Aloha Debbie, and a big congratulations on your anniversary!
Aulani is one of my favorite places, with its combination of Hawaiian culture and Disney magic. I’d be honored to share some recommendations for your special celebration!
First, let’s talk about food. The KA WA’A luau takes place right at Aulani, and the convenience can’t be beat. It’s such a fun experience that starts with pre-show activities, like taro pounding, and ends with an enchanting performance with traditional Hawaiian dance and storytelling. Mickey himself even makes an appearance! On the
KA WA’A luau page, click the “Book Preferred Seating” or “Book General Seating” button to check the calendar for showtimes. The preferred seats are closer to the stage and give you a little extra time for the pre-show activities. That said, it's an intimate space, so there aren’t any bad seats!
The luau doesn’t take place on the beach, but if you’re looking for dinner with a view, I’d recommend booking a meal at
‘AMA’AMA for about one hour before the sun goes down. The tables overlook the ocean, and the sunset is breathtaking from there! If you’re looking for something more casual, I also love eating dinner at
The 'Olelo Room. Reservations aren’t needed, and there’s usually live music in the evening.
Before you get to Hawaii, be sure to download the
Aulani Resort Mobile app so you don’t miss any of the fun activities! When you open the app, press the Aluani icon towards the bottom of the screen to see the Daily Activities. I like to select View List to easily see everything that’s happening on a given day. It can also be helpful to look through the activities ahead of your trip to get an idea of what might be happening when you’re there.
Some activities, like Disney Family Fun Animation and ‘Ukulele Lessons, have to be reserved in advance and are usually fully booked by now. If that’s the case, stop by the
Pau Hana Room in the morning, and you might be able to snag a cancellation. My family loved learning to play our favorite Disney songs on the ‘ukulele together! One of our other must-dos, which doesn’t require a reservation, is the
Mo’olelo Fire Pit Storytelling that happens on select evenings. Hearing Uncle sing songs and tell Hawaiian tales is the perfect way to end the night!
And finally, ask the front desk about sunset photos on the beach. You can usually find PhotoPass photographers there towards the end of the day. Taking family pictures would be a great way to commemorate your special celebration.
Oh, one more thing before I go. When you check in, ask for I'm Celebrating buttons for your anniversary! At Aulani, they feature the Hawaiian phrase, "Hau'oli au", which is used for joyous occasions!
I hope you have the most magical time at Aulani this month. And if you have any other questions, we’d love to have you back at planDisney. I could talk about Aulani all day!
JoAnna