Aulani

Best Age Range: All
Pace Level: Slow
Accessibility Notes: None
Budget Tier: High
Overall Multi-Gen Rating: 3 Generations Approved

Trip Details

Our trip to Aulani Resort in Hawaii had that instant vacation magic – the kind where everyone relaxes a little faster, laughs a little more, and somehow agrees this was a very good idea. From the moment we arrived and felt the warm island welcome, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a stressful, over-scheduled trip. This was going to be pure family fun.

Days flowed easily between the beach, the lazy river, poolside snacks, spontaneous shave ice runs, and just enough exploring to make it feel like an adventure. There was always something to do, but never pressure to do it – in a resort so stunning that we never really felt the need to leave. Gigi could soak in the sunshine and scenery, the parents could actually relax (a rare vacation win), and the Captain Go-Go was completely in his element — sandy, happy, and fully worn out by bedtime.

It’s the kind of place where memories happen naturally. No complicated logistics, no constant planning — just sunshine, ocean breezes, and that special feeling of being together somewhere that felt both exciting and wonderfully easy.

The Grandparent Take

Grandparent Review (Gigi’s 70th Birthday Trip 🎉)

Traveling to Aulani to celebrate my 70th birthday turned out to be the perfect way to mark such a special milestone. From the moment I checked in and received my birthday pin, the entire stay felt festive. Staff members noticed it everywhere we went and made a point to wish me a happy birthday – such a simple gesture, but it truly made the celebration feel personal and joyful.

The beach was one of my absolute favorite parts of the trip. Soft sand, gentle water, and never overly crowded. It felt safe, peaceful, and easy to enjoy at my own pace. In fact, I should have spent more time just bobbing in the water and soaking it all in – it may be the best beach I’ve ever experienced. Right nearby was the casual beachside restaurant, which quickly became my favorite place to eat. Relaxed, scenic, and delicious – exactly what vacation dining should be. And the sunsets… simply breathtaking. Each evening felt like its own little celebration.

The resort itself is beautifully landscaped and impeccably maintained. Everything feels lush, intentional, and welcoming. The pools were pleasantly uncrowded, with plenty of lounge chairs so there was never any rush or stress to “claim a spot.” My favorite was the pool with the grotto – a fun and peaceful place to spend the afternoon. There were also so many characters around the resort, and the photo opportunities were very well organized, making it easy to enjoy the interactions without long waits or confusion.

One of the most meaningful parts of the trip was being able to spend special time with my grandson. The resort layout made it easy for me to watch him on my own so his parents could enjoy a much-needed date night. That sense of safety and ease made a big difference and allowed all of us to fully enjoy the celebration.

Our villa accommodations were just right for our group. With two bedrooms, a comfortable living area, and a kitchen, we had space to gather together and space to retreat when needed. My room was especially lovely – a large bedroom with two queen beds, a spacious bathroom, balcony access, and a beautiful ocean view. It was quiet and well sound-insulated, which made resting and recharging effortless.

As a bonus, there was a great supermarket conveniently located across the street – perfect for picking up snacks or anything we might have forgotten. Overall, Aulani struck the perfect balance of festive and relaxing, lively yet never overwhelming. For a milestone birthday surrounded by family, I truly couldn’t have imagined a better place.

The Parent Take

Parent Review

From a parent perspective, Aulani Resort felt like a vacation where we could truly relax without constantly being “on alert.” The resort is incredibly well designed for families — safe, contained, and easy to navigate, which gave us real peace of mind with toddlers in tow. The pools and water areas are a standout highlight (honestly some of the best we’ve experienced anywhere), offering something for every energy level, from splash zones to lazy drifting afternoons, even with a mixture of weather each day.

The food quality was consistently great, with enough variety to keep everyone happy, and our room layout made a huge difference in overall comfort for the entire group. Having defined spaces to sleep, unwind, and manage nap schedules helped the whole trip run more smoothly. What really elevated the stay, though, was the staff. They were genuinely kind, patient with little ones, and repeatedly went out of their way to make moments feel special and easy.

One of our favorite parent moments was sneaking away for a date night. We enjoyed a delicious and memorable dinner across the street from the resort, which felt like the perfect little “grown-up outing” without needing to venture far. Afterward, we quickly made our way back to The ‘Ōlelo Room for cocktails and desserts — a relaxed, beautiful setting with traditional live music that still felt connected to the magic of the resort. From there, we headed to the grotto pool for a sunset swim, which honestly felt like something out of a movie. Finishing the evening at the adults-only pool under the stars was the perfect quiet exhale and a reminder that this resort truly allows space for parents to recharge, too.

