Who is really going buy DVC Hawaii???

[rstamm]

I was looking at my Disney Files magazine and they had a article about the DVC in Hawaii they are building and I wondered who is gonna buy there.

I know so many people who go to Disney every year or more but I have never heard anyone say I go to Hawaii every year or twice a year.

I really don't even know very many people who have ever been to Hawaii.

How are they going to get poeple to buy points with the intention of going every year or every other year?

Just curious what other people think, will you be buying?

[tjkraz]

I don't think you'll get a high number of positive responses from current members. DVC's membership is very heavily weighted east of the Mississippi at present--something like 85% of members live in the eastern US. Hawaii is about growing the program and drawing new members. Hawaii is a very popular vacation destination particularly for those on the west coast and in Asian markets.

It IS a very large project and would seem to represent a pretty big risk for Disney. But apparently it's a risk they are willing to take.

I'll say this--I don't think they could have chosen a better non theme park destination. Much higher demand among the general public than for Vero or HHI. So if DVC can't make a go of it in Hawaii, Disney is going to have to re-think their plans for the future of the program.

[Miss SD]

I was looking at my Disney Files magazine and they had a article about the DVC in Hawaii they are building and I wondered who is gonna buy there.

I know so many people who go to Disney every year or more but I have never heard anyone say I go to Hawaii every year or twice a year.

I really don't even know very many people who have ever been to Hawaii.


I live in California and I know more people who have been to Hawaii than have been to WDW. (Before my daughter's school schedule interfered, we went five times in four years.)

It's just as convenient (maybe more so) to fly from here to Hawaii. I've never been to WDW, although I grew up in SoCal and have been to Disneyland countless times.

Maybe the Hawaii property will be marketed more to the West Coast. I think it might be easier to sell the Hawaii property than VGC to West Coasters because Hawaii is seen as at least a five-day vacation; Disneyland is not.

I had considered buying VGC, but with our short stays, I can't make the numbers work. It's just too expensive.

[lugnut33]

I doubt Hawaii will be less expensive than VGC.

[rstamm]

Maybe the Hawaii property will be marketed more to the West Coast. I think it might be easier to sell the Hawaii property than VGC to West Coasters because Hawaii is seen as at least a five-day vacation; Disneyland is not.




We will be going on a 5 night ABD tour at DL and then stay 7 nights at GCV.
I consider DL at least a 7 night vacation.

I guess each person has a different view of a vaction so a guess Hawaii will appeal to some.

[Maistre Gracey]

In talking with many DVC people on my last trip, they indicated the Hawaii property will be heavily marketed in Asia.

Just a guess, but that could be an intro to DVC Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai??

MG

[Miss SD]

I doubt Hawaii will be less expensive than VGC.

No, it won't be cheaper. I'm not going to buy there either.:)

[Miss SD]

We will be going on a 5 night ABD tour at DL and then stay 7 nights at GCV.
I consider DL at least a 7 night vacation.

I guess each person has a different view of a vaction so a guess Hawaii will appeal to some.

Which ABD tour are you going on? My family and I are going July 18, and I took the tour last August with just my daughter. (Now a backstage experience is something I'm willing to spend money on! :))

Are you planning to see more of SoCal during your seven nights at VGC?

[rstamm]

Which ABD tour are you going on? My family and I are going July 18, and I took the tour last August with just my daughter. (Now a backstage experience is something I'm willing to spend money on! :))

Are you planning to see more of SoCal during your seven nights at VGC?


We are doing the June 20 Backstage Magic.

We will just be doing DL and CA most days also one day at Lego Land.

Can't wait to stay at VGC!

[Crystal_27]

The only way I would consider buying into Hawaii is if the buy-in and MFs were significantly cheaper than the other DVCs (which I doubt will be the case). Since we alternate parks trips with cruise trips (doing a park trip one year, and a cruise the next) when we add on, it will be to have a comfortable amount of points each year so we don't have to bank/borrow points from our parks trip to pay for the cruise trip. And, while I'm sure that Hawaii is an awesome destination, I can't see us actually making a point to travel there very often on points - - it will be a once every 5 years type deal. However, I have to believe that Disney really did its research with this destination and knew what they were getting into in terms of the difficulty of marketing it to existing owners. I guess only time will tell. :rolleyes:

[Grumpygrandpa]

I am glad they are building it and I hope to stay there occasionally on points but I don't plan to buy there. I am hoping that I will be able to get in at 7 months occasionally.

[bwvBound]

As others have said, I think CA and HI are attempts to expand the membership across western states/provinces ... and possibly even to Asian consumers.

As for frequency of HI visits, while we made only one trip to the HI islands this year (Kauai, 9 nights in Feb) ... we went twice last year and tend to visit at least every other year. Air travel from the west coast is fairly convenient. Hoping for more options in the future by ship?? :thumbsup2

[twinklebug]

I'm pretty sure DVC Mike will be one of the first 10 in line to buy. :laughing:

In talking with many DVC people on my last trip, they indicated the Hawaii property will be heavily marketed in Asia.

Just a guess, but that could be an intro to DVC Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai??

MG

I never even considered that. That's exciting news for my coworkers who are traveling to/from asia to visit family. Maybe I can get some referrals out of this ;)

I also want to visit, but have no intention of buying. The flight from MA to HI is a killer -- I'd never come home (unless it's to visit VWL or AKV :3dglasses)

[jodifla]

It will definitely have a lot of West Coast appeal.

