Aulani event at Disneyland July 1-7

[lilpooh108]

I read the same thing! I'm not gonna spend my time just playing hokey pokey and doing the chicken dance! That's fine and I will play along for 20minutes or so but if that's all it is for two hours then count me out! My babysitting time is more precious than that.

I agree! No chicken dancing. More Aulani info! Doesn't anyone at the 9am event have a smartphone and why won't they provide us with live minute-by-minute breakdown of the action?

 

[SoCalDCLfan]

I was at the 9am event. I'll do my best to sum it up.

Overall, it sounds like it was MUCH more than last night's D23 event.

Started with a 50 minute show/presentation
- watched "Hawaiian Holiday"
- funny host named "Tim/Stan" provided comic relief
- Hawaiian music, singing, and hula dancing (excellent!)
- videos provided a lot of detail about design, art, architecture, dedication to Hawaiian heritage. heard a lot from the head designer (Joe, who designed much of Animal Kingdom)
- received individual "Menehunes" - little mini tiki guys that will be located throughout the resort for kids to find (they described them as mischevious mystical characters)
- received a DVC pin, DVC portfolio, and DVC tote bag
- 2 DVC guides guided the show and provided pricing info ($114 per point). Price increase coming in November
- $8 off for 100 points; $10 off for 125 points, $12 off for 250 points
- plus if you attend the event, you can either get an additional $2 off, or your 2012 dues will be free
- no closing costs for existing members
- $4.31 per point dues
- model was in the lobby with CMs standing by to ask questions

after the show, there was a reception - food, drinks, photos with Hawaiian Mickey and Minnie, DJ, etc. There was also a very well done kids club area - thank goodness for that!

Overall, I thought it was a great event. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot about the resort. It also wasn't that crowded, which made it quick and easy to sit down with my guide to finalize the paperwork for my add-on.

Aloha!!!

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Dang. I wish I could have been at the event today. Free 2012 dues would have sounded nice.

Thanks for the update SoCalDCLFan.

Can't wait to get my paperwork and close on my purchase.

When you said "finalize the paperwork for your add on" they had your closing docs there for you?

 

[lilpooh108]

I was at the 9am event. I'll do my best to sum it up.

Overall, it sounds like it was MUCH more than last night's D23 event.

Started with a 50 minute show/presentation
- watched "Hawaiian Holiday"
- funny host named "Tim/Stan" provided comic relief
- Hawaiian music, singing, and hula dancing (excellent!)
- videos provided a lot of detail about design, art, architecture, dedication to Hawaiian heritage. heard a lot from the head designer (Joe, who designed much of Animal Kingdom)
- received individual "Wohenes" - little mini tiki guys that will be located throughout the resort for kids to find (they described them as mischevious mystical characters)
- received a DVC pin, DVC portfolio, and DVC tote bag
- 2 DVC guides guided the show and provided pricing info ($114 per point). Price increase coming in November
- $8 off for 100 points; $10 off for 125 points, $12 off for 250 points
- plus if you attend the event, you can either get an additional $2 off, or your 2012 dues will be free
- no closing costs for existing members
- $4.31 per point dues
- model was in the lobby with CMs standing by to ask questions

after the show, there was a reception - food, drinks, photos with Hawaiian Mickey and Minnie, DJ, etc. There was also a very well done kids club area - thank goodness for that!

Overall, I thought it was a great event. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot about the resort. It also wasn't that crowded, which made it quick and easy to sit down with my guide to finalize the paperwork for my add-on.

Aloha!!!

GREAT INFO! Thanks so much. Love the incentives--is there a minimum add on requirement for the additional $2 off? I know its currently $6 off for a 50 point add on. I wonder if its $2 off on top of that for the 50 pointer (which is what we're looking at--between 50 and 75 pts).

Too bad the Minnie & Mickey dancing is at the end....my event is at 7pm tomorrow...not sure if the kiddo can stay up til 9pm to dance with them

 

[shellabell]

Were the only incentives the money off for points? I know when we bought for the Grand Californian we received and ABD trip, Night in the Pirate suite and annual passes. I was kind of hoping for that again (the Pirate suite was incredible!)

