Aulani - A Disney Beach Hotel

Hawaii has always held a mystical appeal for me — its breathtaking beauty is unmatched. Usually, I’m too interested in exploring the new place destinations to return to the same place twice, but Hawaii is the exception. I return year after year. This trip, we went to Oʻahu. If you're looking for a kid-friendly vacation spot that doesn't involve an amusement park, Aulani might be the answer for you.

For our home base, we chose Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, located in Ko Olina, on the island’s sunny western coast. Not sure of what to expect, we found the resort full of Disney magic paired with Hawaiian beauty. We met families that vacation there every year as part of the Disney Vacation Club. It’s easy to see why people love it here. As expected, it is a kid-centric resort. In some ways, it’s too kid-centric.

The Resort Experience: Disney with an Island Twist

This resort is stunning in terms of design and theming. Think grand Hawaiian architecture with subtle Disney touches — no Mickey Mouse overload here. The vibe is much more culturally grounded than we expected. From carved wooden details to nightly storytelling fireside under the stars, Aulani does a great job honoring Hawaiian culture while weaving with Disney magic for younger guests to get excited.  

For kids, the resort is paradise. Our daughter participated in both the complimentary and premium versions of Aunty’s Beach House, a supervised kids’ club that offered Hawaiian crafts, movies, and character visits. The resort also offers crafts and other experiences for the whole family (there is a mix of complimentary and premium activities). We enjoyed making Micky’s ears, stargazing, a movie on the lawn, fire-side storytelling, and numerous Disney character encounters. We indulged our daughter's pretend glamour with a trip to the Painted Sky Salon. The experience we chose included either a bathsuit or princesses dress. She choose a Moana bathing suit that she still wears. There was plenty to keep us entertained on site during the day. You could easily enjoy a week here without a car. Staying in Ko Olina means trading tranquility for excellent shopping and a plethora of dining options that are on offer in Honolulu and Waikiki - Oahu’s urban centers.

Pools, Lagoons, and Beautiful Beaches

The resort’s aquatic playground features four spectacular pools, complete with waterslides slides, splash zones, and a lazy river. Everything felt safe, clean, and well-maintained. The Resort was busy – it was hard to find a moment of solitude, but Aulani manages crowds well. We never stood in line or waited for more than five minutes. Pool chairs were relatively easy to come by, though the weekend was slightly busier than weekdays. If you are with a group or hate fighting for chairs, then I highly recommend getting a cabana. Don’t miss snorkeling in Rainbow Reef for a chance to swim with fish. It was perfect for introducing our 7-year old to snorkeling. Tip: the water is freezing – take a kid’s wet-suit.

Just beyond the pools lies one of Aulani’s best features – an uncrowded beach! While all beaches are public in Hawaii, Aulani’s beach is only shared only with Four Seasons – keeping general foot-traffic to a minimum. More central beaches, like Waikiki, see large crowds.  With calm waters, this man-made cove is perfect for sipping cocktails while the kids play.   We had excellent service. Unfortunately, Aulani's beachside service doesn't start until 11 am, but before that, you can pick up a wide variety of items from the ULU cafe (which is more of a market than a cafe).

Dining at Aulani

Our favorite dinning experience was the character brunch at Makahiki.  Tip: reservations open 30 days in advance and fill fast. The food is fresh, with some nice nods to local Hawaiian cuisine like poke bowls. That said, the prices are steep. While we didn’t get to eat a ‘AMA‘AMA, the signature oceanfront restaurant, we did stroll along the beach to the Four Season for an excellent meal at Mina’s Fish House. The Aulani closes down pretty early. Even the bar closed by 10 pm. There are a few restaurants across the street which are all worth a visit. Monkeypod kitchen is popular, but we liked 808 Craft House just as well and it didn’t have a wait.

Highlights of Oahu

One of the highlights of our trip was a visit to Pearl Harbor. Given that it is a national memorial with remains of soldiers still entombed in the USS Arizona, I wasn’t expecting the experience to be kid-friendly, but our daughter loved it. There was a real submarine, as well as other WWII military equipment for guests to explore up close.  The exhibits included a play submarine, a reading area, and a submarine-themed play kitchen. It was interactive and educational. We spent hours there. Then, we headed to Waikiki for dinner. Waikiki offers world-class shopping and restaurants in a livelier setting. While it’s a must-see, especially if it’s your first time in Oʻahu, we were glad we didn’t stay there.

On another day, we drove to Waimea Valley in the morning and wandered around the island in the afternoon. We discovered a local chocolate maker and a quaint honey producer. Waimea Valley is a blend of botantical garden and cultural center. It allows you to explore the natural beauty of Hawaii while being accessible and stroller-friendly. There is plenty of room for kids to run. During our visit, we were treated to special demonstrations of traditional Hawaiian housing and jewelry-making lessons. Tip: check the events page of the website – there is always something going on.  At the end of the ½ mile walk into the valley, we found a shaved ice stand!   It was a beautiful and educational experience.

Don't miss this opportunity to go

The resort is in a beautiful location, the beach is ideal for families, and the Disney touches are fun. As expected, it focuses on kids and making it easier for families to vacation with kids. Here, kids are allowed to be kids. My only real complaints were the limited number of cabanas and reserved seating around the pools, as well as the underwhelming wine list and the lack of food/drinks after 10 pm. All that said, it was still worth it.

Our children are only little for a few years. Indulging in the magic of childhood creates unforgettable memories for us and them. Aulani gave us exactly what we needed: quality time together in paradise.