access with chairs on beach. The only recommendation I have is to rent a wheelchair if needed because they only have two on site for the entire resort of over 850 rooms. We asked to borrow it a few times because my dad was with us for a few hours while they waited for their flight and the staff weren't really accommodating and kept making me feel guilty to asking for it. Finally after asking multiple times to borrow it for 45 minutes, I said forget it. Thankfully, a manager came over and allowed us to use it for a bit so we could should dad the property and get him out to see the beach.

Our first Hawaiian vacation with kids was a success, and I owe most of that to Aulani. This is THE place for kids of all ages. My baby had a blast, as did my 30-something year old husband. I didn't even really have to plan this part of the trip, as the pool area itself was ample entertainment for the four days we were there. It's hard picking out our favorite parts of the resort, because there were so many. Our family probably spent half of our pool time floating in the lazy river and going down the tubing slide. All the pools and the lazy river were heated, so the water never felt cold. The views, particularly if you're in the infinity pool looking out at the ocean, are beautiful. The lagoon definitely looks and feels man-made. It also feels controlled and safe for my children, so I appreciated it as a parent. Also, the poke from Ulu Cafe is really, really good and some of the best poke we had during that vacation. I think we ate that for lunch every day. Staff are cheerful, friendly and helpful. My son bought one of those mystery character toys from the gift shop, and the clerk helping us asked him which character he wanted. She felt through the bag he chose, realized it was not the one he wanted, and she walked him back to the shelf to feel the various packages to find the one he was looking for. Now that's customer service! Why the four stars? The breakfast at Ulu Cafe is mid, and that's being charitable. Factor in Disney pricing, and yikes! You're much better off running to McDonald's or Denny's for better food at a fraction of the cost. That being said, I would recommend renting a car if you're staying here. You'll need it to get to decent dining, shopping and to do some sight-seeing. The rooms at Aulani come with fridges, so we went to Target to stock up on snacks and drinks. Definitely a good place for young families. We're already talking about coming back either next year or the year after!

An Oceanview Oasis at The Aulani Resort What a stunning getaway! Tucked away in Oahu is The Aulani - a Disney Resort & Spa that's a slice of paradise. Our stay here was beyond magical and more than we could have ever imagined. Right from the get-go, the resort blew us away. It's got everything you could ever want - a lazy river for the ultimate unwind, multiple swimming pools for some fun splashing around, incredible slides for thrill-seekers, and even an ocean lagoon for a spectacular coral reef experience. We had a two-bedroom suite with an ocean view and, let me tell you, it was like waking up to a dream every morning. The sight of the Hawaiian landscape with the ocean's expanse was truly breathtaking. The Disney service was exceptional. The staff was outstanding, serving up delectable food and drinks with the unique Disney charm. We stayed for seven nights, and we never had the urge to leave this enchanting haven. Our suite came with a kitchen which made our stay feel homely and was also a boon for our budget. Whipping up our own meals and snacks was a fun and economical change from eating out. In summary, Aulani is more than just a resort, it's a touch of heaven on Earth. Disney has truly created a place that delivers an unforgettable getaway experience. I'm already daydreami

The Happiest Place in Ko'Olina.... It depends on your pocketbook and what happy can you afford though it certainly does offer it here in Aulani. As I have the family of my bestie who loves everything Disney they were here to celebrate her life and though as much more frugal than I am she definitely would love to have it here. It happens to be her mom's birthday so I decided to celebrate this loving person that has this date to celebrate be only sadden to have the worse day of her life happen on the following day. I just wanted to make her special day a fun and special so it I decided to spend it at Aulani. As you walk in you just feel like you've arrived at something special the decor and open-ness of the ambiance is breathtaking and I then quickly made my way to the gift shops Kalepa's Store and Hale Manu both are on the lobby level and are not to be missed. Everything wasn't planned at all in fact we arrived too late for lunch but decided to take a stroll all around their many islands of pool area and what waterpark they created for all ages. The first thing I see are long lines and of course who was there...Mickey! Dressed in the brightest fuchsia shirt (my bestie's favorite color) all you can see are smiles then as I make my way to the right...Moana! I couldn't believe I got to see a couple of characters that just made my day as well. We really enjoyed ourselves as we talked about her over a fresh poke bowl making the most of this day, I need to return for the buffet one day as life is short and probably can't afford to stay here at the moment they still welcome you to enjoy this fun and happy place. Thank you!

