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27 Best Aulani Tips to Maximize 2 Nights at Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii

Thinking about a trip to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii? Find out how to make the most of just 2 nights there with my insider Aulani tips! Plus, see how to save money at Aulani, keep scrolling for all the info!
This Disney Aulani tips post originally appeared on Marcie in Mommyland and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, I may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog.

Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa on Oahu

Are you planning a trip to Oahu and wondering if you should make a side trip to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa? You can get the full Aulani Resort experience in just 2 nights.

Find the BEST deals for Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa HERE.

My mom lives on Kauai, which makes her eligible for Aulani kamaaina rates. We spent 7 days on Oahu and split our time between Waikiki and Disney Aulani Resort.

My mom and I (along with my 4 year old and 16 month old) took advantage of her deal February 28 – March 2, 2018.

I’ve created my top Aulani tips for maximizing 2 nights at the Disney Aulani Resort on Oahu.

Don’t have time to read a bunch of Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Oahu with kids.

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Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids | Planning a trip to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa on Oahu? Find out all the best tips for Aulani Hawaii

Arrival at Aulani Resort in Hawaii

FIRST MORNING AT AULANI

Since we were already on Oahu, we woke up early and checked out of the Waikiki Courtyard Marriott. We did a quick stop at Leonard’s Bakery to pick up their famous malasadas and hit the road.

We arrived at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, at 9:30 am. Disney cast members greeted us and told us valet parking was the same price as self-park.

We planned to not leave the Aulani Resort, so we grabbed all our stuff and had them valet our minivan.

Bell Services grabbed our bags and presented us with fresh orchid leis and little menehune necklaces for the boys.

Then, we headed to check in where we received our room keys and a pass for the Luana Lounge. We also picked up a copy of the Daily Iwa, Aulani’s activities guide. Since we had a bit of time, we walked around the resort to get the lay of the land.

Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids| . Aulani Character Breakfast includes entertainment, characters and and the opportunity to take photos with Mickey Mouse.
Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration at Makahiki restaurant is the Disney Aulani character breakfast experience. Photo credit: Matt Stroshane/Disney Destinations

DISNEY AULANI CHARACTER BREAKFAST

We had a 10:15 am reservation for Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration at Makahiki restaurant. After we checked in with the host, we headed to get our photo with Mickey Mouse.

We were first in line and didn’t feel rushed as we took photos of our 4 year old and Mickey before we all joined in the fun.

Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Photo of Minnie Mouse at the Disney Aulani Character Breakfast at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa on Oahu. Doing the breakfast on arrival day is one of my Aulani tips. #aulani #oahu
We were thrilled to meet Minnie Mouse at the Disney Aulani Character Breakfast! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

This Aulani Character Breakfast is my favorite Disney Character Breakfast so far!

Not only was there tons and tons of food (including fried rice, an omelet bar, grits and the famous Mickey waffles) but Aunty’s programming was outstanding!

As we walked to our table, my 4 year old joined a parade around the restaurant.

Throughout our time at breakfast, Aunty walked around singing and playing the ukulele. She also encouraged kids to follow her to learn to hula dance, play with fish puppets, and tap coconut shells to the music.

Plus, other Disney characters like Minnie Mouse and Pluto came by our table a few times to play with the boys!

DISNEY AULANI POOLS

What’s really awesome about Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa is that they give you access to the Luana Lounge when you check in. This is one of the Aulani resort tips I learned about through a Facebook group.

This is a place where you can change out of your clothes into your swimsuit to start enjoying the pools at the Aulani Resort. We packed a bag specifically to use here and we changed into our swimsuits.

Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Photo of Waikolohe Stream at Disney Aulani Resort on Oahu in Hawaii. One of my Aulani tips is to plan for several hours on this lazy river.
Aulani guests tube down Waikolohe Stream at Disney Aulani Resort on Oahu. Photo credit: Paul Hiffmeyer/Disney Destinations

The Aulani Resort on Oahu features several pool areas:

  • Ka Maka Grotto is an infinity edge pool overlooking Ko Olina beach. At night, they have twinkling lights!
  • Keiki Cove Splash Zone is an interactive splash pad designed for younger children and it’s designed to look like a tidal pool.
  • Menehune Bridge is a play structure featuring 2 slides and is a hot spot for kids under 48 inches tall.
  • Waikolohe Pool is the largest pool at Aulani Resort and has a tunnel slide for the adventurous, a zero entry for families and is the location for Disney character pool parties.
  • Waikolohe Stream offer two different tubing adventures: extreme rapids and a lazy river.
  • Wailana Pool is the adults only pool and is hidden away a bit.
  • Whirlpool Spas are found in 4 locations around the pool area, 2 of which have spectacular sunset views.

We walked around all the pool areas and decided to hang out at the Menehune bridge to play. My 4 year old couldn’t get enough of the slide. My 16 month old loved that he could crawl around in the water during our Aulani vacation.

FIRST AFTERNOON AT AULANI RESORT

Around 2 pm, we got a text that our room was ready. We headed up to see our room and called Bell Services to send up our bags.

When Bell Services came, he offered to bring us up bed rails and a diaper genie. This was so helpful!

We changed out of our wet swimsuits into regular clothes.

Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Photo of a Mickey Mouse towel display at Aulani Resort in Hawaii #aulani #oahu
We were so excited to see this adorable Mickey on our bed! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

After we settled in a bit, we decided to continue exploring Disney Aulani. As we were walking around the grounds, we noticed Pluto hanging out by the cast member area.

I think Pluto might have been on break, but he waved over my 4 year old and spent a lot of time playing with him! It was the highlight of my preschooler’s day!

It’s moments like these that really set Disney Resorts apart from others.

Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Save money on your Disney Aulani Resort vacation on Oahu with Get Away Today.

HULA AT DISNEY AULANI

I’ve been a professional hula dancer for the past 20 years. I’d say I’m a bit critical when I see hula shows, especially at resorts. Seeing hula at Disney Aulani Resort was a high priority for me.

Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Photo of hula dancers at Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii #aulani #oahu #hula
This short hula show at the Waikolohe Pool was the perfect mix of hula and Disney magic! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

So, we made a point to see the A Hula For You performance at the Waikolohe Pool. It was a short performance, and they danced to a Kealii Reichel song written for Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. When they brought out the bird puppets, I seriously gasped.

I loved that they elevated the hula to incorporate a touch of Disney magic!

AULANI PHOTOPASS SUNSET PHOTOS

I did a ton of research about our visit to Disney Aulani Resort on Oahu. One of the things that I saw is that Disney Aulani PhotoPass photographers will head to Ko Olina beach and do family photos at sunset.

Getting photos of our time at Aulani Resort was important to me, so we headed down around 4 pm.

Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Photo at sunset at Ko Olina beach in front of Aulani Resort in Hawaii. Doing all the Aulani PhotoPass stops is one of my top Aulani tips. #aulani #oahu #hawaii
My son graciously held still for a moment so our Aulani PhotoPass photographer could get this shot! Photo credit: Aulani PhotoPass photographer

We didn’t even need to wait in line. Our photographer was so friendly! My 16 month old was asleep in my Tula, but we still got some cute shots.

The photo shoot lasted about 10 minutes and we could have visited the other 2 photographers on the beach.

But, since my toddler was asleep, we planned to come back the next night.

MO`OLELO FIRE PIT STORYTELLING

One of the free Aulani activities that I knew we wanted to do was attend the Mo`olelo Fire Pit Storytelling near the beach. We headed to the 4:45 pm show.

Uncle came out and enthusiastically talked about Laka, his canoe and the tricky menehune.

The story was 15 minutes and the crowd was engaged the whole time. We loved it!

ULU CAFE

We opted for an easy grab and go dinner at Ulu Cafe. While we could have ordered hot options, we decided to get a fresh roll, turkey sandwich, yogurt parfait, cheese/fruit/nut plate and lots of bottled water. My Mom ran to Kalepa’s Store for milk.

We ate in our room and went to bed early so we’d be rested for our first full day at Aulani Resort.

