Aulani as (partial) "sleep-around" points?

[ray3127]

Been kicking the idea around of Aulani as sleep-around points. Thought process is this:

- Hawaii once every 5 years or so.
- Remainder of points used on big ticket rooms that are usually easy to book (BLT Grand Villas, PVB Bungalows, CCV Cabins).

If Hawaii is a regular part of the plan, doesn't AUL make sense over SSR? In my mind, the concerns are:

- Higher MFs
- Being locked out of WDW at 7 months

But:
- If we want to book AUL in high season, it may be worth that extra cost (currently $300/year for 200 points).
- The WDW room categories I listed are almost always available to book.

So far we've bought where we want to stay, but that comes at a premium. There's no way I'm using hundreds of our special BLT, BCV, or VGC points on a few nights in a Bungalow. But AUL points at $90-100 each? Now I'm interested.

Am I missing anything major?

 

[Great3]

No, if you already have plenty of points already for other DVC Resorts, than your analysis of Aulani is pretty much how I see it. Other than the high cost of points for CCV Cabins and PVB Bungalows, I would think you need > 300 points if that's your plan, 200 points isn't going to be enough if unless you plan on staying less than a week.

I would personally look for subsidized Aulani points, and just be patience enough for it. It seems like you have other points to tidy you over that you may not be in a rush. Than you have the best of both world, currently the lowest MF's (hopefully will stay that way), and lower upfront buy-in cost than other WDW resorts.

Good luck on your decision and purchase.

Great3

 

[CarolMN]

Just a random thought - and no need to answer - :

Will you end up with more points than vacation time? Do you want to dedicate that much of your vacation budget to DVC & pre-paid lodging?

It seems that spending points is a whole lot easier than actual dollars (sometimes it's too easy, LOL). It might pay to enjoy what you have for awhile.

 

[ray3127]

No, if you already have plenty of points already for other DVC Resorts, than your analysis of Aulani is pretty much how I see it. Other than the high cost of points for CCV Cabins and PVB Bungalows, I would think you need > 300 points if that's your plan, 200 points isn't going to be enough if unless you plan on staying less than a week.

I would personally look for subsidized Aulani points, and just be patience enough for it. It seems like you have other points to tidy you over that you may not be in a rush. Than you have the best of both world, currently the lowest MF's (hopefully will stay that way), and lower upfront buy-in cost than other WDW resorts.

Good luck on your decision and purchase.

Great3

Thank you for the reply, it's nice to be able to run ideas by others. We would be very patient with this contract, so if we could snag a subsidized dues one that would really be a win.

Just a random thought - and no need to answer - :

Will you end up with more points than vacation time? Do you want to dedicate that much of your vacation budget to DVC & pre-paid lodging?

It seems that spending points is a whole lot easier than actual dollars (sometimes it's too easy, LOL). It might pay to enjoy what you have for awhile.

Oh yes, it's just like spending poker chips at a casino... It's not real money, it's points!

"Point" well taken This is something we would maybe look at doing in 2020, if at all. The nice thing is Aulani point prices won't spike like so many of the WDW resorts have, so there's really no rush.

We did rearrange some plans in deciding to work in AUL in 2021; that mainly involved budgeting for Studio stays instead of 1-BRs at WDW. And to your point, we may be just fine with that. It is probably best to wait until we've used our points a but more before deciding. AUL points will be there if/when we're ready. Thanks again

 

[chunks]

Thank you for the reply, it's nice to be able to run ideas by others. We would be very patient with this contract, so if we could snag a subsidized dues one that would really be a win.


Oh yes, it's just like spending poker chips at a casino... It's not real money, it's points!

"Point" well taken This is something we would maybe look at doing in 2020, if at all. The nice thing is Aulani point prices won't spike like so many of the WDW resorts have, so there's really no rush.

