Aloha Brett, and thanks for bringing your question to planDisney. Ringing in the new year at
Aulani sounds absolutely magical, so let’s make sure you’re all set for a pixie-dusted vacation!
The big event that usually happens on New Year’s Eve is the midnight fireworks show in the lagoon. It’s organized by Ko Olina Resort for the whole neighborhood to enjoy from the beach, including Aulani guests. When you check in, ask a Cast Member at the front desk for details on what’s happening this year since it’s always subject to change.
Now, let’s talk about how to prepare for your magical vacation! The holiday season is a popular time to visit Aulani, and New Year’s Eve draws even more people to the Ko Olina neighborhood. So I’d recommend making reservations for activities and dining as soon as your booking window opens.
The 45-day mark is when you can currently book reservations for
Aunty’s Beach House and activities through the
Pau Hana Room. Family Fun Animation and the ‘Ohana Ho’okani Pila ‘ukulele lessons in particular fill up quickly. Learning to play Disney songs on the ‘ukulele is one of my family’s best core memories from Aulani! In the past, the booking window has shifted from time to time, so I always suggest double-checking the website a few days before you’re eligible to make reservations just in case!
And the 30-day mark is when you can
book dining reservations for
Makahiki and
‘AMA’AMA. I love to start the day at Makahiki enjoying a leisurely breakfast with some of my favorite Disney pals. And if you’re looking for something a bit fancier, ‘AMA’AMA has amazing locally sourced dishes and an incredible view of the sunset in the evening. Making a reservation for about an hour before sunset is usually good timing if you want to catch all of the pretty colors.
If you’d rather play things by ear, you don’t need a reservation to eat at
Off the Hook or
Olelo Room. You can also place a mobile order to go through the
Aulani app, although I love eating at Olelo Room in person because there's usually live music at night.
I hope you have a magical stay at Aulani for New Year’s! And if you have any other questions, you’re always welcome at planDisney.
JoAnna