How busy will it be?

[Dvcfan55]

We just booked Aulani!! We booked a dvc island studio for 7 nights. 12/28-1/4. It's a Christmas/Birthday present to DS. I know its over New Year and a school break but, in your opinion, will it be too busy to be enjoyable. DH does NOT like crowds. I told him to expect some can anyone tell me what we will be in for??
Thanks in advance!!

 

[buffettgirl]

busy where? Aluani or Oahu in general?

 

[POTCfan]

Aulani will be entirely booked for Christmas through New Years Day. But the crowds will die down quite a bit after January 1st. The first few days of your trip might be very crowded at the pool, but if it is too crowded for your husband, spend your time away from the pool. Even during spring break 2 years ago, the lagoon didn't seem very crowded compared to the pool. And there are other local beaches that you could spend time at for the first few days if the Aulani beach is too crowded.

 

[Dvcfan55]

Aulani will be entirely booked for Christmas through New Years Day. But the crowds will die down quite a bit after January 1st. The first few days of your trip might be very crowded at the pool, but if it is too crowded for your husband, spend your time away from the pool. Even during spring break 2 years ago, the lagoon didn't seem very crowded compared to the pool. And there are other local beaches that you could spend time at for the first few days if the Aulani beach is too crowded.

Thanks for the insight. It sounds like we should plan island exploring days until after New Years then lots of quality lagoon time afterwards. DH will be relieved to hear he could at least escape the pool crowd. love to snorkel at other beaches as well, do you happen to know if the water will be warm enough this time of year? Or a good snorkeling spot? Thanks for your guidance!

 

[jodybird511]

We were there this year from 12/29 through 1/8, and honestly, it was EXTREMELY busy the entire time. To give some perspective, when it started to "die down" a little bit, it was exciting to see one lonely unclaimed chair at the pool by 10 am. The busiest time was from 12/29-1/2, but really, it remained very busy the whole time. The first few days, there were times when there was very little food left at Ulu, and there was no place to sit to eat. Be prepared.

 

[Elima2015]

I would be prepared for some heavy crowds at that time. We have young children so we really can't lounge by the pool anyway, so we either find a place to park the stroller and throw our flip flops, coverups, towels on it while we swim or even just bring down a tote bag that we tuck out of the way - then we don't have to bother finding a chair. We also found the lagoon to be less crowded.

 

[Dvcfan55]

We were there this year from 12/29 through 1/8, and honestly, it was EXTREMELY busy the entire time. To give some perspective, when it started to "die down" a little bit, it was exciting to see one lonely unclaimed chair at the pool by 10 am. The busiest time was from 12/29-1/2, but really, it remained very busy the whole time. The first few days, there were times when there was very little food left at Ulu, and there was no place to sit to eat. Be prepared.

On no!! Really? I guess I'm not too surprised. But we're you at least able to enjoy your trip? Those are very similar dates and as you know you pay a premium to travel during this time, I just expect it to be enjoyable for the cost. Food was running out?!! Thats outrageous. Do you have any little that enjoyed auntie beach house? We're you ever turned away because they were at capacity? Thanks in advance for your experience

 

[Dvcfan55]

I would be prepared for some heavy crowds at that time. We have young children so we really can't lounge by the pool anyway, so we either find a place to park the stroller and throw our flip flops, coverups, towels on it while we swim or even just bring down a tote bag that we tuck out of the way - then we don't have to bother finding a chair. We also found the lagoon to be less crowded.

Wow it sounds like it was totally crowded. So you were able to find a chair at the lagoon fairly easy then? Was it too busy to be enjoyable? How was the water temperature at that time? Just trying to decide whether you can have an enjoyable vacation during this time or if our money is better spent elsewhere! Hope you at least enjoyed your holiday. Thanks in advance

 

[jodybird511]

On no!! Really? I guess I'm not too surprised. But we're you at least able to enjoy your trip? Those are very similar dates and as you know you pay a premium to travel during this time, I just expect it to be enjoyable for the cost. Food was running out?!! Thats outrageous. Do you have any little that enjoyed auntie beach house? We're you ever turned away because they were at capacity? Thanks in advance for your experience

After I posted my reply, I realized that I should have added that, despite the crowds, we had a FANTASTIC time!!! Other than the crowds, we really loved everything about Aulani (though they should really add more food options, IMO). We have a 13yo DD and a 7 yo DS. Our son had a wonderful time at Aunties and practically begged to go there every day. Our daughter participated in some of the teen activities and had fun and met some friends. Neither kid was ever turned away from an activity. We got waitlisted twice for things we didn't sign up for in advance, but got into both. You will have a wonderful time, just be prepared for a lot of people. I was prepared, based on what I had read. I think if I was expecting it to be different, I likely would have been very frustrated.

