Aulani Direct Purchase SAPs Thoughts - Feedback Please

[Pluto1976]

Thinking about the next contract for more points along with being a direct member and Aulani direct pricing per point at the 200 and 300 point levels is intriguing. Looks to be $174 and $163 respectively.

We have stayed at Aulani and definitely enjoy the resort. We could really make a stay just going there for a week with the occasional trips out to explore. Being an east coaster the con would be the air travel. The perceived pro would be buying in direct at a low point cost and have enough points for AKL 1 bedrooms and GF resort studios at 7-months when we don’t go to Aulani.

We have already decided our next purchase will be direct and Aulani, Poly 2.0, or AKL are the choices. One last point is we have reached a time where our vacation style is we want to keep experiencing Disney for our vacations but that does not always mean going to the WDW theme parks. Example, DCL, Aulani, Other DVC resorts, AKL resort-only stays to get in our Disney vacation.

Curious for feedback and takes from people who overthink like us

 

[thanxfornoticin]

It's always a bit of a gamble planning for rooms at your non-home resorts at 7 months. Depending on the location, room types, and time of year, it could be a challenge. So be careful with that side of it. For us, we'd get our nights booked at our home resort 11 months out, and then look to switch (hypothetically) at 7 months. If we can't get the rooms at 7 months or if a waitlist doesn't come through for us, we still get to enjoy Disney World at our home resort. That wouldn't work as well for Aulani! So we'd probably look at something on WDW property. Good luck with your decision!

 

[intamin]

Out of curiosity what contracts do you currently own? I'm struggling to see much of a reason to buy Aulani direct unless you own other direct contracts and you want it to be able to contribute to that pool of points at 7 months to book at RIV/Poly 2. Aulani unsubsidized can be had for 90-100 per point versus the 174/163 price per point that's a savings of at least 63 dollars per point so you're guaranteed to get almost 40% more points for the same price. Aulani subsidized over time makes even more sense if you plan to keep the contract a long time. If you were going to buy direct I'd recommend Poly2 as the difference between resale and direct won't be as drastic I'd imagine.. also the incentives once Poly2 come online will likely the best deal you'll be able to get for direct on it.

Edit: After re-reading your post I'm not sure if this is clear but Aulani resale can also be used at AKL and VGF at the 7 month mark. The only ones it can't be used at so far is RIV and potentially Poly2 if they decide to have another association.

 

[Pluto1976]

That wouldn't work as well for Aulani!

FACT!

 

[Pluto1976]

Aulani subsidized, do tell?

 

[AstroBlasters]

I’d buy 300 Aulani resale at $90-$100pp and take the savings of $20-21k and buy some direct WDW resort.

 

[intamin]

Aulani subsidized, do tell?

Essentially when Aulani first opened, they miscalculated the dues owed for the resort. If you look at the sponsor site there are a couple on there right now that say subsidized dues. Instead of paying the 9.14 per point in maintenance fees, you pay 6.87 with a subsidized contract. Over the long run it’s one of the best deals if not the best deal for sleep around points because of how low the maintenance fees AND the buy in cost is. I ask what your other contracts are because if your priority is WDW, you want to be sure you have something at WDW for that 11 month window if that 7month window doesn’t work out. The problem with sub dues Aulani is they’re hard to come by, but they do exist out there. You’re more likely to snag a great deal on an unsub Aulani and get similar results by getting one for 90-100 per point.

 

[Pluto1976]

Essentially when Aulani first opened, they miscalculated the dues owed for the resort. If you look at the sponsor site there are a couple on there right now that say subsidized dues. Instead of paying the 9.14 per point in maintenance fees, you pay 6.87 with a subsidized contract. Over the long run it’s one of the best deals if not the best deal for sleep around points because of how low the maintenance fees AND the buy in cost is. I ask what your other contracts are because if your priority is WDW, you want to be sure you have something at WDW for that 11 month window if that 7month window doesn’t work out. The problem with sub dues Aulani is they’re hard to come by, but they do exist out there. You’re more likely to snag a great deal on an unsub Aulani and get similar results by getting one for 90-100 per point.

Thank you for the explanation about the Aulani subsidized contracts!

We do own already at WDW and one of the things we are thinking is we want to have the Disney experience in different ways, so buying allot of direct points at Aulani cheaper is one way and could be used for Aulani with other non WDW theme park Disney experiences and maybe WDW SAPs resort only stays. I do know DCL is a horrible use of points but well it does help.

It’s just that Poly 2.0 on the horizon thing which is intriguing

 

[intamin]

Thank you for the explanation about the Aulani subsidized contracts!

We do own already at WDW and one of the things we are thinking is we want to have the Disney experience in different ways, so buying allot of direct points at Aulani cheaper is one way and could be used for Aulani with other non WDW theme park Disney experiences and maybe WDW SAPs resort only stays. I do know DCL is a horrible use of points but well it does help.

