What happened to Aulani?

[adminjedi]

We just added on some point to Aulani today. Cant wait to go, planning on 2012!

Welcome home, or should I say "aloha"!

 

[DisWitt]

I just watched the second DVC/Aulani TV promo this weekend. it's definitely being promoted in Southern California. And did I read somewhere in this thread that the VGC sales were NOT what "folks" expected? I just received a mailing from my guide saying that VGC only has March Use Year left. They started selling early 2009 and is "approaching sellout in just a few weeks".
And a little reminder that we have until Oct 31 to purchase Aulani before the price goes up. We are seriously thinking about it.

KikiQ- Can you tell me where/when you're seeing these ads? I'd love to see them and nobody has them up on YouTube yet. Are they running on Disney Channel? ABC? Morning? Primetime? During a certain show? Let me know 'cause I'm going to start recording...

 

[CrazyDuck]

Welcome home, or should I say "aloha"!

No, you should say "e komo mai". That would be more appropriate.

 

[adminjedi]

No, you should say "e komo mai". That would be more appropriate.

Thanks for the lesson CrazyDuck.
If I learn how to properly say that, can I join your HUGE DVC Hawaiian click?

 

[kikiq]

KikiQ- Can you tell me where/when you're seeing these ads? I'd love to see them and nobody has them up on YouTube yet. Are they running on Disney Channel? ABC? Morning? Primetime? During a certain show? Let me know 'cause I'm going to start recording...

Today I was watching the Little League World Series on ABC mid day. It's a DVC promo that ends talking about Aulani. The first time it was also on ABC and I was at my dad's in Northern California. My dad was the one who noticed it, asked if it was the "same deal" as our SSR/VGC timeshare. I'm not sure what time of day it was that time.

 

[rparmfamily]

Thanks for the lesson CrazyDuck.
If I learn how to properly say that, can I join your HUGE DVC Hawaiian click?

Are you talking about our "huge" Hawaii DVC'ers group LOL? There are so many of us, like 3 I think LOL!

When I was out there yesterday with a friend, I was telling her all about the resort,etc. She looked at it and sighed, "I'll never be able to afford to stay there"...I looked at it and sighed, "I can't wait to stay there!"

Can't wait!!!!

I'm heading back to Ko'Olina this week (it's a weekly beachdate w/my friend) and this time I'll bring my camera!!

 

[rparmfamily]

Today I was watching the Little League World Series on ABC mid day. It's a DVC promo that ends talking about Aulani. The first time it was also on ABC and I was at my dad's in Northern California. My dad was the one who noticed it, asked if it was the "same deal" as our SSR/VGC timeshare. I'm not sure what time of day it was that time.

I forgot to respond to this LOL...GO WAIPIO!!!!!!

I missed the promo but I didn't see the end of the game.

 

[wdrl]

FYI: On DVCNews.com I posted a chart showing the rooms and views for the Aulani villas that will be part of the Phase 1 opening on August 29, 2011. See http://dvcnews.com/forum/showthread.php?p=76803#post76803. As I say in that thread, these locations are based on educated guesses, so I might be completely wrong. However, it gives us a starting point in determining where the different views will be located at the resort.

By the way, if anyone has bought Aulani, I would appreciate it if you would PM me with information about your Unit number and UY and, if applicable, your Guaranteed Week number. This information is helpful in mapping out the Aulani Resort!

Thanks!

 

[disney54us]

FYI: On DVCNews.com I posted a chart showing the rooms and views for the Aulani villas that will be part of the Phase 1 opening on August 29, 2011. See http://dvcnews.com/forum/showthread.php?p=76803#post76803. As I say in that thread, these locations are based on educated guesses, so I might be completely wrong. However, it gives us a starting point in determining where the different views will be located at the resort.

By the way, if anyone has bought Aulani, I would appreciate it if you would PM me with information about your Unit number and UY and, if applicable, your Guaranteed Week number. This information is helpful in mapping out the Aulani Resort!

Thanks!

Guaranteed week number? Could you explain, please?

