Help a first timer think through first booking on points

[Disdreaming479]

Thanks. I know that I would be using banked points regardless. Just saying that if I wait to make the Aulani reservation at 7mo, then I would probably wait to bank my points until May 31, just in case. If I make the Riv reservation first at 11mo (which would be just a few days from now), I would [obviously] bank the points at the time of reservation, a month and change before my banking deadline.

This thread is turning in circles, which is something I have a knack for, just ask my spouse.

Let me put it another way: Who here would make a “just in case” 11mo home resort reservation at WDW, even if they knew their desired plan was to go to Aulani instead? Would anything about that (or its opposite scenario) give you pause?

I would always make the 11m reservation at home resort. In this case, only using current or banked points. In the following 4 months, solidify plans. Cancel existing resy if you decide to move forward with Aulani. Watch availability, start a walk for the desired room a few days early if necessary. ETA: I just recently did all of this and have a 9 night resy at Aulani in June. Good luck!

 

[RivGirl]

I would always make the 11m reservation at home resort. In this case, only using current or banked points. In the following 4 months, solidify plans. Cancel existing resy if you decide to move forward with Aulani. Watch availability, start a walk for the desired room a few days early if necessary. ETA: I just recently did all of this and have a 9 night resy at Aulani in June. Good luck!

Thanks! Just to clarify, by “current” points, do you mean points that will be in the UY of the trip itself? Bc if I make the Riv reservation now, I would probably use my 2024 points that I bank ahead, plus some 2025 points (which will be “current” points at the time of the trip).

 

[RivGirl]

I would always make the 11m reservation at home resort. In this case, only using current or banked points. In the following 4 months, solidify plans. Cancel existing resy if you decide to move forward with Aulani. Watch availability, start a walk for the desired room a few days early if necessary. ETA: I just recently did all of this and have a 9 night resy at Aulani in June. Good luck!

And great job on the 9 nights at Aulani in June! I hear that’s tough!

 

[Disdreaming479]

And great job on the 9 nights at Aulani in June! I hear that’s tough!

Thank you.
Use any points that do not require borrowing. Save the borrowing for the Aulani resy.
Also, even if a reservation is well known to be difficult to get TRY ANYWAY!! Use the system. Set waitlists.
Also check into flights, costs, etc before the 7m to have that all figured out.