Aulani over Christmas break at 7-month window??

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Does anyone have a sense of how realistic this might be? We're BLT owners, 100% new to thinking about a possible Aulani vacation in Dec 2015...

ETA: What are the odds that there is availability for a DVC stay at Aulani for Christmas break 2015 at 7 months out, ie end of May 2015? Or is the 11-month biking advantage if owning at Aulani really necessary to snag this time period?

Thanks for any thoughts you all may have!!

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Edited OP for more clarity... any experience with this out there among DISers?

 

[drmrchk]

We book 12/30-1/5 for 1 standard room and 1 2BR villa with points about 9 months out and it was a little tough finding a room. The hardest days were 12/29-1/2....they were completely booked at least to the point of taking all of us at once, the 29th would've been wait-listed. Ended up booking on the 30th to be guaranteed with the intent of adding the 29th if we wanted, but got great plane tickets for the 30 so left the days. I think it would really depend on how many people you have going. They don't have very many 3BR villas (which was our first choice) so those book up quickly, especially at the holidays when extended families go together. More 2BR villas but still less than 1BR, etc. If you're a family of 4 looking for a regular room or a studio I would say you would have much better luck booking in a shorter window. We're also not particular about views (well we haven't been yet so we might be there, but aren't anywhere else). We didn't care about ocean view or pool view or anything. If you are willing to take whichever view you can get it will make it easier as well.

 

[VallCopen]

We booked right at 7 months for (2) dedicated 2 bedroom ocean views for December 14-22 14' and had no problems, I heard that island view and pool views were harder but never checked on those.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Thank you both for sharing your experiences! I was beginning I worry that NO ONE ever managed this!!

We're still considering it... looks beautiful, and would be the first time the kids and I visit Hawaii, while DH has been once before....

 

[drmrchk]

It's always worth a shot!!! You can always try!

Thank you both for sharing your experiences! I was beginning I worry that NO ONE ever managed this!!

We're still considering it... looks beautiful, and would be the first time the kids and I visit Hawaii, while DH has been once before....

 

[VallCopen]

I went online today to check this December, and at just two months out they still had availability in a studio, 1 bedroom and 2 bedroom up until the 19th (a few to the 20th) of December, on almost all views. Only a few days hit and miss with anything left from the 19th until 31st, but that is at 2 months out. I think if your ready to book at 7 months and right when they open you will have a decent chance, but certainly possible if you go before the 20th. I was surprised to see the 26th and 27th available still on one of the room types.

 

[shelly3girls]

I was able to get most of our trip at the 7 month window for a 1 bedroom. I had to wailist some nights but they came through around 5 months out. I am paying cash for 12/25 and 12/31. They were not available but I did not leave them wait listed so I don't know if they would have come through. I was online right when it opened.