Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa combines the service and storytelling Disney is known for with the beauty, culture and traditions of Hawai‘i.

Located in Ko Olina on the island of O‘ahu, Aulani is much more than a traditional Disney vacation. There are no theme parks here. Instead, guests can spend their days relaxing at the beach, floating along a lazy river, meeting Disney characters, experiencing Hawaiian culture or exploring the island.

Here are answers to some of the most common questions travelers have when planning an Aulani vacation.

Does Aulani Ever Offer Discounts or Promotions?

Yes!

Aulani regularly offers seasonal promotions that can provide significant savings on select stays.

Discounts may vary based on:

Disney frequently offers larger discounts for longer stays, so staying four or five nights — or longer — can sometimes provide additional savings.

Availability is limited, which is why booking early can be especially helpful.

Even after you’ve booked, it is worth checking whether a newly released promotion may apply to your reservation.

What Types of Rooms Are Available at Aulani?

Aulani offers accommodations ranging from traditional hotel rooms to spacious Disney Vacation Club villas.

Options can include:

Views vary by room category and can include options such as:

Disney Vacation Club villas can be especially appealing for families or longer stays because many include additional living space and home-like amenities.

One-, two- and three-bedroom villas include features such as full kitchens and washers and dryers.

Is Aulani an All-Inclusive Resort?

No.

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about Aulani.

Aulani is not an all-inclusive resort, meaning meals, alcoholic beverages, spa treatments, excursions and many premium activities are not automatically included with your room.

However, a surprisingly large number of resort experiences are included with your stay, which can make it possible to enjoy several days at the resort without constantly purchasing additional activities.

Disney currently describes Aulani as offering activities for all ages, with many included in the cost of your stay.

What Activities Are Included With My Aulani Stay?

Aulani offers a wide variety of complimentary resort activities, although schedules and offerings can change.

Included experiences may include:

Disney currently lists many of these experiences as included with your stay.

Not every activity operates every day, so checking the resort’s daily schedule after arrival is important.

What Are the Pools Like at Aulani?

The pool complex at Aulani is one of the biggest reasons families love the resort.

Waikolohe Pool

Waikolohe Pool is the resort’s primary family pool and features zero-entry access along with the Volcanic Vertical body slide.

Waikolohe Stream

Guests can float along the resort’s lazy river through tropical landscaping, tunnels and caverns.

Ka Maka Grotto

Ka Maka Grotto is an infinity-edge pool overlooking the Ko Olina lagoon and Pacific Ocean.

Wailana Pool

Wailana Pool offers a quieter setting away from the busiest portions of Waikolohe Valley.

Menehune Bridge

Designed for younger children, Menehune Bridge features slides, water features and an interactive play structure.

Keiki Cove Splash Zone

This interactive splash area is designed to resemble a Hawaiian tidal pool and is a great option for little ones.

There are also whirlpool spas throughout the resort.

Does Aulani Have a Beach?

Yes.

Aulani sits directly along the Ko Olina Lagoon, offering guests easy access to a beautiful protected beach.

Resort guests can enjoy swimming, relaxing in the sand or using complimentary beach equipment such as select boogie boards and sand toys.

Additional rentals such as paddleboards, snorkel equipment, kayaks and private beach seating may also be available for an additional cost through Makiki Joe’s Beach Rentals.

What Is Aunty’s Beach House?

Aunty’s Beach House is Aulani’s supervised children’s activity center for guests ages 4 through 12.

Kids can participate in Disney-themed and Hawaiian-inspired games, arts and crafts and other activities in a supervised environment.

Aunty’s Beach House currently offers complimentary themed 1.5-hour programming blocks, along with premium three-hour experiences available for an additional fee.

Pre-registration is required, and certain experiences require reservations.

Disney currently recommends submitting the online pre-registration at least two days — but no more than 90 days — before arrival.

Because availability can fill quickly, families should plan ahead if Aunty’s Beach House is an important part of their vacation.

Are There Activities for Tweens and Teens?

Yes.

Aulani offers select programming and social activities designed for older kids and teens.

Activities vary throughout the year and may include beach gatherings, games, cultural activities and other age-appropriate experiences.

Teen programming is not the same as traditional supervised childcare, so families should review the current Daily ‘Iwa resort schedule after arrival.

Can I Meet Disney Characters at Aulani?

Absolutely.

One of the things that makes Aulani unique is the chance to meet Disney characters while vacationing in Hawai‘i.

Characters can vary but may include favorites such as Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their friends dressed in island-inspired attire.

Select character meet-and-greet experiences are included for resort guests.

Character appearances and schedules can vary, so guests should check the current resort schedule during their stay.

Is There Character Dining at Aulani?

Yes.

Aulani offers character dining experiences at Makahiki – The Bounty of the Islands on select days.

Character dining is extremely popular and reservations are strongly recommended.

Because characters, meal formats, pricing and operating days can change, we recommend checking the current offering when planning your vacation rather than assuming a particular character meal will operate every day.

Does Aulani Have a Luau?

Yes.

KA WA‘A – A Lū‘au at Aulani offers an evening of Hawaiian storytelling, music, dance and food.

The experience celebrates the culture and traditions of Hawai‘i and is offered for an additional charge.

