What do you think will happen with DVC KO'Olina?

[dianeschlicht]

I've been thinking about Disney's announcement of Hawaii at Ko'Olina, and I'm wondering if others think they will market this one differently than the DVC resorts on site. I noticed on the polls here on the DIS that many folks said they would be interested in booking there, but not in buying. I'm guessing that this is one resort that will be built and marketed ON SIGHT more than at the WDW sales center. I'm guessing that it will be marketed heavily through other channels than it's own members as well. Maybe they will market it more from DL than WDW too.

When we first joined DVC, I always wished for a DVC/Hawaii. Now that it is coming, I probably will not be buying, because I feel I have plenty of points now, and as we move through our 60's, I'm less inclined to add more dues payments.

So, how do you think DVC will market this one?

[CarolAnnC]

With DCL's new ships due out about the same time as the Hawaii DVC completion, I am anticipating they will tie in some nice land/sea packages with the Resort and the Cruise.

This is speculation on my part, but I would think that would be a great marketing tool for them to use...

[BCV23]

So many people on the West Coast frequent HI that I would guess it will be marketed heavily out there.

At WDW, I would think it would be treated like other properties for sale....a model, inclusion in the videos and those books in the stands, etc..

I'm with you. I rather doubt we'll buy there but it will be fun to visit. We're staying at the JW this winter which will be our first stay on Oahu. So we will end up with a feel for that area. We know we love the Wailea area on Maui and my DH and I also love the Big Island. We're hoping the Ko'Olina area shares the quiet beauty of those areas.

If we do love it, maybe we'll add on enough for a stay every 2 or 3 years.:confused3

[spiceycat]

I would think both Hawaii and Ca - will be marketed in the California area. Not in Florida.

[tomandrobin]

I think that this will be more of a DL selling point then a WDW sales push. Living on the East Coast, its just too expensive to head west once a year or more. But I am sure this will entice alot more west coasters to buy into DVC. Hawaii is alot more cost effective to visit every year, and throw in a trip to DL and WDW every now and then.

[dianeschlicht]

Looks like most of you think the same way I do about this. I do worry that those of us who don't buy in there will be at a HUGE disadvantage for booking. We also prefer the other islands over Oahu, and the biggest concern I have with the location is that it is quite isolated from the rest of the island and the areas of Oahu that have all the draw. It is also on the wetter, and more cloudy side of the island. When we were in that area a few years ago, I didn't think we would ever see the sun!

[MBELSANTI]

With DCL's new ships due out about the same time as the Hawaii DVC completion, I am anticipating they will tie in some nice land/sea packages with the Resort and the Cruise.

This is speculation on my part, but I would think that would be a great marketing tool for them to use...

This is exactly what I am hoping as well. The only thing better than the idea of a Hawiian cruise is a Hawiian Disney Cruise and Land package!:goodvibes

[BCV23]

Diane, are you sure that side is the wet side? It's the West Coast which is the dryer side on Maui and the BI. I wonder why Oahu would be different?

[SuzanneSLO]

I would expect to see the Hawaii DVC marketed heavily in Japan and the rest of Asia. -- Suzanne

[wildernessDad]

I can see myself going to WDW every year, but I cannot see myself going to Hawaii every year, once every 2 years or even once every 3 years. Also, we are big fans of the big island. Lived in Oahu off and on during my Navy stint. I heard that Buzz's steak house was still there, but Horatio's was gone.

[maciec]

I am not sure of which side of the island they are on, but our guide told us that Disney's property is situated inbetween a Marriott and Hilton if that helps any.

[dvc_john]

I would expect to see the Hawaii DVC marketed heavily in Japan and the rest of Asia. -- Suzanne

Agree. I could envision sales kiosks at Tokyo Disneyland/Disneysea. Perhaps even a sales center. Definitely Japanese speaking 'guides' at the Hawaii preview center.

[dvc_john]

I am not sure of which side of the island they are on, but our guide told us that Disney's property is situated inbetween a Marriott and Hilton if that helps any.

