It depends on what you want to do. Do you want to see things on Oahu? Pearl Harbor? Other sights? Most do not need prior booking. Reservations for character dining at Aulani can be booked ahead. Tours can be done on your own, through a local company online or through the Holoholo Tour Desk here at Aulani.
I was thinking on staying on another hotel less expensive first and do all those tours and then go to Aulani for a few days and just stay at the hotel facilities. But yes I want to see Pearl Harbor and shows available.
You might want to do the math and see how much of a difference it would be staying off site for a few days vs the entire time. I was going to do that but it turned out to only be about $400 for staying at Aulani the entire time which with a 5 year old seemed like the deal breaker. Now I am really glad I went with Aulani the entire time so we wouldn't have to deal with checking out of one hotel and into another one.
You might want to do the math and see how much of a difference it would be staying off site for a few days vs the entire time. I was going to do that but it turned out to only be about $400 for staying at Aulani the entire time which with a 5 year old seemed like the deal breaker. Now I am really glad I went with Aulani the entire time so we wouldn't have to deal with checking out of one hotel and into another one.