Disney Hawaii (Ko Olina) Photo Update 4/7/09

[OurDogCisco]

These pictures are old from Nov 2006 when I stayed at the Ko'Olina. We will be going this Nov 2009 so, I'll have new pictures. I do agree with Golden Rose that the direct flight thing is SOOOOOOO nice even without kids. It makes the flight much more fun even from California. Here are pictures of the beach. I can't wait to go back and see how much has changed.

This is in front of the Ko'Olina Timeshare:

I hope it never loses this resorty feel...

 

[DiznyMagic]

Holy Cow with points like that we wont be going either - well atleast not on points Wow!

My guess is the point charts will be that high. They will probably only have Magic and Premier Seasons and VGC points for a 1BR are 390-463. 600 might be high, but I think Christmas week will be at least 500.



That logic didn't stop them at VGC. Highest DVC point chart and you can book offsite hotels within walking distance for $100/night. Still a better deal than paying GCH cash rates, even with AP discounts. Last I heard GCH was still about 90-95% occupancy rates.
I think points will depend on where they set their cash rates. Disney will have a Hawaii experience unique to Disney (even without a themepark), so they will probably be able to set their rates pretty high... Hopefully I'll be able to use my SSR/VGC points there at least once as I don't plan on adding on.

 

[bonrea]

We have wanted to take a tour of Pearl Harbor for years. The last of DHs uncles (the last of his entire father’s family) pasted away Easter Sunday morning. His uncle served in the Pacific Theater during WWII and was in Pearl Harbor for a while before his discharge. DHs Grandfather was in charge of rebuilding the electrical infrastructure of Pearl Harbor after the bombing. This location will be the perfect way to see the islands and to spend an entire day at Pearl. Keep the pictures coming!

 

[rparmfamily]

Great pictures! We were out there in March but we were down on the road so we really couldn't see what was going on behind the black curtains LOL!!!

The area up the coast (where the mountains are) is Waianae and I doubt most of you have any reason to go up there, except if you are doing one of the shark dives or scuba.

 

[jerseygal]

Got 4 more years to go! I'm sure it will be GORGEOUS!

 

[SoCalKDG]

I think the VGC charts are outrageous too and would rather not blow my points on it. I haven't compared them, but I'm sure our points would probably go further to "trade" for Paradise Pier. We would really just need a bed for the night. I definitely have a limit as to what's worth it. We have been very happy with the Outrigger chain on the Hawaiian islands...I'm not above going back to the Outrigger Waikiki for $200 / night or something if we want to go to Oahu for a couple of nights. We are "points challenged" so might consider a night or two at Ko'Olina during the week...but will have to give it serious consideration once they release the point charts. It's just my own hangup I guess but I have limits. We also would never use points for a 1 bedroom...so hopefully we could "afford" a studio. It will be interesting for sure!!

A studio is much cheaper than a 1 bedroom.

Paradise Pier runs approx. $165 per night with a deal(such as the current buy 3, get 2 free), plus $15 resort fee(parking and such) and another $20 for hotel taxes, giving you $200 per night. The VGC points chart in the summer gives you 23 points per night Sunday to Friday, or $161 per night at $7.00 per point. Go off season and its as low as $105 for a studio. Even renting points at $11 gives you $165 per night off season. I've stayed at the PPH and like it, but I'll take VGC over PPH every day of the year. Better themed, better location, better amenities, and cheaper

Thats just 50 units at VGC. Hawaii figures to be much larger. Even at the same points chart of summer, and I'll make the assumption all nights are the same price, its 195 for the week, or 28 per day giving us $195 night. Sounds good to me.

Now what about that rumor that Hawaii won't be linked with other DVC's?

 

[jmatias]

Now what about that rumor that Hawaii won't be linked with other DVC's?

Where did this come from?

 

[Anal Annie]

A studio is much cheaper than a 1 bedroom.

Paradise Pier runs approx. $165 per night with a deal(such as the current buy 3, get 2 free), plus $15 resort fee(parking and such) and another $20 for hotel taxes, giving you $200 per night. The VGC points chart in the summer gives you 23 points per night Sunday to Friday, or $161 per night at $7.00 per point. Go off season and its as low as $105 for a studio. Even renting points at $11 gives you $165 per night off season. I've stayed at the PPH and like it, but I'll take VGC over PPH every day of the year. Better themed, better location, better amenities, and cheaper

Thats just 50 units at VGC. Hawaii figures to be much larger. Even at the same points chart of summer, and I'll make the assumption all nights are the same price, its 195 for the week, or 28 per day giving us $195 night. Sounds good to me.

Now what about that rumor that Hawaii won't be linked with other DVC's?

We only stay in studios but I have a "price limit" as to what I think a studio is worth per night per point and where I would rather pay cash and preserve my points. Both BLT and VGC push that limit when I think about how far our points go at the other DVC properties. We often travel over weekends because time off is valuable so the Sun-Thurs factor does not entice me THAT much. Obviously, VGC is a far grander property to start with than PPH but we have stayed at PPH B4 and found it to be quite adequate for a few nights. We enjoyed it just fine.

ANYWAY, back to Ko'Olina...WHAT rumor about the Hawaii DVC not being "linked" to the others? Perhaps you're thinking about DCL? They have not said one way or the other if they will tie it into the Wonder once it moves to LA in 2011 'cuz they have not released any cruise itineraries for 2011 yet.

 

[SoCalKDG]

In the recent contracts signed for VGC I believe it mentioned Hawaii might not be linked to the rest of the DVC's. I'll have to review and see if thats where I saw the info.

 

[ACDSNY]

In the recent contracts signed for VGC I believe it mentioned Hawaii might not be linked to the rest of the DVC's. I'll have to review and see if thats where I saw the info.

It's standard language in all contracts for any resort that is not fully declared into DVC operation.

I had the same type of clause about VGC in my AKV contact and my VGC contracts had the clause for Hawaii.

 

[dahuffy]

Thanks for the update and great pictures. This might just force me to go to Hawaii some day

The last photo - wow!

Ditto!

 

[johnsonville5]

Great info - thanks alot.

 

[lillasmom]

Wow!!!!! I'm so excited about this resort. Thanks for the pics.

Only wish I could be there to see it myself.

 

[bonrea]

Anyone have any updated pictures of the Hawaii resort? Can't wait to see more.