The Marriott is at Ko Olina. The Hilton is miles away at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on Waikiki. Probably what he meant was that it will be situated between the JW Marriott hotel and the Marriott Vacation Club timeshare, both at Ko Olina.

[OneMoreTry]

When/where was this announced? Officially?

[JimC]

The entire resort is a new venture for Disney since it is their first non-theme park resort. VB and HH were all DVC so I am discounting them. So I think the draw here will evolve as the project develops. I agree that the ties to Japan/Asia and west coast Americas will be key. And I really like the idea of a Land/Sea vacation tied to the new DCL ships, DL and DVC in Hawaii. That would be a worthwhile holiday to consider from here in Orlando. Fly to CA and stay in DVC GCV, take the DCL to Hawaii, stay in DVC there, take the DCL back to CA, another GCV stay, then fly home.

[dianeschlicht]

The entire resort is a new venture for Disney since it is their first non-theme park resort. VB and HH were all DVC so I am discounting them. So I think the draw here will evolve as the project develops. I agree that the ties to Japan/Asia and west coast Americas will be key. And I really like the idea of a Land/Sea vacation tied to the new DCL ships, DL and DVC in Hawaii. That would be a worthwhile holiday to consider from here in Orlando. Fly to CA and stay in DVC GCV, take the DCL to Hawaii, stay in DVC there, take the DCL back to CA, another GCV stay, then fly home.

True, but do you think you would be enticed to buy there, or would you be like so many of the rest of us who will be trying to get in at the 7 month mark?

[BCV23]

Checked in one of our guidebooks. On Oahu, the North and East coasts are wet, South and West (where Ko'Olina is located) are dry.

[JimC]

True, but do you think you would be enticed to buy there, or would you be like so many of the rest of us who will be trying to get in at the 7 month mark?

It is too far for a regular visit, so we would go probably once, in off season and not own there. If we lived in LA, it would be a different issue. But if you own in Hawaii, you better want to use it there most of the time, because the cost to buy and maintain an ownership interest is quite high. It will trade well, but at a very high price (too high in my opinion to do often).

[keliblue]

Being Left Coasters, we are very much interested in purchasing KO'Olina. We have no interest what so ever in DVC DL because frankly, DL is in a horrible part of town, (grew up down there :scared: ) other attractions are very much spread out , and you can't get more then 2 days out of the parks. Hawaii on the other hand would be a keeper:goodvibes . Believe it or not, we can fly round trip twice to Orlando for the price on one ticket to Hawaii:confused3

[dianeschlicht]

Being Left Coasters, we are very much interested in purchasing KO'Olina. We have no interest what so ever in DVC DL because frankly, DL is in a horrible part of town, (grew up down there :scared: ) other attractions are very much spread out , and you can't get more then 2 days out of the parks. Hawaii on the other hand would be a keeper:goodvibes . Believe it or not, we can fly round trip twice to Orlando for the price on one ticket to Hawaii:confused3

Boy, I wish I could say that!!! We can go from Minnesota to Orlando for $250-300/ticket most times, but Hawaii is more like $800-1200 or more! We almost purchased an everyother year timeshare on Kauai a few years back, and the airfare is what made us think twice and not do it.

[El&Asmom]

The entire resort is a new venture for Disney since it is their first non-theme park resort. VB and HH were all DVC so I am discounting them. So I think the draw here will evolve as the project develops. I agree that the ties to Japan/Asia and west coast Americas will be key. And I really like the idea of a Land/Sea vacation tied to the new DCL ships, DL and DVC in Hawaii. That would be a worthwhile holiday to consider from here in Orlando. Fly to CA and stay in DVC GCV, take the DCL to Hawaii, stay in DVC there, take the DCL back to CA, another GCV stay, then fly home.

I agree that I would love to tie in a land/sea package with DL, HI, and a cruise. I just wish they would decrease the point cost for the cruises so we could justify using points on a cruise.

[keliblue]

Boy, I wish I could say that!!! We can go from Minnesota to Orlando for $250-300/ticket most times, but Hawaii is more like $800-1200 or more! We almost purchased an everyother year timeshare on Kauai a few years back, and the airfare is what made us think twice and not do it.

