Aulani, Disney Villas

Customer Ratings & Reviews

TripAdvisor Traveler Rating

7241 reviews

• 

  Beautiful, crowded resort with questionable elevator function

  This was our third time staying at Aulani. We are DVC members and used points to book a 2 BR lockoff ocean view villa. The resort was beautiful as usual, and our room was clean. We were there right after New Years, so it started out extremely crowded and slightly tapered off as the days went by. Aulani is always full of families and small children, and the pool chair competition is fierce no matter when you go. Very few seats open up during the day so if you don’t get out there early, you will likely be out of luck. At times, the pools were extremely full, and we counted as many as 30 people (yes, 30!) in the hot tub by the infinity pool at one point. If you want a relaxing time at the pool, I would not recommend Aulani. Staff was always welcoming and friendly! Food is expensive but decent. Loved the malasadas at The Olelo Room. Unfortunately, our stay was marred by a serious safety issue. We were trapped in an elevator on the 11th floor for 55 minutes after a brief power outage, which was extremely stressful. During that time, we were told via the operator on the emergency line in the elevator that they were waiting for the elevator technician to arrive (none of us had cell service). Aulani security showed up to communicate with us through the elevator doors to make sure we didn’t have any emergencies (there were 11 of us trapped, including two young children). There was no A/C in the elevator, so as time went on, it got very hot but luckily no one had a medical event while trapped. What was most disappointing was the resort’s response afterward. We went down to speak with the manager later that evening, who offered an explanation (power went out) and then nothing beyond a brief verbal apology. Even Monkeypod (where we were a little late getting to our dinner reservation due to this incident) gave us free food after we told our waitress what had happened. How a resort handles issues like these matters; especially a resort that prides itself on guest satisfaction and service. I got the impression that elevator issues happen frequently there (this isn't the first time at Aulani that we have questioned elevator safety and function) and that they were hesitant to admit to any responsibility of us being trapped for so long. We love Disney but the next time we come to Ko Olina we may try out one of the other resorts.

  Jan 19, 2026
• 

  magic and outstanding service

  Our family just returned from an unforgettable stay at Disney’s Aulani Resort, and we cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience. Traveling with our son, it meant everything to find a place that truly felt magical for the whole family and Aulani exceeded every expectation. The luau was absolutely amazing beautifully done, engaging, and such a special way to experience Hawaiian culture. The pools and water slides were a huge hit for all of us, offering the perfect mix of fun and relaxation. Seeing Disney characters throughout the resort brought so much joy to our son and made the experience feel truly magical. What stood out most, though, was the exceptional staff. We accidentally forgot our son’s baby blanket—the one he sleeps with every night—and understandably panicked. The lost and found and housekeeping teams were absolutely incredible. Their communication was clear, kind, and prompt, and they worked efficiently to locate the blanket and send it back to us. We are beyond grateful for their care and compassion during a stressful moment. Aulani is more than just a resort—it’s an experience filled with heart, magic, and outstanding service. We are so thankful for the memories made and cannot wait to return. 💙✨

