February vs May, 2024?

[J-Dog]

I apologize for another of the same ol' question. But I have no experience at all with Aulani or even with Hawaii in general.

We are tentatively planning either mid-February (about 5th-12th or so) or mid-to-late May, 2024. We are DVC and will be using our points at a non-home-resort. We are from Washington state - the dry, cold Eastern half (not the rainy Seattle half). It will be 2 mid-40's husband/wife pairs and 1 5-year-old daughter (ours). We will rent a car.

I would appreciate any advice as far as Pros and Cons for February vs May, including:

1) Anticipated 7-month booking window availability for a 2BR (lock-off or not is fine)

2) Weather

3) Crowds

4) Any seasonal closings for any of the popular restaurants in the area for either of those times? (we love food)

4) Any other "X-factors" that may make one of those times better than the other - i.e. large planned road construction projects (probably too soon to know about that stuff), hotel refurbs, seasonal attraction closings, and/or any huge festivals in the area around those dates that may affect traffic, beach crowds, etc. Or anything else.

Thanks very much for helping us out!

 

[OKW Lover]

We have been in both February and May. We found the weather in February to be a little cooler than May, but not significantly so. Basically, the weather in Hawaii varies by about 5 degrees between winter and summer. Not a real issue.

Can't really help with the booking issue question. I would think that a 2BR won't be a problem at 7 months. You probably need to do some further consideration as to what type of view (Ocean?) you want.

Crowd wise I don't think there will be a huge difference.

 

[J-Dog]

We have been in both February and May. We found the weather in February to be a little cooler than May, but not significantly so. Basically, the weather in Hawaii varies by about 5 degrees between winter and summer. Not a real issue.

Can't really help with the booking issue question. I would think that a 2BR won't be a problem at 7 months. You probably need to do some further consideration as to what type of view (Ocean?) you want.

Crowd wise I don't think there will be a huge difference.

Thanks so much! That was very helpful. Basically, we are planning to go in February, but trying to see if it would be better to postpone until after Spring Break. But it sounds like it won't make much difference. Thanks again!

 

[Paul Stupin]

Thanks so much! That was very helpful. Basically, we are planning to go in February, but trying to see if it would be better to postpone until after Spring Break. But it sounds like it won't make much difference. Thanks again!

We had a different experience in Feb of this year. It was noticeably cooler at night and rained at least 3-4 times during our trip for at least a couple hours. There was also one day we lost entirely because of a huge thunderstorm. It was also very windy several days, with the wind being strong enough twice for them to close both the beach and the pool, and when they reopened you couldn’t open umbrellas. The wind made it a bit uncomfortable almost every day.

Maybe this happens year round, but we were there in both early December as well as last May and didn’t experience any of it.

 

[J-Dog]

We had a different experience in Feb of this year. It was noticeably cooler at night and rained at least 3-4 times during our trip for at least a couple hours. There was also one day we lost entirely because of a huge thunderstorm. It was also very windy several days, with the wind being strong enough twice for them to close both the beach and the pool, and when they reopened you couldn’t open umbrellas. The wind made it a bit uncomfortable almost every day.

Maybe this happens year round, but we were there in both early December as well as last May and didn’t experience any of it.

Thanks very much for the experience. Do you, or anyone, know if February is windier than May? Not sure if that would be a good thing.

If it's a little bit rainy, we can handle that - it will still be at least 40 degrees warmer than our home will be at that time.

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

Thanks very much for the experience. Do you, or anyone, know if February is windier than May? Not sure if that would be a good thing.

If it's a little bit rainy, we can handle that - it will still be at least 40 degrees warmer than our home will be at that time.

We've gone in April, May, June, and July. July water has always been much warmer than April water. And the water is always calmer in July than in April in my experience. I know this isn't what you asked, but in my opinion the closer to the "summer" months, the more predictable the weather is.

Hawaii nights in April tend to be chillier than other "summer months" when we've been there in my opinion. And in April, on Tunnels Beach in Kauai, I wasn't able to get into the water due to the surf and temperature. In May Maui waters were still chilly to me.

