Latest Pic of Hawaii DVC

[Reedi]

Oahu itself ? EXPENSIVE !! As far as what DVC points will be priced at for this resort, idk, good question, jmho with incentives I'd think around $110 per.

Yes, very interested to see what the points will go for. I would not be surprised to see them go for more than that!

Also interested to see how quickly it sells out. I expect many Japanese to buy in because Hawaii is to them like the Carribean is to the US.

 

[danicaw]

We are actually on Oahu this week. It's my first time and its wonderful. We traded into Marriott's Beach Club at Ko'Olina. So we are just down the street from Aulani! and we have seen changes in the few days we have been here.. they are busy working
It seems I managed to get here without the charger for my camera so I am not sure if I will get pictures taken of the site.
The Ko'Olina area is beautiful. We hit the beach tomorrow so I can't officially say yet, but it looks wonderful. Apparently at lagoon 2 they have a daily fish feeding, it has been happening for years and is really popular....with the fish. Large and small, I was told its a sight to see. Aulani is at Lagoon 1 and we are staying at lagoon 3. They have walking path that goes by all the lagoons (1-4) it is 1.5 miles each way.
They have a number of upscale restaurant in Ko'olina. We haven't tried any, as we are here with our 3 and 6 year old and we are going more casual this trip
Just one freeway exit down is a new costco and target. A bit past that is a safeway, longs, etc. We also saw the general assortment of fast/casual dining in this area - McD's, Pizza Hut, Chili's, Jamba Juice, Starbucks, KFC, Taco Bell, etc.
For us the location has been great. We did get stuck in a bit of traffic today coming back from waikiki around 5, but we were leaving the hustle and bustle and that felt good. We look forward to returning and being able to stay with Disney next time

 

[Anal Annie]

Oahu itself ? EXPENSIVE !! As far as what DVC points will be priced at for this resort, idk, good question, jmho with incentives I'd think around $110 per.

Actually, when planning a trip to Hawaii, Oahu is the cheapest island to stay on. There are many good bargain properties in Waikiki.

Personally, we prefer Maui to Oahu but will probably give the new resort a try - IF the point requirements are reasonable enough. I have a feeling this will be a Sun-Thurs resort for us...then we'll go to Maui to cap off our trip.

 

[jade1]

Here is a more hi-rez pic...although it's still pretty lo-rez.

I see a tower on the right, right up by the ocean, and a space just like it on the left for another tower. I would assume those are going to be the premier location/views. But wont they kind of block a lot of the lower further back rooms views?

 

[MinnesotaMouse]

We are headed to the Waikiki Beach Hilton on February 17--I have never been to the Islands before and would love to be able to see this new DVC resort if it is not too far from our hotel (but I have absolutely no idea how far apart they are....). We own BLT currently and are a VERY long flight away from Oahu....but you never know!

 

[boscoj]

The tower on the right is actually a different resort altogether....

 

[DenLo]

We are actually on Oahu this week. It's my first time and its wonderful. We traded into Marriott's Beach Club at Ko'Olina. So we are just down the street from Aulani! and we have seen changes in the few days we have been here.. they are busy working
It seems I managed to get here without the charger for my camera so I am not sure if I will get pictures taken of the site.
The Ko'Olina area is beautiful. We hit the beach tomorrow so I can't officially say yet, but it looks wonderful. Apparently at lagoon 2 they have a daily fish feeding, it has been happening for years and is really popular....with the fish. Large and small, I was told its a sight to see. Aulani is at Lagoon 1 and we are staying at lagoon 3. They have walking path that goes by all the lagoons (1-4) it is 1.5 miles each way.
They have a number of upscale restaurant in Ko'olina. We haven't tried any, as we are here with our 3 and 6 year old and we are going more casual this trip
Just one freeway exit down is a new costco and target. A bit past that is a safeway, longs, etc. We also saw the general assortment of fast/casual dining in this area - McD's, Pizza Hut, Chili's, Jamba Juice, Starbucks, KFC, Taco Bell, etc.
For us the location has been great. We did get stuck in a bit of traffic today coming back from waikiki around 5, but we were leaving the hustle and bustle and that felt good. We look forward to returning and being able to stay with Disney next time