 

[alldiz]

Is Christmas week busier than JULy?
Thanks
Kerri

 

[Elima2015]

Wow it sounds like it was totally crowded. So you were able to find a chair at the lagoon fairly easy then? Was it too busy to be enjoyable? How was the water temperature at that time? Just trying to decide whether you can have an enjoyable vacation during this time or if our money is better spent elsewhere! Hope you at least enjoyed your holiday. Thanks in advance

I should clarify that the time we went wasn't super crowded. It was busy, but not insane - it was the first week of Feb two years ago. We are going again, leaving this weekend, and the resort seems sold out. So I have my "I'm preparing for the worst" hat on. When we went last time, we ran into a couple of times where there were no chairs around the pools, but it wasn't a big deal to us as we just can't lounge around yet thanks to 3 kids under 5. One time we had Dole Whips and just needed a place to sit for a few and someone just volunteered one of their several chairs for us to eat our snacks. We never had an issue finding chairs at the beach at any time of the day. We had an awesome time and I know we will this upcoming week. We are just trying to set our expectations accordingly -- knowing that we might just stash a tote bag with flip flops and cover-ups while we play vs. having a chair; packing our own sand toys so we don't have to hope the resort still has some to check-out; bringing some pool toys in case the lines for the slides are too long; pre-registerd for Auntie's activities.

The pool water temperature was great. I don't remember that being cold. The lagoon water was cooler, but we played it in several times. I think you can have a GREAT vacation even with the crowds - just as long as you expect it. Kind of like going to the parks. Yes, it can be very crowded, but with some planning and managing expecations, it is still magical.

 

[Dvcfan55]

After I posted my reply, I realized that I should have added that, despite the crowds, we had a FANTASTIC time!!! Other than the crowds, we really loved everything about Aulani (though they should really add more food options, IMO). We have a 13yo DD and a 7 yo DS. Our son had a wonderful time at Aunties and practically begged to go there every day. Our daughter participated in some of the teen activities and had fun and met some friends. Neither kid was ever turned away from an activity. We got waitlisted twice for things we didn't sign up for in advance, but got into both. You will have a wonderful time, just be prepared for a lot of people. I was prepared, based on what I had read. I think if I was expecting it to be different, I likely would have been very frustrated.

Oh good!! Happy to hear you still had a great trip despite the crowds. Our ds will be turning 7 on this trip so it sounds like he will be in heaven. Also happy to hear he wasn't turned away at aunties. You have me worried though about food supply running low but gonna stick with the plan and still go since you said you were at least able to enjoy your trip thanks again!!

 

[Dvcfan55]

I should clarify that the time we went wasn't super crowded. It was busy, but not insane - it was the first week of Feb two years ago. We are going again, leaving this weekend, and the resort seems sold out. So I have my "I'm preparing for the worst" hat on. When we went last time, we ran into a couple of times where there were no chairs around the pools, but it wasn't a big deal to us as we just can't lounge around yet thanks to 3 kids under 5. One time we had Dole Whips and just needed a place to sit for a few and someone just volunteered one of their several chairs for us to eat our snacks. We never had an issue finding chairs at the beach at any time of the day. We had an awesome time and I know we will this upcoming week. We are just trying to set our expectations accordingly -- knowing that we might just stash a tote bag with flip flops and cover-ups while we play vs. having a chair; packing our own sand toys so we don't have to hope the resort still has some to check-out; bringing some pool toys in case the lines for the slides are too long; pre-registerd for Auntie's activities.

The pool water temperature was great. I don't remember that being cold. The lagoon water was cooler, but we played it in several times. I think you can have a GREAT vacation even with the crowds - just as long as you expect it. Kind of like going to the parks. Yes, it can be very crowded, but with some planning and managing expecations, it is still magical.

Awesome have a wonderful trip!!! How exciting. I bet next week will be an awesome time to be at aulani with far fewer crowds. I'll try to keep that in mind, just keeping expectations in check (and DH's) and I bet we'll a fabulous time. I wouldnt mind just setting our stuff aside like you did but did you find it hard to navigate crowded pools/lazy river?
Wish we were leaving as soon as you are. Enjoy!!