Source: hawaiimagazine.com
If you’re planning a vacation to this Disney-themed resort on Oʻahu, read this first.
You don’t have to be a Disney fan to enjoy a stay at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa on Oʻahu. There’s lots to do on and around the 21-acre oceanfront property in Ko Olina, about 27 miles west of Waikīkī. The resort boasts three swimming pools—all heated—including a saltwater lagoon filled with Hawaiʻi reef fish and another with a waterslide and tube ride. The restaurants at the hotel and around Ko Olina are some of the best on the island. There’s an 18-hole golf course—Ko Olina Golf Club—across the street. And, of course, there’s Mickey.
If you’re planning to stay at Aulani this winter break—or sometime soon, and you should!—here are some insider tips to make your stay magical.
It’s a Disney resort, but not the way you might think.
If you’re used to Disney hotels, cruises and parks, you might be disappointed in the lack of Disney-ness at Aulani. This resort focuses on the “vacation” part of a “Disney vacation,” so you’ll get touches of Disney: poolside visits by Disney characters, shave ice shaped like Mickey ears (above), ʻukulele versions of classic Disney songs. The guest rooms and suites will similar to ones you’d find in other high-end Hawaiʻi resorts, with Kauaʻi-based Mālie Organics bath products, private lānai and extra-comfy beds and pillows. But you would be hard-pressed to find anything overtly Disney about them.
Also, there are no shuttles from the airport to Aulani. You’ll need to rent a car—which we suggest anyway, so you can explore Oʻahu—or take an Uber or Lyft to the resort, which may run between $50 and $100 one way.
Restaurant reservations are a must.
If you’re interested in dining at ʻAmaʻama or Makahiki—which hosts the very popular Disney Character Breakfast daily—you’ll need to make reservations. Yes, even if you’re a hotel guest. The open-air ʻAmaʻama is open for dinner only, with stunning sunset views and a four-course, prix-fixe menu ($165 per person, additional $65 for wine pairing) that showcases Hawaiʻi ingredients. It also offers a keiki prix-fixe menu ($55) with options like mac ‘n‘ cheese, Mickey- and Minnie-shaped Spam musubi, spaghetti with chicken meatballs and hot fudge sundaes. There are other dining options, too, that don’t require reservations: the grab-and-go ʻUlu Café and Mama’s Snack Shack by the pool. For ʻAmaʻama and Makahiki, you can make a reservation 30 days in advance online or by calling (808) 674-6200.
The Aulani app is actually helpful.
Not all apps are useful—but this one is. The Aulani App—available for both iPhone and smartphones for Android—makes it easy to make and manage reservations, find your way around the resort and search for daily activities. The best part? You can order food and drinks from the poolside lounge, Off the Hook.
You can track Disney characters.
There’s another useful function of the Aulani app: You can see where the Disney characters will be that day. Character meeting times are posted on the app at 8 a.m. every morning. Some of the characters roaming around the property include Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Moana, Donald Duck, Goofy, Pluto and Stitch. They frequent public areas like Hālāwai Law, Kawele Korner and the Koi Pond. You can also call the Character Hotline—CHIP (2447) from your resort room or (808) 674-6200 if you’re not in your room (just ask for the Character Hotline)—to find out which characters will appear that day and where to find them. The character schedule is also published on the Daily ‘Iwa, which is the Aulani Daily Activities Schedule.
The pool opens at 8 a.m.—and you can’t reserve seats.
This cannot be stressed enough: you cannot reserve seats at the pools, even with towels or bags. These will be removed by hotel staff. The only way you can “reserve” seats around the pools is by actually sitting in them. The pools—including the slides, lazy river and Menehune Bridge (a kids’ splash zone)—don’t open until 8 a.m. And you can’t get your daily pool wristband—a must—until then, too. Lounge chairs filled up quickly, so it’s best to get there early to nab a spot. Once the pools are open, though, you can leave your belongings—at your own risk—to enjoy the pools and lagoons. Other pool-related information: All pools close at 8 p.m. There’s always a lifeguard on duty. And children under 12 must be supervised by an adult.
Parents, there’s a hot tub just for you.
Yes, there’s a hot tub that kids can use—and it overlooks the lagoon. This adults-only whirlpool is located outside the main pool, closer to the ocean. And thanks to its adults-only status, it’s also one of the quieter spots on the property.
The MagicBands are, yes, magical.
Yes, MagicBands do work at Aulani. These bands—and there are lots of designs to choose from—can be paired with your account to access your room and to charge purchases. They’re also waterproof, so you can take them into the pool or ocean. You can buy them online or at Kalepa’s Store, located near the lobby.
We all need some alone time.
We get it: Family vacations are really only a vacation for the kids. But at Aulani, parents can snag some (much-needed) adult time. Send the kids to Aunty’s Beach House, a 5,200-square-foot supervised kid’s club with games, crafts and other activities. Plus, it’s free! (But sign up early.) Parents can sneak away to the adults-only ʻAlohi Point hot tub or indulge in a spa treatment at Laniwai Spa.
The ‘Ōhelo Room is also an adult favorite. The upscale outdoor lounge, which opens from 5 to 10 p.m., serves fun cocktails—mango sangria, crushed pineapple mule, coconut mojito—and a wide selection of local beers, wines and spirits, along with live music. The revolving pūpū (appetizer) menu is impressive, too, often featuring vegan tacos, ‘ahi poke, local beef sliders and Korean-style wings.
The lūʻau is worth every penny.
The Ka Waʻa Lūʻau may be pricey—preferred seating for adults is $204; general seating is $175—but the experience is totally worth it. The show, provided by Tihati Productions, is incredible, featuring legend of the area and lore of ancient Hawaiʻi. Plus, it’s short enough for kids to sit through. (And yes, Mickey makes an appearance.) The food is great, too, with lūʻau favorites like kālua pig, poi and haupia. And there are lots of cultural activities to try, including kapa printing, poi pounding and floral bracelet making. Best part: Open bar!
More about Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa
92-1185 Aliinui Dr, Kapolei, HI 96707
For reservations contact (866) 443-4763
Visit: disneyaulani.com
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