Disney Aulani Tips & Ways to Save

Have you stayed at Disney Aulani on Oahu before? What tips would you share for staying? 


We live on Oahu and we are stationed here with the military -- Go Navy!  Disney Aulani is about 25 minutes from our house. Our kids love love going for a little staycation when we're able! Here are some tips and Aulani stay ideas that I'd like to offer up. We love to save money where we can...

1. Bring food if you can! 

The food is expensive at Aulani. Every room has a fridge, even the standard rooms have a decent sized mini fridge. We always bring snacks, yogurts, drinks, sometimes a little milk and cereal for easy breakfast in the morning. We splurge for things like "Mickey shave ice" (with ice cream underneath) 🍧 -- $6.25 for one. But, thankfully, it's big enough to share!  

We love to get Dole Whip sometimes from the Ulu Cafe.

An adult chicken tender meal comes with several tenders, fries and dip for $16 at the Ulu Cafe. My kids like it and it's plenty to share if we have other snacks as well.


2. Pack light. 

I made the mistake of packing a lot of clothes and extras the first time we came, but it turns out we really only need a couple bathing suits to trade out each day, toiletries and food/ snacks. 

Maybe you'd want to pack an outfit for enjoying a nice meal out if you want to do that. There are sit down restaurants at Aulani and Monkeypod and other good restaurants within close walking distance. 

3. Check out the Pau Hana activity room!

The room opens at 10am. It's where you can  pick up free craft packs for the kids, and do the "Menehune Trail" interactive game around the resort (from 11am to 8pm each day). My kids loved the hunt with their own iPad (the Pau Hana room lends them out for free) to guide them through the game. It's really cool to see all the interactive pieces around the resort. There are features that light up and make noise, features that shoot water and even rocks that move.

You can also sign up to make fancy Hawaiian style Mickey ears. A lot of people like to do this. Finally, there are two other treasure hunts on paper that you can complete at the resort from the Pau Hana room. Just ask!

3. Keep your eyes peeled!  

Enjoy all the hidden creatures in the rocks around the pools and water features and there are little Menehune (think leprechauns, but Hawaiian) hidden around the resort, in the elevators, etc... It's fun to spot everything with the kids. 

5. Check the sunset time

So you can enjoy a sunset from the lagoon!  The perfect way to wrap up a fun Aulani day with your family. ❤


6. On your room TV look for the "Disney bedtime stories" channel. Right now you can choose from 4 or 5 different bedtime stories. They are around 12 minutes in length and my kids loved the novely of a Disney story read to them on the television! 



 Mahalo (thank you!) for reading!















<script data-ad-client="ca-pub-3155612495653989" async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Secret Island -- Gorgeous spot looking at Kualoa Ranch

Image
This spot on Oahu takes your breath away!     Have you wondered how to find it?    Here's a quick guide to get there... Enter Kualoa Regional Park in Kaneohe, across from Kualoa Ranch. The park opens at 7am each day. I recommend going as close to 7am as you can or after 3pm. Follow the road in, you'll pass several parking lots on your left and you'll see Chinaman's Hat on your left.  On your right you'll approach a dirt road, turn onto it and follow it to a building with a bathroom. Park in that gravel parking lot by the bathrooms, campsites and other buildings. Walk towards the beach and follow the path to your right (or walk along the beach) until you reach a covered picnic area with long tables. Head around the picnic area and follow the trail to the other side of the island, you'll come upon 3 separate docks that face the Kualoa Ranch on Moli'i Pond. Do not try to go and see this lovely spot between 8am and 3pm as it is being used by Kualoa...
Read more

Pu'u Ohulehule hike! (AKA pride rock)

Image
If you don't mind some heights and a good climb, I'd recommend this quick hike, about a mile up to what people like to call "pride rock" as seen in this picture. Pu'u Ohulehule is a great shaded hike and you only need to go about a mile to get to the rock viewpoint.  You can continue on from that point. See the free AllTrails App for more information on continuing the trail Park near 48 Haupoa Street in Kaneohe. It was easy to park there, no other cars on a Friday afternoon at 130pm and we quickly found the trailhead behind the concrete barrier in the picture below at the very end of Haupoa.  Please be respectful of how you park and be quiet as it is a residential area. The trail was very well marked the whole way with little pink tie on markers. There's some ropes and even a hose tied up next to the steep parts if you want to use them. Not always needed. After we hiked we stopped at this super close "Waiahole Poi Factory" roadside eatery. They gave ...
Read more

Gunstock Ranch on the North Shore

Image
Have you ever been out to the Gunstock Ranch? Have you wanted to have a fun horseback riding experience? This is a great choice in a gorgeous setting! "Situated on Oahu’s picturesque North Shore, Gunstock Ranch offers an authentic Hawaiian experience far away from the big crowds and up close with nature. We keep our tours small and intimate so you can have an unforgettable experience with your family and friends. At Gunstock, you can choose from Hawaii eco-tours, horseback rides, tree plantings, and exciting off-road adventures. Come be a part of our Ohana and check out our trails today!" (Via Gunstock Ranch website) My family went out to Gunstock Ranch this past August, we had purchased a keiki ride online for our 2 kids and we were offered a 10% kamaina discount or military discount.   It was a nice drive along the North Shore to arrive, easy to find following our GPS and we pulled into a large grassy parking lot near the horse stables. Our kids were thrilled ...
Read more