Renting DVC or booking hotel? 5 people :)

[KalamityJane]

We are bouncing around going to Aulani and wondering what was the cheapest way to do Aulani (and obviously if you can even get DVC rooms there, is it as bad as the VGC?). We have 2 adults, 3 kids, youngest is 3 currently so not an infant.

We always go in low season, so I'm really interested in how to do this the best way on a budget without sacrificing quality. We have stayed in the 1 bdr and studios at VGC and in the 2 bedroom villas at SSR, so I'm familiar with layout and we do appreciate the kitchen and laundry.

I'm just curious which would be the better option with 5 people as I don't think we fit into a studio anymore.

 

[Pooh2]

We rented points in Sept. Our first couple of choices for dates and views were not available, the 3rd choice was. We don't have school aged kids so made it easier to be flexible with dates. We booked about 6 months out. Good luck!

 

[KalamityJane]

I just checked on the hotel side... $700/nt in low season for the 1 bedroom villa. I suppose if they have a 30% offer out, it would be sort of comparable to renting but it looks like that was easy LOL

Can we fit in a studio with 5 above 3yo or no?

 

[ihearthawaii]

We rented a studio for three (2 adults, 1 five yo) and secured the rental in 24 hours for this October (low season) at the 7 month mark. From what I've been hearing, there are a lot of availability at Aulani, as long as you go during low season you shouldn't have a problem. I would go with a one bedroom as the studio is only 365 sq ft. The studio is a queen with a queen pull out sofa.

 

[KalamityJane]

We rented a studio for three (2 adults, 1 five yo) and secured the rental in 24 hours for this October (low season) at the 7 month mark. From what I've been hearing, there are a lot of availability at Aulani, as long as you go during low season you shouldn't have a problem. I would go with a one bedroom as the studio is only 365 sq ft. The studio is a queen with a queen pull out sofa.

Whoa, and I thought the Grand Californian studio villas were on the small side! I think they are 380?

 

[ihearthawaii]

Whoa, and I thought the Grand Californian studio villas were on the small side! I think they are 380?

What's odd is the standard hotel room is 382 sq ft but it doesn't have the kitchenette so I sacrificed 20sq ft for a microwave

 

[cmph]

I'm sure others will have had better luck, but in pricing out DVC rental vs direct booking a 1-bedroom villa - direct was cheaper. I checked more than once, b/c I was convinced I just entered something wrong. It will depend on what specials are going on during your time frame, and how long you're staying, ultimately. For us, a longer stay meant a heavier discount off the rooms booking direct, plus a daily resort credit. Originally we were going to stay 2-3 nights in Waikiki then 4 or 5 at Aulani (regular rooms in both), then when the 30% off came up - we booked the 1-bedroom villa for 8 nights instead - and I think that worked out to being nearly a wash despite the room upgrade (we tacked on the 8th night, so I'm a little fuzzy on the price diff, but it was minimal). Granted, we could have cheaped out and just took the 30% off a regular room and spent less money! We're going to appreciate the extra space so much more, that I don't mind losing the convenience aspect of being in Waikiki part of the time. I would probably think differently if I didn't have kids, though, as night life would be a factor. A 1 bedroom villa definitely will be fine for 5 if two of your kids will share a bed - maybe the same as VGC? It has a king in the bedroom, pull-out couch and pull-down bed under the TV in the living room. Non-DVC means daily housekeeping (with laundry detergent, coffee, etc) if that matters. Best advice is to talk to Aulani yourself or have a travel agent versed in Disney call, who can chat them up to find out what specials are coming up or active, and do your own research on the side for rental quotes. It really will depend on your dates and length of stay. Keep in mind you'll be paying for parking onsite if you don't rent points, if you want to factor that into your price comparison.

 

[KalamityJane]

I'm sure others will have had better luck, but in pricing out DVC rental vs direct booking a 1-bedroom villa - direct was cheaper. I checked more than once, b/c I was convinced I just entered something wrong. It will depend on what specials are going on during your time frame, and how long you're staying, ultimately. For us, a longer stay meant a heavier discount off the rooms booking direct, plus a daily resort credit. Originally we were going to stay 2-3 nights in Waikiki then 4 or 5 at Aulani (regular rooms in both), then when the 30% off came up - we booked the 1-bedroom villa for 8 nights instead - and I think that worked out to being nearly a wash despite the room upgrade (we tacked on the 8th night, so I'm a little fuzzy on the price diff, but it was minimal). Granted, we could have cheaped out and just took the 30% off a regular room and spent less money! We're going to appreciate the extra space so much more, that I don't mind losing the convenience aspect of being in Waikiki part of the time. I would probably think differently if I didn't have kids, though, as night life would be a factor. A 1 bedroom villa definitely will be fine for 5 if two of your kids will share a bed - maybe the same as VGC? It has a king in the bedroom, pull-out couch and pull-down bed under the TV in the living room. Non-DVC means daily housekeeping (with laundry detergent, coffee, etc) if that matters. Best advice is to talk to Aulani yourself or have a travel agent versed in Disney call, who can chat them up to find out what specials are coming up or active, and do your own research on the side for rental quotes. It really will depend on your dates and length of stay. Keep in mind you'll be paying for parking onsite if you don't rent points, if you want to factor that into your price comparison.

