It’s safe to say that a stay at Disney’s Hawaiian Resort and Spa, Aulani is on many Disney fans’ bucket lists! But what if you could enjoy many things the resort has to offer without the steep price of a stay.

Well, you’re in luck, because the Dorky Dad did just that. And he’s going to show you how to make the most of a day at the Aulani Resort without the big price tag.

Character Meet and Greets-

What guests might not realize while visiting Aulani is that there are plenty of opportunities to see your favorite Disney characters. Some of the characters you can look forward to meeting are:

• Mickey Mouse
• Minnie Mouse
• Donald Duck
• Goofy
• Pluto
• Daisy Duck
• Chip ‘n Dale
• Duffy
• Shellie May
• Moana
• Stitch

It is important to remember that these experiences are still operating from a safe and social distance.

Character Dining-

Another great way to interact with your favorite characters is through a dining experience.

This Dorky Dad took his family to enjoy character dining at Makahiki- The Bounty of the Islands restaurant.

Guests can enjoy a special 3 course breakfast featuring some familiar and friendly faces.

For the Dorky Dad’s meal, he started with some seasonal fruit and berries and an assortment of mini bakery pastries.

For the main course, he tried the Cinnamon Bun French Toast. This dish comes topped with pastry cream, honey pecans, and warm maple syrup. Yum!

Eric also tried the Hawaiian-style Loco Moco, which is house-made hamburger steak, poached eggs, spam fried rice, and a Maui onion gravy!

Please note that character dining is only available 5 days a week at this location (Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. If you prefer dining with no character experience, Makahiki offers a traditional dining experience on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

This dining experience is valued at $45 for adults and $28 for children under 9 with the characters. If seeing characters as you roam throughout the resort is enough, you can opt for the Tuesday or Thursday no character dining service for $36 for adults and $24 for children.

Casual Dining-

If you’re not staying for a meal, and want something a little more on the casual side, there is a great option. It also helps beat the heat!

At Papalua Shave Ice, you can try a quick and cool treat customized to your liking!

This cool treat is refreshing and delicious and won’t break the bank! The best part about this snack is, it even comes Mickey shaped!

Souvenir Shopping-

Located near the lobby, you can find Kalepa’s Store. This is the perfect spot to find the perfect souvenir. They have tons of great keepsakes to remember your day at Aulani.

Bonus: Guests can receive a 10% discount if you are a Disney Vacation Club Member and present your DVC card at checkout!

And that’s how this Dork had a great time at Aulani but without the pricey hotel stay! It can be done and you can save some of that money for other parts of your Hawaiian vacation!

Would you spend a day at Aulani like this? Let us know in the comments!