It is one of Aulani’s most popular premium experiences, so advance reservations are recommended.

Does Aulani Have a Spa?

Yes.

Laniwai – A Disney Spa is Aulani’s full-service spa and salon.

Spa offerings can include:

The resort also offers fitness facilities for guests.

Disney currently identifies Laniwai as one of the resort’s signature experiences.

Does Aulani Have a Dining Plan?

No.

Aulani does not offer a traditional Disney Dining Plan like the plans available with eligible Walt Disney World vacation packages.

Meals are generally purchased individually at the resort’s quick-service, table-service and lounge locations.

Dining options range from casual poolside meals and grab-and-go options to signature dining experiences.

What Dining Options Are Available at Aulani?

Aulani offers several dining experiences throughout the resort.

Options may include:

There are also additional restaurants within the surrounding Ko Olina resort area.

Because certain restaurants can be popular, reservations are recommended for table-service dining.

Can Aulani Accommodate Food Allergies or Dietary Restrictions?

Aulani makes reasonable efforts to accommodate many common food allergies and dietary needs.

Guests should identify allergies or dietary restrictions when making dining reservations and speak with a chef or restaurant manager when they arrive.

Guests with severe or complex dietary needs should discuss their requirements before traveling.

Is Transportation From the Airport Included?

Generally, no.

Transportation between the airport and Aulani is not automatically included with a standard resort stay.

Guests can arrange transportation options such as:

The best option depends on whether you plan to remain primarily at Aulani or explore O‘ahu during your vacation.

Do I Need a Rental Car at Aulani?

Not necessarily.

If you plan to spend most of your vacation relaxing at Aulani, you may not need a car for the entire stay.

However, a rental car can be valuable if you want to explore destinations around O‘ahu, such as the North Shore, Pearl Harbor, Kualoa Ranch, Waikīkī or other beaches and attractions.

Another option is arranging organized excursions that provide transportation.

For some travelers, renting a vehicle for only part of the trip provides the best balance.

Can I Explore the Rest of O‘ahu From Aulani?

Absolutely — and I highly recommend making time to see more of the island.

Aulani is located in Ko Olina on O‘ahu’s western coast, making it a relaxing home base for exploring the island.

Popular attractions and experiences include:

Aulani also offers bookable excursions and activities that allow guests to experience more of O‘ahu.

How Many Nights Should I Stay at Aulani?

For most travelers, five to seven nights provides a wonderful balance between resort time and exploring O‘ahu.

A shorter three- or four-night stay can work well if Aulani is part of a larger Hawai‘i vacation or island-hopping itinerary.

For families who want to enjoy several pool days, Aunty’s Beach House, the beach, character experiences, a luau and sightseeing around O‘ahu without rushing, a week can be ideal.

Can I Combine Aulani With Another Hawaiian Island?

Absolutely.

This can be a fantastic way to experience more of Hawai‘i.

For example, travelers might spend several nights at Aulani on O‘ahu and then continue to:

Each island offers a very different experience.

Combining Aulani with another island can give you the Disney resort experience along with a second Hawai‘i destination focused on beaches, nature, adventure or relaxation.

Can Aulani Host Weddings or Special Events?

Yes.

Aulani can host weddings, vow renewals and other special celebrations in several resort settings.

Your original article listed locations including the resort beach, Hālāwai Lawn, ballrooms and other outdoor spaces.

Available venues, packages and capacity can change, so couples and groups should request current information when planning their event.

Aulani can also be a beautiful destination for:

Does Aulani Have Resort Fees?

One reason travelers appreciate Aulani is the large number of resort activities included with a stay instead of charging separately for every pool or recreational experience.

However, additional charges still apply for many premium experiences such as spa treatments, excursions, KA WA‘A Lū‘au, certain children’s programs, beach rentals and dining.

Always review your specific room rate and reservation terms for taxes, parking and any other applicable charges.

Is Aulani Only for Families With Children?

Definitely not.

Aulani is very family-friendly, but adults can also enjoy the resort without children.

Couples, honeymooners and adult groups can enjoy:

Aulani can work especially well for travelers who want a Hawaiian vacation with Disney’s service and attention to detail without spending their vacation in a theme park.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Aulani?

There isn’t one universally perfect time to visit Hawai‘i.

O‘ahu is a year-round destination, but pricing and availability can vary based on school schedules, holidays and seasonal demand.

Traveling during less popular periods may offer better room rates or promotional opportunities.

Disney regularly releases seasonal Aulani discounts, including percentage savings on select four- and five-night stays.

If your dates are flexible, comparing several travel windows can sometimes result in significant savings.

Ready to Plan Your Aulani Vacation?

Aulani offers something very different from a traditional Disney vacation.

You can meet Mickey in the morning, float down a lazy river in the afternoon, watch the Hawaiian sunset from the beach and spend the next day exploring O‘ahu.

The key is creating the right balance between resort days and island adventures.

Whether you’re planning a family vacation, honeymoon, anniversary or a multi-island Hawai‘i itinerary, we can help you choose the right room category, travel dates, transportation and experiences for your trip.

Complete our vacation quote request and we’ll help you create an Aulani vacation designed around the way you want to experience Hawai‘i.