[SuzanneSLO]

We are also from CA and have been going to HI every year for much longer than to WDW, even before we bought a vacation rental in Maui. We still usually spend more vacation time there than at WDW. However, we will probably not buy at DVC HI because our HI vacations are planned last minute, which doesn't work well with using DVC points. -- Suzanne

[figmentfan0724]

My DF and I have been talking about buying into the HI property. It would be nice to have to get away from going to FL every year, don't get me wrong we love WDW, but we are very excited for HI and we have even talked about putting some of our wedding money aside for a down payment for HI

[UConnJack]

My DF and I have been talking about buying into the HI property. It would be nice to have to get away from going to FL every year, don't get me wrong we love WDW, but we are very excited for HI and we have even talked about putting some of our wedding money aside for a down payment for HI

I would seriously consider doing that if I were you. That's exactly how we decided to buy DVC back in 2000. We had a few thousand saved up for nice hotel stays for our 2-week honeymoon in HI, but then used that money to pay for a nice chunk of our DVC purchase. We then used the first 2 years of points to stay at Mauni Lani and Kapaula Bay through the concierge collection. Why waste the cash for the hotels when you can put it toward the DVC purchase that you can use for the hotels anyway?

[WeLoveAriel0505]

We're seriously considering buying enough points that we could go every two years or so with banking/borrowing, etc.

[dburg30]

I was hoping to use points to stay there, but I'm very afraid of how many points it's going to take :scared1:

[Starr W.]

The only way I would consider buying into Hawaii is if the buy-in and MFs were significantly cheaper than the other DVCs (which I doubt will be the case). Since we alternate parks trips with cruise trips (doing a park trip one year, and a cruise the next) when we add on, it will be to have a comfortable amount of points each year so we don't have to bank/borrow points from our parks trip to pay for the cruise trip. And, while I'm sure that Hawaii is an awesome destination, I can't see us actually making a point to travel there very often on points - - it will be a once every 5 years type deal. However, I have to believe that Disney really did its research with this destination and knew what they were getting into in terms of the difficulty of marketing it to existing owners. I guess only time will tell. :rolleyes:


All of the HI timeshares in other companies(Starwood, Marriott etc) have much higher MF's than their mainland resorts.

We're doing HI next summer, 2 weeks and Yeah NWA/Delta has started a direct flight from Detroit. :banana: Traded 2 of my other TS's. Big Island, Kauai and a few days on Oahu.

[Brian Noble]

NWA/Delta has started a direct flight from Detroit.
Woah! When did that start? That's *huge* news. (Grumble. It doesn't run every day.)

(pardon me while I go run to RCI to see what's available for summer '11...)

The real question for DVC-HI will be: how will they do competing directly with other timeshare developers when they don't have a theme park or four in the property's back yard?

[WDWLVR]

We are from the midwest and looking at buying as we love the Ko Olina area. We're looking at buying enough points to go once every three years with banking/borrowing. I agree with others that the real market is West Coast US and also Asia.

[scotttrippett]

We go to Hawaii at least 1 time a year. And have been to WDW 2 times in the last 3 years. We love both and normally stop in Hawaii on the over and back. We are so looking forward to buying points there.

[anna08]

On a recent business trip to Oahu, I was amazed at the large percentage of Asian guests that brought their families to the Hilton Hawaiian Village resort. If a high-rise resort in the middle of a city is where they would take their children and grandparents to relax, I would think they would be ecstatic to have a Disney resort as a choice. I'm sure marketing is focusing on Asia. Personally I think that Hawaii is out of reach for most Americans. I would rather buy 25 more points in WDW than pay the equivalent in airfare to get there. Oahu was disappointing - there are many more beautiful places in California and Florida than we saw there. And not to mention, 12-15 hours of travel with my little ones sounds like torture for us all.

[Chuck S]

Having grown up in CA, I think the new resort will market well to Californians. I have friends that go to Hawaii almost every year, and another friend owns a gorgeous home there. Those of us living in in most of the continental US, will find Hawaii to be only an occasional vacation destination. Personally, I know of more people here in Texas that have been to Paris and Germany than have been to Hawaii.

The air fares from most of the US is cheaper to Europe than to Hawaii, with the West Coast being the exception, I'm glad I was able to go while I lived in California.

[stopher1]

I'm pretty sure DVC Mike will be one of the first 10 in line to buy. :laughing:


I doubt that, since Mrs. Mike doesn't like to fly. That's a very long trip when you don't like being airborne!

Having grown up in CA, I think the new resort will market well to Californians. I have friends that go to Hawaii almost every year, and another friend owns a gorgeous home there. Those of us living in in most of the continental US, will find Hawaii to be only an occasional vacation destination. Personally, I know of more people here in Texas that have been to Paris and Germany than have been to Hawaii.

The air fares from most of the US is cheaper to Europe than to Hawaii, with the West Coast being the exception, I'm glad I was able to go while I lived in California.

It's the same for me. Both DW and I are glad we got to go to HI as youth when we lived in CA. But getting there from the midwest is not as easy or feasible. I can definitely go to Cancun or Europe cheaper. Of my friends locally here in greater Indianapolis, only about a dozen have ever even been west of the Mississippi River, let alone all the way to Hawaii! Whereas my friends back home in CA - it's just the opposite - only a very small percentage have ever been to WDW - but most all of them have been to Hawaii multiple times. My brother lives on Oahu and has asked us 4 times now to come visit - but flying a family of 5 is not cheap. We've told him that we'll come stay after the resort opens, but not to expect it regularly.

[lark]

I think the Hawaii DVC will likely be marketed primarily to people who want a Hawaii timeshare, and the opportunity to use points at other resorts will be a selling point.

As I've said here before, I think people are going to be absolutely floored when they see the cost of DVC in Hawaii. A 2 BR at the newer luxury timeshares in Hawaii -- like the new Napili and Lahaina towers at the Maui Marriott and the Westin on Maui -- sells for $40,000 to $60,000 for a week. There is no way a disney resort is going to be significantly less than that. MFs are also very high in Hawaii.

Don't be shocked to see ocean-view in the 500 point per week neighborhood. My hunch is also that the weekend/weekday spread will be different, since Hawaii is not really a 4-day or 5-day trip.

