If you are considering a trip to the beautiful island of Honolulu, making your way over to the city of Ko Olina is well worth it for the magic of Aulani Resort for any age.
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa is a Disney-owned and -operated resort in Ko Olina, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu (home to Honolulu International Airport, Waikiki Beach, and Pearl Harbor). Aulani opened on August 29, 2011. It was designed under the direction of Joe Rohde, a Disney Imagineering legend. Unlike most Disney resorts, Aulani is not located near a theme park. It is, however, a top-notch family resort destination, complete with a wide variety of amenities we'll discuss below.
Overview of the Resort
From the moment you drive up to the stunning Hawaiian resort, you know you are in for a treat. Super friendly staff greet new guests with a lei (women) or kukui nut necklace (men), and kids receive their very own Menehune necklace.
Aulani features multiple pools for all ages, ten food service options (including two sit-down restaurants), other in-house activities, and access to a wide variety of paid Hawaiian excursions. From snorkeling in Aulani's Rainbow Reef, Floating along the lazy river, or just enjoying a drink by the beach, this resort has it all.
Aulani is truly an amazing hotel, easily a step above anything you'll find near a Disney theme park. We like to think of it as a Hawaii resort with touches of Disney magic.
Aunty’s Beach House
Kids explore Hawaiian culture, art and music—with a dash of Disney magic—at this supervised activities club for Guests ages 3 to 12. Most activities are complimentary; select experiences are available at a fee. Where else can you relax on the beach while your children learn how to play the ukulele, make volcano projects, and more?
Aunty's Beach House features Disney fun with games, arts & crafts and activities that change with each day's special theme— offering kids the opportunity to channel their inner Super Hero, celebrate the islands of Hawai'i and much more.
Aulani's Character Breakfast
This casual buffet-style breakfast is located on the first floor of the resort at the Makahiki Restaurant overlooking the Waikolohe Valley which is the centerpiece of this beautiful resort. Prices are $39 for adults and $20 for kids. The character breakfast usually runs from 7:00 am – 11:00 am, but it is always good to double-check with your Pixie Planner before making reservations.
When you arrive at the Aulani Character Breakfast you’ll be greeted by one of their friendly hosts. The first stop is a photo area where you’ll be able to meet and take plenty of adorable pictures with Mickey. After you finish up with your pictures with Mickey you’ll be taken into the restaurant and seated to enjoy a delicious buffet-style breakfast.
Then throughout your meal, you will be visited by Minnie, Pluto and sometimes Goofy. All the characters are decked out into their best Hawaiian attire which makes the pictures even more fun. The small setting is nice as the characters take their time at each table to interact with the kids.
Let me just say this, the Aulani Character Breakfast is no ordinary breakfast.
They had just about everything breakfast food imaginable, eggs, biscuits and gravy, grits, fresh fruit, muffins, and so much more! The things I loved were some of the Hawaiian dishes they have in the buffet including Macadamia Nut Pancakes, malasadas, egg fried rice and they also have a create your own omelette bar.
The Rooms and Suites
Stay in a hotel room or suite inspired by the beauty of the islands at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Hawai‘i. Whether you want a Standard Room or want the space and luxury of a One or Two Bedroom Suite, Aulani has it all.
We really enjoyed the subtle Disney touches at this resort. It is a more laid back Disney experience different than what you would find at the theme parks on the Mainland.
When booking with a Pixie Planner, we can find rates sometimes a third of the price that you would find booking online with Disney direct. The best part? You have a personal Pixie Planner to make sure every aspect of your vacation is perfect.
Ready to Book or Start Planning?
The best time to start looking at Aulani options is about 8-11 months before your preferred travel dates. Our quotes are always free and as we mentioned above, we can find smoking deals on these rooms for a fraction of the price of booking Disney direct when we book in advance.
If you are looking into staying at Aulani in the future, it never hurts to get a free quote and talk to a real planner. We would love to help plan a magical vacation for you and your family.
Here is a Slideshow from Our Trip
Aloha!
