Newbie help

[katyringo]

Hello all-

We are considering Aulani for our 2027 trip. I've spent days looking at WDW, Disneyland, and DCL. We did our first DCL trip last year and it was by far the most amazing trip. Seasoned WDW and Disneyland goers.

Struggling to find an itinerary we like when we can go for DCL.

I'm wondering if you kind people might just help get me started in learning about Aulani-

Best way to book? We are not DVC. Maybe someday! We like the value resorts so it has not made sense. But I am seeing that renting DVC may be the best way to do Aulani.

Any good guides out there to learn about the different room options, activities, etc?

What do you need to book in advance?

How many days? One of the best things about our cruise was we felt we got all this Disney magic sprinkled in while also being able to relax.

We have also never been to Hawaii..

Any help appreciated!

 

[RivGirl]

I’ve only been once (two weeks ago), so I’m sure others more experienced can chime in. I’m also DVC, and I did stay on points. I would definitely look into renting points (which I used to do for WDW before owning DVC, personally always through a broker), especially if you want a kitchen, washer/dryer, etc.

Things that helped me were 1) these boards! 2) YouTube videos, especially when considering room type 3) DFB’s guide to Aulani, which includes room descriptions and covers activities in addition to food https://www.disneyfoodblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/The-DFB-Ultimate-Guide-to-Aulani-v25.1.pdf 4) Aulani FB groups (although some of them are full of complainers it seems), and 5) the occasional Reddit thread turned up by a google search.

We are a family of four. We stayed in Waikiki for 3 nights, which we enjoyed, then moved to Aulani for 4. It was also our first time in Hawaii.

I can’t wait to go back! Happy planning!

 

[cruisehopeful]

Renting points might be a good choice. The hard part is that you'll need to price out the differences. Aulani has some nice discounts occasionally. They currently have a 30% off deal, but any of the dates I checked were not available.

We're going in a couple weeks and it was sort of a last minute booking. Due to other things going on this year, we're needing to be very mindful about what we're going to spend money on. We're still not totally decided and I'm still researching. I am renting a car through Costco since I don't like to stay put in one location for very long.

Aulani is at one of the man-made lagoons in Ko Olina and it has chairs and umbrellas on the beach. I noticed that there's a company that can set you up at the next lagoon (lagoon 2) for 6 hours. It's a rental of chairs, cooler, umbrella and you can add a paddle board. I didn't fully compare prices, yet, but I like the idea of having my own set-up that nobody is going to touch for 6 hours and I can come and go as much as I want.

I check the Aulani app every few days. While they list a lot of activities, most of it isn't something I'd be interested in. We have booked the adults only stargazing through Aulani. I'm going to see if I can book it directly through the person who does it if it saves a little bit.

 

[jimmymc]

Aulani regularly has sales which get the price close to renting DVC, especially for ocean-view rooms. Plus you get housekeeping and the better cancellation policy. Definitely compare both, especially if you want a 1 bedroom villa.

 

[gsdweller]

How many in the family? And how old are the kids?
If you are on a DCL budget, rent points and go for a 2 bedroom. The extra space is totally worth it.
Rent a car even though some days you will not use it. Parking will be free if you rent points.

Use the full kitchen to your advantage. Load up on groceries and do most breakfasts and lunches in the room. Stockpile snacks and drinks as well, but still get shaved ice and dole whip when you feel like it. Buy a few refillable mugs as well.

Plan for half your days to be resort days, and half to be out and about. Pearl Harbor is awesome, heading to the North Shore is great as well. If the kids are old enough, surfing lessons up there are totally worth it. Plan a few hikes. Age and number of kids will dictate which ones.

On the days that you are out and about, plan on eating lunch or dinner (or both) on the road. There are better options and better food for a cheaper price out away from Ko Olina.

 

[katyringo]

How many in the family? And how old are the kids?
If you are on a DCL budget, rent points and go for a 2 bedroom. The extra space is totally worth it.
Rent a car even though some days you will not use it. Parking will be free if you rent points.

Use the full kitchen to your advantage. Load up on groceries and do most breakfasts and lunches in the room. Stockpile snacks and drinks as well, but still get shaved ice and dole whip when you feel like it. Buy a few refillable mugs as well.

Plan for half your days to be resort days, and half to be out and about. Pearl Harbor is awesome, heading to the North Shore is great as well. If the kids are old enough, surfing lessons up there are totally worth it. Plan a few hikes. Age and number of kids will dictate which ones.

On the days that you are out and about, plan on eating lunch or dinner (or both) on the road. There are better options and better food for a cheaper price out away from Ko Olina.

Thanks! Kids would be 10 and 14.

My husband does have some mobility challenges.

 

[WinterSolider]

I think you want a week at an absolute minimum, and I would definitely plan on renting a car. We often see people who try to do an Aulani vacation without ever leaving the resort and they end up disappointed. It's a wonderful resort, probably my favorite place on Earth. But it's still just a resort and not an entire vacation in itself.

 

[RivGirl]

I think you want a week at an absolute minimum, and I would definitely plan on renting a car. We often see people who try to do an Aulani vacation without ever leaving the resort and they end up disappointed. It's a wonderful resort, probably my favorite place on Earth. But it's still just a resort and not an entire vacation in itself.

Ditto on renting the car. Originally I had thought we would do uber or Lyft while in Waikiki and do maybe a 1-2 day rental from Aulani. Ridesharing works for us in a lot of other locations. But renting a car for the week from the airport Hertz was cheaper, and in the end I was so glad to have it at our disposal. I wouldn’t recommend doing it any other way now!

 

[gsdweller]

At 10 and 14, your kids will love the North Shore, even if you just crash on the beach for a while. The beaches at Aulani are awesome, but there is something even better just chilling on a huge natural beach and playing in the waves.

If they want to surf, use Uncle Bryans. They tell you when and where to meet them (depends on weather, tide, etc.) and will make sure everyone gets up and learns to surf. The non-surfers can just rest on the beach and watch. A stop at the food trucks on the way back is fun as well. There are multiple different places and they all claim to be the best. It is all pretty decent.

When you are at the resort, take a walk past the Four Seasons down to Secret Beach and beyond. Do the Menehune hunt as well. There are over 300 at the resort and some are fairly hard to find.