Using a Disney Aulani Travel Agent, Is it Worth It?

Let’s talk about something amazing – Disney’s Aulani Resort in Hawaii. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that brings the magic of Disney to the tropical paradise of Hawaii. But, as incredible as it sounds, planning a trip to Aulani can feel like a whole new adventure of its own. Even with an all-inclusive vibe, a Disney Aulani vacation comes with a lot to figure out.

Imagine this:

Deciding which room type to choose
- do you want a standard room
- studio
- 1 or 2-bedroom villa
- suite, etc…
Figuring out transportation to the resort and around the island
Learning How to sign up for all the on property activities
Figuring out where the characters are for your kids to interact with
Learning about how to sign up for Aulani’s FREE Kids Club (yes, it’s free and it’s amazing) and all the sessions
Choosing where to dine on and off the property.
Should you do Aulani’s Luau or should you do another one on island?

And let’s not forget the room options. Aulani offers numerous room types in different areas, and many say “pool view,” but you do get a partial ocean view, and some ocean views are much better than other rooms.

All this planning feels like putting together a puzzle with endless pieces. And on top of that, there’s a family to raise, and your job is a lot!

After my first trip to Hawaii, I finally decided to try a travel agent, realizing that I could use the help (and yes, I was surprised to learn that many travel agents don’t charge extra for their services, so I could have done this sooner).

MY FIRST TRAVEL AGENT EXPERIENCE

My first experience with a travel agency was when I booked a family cruise. It was through one of the big names known for organizing countless vacations and magical memories.

They handled my room reservations and helped me save a bit of money. The experience was definitely a time-saver, although there was a bit of upselling that felt more sales-focused than supportive.

I was set to go with the same company again until a friend told me I had to try her travel agent.

Now, I don’t usually jump to a friend’s recommendations (I’m a bit of a skeptic) but she insisted her agent is “life-changing” (she’s a bit dramatic)

THE NEW AGENT – A TRULY MAGICAL EXPERIENCE

When I reached out to this new travel agent, I wasn’t expecting much of a difference. But right from the start, I knew this was a different experience.

It felt like chatting with a friend – someone genuinely excited to help create an unforgettable family vacation. I should mention the company’s name is Best Day Ever Vacations.

Instead of just sending me a quote, they wanted to know about our family’s interests, favorite activities, and vacation style, all while keeping within our budget. They helped me plan the Aulani luau (which is great) and gave me tips on how to get the best seating without paying the premium pricing.

In addition, they gave me tips on signing up the kids for the kids club, what hours they are open, how to sign up for different sessions, and which activities are included and which are extra. It was an endless wealth of information

HOW DID THEY HELP ME PLAN MY TRIP?

Beyond booking our rooms, the agency provided us with a wealth of useful tips and guidance:

They shared which rooms they recommend
They helped us prioritize the add-ons and experiences that were most worth the cost.
Throughout the planning process, they kept us updated on everything included in our package to ensure we made the most of our trip.
They gave us a guide on the best dining options available at the resort and around the resort
They even provided a packing guide with recommendations for what to bring.
Transportation? Covered. They arranged everything to make our arrival as smooth as possible.

But here’s the best part…

THEY FOUND ME A BETTER DEAL, EVEN AFTER I WAS ALREADY BOOKED!

I booked our trip well in advance with a small deposit. Then, 5 months later (yes 5 months), I received a message from Jamie, our travel planner, that a new offer was available, and she’d managed to save us an extra $680 on our existing reservation.

Since then, I’ve booked every Aulani trip with Best Day Ever Vacations, and it’s become my go-to agency.

OVERALL – SHOULD YOU USE A TRAVEL AGENT?

If you’re planning a trip to Disney’s Aulani, I highly recommend using a travel agent. At worst, if you find one that’s just “average,” you’ll still save yourself a lot of time. And if you use Best Day Ever Vacations, I’m confident you’ll be thrilled with the experience.

They have made vacationing so much easier and more enjoyable for my family, and now I recommend them to everyone I know. They’ve truly transformed our vacations into magical family experiences.

If you’re considering Aulani, I suggest reaching out for a free quote with Best Day Ever Vacations. They’re so fantastic that they even asked if I wanted to join their team – though I think I’ll stick to just enjoying the trips!

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Amber Mamian

Amber is the CEO and mama in charge at Rookie Moms! She is raising six amazing humans and has been through a lot as a mom including high-risk pregnancy (preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome), adoption, navigating special needs, working from home, and more. Now she's on a mission to pass along the knowledge she's learned... from one mama to another!