Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa
Going to Aulani had been on my bucket list for years. As a child, I had vacationed on Oahu and Maui with my grandparents and loved everything about the islands. Even as a kid, I knew there was so much more to be explored, so I vowed to make it back one day. After a tough year, my family and I were ready for some new adventures and relaxation- Hawai’i was the perfect fit.
Booking a room at the Aulani resort was a no-brainer, but as I began to plan online, I was overwhelmed. There weren’t nearly as many reviews and tips online for the resort as there were for the Disney Parks. Planning a trip to a new place is stressful especially because you need to make sure you get every experience completed before heading back home! So I rounded up some of my favorite memories from around Oahu and Aulani along with some tips and tricks, so you’re ready for your own Hawaiian adventure!
Character Hotline
In Aulani, there’s no app or signage letting you know where or when the character friends will be out to meet and greet with guests. If you want a picture with the adorable island tourist Mickey or the allusive Moana, make sure you check in daily! Aulani cast members also love to surprise and delight guests when character friends are free! In the lazy river one afternoon, I saw Duffy passing by and hopped out to give him a big hug!
PRO TIP: If you’re crazy about Duffy and his friends (like me!) keep an eye out for a wedding! During these joyous occasions, the adorable bears tend to share their love with the happy couple and the resort.
KA WA’A Luau
Is there a more Hawaiian experience than a luau? Whether it’s your first time to the islands or you’re a repeat visitor, I think a luau is a must do on every Hawaiian vacay! The KA WA’A Luau at the Aulani resort was a favorite for my family. The food was plentiful and delicious with authentic choices and simple options for kids. As we waited for the show there were activities such a lei crafting and poi making. We loved that the event was held right on the property, so we were able to head back to our room after a long exciting night. I knew the luau was a hit when both of my brothers had put down their phones and were stunned by the show!
Resort Dining
Every bit of food at the resort was delicious. Everything was fresh and easily accessible, which is important when you need to get back to the private beach! We sampled food from every venue at the resort, table and quick-service restaurants included!
Table Service Options
Makahiki, The Bounty of the Islands: Also known as the character dining! I would suggest making reservations in advance if you hope to dine with the characters! We enjoyed breakfast and dinner at this large buffet. If you have been to a charter buffet at the Disney Parks before, then you have a good idea of what this experience will be like. I found it interesting that at every meal there were simple American offerings along with traditional Hawaiian and Japanese favorites. Typically, I steer away from character buffets, as I don’t eat enough food to make them a cost-effective option, however, it was really nice to have this one, very Disney experience at the resort! I would suggest going at least once while the characters can join you for your meal!
‘Ama’Ama, Contemporary Island Cooking: Maybe one of the most gorgeous restaurant views I have ever seen. The dining room is completely open, facing the ocean as you dine. Watch guest paddleboard, boats sail by gently and waves crash on rocks while you eat. My family ate at ‘Ama’Ama three times for breakfast and once for dinner. It was that good. Breakfast included a lot of interesting options but our favorites were the ‘Ama’Ama breakfast sandwich and the buttermilk pancakes with macadamia nut vanilla sauce. Dinner was a lot more upscale than breakfast. We dined on perfectly cooked seafood and steaks, fresh salads and decadent desserts. Everything was delicious, but I think it’s obvious we liked breakfast best!
Quick Service Options
Ulu Cafe: This poolside café has tons of different options from flatbreads to the iconic Mickey shaped spam masubi. Our favorites meals were the create your own poke bowls and the Chinese chicken salad. For dessert don’t miss out on the Mickey Mouse brownies and chocolate chip cookies, I’m still craving them!
Mama’s Snack Stop: A tiny shack serving up quick lunches. Quick, fried snacks are the staple here, but we were pleasantly surprised by an order of coconut shrimp. Make sure to grab the wasabi cocktail and sriracha tarter sauces for dipping!
Papalua Shaved Ice: If you take a trip to Aulani and don’t grab a Mickey shaped shaved ice, you really didn’t go at all! I had a few of these icy treats and by far my favorite mix was the lychee and li-hing-lu!
