Aloha Jeffrey, and welcome to planDisney. I’m excited to see that you’ll be in one of my favorite places tomorrow! There’s nothing quite like the mix of tropical vibes, relaxation, and Disney magic. Now let’s chat about that classic Hawaiian experience—attending a luau!
I’m happy to share that there’s a luau right at Aulani that my family loves! The
KA WA’A luau is a really cool experience, with pre-show activities, a bountiful buffet-style dinner, and of course, the luau performance itself. And Mickey even makes an appearance!
While it looks like the KA WA’A luau is sold out for next week, I’d recommend calling the
reservation phone number or stopping by the Concierge Desk in the lobby when you get to Aulani. I’ve found that sometimes they have tickets that may not show up on the website.
If you’re able to snag a spot, I have a couple of tips to share. First is to arrive early because there are photo opportunities and pre-show activities, like making flower bracelets, learning to play the ‘ukulele, and pounding taro. There’s usually a line to be seated, so last time my family got there about 30 minutes before our check-in time, which let us do all of the activities without feeling rushed.
The other thing to keep in mind is that they clear the buffet tables before the luau is about to start. You’re welcome to enjoy as much food as you’d like, but don’t wait too long to go up for seconds (or even thirds!).
Since you’ll be at Aulani so very soon, don’t worry if you didn’t reserve activities or dining that need reservations. When my family decided last-minute that we wanted to do the character breakfast at
Makahiki, we checked at the restaurant the night before. They were able to accommodate us the next morning, even though reservations were full online. It never hurts to ask, just in case! Otherwise
The Olelo Room and
Off the Hook are other options that don't need reservations.
For activities like Family Fun Animation and the ‘Ohana Ho’okani Pila ‘ukulele lessons, stop by the
Pau Hana Room to see if there have been any cancellations. Learning to play Disney songs on the ‘ukulele is one of my family’s core Aulani memories, and such a unique experience!
There are also plenty of activities you can join that don’t need a reservation at all. Some of my favorites are the two Maka’ika’i tours—Art and Culture of Aulani and Culture through Nature, where you can learn more about how Disney Imagineers thoughtfully designed Aulani, and the
Mo’olelo Fire Pit Storytelling at night, where you can hear Uncle retell Hawaiian legends and stories with his ‘ukulele! Download the
Aulani Resort app for the activity schedule.
My family also loves doing the interactive
Menehune Adventure Trail scavenger hunt. Swing by the Pau Hana Room to pick up a tablet to get started!
Safe travels to Hawaii, and I hope you have the most magical time at Aulani! If you have any other questions, you’re always welcome back at planDisney.
JoAnna