Question for anyone who has stayed both island and standard view at Aulani

[jekjones1558]

I have always booked ocean view in the past but my DH and I can no longer travel so we sold a bunch of our points and only use them to gift rooms to family. Next month at 7 months out I will be booking 10 days for my DSis in a 1 bedroom at Aulani. She says that she and her DH don't spend much time in the room so view isn't a big deal. Since I can save some points I am thinking of booking standard or island view. How bad are the standard views? Since it is only 20 points difference total between a standard view and an island view for the 10 days, shall I not take the risk of getting a really bad standard view? Any comments much appreciated. TIA

 

[disneynutz]

Standard is standard for a reason. If Disney could give those rooms a higher cost category, they would. I would skip standard.
Nice to see you posting!

Bill

 

[keaster]

From pictures I've seen on the Aulani Villas & Views thread, most standard views overlook the convention centre. I think the worst one I saw was was overlooking the roof of the walkway to the centre! I would go with island view! Check out that thread on the Aulani board and you'll get a better idea.

 

[jekjones1558]

Thanks, Bill and keaster. I did check out the long Aulani view thread and I agree that the standard room view looks pretty lousy. Last time I booked Aulani for DSis it was ocean view so I think that standard would be a super big let down. Since island view is not that many more points, I'll go with that, assuming it is available. I have usually had good luck booking 1 bedrooms at 7 months because people seem to prefer studios.

 

[jaygalterio]

We own at Aulani and have stayed in both the Island Garden View and the Ocean View. We haven't done the Standard View.

Of the three though, I would suggest the Island Garden View; it is a bargain points-wise for what you get.

It faces the courtyard where the evening shows are put on. (Early evening, so they won't disrupt your sleeping.) It is easy to watch the shows from your balcony and be out of the fray of things. The room is also sheltered from the road noise as well as the pool noise, not that there was that much of either when we were there. You can see the Ocean if you crane your neck out a bit, but I wouldn't bet on it if this was a must (it's really a gamble of the geometry of the particular room you are assigned).

I believe, though I could be getting the details wrong, when we arrived at the resort one of the bell hops asked what room number we had. When I said, they replied with "Oh, an Island Garden View? Who did you talk to to know to pick that?" He was convinced that it was a better choice than the other possibilities.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Thanks, Bill and keaster. I did check out the long Aulani view thread and I agree that the standard room view looks pretty lousy. Last time I booked Aulani for DSis it was ocean view so I think that standard would be a super big let down. Since island view is not that many more points, I'll go with that, assuming it is available. I have usually had good luck booking 1 bedrooms at 7 months because people seem to prefer studios.

Nice to see you on Dis!
I think your sister knows how lucky she is.

 

[jekjones1558]

We own at Aulani and have stayed in both the Island Garden View and the Ocean View. We haven't done the Standard View.

Of the three though, I would suggest the Island Garden View; it is a bargain points-wise for what you get.

It faces the courtyard where the evening shows are put on. (Early evening, so they won't disrupt your sleeping.) It is easy to watch the is shows from your balcony and be out of the fray of things. The room is also sheltered from the road noise as well as the pool noise, not that there was that much of either when we were there. You can see the Ocean if you crane your neck out a bit, but I wouldn't bet on it if this was a must (it's really a gamble of the geometry of the particular room you are assigned).

I believe, though I could be getting the details wrong, when we arrived at the resort one of the bell hops asked what room number we had. When I said, they replied with "Oh, an Island Garden View? Who did you talk to to know to pick that?" He was convinced that it was a better choice than the other possibilities.

This is great info! Thank you! P.S. I am jealous of your Aulani points!

 

[jekjones1558]

Nice to see you on Dis!
I think your sister knows how lucky she is.

I do miss Disney so much.

 

[bobbiwoz]

 

[Cindyel]

We went last summer and Island view is worth the points! Absolutely beautiful! (I tried to attach a photo but the file was too large)