RE: Aulani... ? for the "Other-than-DVC-Timeshare" Gurus

[MinnieGirl33]

I would be interested in hearing opionions from those of you who have experience with other timeshare companies.

What are the typical Hawaiian timeshare seasons? What is considered high & low?

Do holiday periods affect Hawaiian resorts as a destination the way they do Disney destinations?

Purely speculation I know but do you think Aulani seasons will follow suit with the Hawaiian market or the DVC market?

What would you expect summer to be? Low/Mid/High? Christmas? Easter?

 

[Dean]

I would be interested in hearing opionions from those of you who have experience with other timeshare companies.

What are the typical Hawaiian timeshare seasons? What is considered high & low?

Do holiday periods affect Hawaiian resorts as a destination the way they do Disney destinations?

Purely speculation I know but do you think Aulani seasons will follow suit with the Hawaiian market or the DVC market?

What would you expect summer to be? Low/Mid/High? Christmas? Easter?

Busiest seasons are Xmas to Easter with a lull in Jan, plus summer when kids are out of school. Each week varies with late April, May and the entire fall till Xmas being lower but mid level. I'm guessing but I'd figure most of the time will be Dream for the lower times I posted with Magic for all but Xmas, NY, Easter and possibly weeks 5, 7 and a couple of weeks around 4th of July. It's possible that Magic and Premium will be more and Dream less. I'm doubting any choice or Adventure there. Marriott just rolled out their new points program TODAY. Ko'Olina was Platinum season 50 weeks and Platinum plus 2 weeks (Xmas, NY) and the points for different times vary by about 30% from lowest to higher in the same unit size/view and in in with my weeks above other than Thanksgiving is a little higher than under II.

Is that what you were looking for?

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Thank you so much! Yes, this is exactly what I am looking for.

Like we said, total speculation at this point but when you are trying to manage your points to include something that is totally new (without sticking it to yourself the following year) it's nice to see if your thought process is in line with historic trends.

I just wish they'd release the stinkin charts already!

I know, I know...

 

[Dean]

Thank you so much! Yes, this is exactly what I am looking for.

Like we said, total speculation at this point but when you are trying to manage your points to include something that is totally new (without sticking it to yourself the following year) it's nice to see if your thought process is in line with historic trends.

I just wish they'd release the stinkin charts already!

I know, I know...

I'd suggest you look at BLT and VCG in the seasons I mentioned above for additional hints as to how many points. Maybe a little higher even for OF options. One resort not opening for another year or more, can you imagine those of us who own Marriott trying to decipher a totally new system within a couple of days.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Yes, I've been going under the assumption (ok, wishful thinking ) that Aulani will be a bit more than VCG. Hopefully it won't be too much more per night.

I hate not being able to plan things out. Which, in a way is kinda funny because when it comes to actually being on vacation we are very much go-with-the-flow. We sleep late, ditch ADRs, don't go into panic mode trying to figure out how we will fit Fantasmic into the schedule, will spend more time at the pool than we do the parks... But it makes me crazy not being able to figure out when & where I am going.

Somebody call A&E, I think I need an intervention.

Dean, if you had to bet, do you think they will release any more info at the D23 event at the end of the month or do you think its going to be closer to the fall before we see anything?

 

[Dean]

Yes, I've been going under the assumption (ok, wishful thinking ) that Aulani will be a bit more than VCG. Hopefully it won't be too much more per night.

I hate not being able to plan things out. Which, in a way is kinda funny because when it comes to actually being on vacation we are very much go-with-the-flow. We sleep late, ditch ADRs, don't go into panic mode trying to figure out how we will fit Fantasmic into the schedule, will spend more time at the pool than we do the parks... But it makes me crazy not being able to figure out when & where I am going.

Somebody call A&E, I think I need an intervention.

Dean, if you had to bet, do you think they will release any more info at the D23 event at the end of the month or do you think its going to be closer to the fall before we see anything?

I plan ahead so I don't have to worry so much while on vacation as I like having some control. As for releasing info, they might release some but I doubt anything meaningful this early unless it plans to open spring 2011 which I doubt. I'd think we'll see the points table somewhere around Jan/Feb, 2011 or possibly even a little later. The later it is the more likely it is to be higher than many expect. Don't get me wrong, I don't buy into the conspiracy theory that this is an excuse to escalate points. However, I feel this resort offers something more than anything else in the system plus the costs for HI (upfront and yearly) are simply more than at WDW, VB or HH.

 

[Jerry@dvcstore]

I am so excited to stay at Aulani. It is going to be AWESOME.
The busiest season is December - April due to the Humpback mating season and the Amazing weather (84 degrees, Low Humidity).

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Thanks for the insights!

We are trying to plan a mega-trip for DS16's HS graduation. Thinking it may be our last major trip as a family we want to do it up.

Given the projected fall 2011 opening, was trying to guess-timate if there might be any advantage points wise to going over a school break vs. waiting until June. Didn't think there would be but just in case...

Not having the Aulani points charts is throwing a monkey wrench into my planning & 11 month booking! (Insert stomping feet & chest thumping here)

I am banking points specifically to cover Aulani (BTW, do we have an acromym for this yet? ) but if I don't need what I've allocated it would open up other resorts, larger accommodations & possibly extra trips, KWIM?

Patience is NOT a virtue I possess.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Here's the scoop I got at DL a little over a week ago. Take it for what it's worth. The CM said they had spoken with the 2 highest people in charge of the Aulani project. (There were tons of suits from all over Disney there for the WOC opening). This was not a bus driver (they don't have any! ) and it was not a DVC sales person. They did have an interest in the project.

Anyway - I was told Aulani is ahead of schedule - way ahead so it's possible it will open prior to the fall. Considering that info is popping up about an event at the beginning of July I think this is fairly credible. At that time they did mention that charts would be coming out soon.

Also - I was told costs will be lower there. I'm assuming they meant than VGC but I didn't clarify if they meant buy-in or points required. I am not counting on this but just sharing. I can think of a few reasons why DVC might do this - ie, the competition with other timeshares in HI and not having the parks to make staying on-site the premium but I'll just wait and see. Maybe it just means they'll structure the points high per unit and have lower maintenance fees.

Anyway - That's the latest rumors I heard!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Just saw report that charts are scheduled to be released 7/1

Fingers crossed!