Disney has a resort in Hawaii, but there is no Disneyland or Disney World theme park in the state. Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, is a beachfront Disney resort in Ko Olina on the island of Oahu. Instead of roller coasters and castles, you’ll find swimming pools, a lazy river, waterslides, Disney characters, Hawaiian cultural activities, restaurants, and a protected ocean lagoon.
After spending a week at Aulani, I came away with a different impression than I expected. I wondered whether Disney and Hawaii would feel like an awkward combination, but the resort was considerably more relaxing than a typical Disney park vacation. The Disney touches were there without overwhelming the Hawaiian setting.
If you’re considering Aulani, the questions worth answering before you book are how to get a discount, what the room price actually includes, which part of Hawaii you’re staying in, and when to visit. These are the things I would pay attention to before spending money on a reservation.
Is There a Disney Resort or Disneyland in Hawaii?
Yes, Disney has a resort in Hawaii: Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa. However, Hawaii does not have a Disneyland or Walt Disney World theme park. Aulani is a resort hotel, not an amusement park, and you don’t need a Disney theme park ticket to stay there.
Aulani has Disney character experiences, themed swimming pools, waterslides, a lazy river, children’s activities, and entertainment inspired by Hawaiian culture. You won’t find traditional Disney theme park attractions such as Space Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean.
For me, that distinction is part of Aulani’s appeal. I can enjoy the service and storytelling associated with Disney without spending the vacation rushing between attractions or standing in ride queues.
Where Is Aulani? Which Hawaiian Island Is It On?
Aulani is located in Ko Olina on the western coast of Oahu, Hawaii. It’s on the same island as Honolulu, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, and the North Shore, but the resort itself isn’t in Honolulu or Waikiki.
The closest major airport is Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), commonly called Honolulu International Airport. Disney describes the drive from the airport to Aulani as approximately 30 minutes, although traffic can make it considerably longer.
Ko Olina is a quieter resort community with oceanfront lagoons, hotels, vacation properties, and walking paths. It’s much less urban than Waikiki. That makes it appealing for a resort-focused vacation, but it’s worth understanding before booking if you prefer restaurants, nightlife, and attractions within easy walking distance.
For more details, see my guide to where Aulani is located on Oahu, including its relationship to Honolulu, Waikiki, and the airport.
How to Get Aulani Discounts Without Overpaying
The first place I would look for an Aulani discount is Disney’s official special offers page. Disney periodically releases room-only promotions for select dates and accommodations. Depending on the offer, a longer stay may qualify for a larger percentage discount than a shorter one.
For example, as of November 2026, Disney is advertising savings of up to 30% on select rooms and villas for qualifying stays of five or more consecutive nights from October 19 through December 23, 2026. Qualifying four-night stays may receive up to 25% off. The offer has booking deadlines, excluded room categories, and availability restrictions.
These particular dates and discounts will expire, so check Aulani’s current special offers before relying on any advertised rate.
Compare Disney’s Offers With Costco Travel
We booked through Costco Travel and received a package that included a rental car, resort credit, and character breakfast. For our trip, the overall package worked out better than the direct booking options we were comparing.
I wouldn’t assume Costco is always cheaper, though. Compare the total price for equivalent dates, room categories, transportation, and included extras. A package that includes a rental car isn’t automatically a better value if you plan to stay at the resort for your entire vacation.
Check Disney Visa, Military, and Hawaii Resident Offers
Disney also periodically offers separate discounts for eligible Disney Visa cardmembers, military members, and Hawaii residents, often called kama’aina rates.
The eligibility requirements, minimum stay, eligible rooms, and available dates vary. Don’t assume a Disneyland Magic Key or another Disney membership automatically qualifies you for an Aulani room discount. Check the terms of the specific promotion.
Consider Disney Vacation Club Points
Aulani is also a Disney Vacation Club resort. Members can use points to book accommodations, while non-members may be able to rent reservations through DVC point-rental services.
Renting points sometimes reduces the price of a villa, but it isn’t guaranteed to be cheaper than Disney’s available cash offers. Cancellation rules and reservation flexibility can also be different.
If saving money is your priority, read my detailed guide to how to book Aulani for less. I compare the booking methods, room categories, and strategies that can actually change your total cost.
Is Aulani All-Inclusive?
No, Aulani is not an all-inclusive resort. Your room rate includes access to many of the resort’s recreational facilities and activities, but meals, character dining, spa treatments, and certain premium experiences cost extra.
One benefit is that Aulani does not charge a separate daily resort fee. However, that doesn’t mean everything on the property is included.
| Generally Included With Your Stay | Usually Costs Extra |
|---|---|
| Access to resort swimming pools | Meals at resort restaurants |
| Waikolohe Stream lazy river | Makahiki character breakfast |
| Resort waterslides and splash areas | Rainbow Reef snorkeling |
| Disney character greetings | Laniwai Spa treatments |
| Selected Hawaiian cultural activities | KA WA’A Luau |
| Complimentary Aunty’s Beach House programming | Selected premium activities and excursions |
| Resort Wi-Fi | Parking, when applicable |
Included activities and operating schedules can change. Some experiences require reservations, and certain children’s programs or special activities may have an additional fee.
I would focus on enjoying the amenities already covered by the room rate before paying for multiple extras. The lazy river, beach, swimming pools, and resort atmosphere are a significant part of what you’re paying for.
For a detailed explanation, see what is included at Aulani and which activities cost extra. You can also check Disney’s official list of included amenities.
