Disney Aulani Tips 8 Things We With We Knew

Do you have dreams of vacationing to Disney’s Aulani Resort in Oahu, Hawaii? Who doesn’t? With the promise of beautiful scenery, gorgeous accommodations, fresh foods, and fun activities for Disney adults and kids alike, Disney’s Aulani Resort can be the perfect Disney family getaway. It’s true it may seem rather impossible! From figuring out Disney Aulani Vacation Costs to wondering if you should visit more of Oahu, Hawaii while you’re there, it’s a lot to figure out! Luckily, we’ve already done a ton of the groundwork for you. Whether you’re visiting Disney Aulani for an adult trip , or a Day Trip, here we share a bunch of things to help get you to Disney’s Hawaii Resort. But what else do you need to know? Here are 8 Disney Aulani Tips for Planning a Disney Aulani Resort Trip to help make it cheaper, more fun and a trip to remember.

Getting to Hawaii is Half the Battle

Do you know how people say going to Hawaii is expensive? Or a once in a lifetime trip? They might be referring to flights. Flights to Hawaii can be pretty expensive, especially if you are traveling from the East coast or somewhere in middle America. When we took our trip to Aulani, we actually flew into Las Vegas and spent a day exploring Valley of Fire State Park. Then we drove to Los Angeles and flew from there to get to Hawaii. Most flights that go directly to Hawaii depart from the west coast. Think LA, San Francisco, Seattle, you get the point. So if you live on the other side of the country, essentially you have to take a couple of flights to get there. 

Plus flights directly to Hawaii are usually pretty limited and even with Southwest Airlines adding flights to Hawaii, they’re just not that cheap.  Most flights to and from the west coast are about 4-5 hours depending on the route. So basically, just be ready for the fact that it might take you a while to get there and it’s going to be a good chunk of your vacation budget. Check prices for Flights to Oahu, Hawaii, and play around with it. See what it would be to fly from your hometown, and then check other airports on the west coast too.  

Disney Aulani Can be Affordable

An Aulani vacation doesn’t have to be a pipe dream! And can probably cost less than you think.  While a trip to Disney Aulani may seem really expensive, the transportation is the most expensive thing on your budget list. Luckily, we’ve broken down all the line items in our Disney Aulani Budget post. From what to expect in terms of transportation, flights, room costs, food and recreation. This is all part of Planning a Disney Aulani Resort Vacation and you may be surprised with what you find. 

When I went with my daughter, we were fortunate enough to have miles from my Venture Capital One Credit Card to pay for us to fly first class on Alaska Airlines.  So that saved us a nice chunk of money, and truthfully I was very impressed with Alaska Airlines’ first-class service to Hawaii and the price was actually pretty reasonable. Having a credit card that earns travel dollars is a great way to save money by being able to use points for parts of your trip.  You can also find ways of getting your Disney Aulani Room at a discount, like by using hotels.com or renting DVC points. Aulani also offers promos throughout the year. So if you’re serious about planning a trip to Aulani, be on the lookout for deals. Just keep an eye on the Disney Aulani Deals page for extra savings. 

Disney Aulani is More Hawaii, Less Mickey

Aulani is a Hawaiian resort. Yes, it’s also a Disney resort, but first and foremost its focus is on Hawaii and the island culture. Personally, I thought the balance between Hawaii and Disney was great; but it’s important to know when you’re planning a trip there. A friend of mine visited right before I did and that was actually her biggest complaint. She didn’t think it was enough magic, she wanted Mickey to greet her at the door, and well basically I think she just wanted it to be like Walt Disney World, but in Hawaii. And it’s not.

That said, you still get Disney-themed restaurants, character meet and greets, Mickey-shaped food, and Disney movies to watch. But does Mickey greet you upon arrival? No, he doesn’t. Instead, you are greeted by a host or hostess who gives you the most beautiful lei that just smells divine. Is every meal a character meal? Absolutely not. Actually, most of them aren’t. Is the lobby plastered with Disney decor? Nope, but you can find a lot of fun hidden mickeys and some fun Disney artwork that also celebrates Hawaii.

So if you are looking for a complete Disney vacation, head to Walt Disney World instead. If you’re looking for a vacation to Hawaii, but with some Disney magic added in, well that’s what you’ll get at Aulani. 

Disney Aulani is in Oahu, Hawaii, the “Boring” side

While Oahu, Hawaii is filled with tons of magic and wonder all it’s own, you’re not going to find tons of nightlife, theme parks, or a hopping city anywhere near Aulani Resort. Because, frankly, it’s on the “boring” side of the island. Which is quite nice for a resort that has everything you need for rest and relaxation. If you’re looking more for a feel of the island culture and not just the Aulani beaches, plan to rent a car, and head to other side of Oahu. As home to the Dole Plantation, fantastic coffee, the Kualoa Ranch where Jurassic Park was filmed and more, there is plenty to do there, if you’re willing to find  it. 