OUCH !!!...

Diane,

Do you have Southwest Air in your neck of the woods ?? If so they just started offering flights to Hawaii :goodvibes I use my SW Visa to pay all my bills (and yes I pay it off in full EVER month:thumbsup2 ) I am up to 3 free round trip flights already... I guess that means I spend to much :eek:

[2tink4u]

I plan to buy enough points to go once every 3 years if the fees are reasonable. I expect like all things Hawaii fees will be even higher than VB..... Also tsunami more likey in pacific, I wonder if the cruise line have investigated this. Food for thought.

[Granny]

When/where was this announced? Officially?

Press releases, official statements, etc were issued October 3. Look on the member website under the "News" section....it's the lead story.

Official enough? :)

[deerh]

The way I look at Hawaii is I MIGHT buy there, and go every 3rd year. I would bank the points. Then, rent my BWV/HHI pts out for the airfare if I had too. I think it would be doable this way, and a lot of 'east coasters' might think that way too...

What do you think the price would be in 2011? I say $120/pt x 75 pts=$9000.
A 2BR at Westin in Maui is $700-900/nt, so I think this would be a good cause for buying the DVC at Hawaii..

Now as for dues-who knows, probably very high..!!!:eek:

deerh

[dianeschlicht]

OUCH !!!...

Diane,

Do you have Southwest Air in your neck of the woods ?? If so they just started offering flights to Hawaii :goodvibes I use my SW Visa to pay all my bills (and yes I pay it off in full EVER month:thumbsup2 ) I am up to 3 free round trip flights already... I guess that means I spend to much :eek:

I WISH we had Southwest! Unfortunately, we have NWA based here, and they have a death grip on the market as a whole out of here. It's why we don't get many "deals" from MSP.

[kimberh]

Maui is our favorite Island. We have stayed on Oahu for 2 days at a time, but I think the cost is going to be very High! I wonder what dues will be?:eek:

[TLSnell1981]

I WISH we had Southwest! Unfortunately, we have NWA based here, and they have a death grip on the market as a whole out of here. It's why we don't get many "deals" from MSP.

NWA through Memphis....same here. Airfare is ridiculous.

[dianeschlicht]

NWA through Memphis....same here. Airfare is ridiculous.

Yep, and our grandkids live in Memphis, so I was appalled when I found that I couldn't even get a connecting flight through Memphis to accompany them without a DOUBLE charge! MSP to MCO was $275 and connecting through Memphis was $650!

[dianeschlicht]

To get back to the original topic....I think most of you are right about how Disney will market this. I'm sure there will be a heavy point of resort marketing, but I think it will also be more heavily marketed on the west coast and Asia than at WDW. It will be interesting to see if they actually do connect a cruise with it. That would be a pretty long cruise! I also wonder if they will actually have DVC/Ko'Olina rooms to view in the WDW preview center? I'm thinking maybe not. I can see them doing them in DL before WDW.

[dianeschlicht]

What do you think the price would be in 2011? I say $120/pt x 75 pts=$9000.
A 2BR at Westin in Maui is $700-900/nt, so I think this would be a good cause for buying the DVC at Hawaii..

Now as for dues-who knows, probably very high..!!!


I'm thinking MORE than $125/pt by then. I also think dues will be outrageous! Everything in Hawaii (and especially Oahu) is inflated, so I'm thinking fees will be higher than at most current DVC resorts. When you are on what is nothing more than a big rock in the middle of the Pacific, services and products don't come cheap!

[jarestel]

I'm thinking MORE than $125/pt by then. I also think dues will be outrageous! Everything in Hawaii (and especially Oahu) is inflated, so I'm thinking fees will be higher than at most current DVC resorts. When you are on what is nothing more than a big rock in the middle of the Pacific, services and products don't come cheap!

