Some Lounge Chairs now are bookable

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

I was definitely down before 7am to ensure prime seating after learning the game during our first trip. I smiled when I snagged prime seating before a grandparent (whose family took over an entire section the day before) came down at 6:55 and became angry when he saw that myself and one other dad roped off 8 seats between us.

I only reserved 4 chairs, even though we had 6 in our group, because the odds of us all being at the chairs at the same time are were slim and for those brief moments someone could sit on the front and back of the chair.

I think if most people had some common courtesy it wouldn’t be an issue, but everything Disney seems to turn into a winner take all/hunger games mentality.

Thus my 3am wake up 90 days before the trip to book guaranteed seating for every day of the trip…. Stress neutralized.

I wouldn’t be surprised if they continue to section off additional locations for paid seating.

I have absolutely sent my husband to reserve a few chairs for like 30-60 minutes while the rest of us straggle down (because it is a competitve struggle for prime view chairs) but it seems like there has to be a limit to how many chairs a single person can hold for so long...One day I was looking for a chair on the beach with at least a partial view of the water and found an empty one but as I went to sit on it the person next to me said they were saving it for [family member] and I said "I only have about 30 minutes until I need to leave for lunch, do you think they'll be back?" and they were actually very friendly and encouraged me to stay. While reading my book, I overheard part of that group on a phone call with another part of their group clearly establishing that that party was holding additional chairs elsewhere by the pool and trying to decide how to keep the beach chairs while they went to join the pool chair group. Oy. I left for lunch before they resolved which way they were going.

Unfortunately, there isn't a great/fair solution to the problem that doesn't involve either paying a lot more staff to police empty chairs (which will cause conflicts with guests when their stuff is missing) or simply reserving additional chairs for people willing to pay to avoid the stress (which makes extra money)-- I think we can all guess which one Disney is going to go with. I am willing to pay for less stress on vacation, but I wish they made a half-day option (like many other resorts do)-- it double the capacity for people who want to avoid the chair hog shuffle and they could probably get away with charging 60-70% for each half of the day... I would be surprised if that many people actually want to be out from 8-12 and 12:30-4:30 most days.

 

[CastAStone]

The answer to this question depends on two things (1) do you want one chair (not so bad) or multiple chairs together (exponentially more difficult with each additional chair) and (2) how willing you are to take take chances moving plain towels or miscellaneous placeholder items when you can’t find empty chairs.

We could usually find one chair to dump all our stuff on while riding the lazy river (but often a chair chair and not a lounge chair). I will generally help myself to a chair if there are no chairs available and I see several chairs with nothing but resort towels (or resort towels and a disposable water bottle) — I figure if someone returns in the next 25m I’ll give them the chair back and if they come later I can tell them it was empty when I got out there. I did this 3 or 4 afternoons during our week trip and never once had anybody say anything to me— one morning around 8 I tried to sit down on an empty solo chair next to a towel chair (in front of AMA AMA) and had a single guy 5 chairs away explain he was reserving the entire row (about 8 chairs?) for his family. I went to an inferior chair nearby for 60m and on my way to breakfast noted there were still less than 4 people present where he had probably been saving chairs for 2+ hours. If Disney actually enforced its policies and cleared unused chairs, there would be plenty of chairs in the late afternoon.

Thanks, that’s super helpful.

Based on trips to other resorts we’ve taken, a single chair chair would be sufficient for when we’re just there to swim; we really just want to dump our stuff too, my insulin pump specifically kinda needs a home base under a towel or something.

If we are doing like a “pool day” I would be fine to battle, but even with 5 of us we won’t need more than 2 chairs; my kids aren’t lounging and even when they pop by they can just sit on the ends.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Starting to plan our Aulani visit in August we arrive Aug 20 (Tuesday) and leave Saturday. Does anyone have an opinion on how the chair situation will be during this time of year during weekdays? Im open to paying for something if needed, just dont know what.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Starting to plan our Aulani visit in August we arrive Aug 20 (Tuesday) and leave Saturday. Does anyone have an opinion on how the chair situation will be during this time of year during weekdays? Im open to paying for something if needed, just dont know what.

All of the paid options may already be taken…. I know I called at midnight Hawaii Time on the first day that we could reserve seats for our upcoming August trip.

I am guessing that it will be a full resort.

 

[VGCgroupie]

All of the paid options may already be taken…. I know I called at midnight Hawaii Time on the first day that we could reserve seats for our upcoming August trip.

I am guessing that it will be a full resort.

So used to doing everything online, guess I’ll have to pick up the phone and call and see if anything is even available go from there. What did you decide to get?

 

[HyperspaceMountainPilot]

So used to doing everything online, guess I’ll have to pick up the phone and call and see if anything is even available go from there. What did you decide to get?

