Aulani Packing List: What to Bring (and Skip) at Disney Hawaii
Aulani has a few roomy villas, but most guests land in a standard room that is on the cozy side—great for a beach trip, terrible for the person who packs like they’re moving out. Don’t cram a bunch of unnecessary junk into yours. So what actually needs to be on your Disney’s Aulani Resort packing list, and what can you leave in the closet at home?
What Should Be on Your Disney’s Aulani Resort Packing List?
Short answer: beachwear, reef-safe sunscreen, and self-restraint. Aulani sits on Oʻahu’s Ko Olina coast, where the weather barely changes and there’s no formal dress code anywhere on property—so most of your suitcase is shorts, swimsuits, and t-shirts. The resort has free WiFi throughout, self-service guest laundry, and complimentary pool and beach towels, which means you can pack genuinely light and refuse to apologize for it. The list below is what we actually use, sorted into bring / leave-at-home so you’re not standing over an open bag second-guessing the iron.
1. Clothing
2. Accessories
3. Baby Items
4. Documentation
5. Methods of Payment
6. Toiletries
7. Medications and First Aid
8. Miscellaneous Items
9. Beach Bag Necessities
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Disney’s Aulani Resort Packing List
1. Clothing
Weather
The weather doesn’t change much throughout the year at Aulani. Ko Olina is on the leeward (dry) side of Oʻahu, so it’s almost always warm, breezy, and sunny, with the occasional passing shower. The numbers wobble by only a few degrees season to season, so pack for “beach” and stop overthinking it. Still, check the forecast before your trip for good measure. The rough averages look like this:
Winter
Average high: Low 80s
Average low: High 60s
Spring
Average high: Low 80s
Average low: Low 70s
Summer
Average high: Mid-80s
Average low: Mid-70s
Fall
Average high: Mid-80s
Average low: Low 70s
What to Include in Your Disney Aulani Packing List
Does Aulani have a dress code? Not really. There’s no formal attire required anywhere on property—even the sit-down beachfront restaurant, ‘AMA’AMA, is resort-casual, where shorts or jeans with a shirt and footwear are perfectly fine. The only real rule at the nicer spots: skip the swimwear at the dinner table (a coverup is fine). So you can leave the sport coat and the heels at home and pack for the beach with a clear conscience.
Pro tip: Does Aulani have laundry facilities? Yes—there are two self-service guest laundry rooms (one per tower, near the elevators), and using them is the single best reason to pack light. Bring laundry pods and do a load halfway through your trip. The machines run on tokens (around a dollar each, roughly $8 for a full wash-and-dry cycle, plus a few tokens for detergent if you forgot pods), and the kiosk is credit-card only—so bring a card, not quarters. One midweek load cuts your luggage in half. (Note: only the larger villas and DVC units have in-room washers and dryers; standard hotel rooms use the shared laundry rooms.)
A. T-shirts – If you won’t do laundry, pack one or two more than the number of days of your trip.
B. Shorts – One pair more than the number of days of your trip is plenty.
C. Pants – One or two pairs. Evenings can get breezy by the water.
D. Bras
E. Underwear
F. Pajamas
G. Socks – Bring one or two pairs above the number of days you are planning to wear real shoes.
H. Swimwear – Two per person. Hang wet suits in the bathroom and alternate.
I. Walking shoes
J. Sandals or flip-flops
K. A nicer shirt or two – Resort-casual is the dressiest you’ll ever need to be here. A collared shirt or a sundress covers dinner at ‘AMA’AMA.
L. Nice shoes – Honestly, skip them. Nowhere at Aulani requires them, so they’re suitcase ballast.
M. Workout gear – Only if you will actually use it.
N. Rain jacket – If needed. A passing shower here lasts about as long as a kid’s interest in a museum.
O. Water shoes – Do you need water shoes at Aulani? They’re optional, but you might want them. The sand in Hawaii is hotter than Flavor Flav in 1988.
What Not to Include in Your Packing List for Aulani
A. A sewing kit
B. Wrinkle release spray– Steam from the shower has the same effect.
C. An iron – You’re on a beach in Hawaii. Nobody is ironing anything.
2. Accessories
What to Bring
A. Hair ties
B. Goggles
C. Sunglasses – In addition to or instead of hats.
D. Hats – In addition to or instead of sunglasses.
E. Ponchos – If needed.
F. Jewelry – Think minimal and cheap. Salt water and good jewelry are not friends.
G. Belt – If needed.
What Not to Include
A. Umbrella – Ponchos are easier to manage.
B. A large selection of expensive jewelry
3. Baby Items
What to Pack for Disney Aulani
A. Stroller – Instead of a baby sling.
B. Formula and baby food
C. Baby sling – Instead of a stroller.
D. Bibs
E. Car seat – Unless you are renting one from a rental car company or ground transportation provider makes sense for you.