Did receive a brochure last week w/the pts. chart.
They are counting on selling overseas in Japan. Was tempted to add 100 pts. but in all reality I would not have enough to book at a 11 mnth window. At this point they believe that if sales go the way they have 'researched' and expect booking at a 7 mnth will be virtually impossible.

 

[ATCMickey]

FWIW...for those wondering why DVC would build in Hawaii, if memory serves me right Marriott's Ko' Olina timeshare units were the most requested and least fulfilled request (by DVC members) when Disney exchanged through Interval International. I personally tried several times to exchange into Marriott Ko'Olina and even with giving DVC a 6 week off-peak window (that I could accept a reservation within) I was never able to successfully exchange.

I can certainly understand folks from the east cost not being in the pool of motivated buyers, but consider this...let's say 25% of Aulani owners don't go to Aulani that year (heck let's even make it 50%). DVC now has 8 resorts worth of owners. Even if all those owners tried to go to Aulani once every 10 years, Aulani would be full within a day of the 7 month window opening.

If I buy at Aulani (and I'm not sure what I'll do yet) and don't use all my points, I predict that those Aulani points will rent like gold to those wanting to lock something in prior to the 7 month frenzy. Not trying to be critical of anyone...just think the Aulani situation may play out different than the early quarterbacking is predicting.

ATCMickey

 

[disney54us]

Oh I'm sure they would rent for gold. I have 520 pts, which is more than enough most of the time for our use, so I would consider adding on and would love to there. My DH and I honeymooned there many years ago and would love to go back. It comes down to.... Do I really need 100 more pts. when it will not get me there in a 7 mnth booking window. Combined w/520 the pts would not be the problem the booking window would. Being on the East Coast, that is just not a plane ride you do on a whime. So as much as I would love to, it really doesn't make sense for us to do. For once I'm not going w/my heart instinct I am being realistic.

 

[adminjedi]

It comes down to.... Do I really need 100 more pts.

Need points? We certainly didn't "need" more points, but we knew we wanted to vacation Disney style in Hawaii. We like to plan ahead, and worrying about a "maybe we can go" would not be our cup of tea. We didn't buy as many points as we want, but we bought enough to meet our current goals.

 

[wdrl]

Guaranteed week number? Could you explain, please?

Disney is offering a Fixed Ownership option at Aulani, which is also known as a Guaranteed Week option. With the GW option, an owner can choose the type of accommodation, a specific view, and a fixed week. To purchase a GW, the owner pays a 10% premium over the normal cost of the points for the week and type of accommodation. In exchange for that premium, the GW owner is guaranteed those accommodations throughout the life of the leasehold contract. The GW owner is also immune to any point reallocations in the future. Although guaranteed their week each year, the GW owner can choose to opt out of the fixed week each UY and convert their week to points. Their points can then used as regular Aulani DVC points that can be banked, borrowed, used at Aulani, other DVC resorts, or exchanged out of the DVC.

 

[disney54us]

Disney is offering a Fixed Ownership option at Aulani, which is also known as a Guaranteed Week option. With the GW option, an owner can choose the type of accommodation, a specific view, and a fixed week. To purchase a GW, the owner pays a 10% premium over the normal cost of the points for the week and type of accommodation. In exchange for that premium, the GW owner is guaranteed those accommodations throughout the life of the leasehold contract. The GW owner is also immune to any point reallocations in the future. Although guaranteed their week each year, the GW owner can choose to opt out of the fixed week each UY and convert their week to points. Their points can then used as regular Aulani DVC points that can be banked, borrowed, used at Aulani, other DVC resorts, or exchanged out of the DVC.

Interesting concept, thanks for the info.

 

[gkrykewy]

I can certainly understand folks from the east cost not being in the pool of motivated buyers, but consider this...let's say 25% of Aulani owners don't go to Aulani that year (heck let's even make it 50%). DVC now has 8 resorts worth of owners. Even if all those owners tried to go to Aulani once every 10 years, Aulani would be full within a day of the 7 month window opening.

