Aulani - with current incentives......

[macman123]

Im always on the hunt for decent value points.

Now AUL with current incentives seems very good.

For example 300 points $201pp less $68pp = $133pp direct.

SSR currently going for around that level resale. I currently have 350 points direct so I don't need the blue card.

But to have more 'unrestricted' points seems very appealing

What are folks thoughts on AUL? Is it like SSR in that it doesn't get the love it deserves?

 

[mcnugget15]

We are also interested in buying direct at Aulani. Where did you find this info about this offer?
I can only find a much lower discount on the Disney DVC page

 

[macman123]

Depends on whether you are new or exiting member.

existing tend to have better offers

 

[CarolynFH]

What are folks thoughts on AUL? Is it like SSR in that it doesn't get the love it deserves?

Well, with SSR you can book at 11 months, try to modify to a different resort at 7, and still be at WDW no matter whether you could switch or not. If you own Aulani and the WDW resorts are all booked at 7 months, will you be happy going to Hawaii? Might depend on villa size and view that you normally want, as to chances of 7 month availability.

 

[princesscinderella]

I think it’s the dues long term that make AUL less attractive. Beach properties require so much more maintenance due the corrosive nature of the salt air. Look at how high the dues are at HHI and VB.

 

[Paul Stupin]

Im always on the hunt for decent value points.

Now AUL with current incentives seems very good.

For example 300 points $201pp less $68pp = $133pp direct.

SSR currently going for around that level resale. I currently have 350 points direct so I don't need the blue card.

But to have more 'unrestricted' points seems very appealing

What are folks thoughts on AUL? Is it like SSR in that it doesn't get the love it deserves?

Unless you plan on going there, and using the 11 month window, the high dues are kind of a deal breaker. I own some direct points there, but we live in LA and love the resort. It’s not a good idea to use it for SAP points.

 

[Dobermanns]

I think AUL is just harder for folks to get to, unless they are on the west coast. As far as using the AUL points as SAP to book WDW at 7 months, it might be tough at popular times of the year, but not impossible.
If you love AUL and plan on using the points primarily at AUL, and only occasionally at WDW or even VGC (booking 1-bedroom at high point season right at 7-months), then it’s a great deal. We had 50 points there with the intent of going every 2-3 years. For whatever reason never did and I was able to use the points at WDW. Then after our first trip there, hubby who doesn’t really care about where he stays said AUL was his favorite of all the DVC resorts, and would like to go annually. So we picked up a 120 point resale at $130 a couple months ago. Not the best resale price, especially compared to the current $133 direct.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I think AUL is just harder for folks to get to, unless they are on the west coast. As far as using the AUL points as SAP to book WDW at 7 months, it might be tough at popular times of the year, but not impossible.
If you love AUL and plan on using the points primarily at AUL, and only occasionally at WDW or even VGC (booking 1-bedroom at high point season right at 7-months), then it’s a great deal. We had 50 points there with the intent of going every 2-3 years. For whatever reason never did and I was able to use the points at WDW. Then after our first trip there, hubby who doesn’t really care about where he stays said AUL was his favorite of all the DVC resorts, and would like to go annually. So we picked up a 120 point resale at $130 a couple months ago. Not the best resale price, especially compared to the current $133 direct.

Many regard Aulani as the most beautiful DVC resort. We always have so much fun staying there!

 

[macman123]

I tend to stay in 1BR’s so booking 7 months out is not usually an issue

 

[RoseGold]

I am tempted by this math for sleeparound points, but I just don't trust Aulani. I wouldn't be surprised at all if DVC announces tomorrow they are selling this property.

And I plan to resell, and this isn't the resort I want when it's time for me to sell. I'd rather have old, stable SSR.

Gotta say the sleeparound value is there for unrestricted points!

 

[Tmarmac]

Can DVC sell one of it's properties? Asking as an Aulani owner...

 

[macman123]

Can DVC sell one of it's properties? Asking as an Aulani owner...

I can't see how they can. You have purchased the ownership. I think they need to wait until deed expires

 

[Blizzyblizz]

Aulani has long been a steal and one of the cheapest ways to get points anywhere. People don't talk about it nearly as much, but it's right up there with SSR in terms of value. To get direct points for $133 w/ 40 years left and dues in the mid-$8 range is the best deal out there.

We own mostly at Aulani but use the points in Florida all the time - have stayed at BLT, VGF, AKL, Poly, VGC all on Aulani points. And resorts like SSR and OKW have availability at 7 months pretty much year round, so I don't see any advantage of owning SSR over AUL. Plus owning at AUL gives you the option of spending Christmas in Hawaii if you want to.

Aulani has been around for ~10 years now, and it's dues are pretty well established. They go up steadily over time just like every resort, but they are never going to reach HH or Vero levels because it's a much larger resort (so costs are spread out more) and because southwest Oahu has far fewer damage-causing storms than the east coasts of Florida and South Carolina.

I think you have found the sweet spot - the $68 discount for buying 300+ points is a total bargain. If I was looking to get more direct points, I would absolutely go for this deal.

 

[RoseGold]

I can't see how they can. You have purchased the ownership. I think they need to wait until deed expires

Read your documents, there’s a whole lot they can do.

 

[macman123]

We own mostly at Aulani but use the points in Florida all the time - have stayed at BLT, VGF, AKL, Poly, VGC all on Aulani points. And resorts like SSR and OKW have availability at 7 months pretty much year round, so I don't see any advantage of owning SSR over AUL. Plus owning at AUL gives you the option of spending Christmas in Hawaii if you want to.

What type of rooms do you usually book? I would be after 1BR's

 

[poofyo101]

hoping for some RIV increased incentives....

 

[fgaini]

At this price I would consider it. MF are the down side, but future resort availability may justify the 15-16 USD more than resale

 

[Great3]

At this price I would consider it. MF are the down side, but future resort availability may justify the 15-16 USD more than resale

Never would I thought that going direct will almost be the same price as resale. Unless you can find a subsidized Aulani contract, there's almost no reason to buy Aulani resale right now over direct given this small price difference.

Great3

 

[Cleeevus]

I snagged Aulani for $77 per point resale last year and I'm kicking myself for not buying more then! I'm west coast so Aulani makes sense for me but more than just visiting, it fetches a decent amount per point on the rental market and it is not uncommon to have renters seeking 200+ points for one stay. I think Aulani is a great value.

 

[macman123]

The issue is this - unless you are booking a resort from 8-11 months then you might as well use the most 'economical points that you have.

No point using VGF points to book, say BLT within 7 months.

But you would use, SSR points. Thats why I am thinking AUL.

Yes, its not at WDW, but with the current incentives, even SSR at the moment resale is around $130pp.

I buy AUL and get Aug 2021 points in full which can be banked.