Should I buy OKW or Saratoga to use in Hawaii

[EmmaHattieJacob]

We live in Cailfornia and travel to Hawaii every other year.....we like the new Disney property but weren't sure how well we could get in on the 7 month window ......we have thought about buying direct ....any thoughts.....

 

[drusba]

We live in Cailfornia and travel to Hawaii every other year.....we like the new Disney property but weren't sure how well we could get in on the 7 month window ......we have thought about buying direct ....any thoughts.....

Since Aulani has not opened yet, it has no track history. Buying elsewhere now to mainly get Auilani is not a good idea because it could turn out that getting Aulani seven months out might be difficult many times of year or might require calling exactly seven months out at 9 a.m. eastern time to even have a chance. We just don't know yet.

 

[Pakey]

I would always buy where I wanted to stay. That way I'm guaranteed an 11 month booking window. Everything else can change at any time, including how easy this new resort may be able to get at 7 months.

 

[rcchello]

Considering the cost of airline tickets to Hawaii, I doubt that people who bought into Aulani will go every year. Now, the week you decide to go may be one of those high weeks where it is always full, but when would that be for hawaii?

A couple of the timeshares we visited were selling every other year options based on that fact. I wouldn't be surprised if Disney sold small enough buyins to allow for that.

I assume there will probably be availability for most weeks at the seven month point. My only problem is that it gets harder to get flight on Frequent Flyer points at 7 months.

 

[tjkraz]

Considering the cost of airline tickets to Hawaii, I doubt that people who bought into Aulani will go every year.

That's a bit of an east coast perspective, though. Sure it's expensive to fly to Hawaii from NJ, but not nearly as costly from points in California. And certainly financial situations vary from one owner to the next--$400+ plane tickets are no great hardship to many.

Still Aulani is large enough that 7 month bookings will be successful a great deal of the time, IMO.

But it's worth noting that Aulani has 4 different unit sizes and 4 different views/categories. This is purely speculation but my guess is that the Standard Views (cheaper) and Ocean Views will be most popular. If so, those are most likely to go to owners prior to the 7 month window.

It's hard to predict what sort of villa size will be most popular. Common wisdom is that Studios go quickest at Walt Disney World resorts. But that is undoubtedly facilitated by the hundreds of dining locations scattered throughout WDW property. At Aulani, guests may have a preference for the larger villas so that they can do more dining in the rooms.

Bottom line is if you want the ultimate flexibility in terms of the view, room size and dates available to you, buy at Aulani. On the other hand, if you're flexible on all of the above, using points at 7 months will probably work out more often than not.

 

[EmmaHattieJacob]

We live in Cailfornia and travel to Hawaii every other year.....we like the new Disney property but weren't sure how well we could get in on the 7 month window ......we have thought about buying direct ....any thoughts.....

 

[erionm]

why start the same thread again in a different location?

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2665533

 

[Kidanifan08]

I would think that this resort would be difficult to get into at the 7 month mark once it is sold out, particularly during the peak times. I suspect that there are other West coast folks who would see this as a viable option for a timeshare Hawaii vacation. You could end up with OKW or SSR points that you can never use in Hawaii, but you can certainly find those points for a great deal; probably almost half what you would pay buying direct. Check out the point chart to see how many points you would need for the room type you desire. I think Aulani is going for around $102 (w/incentives). If your only goal is to use the points for Hawaii, you may be better off buying direct so you know you can get the room you want any time of the year.

BTW, I don't work for Disney or DVC! I have points @Kidani.

 

[Dean]

We live in Cailfornia and travel to Hawaii every other year.....we like the new Disney property but weren't sure how well we could get in on the 7 month window ......we have thought about buying direct ....any thoughts.....

If I knew I wanted to go there EOY, I'd buy there. Actually if I knew I wanted to go that often and wanted a higher demand week, I'd investigate the fixed week type of option there. I must admit I haven't dug into the specifics of the fixed week and know the devil is in the details, but if I wanted to go routinely I'd make sure I knew all I could about that option. I would not buy other places hoping to get in to HI EOY if that was my main goal. However, if one wants to go to WDW alternating with HI, it might be worth the risk to buy the cheaper points and take the chance, just make sure you understand you are taking risks that may not work out.

 

[oldkey1]

.... as a stop over from visiting our Marrioot timeshare in Maui. We understood our guide to say that 60% of their sales thus far were from poeple in Hawaii who loved the fact that everyday of the week was the same point value allowing for weekend stays. They were very surprised how few people were joining from their 'Orlando" customers. But Aulani if you want to stay there. We intend to do so even though we have hundreds of points at OKW and SSR. In fact, the dues are less at Aulani. If you do not use your points, book popular stays and rent them - picking whale season and weekends. I really think in the long run you will be disappointed in your inability to book at the seven month window.

Love the Costco one exit down! The fish and poke are incredible - all fresh - all local.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Our intention is to go EOY, which is why we bought in at Aulani. I just don't want the stress of will I / won't I be able to book at 7 months.

Probably going to spoil ourselves on the first fisit (1BR, Ocean view), but such is life.

 

[cush1]

I would go ahead and buy where you want to go... especially since you plan to go and live so close.

 

[AnnaS]

If I "planned" on going every other year and lived on the West Coast, I would also buy there. If you don't buy a fixed week, I would buy enough points needed to bank and borrow for EOY plus a few extra for a safety cushion.