[auntsue]

We love Hawaii!. We've been three times, 1975, 1994 and 2009, and when we first heard about a DVC property there, we seriously considered buying enough points to go every three years. Since then, we bought BLT and went to Hawaii last year. The bloom is off that rose. The flight from Florida is endless and really expensive. There's no way I'd want to do it every few years, so there's no way we will be buying in

We will be going back for two weeks in 2011 for our 40th anniversary, and I think that may be it. It's a grueling trip, and we aren't getting any younger. I've already put in with MS for a one-week trade and we want to cruise the following week. If the trade doesn't come through, we will probably just stay at the Moana Surfrider on Waikiki Beach.

DVC Hawaii was a nice thought for us while it lasted, but it's no longer on the horizon.

[jekjones1558]

Had the DVC Hawaii been in the Kaanapali/Lahaina/Kapalua area on Maui, we might have considered buying. We LOVE whale watching. Ko'olina is worth a visit but not worth a purchase for us.

[Chuck S]

If the trade doesn't come through, we will probably just stay at the Moana Surfrider on Waikiki Beach.

.

The Moana (it was a Sheraton then) is where we stayed in 1976 :)

[Bunless]

Here in Washington, I know many, many people who go to Hawaii at least once a year. Most of them are families who also escape to Disneyland in the middle of winter blahs (like us). To me, that sounds like the ideal DVC Hawaii customer.

[TammyAlphabet]

I totally agree about the Maui area. That is an amazing area.

[Starr W.]

Woah! When did that start? That's *huge* news. (Grumble. It doesn't run every day.)

(pardon me while I go run to RCI to see what's available for summer '11...)

The real question for DVC-HI will be: how will they do competing directly with other timeshare developers when they don't have a theme park or four in the property's back yard?

Yeah, I know it's not everyday but it will work for my trip.

That will be the interesting thing on how Disney does with a major off-site resort. It's a big enough project, that Iger mentioned it when talking to Jim Cramer on CNBC.

If we ever go back after summer 2010, I can see using the DVC points for a few nights before or after the trip starts, as I can't imagine how many points you'd need for a 2br oceanfront unit!

[eliza61]

LOL. My dad use to have a saying whenever I saw some thing that I couldn't see people purchasing. "If some one wasn't buying it, they probably won't be making it"

now that's not always true but I figure Disney is definitely one company to have a plan.

I do know quite a number of folks who go to Hawaii. Not as often as Disney world but that may be because I'm on the East Coast and its a long plan trip.

[gtrain219]

I live in Idaho and own at BLT and considering purchasing in HI. It depends on the cost and the fees.

For me it is about the same to fly to WDW or HI. I don't know if we would stay there every year but every other would doable. Of cource we would have no problem using the points elsewhere.

[kikiq]

We're west coasters and my dad lives in Honolulu in a condo. He told us what the MFs and property taxes are for the condo. He's actually encouraging us to sell the condo when he passes because of the expenses if no one is living there fulltime. The family always felt that we would keep it as a vacation place but the MFs are high and property tax will go up because we won't get the senior discount. We are considering buying points but are waiting to see what MFs are.

[Golden Rose]

Our family loves Hawaii. We have relatives who love it so much that they lived there for a few years, and others who used to go visit regularly ever single year, sometimes two or more times a year. We used to go regularly until our son was born, but the thought of making that trip with a younger than 5 year old child fills us with horror. We have friends who risked it, and although the child enjoyed the trip, they really didn't...

Our family has debated buying either a condo or a timeshare there for years and years. Our son's birth postponed the debate, but has not ended it. We're waiting to adopt another child right now, and that will postpone the debate again for a bit... However, it is almost inevitably going to happen at some point., the question is not if we'll get something, it's what we'll get.

We're waiting to see point charts, annual dues, and buy in costs before we commit to DVC Ko'Olina, but right now I'd say we're likely to own there. Our tentative plan is to buy enough points to get a 2 bedroom ocean view every three years. As I've posted before, we like the idea of getting it through DVC (so we're definitely holding off on buying anything else in Hawaii for the time being) because if some years we don't want to make the long flight, then we can use our points at WDW.

We don't mind using Oahu as a main base, as we can get a direct flight from Houston. That makes the trip far less painful... We're likely to spend most of a week on Oahu, then do a few days on another island. DVC should work well for that, particularly since they aren't likely to require exactly a week.

[Cinderella1122]

I probably won't be buying HI. I do however want to visit it atleast once. I've never been to HI. If I ever do, it will be a very small contract in which I can bank and borrow to go there every three years.

[ILuvCrush]

We currently have 300 points at AKV. I want a total of 400...eventually. My thought is I'm going to wait til the charter buy-in incentives come out for HI and especially the MF.

I'm not too concerned at the point chart right now.... just because it is what it is and whether we own there or not...we will be 'paying' them when we want to visit.

I don't expect to make the trek there from the east coast more than once every 2-3 years or so... banking and borrowing will take care of that.

So all in all...we are interested, but not going to 'plan' on it til more info is out:thumbsup2

Paula

[bwvBound]

Travelocity posted today: San Diego/Honolulu round trip fares starting at $298! Hmm, may have to go for our anniversary in Feb (again!).

[ACDSNY]

I doubt we'll be purchasing there, but I plan on visiting once in a while.

bwvBound - I snagged RT Sacramento to Lihue for $347 last week on Hawaiian Air for our Feb trip. :thumbsup2

[OC_stacylace]

We will probably buy into DVC Hawaii. We live on the West coast, and figure as our children age, trips to Hawaii every year may be more to their liking rather than Disney World. We have swimmers and water polo players in our family, so the ocean is a popular thing with us. Plus, taking time off of school is getting harder and harder. Trips to Hawaii for Thanksgiving and spring break will be easier in that we won't have to deal with holiday crowds at WDW.

[kenny]

We will definitely make the trip out there to try the resort, as long as we can get a room at the 7 month mark, but don't see ourselves making the plunge to buy points.

While we love Hawaii, much prefer Maui and Kauai over Oahu. Plus the flight from NY is about 11 hours plus a stop over. Don't forsee us making it often enough to own points there.

As people had mentioned, had it been on Maui though, might have done it. Just love it there.

[dvcdisney]

I'd love to stay there a few times, but I'm not sure if I would buy there. My husband on the other hand is ready to buy. I'm still waiting for the "Villas at the Polynesian"...:):rolleyes1

[crisi]

We wouldn't buy, but I know a lot of people who go to Hawaii every year - and several who own Hawaiian based timeshares - including a former co-worker who went every year with little kids (a nine hour plane ride with little kids is not my idea of a good time). His kids are older now. I'm in the Midwest.

[bwvBound]

Travelocity posted today: San Diego/Honolulu round trip fares starting at $298!American Airlines dropped their SAN/HNL fare to $248 with travel through April.

ACDSNY: You booked a great fare to Kauai! Enjoy!

[CarrianneB]

I doubt Hawaii will be less expensive than VGC.
No, it won't be cheaper. I'm not going to buy there either.:)

You know what - VGC was the CHEAPEST when we added on in October. So for me- it's nice to have some variety off WDW property for a home resort.

[Dean]

I don't think the price will be that much different than the other resorts that are in active sales. The factors besides price are incentives AND the points structure. One really means nothing without the others. For HI, DVC is competing with Wyndham, Marriott, etc. I don't think where or how much they advertise will make much difference until they are willing to become more aggressive with tour incentives and on the tours themselves. Plus I don't think that much of the flexibility of the system will be applicable to HI because almost no one is going to HI for just 5 days. What the flexibility will do is add value to those that own other timeshares and/or get exchanges to HI.

[Starr W.]

What the flexibility will do is add value to those that own other timeshares and/or get exchanges to HI.

That's what I would use it for.

[geoffrey]

My 8 year old has been to Hawaii 4 times.
We live on the west coast. Many of our friends go every year. Lots of them have time shares or condos that they rent out.

I think there is a definite difference in the view of Hawaii between the west coast and the rest of the country. Our friends in Boston think Hawaii is sooooo far away and so exotic. To us, it is just Hawaii.

I think that people on the west coast think of Hawaii like people on the east coast think of Jamaica.

[limace]

We are on the West Coast and go to Hawaii most years. Like others, I'm not very interested in a resort on Oahu. In addition, DVC prices are way too high for me for Hawaii. I'm willing to pay a premium to stay onsite at WDW, because I love the parks. But I see DVC Hawaii as just one of many other resorts-it's hard to imagine what they'll offer to make it worth the premium.

We rent a 3 bdrm condo for about $1500 a week on Maui every year. Not over the top deluxe, but nice, right on the water with fabulous whale watching. Hard to beat.

[dianeschlicht]

I was looking at my Disney Files magazine and they had a article about the DVC in Hawaii they are building and I wondered who is gonna buy there.

I know so many people who go to Disney every year or more but I have never heard anyone say I go to Hawaii every year or twice a year.

I really don't even know very many people who have ever been to Hawaii.

How are they going to get poeple to buy points with the intention of going every year or every other year?

Just curious what other people think, will you be buying?

Well, in our neck of the woods LOTS of folks take annual trips to Hawaii and quite a few others take trips there on a semi regular basis. As for owning there....I'm not sure I'd like to own in Hawaii, since the airfare and length of flight make me not want to make that trip more than once every 5 years. We have been to Hawaii 4 times, and if I own a timeshare there, it is NOT likely to be Disney, since I'm not interested in staying the whole time on Oahu. I'd be more inclined if the DVC resort had been built on just about ANY of the other islands.

[Chuck S]

I can understand the Oahu location, if they are thinking that many DVCers would only make an occasional or one time trip. There is alot of touristy things to do on Oahu.

The Polynesian Cultural Center
Pearl Harbor Memorial
Wiamea Bay
Waikiki
and the major airport facility vs. having to change planes.


It is the traveler that goes to Hawaii regularly that tends to explore the other islands.

Either way, a Hawaiian location is a bit of a gamble for a timeshare...do you go with the areas most first-timers are familiar with and which may increase sales to to first-timers, or do you go with locations more experienced travelers prefer, but that somewhat limits your marketing to newbies.

[bwvBound]

Either way, a Hawaiian location is a bit of a gamble for a timeshare...do you go with the areas most first-timers are familiar with and which may increase sales to to first-timers, or do you go with locations more experienced travelers prefer, but that somewhat limits your marketing to newbies.Agreed!

For me, the Oahu location is perfect as I already have timeshare on Hawai'i (http://www.worldmarktheclub.com/resorts/ko/), Maui (x2: Kihei (http://www.worldmarktheclub.com/resorts/ki/) and Lahaina (http://www.worldmarktheclub.com/resorts/vi/)) and Kauai (http://www.worldmarktheclub.com/resorts/ks/) through Worldmark. In Oahu we either crash with friends (if personal travel) or stay at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (if business travel). This gives us a new option -- gotta like that! :)

[Anal Annie]

While we try to go to Hawaii once every 5 years Oahu is not our most fav. island. We usually only spend about 2 or 3 nights there each trip before moving on. We will likely TRY IT OUT if we can get in at 7 months but I have my doubts that we will be able to "afford" it if they make it too point intensive. This is especially true for us since we'd rather pay cash to be on Maui!!!!:sad2: We are "points challenged" and if it's anywhere close to what they want for VGC we won't spend more than a few weeknights there. Our points are too precious to waste. That said, if it should turn out by some miracle to be "affordable" for us and we LIKE it but have trouble getting in at 7 months...we'll see.:confused3 But I keep going back to the thought that we'd rather be on Maui....and I really don't think we'll be able to afford it.:guilty:

[MinnieVanMom]

I live in Idaho and own at BLT and considering purchasing in HI. It depends on the cost and the fees.

For me it is about the same to fly to WDW or HI. I don't know if we would stay there every year but every other would doable. Of cource we would have no problem using the points elsewhere.

I just had to jump in and say Hi neighbor. IF is where we shop and call it the city. Of course we only come over every other month but it is for the entire day. I thought I was the only person in the area that owns a DVC and speaks Disney. Glad to see you here!:banana:

[Dean]

I sincerely doubt that Disney went to HI and after touring all the islands said "We want our timeshare on Oahu and Ko'Olina is the best place for it". More likely it was the best bang for the buck given that a good location on Maui would be hard to come by AND expensive. It essentially means buying an existing property (? hotel) and razing it for a new resort like Marriott has done for a number of projects (Grande Ocean, Ocean Pointe, the new Maui location). IF the current HI project is successful, something I truly doubt unless they change their approach, I'd expect them to be on the lookout for another HI option on Maui or one of the other islands.

[minnieandmickey]

I would love too, just not in the cards. And if the points are anything like VGC,then we won't ever be able to afford it. :sad1:

[kdzgon]

I don't think the price will be that much different than the other resorts that are in active sales. The factors besides price are incentives AND the points structure. .....Plus I don't think that much of the flexibility of the system will be applicable to HI because almost no one is going to HI for just 5 days. What the flexibility will do is add value to those that own other timeshares and/or get exchanges to HI.

I agree we will need to see the whole picture, incl incentives and point requirements. However, I'm not sure that "almost no one is going to HI for just 5 days". When my daughter was stationed in San Diego, she and many of her friends and/or fellow Marines would travel to HI for five (or less) days. I'm sure many CA residents do the same. There are often airfare bargains just as we would often see on the east coast for FL or the Bahamas, etc.

I also agree with the OP that said Asia will be a big market. In fact, aren't they opening an office or sales center there? I know one of the kiosk personnel was telling me he was hoping to be able to go work there, and a guide I know said something similar.

[Dean]

I agree we will need to see the whole picture, incl incentives and point requirements. However, I'm not sure that "almost no one is going to HI for just 5 days". When my daughter was stationed in San Diego, she and many of her friends and/or fellow Marines would travel to HI for five (or less) days. I'm sure many CA residents do the same. There are often airfare bargains just as we would often see on the east coast for FL or the Bahamas, etc.

I also agree with the OP that said Asia will be a big market. In fact, aren't they opening an office or sales center there? I know one of the kiosk personnel was telling me he was hoping to be able to go work there, and a guide I know said something similar.Certainly some will go for shorter times but even for west coast, I think 5 days will be the minority. From the rest of the country, a full week is the minimum MOST people will go and many won't go unless they can go more than a week and often around 2 weeks or more. Don't get your hopes up about Asia. I don't think they are nearly as active in HI as they were a number of years ago and to most of them, it's just a nice timeshare of which they are a number of others choices that are more aggressive and likely better choices for non WDW options.

[kdzgon]

Certainly some will go for shorter times but even for west coast, I think 5 days will be the minority. From the rest of the country, a full week is the minimum MOST people will go and many won't go unless they can go more than a week and often around 2 weeks or more. Don't get your hopes up about Asia. I don't think they are nearly as active in HI as they were a number of years ago and to most of them, it's just a nice timeshare of which they are a number of others choices that are more aggressive and likely better choices for non WDW options.

I don't "have my hopes up" though - I was just wondering if indeed they are opening an office there. Also, I think the combo of Disney and Hawaii will increase the draw from Asia and likely from the US, too. I suspect that won't apply to seasoned timeshare owners such as yourself, but many people are only willing to consider a timeshare because it is Disney - there is truly a certain amount of brand loyalty there.

Also don't many people split trips among multiple HI islands? The trip may be 7 days or more while the stay at the DVC is 5 days or less. I would imagine this will figure in, as well as people buying with the intent of banking and borrowing for other-than-annual trips.

[Dean]

I don't "have my hope up" - I was just wondering if indeed they are opening an office there. Also, I think the combo of Disney and Hawaii will increase the draw from Asia and likely from the US, too. I suspect that won't apply to seasoned timeshare owners such as yourself, but many people are only willing to consider a timeshare because it is Disney - there is truly a certain amount of brand loyalty there.

Also don't many people split trips among multiple HI islands? The trip may be 7 days or more while the stay at the DVC is 5 days or less. I would imagine this will figure in, as well as people buying with the intent of banking and borrowing for other-than-annual trips.I think you're giving Disney way too much credit. They couldn't sustain themselves at HH and VB, easy drives to WDW so I see no reason to think DVC or Disney will have a significant impact on travel patterns from any group though I'm sure you can find a few people where their usual patterns were affected. HI already has a significant asian connection, Disney may be able to ride those coat tails somewhat. Now if they can generate a DVC at the other Disney locations in Asia, they might be able to get more traction. I would be surprised if they didn't open some type of asian sales office, I don't think it'll be nearly enough by itself.

I don't know the % of people that spend less than a week on each island, I'm sure there are quite a few. That's one of the reasons I suggested they need more than one resort on more than 1 island. Still, I suspect the majority will spend a full 6-7 days on at least one island. Oahu is likely the one people are most likely to spend a few days then move to another island.

Don't get me wrong, as a member, the more options and choices I have the better. It's just that looking at the layout, past and future approaches and the demographics and distances involved, I'm just not optimistic about this project. I truly hope I'm wrong and you can come back later and bug me about it because that increases the chances of other future DVC options.

[madthemouse]

If you have ever been or get the opportunity to visit O'ahu and more specifically the Ko Olina area, you'll know why it will sell. This is perhaps the most beautiful part of O'ahu. The sunsets are spectacular. I'm sure that the Disney company did their diligence on information. No one has to look any further then the other resorts, currently in that area that do very well.

[Dean]

If you have ever been or get the opportunity to visit O'ahu and more specifically the Ko Olina area, you'll know why it will sell. This is perhaps the most beautiful part of O'ahu. The sunsets are spectacular. I'm sure that the Disney company did their diligence on information. No one has to look any further then the other resorts, currently in that area that do very well.I lived on Oahu for 3 years and own a week in Ko'Olina. I would have to quibble with the idea it is the most beautiful, basically it's attractive but certainly not not spectacular compared to some other areas. Marriott has had trouble selling their resort there likely due in large part to the economy. Part of the problem is that, unlike other timeshares, DVC doesn't do much to get potential buyers on property and when they do, they don't go after them to do a sales tour.

[kdzgon]

I think you're giving Disney way too much credit. They couldn't sustain themselves at HH and VB, easy drives to WDW so I see no reason to think DVC or Disney will have a significant impact on travel patterns from any group though I'm sure you can find a few people where their usual patterns were affected. HI already has a significant asian connection, Disney may be able to ride those coat tails somewhat. Now if they can generate a DVC at the other Disney locations in Asia, they might be able to get more traction. I would be surprised if they didn't open some type of asian sales office, I don't think it'll be nearly enough by itself.

I don't know the % of people that spend less than a week on each island, I'm sure there are quite a few. That's one of the reasons I suggested they need more than one resort on more than 1 island. Still, I suspect the majority will spend a full 6-7 days on at least one island. Oahu is likely the one people are most likely to spend a few days then move to another island.

Don't get me wrong, as a member, the more options and choices I have the better. It's just that looking at the layout, past and future approaches and the demographics and distances involved, I'm just not optimistic about this project. I truly hope I'm wrong and you can come back later and bug me about it because that increases the chances of other future DVC options.

I hope you are wrong for the same reasons you hope you are wrong :) I'm not sure you are [wrong], I was just asking questions re possible reasons/advantages.

I don't however believe either HH or VB are an accurate point of comparison to HH. I don't feel HH is a "reasonable driving distance" for me (from NJ or WDW) and also when traveling from NJ I didn't want to give up WDW time to visit either resort. (Ironically, once I visited VB (for other reasons) I found it to be the perfect "wind down" from Disney, but I would never have thought so until visiting...) Unlike HI, there is not enough "draw" for me at either destination to plan a longer and/or more expensive travel trip. If I am going to all that expense and effort to travel that long I want to be "wowed" - neither VB nor HH does that for us. I would, however substitute a trip to HI for a WDW vacation.

Of course, until we moved within a relatively short driving distance away, WDW trips were never less than 7 days either - we averaged 9 or 10 days per visit. Somehow, though we were still impressed with the idea of flexibility even if it means nothing more than matching a week's stay to better (ie, non-weekend) travel dates.

Maybe Disney is hoping people will want enough points for 7 days hoping to boost sales - who knows? I think the DVC marketing has been horrible any more so I'm not sure they actually have a clue as to the potential market(s) for this location. I suspect our guesses might be as good or better than theirs right now.

[Dean]

I hope you are wrong for the same reasons you hope you are wrong :) I'm not sure you are [wrong], I was just asking questions re possible reasons/advantages.

I don't however believe either HH or VB are an accurate point of comparison to HH. I don't feel HH is a "reasonable driving distance" for me (from NJ or WDW) and also when traveling from NJ I didn't want to give up WDW time to visit either resort. (Ironically, once I visited VB (for other reasons) I found it to be the perfect "wind down" from Disney, but I would never have thought so until visiting...) Unlike HI, there is not enough "draw" for me at either destination to plan a longer and/or more expensive travel trip. If I am going to all that expense and effort to travel that long I want to be "wowed" - neither VB nor HH does that for us. I would, however substitute a trip to HI for a WDW vacation.

Of course, until we moved within a relatively short driving distance away, WDW trips were never less than 7 days either - we averaged 9 or 10 days per visit. Somehow, though we were still impressed with the idea of flexibility even if it means nothing more than matching a week's stay to better (ie, non-weekend) travel dates.

Maybe Disney is hoping people will want enough points for 7 days hoping to boost sales - who knows? I think the DVC marketing has been horrible any more so I'm not sure they actually have a clue as to the potential market(s) for this location. I suspect our guesses might be as good or better than theirs right now.Both HH and VB are a reasonable driving distance to WDW, that was my thinking. HH is 5 hours, VB is 2 hours or so. HH is also a good stop over if you are driving from NJ. It's really hard to know what DVC is thinking on this one. With VB and HH they were assuming people would beat a path to their door because they are Disney and that didn't happen. While both HH and VB are nice resort overall, they do lag behind other comparable resorts in some important areas IMO. However, it really doesn't come down to the resort per se, IMO, but rather the approach. The approach of counting on members to buy and putting adds in magazines and on TV and hoping for the best is simply not going to be enough. The bottom line I feel is that they've got to find a way to get people on the tour AND put at least a little pressure on them to buy then and there, something DVD has NEVER been good at. It works at WDW due to the sheer number of people where it really doesn't matter if they get 0.1% or 2% of the available fresh meat. I feel it WILL matter for HI and any other non park related option. The Marriott next door will be cheaper in all likelihood, just as nice, and have many advantages in that they have 3 different HI resorts plus the other network options. AND they are likely coming out with their own points system in the next couple of years which they already have in place at that resort. The Marriott also does developer deposits generating fresh meat, formally asks non owners (and owners) to tour, gives tour incentives ($75-100) and does previous tours (cheaper stays with the built in requirement to tour). Thus to me the bottom line is that either they become more aggressive on the sales side OR the resort does not sell well, it will not sell itself in all likelihood.

[geoffrey]

Last month, we stayed at Ko Olina.

Bottom line: It is wonderful!

I never expected that I would ever vacation on Oahu again. I was really tired of everything there. But this last vacation totally changed my mind. It is absolutely wonderful out at Ko Olina. You get to enjoy the good things on Oahu without having to deal will all of the problems of staying in other areas

I have been meaning to start a thread with pictures from the area. I will try and get them together and post them soon

[snackyx]

Last month, we stayed at Ko Olina.

Bottom line: It is wonderful!

I never expected that I would ever vacation on Oahu again. I was really tired of everything there. But this last vacation totally changed my mind. It is absolutely wonderful out at Ko Olina. You get to enjoy the good things on Oahu without having to deal will all of the problems of staying in other areas

I have been meaning to start a thread with pictures from the area. I will try and get them together and post them soon

In addition for our DVC points we own a 2 bedroom, ocean view
at Marriott's Ko Olina (one week/year) and typically go every year from Michigan. It is a terrific resort/location. Whether DVC can make a go of it is a good question--I do think it will appeal more to west coasters. My guess is that the Hawaii resort may be easier to book at the seven month window.

On another note--does anyone know the approx. opening date in Hawaii? Has Disney given any indication when a point chart will surface? We are looking to book back-to-back weeks with DVC and Marriott--we can literally WALK our luggage from one resort to the other.

[Dean]

In addition for our DVC points we own a 2 bedroom, ocean view
at Marriott's Ko Olina (one week/year) and typically go every year from Michigan. It is a terrific resort/location. Whether DVC can make a go of it is a good question--I do think it will appeal more to west coasters. My guess is that the Hawaii resort may be easier to book at the seven month window.

On another note--does anyone know the approx. opening date in Hawaii? Has Disney given any indication when a point chart will surface? We are looking to book back-to-back weeks with DVC and Marriott--we can literally WALK our luggage from one resort to the other.2011 is the official opening listed though I don't think I've seen much to pin point it beyond that. I have seen rumors that it might be pushed back a bit, possibly to at least 2012.

[SusanWasHere]

I won't buy there, but definitely do plan to visit once it's done! I don't think I could afford to go and pay for a hotel in that location, so going on points will make the airfare from NJ seem not as painful. I've always wanted to go to Hawaii, and now will have a place to go. I can't wait!! :cool1:

[Dean]

I won't buy there, but definitely do plan to visit once it's done! I don't think I could afford to go and pay for a hotel in that location, so going on points will make the airfare from NJ seem not as painful. I've always wanted to go to Hawaii, and now will have a place to go. I can't wait!! :cool1:Current DVC members have made up a significant portion of the sales at all resorts following OKW. I recall very few that have said they want to visit this resort most years and/or buy the majority of their points there. Actually there were very few that even said they wanted an add on there. Of course the specifics will affect the actual decision that we members and nonmembers make.

[BWV Dreamin]

HHI and VB have the highest dues of all DVC. They too are beach properties. Why would Ko Olina DVC be any different? I think this will be a big deterrent for sales.

[dr&momto2boys]

We probably will buy in Hawaii. It depends on the price and how it compares to buying Marriot there. I know Disney will do an amazing job, but Oahu is not my favorite island. We definately look forward to owning in Hawaii and going every other year at least!

[Dean]

HHI and VB have the highest dues of all DVC. They too are beach properties. Why would Ko Olina DVC be any different? I think this will be a big deterrent for sales.The Marriott's there have dues about 50% more than comparable US MVCI properties including HH at around $1500 for a 2 BR for a week. Making a lot of assumptions that would put dues at around $6 a point or more OR cause them to escalate the number of points to keep the pp dues in check. It will be interesting where the points, seasons and costs end up.

[SusanWasHere]

Does anyone have any thoughts when points and dues information may be coming out? It will be interesting to see :)

[DVC92]

The Hawaii property may never be a part of DVC. In the current purchase agreement for BLT, and I am sure the other DVC properties, there is a clause that the Hawaii location is the only property that may never become part of the Club.

[Chuck S]

The Hawaii property may never be a part of DVC. In the current purchase agreement for BLT, and I am sure the other DVC properties, there is a clause that the Hawaii location is the only property that may never become part of the Club.

That is a standard disclaimer for all proposed resorts during construction. When we purchased in 1992, we had a similar disclaimer for any future or proposed DVC resorts.

People buying AKV had a similiar disclaimer for BLT while it was under construction. It isn't "DVC" until it is declared into inventory and begins selling.

[Pluto,]

i will just try to get in on the 7 month window.

[Dean]

Does anyone have any thoughts when points and dues information may be coming out? It will be interesting to see :)I'm guessing the earliest we'll know is around early 2011 but more likely mid to late 2011. IF it opened on time based on their original plan (unlikely) it'd likely be the end of 2010.

The Hawaii property may never be a part of DVC. In the current purchase agreement for BLT, and I am sure the other DVC properties, there is a clause that the Hawaii location is the only property that may never become part of the Club.As noted, that is standard language. If this resort happens as a timeshare, they really must have it as part of DVC for sales purposes. They need to have current members buy add ons, potential members chose HI as their home resort that were already considering DVC and as a sales tool for others that are looking to buy there. Now what I could see IF they could come up with 1 or 2 more HI resorts would be an additional reservation window that only HI owners could utilize before others had the chance to reserve there.

[taysmom]

so is everyone thinking that this resort will be selling for more than the current BLT point price? And the points will be double the regular dvc resort points?
I am in cali and before purch. dvc I went to hawaii annually at thanksgiving. Which is NOT considered a "holiday" time period on the island although I'm sure disney will market the points in their high season or holiday time slot. I was looking forward to a possible add on and using my current points to add hawaii back into the fold as a vacation option. After reading this thread..I don't know anymore.

