Things to do at Aulani during your Hawaiian vacation

A look at all of the things to do at Aulani, A Disney Resort and Spa – including daily offerings, excursions, and more:

Aulani, Disney’s Hawaiian resort, is a beautiful place to spend a vacation. There are plenty of opportunities to relax, swim in the ocean and the pools, and eat some good food. But if you’re there for more than a day or two (and hopefully you are!), what else might there be to do?

Aulani has lots of daily activities they offer around the resort, and you can view these in the Aulani app. The schedule each day changes, though some things are consistent day-to-day. Some are free with your stay and some are an extra fee. There are plenty of things to do at Aulani!

So if you’re not planning to spend the whole time in a beach chair (no judgement if you do!), what else should you explore? I’m sharing all of the activities you can do at Aulani! Many of these I did get a chance to experience myself, so I’ll share some firsthand insights too.

Māka‘ika‘i: The Art of Aulani tour, and the Nature and Wildlife of Aulani tour – One of our favorite activities we did at Aulani was the nature tour and the art tour! Uncle Mahina led both of these and he was just full of knowledge. We learned so much in each and had a great time exploring all the small details of Aulani.

‘Ukulele Lessons – this is included with your stay at Aulani, but you do need reservations – and it’s one of the hardest to get. For that reason, I wasn’t able to personally experience it! But if you manage to snag a reservation, it’s a great experience for all ages to spend 45 minutes learning some basic chords and songs on the ukulele.

Mo’olelo Fire Pit Storytelling – these are short opportunities to hear some authentic Hawaiian stories and folktales. I highlight recommend this to all ages, as Uncle Mahina was a gifted and engaging storyteller. It was fascinating to learn some of the different stories of Hawaiian culture.

‘Ohana Hula at Kipuka Lawn – Learn the history of hula as an art form and try out some dance moves yourself. This is included, but typically only offered once a week (I didn’t get to experience it for that reason!).

‘Imi Loa Nāa Hōkū ($) – This is a stargazing experience with a local expert who will walk you through what you can see in the night sky. You also have the opportunity to look through a powerful telescope and see many details yourself. Aulani is a great place to observe the stars, because the sky is so clear. It is an extra fee, but it was a really cool experience. I felt like I learned a lot. The guide’s telescope was also able to take photos, and he emailed all of these to us at the end of the talk. It’s usually offered 3 times a night, and while kids are welcome at the first two, the last one is adults only.

Aulani Lei Hiwahiwa – this looks to be a new offering this year, as it was not available when I visited (and might just be a limited time). It is a free, special hula presentation in honor of Aulani’s 10 year anniversary.

Papa Olelo Hawai’i (Hawaiian Language class) – Learn the basics and history of the Hawaiian language. This one is not offered that often, so if you don’t see it when you visit be sure to still stop by the Olelo Room.  “Olelo” means “word” in Hawaiian, and the bar has some really cool sculptures to teach Hawaiian words and the alphabet. 

Menehune Adventure Trail – This is a fun little activity (mostly meant for kids, but like many Disney things it’s enjoyable for all ages!). You stop by the community room to pick up a tablet that you get for an hour. You are told to go to a certain spot, and then you have to do something with the tablet at that location (answer a question, solve a puzzle, etc). Once you do that, some sort of effect happens in “real life” – this included a torch lighting up, a stream of turtles swimming by, etc. I had fun doing this, but it did get a little repetitive after awhile. I imagine kids would love it!

Fitness classes

• Seaside pilates ($)
• Paddleboard yoga ($)
• Paddleboard Fitness ($)
• Sunrise Yoga ($)
• Seaside Stretch
• Beach Boot Camp
• Splash & Dash

I did two fitness classes during my time at Aulani, and overall really enjoyed them both. Paddleboard yoga was an amazing experience, and definitely took me out of my comfort zone! I’d done yoga before, but I’d never been on a paddleboard. If you really want a good test of your balance, this is it. I’d also just run a half marathon a few days earlier, so it kicked me in the butt a bit more than I expected!

Splash & Dash was also much more of a workout than I expected. There was a ton of running in the sand, and then a number of workouts in the water. I discovered that my plantar fasciitis did NOT like running in the sand, so I had to sit out for a little bit of that when it got aggravated. But it was a great workout otherwise.

Mikimiki Fitness Center – I actually did not experience the fitness center during my trip because of all the other active things we were able to do in Hawaii. While in Kauai we did some hiking and I ran a half marathon, and then at Aulani I did two of the fitness classes. But if you have something specific you’re training for or need to do, the fitness center will have you covered with all of the basic cardio and weight equipment.

