Thoughts on Aulani availability

[Anal Annie]

So we want to go to Aulani next August. I have worked out several scenarios / possibilities on what we may be able to book with our available points. Although we normally only book studios I am considering splurging on a 1 bedroom there since we likely won't book any other trips next year and would have the points available to use. I've estimated that we can either do an IV or poolside studio OR either a std. view or IV 1 bedroom for 5 nights without having to borrow. (I have not read anything yet that sounds like an OV view is worth the extra points.) If there are no IV or Std. 1 bedrooms available we could do a poolview 1 bedroom and get by with only having to borrow 18 points but my preference would be to book an IV 1 bedroom I think. Ideally, if we can get a studio for 3 nights at VGC and an IV 1 bedroom at Aulani for 5 nights it would work out to using 308 points and we'll have 310 points to work with - so it would use all but 2 points that we'll have available. Just about perfect, right?

I am trying to leave our options open for the booking availability at Aulani. I really just want to get in for 5 nights without borrowing and can be flexible to a point on the type of unit we get. But I was just wondering about the availability on the various types of units - does anybody know what has been the hardest or the easiest units to book at 7 months? ie are studios harder or easier to book than 1 bedrooms? How about the different views? Any one particular unit harder to get than another? Has there been enough reports yet on the availability to even know?

 

[DenLo]

I used to read all of the Aulani availability threads before our trip to Aulani in September. And it appears that the Standard and Island Views 1 and 2 BRs were the ones booked up fast during the times most families travel. And the first three weeks in June booked faster than normal because they were cheaper points than the rest of the summer. People were shut out if they didn't book right at the 7 month mark for June and still some did not get all the days they wanted. I do not recall anyone saying they couldn't get a room for any other time period, except for those first three weeks in June.

On wdrl's thread, Aulani Rooms and Views, there was a discussion recently that one family found that when they moved from a OV to an IV they felt isolated. They no longer stayed in their villa enjoying sitting on their balcony. Instead they felt they had to get out of the room and back to pool area to be part of the resort again. I know when we were at Aulani we really enjoyed our time on the balcony for our Pool/Garden view villa. And we have decided saving a few points wasn't worth it, because an OV is worth it. But we would still want a room that faced the Waikolohe Valley (main pool area) despite the day time noise.

 

[Anal Annie]

Thanks for that link! I needed that! I remember seeing it before at some point. When I look at the pictures it just seems that not all OV villas are equal. Some are barely high enough to see a smidge of the ocean over the trees...and some are so far away...I would be ticked if we blew the extra points for an OV and then needed to stand on a chair with binoculars to see it. We once booked a poolview at Jambo house and all we could see were trees. Sure, the unit faced the pool but we couldn't see one gallon of water. I should've complained but it was only for 3 nights and I didn't feel like moving...

Sounds as if the final phase is opening now too so that might also impact availability - hopefully for the better. We could do an OV studio but not an OV 1 bedroom. That's just too many points - we would not spend 5 nights there if that's all we could get. We can only vacation in August for the most part so the points are what they are. Sounds like studios were easier to get than 1 bedrooms though up until now?! We are certainly used to doing studios so that's not really a biggie - but usually we're at WDW and are spending most of our time in the parks. At WDW we only eat breakfasts in but I could see wanting to also do lunches in the villa at Aulani if we're not out sightseeing somewhere. That's why I thought the 1 bedroom would be nice...just a little more space and convenience.

 

[DisWitt]

At 7 months, during prime season, don't get your hopes up for a standard view. There aren't many units. IV and OV (remember, all Aulani ones are listed are PARTIAL) have a lot of units - and more coming early 2013 so you'll probably be best to plan on one of those. Pool view, in my opinion, are great "point saver" views at Aulani for owners. Some people will want first floor PV for the direct access out the patio door, others will luck out with a peek-a-boo OV through treetops (like we did in 407). But with very few PV's, I bet most book up before 7 months.

 

[ACDSNY]

On wdrl's thread, Aulani Rooms and Views, there was a discussion recently that one family found that when they moved from a OV to an IV they felt isolated. They no longer stayed in their villa enjoying sitting on their balcony. Instead they felt they had to get out of the room and back to pool area to be part of the resort again. I know when we were at Aulani we really enjoyed our time on the balcony for our Pool/Garden view villa. And we have decided saving a few points wasn't worth it, because an OV is worth it. But we would still want a room that faced the Waikolohe Valley (main pool area) despite the day time noise.

