π₯ Book as soon as your window opens β Thanksgiving week fills FAST
π° Pricing (2026)
Adults: $55/person
Children (3β9): $34
Your family of 4 (all adults): ~$220 + tax + tip
Expect ~$260β270 all-in
π Booking Window
Opens 30 days in advance
Nov 24 breakfast β book Oct 25
Nov 25 breakfast β book Oct 26
Book at disneyaulani.com or call (808) 674-6200
β° Hours + Tips
Breakfast: 7:00am β 11:00am daily
Characters: Mickey, Minnie, Moana, Pluto in Hawaiian outfits
Ask server to swap waffles for Mickey waffles β they'll give you 4!
β οΈ Thanksgiving Note
During Thanksgiving week, Disney limits reservations to resort guests only. You qualify since you're staying at Aulani. Book the moment Oct 25 opens.
ποΈ Walk-Up Tip
If online is full, go to the Makahiki restaurant desk in person the evening before β guests have scored walk-up spots this way even when fully booked online.
πΈ Photo Package
PhotoPass photographer at the character meet β packages range $35β45. Photos brought to your table during the meal. Optional but worth it for memories.
π° You have a full afternoon β make the most of it
'Awa'awa Lazy River
Signature Aulani experience. Float through tropical landscape. First stop after wristbands.
Waikolohe Pool
Main family pool with waterslides and splash zone. Kids and adults love it equally.
Rainbow Reef
Private snorkeling lagoon β swim with real tropical fish. Extra fee but one-of-a-kind.
Ka Maka Grotto
Hidden waterfall grotto pool β quieter and more serene. Great for Andre and Vivi.
Disney Characters
Moana, Stitch, Mickey in Hawaiian outfits. Check schedule at front desk on arrival.
Ko Olina Beach Lagoon
Private calm lagoon right at the resort. Perfect turquoise water, calm for everyone.
| Time | Stop | Details | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 am | 𧳠| Final Pack + Check Out Holiday Inn Express Waikiki · Last morning here |
Final hotel breakfast at Holiday Inn Express. Pack everything, do a last room sweep β passports, Green Card, medications, chargers. Check out at front desk and request bellhop if needed. Pre-schedule your Uber for 8:00am the night before so it's ready at the curb. β οΈ Double-check you have all travel docs before leaving |
| 8:15 am | π― |
Target Kapolei β Quick Stop
4450 Kapolei Pkwy Β· Opens 7:00am Β· 5 min from Aulani
Opens 7am
|
Ask Uber to make a quick stop on the way. Stock up on: water bottles, snacks, sunscreen, and drinks for the room. Saves significantly vs Aulani resort prices. In and out in 10 minutes. This is the smart move before a full pool day. π (808) 457-3679 |
| 9:00 am | π° |
Arrive Aulani β Check In
92-1185 Ali'inui Dr, Kapolei Β· (808) 674-6200
β¨ Disney Resort
|
Check in at front desk, drop bags with bell desk β they'll deliver to room when ready. Ask about today's Disney character meet schedule. Get your room key card for purchases. Do online check-in in advance to speed this up. π‘ Ask front desk about Luana Lounge access for changing before room is ready |
| 9:15 am | π |
Grab Wristbands β Hit the Pool!
