Are you planning a trip to Aulani and wondering if the Aulani character breakfast is worth it? Did you know you can eat there without staying at the resort?
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Disney Aulani Character Breakfast: Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration at Makahiki
Have you heard of Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa? If you have not, you should definitely look into it! Aulani is the crown jewel in Disney’s vacation package – and the only Disney resort in Hawaii.
It is also the only place you can find the Disney Aulani Character Breakfast!
This family-friendly buffet breakfast is sure to found in the Aulani Resort in Ko Olina, Oahu. You don’t need to be a guest to eat here – it is open to non-guests as well.
Of course, if you want the full experience, be sure to check out how to maximize 2 nights at Disney Aulani!
View of Makahiki restaurant lanai from Waikolohe Valley at Aulani. Photo credit: Paul Hiffmeyer/Disney Destinations
Since deals change regularly, check HERE for the latest and greatest deals at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa!
You will want to make reservations for Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration before you leave for Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa.
My suggestion would be to make the reservation at the same time as you book your stay. You can make your Aulani Character Breakfast reservation online.
You can also call (808) 674-6200. If you know you will have 10 or more people in your party, you will want to call (808) 674-6330.
When you walk into the first floor of the main build at Aulani, you will be looking for Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration at Makahiki.
Makahiki is a traditional Hawaiian celebration for harvest season. You will be reminded of this throughout this Aulani restaurant, with murals, glass designs, and artwork which all tie into the Hawaiian Harvest season theme.
Once inside the restaurant, you will notice there is seating inside or outside, and you will notice a lanai, which is similar to a porch or patio.
The lanai at this Aulani restaurant happens to overlook a gorgeous koi pond, which I had to pull my boys away from!
Pictures with Mickey Mouse
First, you will want to check in with the host at the front desk. They will give you a card to take with you to the photo area, which is right outside the lanai attached to the restaurant.
You will want to look for someone called the “Aulani PhotoPass Photographer”. They will take your card and snap some pictures of you with various characters. Smile!
The photos being taken will be added to your “PhotoPass” account, which you will have the option to purchase the rights to at the end of your time at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa.
Find out more about making the most of your Aulani Resort PhotoPass HERE!
We were first in line, so Mickey Mouse escorted my 4 year old to get his photo taken. Photo credit: Disney Aulani PhotoPass Photographer
My boys LOVED getting to meet Mickey and take pictures with him. We happened to get there right when Mickey had to “step away to eat an omelet”, but he was back super quick and we were first in line to see him!
Not only was Mickey (and every cast member e met) fabulous with my preschooler, but the whole photography staff was amazing! The PhotoPass photographer even took pictures for us on both mine and my mom’s phones!
No matter where or when we get to see Mickey, it is always such a special experience. My boys are always awestruck, and at Aulani, we get to see him all decked out in his Aloha shirt!
Once your photo session is complete, you will be handed back your card, and then able to turn it back into the host at the front desk. After that, you will be ready to be seated for breakfast
Aunty’s Breakfast Buffet
This buffet breakfast is ASTOUNDING! I honestly don’t know how the staff prepares and presents so many different options for so many people from all over the world!
As an example of the extensive options, these are just a few of the things I remember seeing or trying: Eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs, custom omelets, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, grits, yogurt, fruit, more pastries than you could shake a stick at, and enough coffee to caffeinate the entire Island of Oahu!
And don’t forget THE signature Disney breakfast dish – Mickey Mouse Waffles! (You all should know me well enough by now to know that if you cut something into a Mickey shape, I will probably eat it!)
Like other Disney buffets, this one features the infamous Mickey-shaped waffles! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung
I loved not only the options, but the variety of food offered. The amount of Asian food available was awesome, especially for my fried rice loving boys!
There was also Chinese congee, which is a common breakfast food of rice porridge that is easy for babies and toddlers to eat. Easy for toddler equals easy for mom, which makes this mom super happy!
Inside Makahiki Breakfast Buffet at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. Photo credit: Paul Hiffmeyer/Disney Destinations
The food is plentiful, the fruit juice is refillable, and you won’t need a meal for at least 12 hours if you do it right. Go, eat, and enjoy the amazing atmosphere of Disney’s Hawaiian Paradise!
Entertainment at Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration at Aulani
There is a reason this breakfast is called Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration at Makahiki – Aunty is the star of the show! She is a wonderful character whom the children all LOVED!
My preschooler loved learning how to hula dance with Aunty and Minnie Mouse! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung
The theme of this breakfast and the entertainment really is family – so the kids are invited to join in on almost all the acts!
They get coconuts to keep a beat on while Aunty sings. They are taught how to Hula Dance with Minnie Mouse right next to them.
And of course, the many parades throughout our breakfast, each one with a different theme or character – including fish puppets!
Between the singing, serenading (Aunty with her ukulele) hula lessons, and everything else, I’m not sure how much food my 4-year old ate, but I know that he still remembers that day.
And as a parent of two little ones, it was so nice to see him interacting and participating while I was able to eat my food (still hot!) and feed my toddler. No tablets needed at Aunty’s!
The entertainment did seem to reset after about 90 minutes, which was the perfect amount of time to let us sing, dance, have fun, and eat some delicious food in the process!
Disney Characters at Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration
One of the biggest draws to Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration is the characters!
My boys love character meals because you almost never know who is going to show up! Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration is very much the same – with some of the more well-known Disney characters rotating in and out of the restaurant.
When we went to Aulani in February for example, we saw Minnie Mouse and Pluto. Since the breakfast wasn’t sold out, they were able to come by our table several times, and even spend a bit more time than usual playing with our boys.
They also had time to pose for a lot of pictures we wanted to get!
Aulani Insider Tip: Outdoors is the best, most natural lighting! ASk to sit outside if at all possible!