I'd chose closer to summer!

 

[OKW Lover]

Anybody interested in the average temperatures, wind speed, rain, etc for Ko Olina (where Aulani is located) can check the monthly averages on www.weather.com

 

[Anal Annie]

I have been to Hawai'i 5 times before and have always chosen to go outside of the "rainy season" which I think is basically Dec-March. (I have been late April-May, July, Sept & Oct). Just personally, I like my pool & beach time as we usually go snorkeling etc so we want the water to be tolerable. Going again end of April this year and I'm hoping the water is warm enough for excursions. (I have seen posts recently about the cold pools at Aulani.) I think you'll be OK looking to book a 2-BR @ 7 months.

 

[J-Dog]

We've gone in April, May, June, and July. July water has always been much warmer than April water. And the water is always calmer in July than in April in my experience. I know this isn't what you asked, but in my opinion the closer to the "summer" months, the more predictable the weather is.

Hawaii nights in April tend to be chillier than other "summer months" when we've been there in my opinion. And in April, on Tunnels Beach in Kauai, I wasn't able to get into the water due to the surf and temperature. In May Maui waters were still chilly to me.

I'd chose closer to summer!

Okay, thanks very much. That's the other side of the coin. Maybe I should wait...

I have been to Hawai'i 5 times before and have always chosen to go outside of the "rainy season" which I think is basically Dec-March. (I have been late April-May, July, Sept & Oct). Just personally, I like my pool & beach time as we usually go snorkeling etc so we want the water to be tolerable. Going again end of April this year and I'm hoping the water is warm enough for excursions. (I have seen posts recently about the cold pools at Aulani.) I think you'll be OK looking to book a 2-BR @ 7 months.

Thanks! Just to clarify - did you find it too cold to swim on your Dec-March trips?

 

[Anal Annie]

Okay, thanks very much. That's the other side of the coin. Maybe I should wait...

Thanks! Just to clarify - did you find it too cold to swim on your Dec-March trips?

I think you may have mis-read my post. We have always chosen to avoid the Dec-March rainy season so I cannot comment on the swimming during this time-frame. I have an Aunt who went in March once who said it was so cold & windy she swore would never go again. Which is pretty bad because she won the trip through her work. (I personally would never skip a free trip but she was sorely disappointed.)

 

[Paul Stupin]

We were there the first week of April one year, and the water was pretty cold.

 

[WAstateDVCDaddy]

Long time former Hawaii resident, and 20+ years of annual visits to Mom. Her birthday is in February.

February is the second worst month weather wise on average. Rainfall in the Kapolei area averages almost 3x higher in February than in May. Temperatures are slightly cooler as well. Any time you look at weather info in Hawai’i, you have to look at where they’re collecting the data. Hawaii has several microclimates. This information was only maintained through 2011 for some reason, but it was a great project: http://rainfall.geography.hawaii.edu/

That all being said - it’s really luck of the draw. Even when it rains, it’s usually an hour or two of clouds, followed by sunshine, and depending on what you’re doing at any given time, the rain may or may not matter. But there are times a storm will come through and hang around for a few days.

I can only remember one February trip not being able to go to the beach (Waikiki side) for more than a couple days of my trip. My brother went back last year during a drier month, and got completely rained out the entire trip.

If you’re looking for the best odds for a warmer trip, definitely do May. But I wouldn’t hesitate about planning a February trip at all. The weather is bound to be better than back home!

 

[J-Dog]

I think you may have mis-read my post. We have always chosen to avoid the Dec-March rainy season so I cannot comment on the swimming during this time-frame. I have an Aunt who went in March once who said it was so cold & windy she swore would never go again. Which is pretty bad because she won the trip through her work. (I personally would never skip a free trip but she was sorely disappointed.)

You're right. I did misread your post. Sorry. Thanks for the perspective.

We were there the first week of April one year, and the water was pretty cold.

