Planning a trip to Disney Aulani in Oahu? You’re in for an amazing Hawaiian vacation! Located on the beautiful west side of Oahu in Ko Olina, Aulani combines the magic of Disney with beautiful beaches, tropical scenery, family-friendly activities, and some of the best sunsets on the island.

If you're planning a family vacation, anniversary, honeymoon, proposal, or simply want to capture your Hawaiian adventure, working with experienced Oahu photographers can also be a great way to preserve those memories.

Here are some of our favorite tips for making the most of your stay at Disney Aulani.

1. Give Yourself Time to Enjoy the Resort

One of the biggest mistakes people make when visiting Oahu is trying to see everything.

Aulani itself has so much to offer that you should plan some time to simply enjoy the resort. Spend the morning at the pool, relax on the beach, explore the grounds, or grab a drink and watch the sunset.

You don't have to leave the resort every day to have an amazing Hawaiian vacation.

2. Arrive Early and Explore

When you first arrive at Aulani, take some time to walk around and get familiar with the property.

Check out the pools, beach, restaurants, activity areas, and walking paths. The resort has beautiful Hawaiian-inspired details everywhere, so keep your camera ready!

This is also a great time to find some of the locations where you may want to take family photos later during your stay.

3. Make Your Reservations Early

Popular activities, dining experiences, and character experiences can fill up quickly.

If there are specific restaurants or activities your family really wants to experience, don't wait until the last minute.

Make reservations as early as possible and keep a little flexibility in your schedule. You don't want your vacation to feel like you're constantly rushing from one activity to another.

4. Spend Time at the Beach

One of the best parts of staying at Aulani is having access to the beautiful Ko Olina coastline.

The calm waters can be great for families, especially when traveling with children. Take some time to slow down, play in the sand, swim, and enjoy the Hawaiian sunshine.

And don't forget about sunset!

The west side of Oahu is famous for beautiful sunsets, making Ko Olina an incredible location for photographs.

5. Schedule Family Photos

If you're spending several days at Aulani, consider scheduling a professional family photo session during your trip.

Vacation photos taken on your phone are great, but having everyone together in professional photographs gives you something you'll be able to enjoy for years.

Experienced Oahu photographers know how to work with families, children, couples, and large groups while taking advantage of Hawaii's beautiful natural scenery.

A professional photographer can capture the little moments you might otherwise miss—from kids playing on the beach to couples walking along the water.

6. Take Advantage of the Hawaiian Landscape

One of the best things about vacationing on Oahu is that you aren't limited to resort photos.

Oahu offers incredible beaches, mountains, waterfalls, tropical gardens, and scenic overlooks.

If you have a rental car, consider exploring some of the island before or after your Aulani stay.

And if you're looking for Oahu photographers, ask about locations that complement the style of photos you want. A beach session, mountain backdrop, or sunset session can give you completely different looks.

7. Plan Around the Kids

If you're traveling with children, don't try to pack too much into every day.

Give them time to swim, play, eat, rest, and just have fun.

Some of the best vacation memories aren't necessarily the big planned activities. Sometimes it's watching your kids run along the beach or seeing their excitement when they meet a favorite Disney character.

Leave some room in your itinerary for those unexpected moments.

8. Don't Miss the Sunset

Aulani's location on the west side of Oahu makes sunset one of the highlights of the day.

Try to get outside a little before sunset so you can enjoy the changing light.

This is also one of the best times for professional photography. The softer evening light can create beautiful, warm Hawaiian portraits.

For couples, families, and even surprise proposals, sunset can be an especially memorable time for a photo session.

9. Explore Beyond Aulani

While Aulani is an amazing resort, remember that you're on the island of Oahu!

Consider taking a day to explore other parts of the island.

Depending on your interests, you might visit Waikiki, the North Shore, Kailua, Lanikai Beach, the Ko Olina area, or one of Oahu's many scenic attractions.

If you're interested in photography, ask your Oahu photographers about locations that may be close to your itinerary. You may discover a beautiful spot you hadn't considered.

10. Bring Reef-Safe Sunscreen

Hawaii's sun can be stronger than many visitors expect.

Make sunscreen part of your daily routine, especially if you're spending lots of time at the beach or pool.

Bring sunglasses, hats, water bottles, and comfortable shoes as well. Staying comfortable makes it much easier to enjoy your vacation.

11. Plan a Relaxing Day

Don't underestimate the value of having absolutely nothing planned.

After a busy day exploring Oahu, spend a day at the resort. Enjoy the pool, beach, and activities without worrying about getting somewhere on time.

A vacation should be fun—not exhausting!

12. Capture the Memories Before You Leave

Your Aulani vacation will probably go by faster than you expect.

Before you head home, make sure you have plenty of photographs of your family together.

Whether you're celebrating a first family vacation, a birthday, anniversary, honeymoon, proposal, or simply spending time together, professional Oahu photographers can help turn those vacation memories into photographs you'll treasure.

Make Your Aulani Vacation Unforgettable

Disney Aulani is more than just a place to stay. It's an opportunity to slow down, spend time with the people you love, and experience the beauty of Hawaii.

From relaxing on the beach to watching the sunset over the Pacific, there are memories waiting around every corner.

If you're visiting Oahu and want beautiful vacation photographs, consider scheduling a session with experienced Oahu photographers who know how to capture the beauty of the island while keeping your experience fun and relaxed.

Your Hawaiian vacation may only last a few days, but your photographs can bring those memories back for years to come.

BOOK YOUR PHOTO SESSION WITH US!