Is it Autism Friendly?
Disney’s Aulani, Honolulu
Score: 6 out of 9 Read on to find out why
Our Approach
Our autism friendly reviews are not about rating enjoyment, luxury, or whether a visit was “fun.” Instead, they assess whether an environment is genuinely accessible and supportive for autistic people and families. Each review is grounded in a consistent set of criteria, including visible signs of welcome and safety, clear pre-planning information, disability or companion pricing, alternatives to waiting, intuitive and signposted wayfinding, clearly explained and well-signed processes, sensory accommodations, access to quiet or sensory spaces, and staff attitudes toward disability and difference. The aim is to provide practical, predictable information that supports informed decision-making, so autistic travellers can better understand what to expect and decide what will work for their individual needs.
Disclaimer: Autism is experienced differently by each individual, and access needs can vary widely. These reviews reflect observed features and available supports rather than a guarantee of suitability for every person. What works well for one autistic person or family may not work for another, so we encourage readers to use this information as a planning tool alongside their own knowledge of individual needs and preferences.
Correct as of: 16 January 2026
Signs of Safety and Welcome - Score 0 out of 1
When Autistic travellers or their parents/carers are deciding if an environment is going to be welcoming or not, we typically look for signs of safety such as an Accessibility tab on a website (with information about accessibility for people with hidden disabilities), or evidence they are signed up to the Sunflowers Hidden Disability program. These signs show that on organisation has considered and sought to accommodate our needs. When reviewing Disney’s Aulani Resort’s website there was no indication that they have signed up to the Sunflower’s program, and there was only information about physical disability on the website. There was also no signage on site at the property to indicate an association with Sunflower’s. Additionally, I checked the information about the kids’ club to see if there was anything about accommodations for Autistic or Neurodivergent children - but nothing in this area either.
Pre-Planning Information - Score 2 out of 2
When planning our holiday to Aulani, I went to the website to see if I could get an understanding of what our room would be like, the layout of the grounds as well as what amenities existed on-site. The website had pictures and virtual room tours of all of the different room categories, as well as all of the leisure amenities. Also really helpful is when hotels outline what restaurants are available and copies of menus. These existed on both the website as well as an app.
In fact, between the app and the website, most things that you could possibly want to know about the resort were included. Some highlights include: parking and transportation; pre-registration to kids club and even suggestions for things to do around Oahu.
Not included in this review, but important for readers at home is to say that if you want walk-throughs of the resort, there are so, so many on YouTube!
The only suggestions for improvement under this section would be to include: an official walk-through of the resort on the website, and potentially add a visual story to the Accessibility tab of the website.
Wayfinding - Score 1 out of 1
Clear wayfinding in an environment can help Autistic people and their parents/carers reduce anxiety, and promote independence in a new environment by providing predictability and structure. Aulani does this amazingly! Throughout the resort, there are clearly labelled and well-maintained maps, the mobile app is super helpful on the go around the resort, and there is clear and logical directionals throughout the resort.
Waiting - Score 1 out of 1
Waiting is something that can be really tricky for Autistic people, and this is another area that Aulani scores reasonably well because of a few universal design elements. The first is mobile check-in. Disney allows you to check-in to your room on the app in advance of your stay. You will receive a notification to your mobile phone when your room is ready. This means you just need to drop by the front desk to pick up your key. If you have a Magic Band+ from a Disney park visit, you can now skip the front desk and use this to open your room. The accompanying photo shows how Bear waited during check-in (not at all difficult!).
Another tool you can use to cut down on waiting around the resort is the ability to mobile order food. Instead of waiting in line to order your food, in some dining locations there is the option to order and pay on the app and you will be notified when your order is ready for collection.
The only part of the resort where waiting sometimes became somewhat of an issue was using the waterslides. As our stay occurred in between Christmas and New Years, it was rather busy at the park and the line could get along. There is no process for ameliorating this wait, however this may not be an issue at other times of the year and is not worth removing half a mark for.
Processes - Score 1 out of 1
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Sensory - Score 0 out of 1
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Quiet or Sensory Spaces - Score 0 out of 1
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Staff - Score 1 out of 1
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Areas For Improvement
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Suggestions For Self-Support
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Accessibility for people with hidden disabilities, including autism, is still relatively new for many organisations, and in many cases these needs simply haven’t been fully considered yet. That doesn’t always reflect a lack of care, but rather a lack of awareness, experience, or guidance. By asking questions, sharing feedback, and advocating for clearer information and more inclusive practices, travellers can play an important role in shaping change. Every conversation, request, and piece of feedback helps signal that accessibility matters, and that autistic people and families belong in these spaces too. So if there is somewhere close that you would love to visit but you don’t feel they are quite there yet, take a minute to gently advocate for change. The more families like ours that ask for and expect inclusion, the more likely it will happen.
There are organisations globally you can assist organisations in improve their ‘autism friendliness’ in Australia, the USA and the UK. These include:
Australia / New Zealand: Aspect’s Autism Friendly
USA: IBCCES Certified Autism Center™ (CAC) program and Autism Friendly Club
UK: National Autistic Society