Disney Aulani Day Trip 5 Things to Do

Aulani is a magical place. But then again, so is Hawaii! And there is so much to see in Hawaii, maybe you prefer not to stay at Disney’s Aulani, but still want to visit this beautiful resort. And that’s ok! Here’s how to have a day trip to Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa. 

Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, is located in Oahu, in the city of Kapolei. It’s on the west side of the island, by the Ko Olina lagoons. And it can be quite pricey. But even if you’re on a budget, you can still stop in and experience some of what it has to offer. You won’t be able to access things like the pools or water slides, which require wristbands. But you can access other parts of this resort and see what it’s all about.  Guests visiting for the day can enjoy shopping, dining, spa services, and more. 

On our last trip to the resort, we actually took a small Disney Aulani Day Trip. We had checked out of our Airbnb on the North Shore. and had some time to spare. So we figured we could go to Aulani and grab a few snacks and relax by the lagoon. Which is exactly what we did, and it was glorious.  Here are a few things you can do during a day trip to Aulani. 

Can you Visit Disney’s Aulani Resort for a Day?

Can you visit Disney’s Aulani Resort for a Day Trip? Even if you’re not staying there? Yes, you can! Just like all Disney Resorts, worldwide, Aulani is open to the public. Although you won’t be able to experience all of the amenities at Aulani, we are going to share with you everything you can see and do at Aulani without being a resort guest.

Does Aulani sell Day Passes?

Unfortunately, no they do not. They keep certain amenities, like the pool, water slide, and resort activities limited to resort guests. As such, there is no Aulani Day Pass for non-resort guests. But, never fear! There are still plenty of things you can do for a day at Aulani. 

Can you get an Aulani Pool Day Pass? 

No, the pools at Disney’s Aulani Resort are reserved for Aulani Resort Guests only. So, if you’re just visiting for the day, or hoping for some Disney Aulani pool time, you’re out of luck, and will need to book a night at the resort to use those amenities. 

How Can I Get Aulani Parking Validation?

As a visitor to Disney’s Aulani Resort you can get Aulani Parking Validation a couple ways. 1. You can spend $50 in the resort gift shops on your Disney Aulani Day Trip.

Go Shopping at Aulani

Love Disney merch? Even if you’re not staying there, you can browse the resort and shops. Disney’s Aulani Resort has two shops that are easy to access. Kalepa’s and Hale Manu both carry fun, Hawaiian-style merch, with a twist of Disney. This is a great opportunity to find Duffy and Friends merch if you’re a fan. The Lava Shack is located closer to the back of the resort and offers snacks and beach gear like swimsuits and sand toys. And if you spend $50 while shopping at the resort, you can have your Aulani Parking Validation for 2.5 hours. 

Eat at a Disney Aulani Restaurant  

Want to get some of the best food around? Disney’s Aulani Resort features a variety of restaurants, and food counters that are open to the public. Because, guests who visit Aulani for a day can also enjoy the restaurants at the resort. Aulani has a great selection of dining options. One of our favorites, is the Disney Character Dining Restaurant, Makahiki. Here you get to see Mickey and friends, and grab a buffet meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. This restaurant does require reservations so be sure to call ahead, or book on the website. 

Signature Dining at Disney’s Aulani Resort is available at Ama Ama, and offers some of the best food around. A little pricey, this restaurant comes with gorgeous views, and again, reservations are required. 

And if you’re not planning on a big meal, you can still head to the food counter to get a dole whip, shave ice, or whatever dun Disney Snacks are available. And you don’t need a reservation to enjoy either! You can stop by Aulani for drinks, a quick lunch or make plans for a sunset dinner at this dreamy resort. For a full list of dining at Aulani, click here

Spend the Day at the Spa at Aulani

Talk about luxury! Laniwai is Aulani’s Spa and Salon and they offer a ton of services to be had. You can book a treatment for a massage, facials, couples’ treatments, salon services, and more.  And you don’t need to be an overnight guest to book an appointment. Their facilities are clean and beautiful, and who doesn’t love a little relaxation time? You can see all of Laniwai’s Spa Services here. 

