Is Aulani Worth It? An Honest Disney Hawaii Review: Things to Consider

Aulani is beautiful, drenched in Hawaiian culture with just enough Disney sprinkled on top, and it sits on one of the best stretches of beach on Oahu. It is also extremely expensive, and it will try to charge you extra for nearly everything that isn’t the ocean. Is Aulani worth it? Short answer: not if you pay full price. The long answer is below, with the current numbers and the stuff Disney would rather you not run the math on.

Is Aulani Worth it?: Things to Consider

Quick Verdict: Is Aulani Worth It?

Worth it if you score a discount, you’re traveling with kids, and you love Disney enough to forgive a $40-a-day parking bill. Skip it if you’re paying rack rate, you don’t have little ones, or you came to Hawaii to relax instead of fighting strangers for a pool chair at 7 a.m.

• Where: Ko Olina, on the west side of Oahu (Kapolei), about 30 minutes from the Honolulu airport.
• Opened: August 2011, so it still looks newish and well kept.
• Parking: around $40 per car, per day for self-park or valet (subject to change). DVC point stays get free self-parking for up to two cars.
• Best free stuff: the beach, the Menehune Adventure Trail, ukulele lessons, and most character meet-and-greets.
• Biggest splurges to skip: the luau, the cabanas, and most upcharge activities.
• Heads up for 2026: the main Waikolohe family pool, the whirlpool spa, and the Volcanic Vertical slide are closed for refurbishment April 13 through May 8, 2026. Plan around that window.

1. What is Aulani?

2. It Has a Great Location

3. Parking Costs a Small Fortune But There Are Ways to Avoid the Charge

4. The Beach is Amazing

5. The Pools Are Awesome (and Super Crowded)

6. The Studio Rooms Are Small

7. There Are Characters

8. There is a 24-Hour Gym

9. Don’t Miss the Free Menehune Adventure Trail

10. Most of the Organized Activities Come with an Extra Charge

11. You Can Book Excursions Through Aulani (But Don’t)

12. You Can Snorkel in a Lagoon for an Extra Charge

13. There is a Spa Where Kids Can Get Makeovers

14. The Free Kids’ Club is Not What it Used to Be

15. The Luau is Stupid Expensive

16. There Are Hidden Menehune Throughout the Resort

17. The Dining Options Are Decent

18. There is a Lounge to Use After Checkout

19. There Are Ways to Save

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Is Aulani Worth it?

1. What is Aulani?

Aulani is Disney’s only resort in Hawaii. What is so special about Aulani? It is an immaculate, oceanfront property, with a lot for kids to do (a lot of which comes at an extra charge).

The Disney touches are there, but most of the theming is Hawaiian. There’s a ton of artwork, almost none of which features Mickey Mouse, plus activities like lei-making and hula classes. It feels like Hawaii first and Disney second, which is exactly the point.

The resort opened in August 2011, so everything still looks clean and shiny. It sits on 21 acres in Ko Olina with hundreds of hotel rooms plus Disney Vacation Club villas, which matters mostly because it means there are a lot of guests competing for the same pool chairs (more on that later).

2. The Aulani Resort Location Cannot Be Beat

Where is Aulani? The resort sits in Ko Olina on the west side of Oahu. Compared to Waikiki, which is packed so full of tourists you can barely walk, Ko Olina is a small slice of heaven. You can stroll to several restaurants and shops, and there’s a small grocery store across the street. Two big thumbs up for this location.

You can reach the Honolulu airport from the resort in about 30 minutes on an average day. If you’d rather skip Disney Hawaii entirely and still want a beach resort on the Big Island, our take on whether Hilton Waikoloa Village is worth it for families makes a useful comparison.

3. Parking Costs a Small Fortune But There Are Ways to Avoid the Charge

If you want to see Oahu, you’re going to want to have access to a car. Driving around exploring is part of the fun of Hawaii. If you plan to just utilize the resort, you don’t need a car at all.