Visit the Rest of the Island

Sure, you’re taking this Aulani vacation so you can be at the Disney Resort, but why not head to other parts of the island, now that you’ve made the trip. There’s tons of natural beauty and local culture all over Oahu. You can see the North Shore, visit Lanikai Beach on the east side of Oahu, or head to Honolulu (which is cool, but very touristy). During our stay we had a little Road Trip on Oahu, Hawaii to see the sights you can’t find anywhere else. From national parks, to specialty coffee shops, museums, shopping, cute towns, and amazing restaurants, it really made our Disney Hawaii Vacation that much better! 

Plan for Jet Lag

One of our most important Disney Aulani Tips is to be prepared. And that goes for time management too. When Planning a Disney Aulani Resort Vacation be aware that there may be a time difference. Traveling to Hawaii and coming from the East Coast? Get ready for some jet lag. The time difference between the west coast (PST) and Hawaii is 3 hours. From the East Coast (EST) it’s 6 hours! That said, you may be ready to wake up at 8 am for your amazing day at the resort, but you’re body may be ready at say 3 am instead. Figure out the time change, and plan to be a little off your 1st day there.  Scheduling the larger happenings like hiking, the luau, or Disney Aulani Excursions may be better for your 2nd day of the trip. 

The Food Off-Property is Better

While Disney’s Aulani Resort has great restaurants on property, you may not always be up for a character meal buffet at Makahiki or fancy dinner at Ama Ama. Both of which cost a pretty penny. As such, definitely don’t restrict yourself to only eating at Aulani. Not only is it cheaper to eat across the street, but a lot of the food is just better. If you head to the front of Aulani Resort, on Aliinui Dr, you can walk across the street to the Island Country Markets, the Mekiko Cantina, Monkeypod Kitchen, and a Starbucks, among other things. All more appropriately priced than the resort food options. Plus, next door to the resort is also a Four Seasons that has bars, and restaurants as well. 

Plan Extra Time for Transportation

Oahu is not that big. You can usually get from one side of the island to the other in about an hour to an hour and a half. But, that’s not always the case when there is traffic. Since Oahu is still an island, there are only so many roads to get you where you’re going. So regardless of if you’re driving or hiring a driver, make sure to allow for enough time to get from place to place. This is probably the most important to note when you’re returning to the airport for departure. Especially since a lot of departing flights from Hawaii leave later in the day.

When we returned to the airport, it took us over an hour to get to the airport from Aulani which was a big difference from the initial 30 minutes it took us to get from there. Time of day will make a big difference so make sure to allow for extra travel time. 

Disney Aulani Details

Planning a Disney Aulani Resort Vacation doesn’t have to be difficult. Yes, it can seem a little more complicated than some Disney experiences, but it’s worth it. Hopefully, these tips will help you plan your trip with less stress. Here are some more details that may be helpful as you get ready for your Aulani trip. 

Can you visit Disney Aulani without staying there?

Yes, you can visit if you’re not staying there! Just check out our Disney Aulani Day Trip post for all the things you can do at the resort, without staying the night. And while there is technically no Day Pass for Disney Aulani Resort, there are limitations to visiting. You can shop, eat, watch the sunset and hang out on the lagoon. However, you can’t take advantage of resort amenities like the pools or spa. We actually spent a few hours there on our last day just to relax before our flight and it was a great way to end our trip!

What airport do you fly into to get to Aulani?

Disney Aulani Resort is located in Oahu, Hawaii. The Disney Aulani Resort is HNL! The Daniel K Inouye International Airport is the airport you’ll fly into if you want to go to Aulani. Plan on a 45 minute trip from the airport to the Aulani resort depending on the traffic. You can book the Hele Hele Shuttle to get from the airport to the resort, take a taxi, uber or other form of transport. 

Which island is Disney Aulani on?

Disney’s Aulani Resort is located on Oahu, Hawaii. This island of Oahu, is home to the state capital, Honolulu, as well as several important cities and places. Oahu island includes Kāneʻohe Bay, Ko Olina Beach Park, and Waikiki Beach, as well the Honolulu Museum of Art, ʻIolani Palace, and Kualoa Ranch.

Is a Disney Aulani Resort Trip Expensive? 

Yes, Disney Aulani Resort can be expensive. But we generally recommend breaking up the trip if you’re on a budget since Aulani itself doesn’t really need more than a couple of days and isn’t really located in the most convenient area of Oahu for other sightseeing opportunities. Check out our Disney Aulani on a Budget Vacation post to get an idea of all the costs you’ll need to plan for. 

Disney Aulani Resort Trip 

Hopefully, this post has given you a few tips for Planning a Disney Aulani Resort Trip.  Hawaii and Aulani can be expensive. But with some careful planning, you can save some money and have a wonderful vacation! Planning your a trip to Disney’s Aulani and interested in free travel planning services? Click here for a FREE no obligation quote from an Authorized Disney Travel Planner who can help you with all the details of your next adventure.