DVC Hawaii

[CaliforniaDreamn]

We just returned back from our family vacation at Disney World in Florida.

While we were there we purchased a DVC package of 410 points in Hawaii. The resort will not even open until 8/29, but we were told it is most definitely sold out for this year.

We are extremely new to the world of vacation clubs and we're not sure just how it works. I'm grateful for this site, it has helped tremendously!!

One thing I'm still not sure of is, can we still purchase the meal plan card (deluxe or otherwise) AND can we still purchase park hopper passes?

Do they discount them and if so, how much?

Thanks in advance for any help you may be able to provide.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

Welcome home!

DVC members who own at Alunai are able to book reservations as far as 11 months from now. I can't attest to what availably there is, but have read recent threads about people getting bookings. I think the statement that it's booked solid for the next year may bear some further investigation with Member Service once you're in the system.

At WDW, DVC members can purchase several of the various dining plans. Unlike getting it as part of a Magic You Way vacation package at non-DVC resorts, DVC members do not need to purchase park tickets in order to get a dining plan. The dining plan prices are not discounted. Quick-Service, Regular, and Deluxe plans are all available to DVC members. The premium plan is not available to us.

There is no discount on Magic Your Way tickets for DVC members. The only discounts on tickets are for Annual Passes, Premium Annual Passes, Water Park one-day admissions, and special ticket events like Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party. You can, of course, still purchase Magic Your Way tickets from Disney at full price. Because there is no discount when getting them directly from Disney, many on here use a discount ticket broker called Undercover Tourist. If you sign up for a free newsletter from www.mousesavers.com, there is a special link that gets you an additional discount off Undercover Tourist's already-discounted prices.

 

[Disneycouple99]

You can still get any of the Dinning Plan at the standared price. You are free to buy tickets from any source you like. Many use Undercover Tourist for discounted tickets or get 100 dollars of an AP from Disney.

 

[CaliforniaDreamn]

Thanks BOPDave!!!

This is awesome information! I just signed up for the free newsletter.

Yes, I will double check on availability for Hawaii once we are in the system. I'm not sure how long that takes. We just signed up today.

Our sales agent at Disney told us they were sold out in Hawaii for this year, but it would be great if she was mistaken.

Again, thank you so much!

 

[CaliforniaDreamn]

Thanks Disneycouple99!! Yes, it looks like the Undercover Tourist is going to be my new best friend!

 

[disneydenisel]

Thanks BOPDave!!!

This is awesome information! I just signed up for the free newsletter.

Yes, I will double check on availability for Hawaii once we are in the system. I'm not sure how long that takes. We just signed up today.

Our sales agent at Disney told us they were sold out in Hawaii for this year, but it would be great if she was mistaken.

Again, thank you so much!

Welcome home and congratulations !

You should ask your guide to check availability if you are thinking of Aulani for this year. I have read that some guides can do some "magic" and help you with a reservation. Usually if you buy direct from Disney, the points show up pretty quickly. In any case, your guide should be able to help you book a villa for a time that you would like to travel, especially if you have just spent all that money on your membership .

 

[CaliforniaDreamn]

LOL!!! I worked on her for two days trying to get in. I even delayed signing until the day we were leaving to see if she could come up with some. But so far nothing! :-(

I went ahead and signed today just so we would not lose the incentives that were offered as long as we were still guests on vacation. But, she did say she would keep an eye open for something for us.

I'll keep my fingers crossed.

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I just realized I mis-read your post. I thought you meant there was nothing available for the next year (as in fully booked for the next 12 months). That's what I was skeptical of. Looks like you're talking about 'this year' as in before the end of December. I can see how the resort could be booked completely for the first 4 months it's open.

 

[ACDSNY]

Welcome Home!

Once DVC has your deposit they'll get you in the system so you can call Member Services and check on availability. You don't have to wait until the closing process is completed to make your first reservation.

There was a report earlier today of someone changing their December reservation to a different view with no problem so you might have some luck.

 

[htmlkid]

Just curious what kind of deal did you get???

 

[bethy]

Welcome Home!

Once DVC has your deposit they'll get you in the system so you can call Member Services and check on availability. You don't have to wait until the closing process is completed to make your first reservation.

