Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa

Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko’Olina, Hawaii, is one of the most beautiful and relaxing Disney Vacations. It isn’t just a hotel – it’s also a water park and a wonderful spa unlike any other.

Ko’Olina is on the west side of the island of Oahu, which is the same island as the Honolulu airport (HNL). I don’t have to tell you why you’d want to visit Hawaii, but why should you want to stay at Aulani specifically? There are many other options, also on the beach, even on the very same lagoon. Aulani has wonderful food, but so do some other resorts. Aulani has a wonderful beach, but so do others. Aulani has an absolutely outstanding spa, Laniwai. Presumably some other resorts do, too. But what sets Aulani apart is typical of Disney: the story-telling. Here, Hawaii is first. This might be the only property where Mickey is second. He and his pals are guests here in Hawaii, too.

From the second you pull up to the front door, you are part of Hawaii. I was able to visit in 2016. You’re greeted with leis. Flowers for the women and kakui nuts for the men. Fresh water after your long flight with a tropical fruit flavor. Assistance with your bags as you walk into the open-air lobby. The beautiful stone-patterned floor, the arched ceiling, the wood work, the beautiful murals, and the warm Hawaiian ocean breeze. Obviously the cast members are the most polite people you’ve ever met – as though they were waiting JUST for you to arrive and take you to your room in one of the two towers. Which is, of course, perfectly themed to the rest of the resort. Even the elevator music is Hawaiian – classic Disney songs in Hawaiian, that is! (It’s possible I bought this CD and listened to it on repeat on my commute for weeks…).

As soon as you get to the room, you throw open the balcony doors to your view and listen to the sounds and smell that ocean air. If you arrived during the day, you certainly saw Waikolohe Valley from the lobby. Even though you’re starving from the 5+ hour flight, you absolutely MUST run down, get your wrist-band, and hop in the zero-entrance pool. No wait, the lazy river! No wait, the adults-only pool. No wait, the ocean! No wait, there’s Little ‘Opihi’s right on the beach and they have dole whip! …you get the picture.

My point is, this isn’t just some place to put your body at night. Aulani IS the dream Hawaiian vacation.

To view this e-brochure in a new tab, simply use this direct link, which also has my contact information: https://www.disneytravelcenter.com/ebf699e249/