7 month window for July 2017?

[glencoe]

Like many....I am a big planner. So my next family trip we decided is Aulani! I am presently buying more points resale to give us more Disney time!!

Since I am a BLT owner (both contracts) I will only be able to book at the 7month window....I have been lurking at the DVC site and airlines to see costs and availability. What are my chances to book a trip to Aulani in July 2017-Early Aug. 2017. I have two kids going off to college and I am assuming they will be gone mid august...I am a teacher so I only have that time period .

1. I would like to make this a trip to remember so what are my chances at getting something at this time frame?
2. Would it be better to book a specific type of room to increase my chances?
3. How would a family of 5 (ages below) fit in a one bedroom studio? The points are SO HIGH!!
4. Is there a rhyme or reason to start day/stop day (tues/wed etc) of trip for availability?

Thanks again-you guys are awesome!!

 

[OKW Lover]

We've made 2 trips to Aulani, with #3 happening in May, all of which were booked at the 7 month window. However, we booked an Ocean View Grand Villa each time and I don't know how the demand for them compares with the other DVC units so I really can't answer your other questions.

BTW in your #3 you mention a "one bedroom studio". Its either a one bedroom unit or its a studio. Which did you mean?

 

[DisDadDVC]

Like many....I am a big planner. So my next family trip we decided is Aulani! I am presently buying more points resale to give us more Disney time!!

Since I am a BLT owner (both contracts) I will only be able to book at the 7month window....I have been lurking at the DVC site and airlines to see costs and availability. What are my chances to book a trip to Aulani in July 2017-Early Aug. 2017. I have two kids going off to college and I am assuming they will be gone mid august...I am a teacher so I only have that time period .

1. I would like to make this a trip to remember so what are my chances at getting something at this time frame?
2. Would it be better to book a specific type of room to increase my chances?
3. How would a family of 5 (ages below) fit in a one bedroom studio? The points are SO HIGH!!
4. Is there a rhyme or reason to start day/stop day (tues/wed etc) of trip for availability?

Thanks again-you guys are awesome!!

Have you considered renting your points out and then renting Aulani points from another owner? Or trying to get a transfer from another member?

 

[Loveallthingsmouse]

We also own at BLT, we have our second scheduled for this July, both trips were in July. The first visit we booked an OV studio, this time we have an OV 1 bed. Both times I booked exactly 7 months to the day, right when it opened. IMO, plan to have the points needed for the highest point view for the size room you need, then if you can get the lower point view, bonus. The IV and SV were neither available without wait listing when I booked but I was wanting OV so it didn't matter to me. Happy planning...it is a beautiful resort!!

 

[hilarys]

I think you need to be right on the day/time the booking window opens and have a little flexibility to do the seventh month. As mentioned above the non-oceanview lower point cost rooms go quicker.

Not sure if you meant would 5 comfortably fit in a studio or a one bedroom. With the ages of your kids, I think a studio would be really cramped. Plus, it is really nice to have a full kitchen in hawaii for meals - it is also a great way to save $. We plan to have all our breakfasts, most lunches (easy to come up from the pool) and a couple of dinners in the room. The one bedroom is certainly do-able with your group but will still be a little tight as it only has one bathroom (it does not have two bathrooms like some of the other 1BR DVC). We tend to spend a lot more time in our room while in Hawaii than on other types of vacations - relaxing in the evenings, taking a break from the sun, lazy mornings before hitting the beach - so we value more space on these trips.

It is an absolutely beautiful place and you should definitely do it!

 

[alohamom]

To give you an idea from this year, I rented 5 nights from August 21-26 in a standard view studio from Davids around the 8th month mark (beginning of Dec) and had no problem getting this request. Then a little later (just before the 7th month mark, beginning of Jan) we decided to add 2 more nights (August 19/20) and we were not able to get a standard view, only an island view or up. I thought this might give you an idea of what might be available for you, of course every year is different and I am booked for mid to late August but I know you will need to be ready to book right at that 7 month mark. Sorry for all the brackets!

