Did you know there’s a Disney resort in Hawaii? It’s called Disney Aulani and it’s where Mickey, Minnie and pals go to holiday and rest after their busy schedules performing at Disneyland. It’s a stunning resort on a blue lagoon, with beautiful tropical grounds, swimming pools with slides and grottos, a splash area and lazy river and a focus on Hawaiian culture and history. If you’re heading over to Hawaii on holiday then a three-day stay at Disney Aulani is definitely worth adding to your plans as well as a side trip to incredible Kauai.

We went straight to Aulani from Honolulu Airport. It was so easy – we booked an Uber from the airport for around $50 US.

While Aulani is in an exclusive area, there’s a small outdoor shopping centre just across the road with a Starbucks, a few restaurants and an ABC. There’s a fabulous walkway along the waterfront as well, so you can get out and about before your big resort days start, but really, we hardly left the resort as it is so much fun.

Before you go – download your VPN

Make sure to download your VPN so you can protect your data and watch your shows from home, and read all the best tips for your stay at Disney Aulani.

Now – our 18 reasons why you should stay at Disney Aulani!

Learn about Hawaiian culture

Disney Aulani positions itself as ‘Big H little D’ meaning Hawaiian culture is its priority and Disney follows. It’s evident in the beautiful lobby – on arrival you’re greeted with a floral lai and enter a space that was designed in line with Hawaiian tradition to pay tribute to Polynesian culture and history.  From the painting on the walls and the design of the halls and pools that are a nod to the masculine and feminine, the compass in the floor built with materials that represent the direction of the sea and mountains and the artworks – Aulani has the largest collection of modern Hawaiian art in the world. There is so much to learn here.

Join the Ka Wa’a Luau

Everyone wants to join a luau in Hawaii and the Disney Aulani luau is a wonderful way for kids to experience this traditional ceremony and learn more about the Polynesian and Hawaiian culture. On arrival kids and adults can join activities dedicated to local practices like ukulele, poi pounding (taro), get henna tattoos, make bookmarks using traditional carved stamps and make lei for shoulders and wrists. There’s a delicious buffet and drinks, plus a beautiful show that shares the stories of Maui and how families used to live on the islands before Europeans and traders came and changed the land into sugar plantations. It’s a good introduction to Hawaii’s history and definitely got me thinking to research and learn more about how these Polynesian islands with their beautiful way of life focused on the land, turned into one of the worlds biggest tourist hot spots. I really appreciate that Disney includes these elements in their performance.

Have breakfast with Mickey, Minnie and friends

Character breakfast are always so much fun, but a character breakfast in a tropical resort with Aunty singing to us was such a unique experience and so different to the other character breakfasts we’ve been to. It was more like Surfs Up Mickey’s Breakfast back in the day when they used to have a host and much more interaction. We danced, parades around and joined in games. Lots of fun! As usual the food was delicious with special Mickey shaped waffles and a variety to suit any palette. The fun here is not just watching Aunty perform, but joining in with the dances and games.

Meet Aunty at Aunty’s Beach House (Kids Club)

Aulani is modelled on a traditional Hawaiian village and Aunty and Uncle are at its core. Kids Club is held at Aunty’s house where children learn about Hawaiian culture, play games and do art and craft activities. It’s important to pre-register for Kids Club at least two days before you arrive.

Play in the lagoon

Aulani is on a man-made lagoon which is beautiful and calm and the perfect spot to play and swim. You can hire stand up paddle boards, and boogie boards and sand play gear is complimentary. There’s a hire stand on the beach and a small shop serving snacks and dole whip. You can walk around the lagoon – go in the morning when its not too hot – and follow the path around past other lagoons, There are toilets and water stations along the way.

Treasure hunt through the lobby and gardens

Grab an iPad from the Community Centre and try out the treasure hunt – there’s one in the lobby during the morning and one in the garden in the evening. The hunt is interactive and takes you from place to place sharing information about Hawaii in a way that kids will love (I’m not going to give too much away!). Emmie loved this so much, she would have done it every day!

Swim in the beautiful pools

Aulani has two beautiful swimming pools and one adults pool and the marine pool. We swam in both pools and Emmie loved going down the slide – in the dark! I did it once and that was enough for me! While the splash area and lazy river were closed while we were there, the pools and lagoon really were enough for us. It’s just a beautiful area and vibe. There’s also two adults only hot tubs…omg divine! I didn’t realise I could enjoy a hot pool on a hot day, but it’s awesome! If you’re traveling in December here are some other sunny American destinations to explore.

Learn arts and craft at the community centre

Aulani’s community centre is the hub for all your activities from making Mickey Mouse ears and joining animation workshops, to borrowing Disney DVDs and the iPads for the Treasure hunt. Check out the daily activities and join in the fun.

See your favourite pals as they holiday at the resort

Each day you can call the character hotline and find out times to meet with our favourite holiday pals – but also keep your eyes open because you will also spot them wandering the grounds enjoying their holidays, hanging by the pool and joining in surf and hula classes. It’s so much fun to see your favourite Disney characters pop up unannounced while you holiday.

Search for hidden Mickeys and wild animals in the mountains

Be on the look-out for hidden Mickeys (hint: you will find some in the wallpaper and the water coolers at the entrance). You can also spot hidden animals in the mountain where the slide is. See if you can spot them all.

Spot the Menehune

The Menehune are mythical people from the Hawaiian island of Kauai. They were cheeky little people who at night would creep out an undertake engineering activities – like building roads and houses. Menehune are hiding all over the resort – keep your eyes open and you’ll spot them everywhere

Enjoy dole whip at Ulu Cafe and Papalua shave ice at

The best ever! You’ll find dole whip at Ulu Cafe right near the pools, and the shave ice at Papalua in the food area near the pools.

Snorkel in the Rainbow Reef

As well as its swimming pools,  Aulani has its very own snorkel pool full of hundreds of fish and hidden Menehune, offering kids and adults a real snorkelling experience under the sea. If your kids aren’t confident enough to snorkel in the ocean or open water this is a perfect introduction for them.

Spot a visiting monk seal

You may be lucky enough to see a monk seal sunning herself on the lagoon beach. They come in to rest and digest after eating – but don’t approach them. The resort is super careful and will rope off the area, a seal expert is usually around too and can tell you lots of interesting facts and monk seals while you watch them laying in the sunshine.

Meet Moana

Disney Aulani is the only place you can meet Moana! You’ll see her at the luau, at the meet and greets and wandering around the resort.

Buy special ears and topical merch

We bought the most special matching floral tropical ears at the Disneyland on-site store. It’s full of special tropical gear and you may end up coming out with more than you thought!

For mum and dad: enjoy a poolside cocktail

The cocktails and wine are flowing at the poolside bar so you really should take advantage of it. And, as I became accustomed to in America, there are servers to order from who will bring it right to you. The cocktails were divine AND if you’re feeling fancy you can have yours served in a pineapple! The food here is also really good, and it’s just so nice and indulgent to lay back and order cocktails and burgers in between dips in the pool.

Learn to surf and hula with your Disney pals

Check the daily Iwa newsletter for a complete list of daily resort activities. The Iwa is named after the Iwa bird that would guide the Hawaiian fishermen home and has all your daily information in it. Our favourite activities were the surf lessons with Goofy and hula lessons with Mickey! Lots of fun for everyone – Emmie, mum and I all joined in.

We loved our stay at the Disney Aulani Resort – thank you so much to Disney Australia / New Zealand for hosting us!