Full Day at Aulani Resort

Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: image of Moana character meet and greet at Disney Aulani
Meeting Moana in Hawaii was on the top of our Aulani Bucket List! Photo credit: Disney Destinations

MORNING AT AULANI RESORT

To save time, we ate breakfast in our hotel room. Our Leonard’s malasadas were excellent!

At 8 am sharp, I called to get the Disney character meet & greet times and locations. I jotted them down in my phone.

We headed to the Pau Hana room to try to sign up for the Toddler Splash and Play, but they were already full (45 minutes prior to the activity.)

Aulani Insider tip: head straight to the Pau Han Room and Aunty’s Beach House in the morning to sign up for activities.

DISNEY CHARACTER MEET & GREETS

We picked up Daily Iwa and headed to our first photo op with Goofy near the Waikolohe Stream. Goofy wore water shoes!

I tried to get a selfie with Goofy, but my arms weren’t long enough to get his whole head in the frame!

Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: How to maximize the Disney Aulani PhotoPass at the Disney Resort on Oahu
Goofy is one of our favorite characters and my son thought it was hilarious that he could walk into the pool! Photo credit: Aulani PhotoPass photographer

Then, we spent the next hour enjoying the lazy river at Waikolohe Stream over and over again.

The lazy river is much longer than we anticipated and it was our favorite pool area. Even my 16 month old liked it once we figured out a comfortable place for him to sit.

Since meeting Moana in Hawaii was a priority for us, we hopped out of the lazy river to jump in line.

Our meet & greet with Moana was the best Disney character meeting we’ve experienced. She spent a full 2-3 minutes chatting with my 4 year old before posing for lots of photos.

She’s such a sought-after character that we really appreciated all the attention she gave my son. She instructed him to help her search for Hei Hei and he took that very seriously all day long.

After that amazing Disney character experience, we headed up to our room to change clothes and eat lunch. We had brought leftover dim sum from Ala Moana. Plus, we still had leftovers from dinner at Ulu Cafe.

AFTERNOON AT AULANI RESORT & SPA

I’m glad that I pre-registered my 4 year old for Aunty’s Beach House because I still needed to fill out a supplemental form. I was also able to sign him up for Stitch’s Space Goo online a couple months prior to our stay at Aulani Resort.

Even though Stitch’s Space Goo was at 3pm, I dropped him at 1pm so he’d be able to play and meet friends.

Since my mom was watching my toddler in our room, I had my first kid-free time! I strolled through the gift shops and found out they were having a big clearance sale, so I looked through the Disney Aulani shirts. I scored a Maui shirt for my preschooler.

Then, I headed back to the room so my toddler could nap. Once he was asleep, I started jotting down notes for this blog post and just relaxed a bit. Our room at Aulani Resort was so beautiful and it was nice to take a few moments to enjoy being there.

Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Photo of the Mo`olelo Fire Pit Storytelling at Disney Aulani Resort on Oahu #aulani #oahu
Uncle does an amazing job during the Mo`olelo Fire Pit Storytelling at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. Photo credit: Disney Destinations

When my toddler woke up, we decided to continue to explore the resort. There was an Aulani PhotoPass photographer next to the Stitch statue, so we had him take our photo.

Then, we headed back to the Mo`olelo Fire Pit Storytelling at 4:45 pm, where Uncle told us the story of Moana.

As he told us the story, Moana herself came to correct him and help him tell her story! The crowd went nuts and it was such a cool performance!

After the Mo`olelo Fire Pit Storytelling, we headed to Aunty’s Beach House to pick up my 4 year old. He had the most amazing time and eagerly showed me his Stitch’s space goo.

The Aulani PhotoPass photographer was still outside the Stitch statue, so we made sure to get some photos of my 4 year old showing his space goo to Stitch!

EVENING AT DISNEY AULANI

Since the Mo`olelo Fire Pit Storytelling was so good, we went back at 5:45 pm. We were stoked that it was the Moana story again so that my preschooler could experience it.

He went nuts when he got to see Moana again!

Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: The Disney Aulani PhotoPass photographers will take sunset photos on the beach for family pictures.
I loved the nightly opportunities to take sunset photos on the beach in front of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. Photo credit: Disney Aulani PhotoPass

Then, we headed to Ko Olina beach to do formal sunset photos with the Aulani PhotoPass photographers. We took photos with 2 different photographers. They each had their own style.