Minnie Mouse came by our table twice and my boys were thrilled to see her! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung
My boys and I loved how informal pictures with the characters were. No high-stress situations, just interacting and loving on the Disney characters we were able to see.
The group photos were mostly taken by other guests, and the characters were up for group shots, individuals, and everything in between!
What do I Wear to the Aulani Character Breakfast?
While I like to dress up a bit more than the average person, it is certainly not a requirement! I love to wear tropical pants and dress my boys up in Aloha shirts!
Since Mickey wears his Aloha shirt, I thought it would be super cute to try and match – and it was!
Aulani Insider Tip: If you are staying at the resort, you will receive leis when you check-in. Bring them with you to breakfast for pictures – and enjoy them as a fresh, festive addition to any outfit!
We stepped right up for this group shot at the Disney Character Breakfast at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa on Oahu. Photo credit: Disney Aulani PhotoPass Photographer
While some places require formal attire, the Aulani Character Breakfast has a NO formal attire rule!
They do ask that everyone wears shirts and shoes at all times, and that any swim-suits are accompanied by a cover-up. Also, kids under 14 are the only ones allowed to wear costumes. Darn.
I would say that for the most part, I saw a lot of “nicer” clothing options while we were at breakfast.
Dresses, Aloha shirts, collared shirts, and resort wear were pretty standard, for adults and kids alike.
I did notice a few Minnie ears around, which made me happy that I wasn’t the only one!
We loved when Aunty personally serenaded us! Photo credit: Marcie Cheung
Aulani Character Breakfast Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT CHARACTERS ARE AT AULANI?
At Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration at Makahiki, the regulars are Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and Pluto.
If you explore more around Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, you might find Donald Duck, Daisy DucK, Goofy, Chip & Dale, Stitch, Duffy, ShellieMae, or maybe even Moana!
CAN YOU GO TO AULANI JUST FOR A DAY?
While you can walk around the resort or use the beach in front of it, many of the activities and perks are for resort guests.
The wristband guests recieve give them access to the Aulani pools, pictures with characters, and other fun daily activities around the resort.
DOES AULANI HAVE A DINING PLAN?
Unfortunately, there is not a dining plan at Aulani. The resort here is not all-inclusive, so you will pay for each meal as you go.
My family loves this though, as it means we aren’t tied to any one restaurant or cafeteria.
HOW MUCH DOES THE AULANI CHARACTER BREAKFAST COST?
Compared to other character meals, the Aulani Character Breakfast is actually quite reasonable!
Guests ages 10 and up are considered “Adults” and are $41. Children age 3 to 9 are $21, and kids under 3 are free! (Prices as of October 2019)
Prices are subject to change, and the cost goes up quite a bit if you are planning to book around a holiday.
Pictures are another expense if you would like to purchase them. For a CD of your Character Breakfast photos, the current price is $35. It is also $35 for a Photo Package – hard copies. If you would like both the CD and the hard copies, you can get them for $45.
You can also go to Kalepa’s store and ask that they add your Character Breakfast Photos to your PhotoPass if you already have an account set up!
IS IT WORTH THE COST?
Without a doubt, huge, emphatic YES!
Not only is the character breakfast a GREAT way to kick off a family vacation at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, but you will get to see characters you otherwise may never meet just out and about at the resort!
No waiting in line to take pictures with your favorite characters.
Amazingly tasty and bountiful food choices.
An Aunty that will keep you and your kids entertained the whole time. (Seriously, my boys didn’t want to leave!)
And Mickey Mouse Waffles?! Done deal!!
Even if you aren’t staying at Aulani, and are staying somewhere else on Oahu, I would still recommend making a reservation at Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration at Makahiki.
Nothing comes close to matching the magic and wonder of a Disney-run restaurant!
Aulani Insider Tip: If you are driving to Aulani for breakfast, make sure your parking ticket in with you, and keep your purchase receipt. For those who spend over $35, self-parking and valet parking is complimentary for up to 4 hours!
Breakfast for the Other Days
Since there absolutely CAN be too much of a good thing, know that there are other breakfast options when you’re staying at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa.
To start with, if you just want a really good cup of coffee or a latte, check out Wailana Coffee Bar.
For an easy, low-key breakfast, you can grab fresh malasadas (Hawaiian filled doughnuts) from Leonard’s Bakery, or grab groceries from the Island Country Market across the street.
The Ulu Cafe is a great option for quick meals on the go. Boiled eggs, bagels, croissants, cereal, and fresh fruit can all be found here for a pretty reasonable price.
This is the lanai of ‘Ama’Ama Beach Restaurant at Aulani. Photo credit: Matt Stroshane/Disney Destinations
If you’re looking for a fabulous meal to celebrate something special or just enjoy being on the beach, Ama’Ama is where you want to be. While the price is a bit higher than other options, the view more than makes up for it!
I don’t know which breakfast would be more memorable – Ama’Ama or Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration. Try both, and then let me know!
We love Aulani!
You might be thinking that Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa sounds a bit too much for families with young kids, but it’s not! We are a regular, suburban family with 2 young boys, and we LOVE Aulani!
When we plan a Hawaiian vacation, I sometimes tend to over-schedule us. The rental car becomes our home away from home, and I spend way too much time driving my boys all over the place hoping that they grow to love this place as much as I do.
I’ve been told more than once that this method isn’t exactly relaxing. (Sorry, Hunny!)
When we book a trip to Aulani, I know that we will be able to slow down and enjoy a nice, relaxing vacation together. Everything we need is right in the resort. The fact that it’s run by Disney makes our vacation that much more magical and special.
What would you be hoping to get out of a vacation at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa? Which characters would you hope to meet at Aunty’s Breakfast Celebration at Makahiki?