Aulani - Studio + 1Bed vs 2Bed Lock Off

[DVChris]

We plan to visit Aulani in June 2023 and I'm looking at points required for our stay in a Standard View Studio + 1 Bed (will request that the rooms are closeby) or a 2 Bed Lock Off (we don't want dedicated). It's interesting that the points for a Studio + 1Bed is 504 while the 2Bed LO is 459. Based on Aulani's inventory of rooms, it looks like all 19 of the Standard Studios and 19 Standard 1Beds are part of the 19 Standard 2Bed LOs. Anyone know why the 2Bed LO is 45 points lower? Any reason to book the Studio + 1Bed over the 2Bed LO? TIA!

 

[Noodlez]

This is known as the lock-off premium. They charge it when the rooms are booked separately to cover additional costs such as having to check in two groups of people and having to do two separate full cleans on check out day (and because they can!). It was discussed a lot a few years ago when they tried to increase it, so if you search for it you will find a lot of information about that period.

One reason to book the rooms separately is if you have two groups/families travelling and there's a chance one may drop out.

 

[DVChris]

Thank you for the explanation!

 

[wnielsen1]

Make sure you have Aulani points to book this. I don't believe these standard rooms will be available at 7 months in June.

 

[DVChris]

Make sure you have Aulani points to book this. I don't believe these standard rooms will be available at 7 months in June.

Yes, we do. Took advantage of the super sale at the end of last year.
I’m watching the June high season daily booking patterns in real time. Some folks are walking reservations already.

 

[LilyJC]

Yes, we do. Took advantage of the super sale at the end of last year.
I’m watching the June high season daily booking patterns in real time. Some folks are walking reservations already.

Also likely walking towards/booking Memorial Day weekend

 

[DVChris]

Also likely walking towards/booking Memorial Day weekend

Makes sense, forgot about that holiday. I need Disney to add the holidays to the calendar!

 

[drusba]

That "lockout premium," under which booking studios and 1BRs separate from a 2BR lock-off costs more than the 2BR exists at all resort that have studios and 1BRs (Poly is the exclusion because of the lack of 1BRs and 2BRs -- other than the very high cost bungalows). Though having the extra separate clean-up costs mentioned above as a reason for the difference is a possibility, DVC has never actually explained why the difference exists. It is noteworthy that total points applicable to a resort are determined by using the points needed for 2BR lock-offs rather than separately for the studios and 1BRs that are part of the lock-offs. One result of that, and a possible reason for the difference, is that more rooms can potentially be left unreserved if members reserve the 2BR lock-offs separately as studios and 1BRs, and thus give Disney more DVC rooms to rent for profit.