Aloha Aulani

• What’s the best way to handle an early arrival?
• What’s the best way to handle a late departure?
• Does Aulani have photopass?
• Can I use my Magic Bands there?
• Are Aulani’s pools heated?
• What are my grocery/food delivery options?
• What are the rules regarding masks?
• When can I make dining/spa/cabana/luau reservations?

If you are staying on DVC points or on an RCI inbound reservation, parking is free for up to two vehicles.  If you are a DVC member, but are staying on a cash rate booked through member services or the disneyvacationclub.com site, you also get free parking, but will need to show your DVC member card and personal ID upon check-in.  If you booked through any means other than Member Services or disneyvacationclub.com, or if you are not a DVC member or RCI inbound guest, parking is $40 per car, per day.   

Day visitors can do self-parking at a rate of $15 for the first hour and $5 for every half hour after that up to $40.  The first 30 minutes are free.  You can get free validated parking for 2.5 hours if you spend $50 or more on one single receipt at Makahiki, The Olelo Room (between 5 and 11pm), or Off the Hook (between 5 and 9pm).  Alternatively, you can get 4 hours of parking for free for spending at least $50 at KA WA'A (the luau), 'Ama'Ama ,or the Laniwai spa.  Merchandise locations, like Kalepa's and Hale Manu, do offer free parking, but only up to one hour.  Again, make sure it's all on a single receipt as receipts cannot be combined to form a larger total.  To get your parking ticket validated, take the ticket and receipt to 'Ama'Ama, Makahiki, or Laniwai Spa.

You can valet park or self park, the price is the same. The parking garage is fairly large, we've never had an issue getting parking, although some of the stalls are outdoors.  There are quite a few electric vehicle stalls should you have an EV.  EV charging, provided by chargepoint, is free in the parking structure.

When leaving the structure, we recommend driving down to the bottom of the structure.  There's an exit there that takes you out to a side street.  The advantage of doing this is that the side street goes to an intersection which allows you to turn right or left.  If you go out the way you came in, you are only allowed to turn right and will have to make a U-turn further up the road if you wanted to go the other way.

Aulani doesn't offer a free airport service like they do at WDW so you will need to arrange transportation. 

• Hawai'i has excellent bus service, but it will take you a long time to get anywhere. 
• Uber or Lyft
• https://www.heleheleshuttle.com  When we priced it out, it cost $25 per person age 3 and up and $10 for each child 2 and under.  Prices are each way plus tax and tip.  Until the end of 2023 Disney Vacation Club or Marriott Vacation Club members get a free return trip back to the airport with the purchase of an arrival trip from the airport for up to 4 passengers.  There's an orchid lei service for $15/pp.  The shuttle can be booked either online or by calling 866-443-4763 between 7:00 AM and 9:00 PM PST. 
• https://www.speedishuttle.com  As of Dec. 2023, it cost $28.6 per person each way plus tax and tip, for a shared shuttle.  The price includes 2 bags per person, there's an $9.68 charge for each additional bag. For a private shuttle, it goes up to $228.80 per vehicle (not per person) which can hold up to 11 passengers.  A limousine is $216 per vehicle.  Car seat rental is $5.50.  Certain equipment cause extra charges: bikes are $18.14, golf bags are $12.10, and surfboards are $16.50.  You can opt to be greeted with a lei starting at $18/pp.  Reservations can be made online or by calling 877-242-5777.   
• https://go808express.com Offering private airport shuttles and tours, they charge $75 each way between HNL and Aulani 1-3 people (including infants), going up to $85 for 4 people, and $95 for 5 people. Tack on an additional $10 if your ride will occur during rush hour or late at night (check their site for times). Prices are per ride, not per person. You can rent car seats for $10 each, booster seats go for $5 each.
• http://pacific-shuttle.com/ Offering private shuttles and tours, they charge $63 each way between HNL and Aulani for 1-3 people and the price increases $7.00 per person after that.  Car seats and booster seats are available for no extra charge.  One thing I like about this company is their website clearly lists out their prices for transportation between many destinations/areas on the island, which really helps with figuring out your best transportation options.
• http://www.honolulushuttleservices.com/ Offering private shuttles and tours, they charge $70 each way between HNL and Aulani for 1-4 people with an additional $15 per person after that, up to a maximum of 10 people.  There are extra fees for early or late pick up, as well as transport during rush hours.  See website for details.  Car seats are available to rent at $10 each.
• https://www.superlimohonolulu.com/ $90, including tax, each way for up to 5 people (and 5 suitcases) in a "stretch limo/Mercedes or black SUV." You can get a lei add-on for $10 per lei.  Car seats or booster seats can be requested and are free of charge.
• Taxi.  Last we checked (early 2021), it was about $55 each way.
• A rental car.  We recommend this option if you intend to do any sight seeing beyond the resort.

