trade to Hawaii experts needed (resort selection)!!

[dznyacct]

My DH, Ds and I are planning on a 2 week trade to HI to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary sometime in late June or July 2005. I am looking for suggestions on what resort to try for. We want to stay on Kauai or Oahu. We want to see the natural beauty of Hawaii (not the commercialized side that I hear about on the main island), but also have the ability to do some other fun things (snorkel, luau, see volcanos, scuba..). We definitely want somewhere that is right on the beach. We just got back from VB and we (especially our 13 yo son) loved having the beach right outside our door. Thanks for any suggestions you can provide.

P.S.
Does anyone have any website suggestions where I can get an idea of the cost of activities and food prices? Thanks!

 

[Dean]

I've been told that the new Marriott on Oahu has been added to the DVC exchange list but don't know for certain. The Marriott's on Kauai and Muai are the best options by far for those islands. Prices are about the same as any other resort area, expensive but not unworkable. The studios will be fine for just the two of you I suspect. There are no other resorts on the DVC II list I'd consider at this point. There are other resorts but not currently on the DVC list for this situation.

 

[Dean]

Here are the links I have. I didn't screen them to make sure they're still working but it will give you an idea.

Here's my activites folder
<a href="http://www.alohafrommaui.com/">Maui, Hawaii: Activities, Ocean Adventures, W...</a>
<a href="http://www.maui-activities.com/">Activities-4-Less Maui Discount Vacation Acti...</a>
<a href="http://www.hawaiimagic.com/the_show.html">Warren and Annabelle's Magic Show-Maui</a>
<a href="http://members.toast.net/fdw/northsh/northsh.htm">NORTH SHORE Kauai Tour</a>
<a href="http://www.blueskytours.com/">Blue Sky Tours Online</a>
<a href="http://family-vacations-hawaii.com/about.html">About Family Vacations Hawaii</a>
<a href="http://64.26.60.45/maui.html">Family Vacation Packages on Maui, Hawaii</a>
<a href="http://www.westmaui.com/index.html">Lahaina News</a>
<a href="http://www.the2buds.com/pchi.htm">The2Buds - Vintage Hawaii Postcards</a>
<a href="http://www.sallys-place.com/food/dining_directory/oceania/maui.htm">Maui</a>
<a href="http://www.mauiactive.com/activities.html">Maui 10 Best Activities - Discount Maui Activ...</a>
<a href="http://home.talkcity.com/SmileySt/catprincess/maui.html">Cat's Island...</a>
<a href="http://www.mauibound.com/">maui activities - Mauibound Adventures - hawa...</a>
<a href="http://www.mauibound.com/maui_aloha_visitor_pack.html">Hawaii vacation - Maui aloha visitor informat...</a>
<a href="http://www.maui.net/~mauikay/">Maui Vacation Consultants, Get the best of Ma...</a>
<a href="http://www.mauigateway.com/~rw/cheetah.htm">MAUI CHEETAH Home Page</a>
<a href="http://www.mauigateway.com/~rw/thingtodo.htm">MAUI - Things To Do On Maui</a>
<a href="http://www.maui.net/~kelii/MIA/MI.html">Maui Vacation Activity Planner InterActive</a>
<a href="http://www.mauihi.com/">Maui HI!: Your digital vacation guide to Maui</a>
<a href="http://www.mauione.com/invite.html">Best Lua</a>
<a href="http://www.mauione.com/">AnythingMaui - Entertainment, Lodging, Restau...</a>
<a href="http://www.maui.net/~mol/molhome.html">Maui On-Line Home Page - A comprehensive guid...</a>
<a href="http://www.4windstravel.com/index.html">Travel: Four Winds Travel Services, Inc.</a>
<a href="http://www.maui.net/menu/activities__tourist_info/maui_brand_fun/">Maui Brand Fun Made on Maui, Maui Net, Accomm...</a>
<a href="http://www.maui.net/~mauinews/newsnew.htm">Maui News Homepage: Hawaii News, Tourist and ...</a>
<a href="http://hometown.aol.com/Derm1/index.html">Maui Hawaii Vacation Sights Restaurants & Act...</a>
<a href="http://hometown.aol.com/Derm1/mauilinks.htm">Maui links</a>
<a href="http://www.tombarefoot.com/index.html">Tom Barefoot's Discount Tour Guide For Hawaii</a>
<a href="http://www.trykauai.com/">Aloha Vacation Planning for Kauai ~ Welcome t...</a>
<a href="http://www.robertshawaii.com:80/roberts/home.asp?menu=2&mscssid=BVX388E529G89N7DB8PD9AEBXRTJ27C2">Roberts Hawaii: Attractions/Activities</a>
<a href="http://www.MagnumTours.com/HomePage.htm">Magnum Tours - Discount Tickets, Tours and Tr...</a>
<a href="http://www.maui-info.com/2aloha2.html">Maui Discount Coupons For Restaurants, Activi...</a>
<a href="http://www.gohawaii.com/hokeo/islands/maui.html">Island Highlights: Maui</a>
<a href="http://www.oldlahainaluau.com/">Old Lahaina Luau | Home Page</a>
<a href="http://www.infomaui.com/todo/luaus.html">luaus</a>
<a href="http://www.maui.net/~mol/activ.html">Maui Activity Page: Maui County General Activ...</a>
<a href="http://www.infomaui.com/lodging/westmaui.html">InfoMaui - West Maui Hotels and Condominiums</a>
<a href="http://maui-info.com/">Maui Visitor Information, Discounts, Products...</a>
<a href="http://www.infomaui.com/todo/index.html">InfoMaui - Maui's Number One Vacation Plannin...</a>
<a href="http://www.maui.net/">Maui Net Made on Maui, Maui Net, Accommodatio...</a>
<a href="http://www.pleasant.net/">Pleasant Holidays</a>
<a href="http://www.auntiealoha.com/nav-2/nav-2-intro.htm">MAUI ACTIVITIES - Auntie Aloha's Maui Hawaii ...</a>
<a href="http://www.accessamer.com/maui/Maui_Attractions.html">Maui Hawaii Attractions America's Travel Network</a>
<a href="http://hawaiivacationsite.com/oldpath1.html">Welcome to<br>HawaiiVacationSite.com</a>
<a href="http://www.travelhawaii.com/main2.html">Hawaii activities: Activity Warehouse's Guide...</a>
<a href="http://www.getnet.com/~shoguns/links/phone.htm">Important Phone Numbers for Vacation on Maui ...</a>
<a href="http://www.mauidestination.com/misc.html">Maui Destination Travel Activities on Maui</a>
<a href="http://www.bookithawaii.com/">Hawaii Activities - Tours, Cruises, Shows, an...</a>

And my restaurant folder:

