Aulani: Not sure I will visit

[Sir William]

We were in Hawaii last week and drove out to the Aulani to take a look. I just expected to do a drive-by but as DVC members we were given a short tour of the facility, including seeing two model rooms. We were very impressed and immediately began to discuss staying there a few days when we return to Hawaii the next time.

Its not in the best location for sightseeing, being about 1/2 hour from Honolulu, which makes it about an hour from the Windward side and slightly more to the Polynesian Cultural Center. However its not significantly farther away from the North Shore, Pearl Harbor or the airport. That said, we thought it be a great place just to relax for a few days (beach, pool, golf, etc), before either returning to Honolulu or going on to another island.

 

[crisi]

I was reading through this thread and saw adminjedi's ticker. I think I would like adminjedi's family to adopt me!

What do most people do when they travel to Hawaii - island hop or stay on one island for 7 to 14 days? We are going to Maui this summer and will stay for 12 days (5 days at a hotel, 7 days at the Westin timeshare). We have several activities planned (snorkel trip, luau, road to hana, Haleakala), but want several relaxing beach days as well. We don't have the time or the money to island hop. I would like to visit other islands some day, but will probably always only do one island per 7 to 14 day vacation because I want to explore everything each island has to offer and relax.

Most advice is not to hop if you don't have at least seven plus days to spend.

We spend two days on the Big Island - we really just wanted to see volcanos. And another seven in Maui. That was about right for Maui, not nearly enough time on the Big Island, although we were there for the recent tsunami that really impacted our plans (and had us sleeping in the car).

IF we go back, I don't see us staying at Aulani either - or not for more than two nights. Too far from the things we'd want to see in Oahu, and for a beach, we liked Kaanapaali a lot. I REALLY don't like the lagoon thing. And the point values ARE high. Hawaii is one of those places with overbuilt timeshares, it really isn't hard to get a good lodging deal with cash. We had a one bedroom for $129 a night over Spring Break right on the beach with an Ocean View in Kaanapali.

 

[aan1701]

But no matter where you stay in Hawaii, Timeshare, hotel, or rental unit, you will have to pay that same tax, so DVC and Disney are not to blame for the state tax there.

Well I am not paying it on the Wonder so that's cool. I totally get your point. I am just using the tax as one reason why I have zero plans on staying there. The main reason is what basically amounts to a two nights for one trade out. I just think the points are way to high. That is just my opinion.

 

[dapod423]

Where I don't agree with you on visiting Aulani (I am still excited to do so), I do LOVE that you have 2 Wonder Pugs and just wanted to say "HI" to a fellow Pug Person. I have 2 as well, Winston and Franklin! Long Live the PUG!!!

 

[Starr W.]

I was reading through this thread and saw adminjedi's ticker. I think I would like adminjedi's family to adopt me!

What do most people do when they travel to Hawaii - island hop or stay on one island for 7 to 14 days? We are going to Maui this summer and will stay for 12 days (5 days at a hotel, 7 days at the Westin timeshare). We have several activities planned (snorkel trip, luau, road to hana, Haleakala), but want several relaxing beach days as well. We don't have the time or the money to island hop. I would like to visit other islands some day, but will probably always only do one island per 7 to 14 day vacation because I want to explore everything each island has to offer and relax.

We went to Hawaii last summer for 17 days, 3 days in HNL to see the sights and flying in on Wednesday it was a better deal on upgrading to 1st class.

We then spent a week on the Big Island and then spent the 2nd week on Kauai at the Westin Princeville. We could have spent a few extra days on both Kauai and BI, there is so much to see and do.

If I remember the flights HNL-KOA-LIH-HNL came to about $220 pp. We flew Hawaiian on the inter-island flights.

It helped that the week on the Big Island(Wyndham Kona Hawaiian) only cost me the exchange fees. The RCI deposit I used was one that was transfered me as part of an purchase. Used my *wood ski week to trade into Princeville and stayed in HNL on Wyndham points.

Now this took awhile to get things in place, started November 2008 for a July 2010 trip. Other than the gang on TUG, most people thought I was nuts planning something that far out.

If we went to Hawaii again, I think I'd prefer to just use my Wyndham points and stay at Waikiki Beach Walk for a pre-post flight out stay if I needed.
Points are a bit too pricey for a short stay and if we ever went back we would like to try Maui, then we could debate about Kauai/BI for the 2nd week.

