Aulani Question

[WolfpackFan]

From someone who has not been paying any attention - is Aulani hard to get into at 7 months? What about studios? Sorry, if this has been asked but I just hadn't paid much attention to the resort.

 

[elliefusmom]

We were able to get a pool view studio at 7 months for the first week of April. This was in September.

Countdown is on!! Only 76 days to go!

 

[CocosMeme]

We got a 1 bedroom at 7 months and had a choice of any view we wanted. I chose a pool vew and changed my mind at 5 months and was able to change to ocean view with no problem. We went in early Nov. It was FABULOUS! We will definately go back.

 

[wdrl]

There is a two or three week period in June that seemed to fill up very quickly at the 7 month window. One reason might be because of the start of the summer vacation schedules -- almost all school districts are on vacation by mid-late June. Another reason is that the Aulani Seasons on the point chart changed from Choice Season to Magic Season around the third week of June, and I think a lot of people were trying to save points by staying during the cheaper Choice Season. Incidentally: In 2014, Aulani's Magic Season is pushed back to June 30, so that change might have an impact on demand.

Other than June, it seems like most people have been successful in getting into Aulani at seven months. As always, it helps to remain flexible on your days and/or view categories.

 

[Anal Annie]

Depending on when you want to go and the type of unit you want I think it's tight but can be done if you're savvy and on the ball about it. (People have been reporting lately that the resort has been fully booked but it's also been the holidays.) Here's my experience this past week:

I just booked a week in an OV studio this past Monday for 8/7 - 8/14. I watched the availability almost daily tho leading up to our booking window just so I could be on my toes about what was open and I tried to be open to diff. types of units. I was logged in and online at like 7:15 that morning even tho I couldn't book until 8:00. When I looked at what was open for 8/6 thru 8/13 (the furthest I could look at that hour) the night of 8/6 was not available for OV but it WAS open for the "pool view". I stayed logged in so I would be ready the second my computer clock turned to 8:00 and to save precious minutes I initially only booked with myself in the room and I called MS after the phones opened at 9:00 and added DH and DS. As soon as the clock hit 8:00 I hit book and got it. When I was done booking I went back & searched again and the OV studios were gone for like 2 of the days we wanted - so I must've grabbed the last one. Pool view was still open for a little while & the other "views" had limited (spotty) availability. I just now looked again and for studios for our week there is 1 n. of the 7 avail. in OV, 2 n. are open in "pool", no nights in "island" and 2 nights in "std." view. So within the last 6 days it's pretty much all booked up for studios. The availability is about the same for all of the 1 bedroom units...only like 1 or 2 nights are open in all views for that week.

So my advice is if you want to go...be flexible with the type of unit you'll be willing to book and be ready to book online promptly at 8:00 eastern. It's proving to be a very popular destination and is often full within minutes of the 7 mo. booking window if it's a busy time of year!! This trip was the first time I used the online booking system. We're actually starting at VGC at DL and I had called MS about a week before that booking window opened to ask some questions (we have 2 contracts and had banked points that I wanted to make sure we used first etc.) and the CM that I talked to that day is the one who suggested that for both resorts I just book initially with 1 person in the room with the online system. When you book with everybody at the start then you have to enter all the names & stuff so it simply saves a couple of minutes to add them later. He said that he's often seen both resorts be gone already by the time the phones open. So I was grateful for that tip.

Good luck - I really haven't read anything negative about the resort other than the food (service) at Ama Ama is hit & miss and it's too expensive for the quality of service there. Pretty much everybody says it is THE most gorgeous DVC resort yet and there are a couple of good trip reports to read on the DVC TR board. I am hoping they can resolve some of the restaurant issues by the time we go in August.

 

[magickingdommommy]

We visited Aulani last July. I originally had to book 1/2 week pool view and 1/2 week garden view with a wait list. In the end the wait list came through and we spent the whole week in one room. I think you just have to be flexible.

We loved it there and can't wait to go back - hopefully 2014

 

[dvc_john]

As mentioned, I think the primary factor is the time you want to go.

I booked a 1br for September 2012 at the 7 month window, and all 4 views were available for the entire stay.

 

[disneybirds]

I think Annie gave you some great advice. We tried to book in June and were only able to get 2 nights together. We ended up changing to July 4th weekend and were able to get 4 nights together. You have to be online at 8 EST to book your room! I think if you wait until MS opens at 9, it will be gone. I had better luck with Explorer than Chrome. I also second only putting yourself on the reservations. It takes several minutes to add everyone. I would also book the waitlist in small increments. You have a better chance of getting a day or two, than a whole week. You could always add another day or two if your waitlist comes through.

Good Luck! We are looking forward to our trip in July!

 

[bnk1120]

I actually missed my 7 month window due to the craziness of the holidays. I booked an OV studio for July 30- Aug 4 a week late. I originally had to wait list a night in the middle, but it came through within a week!!!

 

[lulubelle]

I booked May 11-18 Pool View Studio at 7 months with no problem. All the views were available. We have 4 more months, I CANNOT WAIT!

But I read early June was booked well before the 7 month window for most villa types/views.

 

[aclov]

I had a really hard time for June and was only able to reserve 5 of the 8 nights I wanted. I originally wanted a standard one bedroom but had to snag the OV that was available. Be ready to book as soon as u can log in and flexibility is also good!

 

[dianeschlicht]

As mentioned, I think the primary factor is the time you want to go.

I booked a 1br for September 2012 at the 7 month window, and all 4 views were available for the entire stay.

I agree with John. We too booked a 1 bedroom OV without issue at the 7 month window for February.