Questions about July Aulani 1 BR at 7 months

[kmc33]

From what I have read, it sounds like it is difficult to book Aulani at the 7 month mark for summertime. We are looking to go in July 2018 and hoping to do something on the lines of 5 nights in Maui and 5 nights at Aulani in a 1 bedroom unit, any view. I don't know which type of units are the most difficult or if they are all hard to get.

I have a couple of questions:

1) Are 1 BR units easier to get than studio and 2 & 3 BR units? Or are all types equally difficult?

2) Are any parts of July easier than others? I thought about trying to be at Aulani over 4th of July, but I am starting to think we might be better shooting for after the holiday.

3) Is it easier to get units for weekdays or staying over the weekend?

4) Can you get reasonable airfare and/or possibly get a ticket with miles (AA) 7 months out?

I thought about booking airfare in advance, but I am starting to think this is too risky even if we had flexibility as to whether to do Maui first or Aulani first.

Thank you in advance for any feedback and/or experiences booking at 7 months!

 

[drusba]

Aulani's highest demand time of the year is Christmas week and its second highest is from about June 8 through July 5 or 6, when it can be difficult to get anything at 7 months out, although there are possibilities for a 1BR during early July, particularly for ocean view. After July 5 or 6 to end of July, standard view (all room sizes)and hotel rooms are most often gone before 7 months out, ocean view (all room sizes) is open, and Island Garden and Pool and Garden views are kind of 50/50 with at least one of those views usually open and 1BRs tend to be open more often than other rooms. There does not appear to be any weekday to weekend bias during that time, including most likely because the point cost per night does not vary according to days of the week. With July 4 on a Wednesday in 2018, your safest bet to assure getting a 1BR at 7 months out is likely to go at a time beginning on or after July 8. Cannot help on the airfare issue.

 

[alldiz]

I was able to get Aulani 1BR end of this July at 7 months.( I even snagged a studio at GCV on the way for 3 nights) Not sure standard was available but studios and other 1BR views were available. I booked my airfare at 7 mos and it has pretty much stayed the same. Went up a little. But it has not gone down really.
I would not book air till you have rooms sealed. Honestly if you are flexible with room view and either 1BR or studio I don't think you will have any problem. But for me I would be afraid to jinx it.
Happy planning
Kerri

 

[kmc33]

Thank you both for the information! This was very helpful.