Aulani--Winter Specials may be cheaper than Renting Points

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Hi--We are going to Aulani in early/mid-March for our Spring Break. I assumed it would be cheaper to rent DVC points to stay at Aulani, but it's not in our case. Aulani just released its winter special of the 4th night free plus free breakfast for everyone on your reservation, and even when I add in parking it's still cheaper than renting points for the same room (1-bedroom villa). Plus, the advantage to booking with Aulani directly is that we can still cancel with no penalty and pay for it with multiple (travel reward) credit cards.

Just wanted to put this info out there for any non-DVC members who are wanting to stay at Aulani. We had looked up the special for last year at the same time and were crossing our fingers it would be similar for this year--and it was, except this year there are more free breakfasts for each room.

 

[Girimama33]

I always do the math with...
1) My SIL's CM Discount
2) DVC Points
3) Cash stay specials

When we went in July, my SIL's discount saved us the most...even when you include parking and taxes. Our next stay in March is only a few days, and DVC points was the way to go.

Keep in mind that the breakfast is available at Ulu Cafe, and there were quite a few complaints last year regarding the long lines for breakfast.
I wish they had the 4th night free plus the $100 resort credit each day available in March.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

I always do the math with...
1) My SIL's CM Discount
2) DVC Points
3) Cash stay specials

When we went in July, my SIL's discount saved us the most...even when you include parking and taxes. Our next stay in March is only a few days, and DVC points was the way to go.

Keep in mind that the breakfast is available at Ulu Cafe, and there were quite a few complaints last year regarding the long lines for breakfast.
I wish they had the 4th night free plus the $100 resort credit each day available in March.

Me, too...I'd rather have the $100 resort credit over breakfast!

 

[3monkeys4me]

Chiming in late here... but we booked through Costco, which worked out to be better than renting points for our family.

We got the 4th night free, the character buffet (included with the Costco booking) and the $100 a night resort credit. We also have a rental car included in the reservation, but we wont be using it because we need a rental car longer than our Aulani stay (we will Island for 11 days, but only 5 at Aulani) and it was cheaper to rent a car for the whole stay.

I have some Visa reward points and a couple of Disney gift cards so I'm planning on picking up some groceries and not having a lot of out of pocket costs at Aulani, saving more money for the rest of the trip when we wil be with friends.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Are the specials for hotel stay or DVC villa stay?

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Are the specials for hotel stay or DVC villa stay?

Both!

 

[DenLo]

Is this the offer? Winter Special: Save 30% on Stays 5 Nights or Longer + Free Breakfast. Book through February 23, 2015 with travel from January 4, 2015 through March 23, 2015.
http://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani.../five-night-discount-complimentary-breakfast/

I would always check the prices. Are you sure this cheaper than renting at $10-$13 a point for 322 to 350 points per night?

1 Bedroom
1 Bedroom Villa Standard View Unavailable
1 Bedroom Villa Island Gardens ViewIncluded
All 1 Bedroom Villas sleep up to 5 and have one king-size bed in the master bedroom plus one queen-size sleeper sofa and one pull-down bunk-size bed in the living room. Villas also feature a full-size bathroom with a whirlpool tub, separate bedroom and living room, a full kitchen, private porch or balcony, and laundry area with washer and dryer. All rooms are nonsmoking. Amenities include wireless Internet access, 2 flat-panel televisions, a DVD player, full-size refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, coffee maker and tea service, dinnerware, glassware, flatware, pots and pans, toaster, stove, ceiling fans, in-room safe, robes, makeup mirror, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, Pack 'n Play® playard and a high chair. Island Gardens View rooms offer at least a partial view of the mountains, spa or landscaping from the room or balcony.
Date Rate Per Night
Wed, Mar 11 $ 496.30
Thu, Mar 12 $ 517.30
Fri, Mar 13 $ 517.30
Sat, Mar 14 $ 517.30
Sun, Mar 15 $ 517.30
1 Bedroom Villa Poolside Gardens View+$283
1 Bedroom Villa Ocean View+$798
2 Bedroom
2 Bedroom Villa Standard View Unavailable
2 Bedroom Villa Island Gardens View+$1,276
2 Bedroom Villa Poolside Gardens View+$1,875
2 Bedroom Villa Ocean View+$2,912

 

[3monkeys4me]

Is this the offer? Winter Special: Save 30% on Stays 5 Nights or Longer + Free Breakfast. Book through February 23, 2015 with travel from January 4, 2015 through March 23, 2015.
http://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani.../five-night-discount-complimentary-breakfast/

I would always check the prices. Are you sure this cheaper than renting at $10-$13 a point for 322 to 350 points per night?

Ours was the 4th night free plus resort credit. For the dates we are staying it was have been $2716 for a one bedroom villa, standard view renting points, we paid $2776, island view with the character meal and $500 in resort credit. We also would have had a rental car included for the length of stay, but we need one for 6 days after we leave Aulani, so it was cheaper to rent a car for the 12 days than it was for just the week.

 

[MissDaisyofTexas]

Is this the offer? Winter Special: Save 30% on Stays 5 Nights or Longer + Free Breakfast. Book through February 23, 2015 with travel from January 4, 2015 through March 23, 2015.
http://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani.../five-night-discount-complimentary-breakfast/

I would always check the prices. Are you sure this cheaper than renting at $10-$13 a point for 322 to 350 points per night?

We're going in March, when the points are higher...so it was cheaper with the stay 4 nights get the 4th night free offer.