Update on Aulani Restaurants needing a resort reservation

[DisneyMountainWoman]

I was practicing booking makahiki breakfast reservation for my upcoming trip and I noticed this posted:


"Dining reservations are available 30 days in advance. Starting July 1st, resort reservations are required to make dining reservations. For information on dining availability please call (808)-674-6200."

So looks like you will need a resort reservation soon. Also does that mean I need to call in to make a reservation instead of being able to do it online?

 

[tankin]

I would guess some sort of announcement is coming regarding dining... whatever it is, they're going to give resort guests a period of time to book before they open it up to the masses ...

I'd bet it maybe an extended window or an restaurant opening / format change ... could be anything... Just be ready to call

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I was practicing booking makahiki breakfast reservation for my upcoming trip...

I'll beat this drum until I'm blue in the face. There is 100% zero reason to be doing this. Aulani is nothing like Walt Disney World. There's no need to "practice" booking your dining reservation or sit there where your finger on the refresh button the second they open. There is no mad scramble to get your reservations. Release all of the WDW-trip-planning stress, Aulani is nothing like it.

"Dining reservations are available 30 days in advance. Starting July 1st, resort reservations are required to make dining reservations. For information on dining availability please call (808)-674-6200." So looks like you will need a resort reservation soon.

No, this isn't new. This is a pandemic measure that has been in place for almost a year and is referring to July 1st, 2021.

Also does that mean I need to call in to make a reservation instead of being able to do it online?

No, but in my experience it's easier. The website is buggy.

I would guess some sort of announcement is coming regarding dining... whatever it is, they're going to give resort guests a period of time to book before they open it up to the masses ...

I'd bet it maybe an extended window or an restaurant opening / format change ... could be anything... Just be ready to call

Nope, it's a COVID measure that's been in place for many months.

 

[DisneyMountainWoman]

I'll beat this drum until I'm blue in the face. There is 100% zero reason to be doing this. Aulani is nothing like Walt Disney World. There's no need to "practice" booking your dining reservation or sit there where your finger on the refresh button the second they open. There is no mad scramble to get your reservations. Release all of the WDW-trip-planning stress, Aulani is nothing like it.

That is good but I feel better practicing. Also it seems like booking auntys I will need WDW skill, the free section book out quick.

No, this isn't new. This is a pandemic measure that has been in place for almost a year and is referring to July 1st, 2021.


No, but in my experience it's easier. The website is buggy.


Nope, it's a COVID measure that's been in place for many months.

I have seen many people book reservations without hotel reservations when they started relaxing covid protocols. But was just giving a heads up.

Good to know if website bugs out I will call. One thing that seems to be Disney consistent is sucky tech sadly.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Good to know if website bugs out I will call. One thing that seems to be Disney consistent is sucky tech sadly.

Once nice thing about Aulani is that when you call to make a dining reservation, you aren't routed to some central call center. You talk to an actual person at the restaurant. I had a large party on my last trip, and the website caps the reservation size to less than I needed, so I had to call for everything. But it was super easy.

 

[tweetykl]

I'll beat this drum until I'm blue in the face. There is 100% zero reason to be doing this. Aulani is nothing like Walt Disney World. There's no need to "practice" booking your dining reservation or sit there where your finger on the refresh button the second they open. There is no mad scramble to get your reservations. Release all of the WDW-trip-planning stress, Aulani is nothing like it.

I disagree. As a West Coaster, dining tends to be gone for character meals when I wake up in the morning. I woke up at 3am to get the meal time I wanted.

 

[Sydnerella]

I disagree. As a West Coaster, dining tends to be gone for character meals when I wake up in the morning. I woke up at 3am to get the meal time I wanted.

Do you mean that Dining reservations open at Midnight Aulani time on the day that is 30 days in advance of your check in? Or is it a different time? That would be 5AM Central for me if so.

 

[tweetykl]

Yes, it is 5am central time. all the other time zones have a jump on dining.

 

[Sydnerella]

Yes, it is 5am central time. all the other time zones have a jump on dining.

What do you mean that all the other TZs have a jump on dining? Aren’t we all trying to book simultaneously but it’s a different time for each of us? Just like at WDW when they open reservations at 7 ET and I book at 6am CST which is the same time as 7 ET.

 

[tweetykl]

What do you mean that all the other TZs have a jump on dining? Aren’t we all trying to book simultaneously but it’s a different time for each of us? Just like at WDW when they open reservations at 7 ET and I book at 6am CST which is the same time as 7 ET.

Do you like waking up at 3am to book dining? I sure don’t. If I didn’t set my alarm, I would be waking at 6 or 7 which is 3-4 hours later then everyone else. Being on the West Coast stinks for dining and DVC reservations.

 

[Sydnerella]

Do you like waking up at 3am to book dining? I sure don’t. If I didn’t set my alarm, I would be waking at 6 or 7 which is 3-4 hours later then everyone else. Being on the West Coast stinks for dining and DVC reservations.

Thanks for the clarification. Initially I read it like a rolling time, versus the same time. I LOVE waking up at 445 for reservations!

 

[Tanya Tink]

Yes, it is 5am central time. all the other time zones have a jump on dining.

 

[Tanya Tink]

Just to clarify (since Hawaii doesn’t do daylight savings time, so the time change can vary), Aulani dining reservations open at midnight Hawaii time 30 days in advance? What is the best way too book the reservations (website, app, calling)?

 

[made2amaze]

From personal experience call in, the website never works and the phone call is a breeze! Will take all of 5 minutes to make. Mahalo!

 

[maxbuffmelvin]

Just to clarify (since Hawaii doesn’t do daylight savings time, so the time change can vary), Aulani dining reservations open at midnight Hawaii time 30 days in advance? What is the best way too book the reservations (website, app, calling)?

Yes, midnight Hawaiian time. I would try the website first and then call if there are issues.

 

[shirlda]

According to the aulani website non resort guests can come on property to dine, shop or enjoy the spa. However dining opens up 15 days before for non hotel guests and yes they open at midnight Hawaii standard time.

"Day Guests are welcome to enjoy the dining, shopping and spa experiences offered at Aulani.
To have your parking validated, please bring your parking ticket and purchase receipt to ‘AMA‘AMA, Makahiki or Laniwai – A Disney Spa.

Complimentary validation applies to one receipt of the requested value and NOT a combination of receipts.

Parking Validation for Day Guests
The following parking fees apply for day Guests visiting Aulani:
Valet parking for day Guests is $37 per day
Self-parking for day Guests is $12 for the first hour and $5 for every half hour thereafter, up to $37


Enjoy complimentary self-parking or valet parking at Aulani for up to 2.5 hours when you spend $50 or more at the following venues
:‘AMA‘AMA – Contemporary Island Cooking
Makahiki – The Bounty of the Islands
The ‘Ōlelo Room, valid for purchases made between 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM
Off the Hook, valid for purchases made between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM
Laniwai – A Disney Spa, 4 hours complimentary when you spend $50 or more
KA WA‘A – A Lū‘au at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa, 5 hours complimentary when you spend $50 or more
Merchandise locations, Kālepa's or Hale Manu, when you spend $50 or more

To have your parking validated, please bring your parking ticket and purchase receipt to ‘AMA‘AMA, Makahiki or Laniwai – A Disney Spa.

Complimentary validation applies to one receipt of the requested value and NOT a combination of receipts.