Subsidized AUL vs VGC?

[JackArchie]

Hi guys,

I wanted to ask for everyone’s opinion.
We are a family of four (2yo and 1yo kids) based in the SF bay area. We plan on going to Aulani every 1-2 years and Disneyland maybe twice a year short visit(3-4 days).When the kids are bigger WDW every 3 years. We wanted a contract around 250 points overall.

Currently I have an offer accepted for 2 subsidized Aulani contracts same UY (160 and 100pts). I put an offer in a VGC 160 pt contract. The cost of the combined AUL subsidized will be cheaper than the one VGC.

My mind is telling me go for the Aulani but my heart is saying Vgc (lol). Since we live 6 hours away from DSR our travel dates will be flexible. Maybe I can still get into a Vgc 1 bedroom for 3 nights stay throughout the year just have to move dates around?Worse case scenario I there are plenty of good neighbor hotels around Disneyland like HOJo? But when we go to Oahu I rather be in Aulani since the kids are young. And having more points won’t hurt either so we can be in a 1 BR everytime? What would you guys do?

Thank you in advance and have a nice day!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

VGC is very hard to book outside home resort. So I think it comes down to your willingness to plan before 7 months.

Aulani is definitely much easier to book, especially a 1BR, most of the year.

 

[Bruin_mouse]

There are a ton of threads on here about this topic, I think I've read pretty much all of them. As painful as it is, if you want to consistently stay at VGC, you have to buy VGC.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Sounds like you're ok with the other hotel options at DL and most want Aulani. Aulani can be a bit difficult during early summer, holidays or if you want the lowest point rooms so there can be benefits to owning there. And, wanting a 1BR and being flexible for VGC can work. With the crazy prices of VGC I'd probably go ahead with the subsidized Aulani. With flexibility and living close you'll get into VGC at least some times IMO. And if not there are lots of other places to stay there too.

 

[Lauren in NC]

We're also a family of four near SF, and we own at VGC. It's difficult to book without having the home resort advantage - you almost always need to book before that seven month mark, and for popular times (holiday seasons) you need to book right at that 11 month mark. We go to DL 2-3 times a year, with one planned-a-year-ahead annual trip at VGC and the other more spur-of-the-moment ones where we stay off-site. I will say that VGC has really spoiled us - while we enjoy staying at our favorite off-site hotel, it's not quite as nice as being right there in Downtown Disney/DCA. Especially with young kids, it's been nice to be able to pop back to the room without leaving the Disney bubble.

We haven't been to Aulani or WDW with the kids yet, so I can't really speak to how hard it is to get into there, but from reading things on the boards, it does sound like it's getting harder to book non-home resorts at the 7 month mark. I would definitely think hard about how far out you're planning your trips and when you're planning taking them. If you're not going to plan your DL trips out 7-11 months in advance so you can book VGC, there's no reason to pay a premium for those points.

 

[pineapplepalms]

I would probably go with the Aulani subsidized contracts if you're okay with not staying at VGC every time you go to DLR since VGC demands a premium in both price and point chart. There are a lot of hotel options close to DLR if you can't get VGC. We were able to book 3 last minute weekend stays at VGC this past March, April, and June using our SSR points - twice in studios and once in a 1BR. These were booked through a combination of waitlists and stalking (mostly WL) from around a few weeks out to a few days out (VGC seems to have quite a bit of movement in last minute availability based on my experience). We had a backup hotel booked nearby on rewards points that we could cancel pretty last minute if VGC came through. If you're okay with occasionally staying at VGC and you're flexible on timing since you can drive down for a weekend, this approach could work for you.

 

[jamesr0721]

Agree with the post above. Since you're ok with staying at another hotel in DLR and you mentioned you'd want to stay in AUL when you go to Oahu. So since you only have one option in Oahu, I'd stick with AUL. If AUL DVC ever sells out, it'll be harder for you to book it.

Off topic.... 2 subsidized AUL!? How did you manage getting that? What's your secret? I can't even get one... and I have a feeling you're the one that beat me to the 100 AUL contract.