Have fun deciding and keep us posted.

 

[CarolMN]

Keep in mind that one of DVD's target markets for Aulani (maybe the biggest one) is people from Asia, especially Japan.

We really HAVE NO IDEA what it will be like to try to book there at 7 months or even what times of the year will be difficult to get at 7 months. Don't buy elsewhere if you wouldn't be happy staying at the "elsewhere".

 

[DenLo]

Aulani is a large enough resort that I believe you will be able to get a reservation at the 7 month mark, but not for every date in the year. One of the busiest times for the Japanese will be during Golden week which begins April 29 through May 8 in 2011, in 2012 it's from April 28 through May 6th.
If Aulani was open in 2011 Easter week and Golden week would have conflicted and it would even harder to make reservations for that period. Another busy time will during Spring break, March and the first half of April, and then Christmas and New Year's eve weeks.

When Aulani sells out, IMO these four periods will be the hardest dates to book at the 7 month mark. I think if you really want to travel during these times to Aulani you need to buy points at Aulani.

But for us since we have only visited Hawaii 3 times in 30 years it's not a high priority. It will be nice to use our DVC points to go there but we can be flexible with our dates so I hope we will be able to get a reservation at the 7 month mark. In comparison we have gone to the Caribbean so many times I've lost track of the numbers.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have been to Hawaii enough times to know where we want to stay and what we like to do. Aulani, while beautiful, is not Where we like to stay or what we like to do. If they had put it on another island, I'd buy for sure. Having said that, I also can't stomach the points required for a stay there. I can actually exchange into one of my preferred islands for far less than I can book Aulani direct.

For those on the west coast, I think you are really wise to buy where you want to stay. If you buy OKW but only intend to use it for Aulani, that makes no sense at all.

Oh, and airfare isn't only a problem from the east coast. We can't go to Hawaii for less than $1000 per ticket here in mid America either. I'm currently saving up to fly 5 of us there in 2013. I'd love to use my DVC points in some way, but it's going to have to be an exchange to do it.

 

[EmmaHattieJacob]

Aulani is a large enough resort that I believe you will be able to get a reservation at the 7 month mark, but not for every date in the year. One of the busiest times for the Japanese will be during Golden week which begins April 29 through May 8 in 2011, in 2012 it's from April 28 through May 6th.
If Aulani was open in 2011 Easter week and Golden week would have conflicted and it would even harder to make reservations for that period. Another busy time will during Spring break, March and the first half of April, and then Christmas and New Year's eve weeks.

When Aulani sells out, IMO these four periods will be the hardest dates to book at the 7 month mark. I think if you really want to travel during these times to Aulani you need to buy points at Aulani.










Ok..... first of all I'd like to thank everyone for your time and great incites .....



Ok..... first of all I'd like to thank everyone for your time and great incites ...... Part of the problem is I'm currently in Hawaii haven't spent that last week at Marriott Ko Olina.....and loving it.... Just to give you a little back ground we are owners of multipu weeks at both Starwood and Marriott and have used both with lots of flexabity .....great trades different locations ( Easter week Hi twice, Pres week Hi, Christmas week) , use of star options, and the new Marriott points program....bought direct from Marriott and resale market from Starwood ( huge savings).... We are going on our first Disney cruise next April 10th on the Dream ....I have booked two connecting cabins cat 08D through Coscto....so my plans are two fold....I'm spending the money anyway ....I can get a 200 plus points from a 210 contract use the 2011 points may be some off the 2012 and it's paid for.....ok I know it's not the best use of points but when the cruise is over I still retain something that I can use in the future....we'll head back to Orlando to do WDW.... I guess it's sound like we'll be taking a chance in thinking will be able to use them in Hawaii....all though were thinking the 3rd week of Feb ...Pres week which not everyone has off on the west coast.....my thinking is splitting the locations between Disney and Marriott if need be.....I've had the The Disney rep call MS with my cruise itin to make sure we could switch it out to points.....in the market were in it just seem tough to pay retail direct from Disney....but I know it's Disney....what happens when it sells out?....what is IMO....you guys have been great .....thanks again*

Blessings,
Andy

 

[BWV Dreamin]

My bro just finished booking 12 days in a studio at Aulani for this September at the 7 mos. mark. He got Ocean Front and used OKW points. So, it can be done.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Someone else just booked Aulani in at two bedroom and were moved from the villas to two hotel rooms.

 

[rbuzzotta]

We have been to Hawaii enough times to know where we want to stay and what we like to do. Aulani, while beautiful, is not Where we like to stay or what we like to do. If they had put it on another island, I'd buy for sure. Having said that, I also can't stomach the points required for a stay there. I can actually exchange into one of my preferred islands for far less than I can book Aulani direct.

For those on the west coast, I think you are really wise to buy where you want to stay. If you buy OKW but only intend to use it for Aulani, that makes no sense at all.

Oh, and airfare isn't only a problem from the east coast. We can't go to Hawaii for less than $1000 per ticket here in mid America either. I'm currently saving up to fly 5 of us there in 2013. I'd love to use my DVC points in some way, but it's going to have to be an exchange to do it.

I totally agree with Diane on this. As Aulani is a beautiful resort, the location on Oahu is not what I desire!! My daughter goes to school in Hawai'i and we have gone often and watched the builidng of Aulani. I would much rather rent or trade for a preferrable location on another island. Just my opinion.