Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa — A Hawaiian Paradise with a Touch of Magic

KO OLINA, Hawaii – Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, combines the beauty and spirit of the Hawaiian Islands with the magic of Disney storytelling and guest service to create unforgettable family vacation experiences.

The resort recently introduced the exhilarating dining and entertainment experience KA WA‘A – A Luau at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, inspired by Hawaii’s history and deep cultural roots in canoe exploration that brought the ancestors of Native Hawaiians to Hawaii. Lively music and traditional Hawaiian dance, including hula kahiko and modern hula ‘auana, vividly bring the show’s story to life.

Guests feast on a sumptuous, local island buffet featuring fresh salads and seasonally- sourced vegetables, carving stations with whole roasted suckling pig and slow-roasted prime rib and house-made desserts. A special buffet created for keiki, or kids, is also available.

Hawaiian heritage and Disney magic

Aulani means “a messenger of a chief – one who delivers a message from a higher authority.” The name Aulani is fitting, as the resort serves as a messenger of the Hawaiian spirit, people and culture.

“The name ‘Aulani’ expresses a connection to tradition and deep storytelling – and its roots are in this land right here,” said Joe Rohde, senior vice president and creative executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, who led the design of the resort.
“This resort destination reflects the vibrant culture that surrounds it. We believe in artistry, in excellence, and in the beauty of a well-done thing. Our commitment to excellence mirrors the cultural values one sees in the arts of Hawaii.”

Something for everyone

Family-friendly resort amenities include the 18,000-square-foot Laniwai – A Disney Spa, with 15 treatment rooms and a fitness center. Many spa treatments draw upon Hawaiian healing traditions—perfect alone, as a couple or with the whole family.

Aulani Resort features two signature restaurants—the full-service ‘AMA‘AMA and the buffet-style Makahiki—each offering foods inspired by Hawaii. At the chic, beachside ‘AMA‘AMA, ocean breezes soothe the spirit as chefs use fresh local ingredients and island flavors to create distinctive dishes at breakfast, lunch and dinner. The buffet-style Makahiki offers guests breakfast and dinner among Disney characters in artful surroundings. In addition, Aulani Resort has a variety of quick-serve options for grab- and-go snacks, as well as lounges to sip, dine and relax.

Young guests have their very own kids’ club, Aunty’s Beach House. At the complimentary, state-of-the-art club, children explore Hawaiian culture through supervised entertainment, including interactive touch tables, arts and crafts, movies, games and a sunny backyard to roam.

Guests also enjoy the resort’s seven-acre water play area. The Waikolohe Stream, the resort’s mysterious (yet fun) tube-floating watercourse, enchants guests with bubbling water, a cloaking mist and several hundred feet of additional surprises.

For those who love waterslides, Tubestone Curl, the resort’s tube slide, and Volcanic Vertical, Aulani’s tunnel slide, provide thrills galore. Guests will also interact with dazzling marine life, including angelfish, butterfly fish and tangs, in the 3,800-square-foot Rainbow Reef snorkel lagoon, the only one of its kind on Oahu.

Looking beyond its own magical grounds, Aulani offers a menu of discovery excursions with the aid of local experts. These include exploring tropical forests, hiking local mountains, sailing aboard catamarans, surfing lessons and more.

Family-friendly accommodations

Aulani Resort offers a mix of traditional hotel rooms and Disney Vacation Club villas in two towers, each featuring rooms that offer thrilling views of the ocean, mountains and the magnificent, lush surroundings.

Members and guests looking to stretch out in Disney Vacation Club accommodations can choose between deluxe studios, one-bedroom villas, two-bedroom villas and even three-bedroom grand villas. Deluxe studios, which accommodate up to four guests, include a kitchenette, queen-size bed, double- or queen-size sleeper sofa, and other amenities. Larger villas sleep anywhere from five to 12 guests and offer many of the comforts of home, including a full kitchen, washer and dryer, king-size bed, queen-size sleeper sofa and more.

Shopping at Aulani Resort