Should we choose Aulani or Walt Disney World?
Choose Walt Disney World for theme parks, rides and shows. Choose Aulani for a beach and pool trip with Disney touches. Aulani is slower and more relaxed, but flights and meals can raise the cost.
The two trips are very different. One is built around theme parks, the other around Hawaii and the resort.
| Aulani | Walt Disney World | |
|---|---|---|
| Main draw | Pools, beach, Hawaiian setting | Four theme parks and many resorts |
| Pace | Self-paced, lots of free time | Busy, with reservations and early starts |
| Kids | Aunty's Beach House has free activities for ages 4 to 12 | Rides for every age, character meals and shows |
| Ages that love it | Wide range, especially water lovers | Strongest from toddler to teen |
| Getting there | Long flight to Oahu, car or shuttle from the airport | Orlando airport, Disney transportation |
| Costs to watch | Flights, meals and add-ons like the lū‘au | Tickets, Lightning Lane and meals |
| Best time | Mid-April to mid-June, early September to early December for lower rates | Weekdays outside holidays |
How to choose
- What does the family want most? Rides and shows point to Disney World. Beach days point to Aulani.
- How long can you travel? Aulani works best with at least a week, including travel days.
- How much planning do you want? Aulani needs less minute-by-minute planning.
Can you do both?
Some families do Aulani for a relaxed trip and Disney World for a bigger trip at a different time. If you can only pick one, we can compare prices for your dates.
See the Aulani overview and Disney World first-timer's guide.
Check Disney's own pages
Disney prices, policies and availability change, so check Disney's own pages before you book.
