What do you think will happen with DVC KO'Olina?

[El&Asmom]

The entire resort is a new venture for Disney since it is their first non-theme park resort. VB and HH were all DVC so I am discounting them. So I think the draw here will evolve as the project develops. I agree that the ties to Japan/Asia and west coast Americas will be key. And I really like the idea of a Land/Sea vacation tied to the new DCL ships, DL and DVC in Hawaii. That would be a worthwhile holiday to consider from here in Orlando. Fly to CA and stay in DVC GCV, take the DCL to Hawaii, stay in DVC there, take the DCL back to CA, another GCV stay, then fly home.

I agree that I would love to tie in a land/sea package with DL, HI, and a cruise. I just wish they would decrease the point cost for the cruises so we could justify using points on a cruise.

 

[keliblue]

Boy, I wish I could say that!!! We can go from Minnesota to Orlando for $250-300/ticket most times, but Hawaii is more like $800-1200 or more! We almost purchased an everyother year timeshare on Kauai a few years back, and the airfare is what made us think twice and not do it.

OUCH !!!...

Diane,

Do you have Southwest Air in your neck of the woods ?? If so they just started offering flights to Hawaii I use my SW Visa to pay all my bills (and yes I pay it off in full EVER month ) I am up to 3 free round trip flights already... I guess that means I spend to much

 

[2tink4u]

I plan to buy enough points to go once every 3 years if the fees are reasonable. I expect like all things Hawaii fees will be even higher than VB..... Also tsunami more likey in pacific, I wonder if the cruise line have investigated this. Food for thought.

 

[Granny]

When/where was this announced? Officially?

Press releases, official statements, etc were issued October 3. Look on the member website under the "News" section....it's the lead story.

Official enough?

 

[deerh]

The way I look at Hawaii is I MIGHT buy there, and go every 3rd year. I would bank the points. Then, rent my BWV/HHI pts out for the airfare if I had too. I think it would be doable this way, and a lot of 'east coasters' might think that way too...

What do you think the price would be in 2011? I say $120/pt x 75 pts=$9000.
A 2BR at Westin in Maui is $700-900/nt, so I think this would be a good cause for buying the DVC at Hawaii..

Now as for dues-who knows, probably very high..!!!

deerh

 

[dianeschlicht]

OUCH !!!...

Diane,

Do you have Southwest Air in your neck of the woods ?? If so they just started offering flights to Hawaii I use my SW Visa to pay all my bills (and yes I pay it off in full EVER month ) I am up to 3 free round trip flights already... I guess that means I spend to much

I WISH we had Southwest! Unfortunately, we have NWA based here, and they have a death grip on the market as a whole out of here. It's why we don't get many "deals" from MSP.

 

[kimberh]

Maui is our favorite Island. We have stayed on Oahu for 2 days at a time, but I think the cost is going to be very High! I wonder what dues will be?

 

[TLSnell1981]

I WISH we had Southwest! Unfortunately, we have NWA based here, and they have a death grip on the market as a whole out of here. It's why we don't get many "deals" from MSP.

NWA through Memphis....same here. Airfare is ridiculous.

 

[dianeschlicht]

NWA through Memphis....same here. Airfare is ridiculous.

Yep, and our grandkids live in Memphis, so I was appalled when I found that I couldn't even get a connecting flight through Memphis to accompany them without a DOUBLE charge! MSP to MCO was $275 and connecting through Memphis was $650!

 

[dianeschlicht]

To get back to the original topic....I think most of you are right about how Disney will market this. I'm sure there will be a heavy point of resort marketing, but I think it will also be more heavily marketed on the west coast and Asia than at WDW. It will be interesting to see if they actually do connect a cruise with it. That would be a pretty long cruise! I also wonder if they will actually have DVC/Ko'Olina rooms to view in the WDW preview center? I'm thinking maybe not. I can see them doing them in DL before WDW.

 

[dianeschlicht]

What do you think the price would be in 2011? I say $120/pt x 75 pts=$9000.
A 2BR at Westin in Maui is $700-900/nt, so I think this would be a good cause for buying the DVC at Hawaii..

Now as for dues-who knows, probably very high..!!!

I'm thinking MORE than $125/pt by then. I also think dues will be outrageous! Everything in Hawaii (and especially Oahu) is inflated, so I'm thinking fees will be higher than at most current DVC resorts. When you are on what is nothing more than a big rock in the middle of the Pacific, services and products don't come cheap!