What are my transportation options around Oahu?

• Hawai'i has excellent bus service, but it will take you a long, long time to get anywhere.  
• Uber, Lyft, or Taxis.  Decent if you just want a quick run to a nearby location, but the resort is pretty far from most of the island's sights, so this will rack up the expenses fast.
• A rental car.  We recommend this option if you intend to do any sight seeing beyond the resort.  You can rent a car at the airport, but if you just want a car for a single day here and there, Aulani also has a rental desk for Alamo.  The rental desk is located in the conference center.  Go to the Alamo website and type in "Kapolei" for the city and it will show you a list of locations, one of which is "Kapolei Disney Aulani Resort."
• Alternatively, there's Discount Hawai'i Car Rental or Drive Hui.
• For transportation around Ko'olina, there was the free Holo Ka'a resort shuttle.  Unfortunately, this went away during COVID-19 and hasn't returned.
• Some have had success with renting cars from locals via turo.  As a bonus, some of the car owners add in extra services, like golf club or boogie board rentals.  https://turo.com/
• Consider taking a tour that includes transportation.  https://www.superlimohonolulu.com/ offers tours starting at 4 hours for $240 and goes up from there in time and expense.  Or something like https://www.toursbylocals.com/Honolulu-Tour-Guides where a local will pick you up in their car and take you on a tour customized to your preferences.  Each guide charges differently, so I can't quote prices, but expect to pay northwards of $500 for a half day.

Are there any fees I should expect?
DVC reservations:

If you are staying on a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) reservation, the only fee you will have to pay is the transient accommodations tax, which is calculated based on the number of points required for your stay. It ranges from ~$6.50 per day for the least expensive room in the least expensive time period to ~$71 per day for a 3 bedroom grand villa in Premier season. Parking is free for stays using DVC points. The number of cars allowed varies with the room category.

Hotel reservations:

If you are not staying with DVC points and are paying for your room, you will need to pay the Hawaii transient accommodations tax (currently at 10.25%) plus the Hawaii State sales tax (currently at 4.712%). These are calculated based upon your reservation rate. This is pretty steep, but you will get charged this at any hotel in Hawaii. In addition, Disney charges for parking at $40 per day, per car (see parking section above for details). There are no additional resort fees.

Are there any discounts/offers?

Aulani occasionally posts discounts on rooms, but there are rarely any other discounts offered.  If you have a Disneyland or Disney World annual pass or a DVC card, bring it.  In some cases, these cards give you discounts on premium activities and merchandise.  There are no dining discounts.

Current room offers: 

• Winter Offer: Save up to 25% on select rooms for stays of 5 or more nights at Aulani Resort:
  Save 25% on select rooms for stays of 5 or more consecutive nights.
  Save up to 20% on select rooms for stays of 4 consecutive nights.
  This offer is valid for stays from January 4 through April 8, 2022.  Travel must be completed by April 9, 2022.  Book now through February 12, 2022.  The offer is subject to some limitations.  Excludes Suites and 3 bedroom Grand Villa.
• Spring Into Magic!  Save up to 20% on select rooms for stays of 5 or more nights:
  Save up to 20% on select rooms for stays of 5 or more nights.
  Save up to 15% on select rooms for stays of 4 nights.  
  This offer is valid for stays most nights April 16, 2022 through June 5, 2022.  Travel must be completed by June 6, 2022.  Advanced reservations required.  Booking is open now.  Nights must be consecutive.  Limit to 2 rooms per reservation.  The offer is subject to some limitations.  Excludes Suites and 3 bedroom Grand Villas, or previously booked rooms. 
  Book early to enjoy a resort credit:  In addition to the Spring discount, when you book through February 6, 2022 for stays of 4 or more nights with an arrival date of May 1, 2022 through June 1, 2022, your stay will also include a $150 resort credit to use at eligible locations at AULANI Resort.  
• Disney Visa Cardmembers:  Save 25% on select rooms for stays of 5 or more nights this Spring:
  Save 25% on select rooms for stays of 5 or more nights.
  Save 20% on select rooms for stays of 4 nights.
  This offer is valid for stays most nights May 10, 2022 through June 5, 2022.  Travel must be completed by June 6, 2022.  Advanced reservations required.  Booking is now open.  Nights must be consecutive.  Limit to 2 rooms per reservation.  The Disney Visa card member must stay in the room. To book, you must call AULANI Resort at (866) 443-4763 or contact a travel agent.  You must mention the offer when booking and use a valid Disney Visa card or Disney Rewards Redemption card to pay the deposit.  If a valid Disney Visa card is not used, the non-discounted room price will be charged for the duration of the stay.  The offer is subject to some limitations.  Excludes Suites and Villas.  
  Book early to enjoy a resort credit:. In addition to the Disney Visa cardmember discount, when you book through February 6, 2022, for stays of 4 or more nights, your stay will also include a $150 resort credit to use at eligible locations at AULANI Resort.
• Military offer: Eligible members of the U.S. military save up to 30% Sunday through Thursday nights on select rooms at Aulani Resort.
  This offer is valid for select rooms on stays most nights from January 4 through April 7, 2022, with checkout no later than April 8, 2022.  Book now through March 25, 2022.  The offer is subject to some limitations.  Excludes Suites and 3 bedroom Grand Villa.
• Kama’aina offer: Hawaiʻi residents save up to 30% Sunday through Thursday nights on select rooms at Aulani Resort:
  This offer is valid for select rooms on stays most nights from January 4 through April 7, 2022, with checkout no later than April 8, 2022.  Book now through March 25, 2022.  The offer is subject to some limitations.  Excludes Suites and 3 bedroom Grand Villa.

