Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

Reviews

• EW

  Elizabeth Wang

  Aug 25, 2026
  5.0
  If you're coming to Hawaii with kids, this is hands down the best resort on the island. I don't think it's even close. The whole property is built around families in a way that most resorts just aren't. The pools, the lazy river, the beach, the character breakfast, all of it is designed so your kids are genuinely entertained the whole day and you're not constantly figuring out what to do next. My kids were happy from morning to night, and honestly that alone is worth a lot when you're traveling. If I had one wish, it would be for a few more attraction-style experiences on property. The Disney touches are lovely, but there's room for something a little more interactive to fill the middle of the day. It's a small thing on top of an already really strong resort. And about the price. I know people say it's expensive, and it isn't cheap. But if you compare it to the Ritz-Carlton or the Four Seasons out here, it's actually reasonable, and you're getting so much more usable value for a family. Maybe that's not a perfectly fair comparison, but as a parent deciding where to spend the money, that's how the math actually works out. We'd absolutely come back.
• SR

  Shirley Remington

  Aug 24, 2026
  3.0
  This hotel was very gracious in letting us out of our stay after one night. The customer service was very helpful at the front desk. Many people there seemed to be enjoying themselves, but it sure wasn’t for us. It is a zoo of people. Lines everywhere, crowded, and the food was very mediocre. Nothing about this place says relaxing Hawaiian vacation. I suppose in the same way some people love big cities, this place may be appreciated, but it sure wasn’t for us. Our kids and grandkids were so happy when we moved next door to the four seasons. They had a wonderful kids club that wasn’t crowded and a relaxing vibe with lots to do, beautiful rooms, and fabulous food. It would have been heartbreaking to go all that way and spend all that money to be miserable, and we were. Thank you Aulani for so graciously letting us out with no penalty. I’ve never seen that before, but so appreciated it. You ultimately changed the whole course of our vacation and we are eternally grateful.
• EF

  Ebenezer Fagundes

  Aug 23, 2026
  1.0
  Overhyped, overcrowded, and very poor value for nearly $900 a night. We really wanted to love Aulani, but the experience did not come close to justifying the price. The resort is extremely crowded. Pools, the lazy river, slides, restaurants, towels, even getting a float can involve waiting in line. We joked that the lazy river is slow because of the traffic jam. Pool chairs are also difficult to find unless you claim one early in the morning, and the rooms felt surprisingly small for this price level. What surprised us most is that there really isn’t that much of a Disney experience either. You don’t see characters everywhere or feel immersed in Disney the way you might expect. It feels more like a regular crowded resort with Disney branding and Disney-level pricing. We also stayed at the Marriott in Ko Olina and found it more relaxing, less crowded, easier to get pool chairs, and a much better overall value. If you’re coming specifically because you’re a huge Disney fan, I would manage your expectations. If you’re coming for a relaxing Hawaiian resort vacation, there are better options in Ko Olina. A beautiful property, but too crowded, too expensive, and not enough Disney magic to justify the premium.
• MP

  Mario Pasquino

  Aug 22, 2026
  2.0
  The property itself is beautiful, but it’s basically a really expensive outdoor waterpark because of the Disney prices. The rooms and food were nothing to write home about. Pros: - Kid loves the pools, slides, lazy river, and ocean - The Spa was one of the best spas we’ve been to - There’s an ABC store across the street to get food and bev if you don’t want to pay $13/beer on property - The kids club was nice for a break - The Luau on Wednesday was a good show and would recommend it Cons: - Way too crowded in August. People are unaware and just stand in the middle of the sidewalk all day long. Felt like an airport. - Character breakfast. The operation was run poorly and unlike Disney World. We received our check and didn’t see 2 of the 3 characters yet. They also made us wait in line to see Mickey (the fourth character), which defeats the entire purpose of paying for a character breakfast. - AMA AMA dinner was too expensive for what it was. Four small plates the size of your fist for $140 + tip. The food was good, just not for that price. - Pool chair policy is a pain. Basically, you can’t leave property at all if you want a chance at going to the pool in the afternoon. My wife and I would wake up at 6am to get chairs each day. I recommend making allies with your chair neighbor to keep eyes on them. They don’t have enough chairs for the number of guests.
• DH

  Daniel Hodhod

  Aug 16, 2026
  1.0
  We stayed at Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii in mid-August 2026, and unfortunately, our experience was overwhelmingly negative. For what this resort charges, I expected a premium Disney experience. Instead, we left feeling like Disney simply doesn’t care anymore and that guests are being taken advantage of at nearly every turn. The biggest issue is that the quality of the experience simply does not come close to matching the price. Housekeeping was one of the first surprises. Our room was not made up every day—it was serviced only every other day. At a resort charging premium luxury-hotel prices, daily housekeeping should be a basic expectation, not something that has been quietly eliminated. The food situation is even worse. The food is incredibly expensive while being extremely basic and, in our experience, generally terrible. It feels like almost no effort is being made to provide food that remotely justifies the prices. Restaurant choices are also surprisingly limited for a resort of this size and price point. One particularly ridiculous example: after around 10 AM, we couldn’t even find somewhere at the resort to get a cappuccino or latte. You’re staying at an expensive Hawaiian resort and somehow getting a decent coffee after breakfast becomes a challenge. The pool experience is another disappointment. The lounge chairs are packed together so tightly that they are literally touching one another. You practically have to crawl onto your chair. At the same time, you’re competing with everyone else just to find an available chair. There is nothing relaxing or luxurious about it. The property itself also feels increasingly dated and tired. When you combine that with the crowds, poor food, limited service, and extremely high prices, you constantly get the feeling that the resort is relying on the Disney name rather than actually delivering an experience worthy of what guests are paying. My advice to families considering Aulani is simple: think twice before booking it. If your kids are absolutely begging to experience a Disney resort in Hawaii, then perhaps there is some value in doing it once. Otherwise, there are so many beautiful places to stay in Hawaii that I would strongly recommend spending your money somewhere else. We came expecting Disney-level service at a premium Hawaiian resort. Instead, we repeatedly felt like we were paying premium prices for a very subpar experience at an aging, overcrowded hotel. For us, Aulani was absolutely not worth the money, and we would not return.

Frequently Asked Questions About Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa