For those going to Aulani presentations...

[Longhairbear]

We went to the Thursday afternoon DVC Aulani event.
They mentioned network vs. destination vacationers. Also mentioned VGC are almost sold out, with 2 use years already sold out. They said VGC is the best buy right now, depending on how you plan vacations.
Aulani price was going up this fall. Various incentives were pretty good, as low as $101 per point. Also another incentive included Disney to pay for a full year annual dues for 2012 I think.

 

[lilpooh108]

Just got back from the Aulani event. Some side notes:

The two hosts began by pronouncing the name for us as Ou lani (as in ouch!) Then throughout the presentation they called it Oh lani and Uh lani! (Even they could not get it right everytime!)

The video presentation featured imagineer Joe Rody (not sure I'm spelling it right.) It was very distracting to look at him because he has a big dangling earring that obviously has been in his ear for many years...his earlobe on that side is HUGE. His ear looks like wax that has melted. I'm sure many of you will recognize him as he has been on every Travel Channel Disney show.

I thought the presentation was very well done. I attended at 9:00 am and when it started there were perhaps 40 people there. The group grew to about 60-70. Very low pressure to buy. You only met with a sales person if you wanted to.

The pin is cool. The menehune is cute.

The last thing that caught my attention is that Disney is approaching this resort as if they were building a new park. By that I mean that time, energy and care was spent to help the guests feel as though they are in an old Hawaiian village or composite of villages. Much like I feel when I go to New Orleans Square at Disneyland, or Animal Kingdom Lodge. Sort of like the hotel is being built around a small, low key hawaiian Disney park . Rather than what usually happens where a hotel is built then the landscaping is an afterthought.

I am not going to buy points there, but hope to be able to book at 7 months.

Thanks for the recap! We're leaving in about 45 minutes for the 7pm event...gonna meet some friends (non members) there and I'm hoping they'll enjoy the event. We're pretty excited about the presentation, but are looking forward to the Hawaiian Mickey & Minnie for our little one I also hope they give us one gift each instead of one per family.

BTW I think it's supposed to pronounced the "ouch" way (like ow-lani), since kau kau is pronounced almost like cow-cow (which means to eat). (My boss is Hawaiian.) Now that you mention it, I'll try to notice to see if the presenters say it consistently. I have a hard time reading the words when I'm in Hawaii. I think one time I pronounced Ka'anapli like konopoly (think monopoly) and people were rolling on the floor laughing. Anyway, I'll report back on all the festivities as soon as I get in..

 

[rparmfamily]

Ow-lani sounds right, same vowel combo as Maui.

 

[kikiq]

Thanks for the recap! We're leaving in about 45 minutes for the 7pm event...gonna meet some friends (non members) there and I'm hoping they'll enjoy the event. We're pretty excited about the presentation, but are looking forward to the Hawaiian Mickey & Minnie for our little one I also hope they give us one gift each instead of one per family.

We'll be there...as of now, look for the cute little Asian baby named Liliana with the "WOC fountain" ponytail on top of her head. I think she's wearing a Lilo shirt from the Poly. Have to get into the "mood"

 

[lilpooh108]

We'll be there...as of now, look for the cute little Asian baby named Liliana with the "WOC fountain" ponytail on top of her head. I think she's wearing a Lilo shirt from the Poly. Have to get into the "mood"

How cute! DD is napping right now since we'd like her to have a good time while we're there Still trying to find something tropical for her to wear . . .

 

[kikiq]

How cute! DD is napping right now since we'd like her to have a good time while we're there Still trying to find something tropical for her to wear . . .

Take that back, my DD says she changed her to something else. Probably her Mickey shirt.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Personally, I am hopeful that all of the locals (I've noticed several here) will start a thread about all of the things around the island that would be fun for first time visitors. That would be terrific!!!

