Poly Preferred + Aulani Pool Garden, or Poly Standard + Aulani Ocean View?

[Road_Dog]

I’ve banked 150 of my Oct ‘24 UY points into Oct ‘25 and plan to borrow from Oct ‘26 for a total of 450 points. The goal was to cover two main trips:

• March 2026: 5 nights at Poly (our home resort) for our family of 4
• May 2026: 5 nights at Aulani with our family of 4 + my in-laws

Right now I’ve got a Preferred View studio booked at Poly for March—140 points total. I requested a 3rd-floor longhouse room so we can catch the fireworks from the balcony.

The plan was to follow that up with a 2-bedroom Pool Garden View at Aulani (310 points). I figured Standard View would be long gone by 7 months, and Island Garden didn’t really appeal to me compared to Pool Garden. I know a lot of people rave about the Ocean View, but at 345 points we’d be 35 short—so even OTU points wouldn’t cover it.

Here’s the snag: I decided not to “walk” my Aulani reservation (maybe a mistake), and now—just a couple days before I can officially book—the dedicated 2-bedrooms for our dates are gone. Only lock-offs left (which I'm OK with, but I guess it makes me nervous that availability is going to get snagged up immediately the morning of the 7-month window). I’m not thrilled about waitlisting, and since our United flights are already booked (Saver fares, huge win), I don't want to adjust the dates (plus once you get into June, availability is snagged up as it's a popular time).

That got me thinking... If I switch our Poly stay to Standard View (125 points), that frees up 15 points. Add in 24 OTU points and I’ve got 39 more to work with—just enough for a 5-night Ocean View at Aulani (345 points). There’s actually solid Ocean View availability for our dates, likely since that’s the category with the most inventory, so it might be the safer play.

So now I’m torn:

We originally picked Preferred View at Poly because

• It’s our first DVC trip
• We wanted the “best” Poly experience
• It’s for our daughter’s 4th birthday
• We thought fireworks from the balcony would be easier than trying to keep wrestle tired kids at the park or the beach show
• If the kids crash early, at least my wife and I could still watch from the room with a night cap

That said, I have no idea if 15 extra points is a lot for these perks, or if the points are "better spent" on what the Ocean View provides me. I thought requesting a 1st floor for the Pool Garden would be cool and easy to get to the pool area.

For anyone who’s stayed at both, what would you do? Stick with the Preferred View at Poly and Pool Garden at Aulani, or go Standard at Poly to lock in an Ocean View at Aulani?

 

[JackosinDIS]

Tough choice! I would think you have a better chance of a partial ocean view at Aulani in an island garden room, than you have at a fireworks view in a resort view at Poly. Meaning upgrading a Poly is probably the more valuable view upgrade.
BUT, you may get stuck with a first floor preferred view at Poly, and wish you had gone for resort view.
Personally, I would go preferred view at Poly if I wanted to pay for the view. Although in real life I would go with the cheapest option at both as I’m mainly asleep when I’m in the room.

 

[Road_Dog]

Tough choice! I would think you have a better chance of a partial ocean view at Aulani in an island garden room, than you have at a fireworks view in a resort view at Poly. Meaning upgrading a Poly is probably the more valuable view upgrade.
BUT, you may get stuck with a first floor preferred view at Poly, and wish you had gone for resort view.
Personally, I would go preferred view at Poly if I wanted to pay for the view. Although in real life I would go with the cheapest option at both as I’m mainly asleep when I’m in the room.

Thanks. To be clear, I'm not adament we get an Ocean View at Aulani (hence why I was always OK with a Pool Garden View) but I understand the allure and why many people say it's a "must" when you go through the hassle of going all the way to Hawaii (I liken it to, "why stay at AKL if not to do a Savannah view? That's the whole point!"). So it got me thinking if I was foolish to be thinking of anything BUT an Oceanview at Aulani! That being said, I was fine compromising with a room that either A) Provided a partial ocean view if I got a decent 5th floor room or B) Was on the 1st floor so we could walk directly out to the pool area from our sliding door, both of which I think would be great options. If we didn't get our request fulfilled and were stuck somewhere in the 2nd-4th floor range, I guess I'd survive.

