What happened to Aulani?

[adminjedi]

Yes, but I don't view DVC as any timeshare type property and when we purchased our DVC, we were told we would never receive additional tax charges at the end of our stay. With this new DVC resort opening, suddenly we will be taxed according to amount of points used AND according to your yearly annual dues. Personally, I do not think this is right since this was not the terms we agreed upon.

A few questions:
1. "we were told we would never receive additional tax charges at the end of our stay"....is it in your contract? for your home resort?
2. The terms of your "trading" your home resort points into other resorts can be changed.
3. Did you buy Aulani points? It is contractual that you will be paying the tax...no surprise to those who read it.

 

[3happydancers]

A few questions:
1. "we were told we would never receive additional tax charges at the end of our stay"....is it in your contract? for your home resort?
2. The terms of your "trading" your home resort points into other resorts can be changed.
3. Did you buy Aulani points? It is contractual that you will be paying the tax...no surprise to those who read it.

No, I did not buy Aulani points, and I won't. I was hoping to one year use my points to go to Hawaii and stay at Aulani but, I am sorry, I just do not agree with paying more. Others do, and that is ok.

And yes, I believe it is in my contract that a DVC owner would not be receiving additional hotel tax charges. If this is not true then is it fair to state that my family was misled at the time of purchase?

To date, my hotel balance at the end of my stay is "ZERO". I do not receive a tax bill in my home resort, and I have not received them at other resorts UNLESS I was a cash customer.

I did read somewhere that the additional taxes is to pay for the public beaches that Aulani fronts (I did not know this information until I read the ongoing discussion about this particular topic) and Aulani guests get to use. So to a point, I suppose this makes sense. But, I am still not convinced that a DVC owner should pay more. This is how I feel, and that is OK too!

 

[Chuck S]

No, I did not buy Aulani points, and I won't. I was hoping to one year use my points to go to Hawaii and stay at Aulani but, I am sorry, I just do not agree with paying more. Others do, and that is ok.

And yes, I believe it is in my contract that a DVC owner would not be receiving additional hotel tax charges. If this is not true then is it fair to state that my family was misled at the time of purchase?

To date, my hotel balance at the end of my stay is "ZERO". I do not receive a tax bill in my home resort, and I have not received them at other resorts UNLESS I was a cash customer.

I did read somewhere that the additional taxes is to pay for the public beaches that Aulani fronts (I did not know this information until I read the ongoing discussion about this particular topic) and Aulani guests get to use. So to a point, I suppose this makes sense. But, I am still not convinced that a DVC owner should pay more. This is how I feel, and that is OK too!

Convinced or not, it is the state law of Hawaii, and it isn't likely to change. If you feel you should not be required to pay this tax, then who would be responsibile for paying it?

There is not equivalent state mandated tax (yet) in the other DVC locations. If you think the Aulani owners should pay this tax as part of their dues, then don't be surprised to see Florida pass a similar law to raise taxes on timeshares, thus raising our dues several hundred $ per year. Remember the states are desperate for income.

But in truth, it was reported that Florida did consider a similar law, and the effort was thwarted by a timeshare industry PAC, so far. Timeshares are subject to state laws and taxes, regardless of whether you personally think additional taxes should be paid for a stay or not, it is out of your control and up to the state. Don't be surprised to see this come up again in Florida, and the rest of the DVC locations.

Most timeshare owners are not a political voting block in their states, as most reside legally out of state.

 

[wdrl]

We got the Aulani book today too. My concern is the tax thing...how do you find out how much it would be per stay? Since we have a big family we would be booking a 2 bedroom so I guess that means a higher tax since more points per stay?

The Hawaii Transient Accommodations Tax is based on the prorated amount of the annual maintenance fee for the length of stay. Based on information I have found from the State of Hawaii Department of Taxation (see, for example, http://www.state.hi.us/tax/announce/ann09-03.pdf), the tax formula is one-half of the yearly maintenance fee ($4.31) multiplied by 9.25% for each point for the length of stay. This computes to about $0.1993 per point. If a stay requires 200 points, then the tax would be about $39.86 for the entire length of stay.

The Transient Accommodations Tax is scheduled to revert to 7.25% in 2015. However, Aulani's MF should be higher by then, so the net tax per point amount will probably increase.

 

[movie77]

Just got the nice glossy in the mail over the weekend. Points were out of this world. We'll go once or twice over the next ten years, but too far and too expensive for more than that.

 

[pilferk]

What you say makes sense, but if West Coasters' response to the Grand Cal is any indication (50 units still not sold out after all this time) they better expand the marketing push to the East Coast. Plenty of us can get to Hawaii every other year. Part of the reasons I ask this is becuase I have been thinking of adding on at Aulani, but have also been watching all the weeks at nice resorts in Hawaii selling for $1 on Ebay. I am wondering if the incentives are going to get a whole lot better as time goes on....

Just a word of caution on some of those "ebay weeks for $1" auctions:

Read the fine print.

Winning that auction may very well mean you're forced to pay a set price PLUS the auction amount.