However all of the people posting about airfare are right on the money. It is much less expensive for me to travel to hawaii (5hr flt) than WDW (5hr flt). Which really confuses me.

Of course my biggest hope is that they bring back the 25 point min. purch if you are a current member. Raising it to 100 when VGC opened was wrong. I just want the 11 month window ya know!~

[Dean]

so is everyone thinking that this resort will be selling for more than the current BLT point price? And the points will be double the regular dvc resort points?
I am in cali and before purch. dvc I went to hawaii annually at thanksgiving. Which is NOT considered a "holiday" time period on the island although I'm sure disney will market the points in their high season or holiday time slot. I was looking forward to a possible add on and using my current points to add hawaii back into the fold as a vacation option. After reading this thread..I don't know anymore.

However all of the people posting about airfare are right on the money. It is much less expensive for me to travel to hawaii (5hr flt) than WDW (5hr flt). Which really confuses me.

Of course my biggest hope is that they bring back the 25 point min. purch if you are a current member. Raising it to 100 when VGC opened was wrong. I just want the 11 month window ya know!~Not I, I expect the dues to be high but the price per point and total points to be in line with BLT Magic most of the year.

[BWV Dreamin]

Not I, I expect the dues to be high but the price per point and total points to be in line with BLT Magic most of the year.

I think if this were to come to fruition, it would be devestating for sales. While this would be the ultimate scenario, I think DVC will hide the true "costs"by subsidizing the MF's greatly during sales. They would have to do something along these lines.

[stopher1]

Of course my biggest hope is that they bring back the 25 point min. purch if you are a current member. Raising it to 100 when VGC opened was wrong. I just want the 11 month window ya know!~

You can do that, it was changed back months ago. 25 point add-on purchases for cash. 50 is the minimum to finance.

[JenSop]

I didn't read through ALL of the posts, but wanted to add that we would very much consider an add-on in Hawaii.

DH made his first trip there this past summer with friends and said it was life changing. He is already convinced that we will add on there. (Although in truth it depends on the money...)

But the models and artist renderings look just beautiful.

[Horace Horsecollar]

I think if this were to come to fruition, it would be devestating for sales. While this would be the ultimate scenario, I think DVC will hide the true "costs"by subsidizing the MF's greatly during sales. They would have to do something along these lines.
Timeshare developers, including Disney, subsidize maintenance fees for early buyers to reflect the number of units at full build-out. That way, early buyers are not penalized.

For example, if a feature pool area will eventually serve 400 villas, but only 100 villas have been built and sold, those buyers don't have to pay 4 times as much for the cost of staffing and operating the pool as they will eventually pay. Instead, the cost is calculated as if the resort were complete.

Timeshare developers normally do NOT subsidize maintenance fees to purposely mislead buyers. In fact, that would probably be illegal in most states.

[BWV Dreamin]

There is always some level of deception with these timeshare sales, and DVC is no exception. They already did yhis last year with the BLT owners and changing up the points chart... changed the min buy in to 100 points than a month later, changed it back to 50. All promos are different even when offered at the same time. Their bottom line is SALES. Now Disney has not been as aggressive as others in the past, but I look for this to change. There will be some tactic employed if MF's are truely 6 or higher per point. Po-tA-to, Po-tAAA-to.


Timeshare developers, including Disney, subsidize maintenance fees for early buyers to reflect the number of units at full build-out. That way, early buyers are not penalized.

For example, if a feature pool area will eventually serve 400 villas, but only 100 villas have been built and sold, those buyers don't have to pay 4 times as much for the cost of staffing and operating the pool as they will eventually pay. Instead, the cost is calculated as if the resort were complete.

Timeshare developers normally do NOT subsidize maintenance fees to purposely mislead buyers. In fact, that would probably be illegal in most states.

[dianeschlicht]

While we try to go to Hawaii once every 5 years Oahu is not our most fav. island. We usually only spend about 2 or 3 nights there each trip before moving on. We will likely TRY IT OUT if we can get in at 7 months but I have my doubts that we will be able to "afford" it if they make it too point intensive. This is especially true for us since we'd rather pay cash to be on Maui!!!!:sad2: We are "points challenged" and if it's anywhere close to what they want for VGC we won't spend more than a few weeknights there. Our points are too precious to waste. That said, if it should turn out by some miracle to be "affordable" for us and we LIKE it but have trouble getting in at 7 months...we'll see.:confused3 But I keep going back to the thought that we'd rather be on Maui....and I really don't think we'll be able to afford it.:guilty:

Pretty much my sentiment too,except that I wouldn't really care if it was Maui, Kauai, or Hawaii. I DO think I'll use the DVC Oahu location for the beginning and end of trips though. We also usually spend a day on the front and a couple on the end of each Hawaii trip on Oahu, so I can see using the DVC offering for that if the points aren't exhorbitant. I'm thinking they are going to be too high for us though.

[Dean]

There is always some level of deception with these timeshare sales, and DVC is no exception. They already did yhis last year with the BLT owners and changing up the points chart... changed the min buy in to 100 points than a month later, changed it back to 50. All promos are different even when offered at the same time. Their bottom line is SALES. Now Disney has not been as aggressive as others in the past, but I look for this to change. There will be some tactic employed if MF's are truely 6 or higher per point. Po-tA-to, Po-tAAA-to.I think my view is somewhere in between. DVC has to pay dues for the rooms they own. While the real costs may be higher per point for a phased project, it shouldn't be for a non phase project like BLT. I think that often there is a purposeful intent to keep the costs down to make them look artificially low. I've never seen that issue with DVC and the subsidy at BLT wasn't enough to cause that distortion. However, the reallocation and change in min wasn't a planned move to sell then change later, it was simply that the different systems paths crossed at the wrong time.