Aulani Booking advice

[disneycrazy2004]

Hello,
we want to go to Aulani either June or August of next year. I have been going on the DVC website playing with different dates, but it seems to be booked pretty solid - only the odd day here and there. My 7 month booking window will open in 4 days and I am getting worried. Looking at it right now there is no availability. I would really appreciate if you would share your experience and advice on booking. Should I wait-list? Do wait-lists become available often? We are looking for a hotel room or deluxe studio for 2 weeks. Really appreciate your help. Thank you!

 

[drusba]

June has in the past been a high demand time for Aulani, particularly after the first week. Those who need to go in summer because of school schedules often picked June over July and Aug because until the end of the month, June was lower point cost choice season and July and Aug were higher magic season. Even so July and Aug were still busy although not as bad as June. Beginning 2016, end of June to mid-Aug will no longer be magic season but instead much higher point cost premier season. The result is showing already in that demand for most of June has increased for 2016, reflecting that more who were satisfied with magic season in July and Aug are now doubling up the demand for June. You can try wait list for June if rooms are gone but unknown what your chances are there.Note if you want hotel room or standard vieew, your chances are likely very slim as those categories often disappear before 7 months out even during slow seasons.

Previously Aug was mostly hit or miss at 7 months out except hotel rooms and standard view were almost always gone. Ocean view was more likely to be open than pool or island garden views but it was sort of random in that somethimes island garden was open and pool view not and sometimes pool view was open and island garden was not, and even ocean view could be gone for some days. What will happen for 2016 is unpredictable with the point changes but it is possible the change to premier season may mean more will be open at 7 months out the first two weeks of Aug than was the case in years past.

 

[DenLo]

June is a less expensive month for staying at Aulani and it has shown a history of having problems for members getting a room for anything other than an ocean view, unless you do a split stay between two room types.

 

[southerngirl528]

Agree with Drsuba's summation. As for wait list, absolutely get on the w/l if what you want/need is not available. But not for the hotel rooms I don't think. There are only a tiny number available to book on points and I think your odds would be quite low for w/l on hotel rooms. Do go ahead and w/l Studio if not available.

I've stayed at Aulani 3 times, but only in Winter and September. I very much agree that ocean views seem to hang around to be booked longer as they are more points (not a lot more though IMO). Fortunately for me, ocean view is a non-negotiable. I was on the w/l for our last trip and it came through for me. Good luck!! Aulani is amazing!!

 

[Tink6666]

I booked both a 2br island view and a studio island view at 8am on my 7month window opening for early June 2016. Just keep trying early in the morning.

 

[disneycrazy2004]

Thank you all! I will be up and ready to go on the 18th with fingers crossed

 

[mathgeek]

I booked both a 2br island view and a studio island view at 8am on my 7month window opening for early June 2016. Just keep trying early in the morning.

Maybe you were the one who snagged that island view studio I was trying to get!

I was, however, able to get an ocean view for early June the other day. But as Tink6666 said, I was also online at exactly 7 am (central time) to get that booking. I was somewhat flexible in my dates, but was able to get my first choice since I was also willing to use the points for ocean view.

 

[alohamom]

This is so interesting, you are all so knowledgeable! I am wondering about late August-do any of you know if this high demand runs right through August or does it taper off at all? I have a booking for 4 nights at Aulani the first week of January but, due to some issues with my son, I may have to move it to late August. In 2014 we did a combo DVC point rental/direct hotel room booking from Disney but I was hoping to do a full out point rental for late August, any thoughts? I was thinking about trying to book with Davids DVC next week sometime as it will be before the 7 month mark.

 

[jkkldisney]

I had my first attempt to book Aulani this morning at the 7 month window. My first choice was the 1 bedroom Island Garden view, but after looking at availability for the last few days I figured my only option would be the ocean view. Got on before 5 am (Pacific time) and tried to book the Ocean View. It showed available, but then when I went to book it it was only partially available. For some reason, it wouldn't let me waitlist anything either. Perhaps Aulani will not be our vacation next summer, which I had been planning for the last few years for this year my daughters graduation. I looked at all room options and none are available to book for a week 7 months out at this point. Crazy.

Unfortunately our June dates are locked with no flexibility due to school and other activities going on. Might be able to shift to August and perhaps it is not as hard to get with the higher points. Any experience?

 

[disneycrazy2004]

This is what I am worried about! Looking at availability now, there is nothing I will be trying on Wednesday

 

[southerngirl528]

For some reason, it wouldn't let me waitlist anything either.

I would definitely call MS as soon as possible and have them put you on the w/l. I have had success with w/l at Aulani.

 

[disneycrazy2004]

So, I did try this morning for the last two weeks of June and no luck. I was ready to go right at 8:00ET and nothing available. So we decided to book the last two weeks of May instead, It was the only time available for all the day we wanted. Now we have to decide how will that affect school.....But we are really excited, booked a Deluxe Studio - Ocean View. Pretty excited