Head to the Aulani Lagoon

Did you know that the Aulani Lagoon is open to the public? Disney’s Aulani Resort resides in the Ko Olina Lagoon area. There is a whole line up of lagoons in this area, all connected by a walking path.  And luckily, the lagoon at Aulani is open to the public, because it’s a public beach.

Remember, however, that the pool area including the Menehune Adventure Trail, the Waikolohe Pool and Waikolohe Stream (Lazy River) are reserved only for resort guests. The beach chairs in this area too are off limits.  So, while anyone can take a stroll down the walkway, and even have a seat on the beach, the chairs are reserved for guests only and you may be asked to show your wristband or room key if you choose to sit in them. 

Regardless, it’s a beautiful area, so bring your own towel and enjoy a beautiful sunset or serene afternoon relaxing by the water. 

Experience KA WA`A Luau at Aulani

Are you looking for a luau experience and wondering the Luau at Aulani is worth it? There are many places around Oahu that offer the experience of a Luau. And Aulani is one of them! Which gives you a great excuse to visit the resort. You can attend the Luau at Aulani without being a Disney Resort Guest. At $160 per adult and $90 per child, the Aulani Luau is pricey.

But, if you’re looking for an authentic Hawaiian experience, then this is a great way to see that at Disney Aulani Resort. Plus non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are included in both the Preferred and General Seating Reservations. Here’s what’s included in the Disney Aulani Luau. 

• Pre-show demonstrations, including traditional arts such as flower arranging and paʻi ai taro pounding
• Lū‘au introduction and oli (chant) welcome
• Buffet-style dining featuring authentic island fare, including sea salt-crusted prime rib, fresh local seafood and produce, decadent desserts and many other Hawaiian favorites—as well as a kid-friendly bento dinner for the keiki
• Lū‘au performance—an enchanting, often breathtaking production that brings the legends and lore of ancient Hawaiʻi to life

You need to make reservations and can do so online or by calling. See this page for everything you need to know about the Luau at Aulani. 

How to get to Disney’s Aulani Resort for a day

There are several ways to get to Aulani for a day. You can park at Aulani, or at the lagoons.  The lagoon’s parking lots tend to fill up quickly. So, we recommend getting there early if you plan to do this. Park at the lagoons and then just walk over to Aulani from there. You can find out about parking at the Ko Olina lagoons here. You can also take a ride-share service, taxi, or shuttle to get to Aulani.  

Parking at Aulani

You can also park at Aulani for the day if you have a car with you as long as they have space available. To receive parking validation, you must bring your parking ticket and purchase receipt. Validation is only valid for one receipt of the requested value. Currently, the costs to park at Aulani during the day include: 

• Disney Aulani offers self-parking for $40 per day or valet parking for the same price.
• Parking validation may be available for a minimum purchase in some areas, based on availability. Generally, if you spend $50 on merchandise or $50 on dining, your parking will be validated for 2.5 hours. This can change when it’s busier, so it’s always best to check first. 
• Off the Hook: Offers up to 2.5 hours of complimentary parking or valet parking after 5 PM for purchases of $50 or more
• ‘AMA’AMA: Offers up to 4 hours of complimentary parking for spending $50 or more
• Makahiki: Offers up to 2.5 hours of complimentary parking for spending $50 or more
• The ‘Ōlelo Room: Offers up to 2.5 hours of complimentary parking for purchases made between 5 PM and 11 PM
• Laniwai: Offers up to 4 hours of complimentary parking
• KA WA’A: Offers up to 4 hours of complimentary parking
• Merchandise locations: Offers up to 1 hour of complimentary parking 

Hopefully, this post has shown you how you can enjoy Aulani for a day. And that you don’t have to be a resort guest to take advantage of some of the things the resort has to offer. Have you ever been to Aulani for a day trip?