A Magical Morning at Disney's Aulani: Our Character Breakfast at Makahiki

A Magical Morning at Disney’s Aulani: Our Character Breakfast at Makahiki

After wrapping up four beautiful days in Waikiki, my family and I were beyond excited to head over to Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa for the next part of our Hawaiian adventure. While I’ll be sharing more soon about our entire Aulani stay (and trust me, you’ll want to hear all about it!), this post is all about one unforgettable experience — our morning at the Makahiki Character Breakfast.

Still not quite adjusted to the Hawaii time difference, we were up bright and early and arrived at Aulani around 6:30 a.m. for our 7:00 a.m. reservation at Makahiki. The air was warm, the sky a little drizzly — one of those soft Hawaiian rains that somehow feels just as magical as sunshine. Excitement levels were already at a solid 10/10 as we walked into the resort and made our way to breakfast.

Normally, guests are greeted by Mickey Mouse outside with a gorgeous natural backdrop of Aulani’s lush gardens. Since the weather had other plans, Mickey was greeting guests inside that morning, and honestly — it was just as special. We got our adorable family photo with Mickey first thing before being seated, and from there, the magic just continued.

Now let’s talk about the food — because wow! The menu at Makahiki is a dream for any breakfast lover. I had what I can confidently say were the best pancakes of my life, topped with an incredible macadamia nut sauce that still lives rent-free in my mind. It was sweet, creamy, and completely unforgettable. My husband enjoyed the bagel and lox, and our daughter was thrilled with her Mickey-shaped waffles — because, of course, everything tastes better when it’s Mickey-shaped!

Before our entrées even arrived, our server brought out warm malasadas, perfectly soft and dusted with sugar, along with the signature POG juice (a tropical mix of passionfruit, orange, and guava). Between the malasadas, the juice, and that magical macadamia sauce, it was pure breakfast paradise.

The character interactions were just as special as the food. Throughout breakfast, we met Stitch, Goofy, and Minnie Mouse, each stopping by our table for photos, hugs, and plenty of laughs. The energy in the restaurant was joyful, filled with families smiling ear to ear — and it truly set the tone for an incredible first day at Aulani.

Even with the drizzly start, our morning at Makahiki was everything you’d hope for from a Disney experience in Hawaii — warm, welcoming, delicious, and full of magic. It was the perfect way to kick off our Aulani adventure and left us all ready for a day of exploring the pools, beaches, and beauty of the resort.

✨ If you’re dreaming about visiting Disney’s Aulani Resort & Spa, I would love to help make that happen for you. From character breakfasts like this to island excursions and relaxation in paradise, I can help you create a seamless, exciting, and truly magical Hawaiian vacation.