Advice Please- Aulani

[flinkerfrosch]

Hi,

I'm heading to Aulani end of Nov, 2017, yay! This will be my families first time in Hawaii and first time at Aulani.

I've been searching to rent points (DVC) for 10 nights in a Hotel room or Standard View Studio.

I need your advice on what to do because I'm torn!?

I have someone that can rent me their points for all 10 nights for $13 per point at the 7 month mark. I'm aware at the 7 month mark I probably won't get a hotel room or standard view studio, and may have to go for Island view which I'm fine with.

OR

I have another person that can rent 6 out of my 10 nights now in a hotel room (it's available now) for $14.75 per point. At the 7 month mark she has more points and can book the other 4 nights for me at $13 per point, but I'm also aware that I probably won't get a hotel room (DVC) and would probably get Island view if Standard View wasn't available which I'm fine with, but I would have to move rooms.

What would you do??

My dates are Nov 26th-Dec 6th. Am I taking a chance by waiting till the 7 month mark to book all 10 nights??

Is end of Nov pretty 'safe' for being able to book and get all 10 nights in the same room category?

Any help, advice would be appreciated!!!

Thank you

 

[happymommy]

Are your dates set in stone?

Have you booked airfare?

I go there at least every other year from Maryland (but stay at the Marriott Ko Olina). I book our villa at 12 months, use miles for our airfare (sometimes get first class, next year yes, and now that I'm 50 I won't go coach that far, but lucked out with low mileage awards, and lie flat seats coming home is a must).

I would be cautious if your dates are set in stone. Get the airfare booked first I think.

If you can't get your nights booked completely, you could do 2 or 3 nights in Waikiki (plenty of choices for a family there), and do more exploring at that time. Then when you get to Aulani, do more resort time.

We've done that a couple times, stayed in Waikiki one or two nights (get over jet lag, although I take melatonin since I lived there and would do it coming back to the mainland, so I don't get jet lag at all).

Not sure but there really is no "low" time at Aulani from what I see. Even the Marriott is always at almost 100% occupancy, although you wouldn't know it there. It's more spread out, so I can always find a pool chaise or two and a grill for lunch or dinner available (lunch they're all free, dinner I may wait a few minutes but we have 3 grill areas available all day and night, unlike Aulani which I understand only lets guests use them for a short dinner window - which I totally do not understand).

 

[flinkerfrosch]

Are your dates set in stone?

Have you booked airfare?

I go there at least every other year from Maryland (but stay at the Marriott Ko Olina). I book our villa at 12 months, use miles for our airfare (sometimes get first class, next year yes, and now that I'm 50 I won't go coach that far, but lucked out with low mileage awards, and lie flat seats coming home is a must).

I would be cautious if your dates are set in stone. Get the airfare booked first I think.

If you can't get your nights booked completely, you could do 2 or 3 nights in Waikiki (plenty of choices for a family there), and do more exploring at that time. Then when you get to Aulani, do more resort time.

We've done that a couple times, stayed in Waikiki one or two nights (get over jet lag, although I take melatonin since I lived there and would do it coming back to the mainland, so I don't get jet lag at all).

Not sure but there really is no "low" time at Aulani from what I see. Even the Marriott is always at almost 100% occupancy, although you wouldn't know it there. It's more spread out, so I can always find a pool chaise or two and a grill for lunch or dinner available (lunch they're all free, dinner I may wait a few minutes but we have 3 grill areas available all day and night, unlike Aulani which I understand only lets guests use them for a short dinner window - which I totally do not understand).

Set in stone, no, but pretty darn close lol
I have a lot of things to work around so these are the dates I really need/hope to get to make it all work out.
I have not booked airfare yet because I'm from Canada (Toronto area) and airfare now will be more $$ then if I wait till about 6 months out. I'm always watching though to see if I can find a deal.
As for Jet lag, we will be in Maui for 10 days before we come to Aulani, so I'm sure we will be good to go once we arrive at Aulani
I actually did consider 3 nights in Waikiki, but then figured I would prefer to stay at a Aulani instead, and doing a day trip to Waikiki.
I'm really torn on what to do??
I appreciate your advice though, thank you!!

 

[CaliAdventurer]

Set in stone, no, but pretty darn close lol
I have a lot of things to work around so these are the dates I really need/hope to get to make it all work out.
I have not booked airfare yet because I'm from Canada (Toronto area) and airfare now will be more $$ then if I wait till about 6 months out. I'm always watching though to see if I can find a deal.
As for Jet lag, we will be in Maui for 10 days before we come to Aulani, so I'm sure we will be good to go once we arrive at Aulani
I actually did consider 3 nights in Waikiki, but then figured I would prefer to stay at a Aulani instead, and doing a day trip to Waikiki.
I'm really torn on what to do??
I appreciate your advice though, thank you!!

Waikiki is awesome. Totally different animal. It has a vegas like energy to it and it's tops at night. Just gorgeous with lots to just stroll by, incredible shopping with lower prices than the mainland, and restaurants with music and views. I would take the 6 nights as a sure thing and stay in Waikiki if it were me since you will be on relax mode in Maui already.

 

[alldiz]

Hi,

I'm heading to Aulani end of Nov, 2017, yay! This will be my families first time in Hawaii and first time at Aulani.

I've been searching to rent points (DVC) for 10 nights in a Hotel room or Standard View Studio.

I need your advice on what to do because I'm torn!?

I have someone that can rent me their points for all 10 nights for $13 per point at the 7 month mark. I'm aware at the 7 month mark I probably won't get a hotel room or standard view studio, and may have to go for Island view which I'm fine with.

OR

I have another person that can rent 6 out of my 10 nights now in a hotel room (it's available now) for $14.75 per point. At the 7 month mark she has more points and can book the other 4 nights for me at $13 per point, but I'm also aware that I probably won't get a hotel room (DVC) and would probably get Island view if Standard View wasn't available which I'm fine with, but I would have to move rooms.

What would you do??

My dates are Nov 26th-Dec 6th. Am I taking a chance by waiting till the 7 month mark to book all 10 nights??

Is end of Nov pretty 'safe' for being able to book and get all 10 nights in the same room category?

Any help, advice would be appreciated!!!

Thank you

If you are a control freak like me and want to just have your trip set in "stone" I would go with booking the hotel room now. Book your airfare when u see a price that's good. At the 7 mth mark get the other room... So what you change rooms. I say splurge that day and book a cabana or executive lanai.
As you are approaching your 7 Mth mark.... You will be researching. You might decide to now stay those extra nights in Waikiki or north shore to "shake it up" and do your exploring from that hotel and truly enjoy Aulani.
Happy planning
Kerri

 

[nkereina]

I might keep looking for an Aulani owner that has enough points to make your booking now. We found an owner on the rent/trade forum here on Dis Boards who had enough points for us to rent and secure everything at the 10 month mark. We got a standard studio which is what we wanted. There are several forums and brokers you can check. Worst case, if you have to go with one of the options you mentioned, I'd go with the one who can book the 6 nights now. And then if nothing is available for your last 4 nights at the 7 month mark, you could always book those as a cash reservation which would be far less cheaper than doing all 10 nights through Disney!