May 2018 Question

[princessluna14]

My husband and I have begun to narrow down the details about our upcoming trip and have decided upon May over September (mainly because it's sooner!). I was thinking of doing the 20th-25th, but it just dawned on me that's the week before Memorial Day. Can anyone comment on whether or not I would see a huge increase in crowds that week? Would the 13th-18th be a better option?

Also, can anyone comment on the ease/difficulty of renting a DVC Studio at Aulani at the 11 month mark?

Thanks in advance!

 

[OKW Lover]

I'd go for the earlier week if possible. Always better to avoid holidays if you can. It also gives you the benefit of lower crowds (i.e. fewer locals) hitting the various shopping/dining venues on the island.

When you say "renting" a DVC Studio do you mean renting points from somebody to make your reservation? Or do you mean booking a DVC studio on cash? We've been able to get a unit at the 7-month window in May a couple of times now. However, that was and Ocean View Grand Villa. I don't know how available a studio would be.

 

[CaliAdventurer]

You can get anything at the 11th month mark except xmas-NY. But the hotel rooms go immediately. A standard view anything, you pretty much need to be within the owner's window. At 7 mos, you should be able to still get Oceanview anything.

 

[ebenmax]

At 7 mos, you should be able to still get Oceanview anything.

Is this anytime of the year or are you referring to only mid-May? We are hoping for early June 2018 at the 7 month mark.
Would the only rooms be ocean view?

Thanks for any insight!

 

[CaliAdventurer]

Is this anytime of the year or are you referring to only mid-May? We are hoping for early June 2018 at the 7 month mark.
Would the only rooms be ocean view?

Thanks for any insight!

I have never seen oceanview not avail at 7 mos anytime of the year outside of the holidays but I mostly look April, Oct, Dec. The studios of course will go first and the 2 bedrooms last because they are about 500 pts a week. But if you want June and not oceanview, it could be wise to rent within the window and rent out your own points. It also seems like more and more people are going so the past avail may not be a sure thing.

 

[princessluna14]

I'd go for the earlier week if possible. Always better to avoid holidays if you can. It also gives you the benefit of lower crowds (i.e. fewer locals) hitting the various shopping/dining venues on the island.

When you say "renting" a DVC Studio do you mean renting points from somebody to make your reservation? Or do you mean booking a DVC studio on cash? We've been able to get a unit at the 7-month window in May a couple of times now. However, that was and Ocean View Grand Villa. I don't know how available a studio would be.

I mean renting the points, yes. And I was leaning towards the earlier dates, so thank you for backing up my thoughts on that!

You can get anything at the 11th month mark except xmas-NY. But the hotel rooms go immediately. A standard view anything, you pretty much need to be within the owner's window. At 7 mos, you should be able to still get Oceanview anything.

I am planning on trying to find points at the 11 month mark, so hopefully it won't be an issue! Although, I'm definitely okay with ponying up the extra money if all that's available is ocean view.

 

[nkereina]

Mother's Day 2018 is May 13th. I doubt it will impact crowds substantially, but you might see an influx of locals or holdovers from a long weekend at Aulani.

We went this past September and found it to be very slow. We also had excellent weather. If I go again, September would be my first choice. We rented points for a standard studio room and had no issue getting one around the 10 month mark.

 

[cedricandsophie]

We have gone in may for the last couple of years. Last year we were there over Memorial Day. It got appreciably busier from Thursday thru Monday. This year we are arriving on may 15 and leaving may 25. We always get a one bedroom ocean view and never have a problem 7 months out.

As for June we thought about going in June this year and looked into dvc villas using our points. Ultimately we decided not to but at 11 months out all I could get was ocean view for anything, studios and one bedrooms because I didn't get online until later in the morning.

 

[OKW Lover]

Mother's Day 2018 is May 13th. I doubt it will impact crowds substantially, but you might see an influx of locals or holdovers from a long weekend at Aulani.

We were at Aulani for Mothers Day 2016. Didn't notice any difference in crowd levels.

 

[longboard55]

The biggest draw in May is Japanese Golden week which is early in the month. Memorial day is not a really big draw. Prices stay low till mid June when school lets out then they explode

 

[nkereina]

We were at Aulani for Mothers Day 2016. Didn't notice any difference in crowd levels.

That's good. It's just something to keep in the back of mind, especially if I were planning on being at the resort or dining at the restaurants on Mother's Day in particular. I wouldn't expect any difference otherwise either.