Review: Two Bedroom Ocean View Villa at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Oahu

Review: Two Bedroom Ocean View Villa at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, at Ko Olina, Oahu 

Inspired by the natural wonders and rich traditions of Hawaii, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, is the ultimate family getaway - celebrating the history, beauty and aloha spirit of the Hawaiian Islands.

On our most recent trip to Disney Aulani, we stayed in a 2 bedroom ocean view villa, that included a full kitchen, in-room laundry, and space for up to 9 guests.  The 2 bedroom villa was perfect for our multi-generation trip and provided more than enough room for everyone to enjoy.  During our stay here, we had the pleasure of attending the on-property luau, enjoyed character breakfast at Makahiki Restaurant and had fun experiencing all of the magic that Disney Aulani provides with the resort amenities.     

If you're planning a trip to Oahu, be sure to check out the following resources up on the blog:

• The Ultimate Oahu Travel Guide (Part 1): Island Overview
• The Ultimate Oahu Travel Guide (Part 2): Where to Stay
• The Ultimate Oahu Travel Guide (Part 3): Things to Do and See
• The Ultimate Oahu Travel Guide (Part 4): Where to Eat & Shop
• The Ultimate Oahu Travel Guide (Part 5): How to Maximize Value For Your Next Trip 
• Review: KA WA‘A - A Luau at Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, Oahu

Disney Aulani Overview

Set on the pristine western coastline of Oahu at Ko Olina, this 21-acre oceanfront resort offers guest the opportunity to enjoy cultural activities, amazing pools, slides, interactive play areas, an ocean lagoon and the Disney magic you'd expect with a Hawaiian twist.  If that isn't enough, the award winning Laniwai Spa, diverse dining options and the Ka Waa Luau, are sure to leave you with an unforgettable journey through Hawaiian culture.

Aulani resort combines the culture and traditions of Hawaii with the signature quality, service and magic that you expect of the Disney brand and includes:

• Activities and entertainment showcasing Disney storytelling
• Encounters with Disney characters 
• Recreational fun for all ages
• Amazing themed pools, a lazy river and waterslides
• World-renowned Disney service
• Luxurious accommodations with magical Disney touches

Amenities you can enjoy on property during your stay here include: 

• Ka'Waa Luau 

• Disney character breakfast and dinner

• Disney character meet-and-greet opportunities
• Secluded lagoon with white sandy beach

• Fun, interactive water play areas including 2 slides, lazy river, 3 themed pools, 4 whirlpool spas, private saltwater snorkeling lagoon, Menehune Bridge and more!

• Laniwai Spa - 23,000 sq. ft. full-service spa with 15 treatment rooms, unique hydrotherapy garden and complimentary 24 - hour fitness center
• Complimentary state-of-the-art kids club and the only teen exclusive spa in Hawaii
• Complimentary Ohana Disney movie night shown outside under the stars
• Complimentary Moolelo Fireside Storytelling told by Aulani's beloved Uncle
• Complimentary WiFi, lei greeting and many cultural activities
• No resort fee

Accommodations

Depending on your budget and preferences, you can stay in a hotel room or suite or a larger villa, that includes a kitchen, living room, in-room laundry and more.  The hotel is a combination of hotel rooms and suites, as well as a Disney Vacation Club location, that has 832 guest rooms, suites and villas.  

Most room options at Disney Aulani will vary from the following options:

• Ocean View: Includes at least a partial view of the ocean from the room or balcony
• Poolside Gardens View: Includes at least a partial view of the pool, courtyards, water features or landscaping from the room or balcony
• Island Gardens View: Includes at least a partial view of the mountains, spa or landscaping from the room or balcony
• Standard View: Includes either a view of the conference center, parking lot or parking garage from the room or balcony

For the larger villas that are a part of Disney Vacation Club, the spacious villas are designed to comfortably accommodate larger groups, from 1-, 2- and 3-Bedroom Villas with the following features:

• Separate bedrooms that offer privacy

• A full kitchen, so you can prepare light meals and snacks from the comfort of your villa

• Spacious living and dining areas where your family can reconnect
• Washer and dryer so you pack lightly and do laundry in the room

And if that a little more space than you need, then Deluxe Studios feature a kitchenette and queen-size sleeper sofa, which are a great option for smaller travel parties and shorter stays.

Here are more details of the 2-bedroom ocean view villa we were in: 

• Room Size of 1,125 sq ft
• Capacity of up to 9 Guests
• Room/Beds Layout:
• 1 king bed in master bedroom

• 2 queen beds in second bedroom

• 1 queen sleeper sofa and 1 sleeper chair in living room

• Bathrooms
• 2 full bathrooms
• 1 half bathroom

• Ocean View: We were on the sixth floor, which provided an obstructed ocean view due to palm trees covering much of the view, as well as being at an angle.  Due to the way Aulani is built, the only ocean views you'll get that are worth paying for, in my opinion, are the 3 bedroom villas that are located at the front of each tower closest to the ocean.  However, if you're paying for an ocean view for any other room category, I would request a higher floor room over the tree line, which starts around the 7th or 8th floor and higher.

Dining

Whether you’re looking to meet your favorite Disney friends for a Character Breakfast at Makahiki Restaurant, relax poolside or at the open-air dining options, you’ll find plenty of island-inspired dishes, snacks and classics to enjoy.

Disney Aulani has lots of different dining options located on-site with 3 restaurants and 3 bars/lounges that range from grab-and-go, buffet and fine-dining.

During our stay here, we enjoyed the following on-site dining:

• Character Breakfast at Makahiki Restaurant

• All-day dining options at Ulu Cafe
• Poolside lunch and snacks from Mama's Snack Stop, Papalua's Shave Ice and Little Opihi's Beachside Kiosk

• Dinner at Ka'Waa Luau

On previous visits, we've enjoyed lovely beachside breakfast at Ama'Ama, but during our stay this restaurant was closed for refurbishment.

Overall Impression

If you're planning a family trip to Oahu, it is very hard to overlook Disney Aulani, especially if you have young kids who are Disney fans.  

Whenever we stay at Aulani, I like to break up a larger trip to Hawaii by staying elsewhere on the island first and doing any sight-seeing first and then relaxing at Aulani resort to take full advantage of all of the resort amenities offered on property.  

Also, due to the location of Aulani on the West side of the island, you'd have to drive a considerable amount depending on the different parts of the island you may want to visit, so that is another thing to keep in mind.  Once we get settled in Ko Olina, I like to stay there and enjoy the resort amenities, the Ko Olina beach walk, ocean lagoons, and the shops and restaurants at Ko Olina Center that includes some of our favorites like Monkeypod Kitchen and Eggs 'n Things.