NEWS: Disney's Aulani Resort Officially Has a Reopening Date!

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Hawaii has been closed since March due to the global health crisis.

Disney’s Aulani Resort

Soon after the closure, Disney noted that the resort would be closed “until further notice.” Recently, reservations at Aulani were canceled through mid-October. But, now, Disney has announced an official reopening date for Aulani.

Disney has stated that due to “Hawaii’s recent announcement of a pre-arrival testing program for those traveling out-of-state,” they will be working toward a phased reopening of Aulani beginning on November 1st.

Aulani Reopening Date

Disney has noted that they will be taking a “gradual, phased approach to reopening” that will consider the “guidance of local and national government and health authorities.” According to Disney, they are taking this approach so that they will be able to evaluate and adjust their processes along the way as the situation and recommendations from authorities evolve.

©Disney

In order to provide more flexibility, Disney has announced that guests will be able to cancel their Aulani resort reservations up to 24 hours prior to their arrival date for all stays through May 20th, 2021, and Disney will be waiving any Disney-imposed cancellation fees associated with said cancellations. This modification to the Resort’s typical cancellation policy will apply to both Walt Disney Travel Company vacation packages and room only bookings.

Hawaiian Sunset from Aulani

Cancellations (and no shows) made less than 24 hours before arrival, will incur a cancellation fee as follows:

Room only reservations — the cancellation fee will be equivalent to the first night’s room rate plus tax
Walt Disney Travel Company vacation packages — a $400 cancellation fee will be charged

Disney has also specified that a guest who fails to check in to the hotel on the scheduled arrival date without timely prior notice of cancellation or change will also be subject to these fees.

Hawaiian Mickey

Guests should be aware that cancellation fees imposed by third-party suppliers, like rental cars or airlines, as well as any nonrefundable products, will be deducted from the refundable amounts for Walt Disney Travel Company packages. Guests will still be responsible for any cancellation charges associated with third-party suppliers.

Auntie dancing with Minnie

For all stays after May 20th, 2021, Disney’s regular cancellation and refund policy will apply:

Room only reservations — Cancellations for these reservations must be made at least 5 days prior to arrival. For cancellations made 4 days or less before arrival date (including no shows), a cancellation fee will be charged equivalent to the first night’s room rate plus tax. Failure to check in to the hotel on the scheduled arrival date without timely prior notice of cancellation or change will be subject to fees equivalent to the first night’s hotel rate plus tax.
For a Walt Disney Travel Company vacation package — or if you have booked other components with your room such as a flight or a rental car — the required notification timeframe is 30 days or more, with a $400 cancellation fee if notice is 29 days or less.

Aulani Resort

With this announcement of Aulani’s reopening, we are just awaiting the opening date for Disneyland Resort. We’ll keep our eyes open for more information about this situation, and let you know what we find. Stay tuned for all of the latest Disney news!