<a href="http://www.appliancepartsoutlet.com/restaurants.html">Maui Restaurants - Trade Winds Appliance</a>
<a href="http://www.maui-info.com/menus.html">Maui Restaurant and Dining Guides</a>
<a href="http://www.mauimenusonline.com/dealsFR.html">Maui Chef Feature by Maui Menus Online</a>
<a href="http://home.pacbell.net/gbraslow/index.html">The Objective Kaua'i</a>
<a href="http://www.sallys-place.com/food/dining_directory/dining_dir.htm">Dining Directory</a>
<a href="http://maui-info.com/">Maui Visitor Information, Discounts, Products...</a>
<a href="http://www.Maui-Info.com/menus.html">Maui Restaurant and Dining Guides</a>
<a href="http://www.maui.net/~mol/hulagril/hulagrill.html">Hula Grill Restaurant Page</a>
<a href="http://www.bubbagump.com/html/maui.html">Bubba Gump</a>
<a href="http://www.infomaui.com/dining/index.html">InfoMaui - Maui's Number One Vacation Plannin...</a>
<a href="http://www.islandcurrents.com/dining.htm">Dining - Maui Island Currents</a>
<a href="http://www.traveltraveltravel.com/haw_restaurant.htm">hawaii restaurant</a>
<a href="http://www.digitalcity.com/honolulu/dining/">Digital City: Hawaii - Dining</a>
<a href="http://www.maui.net/~travel/hawaii/maui/restaurants/directory.html">Maui Hawaii - Restaurant Guide!</a>
<a href="http://www01.u-page.so-net.ne.jp/ra2/sinzan/hawaii/hawaii_restrant_guaid.html">HAWAII RESTAURANT GUIDE</a>
<a href="http://www.dine4less.com/search/US_Coupons/Hawaii/index.shtml">Hawaii Restaurant Coupons to Dine 4 Less</a>
<a href="http://www.mauimenusonline.com/search.html">Maui Hawaii Restaurant Directory. Searchable ...</a>
<a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=Hawaii+restaurant&hl=en&start=10&sa=N">Google Search: Hawaii restaurant</a>
<a href="http://www.islandsource.com/islandsource.htm">Hawaii Activities, Adventures, and Lodging Br...</a>
<a href="http://www.hawaiirestaurants.com/">Aloha! - Welcome to HawaiiRestaurants.com</a>
<a href="http://www.dinehawaii.com/">Dine Hawaii Restaurant Guide</a>
<a href="http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/restaug.htm">Hawaii Restaurant Guide</a>
<a href="http://www.hawaiisrestaurants.com/">Hawaii's Marketplace > Hawaii's Restaurant Guide</a>

My folder of sites with Maps:
<a href="http://www.mauibound.com/maps_islands.html">Maui Maps - Mauibound Adventures - Hawaii In...</a>
<a href="http://www.thisweek.com/maui/Mmaps.html">This Week Maps of Maui</a>
<a href="http://www.bestofhawaii.com/map_maui.htm">Best Of Hawaii - Map of Maui</a>
<a href="http://www.bestofhawaii.com/maps/images/maui.jpg">maui.jpg 604x495 pixels</a>
<a href="http://pages.prodigy.net/plantsman/p23.htm">Maui "The Valley Isle" Map</a>
<a href="http://mauisurfandturf.com/maps.html">Map of Maui Hawaii</a>
<a href="http://mauisurfandturf.com/bigmap.html">Maui Map for Maui Surf and Turf Vacation rentals</a>
<a href="http://www.alohafrommaui.com/mapofmaui.htm">MAP OF MAUI</a>
<a href="http://www.auntiealoha.com/nav-5/nav-5-intro.htm">MAPS OF MAUI - Auntie Aloha's Maui Hawaii vac...</a>

