Aulani

[HappyontheLake]

DH and I own 300 points at BCV

We are wanting to surprise the kids with spring break at Aulani in 2012 -- but with the newness and it being spring break (March) for a good part of the country we figure it would be easier if we are owners.

I noticed that points at initial offering were $114 a point, with discounts starting at 50 points. Is it still the same? We always rent 2 bedrooms because with 4 kids we have no choice. We have gifted my parents studio stays at WDW before so the extra points will come in handy.

If we buy points is there any reasoning behind the number of points 25? 50?

If we buy 25 at Aulani and 25 at another WDW resort is there one better than another (we tried to get into the Treehouse Villas at SSR for spring break this year at the tail end of our cruise but no luck, thankfully we were able to get into a Savannah View at AKL Kidani)

 

[RobDoc]

DH and I own 300 points at BCV

We are wanting to surprise the kids with spring break at Aulani in 2012 -- but with the newness and it being spring break (March) for a good part of the country we figure it would be easier if we are owners.

I noticed that points at initial offering were $114 a point, with discounts starting at 50 points. Is it still the same? We always rent 2 bedrooms because with 4 kids we have no choice. We have gifted my parents studio stays at WDW before so the extra points will come in handy.

If we buy points is there any reasoning behind the number of points 25? 50?

If we buy 25 at Aulani and 25 at another WDW resort is there one better than another (we tried to get into the Treehouse Villas at SSR for spring break this year at the tail end of our cruise but no luck, thankfully we were able to get into a Savannah View at AKL Kidani)

It will only be easier to reserve at Aulani (or any other DVC resort) if you are able to use the 11 month reservation priority ... and you will only have that priority using the points owned at that specific resort. You could not combine Aulani points with your BCV points until 7 months.

Some purchase small add-ons with the intent of traveling every three years using current, banked and borrowed points for the reservation. A 50 point purchase would allow you 150 points to use every 3 years.

 

[HappyontheLake]

It will only be easier to reserve at Aulani (or any other DVC resort) if you are able to use the 11 month reservation priority ... and you will only have that priority using the points owned at that specific resort. You could not combine Aulani points with your BCV points until 7 months.

Some purchase small add-ons with the intent of traveling every three years using current, banked and borrowed points for the reservation. A 50 point purchase would allow you 150 points to use every 3 years.

Got it, I think what we will probably do then is look into praying for a 7 month reservation with a back up plan. We are not planning on spending that much money right now (4 kids -- 4 cars -- 4 college educations)

 

[bethy]

Got it, I think what we will probably do then is look into praying for a 7 month reservation with a back up plan. We are not planning on spending that much money right now (4 kids -- 4 cars -- 4 college educations)

This is what we are going to do too. We are going to try and book at 7 months for December 2011 but will have a back up plan for if it doesn't work out. There are hundreds of nice places to stay in Hawaii.

Personally I think Aulani will be fairly easy to book at 7 months once all the phases are open. It's HUGE and not in the most desirable location IMHO.

 

[DisWitt]

Check out the point charts, too. 50 points won't get you much time in a 2-bedroom unit during Spring Break.

 

[HappyontheLake]

Check out the point charts, too. 50 points won't get you much time in a 2-bedroom unit during Spring Break.

That is what DH and I are going to talk about -- we need 441 for an Island View (I refuse to look at a parking garage). For the length of a flight from Austin, we are staying a whole week. So if we do a full buy-in we need 150 points for a three year cycle and an 11 month booking, and might as well buy 160 and get the "tile" LOL.

I am going to look at what is available on an exchange -- we really want to take the kids to Hawaii as a surprise.