Exactly! I'm tickled pink DVC is adding on in HI, but I'll be content with the occasional 7-month booking. Though I enjoy HI, it's not an experience I wish to have every year. And there's no theme parks! (Of course without the theme parks, Orlando would be way down at the bottom of my list as well)

[SJCSuzyQ]

I don't think they will tie in a DCL cruise from the mainland to HI. It's too long and boring having that many days at sea, also the issue of most foreign flagged ships not being able to stop at 2 US ports in a row. I think DCL on the west coast will most likely be cruises to Mexico and maybe Alaska.

We're left coasters but I doubt we'll be buying in, I really prefer the other islands than Oahu.

Suzy

[dianeschlicht]

I don't think they will tie in a DCL cruise from the mainland to HI. It's too long and boring having that many days at sea, also the issue of most foreign flagged ships not being able to stop at 2 US ports in a row. I think DCL on the west coast will most likely be cruises to Mexico and maybe Alaska.

We're left coasters but I doubt we'll be buying in, I really prefer the other islands than Oahu.

Suzy
That was my thought as well about the cruises. The only thing I think they MIGHT do is eventually base a cruise ship out of Hawaii and cruise the outer islands like some of the other cruise lines do. I just don't think a cruise from the mainland to Hawaii would be feasible timewise.

[TLSnell1981]

Yep, and our grandkids live in Memphis, so I was appalled when I found that I couldn't even get a connecting flight through Memphis to accompany them without a DOUBLE charge! MSP to MCO was $275 and connecting through Memphis was $650!

Welcome to our nightmare.

[nuts]

I'm thinking MORE than $125/pt by then. I also think dues will be outrageous! Everything in Hawaii (and especially Oahu) is inflated, so I'm thinking fees will be higher than at most current DVC resorts. When you are on what is nothing more than a big rock in the middle of the Pacific, services and products don't come cheap!

I used to think Hawaii was expensive until I went to Bermuda :scared1: :scared1: :scared1:

[dianeschlicht]

I used to think Hawaii was expensive until I went to Bermuda :scared1: :scared1: :scared1:

Well, that might be another future DVC location as well!

[50 years Too!]

I think they will have a cruise to Hawaii.
As far as boredom, I don't think it would be any different than going to Europe from Florida.
I would imagine they will have the crossing and leave it there for a time, as they did this summer in Europe.
Just my two cents.

Deb

[CarolA]

Looks like most of you think the same way I do about this. I do worry that those of us who don't buy in there will be at a HUGE disadvantage for booking. We also prefer the other islands over Oahu, and the biggest concern I have with the location is that it is quite isolated from the rest of the island and the areas of Oahu that have all the draw. It is also on the wetter, and more cloudy side of the island. When we were in that area a few years ago, I didn't think we would ever see the sun!


Based on this, I don't think DIsney learned from HH. It's all about LOCATION!!! Disney gets a premium in Orlando and it's not because they are SO much nicer then the Marriott/Hilton offerings, it's because of the location!!!!

I think Disney believes that "People love us" and they tend to "underperform" in hotel management. (Those deluxe hotels are NOT true deluxe, just overpriced 3 stars. :scared1: )

IT took them a long time to sell out HH and VB. VB was even downsized from the original plan. I was hoping they learned, but......it sounds like they are still going with the "if we build it, folks will pay" That works in Orlando, but IMHO it does not translate to Hawaii where you have all the other major players with better locations and "resale" discounts already!

Disney will push this just as hard in Florida IMHO. It will be just like VAK is now..... they get 'west coaster" and international visitors there, but the truth is they have had GREAT success with add-ons for current owners (Yes, I am one of thier successes, bought VAK the DAY it was opened to purchase LOL! ) They are probaby counting on a certain continuation of that success.

[BCV23]

Personally, I think the location sounds great.

It is on the dry, sunny side.

It's away from the bustle of Honolulu which appeals to us. Hopefully, it will feel like the other islands but with the advantage of being close to Honolulu's airport and all the international flights.

I read in one guidebook that the beaches at Ko 'Olina are very popular with local families because the coves are so sheltered.

There is a walk all along the coves which sounds like the beautiful walk along the beach in the Wailea area which is one of my very favorite things about Maui.

It doesn't sound like there are tons of restaurants in the area yet but as the rest of the properties are developed, I imagine that will improve.

