Hey, Coretta! How exciting to plan a trip to
Aulani - a Disney Resort and Spa. It sounds like the perfect vacation.
There are obviously some fantastic
dining options at the resort, and with my family of six, we like to splurge on a couple of nice meals while on vacation, then stay on budget for the rest of the trip.
If you are in one of the
Disney Vacation Club villas, you'll have a full kitchen. There is an ABC store about a 10 minute walk where you can pick up some groceries to cook right there in your room. Groceries on the island are more expensive than here on the mainland, but it's still a pretty decent way to save some money on dining.
At the north end of the island, you'll find food trucks, some of which have AMAZING food. My daughter said they found some of the freshest seafood options there. Not far from Aulani is a Zippy's - it's a Hawaiian chain with comfort foods and a fast food counter, open 24 hours. Koa Pancake has some reasonably priced meals, and the portions - especially the Loco Moco - seem HUGE. Also look for Leonard's MalasadaMobile - fresh, hot malasadas (Portuguese doughnuts).
I would say renting a car is a good idea. Shuttle service just back and forth to the airport is pricey, but more than that, if you want to go anywhere or do anything, it's all a bit of a drive from the resort. There is some stuff you can find within a 10 minute walk or so, but to really explore, a car is helpful.
Have a great vacation!
Anna