Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa

Always enjoy the lazy pool.

Prior to my visit, I was confident Disney’s top-notch customer service and attention to detail would be the factors that distinguished Aulani from other resorts. Though it goes without saying Aulani is a beautiful property, the amenities are worth nowhere close to the given price tag, and the Disney standard for hospitality / customer service was sorely lacking. The good things about Aulani (nice beaches, pools, and sunsets) could be found at an island resort at another destination for half the cost and significantly better customer service. I’m not joking when I say the Polynesian at WDW was more like what I expected an actual Hawaiian resort to be (and at least I got a complimentary lei there, unlike Aulani!). During my stay, I stayed in both a studio and one of the hotel rooms available to book with DVC points. The studio was cute and very similar to ones I’ve stayed in at other DVC resorts, both in the design of the room and amenities. The hotel room, however, was pretty beat and not worth the price tag at all (stained furniture, half-working shower head, dollar-store shower curtain, dust, etc.); it looked like it had been a while since attention was given to the room. It’s worth noting that, had I paid cash, both of these rooms would’ve cost $750 a night during the relative “low” season; to be blunt, the room didn’t feel like it was worth half that price. Though trivial details don’t make or break a vacation, they reflect the limited effort put into offering an experience that matches the premium price tag. In terms of resort offerings, the beach was one of the few places that had a “paradise” feel; likewise, the infinity pool overlooking the beach was an oasis. The lazy river was nice at times, though often became filled with debris and kids messing around with inner tubes as the day went on (which also made it hard to find a tube at times). Beyond the pools, room tours, and character spots, it was hard to find an activity that wasn’t a “premium experience” (i.e., extra money). The amount of adults who signed up for ukelele lessons admittedly because it was a free activity (pretty much the entire room) was hysterical and reflected the limited nature of complimentary offerings. I didn’t travel with kids, but I can’t imagine how much would’ve been spent if opting to do the various paid offerings (and before thinking you can just tell your kids “no” to all of these activities, the plenty of screaming/crying kids around the resort will tell you otherwise - the lifeguards were looking for a couple missing kids per day). Overall, I was disappointed in the staff at Aulani - the disdain for tourism was evident in quite a few, while others were friendly enough to play the game but seemed insincere. Across the course of my trip, I only had a handful of interactions with staff members that actually came off as genuine (gift shop and character attendants). The front desk staff was pretty stoic and not very welcoming or helpful. Weekend

Amazing hotel for the family - memories cherished. So many features of this hotel made the experience so unforgettable - Character breakfast - Lazy River tube ride - Beach - Lua’u (must book with hotel before 5pm) The resort has its own private beach access, this made the beach a special experience, Especially at sunset. Free body board hire for the beach. The character breakfast was so much fun. Professional photographers will snap your family and Mickey to remember the experience. Thank you will get a visit from Chef Pluto, Max and Chip n’ Dale. I recommend a Lua’u it’s catered for children with lots of activities from taro making to tattooing. Everyone is welcomed with beads and a wrist Lai. The show is incredible and the storyline is easy to follow and so enjoyable to watch. Get in early, the queue is long. The show is 3hrs (5pm-9pm) kids may fall asleep in your lap.

The resort is beautiful. Definitely has that Disney up keep…. But for me, didn’t have that Disney magic. We came in around 11 and had to wait for our room to be done but you are allowed to use the park before check in. Rooms were standard and spacious for our family of 4. Characters walk around the pool area at certain times… we never really looked for them and ran into goofy, Minnie and Daisy Duck. Food on the resort is comparable to prices in Waikiki. However nothing was great, but also not bad.. Kids loved the lazy river and slide! Most pool levels is 3’-4-3” I think. Overall great experience.. but for the price tag and the lack luster Disney experience.. I can’t give the full 5 stars.

We just got back from a trip and stayed at Aulani on the last leg. We were ready to get out of there. We did not have a good experience. It was just an expensive and overcrowded water park. The pool area was decent but just way too crowded. The rooms were small for the price, they charge extra for any activity or amenity, and the shower in our room was broken and didn’t get fixed before we left. We didn’t feel any Disney magic there, only a lot of chaos and “come see the vacation club villas”. Their luau had good food and music but was simplified with a Disney style story so I wish we had gotten to go the the cultural center instead. We had just left Koloa Landing on Kauai and it was paradise in comparison. Still a great pool area (multiple areas, some busy and some quiet), spacious and relaxed and a two bedroom, two and a half bath villa for only a little more than two tiny rooms at Aulani. They had a ton of extras included like soccer, a putting green, free activities with a prize of a snow cone for the kids, and they made S’mores with the kids. They even gave every kid a little backpack with a compass, binoculars, and activity book at check in. We will go back to Hawaii but we will definitely skip Aulani next time.

We were very excited to visit Aulani this month. Since it was our first big trip in a couple of years, we splurged for the two-bedroom, two-bathroom villa, "Ocean View." Given the price difference between rooms, I never expected to ... NOT see the ocean from our room. We ended up with an "external" view, meaning if you stood in the very corner of the room, or on the edge of the TINY balcony, you could see the ocean. The manager informed me that I should have called to request a room type after we booked. This seems INSANE to me. We spoke to a manager who offered to change rooms the next afternoon. That didn't work for us (we have a toddler). We asked for other accommodation to make up for the crappy room; none was given. We were told they may be able to do something the NEXT time we visit. Very disappointed. I will say, the spa is excellent. And most of the staff were lovely.

Checking out today. Family of four here, we’ve had a great time… Location: About 30 minutes west of Honolulu in an area called Ko Olina. It’s a master-planned area of Oahu with hotels, shops, a golf course, and homes. It’s very well-maintained and overall has stunning views of the ocean and sunset. Resort: Exactly what you’d expect from a Disney property. It’s clean and the wonderfully landscaped outside. The service is excellent, staff is friendly and attentive. There are several pools, a lazy river, water slides, and lagoon access. Chairs are hard to come by at busy times but we always managed. Room: We stayed in a studio with a pool/ocean view. It was quiet and comfortable. The sofa bed isn’t great but was fine for a few nights. Food: Expensive but always good. Your best bet for lunch is Mama’s in the pool area. Never a line, quick service, and delicious. Get the coconut shrimp! For dinner, the best meal was Makahiki. $75/person but delicious and the service was great. Biggest complaint about food is the line for shave ice, which is next to Mama’s. Waited 45 minutes for that. Other: My advice would be to rent a car and check out other things like Diamondhead, Kualoa Ranch, Pearl Harbor, and the North Shore. There’s a cheaper luau option called Paradise Cove on the Ko Olina property that’s walkable and we all enjoyed that. Monkeypod is a great restaurant that’s across the street from Aulani, also. Overall, a great trip! Highly recommended