Okay, make sure you bring your wallet fully loaded as you will drop cash here easily. Somehow you won't mind cuz it's Disney. I'm in awe of the power of the Disney Brand and how it will make people fork over anything to be a part of it. You go Walt! It's like the movie Field of Dreams...People will come, Ray and they will pay admission and they won't care.... I needed a break from work and life and this resort provided that wonderful, wonderful magic. A beautiful hotel, in a beautiful setting, filled with beloved Disney characters, yummy Disney snacks, and so many Disney touches and it was all amazing! In fact, you don't even need to leave the property because it has so much to do... so we didn't. We have been to Oahu before so for the cost we felt we need to stay and absorb every moment of the resort and we did and we had fun. We stayed there the entire time! Had fun playing and swiming in the ocean, the beach area is paradise, had fun in the Lazy River and surrounding pools and water slides, had fun doing the free activities (drawing with an animator, pin trading and the thingamabobs beach activity), had fun doing the paid activities (make your own Mickey Ears and Star Gazing) and the kiddo who is almost too old to go to Auntie's Beach House (the kids daycare) begged to go back each day because it was so much fun! We tried all the dining. Which ranged from super expensive fancy to casual to mobile ordering to pick up and go. Disney is not known for their food so we were happy we could walk across the street to get sushi from ABC or eat at MonkeyPodd or grab breakfast at Eggs and Things. Especially loved the resorts snacks which they are known for. We loved the Dole Whip, Popcorn, and exclusive to this resort Spam Musabi shaped like a Mickey Mouse!!! They set it out at 11am and I was there everyday waiting at 10:50am! You need daily wristbands for the pool which was cool cuz you racked up a rainbow arm and it ensured only hotel guests were using the amazing water park like features. And was it ever fun to get photos in ur swimsuits with all your favorite Disney characters!! We elected to get our room made up everyday, yeah for the return of that service from the not so fun pandemic! Our person Nora keep our room so clean and loved her notes she left! Super fun place to stay! I would go back and maybe next time I would leave the property! Maybe!

Our Disney "magical experience" was spoiled by backroom screw up! As usual we checked in for our 2 bedroom suite for 5 days with my credit card filed at the front desk. On the penultimate evening we dined at the downstairs restaurant in the main building. Unfortunately my Aulani key/credit card was unceremoniously denied without explanation when I tried to pay. So I had to exit the birthday celebration, go upstairs to the check-in desk and deal with the inconvenient embarrassment. No DVC member courtesy was forthcoming. I was met with repeated corporate policy talking points, although my personal credit card was on file when we checked in. Requests to speak with the manager were stonewalled by an anonymous team on the phone that repeated the nonsensical excuses of our "limit" was reached if the cost of the celebration dinner were to be added to our account! In the end I had to use my credit card to settle the bill, despite the fact that the very same card had been filed at check in! Very disappointing procedure. Perhaps Disney Aulani prefers to run an all cash operation!

Aulani is our favorite place to stay in Oahu. It is always cheerful and clean. All the team members have the biggest smile on their faces. They are always helpful and professional. The room is well maintained and very comfortable. We absolutely love the view of the ocean and the pool, and the beautiful sunset. We are looking forward to visiting again.

We had dinner in The Olelo Room last night, and while the surroundings are beautiful and awe-inspiring, the dinner wasn't particularly good. It took a long time for the kitchen to put out food, which was understandable given that the restaurant was crowded during the dinner rush, and we had a party of thirteen. Still, the tomato soup was salty, the Caesar salad had way too much cheese in it, and I didn't much like the sauce that came with my shrimp and fettuccine plate. The highlight of the restaurant was that toffee brownie and vanilla ice cream. The brownie was good despite my not being a fan of toffee in general. Pictures don't do justice to the sheer size of this resort though. It's a beautiful sight. I did like the valet parking option. But putting a set of bathrooms on just one side of the entrance atrium seems a bit strange. The bathroom is VERY nice and clean though.

It's really overpriced. I did three days at Aulani and three days at a hotel that's half price and had more fun. The activities at Aulani are so over priced for the quality and the food...OMG....I realized Kids don't need a fancy pool. They can play for hours with a hole filled with water. You should just rent a car and explore beaches on the island and sign up for excursions.

We absolutely love Aulani!!!!! We are DVC members and this is one of our homes. The friendliness from beginning to end is outstanding. Alohas from every cast member 24:7. The DVC cast members are extra friendly, and helpful. Aulani will help you plan your dream vacation, they have so much going on at the hotel you don't have to leave. Story times, scavenger hunts, DVC member only events, multiple pools, semi private beach, kid/adult events like build your own Mickey ears, aunties beach house (child care), onsite spa (absolutely recommend!), great food places!!! You can't go wrong being here. The beach may have sand fleas, we got bit a lot last visit. So we got bug spray before going down to the beach and we were golden this trip. No bites. Souvenir cups are a great deal if you plan to buy drinks non stop. You refill your cups as much as you want. And they have tons of options plus hot chocolate and coffee. Bought ours our first day and definitely made our monies worth. Our bellhop (didn't get his name) was amazing. Super friendly, not overly chatty or too much in our private business, but told us some helpful information to make our stay that much better. I called immediately to give him praise for his work ethics, I hope they recognize him.