 

[Inkmahm]

Having only been to Maui as a teenager and the rest of my family having never been, we likely would only stay a night or 2 at DVC as well. Actually, my plan when we finally make it, is just to do a cruise around the islands so I won't have to unpack every day.

Same here, athough I have been to Hawaii twice including Oahu, the Big Island and Maui. A lot of time was spent traveling between islands by plane and I'd really rather do it as a cruise. Going to a DVC resort in Hawaii and staying for a week is not in my future.

 

[taaren]

OP - Just as a note, I don't think East Coaster's are the primary target for Aulani. Most of the time, when selling timeshares in Hawaii, the market is A) Canadians (particularly West Coast Canucks), B) Japanese, C) Pacific Rim (ie West coast-ers). The main hit that Aulani is going to take in sales was completely unforeseeable, and that was the recent tsunami ... while I'm sure they'd be happy to sell to midwesterners and East Coast folk, with the expensive airfare the % of vacationers from those areas pales in comparison to the international/West Coast/Rocky Mtn crowds.

I'm sure that Aulani will be a wonderful resort. I don't think that sales will be as brisk as Disney would like, but they seem to have the ability to sell ice to Eskimos.

Disney continues to experiment with DVC locations away from WDW with mixed results. From what I am told VGC was a disappointment to the higher ups and D. C. and New York are on hold for now with New York is looking for DCL to give it a green light.

Kind of surprised that VGC was a disappointment sales-wise given that it sold out in under 2 years? That makes me sad since I'm still hoping for a DLH DVC, or really any more DLR DVC availability that is non-Disney-Collection.

 

[disneynutz]

Kind of surprised that VGC was a disappointment sales-wise given that it sold out in under 2 years? That makes me sad since I'm still hoping for a DLH DVC, or really any more DLR DVC availability that is non-Disney-Collection.

Something happened with VGC.
Disney only built a very small number of units and I have been told by a couple of different sources that not all of the units were declared into the association. Disney really never pushed sales there like other properties and they really didn't advertise the project. It's almost like they decided that they made a mistake and decided not to spend any money selling it.

Bill

 

[quirty30]

I, too, see Hawaii as a only once or twice-in-a-lifetime type trip. I'm one of those people who can never take more than a week off at a time. If I only get a week and want a tropical locale, I'll probably visit the Caribbean (or drive to the Florida panhandle again - they're by far my favorite beaches ever, and that's comparing it to Jamaica and the Bahamas.)

Aulani really does look lovely - wish airfare from Chicago to Hawaii weren't so darned expensive.

 

[kjd469]

If you've never been to Hawaii, comparing it to any old Caribbean island does not hold true. We've travelled all over the Caribbean, and none of the islands comes close to the "feeling" that we get in Hawaii. We were thrilled to purchase at Aulani and are "going home" for the first time the day after Christmas, staying 5 nights, and then boarding NCL for their inter-island cruise (2nd time doing this cruise)...we get the best of both worlds - total relaxation on the beach and seeing the other islands as well.

That's the beauty of DVC....some locations will appeal greatly to some individuals for various reasons, and some locations will not be at all appealing for different reasons...I personally love the fact that not all of our DVC vacations will be at WDW and I think Hawaii is the perfect location. To each his own

 

[ACDSNY]

If you've never been to Hawaii, comparing it to any old Caribbean island does not hold true. We've travelled all over the Caribbean, and none of the islands comes close to the "feeling" that we get in Hawaii.

I was thinking the same thing, I've yet to find a place that compares to Hawaii. We're not ones to just sit around a resort and the islands offer so much to do you're never bored. When we were planning our first trip to Kauai in 2008 we thought it would be a one time trip. Not, we couldn't wait to go back in 2010. We're almost done with the planning for our next trip in Jan 2012, it started out with a week at Kauai, then we've traded VGC points for a week at the Westin on Maui and to top it off and not waste a good weekend we're trying to start the trip off with 3 nights at Aulani.

 

[CarnotaurDad]

I've got no problem visiting Aulani but doubt we will ever buy there. We LOVE Hawai'i and I am lucky enough to go every year to the Kona Brew Fest on the Big Island with my friends.

In addition, our family goes every other year for a week or so. We have been to Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island.

