Aulani at 7 months

[palaemon]

What is everyone's opinion about this?

We're thinking of buying 130-150 SSR points. We are thinking of trying for April 2012 for a 1BR.

We want to go to Hawaii at least once, but probably not again. (The long flight is too much for DH to handle) so we don't want to buy aulani.

TIA

 

[quirty30]

I'm sure at this point in time, any opinions we might have is pure speculation. I for one, HOPE that we can get in at 7 months, but only time will tell.

 

[jelwallace]

I would think that reservations should be available at 7 months most of the year except for Christmas and Easter. Once it is complete it will be a large resort so the odds of it being fully booked would be less. My opinion is that if you call right at 7 months you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[TisBit]

There will always be availability at 7 months for most times of the year. The question is how much and how much demand there will be for it. Owners there will want to trade for trips to WDW or DL and so will not always book it up.

The ease of getting reservations remains to be seen, but I would be surprised if you couldn't get in, especially if you are flexible with dates.

 

[palaemon]

Thanks to everyone for the replies. This is why I love this board.

I kind of figured that if I was flexible, and we were wanting a 1BR (typically the least popular) that we'd be okay.

I guess we'll know after February if the 7 month window is an issue for Aulani.

Does anyone know how many phases there are? I thought I heard phase 1 was 8/2011 and phase 2 was 12/20112. I'm not sure how this affects anyone's stay.

 

[Coach81]

No one really knows yet.. I'm also hoping for 7 month availability..

 

[scot@dvcstore]

IMO, for what it's worth, I think it will be easier than most think to get into Aulani at 7 months or less.

 

[MrsG]

What's also interesting is that I was talking to a guide who said that the major buyers into Aulani is the west coast and JAPAN! They said it is selling like hotcakes in Asia. We bought into Aulani because I am a teacher and stuck with high volume times. Chances are good it will not be so easy to get school breaks easily at the 7th mo window. DS is planning a honeymoon and it was nice to practically guarantee that they could have a honeymoon at Aulani as long as they let me know 11 mos out. I couldn't say that with certainity at the 7th mo window.

 

[Dreamin Disney]

I think that you won't have any problems booking at 7 months out from travel. I plan to do go in the next few years.

 

[dvc_john]

I would be hesitant to rely on the 7 month window for Japan's Golden Week though. (early May).

 

[TisBit]

What's also interesting is that I was talking to a guide who said that the major buyers into Aulani is the west coast and JAPAN! They said it is selling like hotcakes in Asia. We bought into Aulani because I am a teacher and stuck with high volume times. Chances are good it will not be so easy to get school breaks easily at the 7th mo window. DS is planning a honeymoon and it was nice to practically guarantee that they could have a honeymoon at Aulani as long as they let me know 11 mos out. I couldn't say that with certainity at the 7th mo window.

Many actually predicted the Asian market would be big for this resort. I am sure that is where most of the advertising is going as well. I would be interesting if Aulani is a lead in to possible DVC's at Hong Kong and Tokyo. If they get a decent gathering of Asian DVC owners, having other DVC options in the area would be quite beneficial in expanding the market and giving options to other DVC owners that don't require a transfer out.

 

[drusba]

At this point in time, no one can really predict what Aulani will be like at 7 months out. If like other resorts there should be some availability 7 months out many times of year. But there is no certainty Aulani will follow the same patterns as other resorts. For example, availability mainly depends on what the resort owners do. If most actually just do Aulani and reserve 11 months out you may find little at 7 months. That is a risk with Aulani since it is being heavily marketed in Asian countries and those owners are far less likely than US owners to be choosing to take the Florida trip by reserving WDW 7 months out and adding 10 to 11 hours to their flight time rather than doing their home resort Hawaii trip.