Current DVC offers:

• 10% off selected merchandise
• Members with paid reservations for KA WA’A – A Lū’au get a special Member gift.  Stop by the Concierge desk in the Resort lobby and present your prepaid Lū’au voucher, DVC card, and ID.  One per membership.
• 10% off beach rentals at Makiki Joes, including casabellas.
• Free popcorn bucket refills for length of stay.  You must show your DVC card to the cashier for free refills.  (Since they never change the buckets, you can bring it for later visits)
• One $25 discount on a HoloHolo tour per room/stay.
• 10% off Kapala Ki’i T-shirt stamping.
• 10% off retail items and 10$ off golf clinic at Ko Olina golf course.  Kids play free after 3PM.
• 10% off boat activities at Ko Olina Marina.
• Complimentary DVC member exclusive tour: “Maka’ika’i: Art & Nature Walking Tour of Aulani” (May not be available.  Check Daily ‘Iwa).
• Extra members-exclusive hours for the Menehune Adventure Trail.  7PM-8PM daily.  Hours subject to change.
• Special members pool wristbands.  They’re sparkly, kids love them.
• Early access to Member wristbands at Kawele Korner Elua (towel station near Keiki Cove and Ka Maka Grotto pool).  Opens to DVC members at 8AM.
• 10% off full day cabana rentals.
• 10% off snorkeling at Rainbow Reef.
• 10% off ukulele purchase at the Pau Hana Room’s free-to-all ukulele lessons.

Things that the DVC site lists as current benefits, but are not actually available right now:

• Exclusive, DVC members-only character meet and greet on Tuesdays and Fridays between 7PM and 8PM in the Luana Lounge.
• 10% off instructor-guided photography tours and camera rental.

Are there laundry facilities?
There are 2 self-service laundry facilities at Aulani, both are on the first floor. You purchase tokens for the machines in the laundry room. DVC blue card holders get the tokens for free, but have to go to the front desk and show their card and ID to obtain them. There’s also valet laundry service, there’s a form in your room that you fill out and attach to your clothing. The charges will be billed to your room.

Washers and dryers cost $3 each and detergent is $2. The vending machine is in the laundry room.

We haven’t used them personally, but I’ve been told the wash cycle took ~30 minutes while the drier took ~45 minutes

Is there Disney+ in the rooms?
Nope. The TVs show about 20 cable channels including Disney and Disney Junior, but no Disney+.  Bringing your own device doesn’t seem to work anymore.  There is a way to stream content from your Apple or Android device, as well as most laptops, directly to the TV.  From the TV’s resort menu, click on “Connect My Device”, then follow the instructions.

What’s the best way to handle an early arrival?
Depending on your room type, check-in time is either 3PM or 4PM. Standard rooms and suites are at 3PM while all other rooms are 4PM. It’s uncommon for your room to be ready prior to that time, so if you are arriving prior to that time, be prepared. Regardless of check-in time, you are still welcome to use the pools and all Aulani facilities for the entire day. Upon arrival, stow your bags with the bell desk and check in at at the front desk or one of the desks in the lobby set up to handle those who did online check-in. The cast member will give you your room keys and arrange for you to get a text when your room is ready. Once you have your room key (even though you don’t know which room it goes to yet), you take that key down to the kiosks at the pool to get your wristband that allows you access to the pools for the day.

You may be tempted to use this time to go get groceries to set up the rest of your stay, but if you are planning on getting any perishables, be aware that Aulani no longer provides cold storage for guests. So if you decide to go this route anyway, get a cooler and ice to store your items.

If you’ve been to Aulani pre-COVID, and are expecting to use the Luana Lounge to change into your swimwear, it is currently not available to guests. I recommend the bathrooms across from Hale Manu or near Makahiki. The stalls in the latter are particularly roomy and the bathroom itself is clean and quite nice.