Our daughter was too young in 2006 to remember Oahu (which was the first island we went to) so we are going back in 2012. We will definitely try to use points at Aulani but will stay in Waikiki if it is not available.

I don't see us buying points there, though, because (as others mentioned) Oahu is not the only island to go to and we like to island hop. I hope this works for DVC but it definitely is a gamble (IMHO).

 

[csharpwv]

I - HATE - PACKING!

I hate packing to go on vacation, and I hate packing while on vacation to move to another hotel, and I HATE packing to come home!

I HATE PACKING!

So regardless of what I plan to do on a Hawaiian vacation, I would use Aulani as a home base, and take advantage of the tours and such that I'm sure the resort will have to offer.

Something that people quickly forget about Aulani is that is isn't going to be JUST a hotel/DVC resort.

Disney has NEVER built anything like Aulani off property. NOTHING.

Vero Beach would be the closest - but even VB stands far behind Aulani in what will be offered.

Aulani itself will be a resort destination. It will be the very first DVC resort to have its own lazy river! There will be a kids club! Spa, salon, and so MUCH more.

Don't write Aulani off just yet - I think we will all be surprised at the magic that Disney is bringing to the Pacific!

It has already been announced that Disney Cruise Line has one Hawaiian cruise planned, and I'm sure there will be more to come! Plus, they are even cross marketing Aulani to DCL passengers.

I wouldn't say "No, never, not me!" just quite yet!

I think there will be a ton of surprises in store for guests at Aulani!

We wouldn't buy there - we wouldn't even go every 3 years. We will definitely go at least once! But more than that would be pure speculation!

 

[chalee94]

Aulani itself will be a resort destination. It will be the very first DVC resort to have its own lazy river!

if stacy is on tv there talking about the "lazy people in the lazy river", then maybe i'll give it a chance...

 

[Anal Annie]

In the begining like many of you, I was excited at the possibility of taking a trip to Hawaii and staying at Aulani. After some thoughts to myself, I no longer feel a desire to stay at Aulani. When I think of a Hawaiian vacation, I think of seeing several of the islands. I do not think I want to stay at just one resort (Aulani). I would like to travel and see as much of the Hawaiian Islands as I can during my one day to be taken trip. I don't want to be tied down to just one resort. Not even sure what there is to see at The DVC location. If I want to sit at the beach for a week I will not travel all the way from NY to Hawaii. Just my thoughts.

But...but...but....DVC doesn't lock you into a set number of nights. You can spend as few or as many was you want. There's nothing stopping you from island hopping just because you stay a few nights at Aulani. I'm not following your logic on that one. What am I missing? There is a LOT more to do in Hawaii than just sit on a beach. I wouldn't travel 13 hours to go sit on a beach either. You can do that in New York or New Jersey or Delaware or Maryland.

As someone who visits Hawaii about once every 5 years and someone who ALWAYS, ALWAYS island hops I don't see why someone wouldn't want to stay at Aulani for a few nights before they begin island hopping?! We would never go to Hawaii and NOT island hop. It's too far and too expensive not to. We usually only spend 2 or 3 nights on Oahu but I could see spending 3 or 4 nights at Aulani since it will be more of a resort - we might enjoy it more than Waikiki. Hawaii deserves at least 10 nights tho. Each island deserves a visit (but you'd need more than 10 nights to visit more than 3 islands in one trip).

Using DVC for Oahu will save hotel money. We'll book the other islands thru Costco Travel or something but I'm really looking forward to hopefully being able to use points at Aulani... I happen to think that in comparison to a studio at VGC in the summer the Aulani points are a real bargain. We're hoping to go to Hawaii (Aulani & Maui) with a 3 night stop at DL next summer and I'm appalled at how point intensive a few nights at VGC will be. That bit HAS to be done on weekdays or FORGET IT.

Since I KNOW we'll be returning to Hawaii I would love to buy a small add-on at Aulani but doubt we can afford it. I do plan on seeing what the add-on incentives are on our DCL cruise this summer but I think they've priced themselves out of our price range. I think 40 or 50 points would go a long way for us there with banking & borrowing. With 40 points we could do an IV studio for 5 nights in the summer (when we typically vacation). Or a 1 bedroom std. view for 3 nights. Any day of the week we want to go. No premiums for what day of the week we want to visit. I love that idea! A studio at VGC over a weekend in August would cost us 90 points for 3 nights (32 + 32 + 26). Choke, choke, cough, cough. The same 3 nights in Magic season for a studio at Aulani for an OCEAN VIEW no less would only be 87 points. I'm not seeing Aulani as the one being the big rip-off with this scenario. Owning Aulani is just a dream for me. For now I have to hope we can get in at 7 months......but if I could own there I would. It would simplify my planning that's for sure.

