Aulani at Christmas

[cropman]

I'm sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong forum but here goes. I've been on here for a long time and am normally just a reader, not a contributor. I've been a DVC member since 2001, been a member on here since 1999, and been to WDW 40+ times, but we have never been to Aulani. I have been informed 2016 is the year we are finally going. Since I have not been posting on here, I can't post points for rent/trade on the rent/trade board. (No problem, I understand why Pete has the rule, and am perfectly fine with it. Please, I'm not trying to start that discussion, I'm good with it.). Anyway, now that I've rambled about my background, here are my questions.

We want to go to Aulani over Christmas, tentatively 21-27, and stay in a two bedroom, ocean view villa. I know New Years is impossible at seven months, but what about the time period I'm looking at? Would I be better off booking thru David's and renting my points, or should I wait and book at seven months? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. If I book thru David's it costs me $3 a point. (I would rent my points at BLT and GF to cover the trip.). Roughly costs me $1500 and we are set. Or in your folks opinion, do I try to book at the seven month window and save $1500? If there wasn't a two bedroom available, we could split up into one bedrooms and studios. I would greatly appreciate everybody's input. Thanks a lot!!

 

[southerngirl528]

Aloha! I have stayed at Aulani 3 different times using my points and it is not one of my home resorts so I have to wait until the 7 mo. window. I have not booked holiday time though. I do know that the higher priced categories, ie., Ocean Views, tend to go less quickly than the cheaper categories so since you want Ocean View it should help. Hopefully some DVC members who are not Aulani owners and have booked over Christmas will add their experience.

I have used the W/L a couple of times for missing nights at Aulani or to get the category I really wanted, and have had w/l come through both times. I'll be watching your thread as it is possible we may be booking over New Year's 2017. Good luck! (and if you can't post for trades here, have you considered www.tug2.net?)

 

[cropman]

I forgot about TUG. Thank you for the idea. I will look into that.

 

[JWG]

We did Aulani over Christmas 2013, we stayed in a 2BR Island View from 12/22 - 1/3. We booked on points at 7 months. It took waitlisting a couple of the dates (which we got) and paying cash for two of the nights (12/31 and 1/1).

Didn't try to get Ocean View, but I recall that being the most readily available view because of the higher points.

 

[cropman]

JWG, well that's good news. I'm hoping, since we aren't there over New Years, it will work out then. Based on you and southerngirl, I'm leaning toward waiting until the seven month window. Thanks a lot!!

 

[JWG]

Fair warning, Hawaii is super expensive the two weeks ending December until the first business day following New Years. We paid nearly 3x for a rental care what we would have outside of that window. I'm used to holiday mark-ups but that was astounding.

We loved Aulani though. Would love to go back sometime. Just wish it was on a different island.

 

[southerngirl528]

JWG brings up a point about rental cars that is often not realized by visitors to Hawaii. Since Hawaii is the most remote island chain on the planet, they have a very finite number of rental cars available. They can't just drive some more over from another urban area, if you know what I mean. That said, as car inventory gets low the prices can skyrocket. I mean RIDICULOUSLY high. So here's my tip:

The minute you have booked either your accommodations and/or airfare, BOOK YOUR CAR. We visit Hawaii as often as possible and I book mine a year out sometimes, literally the moment I book my TS which is 12 or 13 months out.

Book a rez that requires no pre-payment or CC# so that it can easily be cancelled. Just book the best rate you can find in a car you would be happy with and then keep checking prices a time goes on. Sometimes the prices will drop when your dates get close. But sometimes they never get any lower than what I booked a year out. CostcoTravel and www.discounthawaiicarrental.com are my 2 favorite sites to book rental cars for Hawaii, btw.

We loved Aulani though. Would love to go back sometime. Just wish it was on a different island.

And JWG, I wish Aulani was on a neighbor island as well. I actually bought another TS on my preferred island when I found out DVC was building on Oahu. Don't get me wrong folks. Aulani is spectacular, and Oahu offers things other islands do not. Like Pearl Harbor, the infamous North Shore which can be spectacular with waves in winter, Iolani Palace, Waikiki, etc. AND one real plus that Aulani IS on Oahu is that because Honolulu is a much, much larger market than the airports on the other islands, airfares are often a little cheaper and there are certainly more choices for flight schedules.

 

[cropman]

Thanks all for the tips and advice. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the seven month booking window.

 

[MouseOfCards]

JWG brings up a point about rental cars that is often not realized by visitors to Hawaii. Since Hawaii is the most remote island chain on the planet, they have a very finite number of rental cars available. They can't just drive some more over from another urban area, if you know what I mean. That said, as car inventory gets low the prices can skyrocket. I mean RIDICULOUSLY high. So here's my tip:

The minute you have booked either your accommodations and/or airfare, BOOK YOUR CAR. We visit Hawaii as often as possible and I book mine a year out sometimes, literally the moment I book my TS which is 12 or 13 months out.

Book a rez that requires no pre-payment or CC# so that it can easily be cancelled. Just book the best rate you can find in a car you would be happy with and then keep checking prices a time goes on. Sometimes the prices will drop when your dates get close. But sometimes they never get any lower than what I booked a year out. CostcoTravel and www.discounthawaiicarrental.com are my 2 favorite sites to book rental cars for Hawaii, btw.



And JWG, I wish Aulani was on a neighbor island as well. I actually bought another TS on my preferred island when I found out DVC was building on Oahu. Don't get me wrong folks. Aulani is spectacular, and Oahu offers things other islands do not. Like Pearl Harbor, the infamous North Shore which can be spectacular with waves in winter, Iolani Palace, Waikiki, etc. AND one real plus that Aulani IS on Oahu is that because Honolulu is a much, much larger market than the airports on the other islands, airfares are often a little cheaper and there are certainly more choices for flight schedules.

Thanks for the rental car tips!