Is Aulani a bad choice?

[PirateBrigade]

Wow I went back to sleep and woke up to all these great replies, I love this board, lol.

I’m crunching through them now in a second pass read. I will say that the VDH aspect is purely secondary and not a huge factor. I buy contracts where I primarily stay, quite literally if I could book a random night once a year at VDH as SAP, I would be happy.

It would be weighing 150pts direct ($25k) vs 150pts resale ($15k) and spending $10k on DLH stays (or some other else).

More to come, gotta feed these kiddo’s something from Ulu’s.

 

[DanCali]

Your advice to someone that wrote they do not plan to go to Florida very often is to buy a bunch of VGF points…

Well - it was advice for someone who is looking for direct SAPs to use at VDH once in a while. So I just said what I would do... I value not losing 50% of my money on "Day 7" or "Day 10", and I value low dues maybe more than others because that's the main cost of timesharing over time (am among those who are what you might call "overpayers for stripped subsidized contracts").

So yes, it's FL points but, unlike the Aulani direct path, the immediate (unrealized) capital loss is zero vs 50%. Those FL points can be used at 7 months at Aulani and VDH, which are resorts the OP expressed an interest in. If the goal is to go from studios to 1BR at Aulani, that's exactly the sweet spot where home resort advantage matters least anyway.

 

[AstroBlasters]

Wow I went back to sleep and woke up to all these great replies, I love this board, lol.

I’m crunching through them now in a second pass read. I will say that the VDH aspect is purely secondary and not a huge factor. I buy contracts where I primarily stay, quite literally if I could book a random night once a year at VDH as SAP, I would be happy.

It would be weighing 150pts direct ($25k) vs 150pts resale ($15k) and spending $10k on DLH stays (or some other else).

More to come, gotta feed these kiddo’s something from Ulu’s.

Let us know what you decide!

 

[Curiousporpoise]

Wow I went back to sleep and woke up to all these great replies, I love this board, lol.

I’m crunching through them now in a second pass read. I will say that the VDH aspect is purely secondary and not a huge factor. I buy contracts where I primarily stay, quite literally if I could book a random night once a year at VDH as SAP, I would be happy.

It would be weighing 150pts direct ($25k) vs 150pts resale ($15k) and spending $10k on DLH stays (or some other else).

More to come, gotta feed these kiddo’s something from Ulu’s.

If you’re only planning on using your points at Aulani and the other original resorts, then I would save the $10k and buy Aulani resale. If you ever want to use your points at the new resorts, then I would pay the additional $10k for direct. It sounds like you have your bases covered with VGC, and don’t really need VDH.

I purchased resale Aulani as we go often, and it was getting really expensive with the taxes and additional fees for parking, and I wanted the DVC members discount for VDH which didn’t end up being much. I was so irritated with VDH resale restrictions, that I thought about buying more Aulani direct, but ultimately needed the 11 month window so purchased VDH. It’s hard to figure out a strategy when you’re spending so much money and Disney changes the rules!

 

[Paul Stupin]

Well - it was advice for someone who is looking for direct SAPs to use at VDH once in a while. So I just said what I would do... I value not losing 50% of my money on "Day 7" or "Day 10", and I value low dues maybe more than others because that's the main cost of timesharing over time (am among those who are what you might call "overpayers for stripped subsidized contracts").

So yes, it's FL points but, unlike the Aulani direct path, the immediate (unrealized) capital loss is zero vs 50%. Those FL points can be used at 7 months at Aulani and VDH, which are resorts the OP expressed an interest in. If the goal is to go from studios to 1BR at Aulani, that's exactly the sweet spot where home resort advantage matters least anyway.

For pretty much the entire month of June it’s really difficult to book a one bedroom at Aulani at 7 months, no matter whether it’s standard or ocean view. The sweet spot doesn’t exist for those dates, which are meaningful for us because that’s one time when we like to travel. I do book other dates at 7 months with non Aulani points, but you do need direct for certain times of the year.

 

[DanCali]

For pretty much the entire month of June it’s really difficult to book a one bedroom at Aulani at 7 months, no matter whether it’s standard or ocean view. The sweet spot doesn’t exist for those dates, which are meaningful for us because that’s one time when we like to travel. I do book other dates at 7 months with non Aulani points, but you do need direct for certain times of the year.

I imagine you're referring specifically to the first 3 weeks of June, which are much cheaper to book?

Regarding the Oceanview rooms for June, that's very surprising to me. Is that at exactly 7 months out that you cannot get an OV 1BR at Aulani in June? Or are you trying a few hours after 8am ET?

I occasionally use the historical availability tables at https://www.dvcfieldguide.com/availability-tables. Based on those tables, the most problematic time for 1BR OV is around New Year's and possibly early March, and that's about it. For the other 1BR types, it does indeed seem that it can also get harder during some other weeks at 7 months, especially 1BR Standard.