The good news is you should be able to call now and see what’s available…I believe that AUL is open to handle at the moment.

Are you traveling with kids? If so, make sure to book the free Aunty’s Beach House activities when you can. I also recommend star gazing, though sadly it was cancelled on our trip.

 

[VGCgroupie]

The good news is you should be able to call now and see what’s available…I believe that AUL is open to handle at the moment.

Are you traveling with kids? If so, make sure to book the free Aunty’s Beach House activities when you can. I also recommend star gazing, though sadly it was cancelled on our trip.

Traveling with a 9 year old.
Aulani might be more confusing than the theme parks for booking. I think I figured out where to do the other stuff at 30 days out. For sure want to do the star gazing.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Traveling with a 9 year old.
Aulani might be more confusing than the theme parks for booking. I think I figured out where to do the other stuff at 30 days out. For sure want to do the star gazing.

I don’t think Aulani is confusing per se… it’s just that the information is spread out in so many different places and can’t be booked in app.

I want a really nice ocean view that is also in the shade…. and so does everyone else…. so that has led to me going down to reserve chairs just after 6am (9am PST) on most days.

I didn’t want to do that this trip and so I decided to pay for a good seat for our family of 4 and just sleep in or go for a walk up and down the lagoons whenever I want to.

It is by no means something that is mandatory.

I’d give a phone call to Aulani and have someone walk you through the options and the booking methods and windows. Let them know if you are DVC-Y.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I don’t think Aulani is confusing per se… it’s just that the information is spread out in so many different places and can’t be booked in app.

I want a really nice ocean view that is also in the shade…. and so does everyone else…. so that has led to me going down to reserve chairs just after 6am (9am PST) on most days.

I didn’t want to do that this trip and so I decided to pay for a good seat for our family of 4 and just sleep in or go for a walk up and down the lagoons whenever I want to.

It is by no means something that is mandatory.

I’d give a phone call to Aulani and have someone walk you through the options and the booking methods and windows. Let them know if you are DVC-Y.

We are likely buying something direct, trying to decide of the extra perks at Aulani is worth buying before our trip or holding off until we return. Did you get a casbella or a cabana?

 

[Paul Stupin]

Personally, seeing one person reserving a row of 6 chairs on the upper level in the far corner of AmaAma at 6 in the morning day after day strikes me as symptomatic of chronic “chairhogdem.” Every January we see the same group of couples who travel together every year, and for about two straight weeks they hog a row of about 6 chairs, in the best position on the far side of AmaAma. They carry fresh towels back to their room every night, so the gentleman who initially comes down (in the dark) can put towels on the shadiest, most private part of the row at the crack of dawn. I know its allowed, but in my opinion Aulani should figure out a way to stop this, like preventing any chairs from being held prior to, say, 7:30.

Even though, with the time change from LA, my wife and I are up pretty early, this is not the kind of horse race I should have to enter every day on vacation. This year, we switched to reserving a casabella on the deck below, and it’s way more convenient and relaxing. But I still think they need to do something about chair hogs.

 

[VGCgroupie]

For my 5 days they only had 1 thing available one 1 day I said yes without even really knowing what it was. Confirmation says Malie Deck. I dont see these listed online but did see some photos in this thread. Has anyone rented recently? Was it still $110 or $175?

 

[AstroBlasters]

We are likely buying something direct, trying to decide of the extra perks at Aulani is worth buying before our trip or holding off until we return. Did you get a casbella or a cabana?

Executive Lanai and Casabella lower level in front of Ama Ama.

I don’t like any of the views from the Cabana’s….

The extra perks are things like:

1) Sparkly Wrist Band
2) Ability to book paid extra events (Mimosa and Macaroons or Poke and Saki)
3) Discounts on food, merchandise, cabanas, etc.
4) Welcome Home Week extras (https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/discounts-perks-offers/member-events/welcome-home-weeks) Dates may not apply to your trip.
5) Free popcorn refills (9-yr old might love this)

If you are going to buy direct anyway…. then I’d buy in before the trip to get the little perks.

 

[Paul Stupin]

Executive Lanai and Casabella lower level in front of Ama Ama.

I don’t like any of the views from the Cabana’s….

The extra perks are things like:

1) Sparkly Wrist Band
2) Ability to book paid extra events (Mimosa and Macaroons or Poke and Saki)
3) Discounts on food, merchandise, cabanas, etc.
4) Welcome Home Week extras (https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/discounts-perks-offers/member-events/welcome-home-weeks) Dates may not apply to your trip.
5) Free popcorn refills (9-yr old might love this)

If you are going to buy direct anyway…. then I’d buy in before the trip to get the little perks.