Here’s the kicker: self-parking and valet cost the same. Both run around $40 per car, per day at the time of writing (always confirm the current rate, since Disney loves to nudge these up). Yes, you read that right. Disney charges resort guests $40 a day to park their own car in Hawaii, where the land is basically a parking lot with palm trees.

Pro tip: Aulani has a car rental counter on site. If you just want to go somewhere for the afternoon, consider this option.

Bonus pro tip: Is there free parking at Aulani? Yes, for some. Disney Vacation Club members and those staying on rented points get free self-parking (but not valet) for two vehicles.

4. The Beach is Amazing

Is staying at Aulani worth it? When it comes to the beach, it is.

The resort is located on a beachfront property. The sand and water are beautiful. There are no rocks to be found.

There is equipment to rent on the beach, including snorkels and paddleboards, for a fee. Boogie boards and umbrellas are included.

Pro tip: The sand is hot like the sun. Really. The sun. Be sure to bring water shoes. Your kids will not be able to handle it.

Bonus pro tip: You need reef-safe sunscreen in Hawaii.

Extra bonus pro tip: The beach is open to the public per Hawaiian law. If you want a chair, get to the beach early.

5. The Pools Are Awesome But Super Crowded

The pool area is awesome. It is also crowded. Really, really crowded. Unlike the beach, it isn’t open to the public, but there are enough guests to fill that space up fast. The vast majority of guests are staying at the resort during the day. No one is heading to EPCOT. There is no break from the crowd.

You get multiple pools, several hot tubs, two waterslides, a lazy river, and the Menehune Bridge play structure. Little ones can splash in Keiki Cove, a shallow area set aside for kids roughly age 5 and under, so they don’t get trampled by a stampede of nine-year-olds.

One big caveat for spring 2026: the main Waikolohe family pool, the whirlpool spa, and the Volcanic Vertical body slide are scheduled to be closed for refurbishment from April 13 through May 8, 2026. The lazy river, Ka Maka pool, Keiki Cove, the other slide, Menehune Bridge, and the beach are expected to stay open, but if “the pools are awesome” is your whole reason for booking, do not book that window without checking the resort’s current refurbishment notices.

Chairs are hard to come by shortly after the pools open. People drape towels over more chairs than they could possibly need and leave them empty for hours to hold their territory. Employees sweep through clearing the towels now and then, but the periodic sweeps don’t fix it. You can rent a cabana if you don’t want to fight for a chair. A standard one now runs roughly $600 to $650 a day (the largest cabanas push toward $750). For a chair with a roof. Really.

As with all Disney properties, there are a ton of lifeguards. The pools feel very safe.

Pro tip: Tubes for the lazy river and waterslides are a hot commodity. If you don’t get there early, be prepared to throw elbows.

Bonus pro tip: The waterslides close before the rest of the pool. Don’t save them for the end of the day.

Note: The Menehune Bridge play structure has a maximum height limit (commonly cited around 48 inches), so it’s built for the little kids, not your teenager. Check the posted sign on site.

6. Most of the Rooms Are Small

Is Aulani worth the price? When it comes to the standard rooms, not really. The resort does have big, beautiful rooms, but you’ll need to sell a kidney on the black market to afford them. Nightly rates swing wildly by season, room type, and view, and Disney doesn’t publish a tidy rate card, so don’t anchor to any single number you read online. Plan on “expensive,” and plan on it getting worse the better the ocean view.

You can book a standard hotel room or a villa that is more like an apartment. Every room comes with either a patio or a balcony.

Pro tip: You can often get the villas at a substantial discount by renting Disney Vacation Club points.

Bonus pro tip: You can request almost anything you need for a baby from the hotel, including a Pack and Play, bottle warmers, outlet covers, and high chairs.

Extra bonus pro tip: Check out our free Aulani packing list.

Hotel Rooms

Studio Rooms

The studios have one bathroom and either one king and one queen sleeper sofa or two queens. They have a mini-fridge and coffee maker, but not much else.

