Disney Aulani Resort Hawaii Travel Guide
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Travel with us to Hawaii's Aulani Disney Resort, where we had a delightful stay. 

We explored the Disney store, enjoyed the food, rides, and more. For breakfast at Makahiki restaurant, booking early is essential. Arriving at 8:00 am, we had to wait until 9:30 am, which disappointed both the kids and us adults due to hunger. This is where you can enjoy the character breakfast, albeit at $45 per person (prices may have changed since 2021). Each member must order a plate, as per the staff's requirements.

Update: Aulani now offers Character Picture sessions again with Mickey, Minnie, and the gang. During our visit in 2021, you had to order your pictures of Mickey Mouse separately from your photopass; confirm with staff if this has changed. Pluto and Goofy allow you to take your own pictures. I've included some plates of food we enjoyed in the video. The first was a delicious fruit salad 🍍, followed by pancakes, waffles, and my husband's favorite, Loco Moco. For those unfamiliar, Loco Moco is a popular dish across Oahu, Hawaii. My daughter paired scrambled eggs and bacon with white rice—a staple in Hawaiian cuisine, even at places like McDonald’s. The food was excellent, and our waitress was amazing.

We also explored the Ko Olina Shopping Center in the video, which features an ABC Store, Eggs n Things, Starbucks, and more. If you're avoiding restaurant waits, this spot offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner alternatives. Oahu is dotted with numerous ABC Stores, particularly in Waikiki, offering clothing, tees, food, and souvenirs.

In 2021, we attended the Luau at Polynesian Cultural Center, an amazing experience despite the extensive walking—my daughter found it a bit challenging towards the end. The center provides insights into Polynesian cultures, featuring the Hukilau Marketplace vendors, Luau, and an impressive show.

We initially tried to book the Luau at Paradise Cove in 2021, but it was sold out. We managed to secure a reservation during our 2023 visit, capturing sunset photos near the stage. Reservations can be made online.

You can go to the ​Aulani's concierge can arrange excursions beyond the resort. We booked the Kaneohe Sandbar excursion through Captain Bob’s, discovering a unique sandbar in the ocean where we played water volleyball and observed sea turtles. Life vests and goggles were provided for underwater viewing. Note that transportation for some activities must be arranged separately.

I provided a room tour and walked around the resort in the video, showing the guest bracelet and towel pickup area by the beach chairs. Each day, guests receive a new colored bracelet. In the video, my daughter experienced the chilly waters of the rainbow reef 🐟. The water temperature is regulated for the fish, requiring guests to inflate the yellow vest; my son found it cumbersome and preferred the regular vest.

Rainbow Reef experiences are exclusive to Aulani guests, operating from 10 am to 3 pm. Adult prices are $25 for the duration of stay, or $45, while children (Keiki) pay $20 or $35, respectively. Meanwhile, my husband and son enjoyed the water slide. Although my daughter preferred the pool, neither of us enjoyed the beach due to the sinking sand—a common occurrence. The beach water and pool were warm and inviting.

Consider visiting Paradise Cove during high tide in the morning for turtle sightings, located near Aulani. Walking to the rock area reveals pools teeming with fish, crabs, and a hidden beach. Paradise Cove is also where you can book your Luau; reservations are recommended due to high demand.

We indulged in a sunset date night on the beach, savoring the picturesque view from rows of palm trees. Later, we enjoyed drinks at the bar—a margarita for me and a rum and coke for my husband—while listening to stories about Maui. It was a magical evening under the stars, watching the sunset—a must-do experience in Hawaii. Thank you for watching; please give our video a big thumbs up! Like and subscribe and click on the bell to get notified of new videos.

Mahalo 🥰