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

[Mililani Mouser]

I'm 2 min from the Town Center. Just 'moved up' from Waipio, to be closer to Hanalani (kiddos go there). I have wanted to move to Anaheim since our first big trip in '04, but my local boy hubby refuses. I told him when the kids go to college in California (hint hint), I'm moving up with them. Ko'olina is a little drive from here, it might cost more in gas to get there than what you might get paid.

 

[jmatias]

Ha....We live in Hawaii Kai....about 40 minute drive out to Koolina. But I'm not complaining...usually its a 12 hour plane ride out to Orlando.

I also told my DH that maybe I'll go work for Disney. I always said that if I needed to get a different job it would be with Disney.

lkohawaii: Disney operates DVC so you would be a Castmember.

Can't wait for future announcements.

Aloha,
Jen

DH- I'm in. I will be selling the time shares. Drinking a lava flow in my Tommy Bahama shirt.

 

[lkohawaii]

Working for Disney in Hawaii no matter how far I have to drive is better than having to move to Anaheim or Orlando. I was thinking I'd have to do that when my kids left. I bet it's just one of those jobs that once you do it..it's not all that I've worked it up to be. I just want to know the insides and out of Disney. Like I want to be able to go under DL and see the city beneath (how elated I'll be if someone tells me somewhere there's a tour for that and you don't have to work for Disney-I'm just intrigued by the idea) Now, wonder if working for DVC would get me that benefit. A teacher at my school worked for WDW seasonaly..she said if you worked so many hours in a year you get a free annual pass.
I just want that Disney name tag...I know I'm Disney obsessed. Trying to figure out how I'm going to get to Hong Kong and Tokyo Disney..now that I've gone to WDW.
Glad to know that I'm not the only local living in Fantasyland. My friends here think I'm crazy.

 

[dianeschlicht]

YES!
This is the best news I've heard about DVC since AKV!!! Now I hope it isn't too late for me!!

My two favorite places to visit, WDW and HAWAII!!!!

 

[Maribel]

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

There's a picture with a better resolution on the press release posted at the DVC web site.

Here is the link. I don't know how to post the picture by itself.

https://secure.disney.go.com/dvc/miniSite/doorwayToDreams?id=HawaiianResortPressReleasePage

I personally won't be buying there, to far from me to go every year, but I will try to spend some time there in the future, when the kids are a little older and can stand the long flight, right now they are 3 and 1.

 

[Dman67]

This is great news! We were considering an MCVI purchase for this very reason, getting a chance to visit Hawaii on occassion. Now we'll just buy more DVC points instead.

 

[alldiz]

This is tooo exciting


It is far from the east coast.....but now I know without a doubt....
Hawaii is on the LIST
Kerri

 

[Desnik]

DH is doing the happy dance, me not so much! I really am hopping for CRV! Oh well, maybe some day. I just can't stand long flights! DH is ready to do another add on!!LOL Anyone know how long the flight is from NY to Hawaii? Also, how far is Disneyland from the new DVC in Hawaii? Any speculation on price per point/dues? How does that work with dues and a mixed used resort? I'm thinking if we did the add on we could combine a trip to Disneyland with Hawaii.

 

[ScooterL]

I wish it was on one of the other islands...Oahu is my least favorite. Not sure I will stay there unless I'm looking to just spend a week relaxing and not going anyplace else. The Ko Olina area has really gotten built up since the last time I was out that way! Lately the only time I've spent on Oahu is in the Honolulu airport on my way to Big Island or Maui!

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Non stop from BWI here in Maryland I think is 8 hrs. Most of the airfare has a layover in LA, I think the better rates stop over. Then factor in the time change, layover, you will be probably most of the day getting to Hawaii. When making your plans, I would factor in 2 whole days just for travel. I think the flight from LA to Hawaii is like 2 hrs.

 

[epicureangirl]

I wish it was on one of the other islands...Oahu is my least favorite. Not sure I will stay there unless I'm looking to just spend a week relaxing and not going anyplace else.

I agree -- Oahu is my least favorite too. However, Ko Olina is so peaceful (and unlike the Waikiki area) that I could be happy there for at least a week. Especially if you have young kids, the lagoons are ideal for swimming (safe, calm, clear) or just laying out on a floatee. I also like that Oahu is a non-stop flight from most places on the West Coast (Kauai I have to take an additional inter-island flight).

There is not a lot around of local restaurants and grocery shopping however (or maybe I wasn't looking in the right places?), so I don't know if it would be a great place for DVC'rs who may be on a budget (though, can you really fly to Hawaii if you're on a budget?!). I imagine you'd eat quite a few meals on-property, and you certainly wouldn't save any money eating at the Marriott.

 

[NJOGRE]

I think this DVC and the DVC in Ca is going to be a bigger hit for those on the west cost. To give more options. I can't seeing flying for like 16 hours from newark more then twice in my life. But if it was just a flight from CA then I would be all over it. I think you will see alot of west coasters there

 

[TLSnell1981]

Non stop from BWI here in Maryland I think is 8 hrs. Most of the airfare has a layover in LA, I think the better rates stop over. Then factor in the time change, layover, you will be probably most of the day getting to Hawaii. When making your plans, I would factor in 2 whole days just for travel. I think the flight from LA to Hawaii is like 2 hrs.

