Hi all,
Our family is considering what would be a "once in a lifetime" stay at Aulani in late September / early October 2025. Our local currency is very weak against the US dollar at the moment, so it would be an unprecedented amount of money for us to spend on a hotel.
I'm trying to learn as much as I can about Aulani to determine whether it represents value for us, especially as we'll be travelling with our four year old daughter who loves arts and crafts, character meets and playing in the pool or at the beach. I've been through the official website and also checked out Disney Tourist Blog's many articles: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/aulani-resort-spa-trip-planning-guide/
My main concern at this stage is the ease and availability of the free activities that would most appeal to our daughter, for example:
- ukelele lessons
- hulu lessons
- scavenger hunt
- arts and crafts in the community hall
- fireside storytelling with Moana (?)
- separate "lawn" event with Moana (?)
- Goofy pool party
- beach "mermaid tail" activity
- assorted (free) character meets, especially the Duffy and friends characters.
I think some of these are easily available, like the scavenger hunt and arts and crafts in the community hall. For others, I've read that you have to be in line at 7:30am (for the sign up which opens at 8am) to get a place and places are very limited?
If we only stay for 3 or 4 nights, noting that some activities may not be scheduled during our stay, how likely is it that we will be able to do most of these activities?
I also vaguely understand that the free kids club operates as follows:
- open from 8am to 2pm
- each child can attend (for free) for a maximum of 1.5 hours each day
- you need to make a reservation for your preferred 1.5 hour slot
- at other times, the kids club is open for paid / premium activities or open to all for family activities.
Is that correct?
We won't be able to afford any of the premium experiences, like the luau, Mickey Ears, t-shirt, snorkelling, etc, but that's fine for us. IF we can get places for some of the free activities, I think we'll have more than enough to do.
As far as I can tell, it's possible to borrow life vests, boogie boards and beach toys for free? Is that correct? The official website mentions everything, except beach toys.
I've also read something about a so-called "secret beach" where it's possible to see turtles which staff will drive you to in a golf cart? But, I'm not sure if that's only offered for premium guests? Or maybe non-premium guests can just walk there? Our daughter would love to see some turtles if that's possible (including Olu Mel or "turtle boy" as she calls him).
Thanks in advance for any help!
Our family is considering what would be a "once in a lifetime" stay at Aulani in late September / early October 2025. Our local currency is very weak against the US dollar at the moment, so it would be an unprecedented amount of money for us to spend on a hotel.
I'm trying to learn as much as I can about Aulani to determine whether it represents value for us, especially as we'll be travelling with our four year old daughter who loves arts and crafts, character meets and playing in the pool or at the beach. I've been through the official website and also checked out Disney Tourist Blog's many articles: https://www.disneytouristblog.com/aulani-resort-spa-trip-planning-guide/
My main concern at this stage is the ease and availability of the free activities that would most appeal to our daughter, for example:
- ukelele lessons
- hulu lessons
- scavenger hunt
- arts and crafts in the community hall
- fireside storytelling with Moana (?)
- separate "lawn" event with Moana (?)
- Goofy pool party
- beach "mermaid tail" activity
- assorted (free) character meets, especially the Duffy and friends characters.
I think some of these are easily available, like the scavenger hunt and arts and crafts in the community hall. For others, I've read that you have to be in line at 7:30am (for the sign up which opens at 8am) to get a place and places are very limited?
If we only stay for 3 or 4 nights, noting that some activities may not be scheduled during our stay, how likely is it that we will be able to do most of these activities?
I also vaguely understand that the free kids club operates as follows:
- open from 8am to 2pm
- each child can attend (for free) for a maximum of 1.5 hours each day
- you need to make a reservation for your preferred 1.5 hour slot
- at other times, the kids club is open for paid / premium activities or open to all for family activities.
Is that correct?
We won't be able to afford any of the premium experiences, like the luau, Mickey Ears, t-shirt, snorkelling, etc, but that's fine for us. IF we can get places for some of the free activities, I think we'll have more than enough to do.
As far as I can tell, it's possible to borrow life vests, boogie boards and beach toys for free? Is that correct? The official website mentions everything, except beach toys.
I've also read something about a so-called "secret beach" where it's possible to see turtles which staff will drive you to in a golf cart? But, I'm not sure if that's only offered for premium guests? Or maybe non-premium guests can just walk there? Our daughter would love to see some turtles if that's possible (including Olu Mel or "turtle boy" as she calls him).
Thanks in advance for any help!