What are my chances Aulani 7month mark Late June Early July.

[alldiz]

Hi,
Planning on Hawaii for 2016.

Wondering what my fellow Dis'ers experience has been booking Aulani in the summer at 7 month mark.
Going to combine Aulani with a cruise.
Thanks
Kerri

 

[Halle]

you did not mention what room you are hoping to book but two years ago we were able to book a studio, 2 bedroom and 3 bedroom grand villas at 7 months out.

 

[mrsR123]

I had a lot of trouble trying to book a studio for mid-to-late June at the 7 month mark. I wanted to include the 23rd and was locked out completely from the 19th until the 26th. I finally got 4 days in an OV studio for the 27th-30th, and added an IV studio for the 26th.

The closer I got to the date when point values changed, the easier it got. YMMV. Good luck.

 

[KiminChicago]

I can tell you what my experience was for this year. We are going to Aulani for June 30th through July 7th. I was really hoping to get a 2 bedroom island view, and we had enough points (from banking and borrowing) to do anything but a two bedroom ocean view. I kept watching the DVC availability tool and as we got closer and closer to our 7 month window, more and more room types were showing no availability for the 4th of July weekend. I finally got up early on Nov. 26th and booked a stay starting June 26th through July 4th for a one bedroom island view (the only room type available that I had enough points for). I then waited until Nov. 30th and called to have Member Services move my reservation to the exact days I needed. I was glad I did because by the time the 30th came around, there was no availability for the 3rd and 4th of July at all, in any room category.

My experience might be unusual based on the 4th falling on a Saturday, but I think if you are looking for the 4th of July next year, you might want to plan ahead and do something similar. The only downside is that I borrowed more points than I needed. However, since we really wanted the two bedroom, I have that waitlisted and if it comes through, I'll use those points and if not, I'll have some points to rent out since we aren't planning on a big vacation in 2016.

 

[PoohsFan1]

I am so glad that I came across this thread. We are planning on a June 2016 trip too and I too was wondering how hard it would be to book at our 7 month mark. We want to book a 2-bedroom with an ocean view.

 

[drusba]

From what I have been seeing tracking Aulani, its highest demand time of the year is mid-June through early July. What many have experienced for that period is seeing the time they want still open just before 8 a.m. at 7 months out and then when they try at 8 a.m. eastern, it is gone for at least the first day they want. That is an indication that the room category they want has only a very small number still avaialble and they are just losing the race of whose computer speaks first to Disney's computer at 8 a.m. It is a time of year when all room sizes can potentially have issues but sometimes you can get something, with a somewhat better chance in ocean view than others.

The rest of the summer therafter is problematic but still chances of getting things although it may require date or room category fexibility, first two weeks of Aug are harder than others, and standard view and the hotel are almost always gone. Other than standard view, demand is not necessarily tied to a pattern that lower point rooms are harder to get than higher point as sometimes pool and even coean view are gone before island garden, sometimes ocean view is gone before pool view, and sometimes 1BRs and 2BRs are gone before studios.

 

[tjkraz]

Note that starting in 2016 the last few days of June, all of July and the first half of August have been shifted to Premier Season--the most expensive time of year.

I suspect that demand for nights through June 26 (last night of Choice season) will rise even higher. With owners having first access to book, it could prove very difficult to secure a room in June at 7 months.

Demand for July and early August may drop off a bit...but it will cost more points to stay during those dates than in the past. Nightly rates for those summer dates rise by 10-15% with the move from Magic to Premier season.

Ultimately, people who are unable to get a cheaper June reservation will have to choose between booking more expensive Premier nights or abandoning their plans.

 

[alldiz]

Thanks everyone. I am flexible with rooms either a studio or 1BR. I would prefer ocean view but I will take what is available.

From what I have been seeing tracking Aulani, its highest demand time of the year is mid-June through early July. What many have experienced for that period is seeing the time they want still open just before 8 a.m. at 7 months out and then when they try at 8 a.m. eastern, it is gone for at least the first day they want. That is an indication that the room category they want has only a very small number still avaialble and they are just losing the race of whose computer speaks first to Disney's computer at 8 a.m. It is a time of year when all room sizes can potentially have issues but sometimes you can get something, with a somewhat better chance in ocean view than others.

The rest of the summer therafter is problematic but still chances of getting things although it may require date or room category fexibility, first two weeks of Aug are harder than others, and standard view and the hotel are almost always gone. Other than standard view, demand is not necessarily tied to a pattern that lower point rooms are harder to get than higher point as sometimes pool and even coean view are gone before island garden, sometimes ocean view is gone before pool view, and sometimes 1BRs and 2BRs are gone before studios.

Ok...am I understanding. At 8am Eastern time I can go on computer to book and it is quicker than calling phone?
Or Can I book on computer 8am before eastern time on computer?
Thanks
Kerri

 

[alldiz]

Note that starting in 2016 the last few days of June, all of July and the first half of August have been shifted to Premier Season--the most expensive time of year.

I suspect that demand for nights through June 26 (last night of Choice season) will rise even higher. With owners having first access to book, it could prove very difficult to secure a room in June at 7 months.

Demand for July and early August may drop off a bit...but it will cost more points to stay during those dates than in the past. Nightly rates for those summer dates rise by 10-15% with the move from Magic to Premier season.

Ultimately, people who are unable to get a cheaper June reservation will have to choose between booking more expensive Premier nights or abandoning their plans.

Figures when I decide to go seasons shift. LOL. If I could get 21st to 25th and then do cruise on Sat that would be great and get the lower points
Thanks
Kerri

 

[foohpah]

Anyone have thoughts on Thanksgiving availability at 7 months? We are thinking of going in 2017 for our 20th anniversary.

 

[drusba]

Thanks everyone. I am flexible with rooms either a studio or 1BR. I would prefer ocean view but I will take what is available.


Ok...am I understanding. At 8am Eastern time I can go on computer to book and it is quicker than calling phone?
Or Can I book on computer 8am before eastern time on computer?
Thanks
Kerri

The online booking system opens at 8 a.m.eastern when booking exactly 7 months out. The MS phone line does not open until 9 eastern and thus doing it online has a 1 hour advantage. The problem I mentioned above is different. What has been happening for second half of June at Aulani to many is that they go online and check the Resort Availability Tool just just before 8 a.m. and it shows the first day they want is still open. Then when they try to book online at 8, it is gone. What is happening is that the number of rooms available at 8 a.m. is very low,e.g., possibly only one, and someone else's computer at 8 a.m. is locking in a reservation for any remaining room quicker than their computer, possibly by only a matter of seconds.

 

[alldiz]

The online booking system opens at 8 a.m.eastern when booking exactly 7 months out. The MS phone line does not open until 9 eastern and thus doing it online has a 1 hour advantage. The problem I mentioned above is different. What has been happening for second half of June at Aulani to many is that they go online and check the Resort Availability Tool just just before 8 a.m. and it shows the first day they want is still open. Then when they try to book online at 8, it is gone. What is happening is that the number of rooms available at 8 a.m. is very low,e.g., possibly only one, and someone else's computer at 8 a.m. is locking in a reservation for any remaining room quicker than their computer, possibly by only a matter of seconds.

Gotcha thanks for clarification
Kerri