We feel the same way about the Island View so if we have the points available our first preference is Pool View as the Island View isn't saving us very many points.

Now if it came to standard view or no trip than I guess I could handle not having a good view.

 

[lilpooh108]

In my experience standard view and pool view will be hardest to get. We also disliked our islandview-- we looked right into the parking structure. You should opt for the 1 bedroom since its more convenient wash clothes from the pool.

If you cant get 5 nights, why not stay in Waikiki for a few days and sightsee on that side first?

 

[Anal Annie]

In my experience standard view and pool view will be hardest to get. We also disliked our islandview-- we looked right into the parking structure. You should opt for the 1 bedroom since its more convenient wash clothes from the pool.

If you cant get 5 nights, why not stay in Waikiki for a few days and sightsee on that side first?

I've been to Waikiki 4 times before....so kinda been there. Done that. Oahu is our least fav. island...only staying beyond 3 nights because of being able to use points (at least hopefully). If we can't get into Aulani we'd likely just skip Oahu this time. Since we're also planning on 3 nights at VGC first (which is a total points hog) I am open to a 1 bedroom IV, std. view or possibly poolview or a studio poolview, IV or OV. We'd have enough points to cover any of those for 5 nights EXCEPT the 1 bedroom poolview - we'd have to borrow 18 points to swing that.

(FWIW if I booked an island view and my view was of the parking structure I'd be sure to complain that should be a standard view.)

 

[wdrl]

(FWIW if I booked an island view and my view was of the parking structure I'd be sure to complain that should be a standard view.)

Anyone who books a stay at Aulani should be aware that Disney describes all view are 'partial' views. It underscores that point not only on the point chart for Aulani but also in the Public Offering Statement for the resort.

There are very view Island, Pool/Garden, or Ocean View villas that have only a view of the island, or the pool, or the ocean from the villa or balcony. Most villas' views will include parts of other things, such a villa from which can be seen both the island and the parking structure. Take a look at this photo from Villa 1152. It is classified as an Ocean View, but a lot of the pool can be seen in its view. Should a reasonable person complain that they are being overcharged for an ocean view villa?

 

[Anal Annie]

Anyone who books a stay at Aulani should be aware that Disney describes all view are 'partial' views. It underscores that point not only on the point chart for Aulani but also in the Public Offering Statement for the resort.

There are very view Island, Pool/Garden, or Ocean View villas that have only a view of the island, or the pool, or the ocean from the villa or balcony. Most villas' views will include parts of other things, such a villa from which can be seen both the island and the parking structure. Take a look at this photo from Villa 1152. It is classified as an Ocean View, but a lot of the pool can be seen in its view. Should a reasonable person complain that they are being overcharged for an ocean view villa?

I understand that most views include more than 1 "subject" but the OP said her IV unit looked right into the parking structure. Sounded like if that's the case it's more of a standard view than an island view. If I book a standard view then I expect that I will see parking garages and dumpsters. BUT if I book an island view then I don't expect to see directly into a parking garage. I expect it might be within the view but certainly not the primary view. I have booked my share of "island view" and "standard view" type rooms in Hawaii before. In Waikiki a "standard view" means you'll be looking straight out at the next hotel that is about 10 feet away while a POV means if you lean out over the railing of your balcony you can see a sliver of the ocean in-between the hotels. I have also had some tremendously wonderful "island views" on Maui before. Some in fact I preferred over a pool view.

Although requests are only that I think whenever I do finally book at Aulani I will request the highest possible floor for whatever view we snag. Perhaps that will help the perspective a little bit with some of these issues. Maybe it will put the parking garage a couple of floors down / below the balcony.

 

[lilpooh108]

WDRL----That's actually quite a nice ocean view for Aulani that you provided in the link. In fact, that looks like it was taken from Ewa tower (which I prefer).

If it were closer to the ocean, you'd see more off the building on the opposite side since the buildings are across from each other.

The Island view units all face or directly overlook either the convention/ballroom, parking structure or the valet area. In any case I believe all of them face the (busy) road since the road is on the makai side. We could even see the factories/industrial sites in Kapolei from our balcony. We were close to the port cochere so we could also see valet and the front entrance. With the fan noise from the parking structure, we never bothered to sit outside. Contrast that to our amazing island view on Maui just days prior in Kaanapali.

