Aloha, Jesse!
Welcome to planDisney, and thank you so much for surfing by with your question. Jesse, see the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me, and that's why
Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa is one of my favorite Disney properties. Our family has been several times, and we visit the Hawaiian islands every year. There is no place I'd rather be than riding the Hawaiian roller coaster ride at Aulani.
Jesse, I just spoke with one of the Aulani Cast Members about your question. She noted you have two options. You can book the reservation online through the Aulani website and then
call the hotel to pay the balance. However, the Cast Member shared with me some Aloha which makes the process easier. She recommended that if you don't want to do a two-step process, you can just call the hotel directly and make the booking and payment at once. She noted that with this option, they have a bit more flexibility if you need more time or would like to place a courtesy hold for a couple of days before finalizing the booking. This would be the easiest way to ensure you have the booking and the payment method you prefer.
Now, when you visit Aulani, Jesse, be sure to enjoy a sunset dinner at
'AMA'AMA. Few things are as spectacular as a Hawaiian sunset, and each night they are different. At this open-air restaurant, you'll not only enjoy those tropical breezes and a magnificent rainbow of colors as the sun sets on the horizon. But you will also get locally sourced, delicious Hawaiian dishes you won't forget.
My other tip is to purchase the refillable mug for unlimited refills of coffee, tea, and sodas during your stay. When I was there last, they even offered a stainless steel option that made for a great souvenir!
I hope this helps you, Jesse, and you enjoy the best of both worlds at Aulani - the magic of Disney and the spirit of Aloha. As you plan your trip, feel free to
write to me again, and I'll be happy to share all of my favorite things to do at Aulani and on the island of Oahu.
A Hui Hou (it means "until we meet again" in Hawaiian),
Keri