Size: 382 square feet

Max guests: 4

One-Bedroom Suites

The one-bedroom suites have a door you can close on your children, which is priceless really. They have one and a half bathrooms, a master bedroom with a king-sized bed, and a common area with a queen sleeper sofa and a twin-sized pulldown bed. These rooms also only offer a coffee maker and mini-fridge.

Size: 764 square feet

Max guests: 5

Signature One-Bedroom Suites

The signature one-bedroom suites are double the size of the regular one-bedroom. They have two bathrooms, a master bedroom with a king-sized bed, and a common area with one queen bed and a sleeper chair. These rooms offer a full-sized refrigerator, dishwasher, toaster, microwave, and coffee maker.

Size: 1,528 square feet

Max guests: 5

Signature Two-Bedroom Suites

The signature two-bedroom suites have a master bedroom with a king-sized bed, a second bedroom with a queen-sized bed and a queen sleeper sofa, and three full bathrooms. They also have a full kitchen, complete with a butler pantry.

Size: 1,910 square feet

Max guests: 6

Villas

Villas are designed for families who want more of a home-like experience. The studios don’t have much, but the larger villas are like apartments.

The larger villas are steep. You may think packing a bunch of people into one of them will make them cost-effective. It will not.

Studio Rooms

The studio villas come with one bathroom, one queen bed, and one queen sleeper sofa. They have a microwave, mini-fridge, toaster, and coffee maker.

Four people in this room are tight. There is no way to sugarcoat this.

Size: 356 square feet

Max guests: 4

One-Bedroom Villa

The one-bedroom villas have one bathroom, a master bedroom with a king-sized bed, and a common area with one queen sleeper sofa and a twin pulldown bed. They also have a full kitchen including a large refrigerator, a dishwasher, a stove, and a washer and dryer.

Size: 756 square feet

Max guests: 5

Two-Bedroom Villa

The two-bedroom villas have multiple doors for privacy. There is a master bedroom with a king-sized bed, a second bedroom with two queens, and a common area with a queen sleeper sofa and a sleeper chair. These villas also offer two and a half bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a washer and dryer.

Size: 1,125 square feet

Max guests: 9

Three-Bedroom Grand Villas

The three-bedroom grand villas offer a master bedroom with a king-sized bed, two additional bedrooms with two queens each, and a common area with a queen sleeper sofa and a sleeper chair. There are three full bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a washer and dryer.

Size: 2,174 square feet

Max guests: 12

7. There Are Characters

The resort has a lot of free character meet-and-greets, all of which come with lines. If you can handle the crowds, you can get some genuinely cute pictures. The usuals are there: Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, Daisy, and Pluto. You’ll also find Chip and Dale, Max, Moana, Stitch, and the Duffy crew (Duffy, ShellieMay, Angel, and the turtle ‘Olu Mel). Not everyone is out every day, but Mickey and Minnie are near-daily, so check the app’s schedule and prioritize.

This resort also features Uncle, an upper middle-aged man who walks around the resort interacting with guests. He provides scheduled tours of the resorts and tells stories around a campfire at night.

8. There is a 24-Hour Gym

The Mikimiki Fitness Center is open 24 hours a day, which is handy when the jet lag has you wide awake at 4 a.m. There are age restrictions for kids and teens (typically you must be a certain age to enter and accompanied by an adult), so check the current posted rules if you’re hoping to bring an older kid along.

9. Don’t Miss the Free Menehune Adventure Trail

The Menehune Adventure Trail is a scavenger hunt. You pick up a tablet from Pau Hana Community Hall and then walk through the resort. Interactive things happen, like drums banging, as you complete it.

10. Most of the Organized Activities Come with an Extra Charge

Is the Aulani Resort worth it? Not when it comes to activities.

Disney fans will pay for almost anything Disney-related, even when the upcharge is not remotely worth it. I don’t know how Disney has generated this culture, but it is certainly winning at every turn.

This resort offers some organized activities, but almost all of them cost extra. Fitness classes, arts and crafts, stargazing, and character experiences in the kids’ club all cost more. For the price of your stay, these things should be included.

Unless you genuinely want to do a specific one, don’t fall for the trap. Entertain yourself with the pools and the beach, go explore the island, and skip the extra junk. If trimming the upcharges is your goal, our guide to saving money on Disney trips applies here just as much as it does at the parks.

If you want to do one of these activities, be sure to make reservations as soon as your booking window opens. Everything will sell out.

There are a couple of free activities, the most popular of which is ukelele lessons. Be sure to book as soon as you can. The classes fill up quickly.

Pro tip: Download the Aulani app to view the activities schedule.

11. You Can Book Excursions Through Aulani (But Don’t)

You can book off site excursions through Aulani. Don’t. Book on your own. It will be cheaper. Some highlights include:

Kualoa Ranch – A ranch that offers tours in various capacities, including Jurassic Park-themed off-roading, ziplining, and horseback riding.

Pearl Harbor – Be sure to reserve your tickets for the boat ride to the Memorial as soon as your booking window opens.

Dole Plantation – A pineapple plantation that is geared mainly toward little kids.

Atlantis submarine – A submarine that dives deep to view wreckage that the company placed there (which makes that plane you’re seeing slightly less exciting). If nothing else, the Waikiki crowd you will encounter to get to the submarine will make you appreciate Aulani’s serene location.

Diamond Head – A steep hike with amazing views. Don’t forget to make reservations and bring water. The employee we encountered at the top said people have medical emergencies that require a helicopter almost every weekend.

12. You Can Snorkel in a Lagoon for an Extra Charge

Rainbow Reef is a manmade lagoon in the pool area stocked with tropical fish. Looking at the fish from above is free. Actually getting in to snorkel costs extra: at the time of writing, single-day access runs about $30 for adults (10 and up) and $25 for kids 9 and under, while a length-of-stay pass is roughly $45 to $50 for adults and $35 to $40 for kids. Equipment is included with paid entry. Confirm current rates when you arrive, since these creep up too.

13. There is a Spa Where Kids Can Get Makeovers

The Laniwai Spa offers typical spa treatments for adults. It also offers Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique-like makeovers for kids but with Hawaiian themes.

14. The Free Kids’ Club is Not What it Used to Be

Aunty’s Beach House is a smaller, land-locked cousin of the kids’ clubs you find on Disney Cruise Line. Kids ages 4 to 12 can do crafts, watch movies, or play in an enclosed backyard. There are premium experiences offered at an extra charge, or you can book a free 90-minute session.

It’s a drop-off experience with no adults allowed, so if your kids fall in the age range, you get up to 90 kid-free minutes to do something with your spouse that doesn’t involve refereeing. Reservations open up to 45 days before your stay, and you can book one slot per child, per day.

This sounds nice, and it is, but here’s the honest part: pre-COVID, your kid could drop in and out all day, the way they still can on the cruises. Now it’s one reservation, capped at 90 minutes a day, in a fixed time slot you have to grab early. Years on, blaming COVID for that cut is a stretch. It’s a real downgrade from what Aunty’s Beach House used to be, and it’s worth knowing before you build your day around free childcare that no longer exists.

Pro tip: Kids are given bands to scan in and out of the club. Those are not souvenirs. Return them or you will be charged.

15. The Luau is Stupid Expensive

The KA WA’A luau at the resort includes dinner and a performance, and runs select nights each week. In true Disney fashion, you can book general seating or pay more for preferred/VIP seats. A lei and beverages are included, which is the closest this thing gets to a bargain.

This experience does not come cheap. At recent pricing, general seating runs roughly $190 per adult and $119 per child (ages 3 to 9), with kids under 3 free. Do the math on a family of four with two younger kids and you’re already past $600 before tax and gratuity, and that’s the cheap seats. Expect well over $500, and brace yourself for closer to $700 with the upgrades. It’s a lovely show. It is also a car payment.

16. There Are Hidden Menehune Throughout the Resort

If you enjoy looking for hidden Mickeys at the Disney theme parks, you will have fun hunting for Menehune. Menehune are mythological dwarfs in Hawaiian culture. We were told by Uncle that there are approximately 300 hidden throughout the resort.