I especially loved how they took lots of photos of my 4 year old just running around and playing in the sand. I mean, playing at the beach is the epitome of a fantastic Hawaiian vacation!

After our photos, we grabbed pizza from Ulu Cafe to eat in our room. We had planned to attend the outdoor movie featuring Coco, but it was rained out. So, we headed back to our room to pack up a bit and go to bed.

Departure Day from Aulani Resort

Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Photo of Mickey Mouse at Disney Aulani Resort & Spa in Hawaii #aulani #disneydestination #hawaii
My toddler loved meeting each and every character at Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii. Photo credit: Aulani PhotoPass photographer

LAST MORNING AT AULANI, A DISNEY RESORT & SPA

We ate up the rest of our malasadas for breakfast. I called to get the character meet & greets.

Since we hadn’t met Donald Duck yet, I took my boys there at 9:30 am and gave my mom some quiet time to get ready for the day. We got in line early and only waited a few minutes to take photos!

Then, I dropped my preschooler off at Aunty’s Beach House for a couple of hours.

As I was walking near the pool, I saw Disney PhotoPass photographer. I asked her to take some photos of my toddler and me and they were great!

Then I ordered a latte from the coffee shop and went back up to our room to pack.

Squeezing out every minute in our lovely room, we sent our bags to Bell Services right at 11 am and asked them to hold until we departed.

Then, we leisurely shopped and walked around the grounds, soaking up every moment before heading to Aunty’s Beach House to pick up my preschooler.

LAST AFTERNOON AT DISNEY AULANI RESORT ON OAHU

Thinking ahead, we packed our leftover pizza to eat at the pool. Then, we got in line 15 minutes early for photos with Mickey and Minnie at 12:30 pm.

This was really cool because they are rarely available for photos together at any other Disney Resort or even any Disney Theme Park.

Then, we immediately got in line for Stitch and we were first in line for his 1 pm character appearance.

Now that we got our character photos at Aulani out of the way, we spent the rest of our afternoon at the pool.

My 4-year-old decided he wanted to put on his Puddle Jumper and swim the entire Lazy River…twice. I highly recommend that if you are trying to exhaust your kids before heading out!

Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Photo of Mickey shave ice at Aulani Resort on Oahu, Hawaii #aulani #shaveice #oahu
This Mickey Shave Ice might be the cutest Disney treat at Aulani Resort in Hawaii. Photo credit: Marcie Cheung

And the one treat I was dying to get at Aulani was the Mickey Shave Ice. My family LOVES shave ice, and we were excited to upgrade to the one with Mickey Mouse ears. It was a delicious way to end our trip to Aulani Resort on Oahu.

We left the pool area around 4 pm and went straight to the Luana Lounge. Our key didn’t work and just as we were about to give up, Moana walked by and our key magically worked!

That’s Disney pixie dust for you!

We changed into our clothes and got fully ready to leave. It was a whirlwind trip to Aulani Resort and we are eager to return soon.

27 Best Aulani Tips and Tricks to Maximize 2 Nights at Aulani Resort on Oahu

Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids: Photo of Donald Duck at Disney Aulani Resort in Hawaii #aulani #donaldduck #hawaii
We couldn’t get enough of the Disney character meet & greets at Aulani Resort in Hawaii! Photo credit: Disney Destinations

PRE-REGISTER FOR AUNTY’S BEACH HOUSE

If you are traveling with kids ages 3-12, you can take advantage of Aunty’s Beach House. It’s a complimentary Aulani kids club.

Go online and fill out this form at least 48 hours prior to your arrival at Aulani Resort. You will also be able to register your child for free kids activities or premium paid activities.

By filling out the form before arriving, you will save precious time. You’ll still need to fill out a bit of paperwork the first time you drop off your child, but this will cut that time down drastically.

Aulani Insider Tips: Send your kids there the morning you check out so you can finish packing and get your luggage to Bell Service.

