Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

“A Joyful Place to Stay”

Aulani is our favorite place to stay in Oahu. It is always cheerful and clean. All the team members have the biggest smile on their faces. They are always helpful and professional. The room is well maintained and very comfortable. We absolutely love the view of the ocean and the pool, and the beaut… more

Aulani is our favorite place to stay in Oahu. It is always cheerful and clean. All the team members have the biggest smile on their faces. They are always helpful and professional. The room is well maintained and very comfortable. We absolutely love the view of the ocean and the pool, and the beautiful sunset. We are looking forward to visiting again.

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“Disney Name, Lackluster Experience—Aulani Disappoints”

This was our first time staying at Disney’s Aulani Resort on Oahu, and while we had high expectations, the experience left us fairly disappointed. Unfortunately, it feels like we were paying for the Disney name rather than the quality of the resort itself. The food quality was particularly disappo… more

This was our first time staying at Disney’s Aulani Resort on Oahu, and while we had high expectations, the experience left us fairly disappointed. Unfortunately, it feels like we were paying for the Disney name rather than the quality of the resort itself. The food quality was particularly disappointing—some of it was practically inedible, and it seemed like it had been microwaved, even at the mid- to higher-end restaurants. It was also difficult to find seating at the pool areas. For instance, most chairs are full by 9 am. And good luck finding a few seats together. The trick we were told is to put towels down at 7 a.m. and then to keep moving them around within each hour so the staff doesn’t flag them as being unused. What a fun way to experience a vacation. There was also no room service. Booking the character breakfast was nearly impossible unless done 30 days in advance within a very short window, though we were able to line up at the restaurant at 6:45 am to get a reservation two hours later (though that is not guaranteed). The rooms were basic, though the beds were comfortable. On the positive side, the staff were all very friendly and welcoming, with the warm Disney smiles we’ve come to expect. The lagoon was also a nice feature, offering calm waters perfect for relaxing, and the pool area, including the waterslides, was enjoyable. The lobby architecture is really nice as well, though we spent almost no time there. However, the food quality was really crappy. Denny’s would probably top any of the meals we had. And expect to pay an ultra-high premium for subpar dining. For example, at the grab-and-go breakfast spot, we paid $70 for a few bagel sandwiches and some eggs for a family of four. If this weren’t a Disney-branded resort, there would be absolutely no hype. It would likely be ranked as a three-star hotel. In the end, Aulani seemed to be more about the Disney brand than delivering a truly exceptional experience.

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