Pro tip: Look through the keyhole near the gift shop. There is a Menehune inside.

17. The Dining Options Are Decent

The dining options at Aulani are hit or miss if you don’t want to spend a million dollars. Try some of the on-property restaurants, but definitely venture off-site.

AMA’AMA

‘AMA’AMA is the signature oceanfront restaurant, and it now runs as a multi-course prix-fixe dinner in the neighborhood of $125 to $140 per adult, with an optional wine pairing on top. It does not come with characters. Kids are allowed, but I can’t imagine why you’d ever take them to a $130 four-course meal to watch them eat three bites and ask for the iPad. It’s typically closed Tuesdays, so plan accordingly.

Pro tip: Make a reservation.

Little Opihi’s

Little Opihi’s is a must-stop quick service on the beach that serves Dole Whips and other frozen treats.

Pro tip: Don’t miss the white chocolate-dipped pineapple.

Makahiki

Makahiki offers the resort’s character breakfast, and it has changed: it’s no longer the old all-you-can-eat buffet but a three-course plated prix-fixe meal, running about $55 per adult (plus tax and gratuity) at recent pricing. So you’re paying more, eating a fixed menu, and you can’t go back for a fourth round of bacon. It also serves a pricier dinner without characters.

Pro tip: Make a reservation.

Mama’s Snack Stop

Mama’s Snack Stop is a quick service near the pool that serves a few things, like chicken tenders and fish and chips.

Off the Hook

Off the Hook is a casual table service restaurant that is open all day. It serves things like sandwiches, salads, pasta, and sugary coffee drinks.

Pro tip: Gluten-free bread is available.

The Olelo Room

The Olelo Room is a bar that serves lots of fun cocktails with appetizers only. In the morning, you can also purchase malasadas to go.

Papalua Shave Ice

Papalua Shave Ice serves shaved ice only. You can order it in the shape of Mickey Ears for an extra charge (because Disney knows how to make a profit).

Ulu Cafe

Ulu Cafe is a quick service near the pool that is a good option for a break from swimming. It serves breakfast and lunch with prices that are reasonable given that you are at a Disney resort in Hawaii. The poke bowls were a favorite for our family.

Wailana Pool Bar

Strolling servers take orders from the Wailana Pool Bar menu from your pool chair. The menu isn’t huge, but you can order things like sandwiches and salads.

Off Property Options

Some good restaurants near Aulani include:

Island Country Markets – A grocery store across the street that has half-priced sushi at night.

Eggs ‘N Things – A restaurant across the street from the resort with a lot of unique options for breakfast and lunch.

Monkeypod – A restaurant across the street from the resort open for lunch and dinner. Check for happy hour specials.

Tropic Poke – A quick-service restaurant with poke bowls.

Mekiko Cantina – A Mexican restaurant with happy hour specials.

18. There is a Lounge to Use After Checkout

The Luana Lounge has showers, lockers, and a seating area. If you have a late flight, you can continue to enjoy the resort after you get kicked out of your room.

Pro tip: You need a reservation.

19. There Are Ways to Save

Direct Purchase

The hotel occasionally offers deals. Check the offerings at the time of your booking, then check back periodically. You can amend your reservations later.

Pro tip: If you want to book directly, a free travel agent can check discounts and update your reservation for you.

Bonus pro tip: The offers often include discounts for military personnel.

Third-Party Bookings

You may be able to find deals on sites like Expedia, Travelocity, or Tripadvisor.

Travel at Off-Peak Times

If school is in session, the hotel will be cheaper. If you have flexibility in your travel dates, try to avoid the masses.

Pay with Discounted Disney Gift Cards

You can buy discounted Disney gift cards at stores like Target (with a Red Card), Meijer, Costco, BJ’s (with a membership), Raise, and Giftcarddeal.com (careful with this one).

Pay for your hotel package, as well as dining and shopping, with these cards for substantial savings.