 

[alohamom]

Oh and as far as 5 in a studio goes, I think it depends on your family. If you are used to staying together in a hotel room then it really isnt much different. The only thing I might suggest is an inexpensive blow up mattress from Target, just in case.

 

[sgrap]

We got up at 4:45 a.m. Pacific time in November to be online right when our 7 month window opened for early June. We will have 6 of us so we need a 2 bedroom. The only thing that was left was a two bedroom lockoff with an ocean view and that was only right at the stroke of the seven-month window.

 

[Sepo]

We tried and failed 3 mornings right at the opening in a row and then we were successful on the 4th. This was for the 4th week of June, got a 1br pool/garden view. Others gone.

It's obviously tight in the summer months but not impossible.

Transferring points or renting points may be the way to go. Could also try for days before your preferred window and then "walk up" the res, though that can be tricky.

Good luck.

 

[quinnc19]

I think early June is harder to get than the rest of summer due to the lower point requirements

 

[LAX]

Oh and as far as 5 in a studio goes, I think it depends on your family. If you are used to staying together in a hotel room then it really isnt much different. The only thing I might suggest is an inexpensive blow up mattress from Target, just in case.

Would AUL allow 5 persons (2 adults & 3 young children) be booked into a studio? I thought max occupancy for a studio is 4 persons plus a child <3 yo. The jump in points from a studio to an 1-bedroom is quite a bit and I wouldn't mind squeezing into a studio for several years until the kids get older if allowed.

LAX

 

[Minniesgal]

June July and august seems to be very difficult to get.

May, September and October seem to be fairly easy.

 

[ngl]

We are BLT owners as well and booked Aulani the day the 7 month window opened. As others have said, the studios, standard views and 1 bedroom go faster than others. (We did a 2 bed OV). What I did is when the 11 month window opened for Aulani owners, I started looking at the DVC tool of Resort Availability they now have. I checked that every once in a awhile during those months so I could get an idea of what was available to non-owners and what dates seemed to be more open than others just based on owner bookings.

 

[alohamom]

Would AUL allow 5 persons (2 adults & 3 young children) be booked into a studio? I thought max occupancy for a studio is 4 persons plus a child <3 yo. The jump in points from a studio to an 1-bedroom is quite a bit and I wouldn't mind squeezing into a studio for several years until the kids get older if allowed.

LAX

You are correct on the max occupancy of 4, but I kind of think I have read about a family of 5 in a studio at Aulani here or on the DVC trip reports thread, some how it is sticking in my mind. I would assume we are talking about 2 adults and 3 very small children like you said. We are a family of 4 with 2 older teens and we are pretty comfortable in a studio but personally I dont think I would want one more in there, LOL!

 

[glencoe]

I think early June is harder to get than the rest of summer due to the lower point requirements

I need July or early August, hopefully successful!

 

[glencoe]

June July and august seems to be very difficult to get.

May, September and October seem to be fairly easy.

No go.... I teach during that time and my kids are in school....very restricted time frame, July and early Aug. it is!

 

[glencoe]

Would AUL allow 5 persons (2 adults & 3 young children) be booked into a studio? I thought max occupancy for a studio is 4 persons plus a child <3 yo. The jump in points from a studio to an 1-bedroom is quite a bit and I wouldn't mind squeezing into a studio for several years until the kids get older if allowed.

LAX

Probably not! I miss wrote... We need either 1 BR villa or if I can pull it off..... 2 BR villa. Depends availability. Would love the more space but my priority is just getting there first- whether that be OV, IV OR SV, and which ever is available. Fingers crossed!!

 

[glencoe]

We've made 2 trips to Aulani, with #3 happening in May, all of which were booked at the 7 month window. However, we booked an Ocean View Grand Villa each time and I don't know how the demand for them compares with the other DVC units so I really can't answer your other questions.

BTW in your #3 you mention a "one bedroom studio". Its either a one bedroom unit or its a studio. Which did you mean?

Sorry meant villa........ Are they villas at alumni.. Like BLT?