Had to waitlist for Aulani for trip in June

[helenk]

I wanted to book a studio for my daughter and her boyfriend for June 16th to June 23rd, and the first 3 nights are not available. The did not have a studio or even a 1 bedroom for that week.
I wanted to make the reservation on the 7 month mark but they were going back and forth with their dates.
I had to wait list the entire week and I'm kind of bummed, I hope this comes through for them. I was going to wait until after the New Year to book the flights so I will keep an eye on the waitlist until then.

 

[Ggatorgirl]

WOW That is interesting...Did you try all the views...standard, island,garden, ocean?

I am waiting for the 7 month window next week to make my ressie. I am getting worried now!

 

[DenLo]

My DSIL just made a 7 month mark reservation at Aulani. The CM told her she got the last ocean view 1BR available for the period of June 15 through June 20th, 2012.

Maybe June is turning out to a really busy month at Aulani.

 

[helenk]

WOW That is interesting...Did you try all the views...standard, island,garden, ocean?

I am waiting for the 7 month window next week to make my ressie. I am getting worried now!

I waned an Oceanview but tried for all views, there was nothing for a studio or 1 bedroom

 

[disneynutz]

Aren't they still building the resort? Not all rooms have been declared into DVC inventory and they might not be for a couple of years.

Bill

 

[ACDSNY]

Yes, more rooms should still be declared as sales progress too. I would think you should have a pretty good shot on the wait list coming through. Don't give up hope yet it's still early.

 

[mdsd8700]

Lots of pixie dust for your WL to come through! We are going in early June and made our reservations at the 7 month mark, I was thrilled when we got what we wanted and even more so now. I think you also have a good chance the WL will come through.

 

[ddhoeg]

I'm curious if June will be a busier month in the summer than July through September due to the lower points. For some room types and views the difference is fairly substantial. We booked for June instead of July for this reason, and I'm wondering if others did the same. Hope the waitlist comes through for you OP. Best wishes!

 

[dsneygirl]

We are currently booked June 9-17 but wanted the 12th-20th. Like you there was nothing the 18, 19, 20 in studio or 1 bedroom in any view.

 

[helenk]

I am going to keep my fingers crossed, I've never waitlisted before so this is a new experience for me.
I'll hang in there until mid March if it does not come through we'll have to see. I do not want to wait until the last minute to book airfare.

 

[DenLo]

Phase II opened November 16th, however, who knows how many villas have been declared for membership use. Per wdrl (my dh), the website in Hawaii is not as user friendly as the ones in Florida. So it's possible that although more villas are completed they may not be available for members to reserve using their points because they have not been declared.

ddhoeg, I wouldn't be surprised that a lot of members are booking in June through the 24th for the lower point cost as we DVC members do like to save points.

Good luck to all of your with your wait lists.

 

[maburke]

I wanted to book a studio for my daughter and her boyfriend for June 16th to June 23rd, and the first 3 nights are not available. The did not have a studio or even a 1 bedroom for that week.
I wanted to make the reservation on the 7 month mark but they were going back and forth with their dates.
I had to wait list the entire week and I'm kind of bummed, I hope this comes through for them. I was going to wait until after the New Year to book the flights so I will keep an eye on the waitlist until then.

Why did you have to wait list the entire week if only the first 3 nights are not available? In my experience, the fewer nights you wait list, the better your chances.

 

[Anal Annie]

I am going to keep my fingers crossed, I've never waitlisted before so this is a new experience for me.
I'll hang in there until mid March if it does not come through we'll have to see. I do not want to wait until the last minute to book airfare.

If you really want to book the flights whenever you see a good deal and you're sure their dates are final with no more flexibility then I'd go ahead & book whatever nights WERE available at Aulani and just make a refundable ressie somewhere else for the other 3 nights. Just waitlist the 3 nights that you're missing. That way you can finalize their trip and stress less over the waitlisting thing. If the waitlist comes thru great, if not, well hotels in Waikiki are fairly reasonable per night and I'd bet you could find something affordable at one of the Outriggers for the other 3 nights. I know it's not the ideal situation but if it was me I'd rather finalize my planning than play the waiting game.

 

[cj9200]

This is not what I wanted to hear. Waiting until the 28th to try to book our trip. It is a HS graduation trip for DD. Hopefully I will be able to snag a reservation. Don't like the idea of booking a flight and adopt a wait and see attitude and if it does not come through, I would hate to spend $ on another resort.

 

[lilpooh108]

June 15th is the Friday before most schools here on the West Coast get out for the summer....so you're competing with different vacationing habits out here I guess....and the weather is super nice in June on Oahu. Hot, but not too hot...

 

[slowly]

Aren't they still building the resort? Not all rooms have been declared into DVC inventory and they might not be for a couple of years.

Bill

Bill, you are absolutely correct about your statement because I just saw that the prices for Aulani pts are going up from $120 to $135 starting in early Dec! This is not good because it will slow down sales IMO which means less DVC inventory.

Like most people I thought it was based on the Villas available. It's based on the ratio of DVC Aulani Owners to DVC owners of other properties. I think Disney will offer more cash ressies as a result. I really feel for those who have to spend the money to travel to HI and not get their choice of villas let alone any room.

 

[Jaaron2]

This also makes me VERY nervous. We are waiting (on pins and needles) to book our trip at the 7 month mark. We are not leaving until the end of July though and hope to get a 1 or 2 bedroom for 2 weeks. This will be our first ever trip to Hawaii so everyone is extremely excited. I really hope we dont have to go through the nerve racking processes of being waitlisted.

 

[DenLo]

Bill, you are absolutely correct about your statement because I just saw that the prices for Aulani pts are going up from $120 to $135 starting in early Dec! This is not good because it will slow down sales IMO which means less DVC inventory.

Like most people I thought it was based on the Villas available. It's based on the ratio of DVC Aulani Owners to DVC owners of other properties. I think Disney will offer more cash ressies as a result. I really feel for those who have to spend the money to travel to HI and not get their choice of villas let alone any room.

Hey if we can't get into Aulani, oh well. Aulani is only part of our planned Hawaiian vacation. We already have an NCL cruise around the islands booked. Maybe we'll spend time on one of the other islands instead. Although a travel agent we met that also happens to be a DVC member, mentioned that she has really good rates ($150 a night) for hotel side at Aulani with the fifth night free. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to get that rate. We won't be traveling regularly to Hawaii so why buy the points?

 

[htmlkid]

So here's a question for the most experience of you DVC'ers..

Alain seems to be booking up quickly during the summer. We are looking to do 7 days arriving on a Monday and leaving on a Monday. Now this isn't a typical reservation and I'm afraid that people who book a week from the Saturday or Sunday prior to my monday will use up all the available days from my Monday through saturday.

So the questions in can I book Saturday through Monday at paths 7th month mark and then on Monday just shave off Saturday and Sunday...

Would this be the best way to reserve it?

 

[Ggatorgirl]

Yes you can. It's referred to as 'walking the reservation.'

It is a hot button on the boards, however and some folks object to 'gaming' the system like that. But it is allowed.