LOOK AT THE DAILY IWA ONLINE BEFORE YOUR GO

The Daily Iwa is the Aulani Resort daily activities calendar. You can find it online here.

Start checking it about a week before your visit to get an idea of what activities are available during your stay at Aulani Resort. It’s a great way to plan out your day.

Then, pick up a hard copy every morning at the resort. The hard copy has the phone number for the Disney character meet & greet locations and times.

CALL EVERY MORNING FOR DISNEY CHARACTERS MEET AND GREET

Once you get your Daily Iwa, call every morning to know when and where to meet the daily characters.

You must call from an Aulani Resort phone. You can call from the lobby the morning you arrive.

Learn other tricks for meeting all the characters

ARRIVE IN THE MORNING

Disney is known for their amazing customer service. Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa is no exception. Arrive as soon as you can and drop your bags with Bell Service.

When you check in, you’ll get your room keys. While they won’t unlock your room (until it’s ready), they will allow you to take advantage of Aunty’s Beach House, character meet & greets the pools, and everything else at Aulani Resort!

Aulani check in time is usually between 3 pm and 4 pm; however, you can always check in the morning and keep your bags at the Bell Desk and enjoy Disney’s Aulani Resort until your room is ready!

You’ll get a text when your room is ready.

This is definitely one of the best Aulani secrets to fully get the most out of your amazing Aulani vacation.

DO THE DISNEY CHARACTER BREAKFAST

I recommend making a reservation for the Disney Aulani Character Breakfast at Makahiki restaurant for the morning you arrive, especially if you have young children. It’s a great opportunity to ensure a photo with Mickey Mouse.

Plus, you’ll be able to fill everyone’s bellies before heading out to enjoy the amazing pools!

This is especially important for your first Aulani vacation!

PURCHASE THE PHOTOPASS

You might be wondering how purchasing the Disney Aulani PhotoPass will help you maximize your trip to Aulani Resort.

You know how if you pay for something, you’ll try to get your money’s worth? Same goes for the Aulani PhotoPass.

While it’s free to take advantage, tell yourself you will be purchasing it at the end of your trip. That way, you’ll make sure to do lots of character photos, sunset photos at Ko Olina beach, and all the photo stops in between!

STAY AS LATE AS YOU CAN

Another one of the Aulani travel tips is to maximize your last day as well.

Just as you can arrive early, you can also stay late. Your room key will allow you to use all the facilities the day you check out.

Bell Services will hold your bags until you are ready to depart. Just make sure you have all your essentials with you.

The key to doing this effectively is to utilize the Luana Lounge at Aulani Resort.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LUANA LOUNGE

The Luana Lounge is basically an upscale locker room. There is a large waiting area with couches and TVs. But, there’s also a men’s changing area and a women’s changing area. These feature lockers, showers, toilets, and a large sink area.

When you check in, you will get a key that is good for your arrival date and departure date. I’d recommend packing a separate bag just to use at the Luana Lounge. Here is a simple Aulani packing list that I used:

Arrival Bag for Luana Lounge:

  • Swimsuit
  • Cover-up
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Flip flops

Departure Bag for Luana Lounge:

  • Toiletries bag
  • Clothes for airplane (if you are immediately heading to the Honolulu International Airport)

ENJOY THE AULANI SPA

While we didn’t get to visit the Aulani spa this time around, it is definitely something you should consider, even for a few hours.

They have family treatments so you can relax and enjoy together, and there are individual treatments that will truly make this a dream vacation.

While your children are in the kids club, get a nice massage, facial, or even a couple’s massage!

One of the incredible spa features at this Disney destination is the Kula Wai: Outdoor Hydrotherapy Garden. Here you can enjoy vitality baths, a reflexology path that massages your feet and legs, 6 waterfalls, and so much more to enjoy. It is definitely one of the Aulani things to do and try out!

You have to make a reservation before attending.

Check out my full Aulani Spa review

CONSIDER GROCERY DELIVERY TO AULANI

While you might find a few grocery stores near Aulani, another one of the best tips for Aulani is to take advantage of grocery delivery options.

