Aulani presentation at Pasadena Westin

[moredisneyplease]

Just wanted to report back on the DVC Aulani presentation I attended yesterday at the Westin in Pasadena, CA

I went with my two boys (3 & 6) and was greeted by loads of friendly DVC employees. I checked in, received DVC bags (grocery style) with a nice writing pad/pen/case combo. Then i checked the boys in to the Kid play area, which had drinks, snacks, crafts, games, puzzles, legos, movies, and other great distractions. They were both so excited which made me super excited! From here i went back to the presentation area.

The presentation was about 45 mins and consisted of a Ukelele player/singer, 3 amazing Hawaiian dancers, stories of Hawaiian culture/legends, Stitch, Mickey, pictures and videos from Aulani, and videos from Samantha Brown's visit to Aulani. They also talked about the power of our points here on the west coast (Disneyland area, hotels through Concierge collection, and Disney Cruise Line)

Of course they talked about specials on purchasing points there, which were ALL AKL (no Aulani). here were the specials: add on 100 and get each point for $106 (instead of $120) plus a $300 Visa gift card. Add on 150 and get each point for $104 (instead of $120) plus a $500 Visa gift card. Add on 200 and get each point for $100 (instead of $120) plus a $700 gift card. Add on 270 + and get each point for $98 (instead of $120) plus $1000 Visa gift card (I THINK) PLUS they were adding in a night at one of Disneylands big specialty suites

Good deals but not as GREAT as i've seen in the past.

when i went to get the kids (between presentation and party) they were having a blast! They made visors, sand art necklaces/bracelets/key chains, decorated their own little brown bag, and other such crafts. They had sooo much fun and didnt want to leave but when i told them there was a party in the other room they were eager to go see it.

After the presentation there was a party with Mickey, Minnie, Goofy (of course the party was Hawaiian/beach themed), and the Hawaiian dancers. There was shrimp rolls, skewers chicken, and a whole bunch of delicious fruit (black berries, blue berries, raspberries, strawberries, pineapple, watermelon, honey dew, cantaloupe) , water, and yummy Pineapple/Orange/Guava juice. Then there was dancing, pictures with the characters, and a bit of a "scavenger hunt" for the kids.......bring us a Disney receipt, a penny from 1960s, 50 cent piece, etc etc. they were giving away DVC metal water bottles, DVC frames, DVC car plate frames, DVC wallets, bags, etc etc. we came home with all kinds of swag.

When all was said and done they had the kids come sit with the characters and everyone sang "now its time to say good byyyyeeeee to all our companyyyyyy. " etc When it was time to leave we had been there for over 2 hours and the boys didnt want to leave!!! They asked to go back to the Kid area so they could play more and make more crafts

I came home with lots of DVC swag, no new points (I know too much about resale!!), boys with full bellies, and my mind on a trip to Aulani!

 

[newfamilyman]

Thanks for your report. We are signed up to go tonight, but I wasn't sure if were going to actually show up, having seen the Aulani presentation/show at the Disneyland hotel. Is it the same Samantha Brown video that they recently presented through the internet? Did you go to the afternoon show? Thanks again.

 

[kikiq]

We also attended the presentation Saturday. It was a good dose of Disney, DVC and Aulani. Even though we have seen previous Aulani presentations, we invited my DB and DSIL along with us. Our family is currently in discussion whether or not we keep our family condo in Honolulu or buy Aulani points or some other option.

Except for the blue bags with the old DVC logo, the new logo was used. We weren't sure how it would go with the presentation not being on property at DLH. BUT as we walked into the Westin, they had the new DVC logo lighted on the floor. The room was smaller than the ballroom at DLH but it didn't lack any of the atmosphere. We also received a new menehune. Looks like one of the stone menehunes on property that the kids can look for.

We did meet with our guide to ask a few questions about adding the Aulani points to one of our contracts OR getting a new master contract. Also asked about MF...which led to the discovery that they can only take "orders" for Aulani as of Saturday until "they" rewrite something for the state of Hawaii. The guides cannot take any money to purchase or to make a down payment. Which is why our presentation used AKV to present the incentives. Really didn't go into that with our guide because we had a laundry list of contract questions, number of people, new master contract, associate members and so on. We have some family decisions to make before we put any money into points.

BTW, the entertainment was top notch. The singer sang with his ukulele started out the program, honestly most of us thought it was recorded until he came down the middle aisle. The dancers...well, there was some nice "eye candy" for the ladies! Oh my goodness!

My DSIL was ready to buy points right there on the spot Until our family makes the final decision, we might just have to plan a trip to Aulani and hope we can book at 7 months.

 

[Castillo Mom]

We last Saturday as well but didn't add on. My niece had a great time and lots of one on one with the characters, definitely more character interaction than she's ever gotten at the parks.

 

[MamaDrama]

We were there on Sunday and met with a Guide. It was NEVER mentioned that they couldn't take money for Aulani right now so boy were we surprised when (after purchasing 220 pts) we got our contract saying AKV!!!! I called my guide and she contends she told DH we couldn't purchase Aulani and would be purchasing AKV but Dh says she said nothing of the sort. I am waiting to hear back from her. We are REALLY upset. We feel like we were victims of a bait and switch.

As west coasters, Aulani was a better fit for us. We only got to WDW every few years and are happy to stay at whatever resort we can get at the 7 month mark (we don't go at the busiest times).

 

[FigmentLady]

Wow, I really wish they would do something like this by me! Sounds like a nice time. I am jealous of the DVC swag!

 

[kikiq]

We were there on Sunday and met with a Guide. It was NEVER mentioned that they couldn't take money for Aulani right now so boy were we surprised when (after purchasing 220 pts) we got our contract saying AKV!!!! I called my guide and she contends she told DH we couldn't purchase Aulani and would be purchasing AKV but Dh says she said nothing of the sort. I am waiting to hear back from her. We are REALLY upset. We feel like we were victims of a bait and switch.

As west coasters, Aulani was a better fit for us. We only got to WDW every few years and are happy to stay at whatever resort we can get at the 7 month mark (we don't go at the busiest times).

Can you cancel the AKV purchase? I would cancel immediately and tell your guide that you only want to buy Aulani points when it clears the State of Hawaii. Our guide was very clear that she could not sell us Aulani points. She could only take our order for points to be able to get the presentation incentives for Aulani.