 

[JackArchie]

Sounds like you're ok with the other hotel options at DL and most want Aulani. Aulani can be a bit difficult during early summer, holidays or if you want the lowest point rooms so there can be benefits to owning there. And, wanting a 1BR and being flexible for VGC can work. With the crazy prices of VGC I'd probably go ahead with the subsidized Aulani. With flexibility and living close you'll get into VGC at least some times IMO. And if not there are lots of other places to stay there too.

I agree VGC is selling so high right now. Totally a sellers market.

 

[JackArchie]

I would probably go with the Aulani subsidized contracts if you're okay with not staying at VGC every time you go to DLR since VGC demands a premium in both price and point chart. There are a lot of hotel options close to DLR if you can't get VGC. We were able to book 3 last minute weekend stays at VGC this past March, April, and June using our SSR points - twice in studios and once in a 1BR. These were booked through a combination of waitlists and stalking (mostly WL) from around a few weeks out to a few days out (VGC seems to have quite a bit of movement in last minute availability based on my experience). We had a backup hotel booked nearby on rewards points that we could cancel pretty last minute if VGC came through. If you're okay with occasionally staying at VGC and you're flexible on timing since you can drive down for a weekend, this approach could work for you.

Thanks for the advice I did not know that VGC gets last minute availability. I think that will work for me being a few hours away. Need to always be ready for a quick getaway. I guess for fixed dates I have to be in DL if VGC is not available, I will need to book a backup hotel and then go on a waitlist. This just might work thanks again!

 

[JackArchie]

Agree with the post above. Since you're ok with staying at another hotel in DLR and you mentioned you'd want to stay in AUL when you go to Oahu. So since you only have one option in Oahu, I'd stick with AUL. If AUL DVC ever sells out, it'll be harder for you to book it.

Off topic.... 2 subsidized AUL!? How did you manage getting that? What's your secret? I can't even get one... and I have a feeling you're the one that beat me to the 100 AUL contract.

I guess it was meant to be.

 

[Dean]

Hi guys,

I wanted to ask for everyone’s opinion.
We are a family of four (2yo and 1yo kids) based in the SF bay area. We plan on going to Aulani every 1-2 years and Disneyland maybe twice a year short visit(3-4 days).When the kids are bigger WDW every 3 years. We wanted a contract around 250 points overall.

Currently I have an offer accepted for 2 subsidized Aulani contracts same UY (160 and 100pts). I put an offer in a VGC 160 pt contract. The cost of the combined AUL subsidized will be cheaper than the one VGC.

My mind is telling me go for the Aulani but my heart is saying Vgc (lol). Since we live 6 hours away from DSR our travel dates will be flexible. Maybe I can still get into a Vgc 1 bedroom for 3 nights stay throughout the year just have to move dates around?Worse case scenario I there are plenty of good neighbor hotels around Disneyland like HOJo? But when we go to Oahu I rather be in Aulani since the kids are young. And having more points won’t hurt either so we can be in a 1 BR everytime? What would you guys do?

Thank you in advance and have a nice day!

Could you do both? They would be a good complement. Having to make the choice I'd go with Aulani subsidized with the info you've shared.

 

[JackArchie]

Could you do both? They would be a good complement. Having to make the choice I'd go with Aulani subsidized with the info you've shared.

My max budget for a 160pt VGC contract is $175 a point but can’t find any right now. Most are asking in the $200’s. Too high for me.

 

[Dean]

My max budget for a VGC contract is $175 a point but can’t find any right now. Most are asking in the $200’s. Too high for me.

You likely won't find that unless there's a downturn. If VGC makes sense, you'll likely have to pay the higher price. If it doesn't at $200, it likely doesn't at $175. But if it's a budget constraint, that's likely a good choice.

 

[JackArchie]

You likely won't find that unless there's a downturn. If VGC makes sense, you'll likely have to pay the higher price. If it doesn't at $200, it likely doesn't at $175. But if it's a budget constraint, that's likely a good choice.

Yeah I actually offered $185 on a VGC 125 pt property and was declined.

 

[JackArchie]

Thanks for everyone’s input. I have decided to push thru with the subsidized Aulani deals, it was to good to pass up. Will just take my chances on VgC booking in the future!

 

[limace]

I think I’d stick with VGC. It’s so hard to get more than a single night here and there if you don’t own there (we do) and there are so many places we love in Hawaii more than Oahu-whereas Disneyland is the only game in town