Disney Aulani: The Ultimate Kid-Friendly Resort in Oahu

It’s vacation (or staycation!) time and the hunt is on for the perfect Oahu hotel that the kids will love as much as you do. Fun activities on site for them, a dash of luxury for mom and dad, stunning oceanfront surroundings for all, plus exceptional service and cleanliness? Welcome to Disney Aulani.

The Disney Aulani has been our family favorite since our youngest was just a year old. Needless to say, we’ve experienced countless stays and consider it a home away from home. A school break? Let’s go to Aulani. Needing an escape from life but don’t have time for an off island trip? Long weekend at Aulani here we come! Why do we as adults love it so much? And perhaps more importantly, why do preschoolers, elementary aged kids, tweens, and teens love it here?

For starters, I should probably disclose that we are definite Disney fans. Disneyworld, Disneyland, Tokyo Disney…seen it, done it (several times), love it. So naturally Disney Aulani was on our radar when it first opened its doors here on Oahu. One of the things that we love most about Disney is the guest service that we’ve personally received through the years at the various parks and Disney resorts. Whether it is setting up a personal meet and greet with a favorite princess (who was just switched out right before her turn at The Royal Hall) for our disappointed six year old decked out in her Ariel gown, the consistently excellent guest service with almost every cast member that we’ve interacted with, or the above and beyond experiences the few times that we’ve hit a little snag with a resort or in the park, Disney has seldom disappointed. I’m a firm believer in that you usually get what you pay for and while Disney isn’t the most frugal option out there, we regularly get great value for what we pay. Taking us to what initially reeled us in at Aulani…

Aunty’s Beach House

Ah, Aunty’s Beach House. When you have 3 little ones and a jam packed full schedule, date nights can be quite the treat. On our first glance at the property, we learned about Aunty’s Beach House. As described on Aulani’s website, it is a “5,200-square-foot, state-of-the-art kids club is designed to entertain and delight.” And entertain and delight it did. You can read the detailed activities on Disney Aulani, but from personal experience, our kids loved the video game room, outdoor secured play area, and the arts and crafts room especially. When they needed a little quiet, it was off to the movie room for a Disney classic.

Being potty trained was a requirement, as was being between the ages of 4-12. There is a registration form to fill out ahead of time and a magic band to tap in and out. Our little ones loved the staff there and as parents, we loved knowing that they were safe and supervised, and having lots of fun in their own special clubhouse. Whatever did we, as parents, do while our active offspring were making space goo with Stitch at Aunty’s Beach House? Well that’ll be another blog all on its own!

Let’s just say that KoOlina has some of our favorite happy hours and we have a favorite spot to watch the sunset over the ocean on property at Aulani. Disney Aulani has so much to talk about, it really is endless. We’ll do a brief travel diary of a weekend at the resort to mention the highlights, a few insider pro tips, and of course more to come on the surrounding area of KoOlina itself. Love the idea of a Disney Aulani vacation or staycation but want to have it all booked and ready to go (plus insurance, car rentals, and a bonus complimentary mini itinerary)? Reach out on our contact form and we’ll create the dream Disney Aulani stay for you-just pack your bags, hop on your flight, and say aloha to paradise!

Sunshine and aloha! 🌺☀️