Booked Aulani on 3 month window!

[texansue]

So surprised and excited this weekend that I was able to book a week in an ocean view studio at Aulani for January! We were discussing non Disney places to visit next year and the prices for everywhere were too high when I factored in lodging and travel. Staying at a DVC resort 'for free', coupled with amazing flight prices, means we are going to Hawaii for a cheaper vacation than any other place I looked into! Flights from San Francisco were just $387 roundtrip and we were able to fly on points into SF from Texas. I didn't expect to find availability at Aulani just three months away. I love reading all the tips on this board for doing Aulani on a budget and am really excited to go now!

 

[lilpooh108]

So surprised and excited this weekend that I was able to book a week in an ocean view studio at Aulani for January! We were discussing non Disney places to visit next year and the prices for everywhere were too high when I factored in lodging and travel. Staying at a DVC resort 'for free', coupled with amazing flight prices, means we are going to Hawaii for a cheaper vacation than any other place I looked into! Flights from San Francisco were just $387 roundtrip and we were able to fly on points into SF from Texas. I didn't expect to find availability at Aulani just three months away. I love reading all the tips on this board for doing Aulani on a budget and am really excited to go now!

Good job! We ate off site all the time and it was definitely cheaper (and more fun to eat at local restaurants).

Have fun!

 

[dstupper]

You are going to have a terrific time out here! I was excited earlier this year to book July 4th only 4 months out! I think some ppl may have cancled their trip because of the construction, but honestly... its not going to be that big of a deal

 

[Anal Annie]

Congratulations! I am also trying to figure out how to get us to CA on points or miles or SOMETHING so that we only have to pay for the flights between CA & HI. Crossing my fingers we can get a few nights next August when we hit our 7 month window in January... I am picking up $25 Disney gift cards with my groceries most weeks just like I do when we go to FL. We're hoping for 3 nights at DL then 5 nights at Aulani before we go to Maui so I hope to have $800 in gift cards saved up by then ($100 / night for each DVC property).

 

[aymekae]

Awesome! Enjoy your trip! I know the feeling... we've been saving up our miles for a long time, so both our flights to Hawaii (from Los Angeles) are free, the DVC points are prepaid, so no crazy out of pocket charges. Using autoslash.com, our $400 car rental just went down to $215. Honestly, we will spend more on food than anything else for 10 days in Hawaii! People must think we're rich... nope, just patient planners.

 

[moredisneyplease]

we found cheap flights from home (LAX) to HNL last Feb for May. I thought there would be nothing at a three month window for a 6 month old resort but there was!!! We went and had the best time! Aulani is amazing!! Enjoy

 

[dstupper]

Yes, food can be expensive here! That's why I suggest to people that its a good idea to rent a car. Target is only 3-5 min away and they have groceries. Safeway is close as well.

 

[ACDSNY]

You'll have an awesome time at Aulani, the resort is beautiful and the service is outstanding. As others have mentioned we used Target and Safeway to keep the cost down.

 

[texansue]

Thanks for the suggestions! We only have the kitchenette but plan to make many meals with our microwave and toaster if possible to keep the cost down. If only I could bring my Vitamix in my suitcase as I know they'll have some incredible fruits available.