Personal training ($) – If you’re really serious about your fitness on vacation and want that personal touch, there is the option to book personal training sessions. They have certified trainers who will work with whatever you are looking for.

Ko Olina Golf Club ($) – Not technically at Aulani, but right next to it, you’ll find a golf course. They have partnered with Aulani to offer some discounts to guests. You can also schedule golf lessons here.

Laniwai Spa ($) – The full service spa at Aulani, you can choose from a variety of massages, facials, and body treatments. These treatments include access to Kula Wai. We had a couples massage on our anniversary and it was great.

Kula Wai: Outdoor Hydrotherapy Garden – included with any full spa treatment. Unlike the Rainforest Room on Disney Cruise Line, there is no option to only access Kula Wai. I loved relaxing here. It’s a wonderful facility, with several hot tubs, different showers, a steam room, sauna, and spaces for relaxing both inside and outside.

Salon Services ($) – you can also head to the spa if you’d like to get your nails or hair done. These treatments do not include access to Kula Wai.

Painted Sky: HI Style Studio ($) – If younger members of the family want their own pampering, Painted Sky is for ages 3-12 right next door to Laniwai spa. They do makeovers and hairstyling for kids with a number of different options. While you can choose a Moana makeover or a Luau styling, there is also a swimming package, which includes a themed swimsuit and SPF shimmer makeup. 

Pool & Beach Activities:

Shake-A-Shaka Pool Party – Dance, play, and take part in various activities at the pool – some Disney friends may join in the fun, too!

Decades Splash Back Pool Party – Enjoy music from the 70s through today with Disney Friends at this fun pool party.

Rainbow Reef Fish Feeding ($) – Learn about all of the tropical fish at Aulani and see them up close during this activity. You’ll have the chance to feed them from the walkway, and the whole experience takes about 15 minutes.

Beach Rentals ($) – For your time on the beach, you can rent paddleboards or snorkels for a fee. Boogie boards are free to borrow.

Pool areas to explore:

• Waikolohe Pool – the main pool at Aulani. It’s huge, with plenty of space to swim.
• Waikolohe Stream – a lazy river around the edge of the pool.
• Menehune Bridge – a children’s splash and play area.
• Keiki Cove – another splash area for younger kids.
• Ka Maka Grotto – another large family pool closer to the beach.
• Wailana Pool – the adults-only pool.
• Whirlpool Spas – you’ll find 4 of these around the pool areas. One is adults-only.
• Tubestone Curl and Volcanic Vertical – there are two waterslides at the Aulani pools. Tubestone Curl is an open air tube slide, while Volcanic Vertical is a dark, fully-enclosed body slide.

The Beach

Aulani is located right by the water, with a lagoon on the property. It’s a really great space and I enjoyed spending time here (even though I’m not normally much of a beach person!). they have a number of lounge chairs available to use. During our visit in September the water was a perfect temperature and so clear.

Cabana Rentals ($) – If you plan to spend a lot of time at the pools or the beach, there is the option to rent a cabana. They have a variety of sizes, and come with some amenities, including a cabana host. Poolside cabanas need reservations ahead of time and book quickly, while beachside cabanas must be booked the day-of.

‘Ohana Painting Party ($) – Different paintings are featured on different days, but the most common ones included “Under the Stars,” (a silhouette of Mickey and Minnie on the beach) or The Hawaii State Fish. The session takes about 90 minutes total, and you have to be 13 or older to participate. The current cost is $65 per canvas, though you can have up to 3 people at a canvas if you’d like to team up.

Disney Family Fun Animation – take a drawing lesson to learn how to draw some of your favorite Disney characters. It’s included in your stay, but you do need to grab a reservation.

Kāpala Ki’i (T-shirt Stamping) ($) – This t-shirt stamping activity is based on the Hawaiian art of Kapa printing. A tote bag is also an option.

Make your own Mickey Ears ($) – decorate your own Mickey ears with Hawaiian elements at this arts & crafts class. Choose between traditional years or LED light-up ears.

Craft Activity Center – Stop by Aunty’s Beach House (for all ages!) to make a free craft. Crafts might include a bracelet, or kukui nut keychain.

Here are the characters that you can most often find at Aulani:

• Minnie Mouse
• Mickey Mouse
• Goofy
• Max
• Donald Duck
• Daisy Duck
• Chip and Dale
• Pluto
• Moana
• Stitch
• Angel
• Duffy
• Shellie Mae
• ‘Olu Mel

They have a variety of offerings for ages 4-12, plus some activities for teens. The handful of teen activities I saw were free.

