aulani blues

[justkeepswimmin]

So sad. Finally got my dh to agree to a trip to Hawaii and was hoping for a little pixie dust to score a 1 bdr in late Sept 2011 but no availability and the CM said they will not do waitlists for Aulani. My own fault for not calling at the 7 mo mark but we went on our 1st cruise this spring and dh would not commit to Hawaii for this year until he knew the cruise was done and paid for.

Do you think there is any chance something will open up as more owners purchase contracts, etc? The CM told me no, that would make no difference but I have heard otherwise here.

We were planning to go Fall 2012 so this means we will stick with that plan but would love to luck out and plan it for this year

 

[rlovew]

Knowing that some people that booked at 7 or more months for the fall have been moved from 1 bedrooms into hotel rooms it make sense there are none available and that they won't bother with a waitlist. My guess is they actually don't expect to have any more done by then then are already booked and they already have people who should be in them if any were canceled.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

Knowing that some people that booked at 7 or more months for the fall have been moved from 1 bedrooms into hotel rooms it make sense there are none available and that they won't bother with a waitlist. My guess is they actually don't expect to have any more done by then then are already booked and they already have people who should be in them if any were canceled.

I see, I was unaware that people have been moved into regular hotel rooms. They definitely should get priority booking for the 1 bdrms. I wonder if availability will always be this tight? I am an owner at VGC, and the month before that resort opened I was able to add nights, make changes etc and it is much smaller. I know availabilty at VGC is much more difficult now but in the first month or so, rooms were pretty easy to come by there. I guess I was hoping for the same luck.

 

[dawne98]

we can not wait to go to Aulani but we are NOT going until 2016 when my DD's are 16 and 6 years old so they don't forget it lol

 

[palaemon]

Whew. I was just about to freak if Aulani just plain didn't do waitlists. We're hoping to go next April. Hopefully, everything is cleared up by then.

 

[Alexander]

Availability won't always be this tight, it sounds like there is a delay in some of the rooms being ready for occupancy. Obviously if there is no waitlist then there is no possibility of anything even opening up for Sept. '11.

I personally think things will settle down after the first couple of years due to the price of flying to Hawaii from the mainland. Hawaii is on our list of vacations spots for 2012, but it isn't something we would do every year like Florida, so I am guessing that once people visit, there will probably be a larger span of time before they go back again.

 

[justkeepswimmin]

So we tried to shift our weeks around a bit and looked into Oct 4-11th but only 4 of those 7 nights were available, however they would waitlist the other 3 for us. Not sure if I am willing to take a chance though. Airfare would need to be booked soon as we found RT, non stop flights out of Phoenix for under $500 each and not sure how long these fares will last.

Anyone with waitlist experience think these rooms could come through? I know Hawaii is a bit of an unknown but I have no experience with waitlisting. How many 1 bedroom units are available in phase 1?

 

[Thumper4me]

When I booked our one bedroom (October 21 - 28) - all four room types were available for the entire eight night stay. Maybe you can shift your dates out a little farther?


Good luck!!

 

[KPOP]

good luck OP!

I can't wait to go to Aulani, but it probably won't be for another 5 years or so...

 

[bakenatj]

November is a beautiful time to visit Hawaii. Check for availability then.

My guess is your only other option is to book a different place for your remaining nights.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

So we tried to shift our weeks around a bit and looked into Oct 4-11th but only 4 of those 7 nights were available, however they would waitlist the other 3 for us. Not sure if I am willing to take a chance though. Airfare would need to be booked soon as we found RT, non stop flights out of Phoenix for under $500 each and not sure how long these fares will last.

Anyone with waitlist experience think these rooms could come through? I know Hawaii is a bit of an unknown but I have no experience with waitlisting. How many 1 bedroom units are available in phase 1?

Phase 1 will have 23 dedicated two-bedroom villas and 50 lockoff two-bedroom villas (according to some research done by board member wdrl)

 

[justkeepswimmin]

When I booked our one bedroom (October 21 - 28) - all four room types were available for the entire eight night stay. Maybe you can shift your dates out a little farther?


Good luck!!

We actually called and they do have 1 bdrm Oct 10-17th but that is the tail end of our 3 week fall break and flights are a bit more plus my oldest dd would miss 2 days of school. I have no issue pulling her out mind you but it is her 1st year of middle school and she has that 1st born/ type A thing going on and doesn't like to miss school. But really, 2 days is not that much and she is a smart kiddo. We are going to talk it over tonight. Oct 10th is also her birthday so what a great way to celebrate. Hmm.....

good luck OP!

I can't wait to go to Aulani, but it probably won't be for another 5 years or so...

Thanks! It will be our FIRST trip to Hawaii. Can't wait either...

November is a beautiful time to visit Hawaii. Check for availability then.

My guess is your only other option is to book a different place for your remaining nights.

November would require too much missed school unfortunately.

Really considering booking the 3 missing nights at the hotel but the cash rates at Aulani are crazy and neither dh or I like switching hotels much on vacation. We also have the ability to go at the end of February and I have heard that is a lovely time as well. Heck, I have heard it is always beautiful there, I just want to find out for myself.

Phase 1 will have 23 dedicated two-bedroom villas and 50 lockoff two-bedroom villas (according to some research done by board member wdrl)

Thanks! This is what I was looking for. Not really a lot of DVC units available to start. Not as bad as VGC but not much better either.