 

[wdw4life]

Were the only incentives the money off for points? I know when we bought for the Grand Californian we received and ABD trip, Night in the Pirate suite and annual passes. I was kind of hoping for that again (the Pirate suite was incredible!)

I was hoping to get that Pirate suite again. Doesn't look like that will be happening.

 

[SoCalDCLfan]

When you said "finalize the paperwork for your add on" they had your closing docs there for you?

sorry if that was misleading. My guide had a one page outline of the agreement that I had to review and sign- points, $ down, total financed, whether I chose the additional $2 off or free 2012 dues, etc. I changed my points so they had to redo it. Closing docs will be mailed.

 

[SoCalDCLfan]

Were the only incentives the money off for points? I know when we bought for the Grand Californian we received and ABD trip, Night in the Pirate suite and annual passes. I was kind of hoping for that again (the Pirate suite was incredible!)

only incentives were $ off points and the free 2012 dues. The Pirate Suite sounds awesome - but I was happy with $ off.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[SoCalDCLfan]

GREAT INFO! Thanks so much. Love the incentives--is there a minimum add on requirement for the additional $2 off? I know its currently $6 off for a 50 point add on. I wonder if its $2 off on top of that for the 50 pointer (which is what we're looking at--between 50 and 75 pts).

Too bad the Minnie & Mickey dancing is at the end....my event is at 7pm tomorrow...not sure if the kiddo can stay up til 9pm to dance with them

I don't know. when I sat down with my guide, she had a chart that detailed the incentives. on the bottom it said an additional $2 off or 2012 dues for free. While I was there, a supervisor made the rounds to clarify what point level the extra $2 applied to. So I know there's a minimumm, but I didn't catch it. I'd check with your guide. We were the first group in and the guides were still clarifying details with their supervisors.

The kids club was really well done - tons of crafts, games, movies, snacks. My daughter loved it!

 

[shellabell]

only incentives were $ off points and the free 2012 dues. The Pirate Suite sounds awesome - but I was happy with $ off.

Thanks for the info. I'm torn now. Remembering that those that waited for the Grand Californian got better deals. Wondering if this is it or if there might be something more before November.

Wonder also if it works out better to take the $2 off or the 2012 fees?

 

[SoCalDCLfan]

Thanks for the info. I'm torn now. Remembering that those that waited for the Grand Californian got better deals. Wondering if this is it or if there might be something more before November.

Wonder also if it works out better to take the $2 off or the 2012 fees?

Who knows whether prices will decrease - that's a tough one to speculate. That must have been frustrating for VGC founding members. With VGC and BLT going to $120, I thought the pricing for Aulani was really good. They did announce a price increase as of Nov 1. My guide said she'd heard rumblings of $140. Who knows if that's reality or not, but yikes, just the thought of it!!!

The 2012 fees worked out better for us. Say you buy 100 points. $2 off saves you $200. Whereas a year's worth of dues at $4.31 equals $431. So it's more than double the savings. Not sure how financing with the extra $2 off factors in, but straight numbers shows that the free dues saves more.

Good luck with your decision

 

[shellabell]

Who knows whether prices will decrease - that's a tough one to speculate. That must have been frustrating for VGC founding members. With VGC and BLT going to $120, I thought the pricing for Aulani was really good. They did announce a price increase as of Nov 1. My guide said she'd heard rumblings of $140. Who knows if that's reality or not, but yikes, just the thought of it!!!

The 2012 fees worked out better for us. Say you buy 100 points. $2 off saves you $200. Whereas a year's worth of dues at $4.31 equals $431. So it's more than double the savings. Not sure how financing with the extra $2 off factors in, but straight numbers shows that the free dues saves more.

Good luck with your decision

Thanks!

 

[lilpooh108]

I don't know. when I sat down with my guide, she had a chart that detailed the incentives. on the bottom it said an additional $2 off or 2012 dues for free. While I was there, a supervisor made the rounds to clarify what point level the extra $2 applied to. So I know there's a minimumm, but I didn't catch it. I'd check with your guide. We were the first group in and the guides were still clarifying details with their supervisors.

The kids club was really well done - tons of crafts, games, movies, snacks. My daughter loved it!

Thanks for all the info! You were also the first one to post your Aulani purchase I think Thanks again!!