 

[crisi]

If you've never been to Hawaii, comparing it to any old Caribbean island does not hold true. We've travelled all over the Caribbean, and none of the islands comes close to the "feeling" that we get in Hawaii. We were thrilled to purchase at Aulani and are "going home" for the first time the day after Christmas, staying 5 nights, and then boarding NCL for their inter-island cruise (2nd time doing this cruise)...we get the best of both worlds - total relaxation on the beach and seeing the other islands as well.

That's the beauty of DVC....some locations will appeal greatly to some individuals for various reasons, and some locations will not be at all appealing for different reasons...I personally love the fact that not all of our DVC vacations will be at WDW and I think Hawaii is the perfect location. To each his own

That's true, but the difference in feeling comes at such a premium for us in airfare cost and travel time that I don't see us making too many Hawaii trips. The Carribean or Mexico is a three hour easy flight for $300. Hawaii is nine hours for $800+. And extra eight hours of time in an airplane seat and $500 a person would require a lot more "aloha" to make up the difference (Hawaii is more expensive when you get there as well).

 

[bethy]

I am going to Aulani in December to sit on the beach for a week!

But then I live on the West coast and so the trip is shorter and more direct than it is to the Caribbean (where we've also been many times.) I have also travelled to all of the large Hawaiin islands numerous times.

The beaches of Hawaii and the Caribbean are actually very different both have pluses and minuses that are mutually exclusive to each other. Also the cultures are of course VERY different.

As far as point values I actually feel like I'm getting a bargain with DVC in being able to use points to pay for a one-bedroom versus paying $400 - $500 per night for a simple hotel room at a comperable resort. Hawaii is super expensive compared to Florida.

One of the biggest perks Hawaii has over most of the Caribbean is SAFETY and the fact that you are not isolated at your resort. It's also not as depressing as many of the Caribbean islands which are often (always?) third world countries. Also the food is safer and you don't have to deal with going through customs.

Don't get me wrong, the Caribbean is lovely too and has pluses over Hawaii but I'm sure looking forward to my trip in December!!!

 

[Sammie]

I honestly hope for DVC's sake, it is a huge success. Of course its failure would probably be reason for Disney to get rid of JL, but I would not wish the failure even on him.

The resort looks beautiful, but there are places in the Caribbean much closer and nicer, so I have to agree with the OP that it won't be one we will be visiting.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

I was thinking the same thing, I've yet to find a place that compares to Hawaii. We're not ones to just sit around a resort and the islands offer so much to do you're never bored. When we were planning our first trip to Kauai in 2008 we thought it would be a one time trip. Not, we couldn't wait to go back in 2010. We're almost done with the planning for our next trip in Jan 2012, it started out with a week at Kauai, then we've traded VGC points for a week at the Westin on Maui and to top it off and not waste a good weekend we're trying to start the trip off with 3 nights at Aulani.

You will love the Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas! My parents own 2 two bedroom units there. Every couple of years they invite the whole family -all their children and grandchildren. It has been great! The only downside for us is the airfare. The 15 hour flight costs a bundle and is so loooooooong. The rest of the family lives in California which makes for a much easier/cheaper trip.

Enjoy you Hawaiian vacation!!!!

 

[ACDSNY]

You will love the Westin Ka'anapali Ocean Resort Villas! My parents own 2 two bedroom units there. Every couple of years they invite the whole family -all their children and grandchildren. It has been great! The only downside for us is the airfare. The 15 hour flight costs a bundle and is so loooooooong. The rest of the family lives in California which makes for a much easier/cheaper trip.

Enjoy you Hawaiian vacation!!!!

Thanks! We're really looking forward to our first visit to Maui and we're in a 2 bedroom unit. It's kind of funny I found out after we secured our reservation that my Aunt & Uncle will be there at the same time. Our DS and DDIL will be with us too.

15 hour flight eek. That's like going to Austrailia for us. You'll just have to stop off at DL both way to break up the flight.