Wow it sounds like a place to have a car. I just read in the DVC News that Aulani will have only two restaurants, one full service and one buffet and both specializing in Hawaiian foods. I assume there will be a pool bar/cafe as well. Still only two restaurants just doesn't seem like enough for 360 hotel rooms and 481 DVC 2 BR villas.

 

[Grumpygrandpa]

probably give the new resort a try - IF the point requirements are reasonable enough. I have a feeling this will be a Sun-Thurs resort for us...then we'll go to Maui to cap off our trip.

That's what the key is for me. What is the point chart going to look like on this resort. I would have to say that the steep charts for BLT and GVC are not an encouraging sign. That being said...I would love to go when it is done.

 

[liznboys]

Thanks for the heads up on the picture, it's coming along!

I got a DVC Member email about this resort today.

 

[Stinkerbell317]

Wow it sounds like a place to have a car. I just read in the DVC News that Aulani will have only two restaurants, one full service and one buffet and both specializing in Hawaiian foods. I assume there will be a pool bar/cafe as well. Still only two restaurants just doesn't seem like enough for 360 hotel rooms and 481 DVC 2 BR villas.

Yes I would definitely want to have a car. Unless they are gong to offer tours around the other parts of the island. Then maybe it wouldn't be essential. But it's big island. Lots to see and do.

 

[DenLo]

Yes I would definitely want to have a car. Unless they are gong to offer tours around the other parts of the island. Then maybe it wouldn't be essential. But it's big island. Lots to see and do.

When we've stayed in Waikiki we've taken the local buses even all the way around Oahu. But I would think the buses would be far and few between out at Ko Olina.

 

[DenLo]

I believe the white hotel is the J.W. Marriott Ihilani, there is another Marriott Timeshare which is a couple of lagoons away. Sorry the resolution isn't great, but I couldn't find a better one than would let me download the photo.

 

[dvc_john]

Ok, so what do you suppose it means when they say '1st phase will open in fall 2011'?

I thought the whole complex would open at one time. Is it possible that the hotel side would open before the DVC side, or vice versa.

 

[Anal Annie]

Looks gorgeous.... where are the waves?

That is exactly what my DH said!!

 

[Spokavegas]

Since no one has posted this yet.....in case you haven't seen the new Aulani website- here it is!

http://resorts.disney.go.com/hawaii-resort

 

[dianeschlicht]

Looks gorgeous.... where are the waves?

You aren't going to find many waves on that side of the island OR on that nice little swimming bay they have made for you. I'm in agreement....too bad it's on Oahu. We will likely only use it for a few days at the beginning or end of a trip if we use it at all. We love Hawaii vacations, but Oahu is our place to get reacclimated to mainland life...NOT a place to spend our whole vacation.

 

[danicaw]

I was given this map yesterday of the resort area....

sorry about the flash
So, if you can see it, the guard gate is at the number 2 - that is the main entrance in to Ko Olina. Starting from the left at the first lagoon is the JW Marroitt, then Disney, the lot next to that says "Future Development". At lagoon 2 are the Beach Villas at Ko Olina. Lagoon 3 is Marriott's Ko Olina Beach Club.

My hubby asked me yesterday if the Disney resort was going to look like all the other resorts here in Ko Olina. Oddly enough all the ones here look very similar. Disney will definitely stand out from the crowd

 

[liznboys]

DenLo~ Thanks for that awesome picture!

Danica~ LOVE the map, wish I could see it closer. I can't get enough of the Aulani/Ko Olina info, love studying the maps of the area. I spent awhile on google earth yesterday looking at it.