Yeah, I just priced out the 1 bedroom in low season (for this October if that matters) at 699/nt Renting points would be 35pts/nt *12-14 so 420-490/nt which is about the same as the 1 bedroom with a 30% off offer. Bah, this third kid is expensive! Good thing he's cute

The kids will totally share beds, they are 7, 5 and 3 currently and share usually every night anyway because they hate sleeping alone. It's a good point about the parking too, we usually don't have a car but likely would in Hawaii, so I will definitely factor it in!

 

[cmph]

Yeah, I just priced out the 1 bedroom in low season (for this October if that matters) at 699/nt Renting points would be 35pts/nt *12-14 so 420-490/nt which is about the same as the 1 bedroom with a 30% off offer. Bah, this third kid is expensive! Good thing he's cute

The kids will totally share beds, they are 7, 5 and 3 currently and share usually every night anyway because they hate sleeping alone. It's a good point about the parking too, we usually don't have a car but likely would in Hawaii, so I will definitely factor it in!

Call if you book direct for sure... I don't remember the daily resort credit being advertised, but when my agent called, they included it. And at $50 per day, it covers the parking and then some. Others have mentioned a free meal add-on that I don't remember being advertised either.

 

[KalamityJane]

Call if you book direct for sure... I don't remember the daily resort credit being advertised, but when my agent called, they included it. And at $50 per day, it covers the parking and then some. Others have mentioned a free meal add-on that I don't remember being advertised either.

Dang! Thanks, I totally will!

 

[northshoremama]

I just checked on the hotel side... $700/nt in low season for the 1 bedroom villa. I suppose if they have a 30% offer out, it would be sort of comparable to renting but it looks like that was easy LOL

Can we fit in a studio with 5 above 3yo or no?

You can call and ask about the studio. How old are your older children? Just tell them that your 3-year old will sleep on the Queen sleeper with siblings or the king bed with you guys. Worst they can say is 'no'.

 

[ihearthawaii]

Yeah, I just priced out the 1 bedroom in low season (for this October if that matters) at 699/nt Renting points would be 35pts/nt *12-14 so 420-490/nt which is about the same as the 1 bedroom with a 30% off offer. Bah, this third kid is expensive! Good thing he's cute

The kids will totally share beds, they are 7, 5 and 3 currently and share usually every night anyway because they hate sleeping alone. It's a good point about the parking too, we usually don't have a car but likely would in Hawaii, so I will definitely factor it in!

Also keep in mind that with renting points, there is no tax vs booking direct. Also the State of Hawaii imposes a transient tax on all hotel stays to be paid upon checkout whether you rent or book direct. I forgot how much it is, but you can google it.

So between final cost of points, the tax and parking fees, we saved 50% off of booking direct. But again we got a studio so that probably makes a big difference on the price.

Another option to consider is book through Costco if you have a membership. They sometimes run deals.

 

[KalamityJane]

You can call and ask about the studio. How old are your older children? Just tell them that your 3-year old will sleep on the Queen sleeper with siblings or the king bed with you guys. Worst they can say is 'no'.

True! I know in California the occupancy laws are strict, while in FL they didn't seem to be as strict. Maybe it depends on how the hotel is zoned/fire exits?

 

[KalamityJane]

Also keep in mind that with renting points, there is no tax vs booking direct. Also the State of Hawaii imposes a transient tax on all hotel stays to be paid upon checkout whether you rent or book direct. I forgot how much it is, but you can google it.

So between final cost of points, the tax and parking fees, we saved 50% off of booking direct. But again we got a studio so that probably makes a big difference on the price.

Another option to consider is book through Costco if you have a membership. They sometimes run deals.

We do have a membership! (had to find cheaper ways to feed these hooligans) I will check there!

 

[heaven2dc]

In answer to your question regarding 5 guests, the Deluxe Studio and Standard rooms only accommodate 4+ an infant (under 2 years old). When you do call in to book a reservation or even booking online, you won't be able to book either of those rooms unfortunately. To give you an idea of the difference between the rooms: The Deluxe Studio is 356 sq ft and comes with a wet bar (small fridge, coffee/tea service, microwave, toaster and small sink) whereas the Standard room is 382 sq ft and comes with a small fridge and coffee/tea service. The Deluxe Studio has a queen bed and queen sofa sleeper and the Standard room comes with either 2 queen beds or a king bed with a queen sofa sleeper. Hope you get a 1 or 2 bedroom villa booked!