  Jan 16, 2026
• 

  Some tips for Aulani

  Stayed 8 nights in December, split stay. 6 in an island garden room, Ewa tower, 2 bedroom and then two nights in a standard one bedroom in the Ewa tower. We are DVC owners. Just love this place. But if you don’t like crowds/kids this might not be the place for you. Relatively secluded in a glorious part of Oahu. We didn’t experience any of the deck chair rage you get. But the front row seats and seats that face the ocean are claimed all day. There are signs saying you have to occupy them. It must be a minefield for staff policing them. It’s survival of the fittest out there. We just went out on the beach or wherever we could find a seat. I like the heated pool that is over 18 only. They do need two of them though. It gets very crowded around sunset. But just have some tips re staying there… Don’t go in the school holidays… Need to watch when you go. It rained for 3 days very heavily on our last few days in mid December. Probably not possible to avoid rain entirely in Hawaii... Do your research on this. Room location I like the Ewa tower, ground floor as it looks over the luau and you get a free show from your room (usually $170 pp). These are Island garden rooms. I wouldn’t stay in 160 again. My bedroom was very dark due to the trees and I had the lights on all day and all night. A lot of the higher point rooms are also affected by trees growing in front of them. The island garden rooms are the best value for the luau. If you go for the standard room the Ewa short or lobby wings are good. They overlook the conference centre (see my attached photos for the view) but floors 3 to 5 would be fine. We stayed in a one bedroom standard for a couple of nights on level 5. Search up aulani visual room finder to get an idea of the room categories. I usually also download a map of aulani and then send a room request to member services. Transport I would hire a car next time if at Aulani, (even though we don’t drive on that side of the road 😲 so would be a leap of faith). I was going to hire an Enterprise rental car as they have an office onsite at Aulani. Only open 8-1pm for pick up. It was about $75 a day but if you book through Costco you get free additional drivers. If you are prepared to catch an uber I saw some rental car companies quoting $39 a day. You can book a free shopping mall shuttle to get down to the local Kamakanaalii outdoor shopping mall and there’s a Foodland Farms grocery store is there. It’s about a 15 minute drive. The shuttle is part of the shopping mall service and you book online. Concierge has the times on a flyer. There's a small Macys, Cheesecake Factory etc. For uber search for Macy’s Kapolei. There’s a Hampton Inn at that shopping centre too. If I didn’t have enough points or wanted to stay for a couple of nights nearby I think I’d try that hotel. (it’s not that cheap either though…) Food Options The walk way around the lagoons is just glorious, especially in the mornings. Sunsets are beautiful too, from the adult heated pool. I enjoyed Longhis cafe at the Marriott for breakfast, to be honest although Off the Hook at Aulani is good for the ribs. Yum. We were going to try Four Seasons next door for buffet breakfast on our last day but ran out of time. Not cheap, $59++. Looked good though if you take your time there... Monkeypod restaurant over the road is good but just as expensive as inside Aulani There’s a fabulous restaurant called Mahi'ai Table next to Foodland Farms grocery store, Kapolei (nb its the Foodland Farms near the Kamakanaalii Mall, NOT the Foodlands branch closer by at the local stripmall. We got an uber to the wrong Foodlands Farms one time). They have happy hour from 2-6pm every day and the food is really good and won’t bankrupt you. We booked the shuttle there and back one day! The abc convenience store across the road from Aulani is ok, expensive though. Apparently the Roys restaurant at the Koolina golf club across the road also has happy hour but not sure of the details as didn’t make it there. In summary I think since I’ve been there 4x, I would save my DVC points and try and stay in a standard room. Also I would rent a car and get food offsite at Foodland Farms or Target/Walmart.

  Jan 07, 2026
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  Amazing day with my daughter after HNL Marathon

  We went to the spa for the day and had an incredible time. I can't wait to go back. We arrived at the valet and they were super kind about free valet for spa services and super helpful to direct us where to go. the spa was super personalized with a great tour and the facials and massage were incredible. So many pools and quiet rooms to try out in the garden area and inside. Wonderful assortment of snacks and drinks. Prices seemed very good for the quality of the experience.

  Jan 07, 2026
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  Avoid, avoid, avoid.

  We had a terrible time at the hotel. After four days at the four seasons, which is amazing we came here for one night. The two can’t even be compared. At the Disney resort, be prepared to queue for towels, queue to drop your kids off at the kids club, queue to pick them up at the kids club, queue to check in. I thought that I had booked a pair of queen beds, but it turned out that was apparently just classified as a request, so we ended up with the sofa bed and the king. This meant that we spent the night paying $1000 for a brown nylon blanket as the sofa bed doesn’t even come with proper linens. The staff are all very nice, but unfortunately the hotel is a massive miss for us, a classic Disney situation where they rip you off at every avenue. I also didn’t enjoy the fact that around the pool families are just Bringing in packets of chips, cool boxes etc. I do understand why because it’s overpriced rubbish in the restaurants but at the same time, the atmosphere isn’t good. The hot tubs are absolutely full, you can’t make your way through the sunbeds because they pack them like sardines. Also, didn’t spot a single character in the whole time we were there. Would highly recommend avoiding this hotel at all costs.

  Jan 02, 2026