I've seen dozens of auctions set up like that....where the "other fees" detailed in the auction are outrageously higher than you should expect to pay. Essentially, the seller is padding those "additional costs" to ensure they're not REALLY selling their week for the auction price.

There are certainly some good ones out there, where the "additional costs" are reasonable. I'm not saying to avoid the ebay deals altogether! Just make sure you do your homework.

 

[disneynutz]

I don't think DVC has done a very good job at ALL of marketing VGC... much less Aulani! I went to the initial public event for sales for VGC as did a friend. Neither of us were DVC owners, and as DL AP holders we had gotten a nifty brochure. The event turned out to mostly show BLT!!! So not what we were there for. A month later I ended up buying AKV... nobody had "sold" me on why I should buy VGC at all. I never got another mailer or flyer for VGC. I did get multiple mailers on BLT and SSR- Treehouses. Mind you, I live less than an hour from DLR and have been a premium AP holder for over 10 years. You'd think I'd be their market audience?

After our first stay at VGC, we were hooked and bought a small 50 point contract (since we had spent our cash on our AKV points!). To do it all over again, I should have bought all my points at VGC. Aulani being on the horizon was a big factor in our decision to choose DVC. It's one of our favorite vacation destinations. Again, you'd think I'd get a mailer on Aulani...NOPE. Not a thing. Whoever is doing DVC's marketing is not doing a good job.

Looking forward to visiting Aulani in March 2012! We'll be forgoing a WDW trip in 2011 to save our points.

From what I understand VGC was a test run to determine if DVC would be a huge success at DL, that is why it is so small. The test failed and Disney doesn't have any plans to increase the size or build other DVC resorts there.

AKV at Jambo House was the test for AKV and the DVC was not only a success for AKV, it also increased bookings at AKL some how.

Disney will spend their marketing dollars where they get the biggest bang for their buck. Since they already have a Preview Center in Tokyo, they must feel that Guests from Japan will buy more and spend more in Hawaii compared to Mainlanders.

 

[CocosMeme]

We are definately interested in a 7 month booking, but not buying into Aulani. We live 8 hours from Orlando and HHI each, so we are content to own at DW. I have always had Hawaii on my "bucket list" and we are hoping for a 2012 week at Aulani and then take the 7 day cruise (NCL) to see the other islands. What does anyone think about the chances for 1 bedroom in Sept. or Oct.? Would that be a big visiting time for Japanese visitors? I did read where they travel a lot in spring, but what about fall? Also, what about weather in Hawaii in the fall?? We are empty nesters and I am a former teacher, so we like to travel when the kids are back in school and will not be overrun by them on vacation.

 

[gkrykewy]

From what I understand VGC was a test run to determine if DVC would be a huge success at DL, that is why it is so small. The test failed and Disney doesn't have any plans to increase the size or build other DVC resorts there.

What a beautiful failure, if so! I understand that it's essentially sold out now, so it can't be all bad.

 

[3happydancers]

Convinced or not, it is the state law of Hawaii, and it isn't likely to change. If you feel you should not be required to pay this tax, then who would be responsibile for paying it?

There is not equivalent state mandated tax (yet) in the other DVC locations. If you think the Aulani owners should pay this tax as part of their dues, then don't be surprised to see Florida pass a similar law to raise taxes on timeshares, thus raising our dues several hundred $ per year. Remember the states are desperate for income.

But in truth, it was reported that Florida did consider a similar law, and the effort was thwarted by a timeshare industry PAC, so far. Timeshares are subject to state laws and taxes, regardless of whether you personally think additional taxes should be paid for a stay or not, it is out of your control and up to the state. Don't be surprised to see this come up again in Florida, and the rest of the DVC locations.

Most timeshare owners are not a political voting block in their states, as most reside legally out of state.

Please do not read into my statement more than it is. I have no thoughts as to who should pay this tax as your question asked. And I do realize this is a state law. However, I do believe that people in general should not be taxed upon tax so if we are already taxed, then why yet another tax?

I do realize states are desparate, mine included, but that does not mean we the people should be taxed to no end either. This is simply how I feel, no malice intended and certainly I am not looking for an argument to rise. Everyone is entitled to how they feel. But yes, you are right, it is out of one's control and it is what it is regardless of whether or not I agree.

Perhaps I am too focused on how my DVC was presented to me about "not" paying additional fees and that at the end of my stay my hotel bill would always have a balance of "zero". Obviously, this is not completely true.

For me, I would simply choose not to visit this particular DVC resort at this time. And in the future, if things change and more taxes are imposed in Florida concerning timeshares, then I will deal with it then. Maybe by that time I will see things differently.

 

[bumbershoot]

Perhaps I am too focused on how my DVC was presented to me about "not" paying additional fees and that at the end of my stay my hotel bill would always have a balance of "zero". Obviously, this is not completely true.

You might be too focused on it. That sort of thing wasn't said to me at all, and I sat through, hmm, 3 separate presentations before we bought in. (one face-to-face, one "event" at PPH, and one face-to-face but with about 40 people there)

 

[rparmfamily]

I'm just hoping to get in at the 7 mo mark. We live close to Aulani as well.