 

[jarestel]

I'm thinking MORE than $125/pt by then. I also think dues will be outrageous! Everything in Hawaii (and especially Oahu) is inflated, so I'm thinking fees will be higher than at most current DVC resorts. When you are on what is nothing more than a big rock in the middle of the Pacific, services and products don't come cheap!

Exactly! I'm tickled pink DVC is adding on in HI, but I'll be content with the occasional 7-month booking. Though I enjoy HI, it's not an experience I wish to have every year. And there's no theme parks! (Of course without the theme parks, Orlando would be way down at the bottom of my list as well)

 

[SJCSuzyQ]

I don't think they will tie in a DCL cruise from the mainland to HI. It's too long and boring having that many days at sea, also the issue of most foreign flagged ships not being able to stop at 2 US ports in a row. I think DCL on the west coast will most likely be cruises to Mexico and maybe Alaska.

We're left coasters but I doubt we'll be buying in, I really prefer the other islands than Oahu.

Suzy

 

[dianeschlicht]

I don't think they will tie in a DCL cruise from the mainland to HI. It's too long and boring having that many days at sea, also the issue of most foreign flagged ships not being able to stop at 2 US ports in a row. I think DCL on the west coast will most likely be cruises to Mexico and maybe Alaska.

We're left coasters but I doubt we'll be buying in, I really prefer the other islands than Oahu.

Suzy

That was my thought as well about the cruises. The only thing I think they MIGHT do is eventually base a cruise ship out of Hawaii and cruise the outer islands like some of the other cruise lines do. I just don't think a cruise from the mainland to Hawaii would be feasible timewise.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Yep, and our grandkids live in Memphis, so I was appalled when I found that I couldn't even get a connecting flight through Memphis to accompany them without a DOUBLE charge! MSP to MCO was $275 and connecting through Memphis was $650!

Welcome to our nightmare.

 

[nuts]

I'm thinking MORE than $125/pt by then. I also think dues will be outrageous! Everything in Hawaii (and especially Oahu) is inflated, so I'm thinking fees will be higher than at most current DVC resorts. When you are on what is nothing more than a big rock in the middle of the Pacific, services and products don't come cheap!

I used to think Hawaii was expensive until I went to Bermuda

 

[dianeschlicht]

I used to think Hawaii was expensive until I went to Bermuda

Well, that might be another future DVC location as well!

 

[50 years Too!]

I think they will have a cruise to Hawaii.
As far as boredom, I don't think it would be any different than going to Europe from Florida.
I would imagine they will have the crossing and leave it there for a time, as they did this summer in Europe.
Just my two cents.

Deb

 

[CarolA]

Looks like most of you think the same way I do about this. I do worry that those of us who don't buy in there will be at a HUGE disadvantage for booking. We also prefer the other islands over Oahu, and the biggest concern I have with the location is that it is quite isolated from the rest of the island and the areas of Oahu that have all the draw. It is also on the wetter, and more cloudy side of the island. When we were in that area a few years ago, I didn't think we would ever see the sun!

Based on this, I don't think DIsney learned from HH. It's all about LOCATION!!! Disney gets a premium in Orlando and it's not because they are SO much nicer then the Marriott/Hilton offerings, it's because of the location!!!!

I think Disney believes that "People love us" and they tend to "underperform" in hotel management. (Those deluxe hotels are NOT true deluxe, just overpriced 3 stars. )

IT took them a long time to sell out HH and VB. VB was even downsized from the original plan. I was hoping they learned, but......it sounds like they are still going with the "if we build it, folks will pay" That works in Orlando, but IMHO it does not translate to Hawaii where you have all the other major players with better locations and "resale" discounts already!

Disney will push this just as hard in Florida IMHO. It will be just like VAK is now..... they get 'west coaster" and international visitors there, but the truth is they have had GREAT success with add-ons for current owners (Yes, I am one of thier successes, bought VAK the DAY it was opened to purchase LOL! ) They are probaby counting on a certain continuation of that success.

 

[BCV23]

Personally, I think the location sounds great.

It is on the dry, sunny side.

It's away from the bustle of Honolulu which appeals to us. Hopefully, it will feel like the other islands but with the advantage of being close to Honolulu's airport and all the international flights.

I read in one guidebook that the beaches at Ko 'Olina are very popular with local families because the coves are so sheltered.

There is a walk all along the coves which sounds like the beautiful walk along the beach in the Wailea area which is one of my very favorite things about Maui.

It doesn't sound like there are tons of restaurants in the area yet but as the rest of the properties are developed, I imagine that will improve.

But we haven't stayed there yet so I'll reserve judgement.