How to Stay at Aulani

Aulani is a Disney resort located in Ko Olina, Hawaii that has many activities tailored to children and adults. Aulani is also one of the properties where you can purchase a timeshare from Disney Vacation Club. For first-time visitors to Hawaii, Aulani is a good place to start as it is located about 20 miles (32 km) from Honolulu and is also very family-friendly. To get started, book your room online or by a travel agent.

Part 1
Part 1 of 5:

Planning Ahead

  1. Disney resorts have a lot of fun activities for families, but they may not be for everyone. If you want to enjoy the amenities at Aulani, be willing to sacrifice the usual hotel rewards that you can get with chain competitors, like Marriott Bonvoy/Hilton Honors. However, in exchange, you will be able to take photos with Disney characters, have your kids enjoy Disney-exclusive activities, and partake in a Luau with native Pacific Islanders and Mickey Mouse, as well as enjoy the pools and spas contained at the resort.
  2. You can do this either online or via a travel agent. Use sites like Expedia or Hotels.com (or Google/Bing) to find the best deal for the room you want. You can also book directly with Disney by calling +1 (866) 443-4763 or by visiting https://www.disneyaulani.com/ . You can book several different rooms:
    • The Villas have all the amenities of a home and are located a short walk from the main towers. These usually are only available for timeshare or rent, so if you’re interested in staying here, you'll want to check in advance.
    • The suites are located in the North and South towers. These have a view of the ocean and the resort.
    • There are also dozens of standard and connecting hotel rooms throughout the towers, just like any hotel. Choose the room that best fits your liking.
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  3. Hawaii is only accessible by plane or ship. You will want to check Expedia or Hotwire for flights headed to Hawaii (Honolulu's HNL airport in particular). You can also use Google's or Bing's flight search to find good deals. Or, you can directly contact a carrier. [1]
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Part 2
Part 2 of 5:

Getting There

  1. If you are travelling from New York JFK to HNL, expect it to take up to 13 hours. If you are travelling from Europe, Africa, or Asia, expect it to take even longer.
  2. To protect the wildlife and habitats in Hawaii, you will find even stricter travel restrictions than if you were to travel outside the country or elsewhere in the United States. If you are coming from international, such as Japan, China, or South Korea, you must have a valid passport and/or travel visa to enter the U.S. state of Hawaii, and you will need to fill out a Customs and Immigrations declarations form prior to debarking the plane or ship. In addition, all passengers, including domestic travelers, must complete a USDA declaration form prior to landing, to ensure that they do not bring in invasive species or plants harmful to the island. [2]
  3. Customs and Immigration. If you are not travelling domestically, you will take an escalator up to customs. Regardless on whether you are travelling domestically or internationally, you will have to discard unprocessed food items, and any pets you bring with you may need proof of vaccination or be subject to quarantine upon arrival. [2]
  4. You can get a rental car, but that requires either a valid U.S. driver's license or an international driving permit (IDP) and valid license from your country of origin. You can also get an Uber or Lyft from the airport to Aulani, or you can take a Disney "Hele Hele" shuttle to Aulani.
    • A rental car is great if you want to explore the island of Oahu on your own time.
    • Shuttles are great for transportation between HNL and the resort. The "Hele Hele" shuttle is a third-party service and the only service that serves Aulani and HNL. Rates are US$24 per person and US$10 for 2 and under. [3]
    • Platinum Limousine Services offers tours of the island of Oahu, and they can also drop you off at the airport. Check their site for rates and more information.
    • The Grey Line tour bus also offers tours of Oahu and the other islands, but you might want to bring your own food unless if you are okay having ultra-low-budget meals. You will also need to reserve tickets with an airline like Southwest for travel between the Hawaiian islands. Grey Line is not owned by Disney.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 5:

Checking In

  1. If you're driving, pull up to the main entrance. If you're taking an Uber or Lyft, ask to be dropped off at the main entrance. Everyone will get a lei upon walking in. Turn right to head towards check-in.
  2. Use the name that you used to book your reservation. Note that if you use a debit or credit card, your bank may place a temporary hold on your card until you check out and pay your bill. For the most part, checking into the Aulani is the same as checking into any other hotel or resort.
    • Everyone, including kids, can get a room key.
  3. More than likely, you are staying in the north or south tower of the resort. Go northwest or southeast in the lobby to head towards the north and south tower elevators. There is no way to walk between the two towers after the lobby and dining floors.
  4. If you brought a luggage cart with you, you can unpack your luggage into your room. If you didn't, you can call the bell hop to bring your luggage up to your floor. Relax for a little before you head to the resort's facilities.
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Part 4
Part 4 of 5:

Enjoying Your Stay

  1. The ground floor has all the restaurants, shops, and attractions.

    To get free soda beverages during your stay, purchase a reusable mug. The free fountain drinks expire after your stay ends, but you can continue using the mugs for personal use after!

