Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, is located in beautiful Ko Olina, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu. Much more than just a typical Hawaiian timeshare in a white building, Aulani is steeped in the culture of Hawaii. From the architecture, to the food, the activities, and the design of Waikolohe Valley. You aren’t at a resort at any beach in the world, you are IN HAWAII, no mistake. What is there for adults? We took a trip in November of 2021. Here are some of the highlights.
Drinks
My one gripe is that they don’t start serving alcohol until 10 AM. On vacation, that’s practically the afternoon in Drinking Time. But they do have really good drinks. My favorite was the Liliko ‘i-lada. They will come out to you where you’re sitting by the pool, or you can go up to the counter to order. In Hawaii, all of the beaches are public access. This means no alcohol (or food) is served on the beach. If you’re a DVC member, the ‘Olelo Room has a specialty DVC drink.
If you’d like to take something to your room, Kalepa’s Store has some bottled alcohol for sale including some interesting Hawaiian-themed wines.
Food
You can always stop by the Ulu Cafe for a quick bite to eat, or the Wailana Pool Bar for a good burger. But for nicer meals, check out ‘Olelo Room for some tapas or Makahiki. When it finally re-opens, ‘Ama ‘Ama has the best breakfast! Get the macadamia nut pancakes. I know “they’re just pancakes”, but no. Get them.
Activities
There used to be an adults-only pool. The pool is still there, but it’s open to all ages now. It is a bit more “boring” compared to the main pool and it’s hidden around the corner behind Ulu Cafe, so there weren’t any kids each time I wandered back there.
If you’re into snorkeling, you might also check out the Rainbow Reef. Hawaii does have some of the best snorkeling in the world, but you do have the option of doing it in an enclosed environment right at your resort.
Even though it’s designed with kids in mind, the Menehune Adventure Trail is actually a lot of fun. This is great for a time where you have a reservation coming up and you don’t want to get wet or into a swimsuit, but you have some time to kill. It helps you explore the valley, learn about Hawaiian culture, and notice things you might not have noticed when just walking past to the bar. Plus it’s cool to click a button and make things happen in front of you.
I also recommend walking around in the early morning. Back home in Alabama, I’m normally awake by 6:30 AM. Which coupled with the time change and my excitement to be in beautiful Hawaii, meant I was awake the first day at 1:30 AM. After lying there about 4 hours, I made some coffee, got out of the room, and walked around the resort. It’s absolutely beautiful this time of day.