F. Sippy cups
G. Breast pump and accessories
H. Bottles
I. Diapers – Both regular and swim.
J. Wipes
K. Pacifiers
L. Bottle cleaner
M. Dish soap to wash bottles
What Not to Pack
A. Baby monitor – The rooms aren’t that big. You’ll hear everything.
B. Pack and Play – Request a crib from the resort instead of hauling one across the Pacific.
C. High chair – This seems like a lot of work for not much payoff.
4. Documentation
What to Bring (or Ensure You Can Access on Your Phone)
A. Identification for all adults
B. Health insurance card
C. Priority Pass card – If you have it, for airport lounge access. It’s a long flight—a lounge helps.
D. Airline reservation confirmations and boarding passes
E. Hotel reservation confirmations
F. Dining reservation confirmations
G. Rental car and ground transportation reservation confirmations – Get a car. Really. Aulani is a 30-ish-mile haul from Waikiki and Honolulu, and the good sights are nowhere near the resort.
H. Proof of car insurance
I. Proof of travel insurance – If purchased.
What Not to Include
A. Any unnecessary or duplicate documentation with your personal information
5. Methods of Payment
What to Pack
A. Credit cards – A travel rewards card earns you points on a pricey trip. New to that game? Start with our points and miles guide for beginners.
B. Cash – Some places only accept cash, but not many. Go easy here. (The laundry kiosk, ironically, is card-only.)
C. Debit card
D. Disney gift cards
What Not to Bring
A. A lot of cash
6. Toiletries
Pro tip: Purchase travel bottles to bring your favorite products in smaller quantities. TSA caps carry-on liquids at 3.4 ounces anyway, so this is the law and a luggage diet in one.
What to Bring
A. Contact solution and extra contacts
B. Glasses
C. Chapstick
D. Hand sanitizer
E. Toothpaste
F. Mouthwash
G. Floss
H. Toothbrush
I. Face wash
J. Deodorant
K. Tissue
L. Cotton swabs
M. Sunscreen – Be sure it’s reef-safe, and this one isn’t optional courtesy. Hawaii law bans the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, so a non-compliant brand from home might be the only thing you can’t buy once you land. Pack a mineral reef-safe sunscreen and you’re covered (literally).
N. Lotion – Only bring it if you need a special kind.
O. Shampoo – Only if you need a special kind, like tear-free.
P. Conditioner – Only if you want or need a specific kind.
Q. Body wash – Only if you need a specific kind.
R. Loofah
S. Razor
T. Feminine hygiene products
U. Makeup
V. Makeup remover
W. Hairbrush
X. Hair styling products
Y. Tweezers
Z. Bug spray
AA. Nail file
What to Omit
A. Hair dryer – Guest rooms typically include one, so you can likely leave yours home; if you’re particular about your blowout, confirm with the resort before you trim the bag.
B. Nail clippers – Clip your nails before you leave or use a file.
C. Nail polish – Paint from the comfort of your home.
7. Medications and First Aid
You need your medications, but you don’t need a three-month supply. Condense. (Keep prescriptions in your carry-on, not the checked bag that may or may not make the layover.)
Things to Bring
A. Thermometer
B. Any necessary medical equipment
C. Medications
D. Vitamins
E. Pain relievers – For both children and adults.
F. BAND-AIDs
G. Antibacterial cream
H. Dramamine – If you plan to sail on a boat or book a snorkel tour.
What to Omit When Packing for Aulani
A. Full bottles of anything
8. Miscellaneous
What to Add to Your Packing List
B. Hotel and airplane entertainment – It’s roughly a five-hour flight from the West Coast and far longer from the middle of the country. Download everything before you leave WiFi.
C. Snacks – Only what you need for travel. Visit a local grocery store upon arrival; there’s a Costco and an Island Country Markets near Ko Olina, and resort food prices are exactly what you’d fear.
D. Gum
E. Cell phones and chargers – Aulani has free WiFi throughout the resort and in guest rooms, so you can leave the data plan alone.
F. Waterproof cell phone case – If you want to take pictures in the water.
G. Beach toys – Buying them at a local grocery store is also an option.
H. Autograph book – If your kid cares. Aulani has its own character lineup, including Aunty’s Beach House meet-and-greets.