My folder of timeshare sites though it's not exhaustive.
http://www.vacationclub.com/en-us/vc/resorts/?
<a href="http://www.marcresorts.com/poipupoint.html">Embassy Vacation Resort Poipu Point</a>
<a href="http://www.funjet.com/destin/hawaii/ogg/hotel.htm">Maui, Hawaii Hotels</a>
<a href="http://Honeymoon-Hawaii.com/Embassy_Vacation_Resort_Kauai.html">Hawaii Honeymoon Packages at the Embassy Vac...</a>
<a href="http://www.maui-rbc.com/emb/emb.htm">Hawaii vacation condos Maui Vacation condos a...</a>
<a href="http://www.runawayvacations.com/Resort_Pages/Maui/Embassy_Maui/embassy-maui.htm">Embassy Resort</a>
<a href="http://www.sunfinder.com/maui/embassy_vacation_resort.htm">Embassy Vacation Resort Maui</a>
<a href="http://dest.travelocity.com/Vacations/Property/0,2445,TRAVELOCITY_318_,00.html">Travelocity.com : Vacations : Western U.S. : ...</a>
<a href="http://www.tug1.net/tugbbs1/Forum14/HTML/000561.html">What are the units like at the Embassy Maui? ...</a>
<a href="http://hawaiibycci.com/">Vacations to Hawaii, Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Lanai...</a>
<a href="http://www.blueskytours.com/brochure/kauai/Embassy.html">Blue Sky Tours: Kauai: Embassy Vacation Resort</a>
<a href="http://www.blueskytours.com/brochure/maui/Embassy.html">Blue Sky Tours: Maui: Embassy Vacation Resort...</a>
<a href="http://hawaiibycci.com/brochure/maui/InsetPics/Embassy-O.html">Hawaii by CCI: Maui: Emassy Suites</a>
<a href="http://hawaiibycci.com/brochure/maui/InsetPics/Embassy-I.html">Hawaii by CCI: Maui: Embassy Suites</a>
<a href="http://www.blueskytours.com/brochure/maui/InsetPics/Embassy-I.html">Blue Sky Tours: Maui: Embassy Suites</a>
<a href="http://www.maui.net/~embassy/welcome.htm">EMBASSY SUITES MAUI WELCOME</a>
<a href="http://www.evr.com/HotelInfo/evr/property.html?page=HOME&pid=MAUHI">Embassy Maui</a>
<a href="http://www.embassykauai.com/index.html">Embassy Vacation Resorts - Kauai</a>

A couple of misc. links.
<a href="http://www.pleasant.net/phh/phh_fea_tt_index.htm">Hawaii Travel Tips</a>
<a href="http://www.wizardpub.com/main/home.html">Wizard Publications, Inc</a>

 

[disney4me4ever]

Dean~

I consider myself a pretty adept travel planner/arranger, but the links that you posted above on HI are impressive!!

If/when I get my Caribbean II exchange, I'm contacting you as soon as I get off the phone with MS to see if you have a folder of links like that!

Nancy

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by disney4me4ever
Dean~

I consider myself a pretty adept travel planner/arranger, but the links that you posted above on HI are impressive!!

If/when I get my Caribbean II exchange, I'm contacting you as soon as I get off the phone with MS to see if you have a folder of links like that!

Nancy

LOL. Many are from the same basic sites just various pages. I've planned a large trip to HI and used to live there 17 years ago. I'm not quite as widely versed in all things Caribbean but still have some information and some access to additional info. Besides, I think I'm OCD.

 

[cewait]

Originally posted by dznyacct
I am looking for suggestions on what resort to try for. We want to stay on Kauai or Oahu. We want to see the natural beauty of Hawaii (not the commercialized side that I hear about on the main island)

I think you want to avoid Oahu if you want to avoid the cammercialized side of the state...

Just got back from the Marriott Ko Olina Beach Club in Oahu. It's a great resort but is still so new that there are limited eating facilites at the resort. The resort shares coastline with the Marriott Ilhani resort along a stretch of four man made laggons. Great for swimming or laying out on the beach. One thing we noticed and are still talking about two weeks later, that is that every employee called us by name! (That is after only one introduction) The management has hired a great staff. Most ocean activities can be arrainged for in the area, but most all site seeing requires you to go through Honolulu's traffic

We also stayed at the Marriott Maui Ocean Club a couple years ago. This is along the Kaanopoli Resort area. the beach in front of the resort is not as nice as it has a fair current moving north, but if you walk about a half mile up the resort ocean walk, the beach is wide and inviting! All sorts of ocean activities are available within a short walk of the resort. Of the two resorts, I would go back to Maui!

In general, I would select any Marriott Hawaiin resort specifically Kauai or Maui.
Hope this helps

 

[Reppstir]

You are doing the right thing by trying to avoid Honolulu. It's a shame what has happened there. I highly recommend the Hanalai Bay Resort on Kauai. It is a gorgeous little piece of paradise. On our first visit there, we bought a timeshare three days into our visit. We now own there and at DVC.
It's truly Hawaii at it's finest.
Warm alohas.

