I would recommend against the executive lanai if you need shade--it is extremely sunny in the afternoon--really no shade. We've done both a cabana and the exec lanai--we prefer the lanai, but cabanas are also really nice. It's a really nice feeling to not have to worry about securing a chair. You also have a dedicated server, which is really nice.
This. The executive lanai faces the ocean and gets direct, strong afternoon sunlight. We found that no matter how much you adjusted the umbrella and casabella shades, you still had to wrap up in towels to avoid the sun and that was no fun. Depending on the size of your party, I would suggest booking the upper or lower veranda instead, which is just on the other side of the deck from the executive lanai. It shares the same views, but its a little more secluded being on the very edge of the resort on the far side of Ama Ama. When we were there, it was full shade almost the whole day.
Is there a place to learn all there is to know about these two options? Cost what they offer etc.?
Search the forum here for more info, but here it is on the Aulani site: Poolside Cabana Rentals | Aulani Hawaii Resort & Spa (disneyaulani.com) - under the Casabella section, there is some info about the executive lanai as well as the upper and lower verandas. There are multiple cabanas, but only one executive lanai, one upper veranda, and one lower veranda. For the executive lanai, upper veranda, or lower veranda, you reserve the whole section which includes the seating referenced on the Aulani web site, regardless of how many are in your party. For example, DH and I reserved the upper veranda which had two casabellas (four seats) - obviously we didn't need that many seats, but that's what it includes. There is waiter service but we didn't find it to be the most expedient.
Thank you!
There is really no way to get shade there in the afternoon. It is intense full sun