One thing we chose not to do this trip was the resort luau. Based on other reviews and our own parenting instincts, we worried Captain Go-Go might be a bit too young to fully enjoy it – and to sit through the full experience so we could enjoy it too. The time change also had us cautious about committing to a later evening dining event. That said, if we return (and we absolutely hope to), attending the luau would be high on our list. Bonus tip: if you’re able to book your room and request a view of the luau lawn, you can still enjoy a perfect vantage point of the show from your balcony. It’s a wonderful way to take in the music, atmosphere, and beauty of the performance while keeping to an early bedtime routine for little travelers.

A few realities to plan for: the long travel time can be challenging with toddlers — but with preparation, it’s absolutely doable and worth it. Reservations for dining and certain experiences also need to be made in advance, so setting calendar reminders (or partnering with a travel advisor to handle timing) is key. The resort is somewhat removed from other parts of the island, which isn’t a downside if you’re treating Aulani as the main destination. We chose to Uber from the airport, then rent a car for the second half of our stay to explore a bit more. It worked well logistically, but we did feel like it pulled time away from fully enjoying everything the resort itself had to offer.

👨‍👩‍👧 Parent tip: bring a fun option for character signatures around the resort. The resort is amazing a providing scheduled and unscheduled opportunities to meet your favorite Disney characters, and it was a highlight of our trip getting to meet Moana by the beach and running into Chip and Dale when hopping out of the pool. This small surfboard turned out to be the perfect option for gathering signatures – and made a wonderful keepsake of our trip. You can buy one at the market across the street from the hotel, or plan in advance and buy one here to save time and a little money. Make sure you bring your signature board or album and small marker or pen with you when you are walking around – we just threw ours in our beach bag for the day!

The Kid Take

Toddler Review

This place was VERY fun. There was so much water. Like… so much. Big splashy play areas where I could run, climb, get soaked, and do it all again. The big water play area was for little kids only, which made me feel very important. The beach was also very good — soft sand for digging and gentle waves in the little cove that didn’t try to knock me over every five seconds. I approved. My parents brought along my lifejacket in their suitcase, but the hotel also had lots of their own that I could borrow.

The food situation was strong. Chicken fingers were always available when I needed them, which was often. Every morning, they had GIANT muffins and I can tell you, they were amazing. And messy. There were also magical cold pineapple treats called Dole Whips that appeared whenever the grown-ups said yes. I recommend saying yes. One night we even had pizza on the beach at sunset, which felt very fancy and important. I mostly focused on eating my slice and seeing if sand was a good topping, but everyone seemed very happy about the sky colors.

Breakfast with Mickey and his friends was confusing but exciting. Large famous mouse. Many hugs. Excellent waffles. Mom took a lot of pictures. I also learned how to hula dance, which is basically wiggling in a circle while smiling. I was very good at it.

I was a little too small for the kids club, which felt like a personal injustice, but I’ve been told it’s very fun and I plan to investigate on a future visit. Until then, I stayed busy being wet, sandy, slightly sticky, slightly pizza-covered, and extremely happy.

What Made This Trip Stand Out

Final Thoughts

Our stay at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa easily ranks as one of the best resort experiences – and truly one of the best family vacations – we have ever had. It delivered that rare combination of excitement, relaxation, thoughtful design, and genuine hospitality that makes a trip feel effortless from start to finish.

Every generation found their rhythm here. Captain Go-Go was endlessly entertained by water play areas and sandy beach days. The Parents appreciated the safety, quality dining, and the ability to actually unwind. And Gigi soaked in the scenery, the sunsets, and the joy of celebrating meaningful milestones surrounded by family. The resort itself felt immersive and special without ever feeling overwhelming or overly complicated.

What stood out most was how naturally memories were created. Pizza on the beach at sunset. Hula dancing lessons. Character breakfasts. Peaceful mornings with ocean views. Spontaneous laughter drifting along the lazy river. These weren’t moments we had to force or over-plan – they simply happened.

If you’re looking for a destination that can confidently serve as both the journey and the destination, this is it. For multigenerational travel, milestone celebrations, or simply a truly joyful escape together, Aulani sets an incredibly high bar. It’s the kind of place you leave already talking about when you’ll return.