Confirmed!!!! Disney will build a Hawaii resort!!!

[WDWLVR]

We stayed in the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club Villas in February and loved it. All of the lagoons are beautiful and we were actually thinking of buying in there but didn't have the funds. Now if Disney is building a DVC there I can see us buying points and doing Hawaii every 3 years or so. Very cool!

 

[xterratri]

Maybe less than 30 miles distance from Waikiki but it will be a royal pain to get anywhere else on the island because the traffic infrastructure is severely overloaded for the Ewa-Koko Head stretch. There's the H1 and that often resembles a parking lot.

Personally I really didn't like that end of the island and it struck me as the slum beaches of Oahu. I much rather be on the North Shore or Waikiki area for vacation but I'm not a lay on the beach all day type of person. I was probably also more evaluating the area from the perspective of someone that might be living there for 3 years rather than tourist so that may have colored my opinion too. I had been rather hopeful that if Disney went HI, it would be to Maui or even Hawai'i. Oh well.

 

[Disney Hot Mama]

Here is a copy of what was just sent to a friend who works for Disney as an Imagineer. Not sure if the info below is the same as the other links



Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Announces Luxury Hotel in Hawaii
Date: 10/03/2007

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts is heading to Hawaii, following the announcement on October 3, that it has finalized plans to purchase 21 acres of oceanfront property on the island of Oahu.

The property, located on the island's western side in the picturesque Ko Olina Resort & Marina, Honolulu's premier resort destination, will be home to Disney's first mixed-use family resort outside of its theme park developments. The expansive resort, scheduled to open in 2011, will have more than 800 units including hotel rooms and villas for Disney Vacation Club.

"This resort will give our guests another way to visit an exciting part of the world with a brand they trust," said Jay Rasulo, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "In fact, Hawaii has been among our most requested Disney Vacation Club getaway locations beyond our theme parks. Thus, we are looking forward to building a special family resort that honors the cultural diversity of Hawaii and reflects the spirit of aloha that makes this location so unique."

Consistently ranked as one of the top family destinations in the world, Hawaii's natural beauty and extensive offering of family activities make it an ideal location for a Disney resort.

"Disney and Hawaii have something special in common, and that is the recognition of the importance of 'ohana,'" said Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle. When the resort is completed, it is anticipated to create more than 1,000 new jobs in Oahu with opportunities to develop long-term professional careers. Disney was recently named one of the top places to launch a career by Business Week magazine and is a competitive employer.

Disney Vacation Club

Part of the Disney resort in Ko Olina will be dedicated to Disney Vacation Club, a timeshare program that helps families enjoy flexibility and savings on vacations for decades to come. By becoming a member of Disney Vacation Club, families enjoy flexible vacations at Disney destinations worldwide as well as more than 500 other popular Member Getaways vacation locations around the globe.

Disney Vacation Club has grown to serve more than 350,000 individual members from more than 100 countries and all 50 U.S. states.

"We are delighted to create a place in Hawaii that our Disney Vacation Club members can call home," said Jim Lewis, president of Disney Vacation Club. "We know that both our existing members and new members will be thrilled about this resort in Ko Olina."

Design Work Celebrates Hawaiian Culture

Designs for the resort are still being finalized by Walt Disney Imagineers, who have been traveling extensively throughout Hawaii for the past several months as they garner ideas to develop a resort celebrating Hawaii's vibrant culture and rich heritage. The team is working closely with local cultural advisors, conducting research and exploring the region, building on a tradition that has long been a hallmark in the creation of everything from Disney films to Disney vacation destinations.

Plans for the resort are expected to be finalized and revealed in early 2008.

Disney's Long-Standing Love for Hawaiian Islands

While the announcement marks Disney's first resort development in Hawaii, the company's love affair with the islands began in the company's infancy with founder Walt Disney. From the 1937 Mickey Mouse animated short "Hawaiian Holiday" to the Hawaiian setting of Disneyland's groundbreaking Enchanted Tiki Room attraction, which debuted in 1963 and established the Audio-Animatronics art form, to the inclusion of Disney's Polynesian Resort at the Walt Disney World Resort, Walt often pulled inspiration from the popular islands.

Walt Disney Pictures continued the Hawaiian legacy in 2002 with the hit animated film "Lilo & Stitch," an original story about a Hawaiian girl who tames a seemingly untamable alien by teaching the meaning of "ohana," the Hawaiian tradition of family. The Walt Disney Company also does extensive film work in Hawaii, including on-location production for the hit ABC series "Lost." The feature film "Pearl Harbor" was also shot on location in Oahu.

"We are very excited about becoming part of the Ko Olina community," Jay said. "Clearly, Hawaii already has a special place in our hearts and in Disney's history. Building a resort in Hawaii is the next chapter in our effort to create immersive Disney experiences that allow families to reconnect and recharge in the areas of the world they most long to visit."

