Aulani - are the views worth the extra points?

[MomofStitchandLewis]

We are looking at an Aulani stay in June 2015 and are looking at putting 2 yrs of points together to get a one bedroom for a week. Now the big question: how important is the view? Are there enough public spaces to enjoy it or is having a view from the room the way to go? Is the standard view pretty much parking lot view? Are the island or pool views worth the extra points? (Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.)

 

[Girimama33]

It is probably a good idea to have the extra points in case standard view rooms are unavailable. They are usually the first to be booked. If you opt for a pool or ocean view, you have a better chance of getting the reservation.
If you haven't seen this thread yet, take a look at the Aulani Villas and views...http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2907389

 

[lovetotraveltx]

We are looking at an Aulani stay in June 2015 and are looking at putting 2 yrs of points together to get a one bedroom for a week. Now the big question: how important is the view? Are there enough public spaces to enjoy it or is having a view from the room the way to go? Is the standard view pretty much parking lot view? Are the island or pool views worth the extra points? (Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.)

Haven't gone yet! Will give you my first hand answer after August 16

But, we chose Pool View. We feeling flying that far and going to an awesome resort we want a guarantee of some sort of view. Ocean view was just way too many points as we are staying 5 nights in a two-bedroom.

Secondly, unless you are an Aulani owner and can book at 11 mos, from what I understand you would "never" be able to get standard view. If you get on right at 8am eastern at your 7mos window you should be able to have your choice of Island, etc. The ocean views stay available for awhile because of the extra points

Don't know if I was much help.

 

[BobDes]

First off, for a first time visit...I would say YES.

However, on our next visit, we will pass on the extra points and see what happens, due to the minimal time we spent in the room.

Enjoy your trip!

 

[yolie912]

Yes!!

 

[jerseygal]

When we booked at 7 months, I had been told to "be prepared" to spend extra points because standard would probably not be available...

Standard was not available, neither was island view...Booked pool view and waitlisted for island view! HAPPY to save some points and waitlist came through after about 3 weeks or so!

Ocean view always seems to be available, but many don't want to use the extra points. VERY HAPPY with our island view!

GOOD LUCK BOOKING!

 

[Anal Annie]

I hope to be happy with an island view bcuz that's all the points we had. I have studied the Aulani view / info thread mentioned above and am crossing my fingers for a decent view. There are some out there. As already mentioned by others, there were no standard views available when I went online at 8:00 am eastern to book. Those are snatched up by Aulani owners before the 7 month window arrives. Plan for at least island but be prepared that you may have to book pool.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

We love the ocean view. We come to Hawaii for the ocean and every moment we can enjoy that view adds to our vacation. We typically eat every breakfast outside on the lanai. We think the view is more important at Aulani than at WDW.

But each family is different. If you truly spend little time in you room during the daylight (usually 7-7, year round), then view makes little difference. -- Suzanne

 

[quirty30]

OP, we are also looking at Aulani for summer 2015 and I would gladly book ocean view if I was guaranteed a good ocean view. But I've heard from friends who have stayed there that ocean view may only get you a sliver of a view. And based on this, I would be hard pressed to splurge on points.

 

[Apps]

I had an island view that actually had a great view of the ocean from the balcony. Really beautiful. However, we rarely spent much time in the rooms.

 

[kbeam]

We had the pool view and would reserve that again. At night, it's great to see the lit up winding river. We also spend a lot of time relaxing on the balcony with wine, so the view is important to us!

 

[amym2]

We had an island view last Oct and were glad we saved some points. I did my research on here and knew to request a high floor Ewa tower facing the ocean (not the pool). We had a peek of the ocean from our 15th floor room, and it was nice overlooking the Starlit Hui lawn. We didn't spend much time in the room or on the balcony because we were out enjoying the resort. But that's personal preference, if you think you'll want to sit on your balcony a lot, the view might be worth it.

 

[Mfischee]

I would say if you were to spend the extra points on the ocean view definitely ask to be booked in a room that is the highest. The first time we stayed in 2012 we were very high up (can't remember the floor) and the view was amazing. When we went this last christmas our room was much lower and you could barely make out the ocean, it was very disappointing and not worth those extra points.

 

[MomofStitchandLewis]

It is probably a good idea to have the extra points in case standard view rooms are unavailable. They are usually the first to be booked. If you opt for a pool or ocean view, you have a better chance of getting the reservation.
If you haven't seen this thread yet, take a look at the Aulani Villas and views...http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2907389

Thanks so much for the link!!

 

[MomofStitchandLewis]

One more thing I noticed - Aulani is now offering hotel rooms as a DVC choice vs. a studio...doesn't seem to be much of a difference or am I missing something?

 

[aclov]

I had an ocean view and for me it was worth it. Love getting up in the morning to see the view!

 

[lawboy2001]

One more thing I noticed - Aulani is now offering hotel rooms as a DVC choice vs. a studio...doesn't seem to be much of a difference or am I missing something?

Correct. Because of the recently completed resort enhancements, some DVC villas were lost, so some regular cash-stay hotel rooms were added to DVC inventory. There are a few minor differences from the DVC studios, mainly the lack of kitchenette.

 

[Iceman93]

This is one of those impossible-to-answer questions. It's like asking if a balcony cabin on a cruise is "worth it"--to some people they would never cruise if they couldn't have a balcony, and to others they would never take a balcony even if it were free because they don't spend any time in their room.

With that, I'll say a couple of things. The reason ocean views are more expensive (as are balcony cabins) is because they are in higher demand, and therefore seen by the paying public at large as more desirable or "better". My first trip to Aulani, as a cash-paying guest, I booked a 2BR ocean view villa and thought the view was disappointing at best. But check out that views thread, because some of them are truly phenomenal. Last year, as a DVC member, I booked a 2BR pool view because we wanted the first floor access to walk straight out to all of the resort amenities--it was fantastic! So that's the sweet spot for my family, and I would prefer that room in the future to a gorgeous ocean view--the fact that it's fewer points is just a bonus.

 

[Twohsieh]

We stayed using our DVC points in November 2011 (2Br OV) and in July 2012 (1Br PV). We loved both views. The layout of the resort buildings tends to limit the view of the ocean from most rooms in my opinion, so you can save your points for another vacation. The ocean view from the hot tub is amazing, especially watching the sunset.

 

[DVCTigger]

Last year, as a DVC member, I booked a 2BR pool view because we wanted the first floor access to walk straight out to all of the resort amenities--it was fantastic! So that's the sweet spot for my family, and I would prefer that room in the future to a gorgeous ocean view--the fact that it's fewer points is just a bonus.

Out of curiosity.....was there a way to lock/unlock your room from the outside?