The 2 bedroom villa which was used as the DVC model had an ocean view and you saw a slanted view of the ocean to the right and the other building directly across.

When I was there, there were only 2 towers open and only the GVs facing the beach had "ocean front" views. I think that's what they call it now in Hawaii. Most hotels distinguish between ocean front & ocean view (which can be partial, or slanted).

 

[DenLo]

Although Aulani has opened the rest of the Ewa building, phase III, they have closed part of the Waianae Building that faces the construction that should be going on now. They expect the construction to continue until June 2013. But Aulani is only opening Phase III early because of the construction, it may not be declared for DVC. So that means when the construction is complete DVC availability will still be restricted to the percentage previously declared. It could mean there will be lots of DVC rooms available for cash stays.

I don't know if we will ever know the percentage declared, because the Hawaii website is not as user friendly as the Orange County, Florida's website.

 

[Anal Annie]

Although Aulani has opened the rest of the Ewa building, phase III, they have closed part of the Waianae Building that faces the construction that should be going on now. They expect the construction to continue until June 2013. But Aulani is only opening Phase III early because of the construction, it may not be declared for DVC. So that means when the construction is complete DVC availability will still be restricted to the percentage previously declared. It could mean there will be lots of DVC rooms available for cash stays.

I don't know if we will ever know the percentage declared, because the Hawaii website is not as user friendly as the Orange County, Florida's website.

So if I am looking to book in January for August what do they go by for inventory? Only what has been declared BY that day in January or what's expected to be ready / finished by August (since that's after the estimated completion date). Just wondering when the available inventory is updated for booking windows.

 

[wdrl]

So if I am looking to book in January for August what do they go by for inventory? Only what has been declared BY that day in January or what's expected to be ready / finished by August (since that's after the estimated completion date). Just wondering when the available inventory is updated for booking windows.

My educated guess is that the available inventory is based on what will be declared by the check-in date. Currently, AKV has 88.63% declared for the DVC inventory. If DVD anticipates making another declaration on June 1, 2013, that raises the declared inventory to 97%, it will let Members book today 97% of AKV, but only for stays beginning May 1, 2013, and later.

In Aulani's case, I don't know what percentage has been declared for the DVC inventory. Based on Units that have appeared on Aulani deeds, at least 15.22% of the resort was declared by early 2012. Perhaps more has declared has been declared by now, but I haven't tried to searched through the database to cobble together a better estimate. If sales continue to improve at Aulani, DVD must make additional declarations. By August 2013, I imagine a much larger percentage of Aulani should be declared for the DVC inventory.

BTW, Aulani's Phase 3 has 91 vacation homes (even room numbers xx60-xx68 and odd room numbers xx71-xx87) classified as Island Views that don't look out on the street, convention area, or parking structures. Instead, they face toward the ocean. As an added bonus, these villas overlook the Halawai Lawn where the Starlit Hui evening show is performed. Guests in these villas should be able to hear the StarLit Hui, if not watch part of it..

 

[Anal Annie]

My educated guess is that the available inventory is based on what will be declared by the check-in date. Currently, AKV has 88.63% declared for the DVC inventory. If DVD anticipates making another declaration on June 1, 2013, that raises the declared inventory to 97%, it will let Members book today 97% of AKV, but only for stays beginning May 1, 2013, and later.

In Aulani's case, I don't know what percentage has been declared for the DVC inventory. Based on Units that have appeared on Aulani deeds, at least 15.22% of the resort was declared by early 2012. Perhaps more has declared has been declared by now, but I haven't tried to searched through the database to cobble together a better estimate. If sales continue to improve at Aulani, DVD must make additional declarations. By August 2013, I imagine a much larger percentage of Aulani should be declared for the DVC inventory.

BTW, Aulani's Phase 3 has 91 vacation homes (even room numbers xx60-xx68 and odd room numbers xx71-xx87) classified as Island Views that don't look out on the street, convention area, or parking structures. Instead, they face toward the ocean. As an added bonus, these villas overlook the Halawai Lawn where the Starlit Hui evening show is performed. Guests in these villas should be able to hear the StarLit Hui, if not watch part of it..

Guess we'll see how that goes when the pics start rolling in....perhaps one could put in a request to overlook this Halawai Lawn?! Only 2 months, 3 weeks until I can try to book!!