Note: This is not a good option if you might need to cancel. Your refund will be in the form of Disney dollars.

Pro tip: You can combine gift cards up to $1,000 per card on Disney’s website so you don’t have to carry dozens of cards with you.

AAA Discount

You may be able to find AAA discounts.

Groupon

You may be able to find deals on Groupon. Don’t assume it has the best price. Shop around.

Use Miles and Points

Miles and points are a great way to save on all travel, and Aulani is no exception. If you’re new to this, start with our primer on earning travel points without (and with) a credit card, then come back and put it to work here.

Capital One

The Capital One Venture credit cards allow you to erase travel expenses from your statement. You could book your trip with your card, then erase it.

Disney Visa

The Disney Visa from Chase earns Disney dollars. It isn’t the best credit card for everyday spending, but you could use your rewards to cover your trip.

Pro tip: The hotel sometimes offers discounted rooms to Disney Visa cardholders.

Rent Disney Vacation Club Points

You can book the villas at this hotel with Disney’s timeshare program, the Disney Vacation Club. If you don’t want to commit to decades of visits, you can rent them from a third-party broker like DVC Rental Store or David’s Vacation Club Rentals. These rates will typically be cheaper than booking directly.

Renting points has its downsides, with the major ones being as follows:

1. You need to book far in advance (starting as early as 11 months out)

2. You cannot get a refund (buy trip insurance if this is a concern)

3. You do not get regular housekeeping

4. The rooms have slightly different configurations

5. Availability is limited

Aulani FAQ

How much does it cost to stay at Aulani?

Nightly rates vary a lot by season, room type, and view, and Disney doesn’t publish a fixed rate card, so any single number you see online is a snapshot, not a promise. Standard rooms are pricey; villas with ocean views climb fast. Budget for “expensive,” shop discounts, and consider renting Disney Vacation Club points for the villas, which is usually cheaper than booking directly.

Is Aulani worth it without kids?

For most adults, no. The beach and spa are lovely, but you’re paying a premium for a property built around kid stuff, characters, and a packed family pool. If it’s just the two of you, your money goes further at a grown-up-focused Hawaii resort, and a quieter splurge like the leave-the-kids-at-home kind of hotel makes more sense.

Do you have to pay for parking at Aulani?

Usually, yes. Self-parking and valet both run around $40 per car, per day at the time of writing. Disney Vacation Club members on a points reservation get free self-parking for up to two vehicles. If you only need a car for one afternoon, the on-site rental counter can be cheaper than parking your own car all week.

What is free at Aulani?

More than Disney advertises. The beach, most character meet-and-greets, the Menehune Adventure Trail scavenger hunt, ukulele lessons, looking at the fish at Rainbow Reef, and Uncle’s storytelling are all free. Aunty’s Beach House is free too, though now it’s capped at one 90-minute reserved slot per child, per day.

Is Aulani worth it for a family?

This is where it earns its keep, if you can land a deal. Kids love the pools, the characters, and the theming, and the free activities fill real time. Just go in clear-eyed about the upcharges and the crowds, and don’t pay full price if you can help it.

Final Thoughts – Is Aulani Worth it?

Aulani is a beautiful resort with a lot to offer, but I cannot justify the cost of a full-price stay. The water area is fun and the beach is genuinely gorgeous, but it’s crazy packed. Most of the activities carry an extra charge, parking costs $40 a day, and the kids’ club perks have been quietly trimmed. If you aren’t traveling with kids and aren’t obsessed with Disney, this resort is not for you. If you are comparing Disney hotels, our honest take on whether the Disneyland Hotel is worth it follows the same “beautiful but expensive” math.

With all of that said: if you find a deal, give it a try. A discounted Aulani stay with kids who love the pools is a different proposition than a full-price one.

Visit Hawaii with your family. You will not regret it.

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So, Is Aulani Worth It?

At full price, no. At a discount, with kids who’ll live in the pool, yes. Either way, get yourself to Hawaii. That part is always worth it.