An Aulani Resort stay includes much more than your room. Registered guests receive access to the resort's pools, lazy river, waterslides, beach and many family activities, plus most programming at Aunty's Beach House for eligible children. Aulani also does not charge a resort fee.
Meals, parking for most cash guests, premium activities, the lūʻau, spa services and transportation are not automatically included. This guide separates the major inclusions from the common extras so you can estimate the real cost of an Aulani vacation.
Does Aulani charge a resort fee?
No. Aulani's official resort information says it does not charge a resort fee. That matters because many Hawaiʻi resorts add a separate nightly fee for amenities such as pool access, fitness facilities or cultural programming.
At Aulani, the included amenities are built into the room rate rather than added as a nightly resort fee. The quoted room price still includes applicable taxes, and optional purchases remain separate. “No resort fee” does not mean the entire vacation is all-inclusive.
Which Aulani pools and water activities are included?
Registered resort guests can use Aulani's main pool areas, waterslides, lazy river, splash zones and whirlpool spas. Current included offerings listed by Aulani include Waikolohe Pool, Waikolohe Stream, Ka Maka Grotto, Wailana Pool, Menehune Bridge and Keiki Cove Splash Zone.
Guests receive a daily wristband for access to the pool areas, pool chairs and beach chairs. Wristbands are limited to the registered guests in the room, up to that room's maximum occupancy.
Not every water experience is included. Rainbow Reef snorkeling, private cabanas and other reserved poolside retreats are separately priced. Equipment rentals and certain beach activities may also cost extra. Check the current label for each activity before assuming it is complimentary.
Is the beach included with an Aulani stay?
Yes. Resort guests have access to the beach at Ko Olina Lagoon, along with Aulani's standard beach-chair area. Swimming, relaxing on the sand and walking the lagoon path do not require a separate admission ticket.
Rentals and guided experiences are different. Paddleboards, snorkeling experiences, premium seating and other reserved activities may carry a fee. The simplest way to think about it is that access to the beach is included, while specialized equipment and premium experiences are not.
Which entertainment and cultural activities are included?
Aulani schedules a rotating mix of complimentary entertainment and family activities. Depending on the day, the official schedule may include character experiences, pool parties, movies under the stars, fireside storytelling, animation activities, music, games, hula or ʻukulele experiences.
These offerings are not identical every day, and participation may be limited. Some require a reservation even when there is no additional fee. Use the Daily ʻIwa in the Aulani app to see the actual schedule for your stay instead of building plans around an old activity list.
Aulani's official Included With Your Stay guide is the best place to review the current mix of complimentary experiences before your trip.
Is Aunty's Beach House included?
Most activities at Aunty's Beach House are included for registered resort guests ages 4 to 12. The supervised kids club offers themed programming that can include games, crafts, music and Hawaiian cultural activities.
Complimentary does not mean drop-in access is guaranteed. As of August 5, 2026, Aulani says guests must preregister, reserve a time slot and complete the required registration process. Reservation-required activities currently open 45 days before the desired attendance date. Premium three-hour programs and select special experiences cost extra.
Review the official Aunty's Beach House information for current hours, registration steps, ages and availability.
Are meals included at Aulani?
No. A standard Aulani room reservation does not include meals. Table-service restaurants, quick-service meals, snacks, groceries and character dining are separate vacation expenses unless a specific offer explicitly says otherwise.
Dining reservations and prices can be significant parts of the budget. Villas with kitchens or kitchenettes can give families more flexibility, but groceries are still an additional cost. Decide before booking whether you expect most meals to be at the resort, elsewhere on Oʻahu or prepared in the room.
What costs extra at Aulani?
Common additional expenses include:
- Food and drinks: Resort dining, snacks, groceries, alcoholic beverages and character meals.
- KA WAʻA lūʻau: This separately ticketed experience requires an advance reservation.
- Premium activities: Select crafts, fitness classes, Rainbow Reef, special kids-club programs and other reserved experiences.
- Laniwai Spa and salon services: Treatments and most related services are separately priced.
- Cabanas and Casabellas: Private or premium seating requires a reservation and fee.
- Parking: Self-parking and valet parking may cost extra for ordinary room reservations. Eligible Disney Vacation Club stays can have different parking benefits.
- Transportation: Airfare, airport transfers, rental cars, taxis and island transportation are separate from the resort stay.
- Island outings and shopping: Excursions, souvenirs and activities away from the resort are not included.
How much value can you get from the included activities?
Aulani's inclusions are most valuable when you protect time to use them. If every day is spent touring Oʻahu, you may pay for a resort experience that your family barely sees. Travelers who want several pool, beach and resort-activity days can get more value from the room rate.
Start by choosing the right stay length. The related guide How Many Days Do You Need at Aulani? explains why four or five nights works well for many first-time visitors and how to count your usable resort days.
Ready to compare Aulani room options?
Visit Brittany's Aulani Resort planning page for destination details. Brittany can compare eligible Aulani room options, book the stay you choose and provide practical advice at no added planning fee. After booking, she also monitors eligible reservations for qualifying new discount offers.