Aulani dining reservations can currently be made up to 45 days in advance for Makahiki and ‘AMA‘AMA. Those are the two main table-service restaurants I would plan ahead for. Most of Aulani’s other dining locations are much more casual and do not require the same advance-reservation strategy.
If your priority is the Makahiki character breakfast, I would book that first when your window opens. ‘AMA‘AMA is the other reservation I would make early, especially if you want a particular dinner time or want to eat around sunset.
| Aulani Restaurant | Meal | Advance Reservation? | Booking Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| Makahiki | Character breakfast and dinner | Recommended | Up to 45 days ahead |
| ‘AMA‘AMA | Dinner | Recommended | Up to 45 days ahead |
| Ulu Cafe | Casual meals and grab-and-go | No advance dining reservation needed | Walk-up / casual |
| Mama’s Snack Stop | Poolside quick service | No advance dining reservation needed | Walk-up |
| Pāpālua Shave Ice | Shave ice | No | Walk-up |
Restaurant schedules and availability can change, so I always double-check Aulani’s official dining page before the booking window arrives.
When Do Aulani Dining Reservations Open?
Disney currently allows dining reservations for Makahiki and ‘AMA‘AMA up to 45 days in advance.
This is worth emphasizing because Aulani’s booking window has changed. Older articles, forum posts and even older Disney planning answers may still tell you that dining opens 30 days in advance. Disney’s current restaurant pages now list a 45-day window.
I would put a reminder on my calendar for the 45-day mark rather than waiting until a few weeks before the trip, particularly if Makahiki character breakfast is important to your family.
Historically, Aulani’s online reservations have often become available at midnight Hawaiʻi time. Because Disney has changed both booking windows and release procedures in the past, I would check the booking site shortly before your 45-day date instead of assuming the release time can never change.
Which Aulani Restaurants Take Reservations?
The two Aulani restaurants I would think of as advance-reservation restaurants are Makahiki – The Bounty of the Islands and ‘AMA‘AMA – Contemporary Island Cooking.
Makahiki
Makahiki is the family-oriented table-service restaurant and is especially popular for its Disney Character Breakfast. It also serves dinner, but the character experience is associated with breakfast.
Disney recommends dining reservations, and reservations can currently be made 45 days in advance.
‘AMA‘AMA
‘AMA‘AMA is Aulani’s more upscale oceanfront restaurant. It currently serves a multi-course dinner rather than breakfast or lunch and is the restaurant I would choose for a slower evening meal or celebration.
Reservations are recommended here as well and can currently be made up to 45 days ahead.
Aulani has plenty of other places to eat, but you do not need to build the same advance-reservation strategy around every poolside snack or quick-service meal.
How to Book Makahiki Character Breakfast Reservations
If the Disney Character Breakfast at Makahiki is one of the main reasons you’re researching Aulani dining reservations, I would make it your first booking priority.
Start checking availability when your 45-day booking window opens. Have your party size, preferred date and two or three acceptable time ranges ready before you begin.
I would search several breakfast times instead of repeatedly trying only one ideal slot. An earlier or later breakfast is usually a much easier compromise than missing the character meal completely.
If you’re deciding whether the meal is worth the cost, my guide to Aulani character breakfast prices explains what to budget. You can also see my guide to which characters you may see at Aulani.
Disney’s official Makahiki page is the place I would use to verify current menus, schedules and reservation availability.
How to Book ‘AMA‘AMA Reservations
‘AMA‘AMA reservations work on the same current 45-day advance window.
Because ‘AMA‘AMA overlooks Ko Olina Beach, dinner timing can matter more here than it does at Makahiki. If seeing the evening light over the ocean is important to you, look up sunset time for the date of your meal before choosing your reservation.
I would still prioritize the meal time that works with your vacation rather than chasing one supposedly perfect reservation. An earlier table can be much more enjoyable than spending the afternoon worrying about being late for dinner.
Disney’s current ‘AMA‘AMA page has the latest schedule, menu and booking availability.
Can You Eat at Aulani Without a Dining Reservation?
Yes. You do not need restaurant reservations to eat at Aulani. The resort has multiple casual dining, poolside and grab-and-go options in addition to Makahiki and ‘AMA‘AMA.
If you specifically want Makahiki or ‘AMA‘AMA, however, I would make a reservation rather than depending on walk-up availability. Disney describes reservations as recommended for both restaurants, and popular meal periods can disappear from the online calendar.
If you’re wondering whether you can visit the resort specifically for a meal even when you aren’t an overnight guest, I cover that separately in can you eat at Aulani without staying there?
How Many Full-Service Restaurants Does Aulani Have?
Aulani’s two primary table-service restaurants are Makahiki and ‘AMA‘AMA.
That is one reason dining reservations can matter here. You are not choosing from a huge collection of reservable restaurants like you would at Walt Disney World. Most of Aulani’s remaining food options are lounges, quick-service locations, kiosks or poolside dining.
What If Makahiki or ‘AMA‘AMA Is Sold Out?
I wouldn’t assume that one unsuccessful search means the restaurant is impossible to book.
- Check several meal times. Moving breakfast or dinner earlier or later can expose availability that wasn’t visible at your first choice.
- Check other days during your stay. If you’re at Aulani for several nights, flexibility with the date is one of your biggest advantages.
- Keep checking as the trip gets closer. Other guests change plans and reservation inventory can reappear.
- Ask at the resort. You can check with Cast Members or the Concierge Desk after arrival, although I would not depend on a same-day opening for a must-do meal.
- Have a backup meal. Aulani has casual options on property, and Ko Olina gives you additional choices nearby.
If you need that backup, my food near Aulani guide covers alternatives around Ko Olina.
Do You Need an Aulani Hotel Reservation Before Booking Dining?
Dining and hotel reservations are separate things. You should not confuse the 45-day dining window with the much earlier booking window for an Aulani hotel room.
If you already have an Aulani stay booked, keep your resort information handy when making your other vacation plans. But this article is specifically about restaurant reservations rather than booking an Aulani room.
For general resort planning, start with my main Aulani guide.
My Aulani Dining Reservation Order
If I were booking several Aulani meals at once, I would keep the process simple.
- Book Makahiki character breakfast first if meeting the characters is a major trip priority.
- Book ‘AMA‘AMA next if you want a specific evening or dinner time.
- Book Makahiki dinner if that meal is part of your plan.
- Leave casual meals flexible. I would not over-schedule every breakfast, lunch and pool break.
The point of reserving the important meals is to make the rest of the trip easier, not to build a schedule where every meal requires you to stop what you’re doing and rush across the resort.
Aulani Dining Reservation Checklist
- Mark the 45-day booking date on your calendar.
- Confirm the current booking window on Aulani’s website before it arrives.
- Choose your must-do restaurant first.
- Have alternate dates and times ready.
- Include your full party when searching.
- Book Makahiki early if the character breakfast matters most.
- Check sunset time before choosing an ‘AMA‘AMA dinner if the view matters to you.
- Keep checking if your first search shows no availability.
The Main Thing to Remember
For Aulani dining reservations, the number I would remember right now is 45 days. That is the current advance booking window Disney lists for both Makahiki and ‘AMA‘AMA.
If Makahiki character breakfast is your must-do meal, make that the first reservation you search for. If ‘AMA‘AMA is your priority, choose the evening you care about most and secure that next. Everything else can stay much more flexible.
Most importantly, check Aulani’s official dining pages shortly before your booking date. Disney has changed the reservation window before, so verifying the current policy is more reliable than following an older article that still tells you to wait until 30 days out.