It’s just that Poly 2.0 on the horizon thing which is intriguing

If you really want poly2, then wait for it. I imagine after incentives poly 2 may end up being around low 200s. If you're planning to do a 300 point contract at poly2 it will resell for higher. Aulani on the other hand has not yet sold out after 12 years. This is all assuming that poly tower is a different association which is yet to be seen. I'd say wait and see if poly is a different association. If so, then buy direct poly2 with great incentives at opening. If it's the same association as poly 1 and you don't care about 11 month priority at poly, then go ahead and grab an Aulani resale. We picked up an Aulani sub just because they're some of the best SAP and are good everywhere except for RIV and any newer hotels.

 

[Twohsieh]

Essentially when Aulani first opened, they miscalculated the dues owed for the resort. If you look at the sponsor site there are a couple on there right now that say subsidized dues. Instead of paying the 9.14 per point in maintenance fees, you pay 6.87 with a subsidized contract. Over the long run it’s one of the best deals if not the best deal for sleep around points because of how low the maintenance fees AND the buy in cost is. I ask what your other contracts are because if your priority is WDW, you want to be sure you have something at WDW for that 11 month window if that 7month window doesn’t work out. The problem with sub dues Aulani is they’re hard to come by, but they do exist out there. You’re more likely to snag a great deal on an unsub Aulani and get similar results by getting one for 90-100 per point.

There a a couple Aulani subsidized contracts for sale now on a well known DVC broker site.
I searched for our Aulani contract solely with the intention of buying a subsidized contract. Purchased the AUL subsidized contract in 2010 (270 points) for $100/point.

I saw that there were some AUL guaranteed weeks as well.

 

[RoseGold]

I beat this to death in this thread. I wouldn't buy Hawaii at all, and Aulani in particular.

If you want to book AKL or GF, just buy that.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/aulani-or-akl-now-or-wait.3903256/#post-64466632

 

[Pluto1976]

That is a significant savings from current direct Aulani specials.

After thinking about all of the feedback above, I am thinking the purchasing strategy might need to be re-adjusted. Getting over the FOMO with resale is real, but simultaneously having more points and/or money to take more vacations is a real thing too!

I beat this to death in this thread. I wouldn't buy Hawaii at all, and Aulani in particular.

If you want to book AKL or GF, just buy that.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/aulani-or-akl-now-or-wait.3903256/#post-64466632

HAHA! I read this thread through and through as I was researching an Aulani purchasing strategy. It was a great and informative discussion thread to read. Thanks for re-sharing. Great points and I think I am leaning on waiting for Poly 2.0 even if it is a bit pricier and some of the reasons are the ones you presented.

 

[kevtlas]

We only own at SSR and AUL, and have stayed at most DVC resorts at one point or another, including VGC, all during school vacations (except VGC, which was October), all booked at 7 month or less. Sometimes it took a bit of stalking and walking, but definitely doable.

 

[Cfabar1]

If you don’t think you are going to be staying in AUL with most of these points, I wouldn’t buy Aulani direct… you won’t have a resort with 11 month availability at WDW - which you mentioned you want to visit with these points.

Given that AUL is selling in those points amounts for about half the direct price right now, I would buy resale, and invest the savings or purchase a WDW contract direct or resale with the cost difference at one of those resorts you want to visit.

 

[intamin]

If you don’t think you are going to be staying in AUL with most of these points, I wouldn’t buy Aulani direct… you won’t have a resort with 11 month availability at WDW - which you mentioned you want to visit with these points.

Given that AUL is selling in those points amounts for about half the direct price right now, I would buy resale, and invest the savings or purchase a WDW contract direct or resale with the cost difference at one of those resorts you want to visit.

This. I'm in the process of getting an AUL resale and I wouldn't recommend it as your only points if you're planning to use them as SAP. You want to be certain you can get those reservations at WDW if that's where you're primarily planning to go. If you do get an AUL, get it resale and then flip the savings back around and get a direct at VGF/Riv or hell go ahead and go back to the resale market and get somewhere DVC isn't actively selling lol.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I beat this to death in this thread. I wouldn't buy Hawaii at all, and Aulani in particular.

If you want to book AKL or GF, just buy that.

https://www.disboards.com/threads/aulani-or-akl-now-or-wait.3903256/#post-64466632

Agreed! You do beat it to death. You’ve never been, never seen the property in person, and I’m not even sure you've ever set foot in Hawaii (have you?), but your opinion is unwavering. Frozen in carbonite! And it does seem that your life’s mission is to repeat your two or three talking points over, and over, and over again.

 

[Noah_t]

Shots fired!

 

[Paul Stupin]

Shots fired!

Just the facts, sir.

 

[gskywalker]

And I have said, I bought AUL for SAP and been very happy with it. We have now used almost all of our points for 4 years and haven't used them yet at AUL (covid canceled, hopeful in 2026). We have used them at BCV, BWV, CCV, BLT, AKL and as rental points. It's worked out great for us as SAP given the purchase price point.

 

[intamin]

I’d buy 300 Aulani resale at $90-$100pp and take the savings of $20-21k and buy some direct WDW resort.

In hindsight I kinda wish I had done this instead of the AUL sub.. and then taken the money and buy more right now before my fiancee murders me.