Wristband kiosk Β· Opens 8am Β· Colors change daily
Pool opens 8am
|
Go straight to the wristband kiosk near the pool β needed for slides and aquatic area. Grab towels at the same time. Stake out pool chairs early β they fill up fast on Thanksgiving week. Then straight to the lazy river! π β οΈ Wristband colors change daily β can't reuse from previous day |
| 9:15 am β 12:00 pm |
π | Morning Pool + Beach Time 'Awa'awa Lazy River Β· Waikolohe Pool Β· Ko Olina Beach |
Lazy river, waterslides, beach lagoon, Ka Maka Grotto. Check character meet schedule and squeeze one in. Rainbow Reef snorkeling lagoon is available for a small extra fee β a great morning activity if the girls want one more underwater experience. Enjoy Thanksgiving morning in paradise! πΊ |
| 12:00 pm | π½οΈ |
Lunch β Ulu CafΓ© or Little 'Opihi's
Poolside Β· Aulani Resort
|
Little 'Opihi's β beachside kiosk, poke bowls, shave ice, quick-service. Perfect for poolside without leaving your chairs (~$15-22/person). Ulu CafΓ© β more substantial options including poke bowls, flatbread, hot plates (~$18-25/person). Use your room key card to charge it to the room. |
| 1:00 pm β 4:00 pm |
π | Afternoon Pool + Room Check-In Keep enjoying until room is ready ~4pm |
More lazy river, beach time, or just relax in a chair with a tropical drink. Room is ready at 4pm β you'll get a text notification. Bell desk will bring your bags up. Take a break, shower, and freshen up before the evening. |
| 4:00 pm | π |
Disney Character Meet + Explore
Check schedule at front desk for today's character times
β¨ Hawaiian Disney Characters
|
Check the character meet schedule when you arrive and plan around it. Mickey, Minnie, Moana, and Stitch appear in Hawaiian outfits β unique to Aulani only. Great photo opportunity for the family. Also explore the resort grounds β there's beautiful Hawaiian art and cultural displays throughout. Allow ~1 hour. |
| 6:00 pm | π½οΈ |
Thanksgiving Dinner β Follow the Group
Aulani Resort Dining
β¨ Thanksgiving at Aulani
|
Go along with the group for Thanksgiving dinner. If Makahiki is your preference, dinner service runs ~5pm onwards (no characters at dinner β those are breakfast only). 'AMA'AMA is the oceanfront fine dining option (~$125/adult) if the group wants to splurge for Thanksgiving. Ulu CafΓ© is the budget-friendly fallback. Book whichever option the group decides on well in advance. β οΈ Thanksgiving dinners at Aulani sell out β coordinate with group ASAP |
| 8:30 pm | π | Evening at Aulani Pool Β· Beach Β· 'Εlelo Room lounge |
Aulani is beautiful at night β the pools stay open late, the beach is lit up, and the 'Εlelo Room lounge has great craft drinks and small plates if you want a nightcap. Early-ish night recommended β big departure day tomorrow. πΊ |
β οΈ Action Items
- Set reminder for Oct 25 β book Makahiki breakfast for Nov 24
- Set reminder for Oct 26 β book Makahiki breakfast for Nov 25
- Pre-schedule Uber for 8:00am the night before (Nov 23 evening)
- Do Aulani online check-in in advance β speeds up arrival
- Coordinate Thanksgiving dinner with the group NOW β books out fast
π° Aulani Insider Tips
- Wristband kiosk opens 8am β get there right at 9am arrival
- Stake out pool chairs immediately β Thanksgiving week is packed
- Room key card in pocket β buy snacks without your phone
- Ask front desk for today's character meet schedule on arrival
- Rainbow Reef snorkeling lagoon β worth the small extra fee
π― Target Stop Tips
- Opens 7am β quick stop on the way, ask Uber driver in advance
- Get: water, snacks, sunscreen, drinks for the room
- Aulani resort prices are significantly higher β stock up here
- 5 min from Aulani, right on Kapolei Pkwy
πΊ Thanksgiving Day Notes
- Happy Thanksgiving! π¦ You're spending it in Hawaii β not bad at all
- Aulani will have Thanksgiving-themed activities and decorations
- Resort will be busy β expect crowds at the pool and restaurants
- Book everything (dinner, breakfast) as far in advance as possible
π° Aulani Resort
(808) 674-6200
92-1185 Ali'inui Dr
Check-in: 3:00pm
π₯ Makahiki Breakfast
disneyaulani.com
Book Oct 25 (Nov 24)
Book Oct 26 (Nov 25)
π― Target Kapolei
(808) 457-3679
4450 Kapolei Pkwy
Opens 7:00am daily