Best Time to Visit Aulani for Lower Crowds and Better Rates
My favorite approach is to look at the weeks outside major school holidays rather than assuming one particular month will always be the cheapest.
I visited in early May, before the main summer vacation period, and the resort felt comfortably relaxed. We rarely had long waits, the pool areas weren’t excessively crowded during our stay, and it was easier to enjoy the property at a slower pace.
If I were booking again, I would compare dates in late April, May, September, and October before looking at peak holiday periods. Those months can offer useful opportunities for travelers with flexible schedules, although rates, weather, promotions, and occupancy vary.
There isn’t one guaranteed cheapest month to visit Aulani. I would check several date combinations, compare Disney’s available room discounts, and look at the total cost rather than the nightly rate alone.
What Makes Aulani Special Compared With Other Hawaii Resorts?
What stood out to me wasn’t simply the Disney character experiences. It was how much attention had gone into the resort’s architecture, landscaping, artwork, and Hawaiian-inspired storytelling.
The open-air lobby, carved details, tropical gardens, and ocean views give Aulani a very different atmosphere from Disney’s theme park hotels. There are references to Hawaiian stories and traditions throughout the property, along with cultural activities and entertainment.
The resort’s pool complex is another major attraction. Waikolohe Stream winds through the landscaped grounds, while the pools, waterslides, and children’s splash areas create different spaces for relaxing or playing.
Rainbow Reef offers a separate snorkeling experience with tropical fish, and Ko Olina’s lagoon provides an oceanfront setting for spending time at the beach.
I also liked that the Disney branding was relatively restrained. Characters are available, but you can spend much of your day swimming, reading, enjoying coffee, or exploring without feeling as though you’re constantly inside a Disney attraction.
If meeting characters is important to your trip, see my guide to which Disney characters you can meet at Aulani. Character appearances and locations vary, so check the resort’s schedule.
How Much Does It Cost to Stay at Aulani?
Aulani is a premium Hawaii resort, and the price varies substantially by travel dates, room category, room view, and available promotions.
Standard hotel rooms are generally less expensive than larger suites and villas, but even rooms in the same category can have different prices depending on their views.
I would compare the total price for the least expensive available view with an upgraded ocean-view room before booking. If you’re planning to spend most of the day outside, paying considerably more for the view might not be worthwhile.
For longer visits, Disney Vacation Club Deluxe Studios and villas can be useful because they provide additional food-preparation facilities. Larger villas have full kitchens and laundry facilities, which can help control meal and travel expenses.
Read my breakdown of how much Aulani costs per night and what the full stay costs, or compare the Aulani room types and amenities before paying for an upgrade.
My Biggest Money-Saving Tip After Staying at Aulani
Once you’ve secured a reasonable room rate, I think one of the easiest ways to control expenses is to be selective about which meals you eat at the resort.
During our stay, we picked up groceries and snacks from Target in Kapolei. Having breakfast foods, fruit, and simple snacks available meant we didn’t need to buy every meal on the property.
Room amenities vary, so check whether your accommodation has a kitchenette, microwave, or full kitchen before planning meals around those facilities.
I would still make room in the budget for at least one memorable Aulani dining experience. We enjoyed a sunset meal at ‘AMA’AMA, and the atmosphere made it feel like a worthwhile part of the stay.
For simpler meals, Ulu Cafe is convenient. You can also find food options in the surrounding Ko Olina resort area without necessarily driving into Honolulu.
If you’re planning a sit-down meal or character breakfast, my Aulani dining reservation guide explains which experiences to book ahead of time.
Should You Rent a Car for Aulani?
For a full week on Oahu, I recommend having access to a car for at least part of the trip. Aulani is an excellent place to relax, but I wouldn’t want to visit Hawaii and spend the entire time inside the Ko Olina resort area.
We used our rental car to explore beyond the resort, including scenic coastal areas and other parts of Oahu. That added a lot to the vacation because we experienced places that felt completely different from the polished atmosphere of Ko Olina.
However, I wouldn’t automatically rent a car for every day. If you expect to spend three or four consecutive days enjoying Aulani’s pools and beach, compare the cost of a shorter rental against transportation from the airport.
My guide to getting from Honolulu Airport to Aulani compares the transportation options and explains what to expect from the journey.
Is Aulani Worth the Money?
After spending a week there, I think Aulani is worth considering if you’re looking for a relaxing beachfront Hawaii vacation with Disney-level service, well-designed pools, character experiences, and activities for different ages.
It’s a particularly appealing option for families who will use the resort amenities throughout the day. Couples and adults without children can enjoy it too, although the family-oriented atmosphere is something to keep in mind.
I would be less enthusiastic about paying Aulani prices if I planned to leave the property every morning and return late at night. In that situation, a less expensive Oahu hotel or a split stay could make more sense.
For me, Aulani worked because it felt like a Hawaiian resort with Disney touches, rather than Disney trying to turn Hawaii into another theme park. I enjoyed the slower pace and the opportunity to explore the island independently.
If you’re still deciding whether to book, read my detailed article on whether Aulani is worth the price. I’ve also compared Aulani for adults without children if you want to know what the experience is like outside the family activities.
All Aulani Articles
Explore the articles below for more detailed answers about Aulani discounts, room prices, accommodations, dining reservations, Disney characters, transportation, Disney Vacation Club, and how Aulani compares with other Hawaii resorts.