Don’t forget the paper passport of Hawaiian phrases, a button or two, and the cheap nylon backpack! Oh yes, I think the lanyard as well, if that’s still around. And, of course, the members’ party / obvious sales pitch.
That said, all the DVC sales people are usually very nice. Just don’t try sitting in that new lounge area where they hang out, because they won’t let you. It’s for one on one sales pitches, alas.
All that said, I love DVC and Aulani. I just wish they’d update their members’ gifts. And both my wife and I get a kick out of the sparkly wristbands, and the members discounts can add up!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Don’t forget the paper passport of Hawaiian phrases, a button or two, and the cheap nylon backpack! Oh yes, I think the lanyard as well, if that’s still around. And, of course, the members’ party / obvious sales pitch.
That said, all the DVC sales people are usually very nice. Just don’t try sitting in that new lounge area where they hang out, because they won’t let you. It’s for one on one sales pitches, alas.
All that said, I love DVC and Aulani. I just wish they’d update their members’ gifts. And both my wife and I get a kick out of the sparkly wristbands, and the members discounts can add up!

For those that are unaware, @Paul Stupin goes to Aulani for a month or so once per year and is someone who I would consider an expert.

 

[Iceman93]

I know its allowed, but in my opinion Aulani should figure out a way to stop this, like preventing any chairs from being held prior to, say, 7:30.

I'm here right now, and I'm pretty sure the signs say no chairs can be held before the pools open at 8am. Now whether or not that is enforced might be another matter, but they ARE trying.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I'm here right now, and I'm pretty sure the signs say no chairs can be held before the pools open at 8am. Now whether or not that is enforced might be another matter, but they ARE trying.

That sign means that you can’t just lay a bunch of towels on some loungers and walk away, leaving them all unoccupied before 8 AM, and assume they are all reserved for your party. That’s what chair hogs do on cruise ships. But if one Aulani guest goes down to the pool area at 6 AM, puts a bunch of towels on a stretch of unoccupied loungers, and actually sits there, occupying one chair while all the others in their party aren’t going to arrive for another 2 hours, that is somehow perceived as ok. For me, that strategy is equally selfish.

 

[AstroBlasters]

That sign means that you can’t just lay a bunch of towels on some loungers and walk away, leaving them all unoccupied before 8 AM, and assume they are all reserved for your party. That’s what chair hogs do on cruise ships. But if one Aulani guest goes down to the pool area at 6 AM, puts a bunch of towels on a stretch of unoccupied loungers, and actually sits there, occupying one chair while all the others in their party aren’t going to arrive for another 2 hours, that is somehow perceived as ok. For me, that strategy is equally selfish.

I actually feel it’s meritocratic.

But that is because I have and will continue to pick the seats I want prior to 6:30am and sit down there until the rest of my family arrives around 8am. I also don’t get to eat breakfast or leave to use the restroom until 8am.

If I don’t then those seats will just be taken by someone else and I’ll never have a shot at them for the rest of the day.

But…. buying seats is much easier…. so I am trying that route instead.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I actually feel it’s meritocratic.

But that is because I have and will continue to pick the seats I want prior to 6:30am and sit down there until the rest of my family arrives around 8am. I also don’t get to eat breakfast or leave to use the restroom until 8am.

If I don’t then those seats will just be taken by someone else and I’ll never have a shot at them for the rest of the day.

But…. buying seats is much easier…. so I am trying that route instead.

I do think that doing it for your family is understandable, whereas holding a bunch of seats for three other couples with whom you’re travelling, for me, seems worse. But the whole process is still unpleasant, as you’ve remarked.
That said, buying the seats (with DVC discount!) is indeed soooo much easier! It also eliminates the need to stand in front of that shack on the beach at 7 AM and wait for an hour to rent a casabella, which for me was never a great way to start a day in paradise.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I do think that doing it for your family is understandable, whereas holding a bunch of seats for three other couples with whom you’re travelling, for me, seems worse. But the whole process is still unpleasant, as you’ve remarked.
That said, buying the seats (with DVC discount!) is indeed soooo much easier! It also eliminates the need to stand in front of that shack on the beach at 7 AM and wait for an hour to rent a casabella, which for me was never a great way to start a day in paradise.

Yeah…. I’m taking a total of 4 chairs. Even when we had 6 in our party (one set of grandparents) I only saved 4 because I knew all 6 of us would never be there at once… and if we were then we could share a seat for that brief period….

So IMO, there is a line between “early bird gets the worm” and “tragedy of the commons”.

 

[Paul Stupin]

Yeah…. I’m taking a total of 4 chairs. Even when we had 6 in our party (one set of grandparents) I only saved 4 because I knew all 6 of us would never be there at once… and if we were then we could share a seat for that brief period….

So IMO, there is a line between “early bird gets the worm” and “tragedy of the commons”.

Fair enough I hope you guys have a great time!