I. Cooling towels – Only if it will be really hot during your trip or you are planning some hiking trips.
J. Floaties or life jackets
K. Portable cell phone chargers
What Not to Add to Your Packing List
A. Shoe organizer – You shouldn’t have enough shoes to require organization.
B. Pool toys
C. Cameras – Phones have cameras now.
D. Night light – Leave the bathroom light on and the door cracked.
E. Hamper – An empty suitcase is a rolling laundry basket.
F. Cooler
G. Extra towels – Aulani provides complimentary pool and beach towels—just show your room key at a towel station near the Waikolohe pool to get a wristband, then grab as many as you need. One thing to know for 2025 and beyond: standard cash-rate rooms now get housekeeping every other day rather than daily, so used room towels are swapped less often. If that bugs you, request daily service or just rotate pool towels.
H. Travel clothesline and clips – People bring these to hang their swimsuits. The shower curtain rod does the same job.
I. Expensive electronics
J. Selfie sticks and extension poles
9. Beach Bag Packing
Fortunately, the resort beach (a calm, man-made lagoon) is right outside the hotel, so you’ll have easy access to your room and all the resort amenities. That means you can pack a light beach bag and run back up for anything you forget. If you venture to beaches off-property, bring more—and remember the rental car, because public transit won’t get you to the good snorkeling.
What to Add to Your Packing List
A. Identification for adults
B. Cell phone and portable cell phone charger
C. Methods of payment
D. Sunscreen – Be sure it is reef-safe (again, it’s the law in Hawaii, not a suggestion).
E. Hats
F. Sunglasses
G. Hand Sanitizer
H. Feminine hygiene products
I. Tissue
J. Gum and snacks
K. Pain relievers
L. Ponchos or rain jackets
M. Chapstick
N. Refillable water bottle
O. BAND-AIDs
P. Beach toys
Q. Waterproof cell phone case
R. Baby stuff you need on a typical day
S. Change of clothes or swimsuits – If necessary depending upon what you are doing.
T. Water shoes
U. Floaties or life jackets
Aulani Packing List FAQ
Does Aulani have a dress code?
No formal dress code anywhere on property. Day to day it’s beachwear and flip-flops. The dressiest spot, the beachfront restaurant ‘AMA’AMA, is resort-casual—shorts or jeans with a shirt and footwear are fine—and the only thing they ask is no swimwear at the table (a coverup is acceptable). Leave the blazer and heels at home.
Do I need to bring beach towels to Aulani?
No. Aulani provides complimentary pool and beach towels at towel stations around the Waikolohe pool—show your room key for a wristband and take what you need. Skip the bulky beach towels from home. Just note that in-room housekeeping now runs every other day for standard cash-rate rooms, so room towels are swapped less frequently than they used to be; request daily service if that matters to you.
Does Aulani have laundry, and is it worth packing light for?
Yes. There are two self-service guest laundry rooms (one per tower), and they’re the reason you can pack for half the trip. Machines run on tokens—about a dollar each, roughly $8 for a full wash-and-dry load—and the kiosk takes credit cards only. Toss in a few minimalist-packing habits and one midweek load, and you’ll cut your luggage dramatically. Only the larger villas and DVC units have in-room washers and dryers.
What kind of sunscreen do I need for Hawaii?
Reef-safe, and specifically a mineral formula. Hawaii bans the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, so some familiar brands simply aren’t sold there. Pack your own reef-safe sunscreen before you fly so you’re not stuck hunting for a compliant bottle on arrival.
Do I need a rental car at Aulani?
If you plan to leave the resort at all, yes. Aulani is on the far west side of Oʻahu in Ko Olina, well away from Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, and most island sights, and parking runs about $40 a day for non-DVC guests. If you intend to park yourself on the lagoon and never move, you can skip it—but most families want the car. For more on whether the resort itself earns its price tag, see Is Aulani Worth It?
Final Thoughts – Disney’s Aulani Resort Packing List
Most rooms at this hotel are small, and clutter breeds frustration. Don’t set yourself up for failure. Between the free towels, the self-service laundry, and a climate that asks for nothing fancier than a swimsuit, Aulani is practically built for packing light—so use this Disney’s Aulani Resort packing list to bring exactly what you need and nothing that just rides along.
Then go. Visit Hawaii with your family. You will not regret it. (For the rest of the suitcase strategy, our broader what to pack for Hawaii with kids guide pairs nicely with this one.)
Great list! Love your realistic examples in the “what not to add” of #8.
Thank you so much! Enjoy your trip!