I just toured Aulani this weekend. Any questions?

[Disneyfriend]

We went to our first DVC presentation this weekend at the Aulani. I just wanted to offer to answer any questions about the property. (Not that I'm an expert now, but perhaps can answer a few basics.)

We toured a 2 BR villa and thought it was lovely. Unfortunately, we didn't get to actually tour any other part of the property.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Any indication on how sales are going?

What did you think of the area?

 

[ToddyLu]

Are the grounds lush?? Did you see the cool lazy river that I have seen in the artist drawings. How many people were in your group or was it just you guys??

 

[wink13]

Did they indicate how many Oceanview rooms will be available in Phase I? Also, is an Oceanview really an oceanview or if you lean out on your balcony you might be able to see the Ocean?

Don't know if they covered any of this but thought I might ask.

 

[Disneyfriend]

Any indication on how sales are going?

What did you think of the area?

Sales are apparently going *very* well, particularly to citizens of Japan. I truly don't think this was a high pressure thing to tell us, because I happen to know someone who sells Marriott timeshares at Ko Olina and he says the exact same thing.

I personally love the Ko Olina area and have for eight years. Now, it is obviously very far from Waikiki (realistically 45-60 minutes during most traffic). But I love the beaches there, particularly because the manmade lagoons are great for children. There aren't a *ton* of restaurant options, but I'm sure that will be improving with time.

 

[Disneyfriend]

Are the grounds lush?? Did you see the cool lazy river that I have seen in the artist drawings. How many people were in your group or was it just you guys??

I didn't get to see many of the grounds; most of it is fenced off and literally guarded. We had to see artist renderings just like every one else. The only thing we got to do was ride a golf cart to the edge of the property and walk through the beautiful 2 BR villa.

Our tour group was just our immediate family, but there were three or four tour groups there at the time.

 

[Disneyfriend]

Did they indicate how many Oceanview rooms will be available in Phase I? Also, is an Oceanview really an oceanview or if you lean out on your balcony you might be able to see the Ocean?

Don't know if they covered any of this but thought I might ask.

We did not get into numbers of Oceanview rooms.

But the resort is located basically oceanside, and obviously designed so that a fairly high percentage of rooms will have an ocean view (kind of like AKL is designed to maximize animal viewing ). So I think that most "ocean view" rooms will have a truly amazing ocean view. As you may know, Ko Olina is located on the west coast of Oahu and therefore offers some amazing sunsets.

 

[Captain Hindsight]

So how many points did you buy?

 

[wdrl]

Did they indicate how many Oceanview rooms will be available in Phase I? Also, is an Oceanview really an oceanview or if you lean out on your balcony you might be able to see the Ocean?

Don't know if they covered any of this but thought I might ask.

It appears that there will be 30 two-bedroom Ocean View villas in Aulani's Phase 1. The Ocean View villas are on floors 6 through 16 (there is no 13th floor at Aulani).

Both the Aulani Point Chart and its Master Declaration of Condominium have disclaimers about the Island, Pool, and Ocean Views, stating that each category may include villas with only partial views.

Here is some more information about the layout of the villas at Aulani:

http://dvcnews.com/forum/showpost.php?p=76803&postcount=1

 

[dianeschlicht]

What did they tell you about the "weekly" timeshare sales?

 

[Disneyfriend]

What did they tell you about the "weekly" timeshare sales?

They did mention they are considering doing a guaranteed week - a first for DVC - because of the high percentage of Japanese visitors. (Many Japanese travel during a specific week or two of the year - kind of like an international version of Jersey week ).

 

[alldiz]

They did mention they are considering doing a guaranteed week - a first for DVC - because of the high percentage of Japanese visitors. (Many Japanese travel during a specific week or two of the year - kind of like an international version of Jersey week ).

Do you know when those weeks are?
Thanks
Kerri

 

[mouseaider]

I think the end of April to May 5th is called Golden Week when a lot of Japanese people travel. Usually a ten day period depending on the calender.

 

[wdrl]

I think the end of April to May 5th is called Golden Week when a lot of Japanese people travel. Usually a ten day period depending on the calender.

You are right about the dates. Golden Week is a very popular time in Hawaii and Aulani's point chart reflects this. Golden Week will always fall in Aulani's Premier Season.

By the way, Aulani's Master Declaration of Condominium states that DVD may sell up to 35% of each week as a Guaranteed Week Option. A Guaranteed Week runs from Sunday to Sunday.

 

[Bolebrothers]

I am sorry to hijack your tread, kinda...
But I did not know Japanese could buy DVC from Disney? I thought it was only for people living in Canada, England, Bahamas, Mexico, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Wales? As a Norwegian I wanted to buy from Disney but was told I could not and would have to turn to the resale market. Maybe there are some special rules for the Japanese.

 

[lilpooh108]

I am sorry to hijack your tread, kinda...
But I did not know Japanese could buy DVC from Disney? I thought it was only for people living in Canada, England, Bahamas, Mexico, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Wales? As a Norwegian I wanted to buy from Disney but was told I could not and would have to turn to the resale market. Maybe there are some special rules for the Japanese.

There's a DVC Sales center in Japan now.

Disneyfriend--did they say whether Aulani charges guests for parking? I know most hotels in Hawaii charge guests between $10-$20 per night for parking...I called MS and they did not know. Thanks.

 

[mouseaider]

I thought I read someplace here on Dis that it was $25 per night. Now I can't find it to share the link. Sorry.

 

[Disneyfriend]

There's a DVC Sales center in Japan now.

Disneyfriend--did they say whether Aulani charges guests for parking? I know most hotels in Hawaii charge guests between $10-$20 per night for parking...I called MS and they did not know. Thanks.

Good question. The issue of parking did not come up at all, sorry.

They are putting in a fairly large parking garage adjacent to the property, so in theory there should be adequate parking.

Then again, there is never adequate parking anywhere in Hawaii except for on the military bases.

 

[Disneyfriend]

I think the main thing I want to share with you all is that the 2 BR villa we toured at Aulani was very similar in layout and feel to a 2 BR villa at Kidani Village; having just stayed there, we all agreed that the villas were quite alike.

Obviously, there was a Hawaiian theme instead of an African theme, but the decor, furnishings, etc. were all very similar to what we experienced at Kidani. And I mean that as a compliment.

 

[lilpooh108]

Obviously, there was a Hawaiian theme instead of an African theme, but the decor, furnishings, etc. were all very similar to what we experienced at Kidani. And I mean that as a compliment.

Random note...We toured VGC last year and our guide commented off hand that Aulani furniture is being designed/manufactured by the same furniture maker for VGC. (I did not ask her whether the furniture maker for Kidani is the same as VGC.)