 

[isyt]

I knew this day would come. My plans are finally coming together. We have 1400 points so I figure with some GCV and Hawaii points I can spend a month here, there and everywhere!!!! Only 12 years to retirement!!

 

[JimC]

Very nice for west coasters. Have gone to Hawaii from east coast twice. Consider it a bit far for us unless you are going for two weeks. Price and dues for that one should be steep. We looked at Marriott properties there and decided it was an expensive investment and not worth it if we would not go each year.

 

[Cruiser1969]

There is an artist's rendering of the resort at but I don't remember how to paste it...can someone please do it:

http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Oct/03/br/br1567094328.html

Jen

Here it is ETA: Got too excited and didn't realize there was a whole other page after this post!!

An artist rendering of Disney's planned Ko Olina resort, to open in 2011.

 

[jmatias]

Here it is

An artist rendering of Disney's planned Ko Olina resort, to open in 2011.

Thanks for posting the pic.

To give an idea of the layout...

- the ocean is the blue in the bottom right corner with nice white sandy beach
- then there is a walkway/promenade that extends along the whole Koolina resort so you can walk along all the lagoons.
- the tall building on the right is perpendicular to the ocean, cant see if there is another tall building on the left due to coconut trees.

Aloha,
Jen

 

[shellbelle1971]

I'm bouncing up and down with excitement! How will I ever convince DH that we're going to need...MORE POINTS??

 

[jcodespoti]

I think its great for all you "left coasters"...a bit to far for me...I'd love to see a DVC in the southern Caribbean though.

Joe in CT

 

[kikiq]

We have a 1bdrm family condo in Honolulu, BUT this would be wonderful.
Now everyone can come to Honolulu and not have to sleep on the floor on pillows...my brothers can take the condo, I'll use my points and sleep in that king size bed<G>

hmmm, more points needed...GCV AND Hawaii!!

 

[NJOGRE]

NOW All I AHVE TO DO IS SAVE THE $850 each ticket to get my DVC loving self to HI

 

[DisneyBride'03]

I hear ya....RT from Chicago is pretty steep as well.....however....I will find a way!!!

 

[jmatias]

Better start raking up those frequent flyer points

Now....I'll finally be able to drive to a Disney resort....gotta love that!

Aloha,
Jen

 

[DisneyBride'03]

You may turn into the DVC on site photographer!!! Giving us updates on construction, etc!! lol...Groundbreaking is soon.....than just 3 years!! lol
You have been great with all the info..thanks!!

I will just keep going to Disney 2-3x a year for my miles ....oh....DH will love that!! lol

 

[lkohawaii]

This may be the wrong place to post...o.k. I live on this lovely island and have no acess to buy DVC now. When I was on the Magic I didn't have the time to go downstairs for the talk and was told I would have to go back to a Disney Property to purchase a unit. Now that they are coming to Hawaii..I'm interested in buying before they come...is the only way I can buy without traveling to L.A. a resale? Someone please tell me no...I want to buy one from Disney.

 

[jmatias]

Hi lkohawaii!

Good to talk to another Disney crazy person on the Island

Our first DVC purchase was resale b/c we couldn't buy from Hawaii.

Since the Disney Hawaii resort won't open until 2011, Disney will not be selling those points for some time.

I'm sure now that they announced the Hawaii DVC units they will start the process rolling on direct DVC purchases for locals...as for when that happens I don't know.

I'm sure this board will know when the Hawaii points will go on sale.

Aloha,
Jen

 

[lkohawaii]

Hi lkohawaii!

Good to talk to another Disney crazy person on the Island

Our first DVC purchase was resale b/c we couldn't buy from Hawaii.

Since the Disney Hawaii resort won't open until 2011, Disney will not be selling those points for some time.

I'm sure now that they announced the Hawaii DVC units they will start the process rolling on direct DVC purchases for locals...as for when that happens I don't know.

I'm sure this board will know when the Hawaii points will go on sale.

Aloha,
Jen

Thanks Jen...now on to my next quest...to be a Disney employee...maybe I can actually work for Disney without moving!!!!!
Is DVC operated by Disney or is it an outside company. I don't want to work for a company who "does" Disney. I need to work for them.
Yeah, I can keep on dreaming. Quit teaching to work for Disney...all my fellow educators will laugh..but hey, I tell my students they have to work for their dreams.

 

[ghost1000]

Woo woo - now I can get my Disney and ukulele fix at the same time

 

[Mililani Mouser]

Maybe one could work for Disney part-time or call-in? Would said employees get any Disney discounts??

 

[lkohawaii]

Maybe one could work for Disney part-time or call-in? Would said employees get any Disney discounts??

Hey, you must be up the street or down the street from me. I live in Mauka...Hey, part time or on call would be feasable...I always told everybody one day I'd work for Disney...just thought I'd have to wait for my kids to leave the house and I'd have to move to L.A. Now, maybe I can work right here at home for Disney.