Just back from Hawaii - Bring on the DVC!!

[kjd469]

Funny because I have the opposite problem of most here. I live in Hawaii (Big Island)

Gee, that's a tough problem to have, LOL!!

 

[deebits]

I am saving right now to buy DC in Hawaii. I live in NJ and figure every 3-5 years in Hawaii will be perfect. When not using the Hawaii points, I will use them at WDW. DH and I have been so excited since we heard the news. It is a 10 hour direct flight for us. We are hoping DCL is going announce in 2012 they are going to dock in Hawaii so we can cruise one week and vacation another giving us 2 weeks in beautiful Hawaii.

 

[Neriberi]

A Disney cruise to Hawaii would combine my favorite vacations!

DH and I were married in Kauai and we save up our mileage so that we go back to one of the islands at least every 2 years. We actually joined DVC after hearing that they'd be building in Hawaii. While we spend more time on the other islands, we always have a couple of days on Oahu since it's easiest to fly in and out of Honolulu. I can't wait to purchase!!!

 

[HannaBelle]

In June of '09, my family (with my usual cast of character...DH, DS16, DD12, plus my parents and brother + wife and twins) all flew non-stop from DFW to Honolulu for a land/sea trip.

We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Honolulu on the fringe of Waikiki for three nights and then cruised the islands on Pride of America with NCL.

I personally fell in love with Hawaii. I loved the cruise. It gave you a "taste" of each island and I know that I want to go back to Maui or Kauai. I am not a candidate to buy the Hawaii DVC, but I certainly intend to visit at some point in the future.

I even came home and research their economy and job market. DH had just finished his degree and was looking for a new job at the time and I am definately portable! But, we just could not move away from our families...I would miss them too much...and the cost of living is off the chart...in comparison to north Texas at least.

We are in the process of shopping for a resale contract at BLT and are looking at how many points we think we will want. I have also check out the Grand Californian Hotel in California. We have never been to Disneyland and it definitely on “the list”.

Anyone have a guess on the points chart for Ko'Olina?

Our flight was only 8 hours, and going was not a problem…but coming home was an overnight flight and I did not sleep at all! It was brutal going back to work.

I would definitely be interested in a cruise on DCL from the mainland to the islands.

 

[rbuzzotta]

DD is a freshman at Hawai'i Pacific University. We moved her out there in August and had the chance to stop by the new DVC. The area where the resort is located is very nice but once you leave that main road and travel past the exit to the resort, it gets a little depressed!!

But, we will be using our points to stay there when they open. DD is set to graduate in 2013 so hopefully we can get at least 2 years of stay there whle she is still on the island!!

 

[bethy]

I live on the West Coast and plan to visit DVC Hawaii now and then but not buy it. I have been to Hawaii 5 times and visited all the major islands. For a tropical/beach destination we much, much prefer the Mexican Caribbean and therefore bought a nice timeshare there instead. We prefer the weather in the winter there as well as the water temp and fine white sand beaches. The local culture and friendliness of the people are superior as well in our opinion.

The flight times for both destinations for us are about the same: 5-6 hours direct.

I do really look forward to trying out DVC Hawaii though and I do anticipate having to supplement my points reservatins with cash reservations because I am sure we don't have nearly enough points to pull it of and still go on our annual DL getaway.

 

[Dean]

Well, we did spend more than a couple of hours in each port...we spent a couple of days in each port. And we are well travelled and know what we like and what we don't. One person's idea of "that much money on a timeshare" and another's idea of " a good investment in our future vacations" is obviously different. I guess it depends on each familiy's situation, but for our family, we see it as an exciting addition to the DVC family and we are excited about it.

The reason I initially posted was because there seems to be a strong feeling that most current members won't be buying in at DVC Hawaii. We too were on the fence, but after falling in love with this beautiful part of the U.S., we were 100% convinced that it was for us. Perhaps the initial sales for Hawaii will be slower, but maybe once current members "try out" their existing points there, they too may fall in love and decide to buy in there. Personally, we think it is an excellent alternative to WDW or DL without having to trade out points. Also, I am sure the marketing will be really predominant in Japan and Asia, as it seemed that the majority of tourists in Hawaii were from there.