If you are a Disney Vacation Club Member, you can easily submit an order, and the Kālepa’s Store will have your groceries sent to your room. This is only available once you are checked in your room; they won’t hold your groceries before then.

Plus, Instacart will also deliver to Aulani Disney’s Resort too!

It is a great option for those who want to maximize their time at Aulani!

BOOK TOURS WITH A FREE SHUTTLE SERVICE

If you don’t plan to explore the entire Hawaiian island during your trip, you might be fine without getting a rental car. There are plenty of fun tours you can book that offer free transportation to and from the Aulani Resort.

From Pearl Harbor to a Circle Island Tour, there are plenty of fun activities you can do without getting a rental car!

Check out all the fun tours on Oahu with transportation from Aulani Resort!

ENJOY THE ON-SITE LUAU

You’ll want to enjoy the on-site Aulani luau during your stay. It is a great way to experience the Hawaiian culture and is even great for younger kids too!

You’ll get to enjoy plenty of things to do at Aulani luau in addition to the performance, including lei-making and photo ops.

Check out my full Ka Wa’a Disney Aulani Luau review

TRY SOME AULANI PIN TRADING

One of the fun Disney Resorts things to do is to pin trade. and at Aulani, it is no different. There are a few places around the resort where they have pin boards set up so you can trade for some new pins.

You can also visit the Aulani shops and grab some special Aulani pins too! Avid Disney fans will love this feature!

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE POOLS AND BEACH LAGOON

When you visit Aulani, be sure to enjoy all the pools they offer. With the huge variety, you’ll find some for everyone in the family to enjoy!

Arrive early if you plan to have a pool chair. Pool chairs usually get snatched up quickly during your Aulani visit. So, if you plan to relax in the sun while your kiddos play, be an early bird!

Enjoy the infinity pool, water slides, Wailana pool bar, paddleboard rentals, and so much more here. It definitely is one of the best Disney’s Resort to visit!

DOWNLOAD THE AULANI APP

The Aulani app shows you all the activities at Aulani, gives you a map of where to go, and provides you with everything you will need during your vacation.

Not only that, you can see and manage your reservations and all your fees connected to your account.

It helps you to plan your day and keep everything organized, so definitely be sure to download it before your trip!

WATCH DISNEY AULANI PRICES BEFORE BOOKING

Another one of the Aulani tricks is to check prices for various times of the year. During the summer months, prices are higher, as well as on weekends.

Sometimes you will find a special discount for staying 5 or more nights, so do your research!

Check Get Away Today for the best rate at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

USE THE BEACH TOWELS FROM THE TOWEL STATION

You do not have to bring towels down from your room or in your luggage. Simply head down to the pool areas and get your complimentary beach towels from the towel station.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE RAINBOW REEF

If you want to enjoy some snorkeling on Oahu but don’t have a rental car or want to leave Aulani? No problem! There is an on-site snorkeling option you can enjoy: Rainbow Reef!

You get to explore these tropical fish, plus it is great for all kids ages! Rainbow Reef is very affordable compared to other snorkeling options, so definitely take advantage of this, especially during your first visit.

GRAB SOME MICKEY SHAVE ICE

You cannot visit Oahu without getting some shave ice! It is a must at Disney Parks, especially at Aulani. Located in the Waikolohe Valley Pool Area, Pāpālua Shave Ice is where you can find your shave ice that looks like Mickey Mouse.

This is especially fun for younger kids to enjoy, so don’t skimp out on this one!

MAKE AULANI DINING RESERVATIONS EARLY

There are two sit-down dining options at Aulani, and both of them are quite delicious. However, if you want to try them out, be sure to book your dining reservation early.

Makahiki offers the character eating options and is a Hawaiian-style buffet. ‘AMA’AMA is the finer dining option that tends to get pretty booked up fast.

While you don’t have to pay right as you book, you do need to book your reservation before you even arrive sometimes!

BRING A PHONE BATTERY PACK

You will be using your phone to take pictures and videos even with the Photo Pass, so if you don’t plan to take time to relax in your ocean view room every few hours, bring a phone battery pack in your bag.

That way, while you are out in the water, your phone can be charging and ready to go when you need it!