Also, looking at actual availability on a third-party availability tool, I still see "plenty" (dozens) of OV 1BR rooms available for every single day in June 2024. Grant it, it's still 10 months out, but the main rush already happened 2-4 weeks ago. There is really not much change now from day to day and I am actually monitoring that closely because we're looking to go there next June and I'm waiting on another resale contract to close to complete our (currently partial) booking.

Maybe I'll see you there next summer!

 

[Paul Stupin]

I imagine you're referring specifically to the first 3 weeks of June, which are much cheaper to book?

Regarding the Oceanview rooms for June, that's very surprising to me. Is that at exactly 7 months out that you cannot get an OV 1BR at Aulani in June? Or are you trying a few hours after 8am ET?

I occasionally use the historical availability tables at https://www.dvcfieldguide.com/availability-tables. Based on those tables, the most problematic time for 1BR OV is around New Year's and possibly early March, and that's about it. For the other 1BR types, it does indeed seem that it can also get harder during some other weeks at 7 months, especially 1BR Standard.

Also, looking at actual availability on a third-party availability tool, I still see "plenty" (dozens) of OV 1BR rooms available for every single day in June 2024. Grant it, it's still 10 months out, but the main rush already happened 2-4 weeks ago. There is really not much change now from day to day and I am actually monitoring that closely because we're looking to go there next June and I'm waiting on another resale contract to close to complete our (currently partial) booking.

Maybe I'll see you there next summer!

It’s touch and go from exactly 8 am at 7 months. Check out this availability tool, which I’ve found to be particularly accurate. If they allow it, see the link below!
www.dvchelp.com

 

[Cfabar1]

I hate to say this, but for the larger units I'm not even convinced DVC is the way to go, depending on your purchase patterns and how often you would go to Aulani. Maybe it is, but I'm not convinced.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I imagine you're referring specifically to the first 3 weeks of June, which are much cheaper to book?

Regarding the Oceanview rooms for June, that's very surprising to me. Is that at exactly 7 months out that you cannot get an OV 1BR at Aulani in June? Or are you trying a few hours after 8am ET?

I occasionally use the historical availability tables at https://www.dvcfieldguide.com/availability-tables. Based on those tables, the most problematic time for 1BR OV is around New Year's and possibly early March, and that's about it. For the other 1BR types, it does indeed seem that it can also get harder during some other weeks at 7 months, especially 1BR Standard.

Also, looking at actual availability on a third-party availability tool, I still see "plenty" (dozens) of OV 1BR rooms available for every single day in June 2024. Grant it, it's still 10 months out, but the main rush already happened 2-4 weeks ago. There is really not much change now from day to day and I am actually monitoring that closely because we're looking to go there next June and I'm waiting on another resale contract to close to complete our (currently partial) booking.

Maybe I'll see you there next summer!

Sorry, they didn’t allow it!

 

[Paul Stupin]

I hate to say this, but for the larger units I'm not even convinced DVC is the way to go, depending on your purchase patterns and how often you would go to Aulani. Maybe it is, but I'm not convinced.

If you regard the one bedroom ocean view as a larger unit, which I do, the rack rate is absolutely prohibitively expensive.

 

[AstroBlasters]

I hate to say this, but for the larger units I'm not even convinced DVC is the way to go, depending on your purchase patterns and how often you would go to Aulani. Maybe it is, but I'm not convinced.

Why do you think it’s not the way to go?

 

[Cfabar1]

I guess a better way of putting it, is, for me, living in FL, buying Aulani doesn't make sense... I'd rather pay cash for those visits than tie up all that money in points. But, when I was looking at random days a cash room a normal room was say $700ish dollars, and a 1 BR was costing around $1200 in cash, despite a points disparity cost which was more severe. I just didn't see the savings in an obvious way.

 

[Paul Stupin]

I guess a better way of putting it, is, for me, living in FL, buying Aulani doesn't make sense... I'd rather pay cash for those visits than tie up all that money in points. But, when I was looking at random days a cash room a normal room was say $700ish dollars, and a 1 BR was costing around $1200 in cash, despite a points disparity cost which was more severe. I just didn't see the savings in an obvious way.

We usually stay for two weeks on our Aulani points in a one bedroom ocean view. No way I’m paying 18K in cash. Assuming a price of about $100 a point, you make back the purchase price (not counting dues) in less than four trips. Seems relatively straightforward to me.

That said, we live in Los Angeles. If we lived in Florida I don’t think we’d buy Aulani either. That 10 hour flight is brutal!

 

[PirateBrigade]

Okay friends, I have an update. After much thought while wading the lazy river and drinking virgin lava flows, I came to the conclusion that the most financially prudent decision is, in fact, buying resale for the points we need at AUL.

However, at 5pm local time, I eschewed financial prudence and dropped by the office to meet the nicest/most unassuming guide you’ll ever meet (Mizuki) and went forward on a 150 point direct buy.

No more slumming it with the white card crew! Just kidding, blue card still means nothing to me.