 

[Dean]

Reppstir, I hope your not offended. While I though Hanalei bay was nice, it's certainly not on par with the DVC resorts, especially the 1 BR units. There was a report on this board a year or two ago about a DVC member who traded there and was VERY angry and upset with both DVC and II. They did not like the resort at all.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Great information you have gotten from Dean.

Oahu and Maui are the most commercial of the islands, with Oahu being the worst. I always like to start a trip there to get used to the time change and do the historic sites etc. Maui, while a bit commercial is still wonderful. That is especially true in the Lahaina and Kaanapali areas. We have not done an II exchange there, so I can't tell you about specific reorts.

If you want to see volcanos (active ones anyway), you will have to go to the Big Island of Hawaii. That, BTW is our favorite. The popular II exchange there is the Kona Coast Resort. We loved it there, but it is not l beach resort, if that is what you are looking for.

We love the north side (Princeville/Hanalei) of Kauai, but I don't think there are many exchanges with DVC there. If you get a chance to exchange to the Shearwater, that is quite nice and has a lovely view. We stayed at Bali Hai on a friends exchange. It was not nearly as nice as DVC, but serviceable, and in a great area.

 

[Reppstir]

Dean,
Not offended in the least at your response. Absolutely puzzled, yes, but offended, no.
It's a shame that someone found Hanalei Bay Resort not to their liking. It is the most beautiful spot I have ever seen.
They may have mistakenly been speaking of the Hanalei Colony Resort or maybe the Hanalei Bay Villas.
HBR is breathtaking. Of course there is a possibility that something was amiss during their visit, as sometimes happens even at world class accomodations. I just made my reservations to return there, and frankly cannot wait.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Reppstir
Dean,
Not offended in the least at your response. Absolutely puzzled, yes, but offended, no.
It's a shame that someone found Hanalei Bay Resort not to their liking. It is the most beautiful spot I have ever seen.
They may have mistakenly been speaking of the Hanalei Colony Resort or maybe the Hanalei Bay Villas.
HBR is breathtaking. Of course there is a possibility that something was amiss during their visit, as sometimes happens even at world class accomodations. I just made my reservations to return there, and frankly cannot wait.

I've seen the resort and the units and I would say it's hit or miss. While the views can be pretty, it depends on the unit. Only about 25% of the 1 BR have a good view but most of the 2 BR were. The person that posted definitley stayed at the Hanalei Bay resort on a DVC exchange. They were livid and could not say anything good about the resort at all. I don't recall specifics though. Maybe they'll see this thread and post.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by Reppstir
You are doing the right thing by trying to avoid Honolulu. It's a shame what has happened there. I highly recommend the Hanalai Bay Resort on Kauai. It is a gorgeous little piece of paradise. On our first visit there, we bought a timeshare three days into our visit. We now own there and at DVC.
It's truly Hawaii at it's finest.
Warm alohas.

I found the complaint info I had referenced earlier. I thought I'd post it for your information. I have tried to delete the personal information tough the OP included it and if one wanted to get more info, I could pass it along privately.

03/26/2002 (Exchange 12/2001)
The following "review" is in the form of a letter of complaint that was sent to the Customer Satisfaction Manager of the Disney Vacation Club following a Disney exchange into this resort using our DVC week. We initially considered NOT posting this material, however, having seen a recent flurry of activity regarding this resort, we srtongly feel that all potential exchangers should be adequately warned. We wish we were!

Here is the letter in its entirety:

[Note: The photos that accompany this review have been sent via e- mail to the TUG address above - please incorporate them when posting this review]

Ms. Jackie Lueders
Member Satisfaction Manager
Disney Vacation Club
200 Celebration Place
Celebration, FL 34747

Dear Ms. Lueders;

Further to my conversation with Hubert in Member Services, I am providing this brief account of the events that transpired relating to our accommodations at the Hanalei Bay Resort, Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii. The details of the Interval International exchange as arranged by the Disney Vacation Club are attached.

