Quick note: this awesome, free post about Disney’s Aulani contains two affiliate links which just means I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase from that link directly—but it’s at absolutely no cost to you!
If you’ve been to Disneyland, you know you can’t go in without a plan: from setting a calendar reminder months before to snag a coveted restaurant reservation, to strategically mapping out your day to minimize lines and maximize rides, to selecting the perfect shoes that are comfy enough to spend hours on your feet (btw, I love these Hoka’s for park days—they feel like I’m walking on a cloud).
Disney’s Aulani is no different.
Nestled on the leeward coast of Oahu in Ko Olina, Aulani is a family-friendly resort that blends Hawaiian tradition and culture with a spark of Disney magic.
Here are five hacks to make your trip more seamless, fun, and memorable.
Be at the pool at 7:30am to get your lounge chairs
Yes, you read that right. 7:30am. I know you want to sleep in on vacation, but you don’t want to sleep on these seats. They go quickly, and it’s very much like The Hunger Games.
So, here’s the sitch:
You can save lounge chairs at the crack of dawn but at least one person from your group needs to stay with them until 8am. After 8am, your seats can be left unattended for up to an hour before cast members clear your things and offer the chairs to someone else. If you are actively coming and going, ordering food and drinks, your towels are wet, this really shouldn’t be a problem.
What do I mean by “save” them? Place towels, books, goggles, anything you feel comfortable leaving in plain sight, on top of the cushion.
Get your pool wristbands the evening before
The Aulani pools require a wristband for entry. Idk when you’re reading this, but in 2025, the color of the wristbands changed every. single. day. To avoid long morning lines, head to one of the pool desks the night prior (5pm-6pm) and snag the next day’s wristband then.
Skip the character breakfast, but book the luau
Trust me on this. Think about the production value of a Disney feature film, then apply that to a live show. Seriously, I was speechless. The dancing. The singing. The stories. The pyrotechnics. It was a cinematic masterpiece.
The first half of the luau starts off really light and fun. There’s a photo opportunity and lots of activities on the lawn like flower arranging, temporary tattoos, paʻi ai taro pounding, and learning how to hula (with Mickey!). Food is served buffet style, with traditional Hawaiian flavors and super fresh island ingredients. Think kalua pork, mac salad, salt-crusted prime rib, teriyaki chicken, rice, ahi poke, etc. It was delicious!
When the sun went down, the performance amped up, and we got to see the legends of Ancient Hawaii come to life.
Their booking system opens a few months in advance. But honestly, book this when you book your stay. Don’t wait.
Splurge on the refillables
For ~$25, you can purchase a Disney branded refillable mug for unlimited water, soft drinks, tea, and discounted iced coffee. Stainless steel options are also available at a higher cost. If you want to fill it with an adult bevvy, Target delivers (another hack if you want to stock up on Maui Hard Seltzers or concoct a boozy POG).
There’s an option for a refillable popcorn bucket, also worth it—it’s ~$10 initially with ~$3 refills. It became a nightly tradition to fill our buckets right before Ulu Cafe closed and have popcorn in our room while we watched a movie.
Admire the snorkeling tank from afar
I’ll start by saying I love that Aulani offers Rainbow Reef. If you are new to snorkeling or prefer a contained environment, this is a good option. For us, the experience felt overpriced and the water temperature was far too cold (much colder than the actual ocean).
If you really want to snorkel, head off-property and snag a cheap set of gear at the nearby ABC store (or, pack your own!). Don’t forget your reef-safe sunscreen! Here are two of my favorite spots for swimming, snorkeling, and sea life!
Paradise Cove
This beach is a 10 minute walk from the property. We saw two turtles, lots of fish, and a Hawaiian monk seal when we were there! There’s a shelf of rock that just out from the point and protects the cove from the swell, so the water is always calm. To get there:
- Head left on Aliinui Dr.
- Walk until you reach Lanikuhonua Beach Parking
- Head through the lot and you’ll spot a sandy path down to the beach
You need a car to get to this beach, but the mileage is worth it. Hanauma Bay is on the windward side of Oahu, about 1 hour away. It’s a protected marine park formed by a volcanic cone that’s home to over 450 species of fish!
There’s an entry fee of $25 for adults. Kids 12 and under are free. Reservations are required 48 hours in advance. Honolulu Parks & Recreation open up spots daily at 7am. So, if you want to book a Friday, have your laptop open and ready first thing on Wednesday morning. Note the park is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (fish need their rest, too!).
Lots of tours operate here too. There’s no doubt Aulani would be able to book you on one, if you don’t want to manage the logistics.
I hope you enjoyed these travel hacks for Disney’s Aulani! If you’re in Oahu and checking out the North Shore, here’s a one-week itinerary perfect for the whole family!