Reason for the decision:

1) February UY match, with no hunting for contracts (I saw one Feb UY in my point range available, but I think it was stripped? Can’t remember)
2) While I’ve done resales twice, I just didn’t want to do another 60-90 day stretch of waiting.
3) Immediate access to Feb 2023 points, will bank them ASAP to Feb 2024, so I can hit the 11 month window for June-August 2024 with no risk of ROFR/delay.

Less important factors
4) Churning credit cards right now, can meet SUBs and this codes as travel for additional points. I didn’t want to finance a resale, but I didn’t want to drop all cash either. I’ll expand on this later, this is more personal preference.

5) VDH as a secondary option at the 7 month window, but am guarded with availability.

6) Future 1 bedroom availability at AUL using SAP not guaranteed, with some DISboard members saying it’s actually challenging now when booking June-August (our booking time).

I want to thank everyone for their replies, I read them all and internalized them. I’m on my phone so I will respond individually later. You guys are top notch experts in the field!

 

[AstroBlasters]

Okay friends, I have an update. After much thought while wading the lazy river and drinking virgin lava flows, I came to the conclusion that the most financially prudent decision is, in fact, buying resale for the points we need at AUL.

However, at 5pm local time, I eschewed financial prudence and dropped by the office to meet the nicest/most unassuming guide you’ll ever meet (Mizuki) and went forward on a 150 point direct buy.

No more slumming it with the white card crew! Just kidding, blue card still means nothing to me.

Reason for the decision:

1) February UY match, with no hunting for contracts (I saw one Feb UY in my point range available, but I think it was stripped? Can’t remember)
2) While I’ve done resales twice, I just didn’t want to do another 60-90 day stretch of waiting.
3) Immediate access to Feb 2023 points, will bank them ASAP to Feb 2024, so I can hit the 11 month window for June-August 2024 with no risk of ROFR/delay.

Less important factors
4) Churning credit cards right now, can meet SUBs and this codes as travel for additional points. I didn’t want to finance a resale, but I didn’t want to drop all cash either. I’ll expand on this later, this is more personal preference.

5) VDH as a secondary option at the 7 month window, but am guarded with availability.

6) Future 1 bedroom availability at AUL using SAP not guaranteed, with some DISboard members saying it’s actually challenging now when booking June-August (our booking time).

I want to thank everyone for their replies, I read them all and internalized them. I’m on my phone so I will respond individually later. You guys are top notch experts in the field!

Congratulations!

 

[intamin]

Okay friends, I have an update. After much thought while wading the lazy river and drinking virgin lava flows, I came to the conclusion that the most financially prudent decision is, in fact, buying resale for the points we need at AUL.

However, at 5pm local time, I eschewed financial prudence and dropped by the office to meet the nicest/most unassuming guide you’ll ever meet (Mizuki) and went forward on a 150 point direct buy.

No more slumming it with the white card crew! Just kidding, blue card still means nothing to me.

Reason for the decision:

1) February UY match, with no hunting for contracts (I saw one Feb UY in my point range available, but I think it was stripped? Can’t remember)
2) While I’ve done resales twice, I just didn’t want to do another 60-90 day stretch of waiting.
3) Immediate access to Feb 2023 points, will bank them ASAP to Feb 2024, so I can hit the 11 month window for June-August 2024 with no risk of ROFR/delay.

Less important factors
4) Churning credit cards right now, can meet SUBs and this codes as travel for additional points. I didn’t want to finance a resale, but I didn’t want to drop all cash either. I’ll expand on this later, this is more personal preference.

5) VDH as a secondary option at the 7 month window, but am guarded with availability.

6) Future 1 bedroom availability at AUL using SAP not guaranteed, with some DISboard members saying it’s actually challenging now when booking June-August (our booking time).

I want to thank everyone for their replies, I read them all and internalized them. I’m on my phone so I will respond individually later. You guys are top notch experts in the field!

As long as you're aware that the availability at VDH is not a guarantee and are willing to accept that risk all of the other reasons you listed for purchasing direct make sense. Especially the not wanting to wait for ROFR/wanting the points immediately to book a trip in June-August of next year. Congrats!

 

[NorCalFanatic]

.

 

[Paul Stupin]

Same here! We do 9-10 nights in a 2 bedroom and also a studio for extended family every year, and occasionally another short trip in the summer. We’ll have made back our purchases in short order.

Good thinking! My wife and I also do an additional two weeks at Aulani every year in a one bedroom OV which I book at 7 months with some of our CC and VGF points. Availability for Jan and Feb is never an issue.

 

[Cfabar1]

Congratulations! I'm happy for you! Glad you were able to find a way forward with DVC that made sense for you!

 

[Galun]

First three weeks of June at Aulani is quite a good deal - it overlaps with beginning of summer break for many schools, and the points chart is quite a bit lower than July / August.

For the past 5 years or so, we've used Aulani points to book standard view 1BR in the third week of June at 37 points per night. We don't care for the view since we hang out at the beach and pool anyways. With sleep-around points at SSR, we could maybe get July at 50 points per night. The savings is quite signfiicant.