If you have the funds, consider getting a cabana or casabella for the day.  This will give you a guaranteed place to sit and relax by the pools since you room is unlikely to be ready until late afternoon.  The cabanas come with the benefit of curtains that you can close and it may be enough to help members of your group take a nap.

What’s the best way to handle a late departure?
Check-out time is 11:00AM, this presents a problem if you flight home is a red-eye. You can store your bags with the bell desk (there is no cold-storage offered), but what happens after that? You are still welcome to use all Aulani has to offer, including the pools, until your departure.

If you’ve been to Aulani pre-COVID, and are expecting to use the Luana Lounge to change out of your swimwear, it is currently not available to guests. I recommend the bathrooms across from Hale Manu or near Makahiki. The stalls in the latter are particularly roomy and the bathroom itself is clean and quite nice. To deal with your wet swimsuits, consider drying them in Aulani’s laundry facilities.

Don’t forget to take into account Oahu’s lousy traffic. Make sure to check with Google’s mapping software to see how long it is estimated for you to go between Aulani and the airport on your given time/day, but be aware one single fender bender tends to bring our traffic to a crawl, so be sure to allow yourself plenty of travel time.

Once you get to the airport, there is a lounge reserved for guests coming from Aulani and the neighboring Marriott and Ko’olina Beach Villages resorts. There isn’t much listed in terms of amenities here, but it appears to be a quiet place to relax before your flight. A reservation is required. https://www.koolinalounge.com/.   There is a two hour limit.

Does Aulani have photopass?
Yes, Aulani does have photo pass, the cost is $99. There are photopass photographers all around the resort, they wander so you won’t always find them in the same places. You can ask at the front desk and they will show you were the photographers typically can be found. You only need one member of your group to purchase the package and the photos are all downloadable (they give you a code), no prints are made. The package includes limited sunset on the beach photos and all character photos (excluding character meals). Be aware photopass photographers are no longer allowed to use your own phone to take pictures of you.

Can I use my Magic Bands there?
While not official yet, Magic bands are slowly being integrated. We brought some old bands and were able to open the door to our room and make a few purchases at kiosks with our bands. Many cast members didn’t seem to know about it yet and were surprised when the purchase went through. We had to convince the cast members to even let us try.

Are Aulani’s pools heated?
Aulani claims that all swimming pools are heated to between 82 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit, but on breezy days, the pools feel much colder. Hot tubs/spas are between 100 and 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The tropical fish lagoon, Rainbow Reef, is kept around 77 degrees Fahrenheit for the safety of the fish.

What are my grocery/food delivery options?

There are several grocery/food delivery options, but be aware that in all cases, the delivery drivers are not allowed in the hotel, so you will need to meet them in front of the hotel (near the valet desk).

• Instacart: Instacart allows you to order from Costco, Sam’s Club, Target, Safeway, Foodland, Times, and a few other assorted locations. Enter Aulani’s address “92-1185 Ali’inui Dr, Kapolei, HI 96707” for the delivery location and then in the delivery instructions section, write something along the lines of “Call me when you arrive outside the lobby.” For both Costco and Sam’s, you do not need a membership there to order through instacart, but be aware you will be charged more.
• Amazon Whole Foods: Unfortunately, Amazon Prime and Amazon Fresh don’t deliver to the resort, but if groceries are all you need, you can order from Whole Foods and get that delivered. Note that they will not let you order alcohol, so if you want that as part of your order, you need to pick a different option.
• Costco: While this looks like you are ordering directly from Costco, it’s really Instacart. Enter Aulani’s zip code “96707” to get started. There’s a $35 minimum order requirement. 2 day delivery of non-perishables is not available. You’re better off using Instacart to shop here.
• Shipt: Enter Aulani’s zip code “96707” to get started. The food related options are Target, Safeway, and Times.
• Safeway: Like Shipt, enter Aulani’s zip code “96707” to get started.
• DoorDash: Enter in “Aulani” for the delivery location and select the resort from the resulting drop-down menu to see your takeout dining options.
• Uber Eats: Like DoorDash, type “Aulani” for the location and select the resort from the resulting drop-down menu and go from there.
• Grubhub: Not quite as slick as the DoorDash or Uber Eats, Grubhub requires the resort address, so paste “92-1185 Ali’inui Dr, Kapolei, HI 96707” into the location to see your options.

What are the rules regarding masks?

Aulani, along with the state of Hawai’i, no longer require masks anywhere, but many locals still wear them.

When can I make dining/spa/cabana/luau reservations?
Dining: reservations can be made starting at 30 days out from your stay.
Spa: reservations are currently not being accepted.
Cabanas: While the policy use to be that there was no limit on how far in advance you can book as long as you had an existing room reservation, my understanding is the policy recently changed to 90 days. 
Luau: reservations can be made up to 7 months out. A room reservation is not required.