Aulani--hard to get reservations?

[glencoe]

I am a planner...so I am always planning my next vacation. I am presently buying more points so my family can enjoy our Disney vacations with more space/flexibility. We just went to WDW last July (15) and are planning Aulani for summer of (17) after my middle son graduates HS. We are restricted to early summer (very end of june/july) due to my older son's college hockey schedule and the other starting college in august as well.

I was checking out availability for Aulani this summer as a test to see point cost/availability etc. There is NO availability!!!! A single day here and there in July and nothing in June....will this be an impossible task? I am BLT so I am dealing with a 7 month window. Is the resort that small or is demand incredibly high?

Any suggestions? Also the points are really high in summer huh? As a teacher I have no other choice either...

thanks for any help!

 

[DenLo]

The Fourth of July could be busy. But usually if you book after premiere season begins (late June/July) in the summer, you usually don't have problems getting a reservation at Aulani. The third week of July though could get busy especially on the weekends as Hawaii schools usually start the new school year the end of July.

But keep in mind the standard view rooms are often difficult to get year round because Aulani owners often book them.

 

[glencoe]

The Fourth of July could be busy. But usually if you book after premiere season begins (late June/July) in the summer, you usually don't have problems getting a reservation at Aulani. The third week of July though could get busy especially on the weekends as Hawaii schools usually start the new school year the end of July.

But keep in mind the standard view rooms are often difficult to get year round because Aulani owners often book them.

So maybe last week in july? I am worried because this is 7 months out...and everything in july is gone for this year- I am worried the same thing will happen next year. Will booking at the midnight window work? Thanks!

 

[Loveallthingsmouse]

We too are BLT owners and are returning to Aulani this July for our second visit. This is just our experience...the first visit we stayed in an OV studio, no problem getting our room. This year we opted for a 1 Bdrm OV, again no problem. BUT, I was online both times at 8am the day 7 month window opened, and each morning at 9 to add days (10 night total). I was very worried this go around, it seemed to book very quickly so I was glad I was on right when the window opened. We had purchased lower airfare before reserving so I was nervous because our dates were set. I know June the points are lower so I figured they would book quickly, we opted for higher point season/higher point room to help with availability, but it still seemed to book quickly. I am thankful I got it, but from our experience it is possible. I can't speak for the bigger rooms availability. Good luck, Aulani is beautiful!!!

 

[Loveallthingsmouse]

The 7 month booking window for beginning of July would be in at the beginning of December, so when you check availability now you are actually seeing that reservations have been made since the beginning of December (not sure when you started looking). Again, my suggestion is to know when you want to go ahead of time, have all of your points ready to go and reserve right on the 7 month mark.

 

[NJDVCmember]

Hi Glencoe Thanks for starting this thread. We are in the same situation. Saving this year points to go to Hawaii in 2017. I too looked at this year and I found rooms...ocean view. But what the heck!!!
I guess like Loveallthingsmouse says we have to start calling in December for July. Maybe we will see you there!! Good luck!

 

[glencoe]

The 7 month booking window for beginning of July would be in at the beginning of December, so when you check availability now you are actually seeing that reservations have been made since the beginning of December (not sure when you started looking). Again, my suggestion is to know when you want to go ahead of time, have all of your points ready to go and reserve right on the 7 month mark.

If I use my fingers...January is 7 months...what am I missing?

 

[Loveallthingsmouse]

If I use my fingers...January is 7 months...what am I missing?

I thought the same thing, we had called MS in November to make sure we had the points needed (have 2 contracts, wanted to make sure I was correct on my calculations) they told me to make sure I was online at 8am 12/1 (check in 7/1) I thought it was 1/1, 7 months prior to check in, glad I called, my points calculations were right but I would've been a month late!

 

[drusba]

For this year July to mid August went from being magic season to premiere season. Most of June is choice. For 2016, June and and first five to six days of July were real difficult at 7 months out for any views. Thereafter, the rest of July was fairly easy to get at 7 months out except for the hotel rooms and standard view, which are usually gone by 7 months out much of the year. Once you hit beginning of Aug, it started to tighten up some again but ocean view was usually open.

And today, Jan 23 is six months away from July 23 and 7 months from Aug 23. (Jan 23 to Feb 23 is one, Feb to March is two, to April three, to May four, to June five, to July 23 six.)

 

[glencoe]

I thought the same thing, we had called MS in November to make sure we had the points needed (have 2 contracts, wanted to make sure I was correct on my calculations) they told me to make sure I was online at 8am 12/1 (check in 7/1) I thought it was 1/1, 7 months prior to check in, glad I called, my points calculations were right but I would've been a month late!

Thanks so much for that VALUABLE information!!! To confirm as I have never had a problem getting my reservations before...8:00am? not midnight like for fast passes etc.?
I am assuming EST ?

 

[DenLo]

Online booking begins at 8:00 am eastern. Good luck.