11 Reasons Why We Love Aulani on Its 11th Birthday
Happy birthday Aulani! Disney’s tropical island paradise is celebrating its 11th year of bringing the Disney magic to Hawaii. If you’ve yet to pay a visit to Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, there is no time like the present. Best of all, packages have recently opened up for 2023 giving you plenty of time to plan.
To celebrate 11 incredible years and to inspire you to start planning your Aulani visit, here are 11 reasons why an Aulani vacation is not-to-be-missed.
1. Mickey-shaped Shaved Ice!
Sometimes it’s the simplest pleasures that you’ll remember for a Disney getaway and here’s a great example! Pāpālua Shave Ice is your haven for customizing your own shave iced treat is located right on the grounds at Aulani! You can choose from standard shaved ice, shaved ice sweetened with condensed milk and even ice cream. You’ll find a variety of flavors including mango, pineapple, coconut, lilikoi, orange, guava and more. You can even mix a few for your own signature treat!
2. Mingle With Your Favorite Disney Characters
Aulani is the only resort in Hawaii where you can mingle with your favorite Disney pals throughout your getaway. You never know what familiar face is just around the corner. Some of the characters you may encounter during your Aulani visit includes:
- Mickey Mouse
- Minnie Mouse
- Donald Duck
- Goofy
- Pluto
- Daisy Duck
- Chip ‘n Dale
- Duffy
- Shellie May
- Moana
- Stitch
3. Enjoy a Hawaiian Luau!
Disney vacations have always been synonymous with awesome entertainment and a visit to Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa is no exception. For an extra cost you can experience 3 hours of exhilarating song, dance and storytelling while you dine on island-inspired cuisine! The KA WA‘A Luau includes the following incredible activities:
- Pre-Show Demonstrations – Learn how to make traditional arts and crafts including flower arranging and paʻi ai taro pounding.
- Lu’au Introduction and welcome chant
- Buffet Dining – Indulge in authentic island fare like sea-salt crusted prime rib, fresh local seafood and produce, decadent desserts and other Hawaiian favorites.
- Luau performance – You’ll be blown away by this breathtaking production that brings the legends and lore of ancient Hawai’i to life!
4. Swim With Hawaiian Reef Fish
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa is home to Rainbow Reef. This is the ONLY private snorkeling lagoon on the island of O’ahu. Guests can enjoy an up close look at more than 1,000 brightly colored fish!
5. Take a Dip in One of Aulani’s Many Pools
If lounging by the pool and swimming is your idea of an ideal location then you will be spoiled at Aulani! The Resort boasts a 7 acre water playground with everything from kiddie pools to Adults-Only areas. Kids of all ages are sure to love the waterslides and lazy river. Poolside cabanas are available for rental and there’s also a fun play area known as the Menehune Bridge.
6. Kids Will Be Smitten With Auntie’s Beach House
Did you know that there’s a place at Aulani just for kids between the ages of 3 and 12? Aunty’s Beach House is an interactive, complimentary kids club with daily offerings including activities, entertainment and games that explore the mysteries of Hawai’i. Have slightly older children? Don’t worry, you’ll also find an array of teen and tween programs at the resort.
7. There’s Pampering For Visitors of All Ages
Treat yourself to something extra special with a visit to Laniwai – A Disney Spa. Here adults will find 15 treatment rooms (including one for families) as well as a hydrotherapy garden, full service salon and fitness center. The spa space alone spans and incredible 23,000 square feet! Best of all, spa services are not just for the adults. Head to Painted Sky: Hi Style Studio, a relaxing space that is just for children. Here kids can choose from an array of magical makeovers!
8. Your Perfect Guest Room & View Awaits
Its easy to find your perfect resort room at Aulani. On property you’ll find two towers with over 351 hotel rooms including 16 suites, 481 two-bedroom Disney Vacation Club Villas along with 21 (3-bedroom) Grand Villas. Best of all, guests can find the perfect view to suit your budget. Rooms are angled and views include ocean, partial ocean, poolside garden, island garden and standard!
9. Incredible Dining Options
Aulani boasts two onsite restaurants which showcase Hawaiian cuisine at its best. When possible ingredients are locally sources from farmers and fisherman in the area. There’s the beachside ‘AMA’AMA restaurant which features ocean-colored walls, a reflecting point an indoor and outdoor seating. Over at Makahiki, buffets are their specialty brimming with bountiful island harvests. Here you’ll find decor that includes large island murals painted by local artists! Makahiki also offers character dining on select days.
There are also a number of lounges on property including the popular The ‘Ōlelo Room, which offers tropical cocktails, Hawaiian beers, lemonade, iced tea and more. Here you can learn a bit of the Hawaiian language as the decor features 150 shadow boxes with word carvings! The bartenders here speak fluent Hawaiian and are always on hand to help you with your pronunciations.
10. Pristine Beaches and Incredible Views
Aulani is situated on 21 oceanfront acres on the western side of O’ahu in the Ko Olina Resort Community and Marina. Guests can enjoy swimming, boogie boarding, snorkeling, paddle boarding and more! There’s also plenty of space to soak up the sun and enjoy the gentle ocean breeze. You’ll find sparkling waters, inviting sand and paved trails and ample relaxation!
11. Island Adventures Await
There is so much to see, do and explore in Hawaii and Aulani makes it easy. The resort offers a lineup of excursion adventures that are lead by local experts. This can include everything from horseback riding in the Kualoa Valley to kayaking, a catamaran cruise, surf school or even a visit to Dole Plantation!
So what are you waiting for? Join us in celebrating 11 years of Disney’s incredible Hawaiian Resort! Here’s to many more decades of Disney tropical island fun!
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Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to assist you with everything from finding your perfect package to helping you plan lots of special touches to make your visit truly magical. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025 via email at mroden@mickeytravels.com or follow along on Facebook