Hmmm... Things are pointing to us waiting until May....Thanks!

Long time former Hawaii resident, and 20+ years of annual visits to Mom. Her birthday is in February.

February is the second worst month weather wise on average. Rainfall in the Kapolei area averages almost 3x higher in February than in May. Temperatures are slightly cooler as well. Any time you look at weather info in Hawai’i, you have to look at where they’re collecting the data. Hawaii has several microclimates. This information was only maintained through 2011 for some reason, but it was a great project: http://rainfall.geography.hawaii.edu/

That all being said - it’s really luck of the draw. Even when it rains, it’s usually an hour or two of clouds, followed by sunshine, and depending on what you’re doing at any given time, the rain may or may not matter. But there are times a storm will come through and hang around for a few days.

I can only remember one February trip not being able to go to the beach (Waikiki side) for more than a couple days of my trip. My brother went back last year during a drier month, and got completely rained out the entire trip.

If you’re looking for the best odds for a warmer trip, definitely do May. But I wouldn’t hesitate about planning a February trip at all. The weather is bound to be better than back home!

Thanks very much for the expert advice! I'm thinking that we will wait, but I agree that February in Hawaii at 70 degrees and raining is still much better than February in Eastern Washington at 15 degrees and snowing and no sunshine for months.

 

[kbnovak]

You'll want to avoid the weeks before and President's Day--that can increase the crowds.

 

[J-Dog]

You'll want to avoid the weeks before and President's Day--that can increase the crowds.

Thanks very much! Yes, having been to WDW many times, I had already considered that factor. We would be going two weeks prior to President's Day weekend.

 

[Imurhuckleberry]

Might also need to plan on American idol being there in February. That could be a pro or con depending on you and your crew. But it's a consideration either way

 

[J-Dog]

Might also need to plan on American idol being there in February. That could be a pro or con depending on you and your crew. But it's a consideration either way

Could you elaborate? What does that entail and where does it happen? I know what American Idol is, but it's definitely not my thing and I had no idea that it was on Oahu.

Thanks very much! That's exactly the "X factor" kind of stuff I'm looking for.

 

[kbnovak]

Might also need to plan on American idol being there in February. That could be a pro or con depending on you and your crew. But it's a consideration either way

We were there during the Idol filming this year. For us, it was not disruptive at all because we spend most of our day lounging at the pool. It was fun watching the filming and the performances and we could hear the rehearsals all day at the pools. The only thing I experienced was production crew holding us up in the lobby for about 2 minutes while they filmed a quick scene--then back to normal.

We also got the chance to chat with some of the contestants--all very nice and humble young folks.

 

[WAstateDVCDaddy]

Could you elaborate? What does that entail and where does it happen? I know what American Idol is, but it's definitely not my thing and I had no idea that it was on Oahu.

Thanks very much! That's exactly the "X factor" kind of stuff I'm looking for.

They film a segment of American Idol at Aulani every year. They set up a big stage on one side of the beach, and some facilities (events rooms) are reserved for crew use. They shoot promos throughout the day (temporarily blocking off parts of the hotel) and they then have a round of competition on the stage.

Big influx of people (show crew and talent, and fans for the stage performances), with the accompanying noise and hubbub. Mostly limited to one section of the beach, but live music performances have lots of accompanying sound.

Can’t comment on the actual impact, but hope this clarifies what it is.

 

[J-Dog]

They film a segment of American Idol at Aulani every year. They set up a big stage on one side of the beach, and some facilities (events rooms) are reserved for crew use. They shoot promos throughout the day (temporarily blocking off parts of the hotel) and they then have a round of competition on the stage.

Big influx of people (show crew and talent, and fans for the stage performances), with the accompanying noise and hubbub. Mostly limited to one section of the beach, but live music performances have lots of accompanying sound.

Can’t comment on the actual impact, but hope this clarifies what it is.

Thanks so much for the info and explanation. I had no idea that was a thing. That will definitely have to factor into our consideration.