We did rearrange some plans in deciding to work in AUL in 2021; that mainly involved budgeting for Studio stays instead of 1-BRs at WDW. And to your point, we may be just fine with that. It is probably best to wait until we've used our points a but more before deciding. AUL points will be there if/when we're ready. Thanks again

Currently the best sleep-around pts are SSR given low maintenance and low buy-in. The question you have to ask is "how much is the 11-month booking window for a once in 5 years trip to Aulani worth" If the answer is, I wont be able to get a room when I want it at 7 months at Aulani, then you need Aulani points. If it isn't, then you are probably better off with SSR because (assuming you are buying the same amt of points regardless), because the SSR points will be net cheaper (due to maintenance fees) after 3 or 4 years, even though they cost a few bucks more upfront.

That being said, if you were going to make an argument that at the 11-month window, you can get a standard studio and at the 7-month you can only get an ocean view, thus requiring more points if booking using SSR points and you plan to rent out the points you dont use (every 5 years), then you have a math problem on your hands where I imagine the answer is still "buy SSR"

 

[Great3]

For me, I only have Aulani points, so run the risk of not being able to book WDW, as I expect to do that only once every 5 years or so. If Aulani is once every 5 years to you, I would have to agree with other posters, might as well stick with SSR, unless you really want lower points studios or say June in Aulani which is low point season, than Aulani makes sense. If you willing to just take anything at Aulani (just like I am willing to take anything at SSR), than SSR may make more sense for you, but only you know what you really want / need.

I have to agree with CarolMN, how much Disney is enough / too much Disney? . I know, I know, for some, never enough!!!!

Great3

 

[ray3127]

For me, I only have Aulani points, so run the risk of not being able to book WDW, as I expect to do that only once every 5 years or so. If Aulani is once every 5 years to you, I would have to agree with other posters, might as well stick with SSR, unless you really want lower points studios or say June in Aulani which is low point season, than Aulani makes sense. If you willing to just take anything at Aulani (just like I am willing to take anything at SSR), than SSR may make more sense for you, but only you know what you really want / need.

I have to agree with CarolMN, how much Disney is enough / too much Disney? . I know, I know, for some, never enough!!!!

Great3

With our schedules we would have to travel to Aulani in June. That is non-negotiable.

We would prefer 1BR Oceanview rooms; perhaps a 2BR if bringing my parents (or others) a time or two.

I know June can be tough, but Oceanview is the last to go. So I suppose that's another key question: what are the odds of getting 1BR/2BR OVs during the lower point part of June?

 

[Great3]

With our schedules we would have to travel to Aulani in June. That is non-negotiable.

We would prefer 1BR Oceanview rooms; perhaps a 2BR if bringing my parents (or others) a time or two.

I know June can be tough, but Oceanview is the last to go. So I suppose that's another key question: what are the odds of getting 1BR/2BR OVs during the lower point part of June?

I say the chances are very good if you own at Aulani. Otherwise, not so much, because it’s summer time. But I never tried to book June at 7 months, so perhaps others with experience will chime in who knows more than me.

Great3

 

[CaliAdventurer]

OV chances are always pretty good. We own Aulani, use there and love it! Keep in mind the point charts there are intense. A 2bed OV is 600 pts for a week- which is how much we own. Seems like a lot but it’s really just a one week trip.

With our schedules we would have to travel to Aulani in June. That is non-negotiable.

We would prefer 1BR Oceanview rooms; perhaps a 2BR if bringing my parents (or others) a time or two.

I know June can be tough, but Oceanview is the last to go. So I suppose that's another key question: what are the odds of getting 1BR/2BR OVs during the lower point part of June?

 

[Cindyandjp]

We were going back and forth between SSR and Aulani and decided on SSR. After living in HI for 4 years I know how expensive it is there and I think over time the MF at Aulani will go up faster than the other resorts. That was our deciding factor along with that we like to explore the island when we are there and don’t expect to spend a lot of time at the resort and will probably split our stay there and on Maui.