DAY 1 - Arrival (Friday, December 7, 9:00 PM) - Contracted reserved accommodations in a 2 bedroom timeshare villa not available - desk clerk indicates reservation mix-up as we are booked into a 1 bedroom daily rental (hotel style) accommodation, but we are 2 couples (both DVC members) - clerk attempts to find alternate accommodation - only alternative is 2 bedroom daily rental unit - clerk cautions as to poor condition and location of unit - ask to speak to manager but none available - after repeated requests speak to John Mahoney, Assistant Resort Manager, by telephone - Mr Mahoney sympathetic and apologetic for lack of accommodations as per reservations, but indicates no alternatives available that night - asks that we accept unit for that night with promise of a solution the next day - we reluctantly do so.

DAY 1 - Continued - Unit is in appalling state of disrepair - dirty, musty, holes in walls, paint stained brown/black, missing/cracked tiles in bathroom and kitchenette, mildew and mould in shower, fungus on tile kitchenette counter, towel rack falling off wall, carpet frayed/stained/burned, bare electrical outlets (no cover plates), ripped and badly worn upholstery on furniture, pillows smelt of vomit, etc. - did not unpack or shower - had to eat at restaurant (kitchenette too unsanitary).

DAY 2 - Mr Mahoney apologises again as still no accommodations as per reservation - were moved to only alternative, a 1 bedroom timeshare villa that had been removed from inventory due to maintenance deficiencies - one couple had to sleep on the floor in the living room as the pull out couch was unusable - Mr Mahoney provides information that the week accommodation deposited with II was misrepresented by the owner - it was a bonus week in a 1 bedroom unit in the daily rental portion of the property, not in an II timeshare unit - Mr. Mahoney stated "it should never have been placed into the II inventory" and "should never had been made available to Disney for an exchange" - Mr Mahoney agrees to provide written documentation of the inappropriate accommodations deposited for trade with II to be forwarded upon receipt.

[Note: Mr Mahoney never fulfilled his promise of providing written confirmation]

DAY 3 - Still in 1 bedroom unit - one couple still sleeping on the floor in living room

DAY 4 - Still in 1 bedroom unit - one couple still sleeping on the floor in living room - Mr Mahoney indicates that a 2 bedroom timeshare villa, as was originally reserved would finally be available that day - 1:00 check-in promised - returned from days activities at 5:30 and unit still not ready - unit finally available at 7:30 that evening

DAY 4 - Continued - New unit fulfilled size criteria, but despite cosmetic refurbishment was still far below standards anticipated by II 5* categorization and by its inclusion into Disney acceptable II exchange listings - dishwasher fell out of counter cabinetry whenever the door was opened spilling dish contents onto floor - living room air conditioner badly rusted and spewed rusted innards into room when turned on - bathroom tiles cracked and black with mildew and mould - master bedroom fridge precariously placed on folding baggage stand ready to collapse - photos of these deficiencies were taken and are being sent to your attention by separate by e-mail - concluded that this is the best we could anticipate from this resort and made no further attempts for other accommodations.

[Note: Photos of the *REFURBISHED* unit are attached below - you can only imagine the state of the daily rental units!!]

DAY 5/6 - Only 2 days of the 7 were spent in the contacted 2 bedroom timeshare villa.

DAY 7 - Homeward bound (finally!)

Based on the described events endured by these 4 Disney Vacation Members, we are herewith requesting that Interval International re- credit us with 1 week of accommodation in a 2 bedroom unit as was initially contracted by our Disney exchange, OR, that II appropriately compensate the Disney Vacation Club so that the 232 points used for the exchange be refunded to our account.

