Questions about Aulani

[DisneyBliss7]

Not sure if I'm posting in the right place or not,,,I couldn't find a place to post just about Aulani. I'm just pricing out a trip, nothing set yet, I'm curious what would be the best time of year to visit? Based on crowds and weather. I was thinking of going over the summer to avoid the kids missing school, but I will take them out for a trip, we do for Disney World every time. I've read comments before about how busy the resort can be. Also aside from travel expenses what are the other costs? We would be renting points most likely(unless we own by then). How do I get groceries for the week, is there a store like Garden Grocer that delivers? Are there activities at the resort that cost extra money? Sorry for all the questions! Thanks for any info

 

[Reppstir]

My wife and I just visited Aulani this past October. Having been to Hawaii (not Aulani, and usually Kauai) I wasn't sure I would like the Disneyfied Hawaii.
Well, I was so very pleasantly surprised. Aulani is beautiful, and we will definitely be returning.
It all depends on what is more important to you. I like to avoid crowds like the plague, so I can recommend October as a perfect time to go. The weather, while always great in Hawaii, was spectacular.
Just do not plan it during the first full week of October, since that is the fall break for the Hawaiian school system. It is over run with local residents and their children.
You can verify the exact dates of the fall break just by Googling it. This year it is Oct 5-9.

Aside from that, there is MUCH to do on site that costs extra, just like any resort. Boating activities, etc, plus much for the kids to do (which we didn't pay much attention to since we were childless on this trip).
The spa is magnificent (and the price reflects that.)
If you are not DVC, you will pay $35 per night to park. You will have a car, right? You kinda need one. There is a small grocery across the street if I remember, but again, they have you over a barrel on price.
With a car, there are many local grocers within 10 mins.

The resort was very nice, the beach very nice, the sunsets - out of this world.

 

[dsnydaddy]

We went last February. The weather was marvelous!

 

[Anal Annie]

Not sure if I'm posting in the right place or not,,,I couldn't find a place to post just about Aulani. I'm just pricing out a trip, nothing set yet, I'm curious what would be the best time of year to visit? Based on crowds and weather. I was thinking of going over the summer to avoid the kids missing school, but I will take them out for a trip, we do for Disney World every time. I've read comments before about how busy the resort can be. Also aside from travel expenses what are the other costs? We would be renting points most likely(unless we own by then). How do I get groceries for the week, is there a store like Garden Grocer that delivers? Are there activities at the resort that cost extra money? Sorry for all the questions! Thanks for any info

Hawaii is great almost any time of the year. Flights to Hawaii will be highest over major holidays, spring break and pretty much all summer long. PLAN for a lot of $$$ for your airfare so you're not in sticker shock. If you rent DVC points you can get free parking and avoid the $35 / day they charge. I would recommend renting a car so you can tour the island on your own and get groceries. There is a Costco, Safeway and Target not far from the resort where you can get pretty much anything you need. The resort is definitely PACKED in the summer months. FYI - they are reallocating the Aulani point charts for 2016 so if you don't get there in 2015 you will find the points required for a summer trip will be going UP to the "premium" season if you go in July or the first half of August. June is hard to get if you don't rent from an Aulani owner that can get in prior to the 7 month booking window. Since they are raising the amount of points required for a summer trip they will be lowering the points required during other months (the total number of points will ALWAYS remain the same - all they can do is reallocate them). I would suggest IF your school system doesn't go back until around Labor Day you might consider going in the last half of August. Crowds will drop by mid-August because many schools start back up in mid-late August and airfare will be slightly more reasonable. With this in mind it may be easier to rent points from a non-Aulani owner and get the reservation you want at 7 months. Good luck! It's an amazing resort!!

 

[sandysue]

Local attendance may have some impact on crowds.
Hawaii schools go back in session at the beginning of August and, as mentioned previously, have a fall break in Oct (5-9 for 2015). Spring break in Hawaii is in March, not tied to Easter dates.