 

[3happydancers]

You might be too focused on it. That sort of thing wasn't said to me at all, and I sat through, hmm, 3 separate presentations before we bought in. (one face-to-face, one "event" at PPH, and one face-to-face but with about 40 people there)

We also went through the entire tour more than once and over a 3 year period. I am certain this is what was presented and even my husband remembers the conversation. But nevertheless, it is what it is and I to must move on and get over it.

 

[rentayenta]

Is it it just me, or has the pace of posts about buying at Aulani died down to barely a trickle?

Anyone else surprised not to get a splashy brochure or mailing from DVC about the new Hawaiian resort? I remember getting a gorgeous brochure about BLT just before it went on sale. The excitement of thumbing through that on the plane down to the member cruise was one of the reasons why I ended up adding on during the cruise.

Combine this with Bob Iger's remark that he is "reasonably encouraged" by sales at Aulani. Why such a restrained rollout?

I live in Utah and got my splashy brochure yesterday.

 

[Silly Little Pixie]

From what I understand VGC was a test run to determine if DVC would be a huge success at DL, that is why it is so small. The test failed and Disney doesn't have any plans to increase the size or build other DVC resorts there.

I can't imagine that DVC actually built a wing of the Grand Californian for DVC as a "test" for anything. They built it to sell. Unfortunately,they have done a really crappy job of "selling" it. I have many friends who are AP holders at DLR as well, and they have no idea there is even a DVC at the Grand... or even what DVC is!! They are so surprised when I tell them I "own" at the Grand!

Besides- where else do you think they could possibly put a larger DVC at the Grand Cal? The problem with more DVC at DLR has to do with space, space, space. If they convert a wing of the Disneyland Hotel to DVC (as many members have heard from VGC CMs), they lose the CRO revenue.

 

[adminjedi]

yes, I believe it is in my contract that a DVC owner would not be receiving additional hotel tax charges. If this is not true then is it fair to state that my family was misled at the time of purchase?

Again, contractually no tax charges on your home resort or any resort you "exchange" for at the 7 month window?
I do not believe that it is fair to say you were mislead at the time of purchase....the situation didn't exist at the time of your purchase. And again, how can you be misled if it is written in your contract and you read it?

As you said, it is OK that I disagree with your anger at a minimal expense (required by Hawaii) and your feeling duped by DVC.

 

[CrazyDuck]

I have many friends who are AP holders at DLR as well, and they have no idea there is even a DVC at the Grand... or even what DVC is!! They are so surprised when I tell them I "own" at the Grand!

Well don't tell em... The less people that know the better... It is a secret best kept!

Besides- where else do you think they could possibly put a larger DVC at the Grand Cal? The problem with more DVC at DLR has to do with space, space, space. If they convert a wing of the Disneyland Hotel to DVC (as many members have heard from VGC CMs), they lose the CRO revenue.

I vote to Level Circle D, and Big thunder ranch and if you need more space you can take down FantsayLand Theater too....

 

[DisWitt]

I vote to Level Circle D, and Big thunder ranch and if you need more space you can take down FantsayLand Theater too....

OUCH!!! What do you really feel about those places?

 

[CrazyDuck]

OUCH!!! What do you really feel about those places?

That would be an awesome location for a DVC expansion... We can call em Toon Town Villas and they can enter right into Toon Town or FrontierLand.. A little tunnel in the lobby so the Disneyland Railroad can pass through! How cool would that be!

 

[Anal Annie]

I have a couple of thoughts / questions about Aulani - probably don't belong on this thread but I'm just gonna throw 'em out there anyway to see if I can get a nibble on them...

One - how much are the MF's for Aulani? I didn't see them on the brochure...

Two - For those who have purchased - what UY are you getting for buying so early? If we wanted to go in 2012 & would be using banking & borrowing couldn't we still wait awhile to buy? I mean will 2010 points "keep" until we want to go or do we need to buy this year in order to HAVE enough for 2012?? I'm getting myself confused by trying to think too far ahead.

Three - We don't plan on going to Hawaii again until Aug. of 2012...so even if we owned there we couldn't even make a ressie until Sept. of 2011...that is still over a year away - isn't buying there NOW a little premature?! I mean, it's just giving DVC our money way before we need to, right? I realize prices will go up but IF we bought we'd be talking maybe 50 points as we wouldn't spend our whole trip on Oahu. Just need a few nights...we stay in studios so 50 pts. = 150 pts with banking & borrowing & could go a long way. With the current charts (based on what's happened the past couple of years I'm assuming they WILL change them) we could stay 6 nights in an IV studio or 5 nights in a PV studio during the summer months. OR 3 nights in a SV one-bedroom. That's almost perfect for as often as we could go and considering we'd also plan time on Maui.

I am just trying to think this out...I see posts here & there saying that Aulani will be unavailable at 7 months then I see posts saying it will be the 2nd largest resort behind SSR...most of the time nobody has trouble getting into SSR at 7 months...so is it really necessary to even THINK about it this far out just so I can have a purty new siggie?!

OH, almost forgot...anybody know the SF of the villas??