  2. This is a natural beach where you can soak in the sun, build sandcastles, surf, take a swim, and more. It may even be a good place to fall asleep.
  3. There are over nine restaurants/bars to dine at. Each offers traditional Disney food items and pastries, including Mickey waffles and Mickey cookies.
    • Some restaurants require a reservation beforehand. Call the restaurant on your room's telephone before arriving to find out if this is the case for the one you want to go to.
  4. Grab a raft and hop into this pool. You can relax and circle around in about one-meter deep water for a while. Lay back in a raft endlessly or exit into one of the swimming pools when you are done relaxing.
    • In Hawaii, the temperatures year-round are on average 22 °C (72 °F), making being outdoors in a resort pleasant at almost any time of the year.
  5. There are two waterslides, and they both exit into the Waikolohe Stream. Grab a raft, wait in line, and enjoy the thrills of sliding down. Tubestone Curl makes a curved motion and is a bit gentler, while Volcanic Vertical is an almost vertical drop.
  6. If you want to play Marco Polo or get more of a workout in the Hawaiian sun, but you do not want to worry about the possibility of ocean currents carrying you away, then Aulani's pools are a great option. There are eight pools, one of which is only accessible to those 18 and up. It might be worth it for you.
  7. From Aunty's Beach House, which is open as a daycare during the day and a teen clubhouse at night, to the Mo'olelo Fire Pit Storytelling at nighttime, be entertained. You may find it better than your relative's stories!
  8. Located on the ground floor of the north tower, the Fitness Center has what you would expect from a hotel's gym. It is available to anyone 14 and older at Aulani.
  9. Aulani has a spa where teens and adults can soak for a bit before heading back to their room. Enjoy the hot water as the night cools down to slightly below room temperature. Nothing beats it while you are on vacation.
  10. From business meetings to matrimonial ceremonies, Aulani is willing to host it. Call their number for more information.
  11. He is hidden everywhere in the resort, including in the wallpapers and in the hotel rooms. Can you spot him?
  12. This is the same desk where you check in. The island of Oahu does have numerous historical landmarks, including the Pearl Harbor museum, that may be worth your time.
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Part 5
Part 5 of 5:

Departing

  1. The last thing you want is to find yourself stuck in Hawaii because you forgot your passport in your hotel room.
    • Check your room safe. You do not want to have accidentally left something in there.
  2. If you need to check out later, call the front desk to avoid additional nightly charges. The checkout time is 12:00 HST.
    • Be sure to pay all charges on your room. This includes charges for dining and merchandise purchased.
  3. Located south of the main lobby, Disney Photo Pass is where you can purchase resort photos from on-property events.
    • You may want to skip Photo Pass if there are no images worth saving or if you do not want any souvenirs.
  4. Like many resorts, Disney offers a timeshare program where you can buy timeshares. Before buying a timeshare, you should always be sure that you know what you are signing up for. If you choose to buy one, be sure to purchase directly from Aulani and not from a third party.
  5. Your journey ends where it started. Say goodbye to the island as you return your rental car and check into your return flight.
  6. You cannot take certain items back to the mainland. If you purchased any unprocessed foods from Hawaii, expect to have to throw them out as they may contain invasive species and harmful insects. Also, since the entirety of the island is federally protected land, aside from items purchased at a National Park Service souvenir shop, you cannot take back rocks or shells to the continental United States. You will have to forfeit the items at the airport before you depart. [2]
    • Additionally, your country may also place restrictions on items you can take back with you. It is your responsibility to make sure everything will get cleared at customs when you return.
  7. You can now say that you enjoyed Disney's Aulani resort. Feel free to bring back a treat for your family, friends and/or coworkers.
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      Tips

      • All signage on Aulani is in English and Japanese, and you will definitely find cast members who can speak more languages than that if you're coming from a non-English-speaking country.
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      Warnings

      • Except in the hotel rooms, the 18+ areas, and the private events at Kipuka's Courtyard, you are expected to follow Disney's dress code. Don't wear revealing clothing, don't wear costumes if you are 14 or older, and don't wear anything that may detract from a family-friendly environment. Non-medical masks should not be worn either. [4] [5]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.disneyaulani.com/map/
      2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 http://airports.hawaii.gov/hnl/flights/agriculture-inspection/
      3. ↑ https://www.heleheleshuttle.com/
      4. ↑ https://disneyland.disney.go.com/faq/parks/dress/
      5. ↑ https://www.disneyaulani.com/faq/dining-faq/

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