 

[standardgirl]

So we want to go to Aulani next August. I have worked out several scenarios / possibilities on what we may be able to book with our available points. Although we normally only book studios I am considering splurging on a 1 bedroom there since we likely won't book any other trips next year and would have the points available to use. I've estimated that we can either do an IV or poolside studio OR either a std. view or IV 1 bedroom for 5 nights without having to borrow. (I have not read anything yet that sounds like an OV view is worth the extra points.) If there are no IV or Std. 1 bedrooms available we could do a poolview 1 bedroom and get by with only having to borrow 18 points but my preference would be to book an IV 1 bedroom I think. Ideally, if we can get a studio for 3 nights at VGC and an IV 1 bedroom at Aulani for 5 nights it would work out to using 308 points and we'll have 310 points to work with - so it would use all but 2 points that we'll have available. Just about perfect, right?

I am trying to leave our options open for the booking availability at Aulani. I really just want to get in for 5 nights without borrowing and can be flexible to a point on the type of unit we get. But I was just wondering about the availability on the various types of units - does anybody know what has been the hardest or the easiest units to book at 7 months? ie are studios harder or easier to book than 1 bedrooms? How about the different views? Any one particular unit harder to get than another? Has there been enough reports yet on the availability to even know?

If you're very worried about your trip next August, I can perhaps check the rooms for you now if you PM me your travel dates.

As others have said, Standard and Pool views will be difficult to get (lower points), with other views may not be as difficult. We were there this past May and the resort was fully booked for quite a long period.

 

[Anal Annie]

If you're very worried about your trip next August, I can perhaps check the rooms for you now if you PM me your travel dates.

As others have said, Standard and Pool views will be difficult to get (lower points), with other views may not be as difficult. We were there this past May and the resort was fully booked for quite a long period.

Thank you - that's very nice of you to offer to check but I thing that it's still too far out yet to know. The Aulani part of our trip is still almost 3 months away so that availability WILL change between now & then - but I HAVE thought about asking around for an owner there to check what's open when we get closer. I wasn't even going to plan on looking at the standard views figuring those would be booked.

 

[eva]

I made a reservation for a 1-bedroom pool view at the 7 month last week with no problem. As a matter of fact, the CM I spoke with said that with Phase 3 coming online in January there is plenty of availability of all views in May. I even called yesterday and added an 8th night with no issues at all. I think this year may be one of the best for those who want to book at the 7 month window.

 

[wdrl]

FYI: JonLouisB just posted some photos of his Island View Villa on the Aulani Villas and Views thread. They are in the Long wing of the newly opened Phase 3 building. Although its an Island View, they are on the 7th floor and have a fantastic view of the ocean.

I think the odd-numbered Island View villas in the Long Wing, at least those on the higher floors, will become the most frequently requested villas at Aulani. They will be in demand much like the Lake View North Wing, Even Numbered villas are at BLT.

 

[Anal Annie]

FYI: JonLouisB just posted some photos of his Island View Villa on the Aulani Villas and Views thread. They are in the Long wing of the newly opened Phase 3 building. Although its an Island View, they are on the 7th floor and have a fantastic view of the ocean.

I think the odd-numbered Island View villas in the Long Wing, at least those on the higher floors, will become the most frequently requested villas at Aulani. They will be in demand much like the Lake View North Wing, Even Numbered villas are at BLT.

Thanks for pointing them out! That's what I would expect of an "island view" in Hawaii and is similar to other "island views" that we have had on Maui in past trips. I still say a parking structure view like that other poster mentioned should be a "standard view" if it's the predominant feature of the view. Making notes now that IF WE CAN GET an island view 1 bedroom to request an odd numbered room in the Ewa building!!

 

[wdrl]

Making notes now that IF WE CAN GET an island view 1 bedroom to request an odd numbered room in the Ewa building!!

Just a heads up: 'Ewa' is the name of all of the buildings on the south side of the Aulani resort. A request for "Odd-numbered room, Ewa Building" includes villas in the Phase 1 building and the Phase 3 Short Wing building that face the street, parking garage, and convention center.

The Phase 3 Long Wing Island views that probably have the best ocean views are odd numbered xx71-xx87. The higher the floor the better. The Phase 3 Short Wing Island views with the best ocean views are even numbered xx60-xx68.