disney, Hawaii, Review, travel

Disney Magic in Hawaii: Our Family’s Stay at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

When we booked our trip to Hawaii, we knew we wanted to stay at Aulani to bring a little Disney magic into our island vacation.

This trip had actually been on our hearts for years,we originally planned it back in 2020. As we all know, the world paused during that time, so finally getting to take the trip we had been dreaming about for so long made it feel even more special.

We love Disney, the storytelling, the details, the customer service, but if you’ve stayed at Disney resorts before, you probably know that rooms can sometimes feel a bit on the smaller side.

Because of that, when we travel as a family, we often choose “good neighbor” hotels so we have a little more space to spread out.

So when we booked Aulani, we went in expecting a smaller room…

…but we were honestly so surprised.

Our room felt huge!!

It was easily one of the largest Disney resort rooms we’ve ever stayed in, and the layout made it even more functional for our family.

Everything about the setup just worked:

  • Plenty of space to spread out luggage
  • A table and chairs that made the room feel livable (not just a place to sleep)
  • Beds positioned perfectly for both comfort and function

One of my favorite memories from our stay was simply sitting on the balcony in the morning, sipping coffee, and taking in the ocean views.

We also loved that the closet was large enough to hold most of our luggage. That might sound like a small thing, but it made such a difference in keeping the room feeling calm and uncluttered.

Okay… the bathtub deserves its own moment.

It was one of the biggest hotel tubs we’ve ever had and after long days at the pool and beach, it felt incredibly luxurious.

The entire bathroom space just felt elevated and relaxing, which added so much to the overall experience.

Aulani really shines with the thoughtful little details that turn a stay into something memorable.

A few of our favorites:

  • A beautiful towel “creation” from housekeeping waiting on one of the beds
  • A personalized welcome on the TV saying “Ohana [and our Family Name]”
  • Flower hair clip with a notepad and pen between the beds
  • In room coffee (which I fully enjoyed each morning on the lanai ☕🌺) they were Mickey K cups !!
  • The mobile room key with a magical star effect,such a fun little “pixie dust” moment for our whole family!
  • Having our wooden surfboard signed by all the Disney cast ❤️

It’s those small touches that make Disney feel so magical ❤️

Our only regret?

Not staying longer.

From the spacious room to the thoughtful details, staying at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa completely exceeded our expectations.

We’re already dreaming about going back and next time, we’ll definitely be planning a longer stay.

Check out our reels of our stay ⬇️

📌 Pro Tips for Your Stay

If you’re booking a garden room at Aulani, try requesting:

  • A higher floor for better views
  • A garden/pool-facing room
  • A location in either Ewa Tower (quieter) or Waianae Tower (closer to pools)

✨Check the character phone line from your room to see where the characters will be and what time . This is a huge time saver!

✨Utilize mobile ordering to limit waiting in line. The lines can get long and who wants to wait in line when you’re in such a beautiful place!

✨Skip Valet and park in the adjoining garage after you drop off your bags . We noticed several guest who were told their cars were not starting when they had already checked out and were waiting for them . We think it might be something that triggers the rental cars and won’t allow them to start , so just skip the valet and go park yourself.

Whether you’re planning your first stay at Aulani or dreaming about a future Hawaiian getaway, I hope our family’s experience gives you a glimpse of the magic that awaits. If this post helped you, be sure to save it for later, share it with someone planning a trip to Hawaii, and let me know your favorite part of Aulani in the comments. I’d love to hear from you! 🌺✨

Be sure to check out our other Hawaii and Aulani guides for tips on making the most of your stay… from resort favorites to the best family adventures around Oahu.


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