The flight from LA to Hawaii is OVER 5 HOURS!! I live in Memphis and this is why I have never been to Hawaii. It's over 11 hours from Memphis. I can go to Europe in less time.

I love Disneyland and with a DVC being built in Hawaii, I will defenitely go. This gives me a reason.

 

[Desnik]

I don't think I could ever do that long of a flight/travel time. Especially with kids. I am sweating the fact we are going to London next year and that flight is a lot less than going to Hawaii! I'll have to convince DH to forget it and just keep hopping for CRV! Thanks for the info. I am still curious about the price per point and dues.

 

[NJOGRE]

I kind of wish they put the DVC in Mexico much cheaper to get to for both coasts and theh flight is only 3-4 hours for most people. DVC CANCUN OR DVC COZUMEL would get me to buy in right away

 

[JimC]

Good article in the Orlando Sentinel on the expansion.

 

[erikthewise]

I agree -- Oahu is my least favorite too. However, Ko Olina is so peaceful (and unlike the Waikiki area) that I could be happy there for at least a week. Especially if you have young kids, the lagoons are ideal for swimming (safe, calm, clear) or just laying out on a floatee. I also like that Oahu is a non-stop flight from most places on the West Coast (Kauai I have to take an additional inter-island flight).

There is not a lot around of local restaurants and grocery shopping however (or maybe I wasn't looking in the right places?), so I don't know if it would be a great place for DVC'rs who may be on a budget (though, can you really fly to Hawaii if you're on a budget?!). I imagine you'd eat quite a few meals on-property, and you certainly wouldn't save any money eating at the Marriott.

Oahu is not a bad choice for first time visitors. I agree I would have liked to have seen it on another island, but if it had to be on Oahu, Ko Olina is a very good location. Although it is isolated as you point out. Until the area gets a little more development, it will be a matter of buying groceries on the way, drive 10-15 miles each way for reasonably priced restaurants, or eat on site for a bundle.

Other islands have other issues. In particular the big island (my favorite) has a limited population, i.e. limited labor pool, and is already seeing a lot of development. In particular there may not have been any good sites left at Waikoloa. These factors may have influenced Disney's decision.

 

[rparmfamily]

There is so much development going on out on the Leeward side. Thousands of homes being built, Target planned,etc so this is THE side of the island for Disney. The North Shore area is too controversial and the rest of the island is already developed.

I think you guys give O'ahu a bad rap, sure it's not as quiet as the other islands but it's not called "the gathering place" for nothing! The bulk of vacationers come here and most of the population lives here. Ko'olina is far enough away from the hussle and bustle of Honolulu/Waikiki to give vacationers the sense of being in Hawai'i.

Maybe Disney will help fund some of the infrastructure, that's what's REALLY lacking on the drive out there. Traffic is horrible going Ewa to town. Actually, traffic is bad anywhere around Honolulu and especially during rush hour. Of course 800,000 people LIVE here plus the ave 80,000 tourists a day does make the roads get clogged up...

Maybe Disney avoided the other islands because of they wouldn't be welcomed? The whole Superferry thing has really brought out a lot of resentment towards growth, tourists, even an island vs island thing.

DH and I are SUPER excited...being DVC owners already and being here. I think it's a perfect fit!

 

[epicureangirl]

I'm only a "little" excited about my first Hawaiian "Welcome Home"...

 

[icydog]

We flew non-stop from Newark to Honolulu and then on to Kauai on a Hawaiian Air commuter flight. We flew first class both ways using our miles on Continental. It was so worth the mileage because of the lenght of the trip. Even in first it was difficult for me, I have foot and leg problems, and I would never consider it in coach. I would shoot myself rather than go than far, and that many hours, on an airplane with kids. I think a better solution would be to go to the new DVC at Disneyland and then after a few days go on to HI.

That part of the Island is not like Waikiki. It is not developed and there are no major stores there yet. It is just wonderful there and if you like shrimp you are in the right place. As you drive on the road to the resort you will find many shrimp stands selling freshly caught shrimp to you on picnic tables. Dole has its plantation there and you can get the most delicious pineapple in the world, not for export, at their store. In fact we ate so much pineapple during our ten day trip my mouth got sores on it from all the ascorbic acid.

Now, hopefully, I can trade into the Marriott Ko Olina using one of my Marriott weeks (or DVC exchange) and then stay at DVC for the next week. Maybe 12 days would be enough, 5 nights at DVC and 7 nights at the Marriott.

I just called my DVC guide and told him we definetly want to buy into the new resort. He told me it is 4 years from being built and sales will start in 3 years. I wish DVC had the nerve to do this earlier but even at 61 I am excited with the prospect of a DVC resort in HI.

Marylyn

PS I, too, would have liked to have the Contemporary as the next resort location. I live in New Jersey it only takes 2.5 hours to get there.