Furthermore, we STRONGLY urge that the Hanalei Bay Resort be immediately removed form the inventory of acceptable II exchange properties for Disney Vacation Club members. We fully anticipate that any member accustomed to the level of accommodations provided by Disney, or by the other 5* resorts available to members through an II exchange, will be exceptionally disappointed by the dilapidated condition of the units awaiting them at this resort.

Should you have any additional questions or require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at XXX-XXX-XXXX or by e-mail at Deleted.

Sincerely,

Name Deleted by Dean,
Burlington, Ontario

 

[Reppstir]

I'm sorry to read about your stay at Hanalei Bay Resort. What you describe is simply far from my wonderful experience there. I highly recommend the resort without reservation. I stayed in a 2BR unit in January, 2001. I have a week booked there in May, 2004. It was heaven on earth, and I expect it will be when I return.
Warm alohas,
Mike

 

[WolfpackFan]

Originally posted by Dean
I've been told that the new Marriott on Oahu has been added to the DVC exchange list but don't know for certain.

Dean - Is this the Ko Olina Beach Club resort? One question, I've been rethinking our plans about staying at Mauna Lani or Kapalua Bay and think now I'd rather try a full-week exchange, it just sounds like it provides better point value. This Ko Olina looks very nice if it is in fact an exchange now. I don't mind being on Oahu and in fact would kind of prefer being there as I am really interested in history and such and it sounds like more of that kind of stuff is there. How would be the best way to go about doing an exchange. Here is my situation - we want to do this exchange during Summer 2006. We also want to do it either the week before or the week after we do a cruise on the new NCL Pride of America. From reading these posts, it almost sounds like it would be better to nail down the exchange first and then book the cruise either the week before or the week after since the exchanges sound like you need the greater amount of flexibililty. Would you agree with this? If so, when is the earliest I could call DVC MS to request the exchange assuming we're talking June or July of 2006? Would you advise just requesting the Ko Olina if available or should I be more general.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by WolfpackFan
Dean - Is this the Ko Olina Beach Club resort? One question, I've been rethinking our plans about staying at Mauna Lani or Kapalua Bay and think now I'd rather try a full-week exchange, it just sounds like it provides better point value. This Ko Olina looks very nice if it is in fact an exchange now. I don't mind being on Oahu and in fact would kind of prefer being there as I am really interested in history and such and it sounds like more of that kind of stuff is there. How would be the best way to go about doing an exchange. Here is my situation - we want to do this exchange during Summer 2006. We also want to do it either the week before or the week after we do a cruise on the new NCL Pride of America. From reading these posts, it almost sounds like it would be better to nail down the exchange first and then book the cruise either the week before or the week after since the exchanges sound like you need the greater amount of flexibililty. Would you agree with this? If so, when is the earliest I could call DVC MS to request the exchange assuming we're talking June or July of 2006? Would you advise just requesting the Ko Olina if available or should I be more general.

There are actually more variables than that. First, I've been told that the Ko Olina Beach Club has been added and I've also been told it has not. I'm sure both it and the new one on Kauai will be added at some point. I also suspect that the two Embassy's and the Westin will be added as well. IMO, air fare is a far more costly and important variable than the hotel/timeshare issue. If you're planning on using FF miles, look for everything in sight that will work until you make your reservations at exactly 330 days out from your departure. Then once you’ve got the flights down, you can make your further plans. Start a search for any week at any resort you desire. Also look for direct exchanges and contact the independent exchange companies as well. Besides giving you access to additional units, the other options give you access to other resorts that are either in II or not on the DVC II list. It’s unlikely you’ll get anything more than 12 months out anyway other than the Embassy resorts and Kona Coast. If you get the exchange, you can then make the cruise appropriately. If you get the air fare and are then locked in to the specific timing, you can narrow your search to just the one or 2 weeks that will work. I’d also do a condo or hotel rental that you could cancel that way you could keep looking up to a few days before your trip.