Wow, OP, makes me glad we can stay at WDW and enjoy a much less stressful, peaceful, relaxing vacation with lots less $$$'s. Doesn't sound like Aulani is all it's cut out to be in comparison!! Not to mention the long flight to/from would just do me in.
I'll be there in Jan 2020 as well. From what I have heard, its not a problem with the beach chairs as it is with pool chairsHey there, we are going in Jan 2020! How do people feel about the crowds at the ocean chairs? Has anyone been in January before? We chose that month due to cooler temperatures, school is in session and prices were good for us.
Agreed. This sound like a nightmare. My husband would hate all that and the trip would be spoiled. You’ve convinced me to never go to Aulani. I don’t want to have a strategy on an island holiday.Wow, OP, makes me glad we can stay at WDW and enjoy a much less stressful, peaceful, relaxing vacation with lots less $$$'s. Doesn't sound like Aulani is all it's cut out to be in comparison!! Not to mention the long flight to/from would just do me in.
It’s hardly a nightmare. Aulani is amazing. There are always chairs available, the preferred ones just go first. And frankly, most people are up early due to time change, so getting out early isn’t really that big of a deal.Agreed. This sound like a nightmare. My husband would hate all that and the trip would be spoiled. You’ve convinced me to never go to Aulani. I don’t want to have a strategy on an island holiday.
I agree as well. Like I said, mid-week it was no problem at all. We were usually up by 5 or so every morning because of the time change and ready to get started. If the worst thing you have to do on the vacation is be down there by 7 AM and watch the Pacific ocean while eating or reading from the pool chair to reserve a couple, that's a good problem to have. But that's only on the worst days anyway.It’s hardly a nightmare. Aulani is amazing. There are always chairs available, the preferred ones just go first. And frankly, most people are up early due to time change, so getting out early isn’t really that big of a deal.
Not happy to hear about crazy crowds..and hate the sounds of the chair situation. I’ve been to Hawaii several times but never to Aulani. The best part of a Hawaii vacation is relaxing...planning on Aulani this October and concerned about the crowds. Especially since some of the pools will be closed for refurbishment. Fewer pools mean more people crowding into areas that are open.
Great tipI can confirm the chair situation May 11-19 was the same as the original poster. There were people staking out claim to front row chairs before 7am.
Umbrella and front row chairs were definitely gone by 8am. Chairs in the full sun were generally available, as well as chairs that don't fully recline.
We didn't worry about it too much, but 2 days we did make a point to get there early to get the chairs we wanted. We also moved to better chairs when some early-birds left.
Towel line was never really a big deal for us, but I did notice a couple inconsistencies. They were pretty strict about us both being there to hand out wristbands, but I witnessed them handing out multiple wristbands to some guests. Not sure why. The DVC towel line wasn't very exclusive, in that pretty much any time I dropped by, there were non-DVC people getting towels. No big deal, but it happened.
ProTip: (Don't tell anyone) Get some towels late in the day and bring them down the next day with you.