ENJOY THE MENEHUNE ADVENTURE TRAIL

The Menehune Adventure Trail is another complimentary activity that your family will love to do! It is a fun treasure hunt that younger kids will love!

Pick up a special tablet at the Pau Hana community center to start your adventure. The tablet will guide you along the Menehune adventure trail and give you interactive clues all along the way.

While younger kids will see the Disney magic during the trail, they will need help from their older siblings and parents for some of the clues. It’s another fun family activity to enjoy!

VISIT THE PAU HANA ROOM

Another one of the best Aulani secrets is the Pau Hana Community Center. Here you can enjoy so many added activities, from making your own Mickey Ears to learning to play the ukelele, painting activities, making your own shirts, and more!

Here you will also find arts and crafts and video games.

BEST PLACES TO GET AULANI SOUVENIRS

You’ll definitely want to get as many Aulani souvenirs as you possibly can during your first visit! However, sometimes they can be expensive.

At the Ulu Café, when you get a meal, you can get some free chopsticks to go with it. However, these chopsticks have cute Mickey Ears on the top and would make a great souvenir for someone!

You can make your own Micky Ears instead of purchasing a set, which is a fun souvenir with a story to tell! The Aulani Reusable Coffee Mug or Popcorn Basket are also fun souvenirs you probably won’t find anywhere else.

Usually, most of the souvenirs are at the Kālepa’s Store. Here you can find just about anything! The Lava Shack has some things that could make good souvenirs as well.

ENJOY SOME FREE BEACH RENTALS

There are a few things you can get for free at Makiki Joe’s Beach Rentals, although not everything is free.

You can get these things for free:

  • Sand toys
  • Boogie Boards
  • Life Vests
  • Beach and lounge chairs
  • Umbrellas

Take advantage of these free beach accessories during your stay!

ENJOY MOVIE NIGHT ON THE LAWN

Every now and then, you can enjoy a free movie night out on the lawn with your kids during your stay. It was rained out for our trip, but be sure to check during your visit and enjoy this fun activity!

SPEND TIME WITHOUT KIDS AT THE OLELO ROOM

After leaving your children at the kids club, spend some time at the Olelo Room. It is a relaxing bar and lounge that offers live music as you sit and relax.

You can get some pretty delicious drinks and appetizers while you enjoy some kid-free time by yourself or with your spouse.

Aulani Resort FAQs

Is Aulani Resort all-inclusive?

No. While there are a ton of included activities like free childcare, pools, character experiences, and events, you’ll still need to pay for your own food and drinks.

Does Aulani have a meal plan?

As of 2020, Aulani no longer has a dining plan option. But, there are several dining options at the resort and nearby.

Is the Aulani resort worth it?

If you want a top-notch Hawaii resort with tons of on-site activities and free childcare you’ll be taking advantage of, Aulani is totally worth it. But it’s quite pricey if you plan on just sleeping there.

How do I get the most out of Aulani?

Be sure to know all the best things to do at Aulani so you can maximize your stay. Plus, be sure to read the entire Aulani reviews and tips up above to ensure you get the most out of Aulani!

Do you tip at Aulani?

Yes, you can tip at Aulani. Usually, it is between 15 to 20% tips. You can tip the maid, at the Aulani Luau, for their restaurants, etc.

When is the best time to go to Aulani?

Between April and May, as well as September and October, are the fewer traffic times for Aulani. You might score some discounted tickets, making this the best time to go to Aulani too! The summer months will be crowded for Oahu Aulani vacations since kids are out of school and it is nice and hot.

Can I use my Magic Band at Aulani?

While there are no Aulani magic bands, they do have an app that helps you plan your day, shows you all the fun activities to do, and helps keep you organized!

Aulani Tips and Tricks Wrap Up

You’ll never have to wonder what to do at Aulani because there are plenty of great Aulani Disney resort activities to keep you busy the entire time. Use these Aulani tips to get the most out of your Aulani vacation.

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Aulani tips and Disney Aulani Resort review featured by top Hawaii blog, Hawaii Travel with Kids | Save money on your Disney Aulani Resort vacation on Oahu with Get Away Today.