Ages 4-12:

• Themed Experiences – crafting, video games, movies
• Surf’s Up! A Surfin’, Fishin’ and Dancin’ Party ($)
• Wayfinding with Moana ($)
• Galactic Games ($)
• Aulani Pictures Presents ($)

Ages 13-17:

• Teen Island Treasure Photo Hunt
• Teen Craft & Game Night

If you were thinking about buying into DVC, they had no shortage of opportunities. I will say that I felt like Aulani was more pushy/salesy with DVC than any other Disney location I’ve been to. It could have just been the handful of cast members I interacted with, but that was my experience. They have a huge space for DVC sales called Hoku’s Hideaway.

Maximize your Membership – Exploring the World – tour a 3-bedroom villa at Aulani and learn more about destinations where you can use your DVC membership.

Coffee and Curiosity – tour the 3-bedroom Grand Villa and attend a 20 minute talk about DVC ownership. This is a sales pitch.

Member Celebration – Only for DVC members, attend this exclusive event with music, a show, and Disney characters.

Ka Wa’a: the Luau

You do get a full meal here, but it’s not the main reason to attend. The Luau is fantastic entertainment and a full dinner show. The whole experience, including some pre-show activities, was around 3 hours long. It’s pricey but really wonderful.

Character breakfast at Makahiki

If you’d like the chance to meet Mickey & friends at Aulani without waiting in many lines or trying to work out your schedule, Makahiki offers a character breakfast. I had the opportunity to meet Mickey, Minnie, Chip, and Dale. The food was delicious, too!

Music at Olelo Room

On certain evenings, the Olelo Room had live music. This was usually a singer with a guitar or ukulele for a few hours, and they would perform in a small area outside on the patio. If you wanted, you could grab and drink and enjoy the music.

Shave Ice

Shave ice is very popular in Hawaii, and Aulani is a great place to try it! You can pick 3 different flavors, and of course it’s shaped like a Mickey head. It’s a pretty huge portion, so you might want to try and share it (if you can agree on 3 flavors with whomever you’re sharing with!).

Celebration Under the Stars – this event, or others like it, usually occurs a few times a month. It’s a get-together for the whole family,

Ohana Movie Nights – head out to the lawn to watch a Disney movie on the big screen. There are also some pre-show activities such as trivia and photo ops.

Pin Trading – stop by at select times throughout the day for pin trading opportunities. These events usually take place at Hoku Hideaway, Pau Hana Room, Kalepa’s Store, or the Lava Shack.

Photos – Aulani does have photopass, and you can find photographers around the resort in various locations, often with fun props. Be sure to head to the beach around sunset for some great shots! Photopass is an additional fee.

Find Menehune – this isn’t an official activity, but we learned on one of the tours that there are a number of “menehune” statues hidden around the resort. The menehune are mischievous creatures from Polynesian folklore. We were told there are several hundred around Aulani – see how many you can spot!

Disney excursions

Not all of these are offered all the time, so be sure to check the schedule. But typically here’s what you can expect to find by booking directly with Aulani. They will include transportation to and from the resort.

• Hale‘iwa Visit
• Hiking at Ko‘olau Mountain or Waimea Valley
• Kapolei Surf Lesson at Eisenhower Beach
• Kayaking at Kailua Beach
• Majestic Circle Island Tour
• Maunalua Bay Beach Park
• Pearl Harbor
• Pua’a ‘Ahiu – The Wild Boar Off-Road Expedition
• Ziplining at Coral Crater Adventure Park

On your own

If you rent a car, there are a number of additional experiences you can do. We actually stayed at Aulani for most of the 4 days we were there, with the only exception being our arrival day. We went to Pearl Harbor before heading to Aulani (so we did this on our own, not through Aulani).

There are so many things to see and do in Hawaii, but here are just a few of the highlights on Oahu that aren’t listed above as part of the Aulani excursions:

• Dole plantation
• Kualoa Ranch
• Polynesian Cultural Center
• Bishop Museum
• Waikiki
• Hiking at Diamond Head Crater

Visit other islands

Finally, I’d strongly at least consider visiting another Hawaiian island. It is easy to get between them – the flights are short and typically cheap. Each island has a different feel and offers different experiences, so you can choose depending on what you would most enjoy.

We spent four days in Kauai before heading to Oahu and Aulani. Kauai was absolutely stunning, and a great place if you are a little more adventurous or want a lot of outdoors experiences. There were many opportunities for hiking, water sports, boat tours, and helicopter tours.

Have you been to Aulani? What activities would you be most interested in trying?