If y'all do it, we'll send you lots of

 

[lilpooh108]

No fee for the DVC Events. Here's a summary:

Started with a 50 minute show/presentation
- watched "Hawaiian Holiday"
- funny host named "Tim/Stan" provided comic relief
- Hawaiian music, singing, and hula dancing (excellent!)
- videos provided a lot of detail about design, art, architecture, dedication to Hawaiian heritage. heard a lot from the head designer (Joe, who designed much of Animal Kingdom)
- received individual "Menehunes" - little mini tiki guys that will be located throughout the resort for kids to find (they described them as mischevious mystical characters)
- received a DVC pin, DVC portfolio, and DVC tote bag
- 2 DVC guides guided the show and provided pricing info, discounts, and dues
- model was in the lobby with CMs standing by to ask questions

after the show, there was a reception - food, drinks, photos with Hawaiian Mickey and Minnie, DJ, etc. There was also a very well done kids club area

Overall, I thought it was a great event. I thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a lot about the resort. It also wasn't that crowded, which made it quick and easy to sit down with my guide to sign the agreement for the add-on.

Just got back from the 7pm event. The previous poster did a great job detailing the event. There's not much to add. One bit of "new" info (at least for me). They clarified that the minimum level to get 2012 MFs for free is a 100 add-on.

The presentation itself was slightly cheesy, and the "script" was sometimes embarassing to watch (a little like watching infomerical people speak to each other). I will second PP's thoughts on the dancing though---the 3 hula dancers were awesome! They provided much needed relief in between "segments" of the live presentation (which I found really lacking). There was a Hawaiian singer, ukelele player and the 3 hula dancers. They really helped out the show.

The video bits from the designer of Aulani was great and very informative. They only showed pics that we have already seen---pics of construction, pics of the model room. That was slightly disappointing since I thought there may be new "reveals" or pics we've never seen.

They also did not sell the "Disney" aspect of it (which I thought was weird). Only minor references to character dining and there was barely mention of the kids club activities. I brought along non member disney fans (who were looking to perhaps purchase points), and they were disappointed. I would have liked more info on what sets Aulani apart, especially since the JW Marriott (with great service) is right next door.

The food was really really really good and they were quite generous. Waiters literally brought pan after pan of shrimp skewers and teriyaki chicken wings (these were soooo good). Fresh blueberries, rasberries and other fruit completened the apps. A pretty good punch and coffee and tea selection. (My brother got married at DLR hotel, and I was in charge of ok'ing the food for the cocktail hour so the food costs were prevalent in my mind while eating today )

Anyways, overall a solid B+, but I wished there was more touring of the resort, more pictures, more video presentation and more "Disney" put into the presentation. Lots of fun though. My DD had a great time with Mickey and Minnie (they were quite generous with their time too, for being a free event).

Oh yea, freebies were all the same.

 

[Longhairbear]

I forgot to mention that at Aulani, for the kids, they will show a movie every time it rains. But as Aulani is on the dryer side of the island, Disney will make it rain on cue.

 

[FigmentLady]

I will pay $5 bucks to get one of those pins!! PM me if anyone want to give up their pin!!! Please!!

Haha I was going to say the same thing. I just checked ebay a little while ago and was not happy with what I found.

 

[rparmfamily]

Personally, I am hopeful that all of the locals (I've noticed several here) will start a thread about all of the things around the island that would be fun for first time visitors. That would be terrific!!!

If y'all do it, we'll send you lots of

I think we can make that happen sometime LOL.

Just tonight for dinner we drove up to the North Shore (town called Hale'iwa)and got garlic shrimp from one of the shrimp trucks. Grabbed some shave ice in town and went to the beach and watched the sunset.

 

[LouisianaDisneyFan]

Haha I was going to say the same thing. I just checked ebay a little while ago and was not happy with what I found.

The person who posted that auction should give you a commission. I bet you just quadrupled (or more) the traffic and ending price for that auction. Everybody reading this is going to want one and bid!!!

Tip: Our guide said they will be giving these out in Cali for quite a while. Wait before buying. The price is so high because the pin is one day old. You'll regret spending so much when they are plentiful and the price drops.

I think we can make that happen sometime LOL.

YAY!