There was a report earlier today of someone changing their December reservation to a different view with no problem so you might have some luck.

That was me who just yesterday easily booked a 1 bedroom villa for a week in December. There was no mention of it being a tough reservation. You just spent a ton of money and there are a lot of villas at Aulani. Phase II of the construction is running ahead of schedule. I would push back very firmly on your guide about getting you a villa later in 2011 if you want it. I really think they should be able to make that happen in your case.

Also, if worst comes to worst you can always waitlist. For example I know I freed up a 1 bedroom Island view villa for Dec 11-18 yesterday.

GL and Welcome home!

 

[CaliforniaDreamn]

That was me who just yesterday easily booked a 1 bedroom villa for a week in December. There was no mention of it being a tough reservation. You just spent a ton of money and there are a lot of villas at Aulani. Phase II of the construction is running ahead of schedule. I would push back very firmly on your guide about getting you a villa later in 2011 if you want it. I really think they should be able to make that happen in your case.

Also, if worst comes to worst you can always waitlist. For example I know I freed up a 1 bedroom Island view villa for Dec 11-18 yesterday.

GL and Welcome home!

Thanks for the update!

I see they have not cashed my deposit yet but as soon as they do, I will see if anything is still open. I'm hoping for a 1 bedroom with an ocean view. But, I'm thinking for this year it might be hard to come by.

Since it's hard to get a refundable airline ticket, at a good rate, at the last minute, I don't think we can do a wait list. So if we can't get in there this year, we will just use the points at one of their other partner resorts. We are thinking about seeing how far our points will get us at the GW in Maui.

 

[slum808]

It seems from your other thread that you purchased a March UY. If this is the case, you will not have any points to use until March 2012. Aulani opens on Aug 31 2011, so there are no March 2011 points. You might be able to borrrow from your 2012 UY if you can find an open reservation prior to March.

 

[Breyean]

It seems from your other thread that you purchased a March UY. If this is the case, you will not have any points to use until March 2012. Aulani opens on Aug 31 2011, so there are no March 2011 points. You might be able to borrrow from your 2012 UY if you can find an open reservation prior to March.

We bought Aulani last month, June UY (we were already DVC members).

We got 2011 points BUT we couldn't USE them for a reservation starting until after Aulani opened. We could make a reservation using them, and already have, but the date of the start of the say had to be after the Aulani opening.

 

[slum808]

Wow! That's different from the info circulated on previous threads. I'd hate to buy in only to wait almost a year to get any points.

 

[wildernessDad]

Wow! That's different from the info circulated on previous threads. I'd hate to buy in only to wait almost a year to get any points.

This is the same situation as for AKV when it first opened.

 

[Brancaneve]

Just curious what kind of deal did you get???

Yes inquiring minds want to know!

 

[Greysword]

Dreamin', I recommend calling your guide and asking them to make the reservation for you. They can usually find a way to make it happen, probably by using a cash room. They do this as a one-time thing for new owners.

 

[Sammie]

Dreamin', I recommend calling your guide and asking them to make the reservation for you. They can usually find a way to make it happen, probably by using a cash room. They do this as a one-time thing for new owners.

the OP tried that:

LOL!!! I worked on her for two days trying to get in. I even delayed signing until the day we were leaving to see if she could come up with some. But so far nothing! :

 

[Sammie]

Thanks for the update!

I see they have not cashed my deposit yet but as soon as they do, I will see if anything is still open. I'm hoping for a 1 bedroom with an ocean view. But, I'm thinking for this year it might be hard to come by.

Since it's hard to get a refundable airline ticket, at a good rate, at the last minute, I don't think we can do a wait list. So if we can't get in there this year, we will just use the points at one of their other partner resorts. We are thinking about seeing how far our points will get us at the GW in Maui.

You may find that using your points to exchange out of DVC is going to be even more difficult. If your agent told you that all those properties on the list are easy to get, you will learn your first lesson in DVC, that agents tell you what they want you to hear and sometimes it is not factual.

They will also tell you that you won't have any trouble booking a nonhome resort at 7 months, that is also not always true.