I will say though, if I got a 1st floor Preferred View at Poly, I would 100% be very disappointed. Pretty much the whole reason I picked it was so we could get a fireworks view. I have already put in a room request for a 3rd floor or 2nd floor (as long as we can see over the Bungalows, I'm OK) and indicated it was my daughter's birthday in hopes that my request will be fulfilled. Knowing I gave up an Oceanview for a view of the bungalows at Poly would grind my gears!!! Lol I know the requests aren't guaranteed but I figured my chances would be OK.

 

[eticketplease]

This summer we had planned to go to Aulani and I didn't walk and I ended up with multiple individual nights from everything from a Studio to a GV. We ended up cancelling as we weren't going to have a room for an entire day once. I had the 787 dreamliner with lie flat seats booked to and from O'Hare but was able to get my united points back as well.

I would certainly try for Ocean view and downgrade the poly afterall the beach to see the fireworks is just a few steps away even from pago pago.

 

[eticketplease]

You really want to try for the dedicated 2 bed as it has an extra powder room as well that the lock-off doesn't have.

 

[Road_Dog]

This summer we had planned to go to Aulani and I didn't walk and I ended up with multiple individual nights from everything from a Studio to a GV. We ended up cancelling as we weren't going to have a room for an entire day once. I had the 787 dreamliner with lie flat seats booked to and from O'Hare but was able to get my united points back as well.

I would certainly try for Ocean view and downgrade the poly afterall the beach to see the fireworks is just a few steps away even from pago pago.

Aw man, I'm sorry to hear that. I do know that June onward is much busier at Aulani with summer break going on. It seemed like May was easier to book. but I think that these planned pool renovations in late april and early may have caused many to delay their plans and start looking for the same days we had picked out!

We're also flying from O'Hare on the same direct flight.

You really want to try for the dedicated 2 bed as it has an extra powder room as well that the lock-off doesn't have.

Yep that's why I was disappointed it was already gone--I personally think the lock-off is a weaker choice because you don't get 2 real queen beds in the one room, you have to use 1 queen and a pull out couch. And you lose the extra half bathroom.

I was likely going to book the lock-off (providing its available when I book later this week) and then waitlist for the dedicated.

 

[czmom]

Ocean View at Aulani hands down! We have been twice and just love it.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Real Pacific Ocean View

 

[VGCgroupie]

Island garden view at Aulani is a very good value. I would do that while its still the value it is. Eventually there will be a resort that may take the ocean views away from those rooms.

 

[Road_Dog]

I would certainly try for Ocean view and downgrade the poly afterall the beach to see the fireworks is just a few steps away even from pago pago.

If I do change my Poly visit to a Standard view, what room request should I put in?

 

[Steelers0854]

I would do anything you can to get an ocean view at Aulani. While we haven’t stayed there yet I’ve been to Hawaii many times and nothing compares to an ocean view. Plus you said preferred view not theme park view at the poly. IMO it really makes little difference between any of the non theme park view rooms.

 

[Road_Dog]

I would do anything you can to get an ocean view at Aulani. While we haven’t stayed there yet I’ve been to Hawaii many times and nothing compares to an ocean view. Plus you said preferred view not theme park view at the poly. IMO it really makes little difference between any of the non theme park view rooms.

I’ve had ocean view in Hawaii where we are a stones throw from the water. The ocean view at aulani is quite a ways from the water but of course the view still looks gorgeous and you get the whole picture of the water, the beach, and the pool area below.

Also, for Poly in the longhouses, Preferred = water facing side of Moorea, so you get a fireworks view if you are on the 2nd or 3rd floor. Those are the only DVC longhouse studios that offer a preferred view.

Whereas in the Poly Tower, they have standard, preferred, and TP view. In the tower, preferred doesn’t guarantee firework view, but in the longhouses you have a 66% chance.

 

[Add-On-Itis]

We have stayed at both this year.

Aulani - go Island garden view. It's basically an Ocean View + bonus of watching luau from the room balcony.

Poly - go with Preferred View. Even if you're on the first floor, you can walk right out of the sliding door to get a better view.

 

[Road_Dog]

We have stayed at both this year.

Aulani - go Island garden view. It's basically an Ocean View + bonus of watching luau from the room balcony.

Poly - go with Preferred View. Even if you're on the first floor, you can walk right out of the sliding door to get a better view.