Little Opihi’s: If you’re looking for a snack while tanning on the private beach, this is your spot. Perfectly swirled dole whips, ice-cold cans of Hawaiian Sun and fresh California rolls are served up here daily.
Heading Out
As wonderful as Aulani was for days of relaxing, we also loved the proximity to other Hawaiian hot spots. We had rented a car, allowing us to explore the island with ease!
Excursions
Pearl Harbor: This historic monument shocked me in so many ways. It was so well curated, with so many interesting pieces put together to share what happened on that fateful day, December 7, 1941. Everyone left that day having learned something new and feeling a sense of overwhelming respect and pride for the men who protected our country many years ago.
It was really hard to nail down information about this place from online research. The night before we headed out to the national park, we almost spent $75 per person to get tickets. Luckily, we waited to get there to sort things out and everything we had wanted to see was free! For free we were able to watch an inspiring and informative video, take a boat ride out to the USS Arizona memorial on the harbor, read all the informative dedications and take a stroll through the museum.
Hanauma Bay State Park: I wanted to go zip-lining but my siblings won this battle, outvoting me, selecting snorkeling instead. I’m so glad they did because it has to be one of the coolest things I have ever done! We snorkeled at the bay during just one part of a day-long excursion where we also got to sample famous north shore dishes, paddleboard in a private waterway, cliff jump and visit the Dole Plantation. I cannot say enough about this tour. It was one of the best decisions of our trip, we were able to do and see so much for one flat rate, plus we didn’t have to worry about transportation or equipment all day!
Dole Plantation: Even though we visited this hot spot during our day trip, we headed back again to grab more snacks and one more over-the-top Dole whip sundae. The 3D pineapple gummies and the Dole whip topped with fresh pineapple were my highlights! Besides the price of snacks, this trip can also be totally free! My tour guide and many other sites advised against any of the costly activities offered, and we agreed they were not necessary to enjoy your visit!
Diamond Head: When I went to Hawaii at six years old, I stayed in a hotel right beside this volcanic marvel. I waited 17 years to climb to the top and it was worth it! Another free excursion, I suggest paying for parking to be closer to the base of the climb. When you’re done, you will be thankful you paid the $5 instead of having to trek back to your car. The view was incredible but I would not suggest this hike for young children or for people who don’t do well with steep climbs and heights. Another tip would be to climb early, before the sun has fully risen, then grab breakfast after to avoid the direct sun!
Dining
Rainbow Drive-In: Lunch plates are a staple in Hawaiian cuisine. We couldn’t leave the island without trying some of these classic dishes! My favorite was the was the BBQ beef while my step-dad found himself addicted to their classic cheeseburgers. My brothers favored the iconic loco moco while my sister enjoyed a bit of everything on the mix plate.
Leonard’s Bakery: Every. Malasadas. Is. Served. Hot. These heavenly little bites come from fryer to sugar, straight to your mouth. We tried every filling but the classic covered in cinnamon and sugar was the winner. Head to this hot spot early to avoid a line.
Roy’s: Within walking distance of Aulani is Roy’s Ko Olina. If you’re looking for a nice dinner outside of the resort, this is a great option. We headed over after a long day exploring the island, which was perfect because we didn’t have to venture far from our resort for an over-the-top meal. My whole family agreed it was our favorite dinner on the island and is a great option no matter where you are staying because there are multiple Oahu locations serving up the same incredible food!
A Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride
My family is on the larger side, and each of us is extraordinarily different from the next. To my surprise, everyone had a blast on this vacation. Even my brother who can be hard to please when it comes to trips away from home said he would miss Aulani and Oahu and hopes that I plan a repeat trip back soon!
I really believe the Hawaiian islands offer an experience for anyone. Even though Hawaii is still within the United States, it truly feels different from any other place in our union. The culture is wildly different from any other place in America, which offers a chance for the exploration of new sites, history and dining. Adding Aualni just adds another layer of magic to your trip, especially if you’re a Disney lover like me!
Until the Next Adventure!
Josie