And this thread reinforces that most DVC members won't have any or most of their points in HI. There will certainly be exceptions including Military, West Coasters and those that love HI above all else. To me the question is FIRST, should I buy a timeshare in HI? and THEN, which one should I buy? As I've said before, DVC has shown themselves ill equipped to compete in timeshare sales without the parks as leverage and for one who mostly or only wants to go to HI, why buy DVC over other choices at a higher comparable cost with likely much higher yearly costs and will actually give you more choices than would DVC. I get that it's a great system and will be a wonderful resort and that some of those people will have interest in the parks also, but you've first got to get people on property for a tour, convince them to buy a timeshare, then convince them that DVC will serve their needs over Wyndham, Marriott, Hilton or Westin (in HI) often erroneously so. That's a tall order, one DVC has not been up to fulfilling in 18 years of existence. They have 2 failed sales ventures (HH & VB) when you are within a reasonable drive of WDW and a loss of at least 3 potential DVC options as a result (CA, CO, NY) plus likely several more including France.

IMO DVC needs to alter their approach on several fronts to be successful. They need to be more aggressive with cheaper preview stays to get people on property, they need to push guests who are not owners to tour and they need to close the sale during the tour. All decidedly non DVC in many people's view. While a change, and one I know many here will be up in arms about, it's one that I feel can easily be done appropriately and professionally. Of course there are other options they could employ such as cheaper costs per point but that's hard to imagine for HI. I also think they need at least one or 2 other resorts in HI to reach critical mass, preferably Maui and one other island. Then they need some type of priority for those that own HI points to book all available resorts over non HI owners more than just the 11/7 month priority, maybe an 11/10/7 where you can book home resort at 11 months, other HI resorts with HI points at 10 months then all have access with any points at 7 months. The bottom line is there are lots of possibilities but the status quo is unlikely to work, IMO.

I truly want this project to be successful mostly because I want more and more reasonable choices as a DVC member.

 

[wendyinoc]

Your forgetting the Asian Market will buy as well. Depending on the dollar it might be a good deal for them to buy a piece of Mickey. I have been to Oahu twice and Maui twice. I prefer Oahu over Maui. This will be the nicest resport in Oahu. Most of Honolulu was built up I think in the 60's/70's and shows its age.
I think this might be a hit. My concern is air. With ATA and Aloha exiting it leaves less air options.

 

[Dean]

Your forgetting the Asian Market will buy as well. Depending on the dollar it might be a good deal for them to buy a piece of Mickey. I have been to Oahu twice and Maui twice. I prefer Oahu over Maui. This will be the nicest resport in Oahu. Most of Honolulu was built up I think in the 60's/70's and shows its age.
I think this might be a hit. My concern is air. With ATA and Aloha exiting it leaves less air options.

I'm not convinced it will unless there are changes.

 

[TLPL]

I think the point Disney build the new Hawaii DVC resort to expand their business to other markets, and not just try to sell it to existing DVC members. It is not a problem at all if none of the people here interested in buy in there. We have to think outside of the box. There are more people outside of DIS community than inside. The goal is to increase the number of DVC members.

 

[Dean]

I think the point Disney build the new Hawaii DVC resort to expand their business to other markets, and not just try to sell it to existing DVC members. It is not a problem at all if none of the people here interested in buy in there. We have to think outside of the box. There are more people outside of DIS community than inside. The goal is to increase the number of DVC members.

Not doubt that's the intent but the devil is in the details. IF they don't do SOMETHING differently it will not be very successful. OTOH, I'm sure they know that given their past dealings and I hope they have a plan in place to deal with those issues. Hopefully their not making the same assumptions they did with HH and VB. Basically that we're Disney and the world will come to us because we're Disney. I'm sure the hotel will be successful to a degree and there will be a certain amount of spillage to the villas and to tours. I, for one, am convinced it will not be enough to sell the villas to the level they need to sell to justify continued growth non park UNLESS they make other changes along the lines of what I discussed previously. We all lose if they aren't successful and we all win if they are successful enough to continue to expand that segment so I'm hoping they DO make changes and are successful, I'm just afraid won't.