According to the map on DVC Field Guide and ***********, the Island Garden View could put me in the Ewa Short Wing (side facing away from the ocean) or Ewa Lobby Wing which do not face the Luau or the ocean. It could also put me in the Waianae Long Wing side which might give an ocean view if I'm high enough but no Luau view. If I remember correctly, when I originally did research, it seemed like I had a lot more to lose booking Island Garden if I set my hopes too high. Whereas I at least felt the Poolside Garden view was consistent (i.e., I wouldn't be booking an Poolside Garden view with hopes that I get a partial ocean view on the 5th floor--I'd likely be booking with hopes I get a 1st floor walk-out to the pool area).

 

[Add-On-Itis]

According to the map on DVC Field Guide and ***********, the Island Garden View could put me in the Ewa Short Wing (side facing away from the ocean) or Ewa Lobby Wing which do not face the Luau or the ocean. It could also put me in the Waianae Long Wing side which might give an ocean view if I'm high enough but no Luau view. If I remember correctly, when I originally did research, it seemed like I had a lot more to lose booking Island Garden if I set my hopes too high. Whereas I at least felt the Poolside Garden view was consistent (i.e., I wouldn't be booking an Poolside Garden view with hopes that I get a partial ocean view on the 5th floor--I'd likely be booking with hopes I get a 1st floor walk-out to the pool area).

Sure. Room request is just that, a request. But. When we were there I feel like there are alot of less informed guest there. A lot less knowledgable than people here on this board. My guess, only a guess is not a ton of people do room request. We requested a "high floor, luau view" and got exactly that. And there are plenty of rooms in this view category. So my guess is the chances is quite high to get such a view.

This view is only good until next door start constructions.

 

[Road_Dog]

Sure. Room request is just that, a request. But. When we were there I feel like there are alot of less informed guest there. A lot less knowledgable than people here on this board. My guess, only a guess is not a ton of people do room request. We requested a "high floor, luau view" and got exactly that. And there are plenty of rooms in this view category. So my guess is the chances is quite high to get such a view.

This view is only good until next door start constructions.

Appreciate the feedback! Unfortunately, it looks like Island Garden is gobbled up for our dates. Just seeing a lot of 2-day and 3-day availability. But I will see what we can do about waitlisting. I think based on existing availability, my best course of action is to lock up an OV or PG view and then waitlist for Island Garden. The more comments I get from you and others, the more comfortable I feel asking for that type of view.

Unfortunately since I'm borrowing from our '26 UY, if I want to "secure" ocean view or Pool Garden, I have to borrow the full amount, so if I do get lucky and get Island Garden for the 5-nights, the point savings will just have to be banked back into my Oct '26 UY--not end of the world, but it would have been better if could have not borrowed the full 150 for max flexibility.

 

[Add-On-Itis]

Appreciate the feedback! Unfortunately, it looks like Island Garden is gobbled up for our dates. Just seeing a lot of 2-day and 3-day availability. But I will see what we can do about waitlisting. I think based on existing availability, my best course of action is to lock up an OV or PG view and then waitlist for Island Garden. The more comments I get from you and others, the more comfortable I feel asking for that type of view.

Unfortunately since I'm borrowing from our '26 UY, if I want to "secure" ocean view or Pool Garden, I have to borrow the full amount, so if I do get lucky and get Island Garden for the 5-nights, the point savings will just have to be banked back into my Oct '26 UY--not end of the world, but it would have been better if could have not borrowed the full 150 for max flexibility.

Hopefully your waitlist comes thru! To be fair we were there for over a week. We barely spent any time sitting on the balcony.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Appreciate the feedback! Unfortunately, it looks like Island Garden is gobbled up for our dates. Just seeing a lot of 2-day and 3-day availability. But I will see what we can do about waitlisting. I think based on existing availability, my best course of action is to lock up an OV or PG view and then waitlist for Island Garden. The more comments I get from you and others, the more comfortable I feel asking for that type of view.

Unfortunately since I'm borrowing from our '26 UY, if I want to "secure" ocean view or Pool Garden, I have to borrow the full amount, so if I do get lucky and get Island Garden for the 5-nights, the point savings will just have to be banked back into my Oct '26 UY--not end of the world, but it would have been better if could have not borrowed the full 150 for max flexibility.

I got my request. Ive seen so many people get their requests filled. Also when I checked in the front desk was very helpful and during split stay of OV Studio and I/G 1 bed she showed me photos of the OV room options that were available and let me choose. My I/G view was almost as good as my O/V