How easy is it to get AUL at 7 months?

[hglenn]

We own at BWV but my daughter wants to go to AUL for graduation next year. Likely around Memorial day week. Any idea on difficulty of getting studio rooms that week at 7 months? Should I consider trying to rent points at 11 months?

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Standard View studios would be very difficult to get at 7 months. But the other ones, especially Ocean View and Pool Gardens View rooms shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Anal Annie]

HGLENN - I think standard and IV studios are the first to go because of the lower points. Plan on booking an OV and you'll probably be fine. Go as early in the month as possible because the May-June are lower points and as schools start letting out for the summer the time period will be harder & harder to get.

 

[LB002]

We got Feb vacation week in 2020 at 7 months, and Spring break in 2021 in less (but it was COVID times, so not typical). As other said, standard view was not available. We had Island view both times.

 

[bobbiwoz]

At 7 months I’ve been able to book at Aulani. I think you’ll be fine especially if you can book OV.

 

[tidefan]

This year, for June was difficult. Now, we were looking for a 2-Bdrm, not a studio, but I would think that studios would be in even higher demand. End of May may be a bit better than June, though...

 

[anricat]

I've been stalking the May/June timeframe for the last couple of years to get myself prepped to book for next June (2024) and things look pretty good at 7 months for an Oceanview.

 

[Aussie RJ]

I own a small Aulani contract. We've been debating for the last few years about adding further points as we tend to fly home (Sydney) from Florida via Hawaii. However, at this stage we've not had a problem securing 1 or 2 bed (Island Garden) during our preferred travel times. We use our SSR SAP points to top up the Aulani contract and this year we have 4th July weekend and just finished a 7 night stay mid January. If you prefer to stay 1 or 2 bedrooms, I don't think you need home resort advantage.

 

[AZMermaid]

June is the hardest month of the year by far. This and the winter holidays are the only time 7 months can be dicey. Plan for Ocean View. I‘d say you'll probably be okay around Memorial Day….

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Standard is basically a no all year at 7 months, so don't go in thinking lowest point units.

 

[drusba]

For booking studios at 7-months out for the week that Memorial Day falls in: ocean view (which is 45% of all rooms) is most likely to be open; standard view not; island/garden a chance but more likely you will find a couple days already filled; pool/garden good chance but some risk a day or maybe two could already be filled.

I am assuming you are not considering, as another option, any full week in June. Most of June through July 5 is the second highest DVC demand time of the year at Aul (first is Dec 23 to Jan 2), during which even ocean view studios have a significant risk of booking full before 7-months out.

 

[flipflopmom]

I am assuming you are not considering, as another option, any full week in June. Most of June through July 5 is the second highest DVC demand time of the year at Aul (first is Dec 23 to Jan 2), during which even ocean view studios have a significant risk of booking full before 7-months out.

Does the same hold true for 1/2 bedrooms in June? We are like OP and planning a grad trip, but for 2025.

 

[starry_solo]

Ocean or pool/garden / island views will be what you can likely get.
The owner I rent from got me an island view (I think or it's a pool/garden, definitely not standard) studio for late April at 5 months.

 

[hglenn]

Thanks for all the feedback! We'll plan for the higher room categories, then... Now, to figure out how to get a couple nights at Grand Cal following the Aulani trip! LOL

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Thanks for all the feedback! We'll plan for the higher room categories, then... Now, to figure out how to get a couple nights at Grand Cal following the Aulani trip! LOL

Pray. Or buy a resale VGC. I hear prices are good these days!

 

[hglenn]

Pray. Or buy a resale VGC. I hear prices are good these days!

Those dang point charts, though! And, in all honesty, tough to pass up using my Marriott points for a walkable hotel there.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

Those dang point charts, though! And, in all honesty, tough to pass up using my Marriott points for a walkable hotel there.

You’re totally right about the off-site options at DLR. So many great options that are much closer than DLH. But nothing beats the Grand. And yeah, you gotta pay to play. The funny thing is, my daughter sometimes misses those free breakfasts we used to have at the Residence Inn prior to becoming VGC owners. Living in Hawaii, I guess we’re just used to paying exorbitant prices on just about everything.

 

[gtrist4life]

Thanks for all the feedback, we're planning a family trip next June.....