But we haven't stayed there yet so I'll reserve judgement.

[SuzanneSLO]

I think Disney believes that "People love us" and they tend to "underperform" in hotel management. (Those deluxe hotels are NOT true deluxe, just overpriced 3 stars. :scared1: )

Actually, when Consumer Reports rates the hotel chains, the Walt Disney Resorts rank very well in the "Upscale" category. With an overall reader score of 84, they tie the highest in the "Luxury" category: Renaissance and are just below the the lowest of the two hotels in the "Fanciest" category: Fairmont.

-- Suzanne

[CarolA]

Actually, when Consumer Reports rates the hotel chains, the Walt Disney Resorts rank very well in the "Upscale" category. With an overall reader score of 84, they tie the highest in the "Luxury" category: Renaissance and are just below the the lowest of the two hotels in the "Fanciest" category: Fairmont.

-- Suzanne


Well, I don't really consider that a good source. If the ranking is based on reader surveys it proabably suffers from the same thing I see on the DIS. If the ONLY place you ever stay at "deluxe" is Disney it probably comes out well. If however, you stay at other "deluxes" then you find some issues.

I find the independent rating agencies more reliable then anything else. Mobil Travel gives Disney "Deluxes" 3 stars using objective ratings.

No matter what DIsney prices are at the VERY high end. I have no idea what Conumer Reports ranking uses, but IMHO Renaissance is not "luxury" Ritz is "luxury" and Disney prices are the same as the Ritz so I guess maybe Disney charges "Fanciest"? I know Disney charges a lot more then any Renaissance I have ever stayed in.

[emma'smom]

Does Consumer Reports just use reader responses? I am under the impression that the research/ratings in this publication are the result of a much more rigorous empirical study.

[salmoneous]

Does Consumer Reports just use reader responses? I am under the impression that the research/ratings in this publication are the result of a much more rigorous empirical study. They use both. For instance, in reviewing cars, they buy and test all new cars themselves - they have a massive test facility for doing so. But they rely on member surveys to judge long-term reliability. For hotels, they rely on member surveys.

To me, there is a big difference between a Four Season's and a Deluxe Disney hotel. I've never seen a Disney CM handing out cucumber slices to protect the eyes of sunbathers at a Disney pool. Then again, I've never seen a Four Seasons with direct access to a Disney Theme Park. Who's to say which set of features is "better".

[sjdisneywedding]

I don't think they will tie in a DCL cruise from the mainland to HI. It's too long and boring having that many days at sea, also the issue of most foreign flagged ships not being able to stop at 2 US ports in a row. I think DCL on the west coast will most likely be cruises to Mexico and maybe Alaska.

We're left coasters but I doubt we'll be buying in, I really prefer the other islands than Oahu.

Suzy

Too long and boring is not the reason it wont happen if it doesnt. I cant see that as a reason as there are plenty of cruise lines offering this trip. If it was too boring, I dont think they would still be offered.

Not sure what you are saying about the not being able to stop at 2 US ports in a row, plenty of ships do this, all foreign registered(which most ships are)

heres an example of a ship registered to the Netherlands

01 San Diego, California --- 5:00 PM
02 At sea --- ---
03 At sea --- ---
04 At sea --- ---
05 At sea --- ---
06 Hilo, Hawaii 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
07 Honolulu, Hawaii 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
08 Port Allen, Hawaii 8:00 AM 4:00 PM
09 Lahaina, Hawaii 8:00 AM 11:00 PM
10 Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 8:00 AM 5:00 PM


Mexico and Alaska may be better options for some, but those destinations obvioulsy do nothing to tie together DL and Hawaii

[wendyinoc]

I'm buying right now SSR for the reason of HI and Ca. I live in Ca so to me it now makes sense. I would not have bought just for Disneyworld. Florida flights runs about $200-$350 and Hawaii runs from $250-$450. With Disneyland I think Cali will be the bulk of the sales. I'm courious on the cruise ship theory. The benefit if Disney does it with American Crew no passport will be needed it. NCL has had a tough time but Disney never has a problem with filling the ships.