Aulani Resort, often searched as Disney Aulani or Aulani Hawaii, is Disney's only Hawaii property. Set on 21 acres in Ko Olina, Kapolei, on the island of Oahu, and it's worth it for most families if you want Disney-level service and kids' programming without a theme park attached, but it isn't all-inclusive and it isn't the cheapest resort on this stretch of coast. Opened in 2011, Aulani mixes 351 traditional hotel rooms with 481 Disney Vacation Club villas, so you're choosing between a standard Disney hotel stay and a timeshare-style villa booking, not one single room type.
Below, we break down the real room options, what Aulani actually costs, whether there's a day pass for non-guests, and an honest verdict on whether it earns its price tag against the rest of Ko Olina.
What Island Is Aulani On?
Aulani is on Oahu, in the Ko Olina resort area of Kapolei, on the island's leeward (west) coast, roughly 26 minutes and 20 miles from Honolulu International Airport. It's the only Disney resort in Hawaii, and it's a standalone resort, not part of a theme park, there's no Disney park on Oahu.
Aulani Oahu's leeward location gets noticeably less rain than Waikiki on most days, which matters more than people expect when picking travel dates. If you're still deciding when to go, our best time to visit the Hawaiian Islands guide covers the broader seasonal picture across all the islands, not just Oahu.
What Are the Room and Villa Options at Aulani?
Aulani books two different ways: as a traditional Disney hotel room, or as a Disney Vacation Club villa. Here's the real breakdown, straight from Aulani's own rooms and suites page:
| Room Type | Size | Sleeps |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Room | 382 sq ft | 4 |
| 1-Bedroom Suite | 750+ sq ft | 5 |
| Signature 1-Bedroom Suite | 1,500+ sq ft | 5 |
| Signature 2-Bedroom Suite | 1,900+ sq ft | 6 |
| 1, 2, and 3-Bedroom Disney Vacation Club Villas | Varies | Varies, up to 21 Grand Villas resort-wide |
The villas are Disney Vacation Club units, more like a condo than a hotel room, with kitchens and laundry in the larger configurations. DVC members book villas with points. But non-members can usually still book a villa at a cash rate when availability allows, it's simply a different rate structure than the Standard Rooms and Suites above. If you're not a DVC member, our team can check current villa availability and cash-rate booking options alongside the standard hotel rooms, so you're comparing real choices rather than guessing which category fits your group.
We'll check current rates across standard rooms, suites, and Disney Vacation Club villas so you can see every option side by side.
Is Aulani All-Inclusive?
No. Aulani is not all-inclusive. You pay for your room, then pay separately for food, drinks, spa treatments, and most organized activities, closer to how a typical hotel works than an all-inclusive resort. Some kids' programming and pool access are included with your stay, but dining and extras are billed as you go.
What Are Aulani Resort Prices Like?
We won't hand you a made-up nightly rate here. Disney doesn't publish Aulani's pricing as one simple number, rates shift by season, room category, and view, and Standard Rooms, 1-Bedroom Suites, Signature Suites, and DVC villas each sit in a different price tier, with villas and oceanview categories running well above a Standard Room. The fastest way to see accurate current pricing for your exact travel dates. Across both hotel rooms and villas, is to request a quote and let our team pull real numbers instead of an outdated average.
What Pools, Dining, and Activities Does Aulani Have?
Aulani's signature pool area centers on Waikolohe Pool, anchored by Pu'u Kilo, a volcano-themed water feature with two slides, plus a lazy river and a dedicated toddler area. Kids 3 to 12 have their own supervised space at Aunty's Beach House, included with your stay, while the Menehune Adventure Trail turns the resort grounds into a scavenger-hunt style activity for families.
For dining, Makahiki is Aulani's character breakfast restaurant, where Disney and Aulani-original characters meet guests tableside. Other venues include 'AMA'AMA (oceanfront, dinner-focused), Ulu Cafe (quick service), The 'Olelo Room (lounge), and 'Off the Hook, a poolside snack spot. If you're building out the rest of an Oahu trip around your stay, our Oahu things to do guide covers what's worth adding beyond the resort itself.
Is There an Aulani Day Pass?
Not for the pools, beach, or resort activities. According to Disney's own planDisney Q&A, pool and beach access is reserved for overnight guests only, there's no purchasable day pass. Non-guests can still book Laniwai. A Disney Spa, dine at any of the restaurants, and attend the luau, and self-parking is free for up to 4 hours with a $50 or more purchase.
KA WA'A sells out, especially during school breaks. We can help line up reservations alongside your room or villa booking.
Aulani's luau, KA WA'A, a Lu'au at Aulani, runs three nights a week on the Halawai Lawn, with a three-course plated meal, live music and dance, and tableside activities like poi pounding before the show. It's open to non-guests too, and it's one of the better reasons to visit even if you're staying elsewhere in Ko Olina.
Is Aulani Worth It?
For families who want Disney's level of service, kids' programming, and theming without a theme park attached, yes. Aunty's Beach House alone covers hours of supervised kid time most Ko Olina resorts don't offer, and the pool complex and luau are genuinely strong. For couples or budget-focused travelers who don't care about Disney branding, a non-Disney Ko Olina or Waikiki property will usually cost less for comparable square footage and beach access.
What tends to work in Aulani's favor: the kids' club, the themed pool deck, the Hawaiian cultural programming woven into daily activities, and a level of staff service families already know from Disney World or Disneyland. What's worth weighing honestly before you book. There's no day pass if you just want a taste of it, dining is billed separately rather than bundled in, and you're paying a real premium over comparable non-Disney Ko Olina properties for the branding and kids' programming specifically. If those are what you're booking for, it's worth it. If they're not, it's worth comparing against the alternatives first.
Frequently Asked Questions
What island is Aulani on?
Aulani is on Oahu, in the Ko Olina resort area of Kapolei, about 26 minutes from Honolulu International Airport. It's Disney's only resort in Hawaii.
Is Aulani all-inclusive?
No. You pay for your room, then pay separately for dining, drinks, spa services, and most activities. Some pool access and kids' programming are included with your stay.
Is there an Aulani day pass for non-guests?
No, pool, beach, and activity access is for overnight guests only. Non-guests can still book the spa, dining, and the luau, and get free self-parking for up to 4 hours with a $50 or more purchase.
What is the Aulani character breakfast called?
Makahiki is Aulani's character breakfast restaurant, where guests meet Disney and Aulani-original characters tableside.
What are Aulani resort prices like?
Rates vary by season, room category, and view. With Standard Rooms at the lower end and Signature Suites and Disney Vacation Club villas running well above that. Disney doesn't publish one simple nightly rate, request a quote for current pricing on your exact dates.
Thinking About Aulani Resort?
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