Fuzzy math?

Everyone always thinks that *their* home resort, the very latest, will be the one that really is impossible to book at 7 months. This time it's different!

There are some things about Aulani that really are different, and it will be interesting to see how things play out. Historically, the only resorts that really are hard to book at 7 months are the smallest ones (in addition to particularly desirable room categories)... and the off-property resorts have the lowest resale values.

As with all of the resorts, it will be a good idea to call right at 7 months to the morning, and one might have to be flexible. For someone who intends to stay at Aulani regularly, it absolutely makes sense to buy (whether now or later via resale).

In any case, I'm very glad that Aulani is being built! Everything about it seems spectacular.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney is offering a Fixed Ownership option at Aulani, which is also known as a Guaranteed Week option. With the GW option, an owner can choose the type of accommodation, a specific view, and a fixed week. To purchase a GW, the owner pays a 10% premium over the normal cost of the points for the week and type of accommodation. In exchange for that premium, the GW owner is guaranteed those accommodations throughout the life of the leasehold contract. The GW owner is also immune to any point reallocations in the future. Although guaranteed their week each year, the GW owner can choose to opt out of the fixed week each UY and convert their week to points. Their points can then used as regular Aulani DVC points that can be banked, borrowed, used at Aulani, other DVC resorts, or exchanged out of the DVC.

So the best views and weeks will go to fixed week buyers and the point buyers get the left overs?

Bill

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Well, I finally got my final "closed" paperwork for Aulani on Saturday.

I'll be there in just over a year. September 2011 - Hawaii here I come.



Oh and disneynutz.....there is a 33% cap on the fixed week option, so all the best views and weeks will not be dedciated to fixed week. At any one point only 33% (max) of the rooms and views can be fixed week.

 

[Anal Annie]

Fuzzy math?

Everyone always thinks that *their* home resort, the very latest, will be the one that really is impossible to book at 7 months. This time it's different!

There are some things about Aulani that really are different, and it will be interesting to see how things play out. Historically, the only resorts that really are hard to book at 7 months are the smallest ones (in addition to particularly desirable room categories)... and the off-property resorts have the lowest resale values.

As with all of the resorts, it will be a good idea to call right at 7 months to the morning, and one might have to be flexible. For someone who intends to stay at Aulani regularly, it absolutely makes sense to buy (whether now or later via resale).

In any case, I'm very glad that Aulani is being built! Everything about it seems spectacular.

My thinking is that since we're not going until August 2012 I feel like why rush to buy NOW?! Even if we DID buy we can't BOOK our trip for another year. This gives us time to study & watch the booking patterns & availability at the 7 mo. window once they start accepting ressies. IF we see people are reporting NOT being able to get in at 7 months we could still purchase at say 9 months out & still have SOME SORT of booking priority over the 7 mo. folks.

We would only be somewhat "regular" users being that we only go to Hawaii every 5 years. So IF we bought at Aulani we'd have 2 years of points NOT being used at Aulani at all throughout this 5 year cycle and 2 years worth that are being banked & borrowed which would open the availability for other members to get in for 4 of the 5 years. I suspect there are many other people, especially from the east coast that would vacation there in a similar fashion unless they have GOBS & GOBS of vaca time to make the trip worthwhile more often AND unlimited resources for the airfare. I really think that Hawaii from the east coast really is still considered a "rich persons" paradise.

 

[gkrykewy]

My thinking is that since we're not going until August 2012 I feel like why rush to buy NOW?! Even if we DID buy we can't BOOK our trip for another year. This gives us time to study & watch the booking patterns & availability at the 7 mo. window once they start accepting ressies.

A reasonable approach -- although honestly, why on earth would you buy a timeshare for a place you're only going to visit every five years? That's crazy.

Anyway, watching the booking patterns during construction won't tell you much since there's guaranteed to be 7-month availability (because of the gap between sold points and declared points, as I mentioned previously in this thread).

I will overlook your use of the r-word just this once!

 

[wdrl]

So the best views and weeks will go to fixed week buyers and the point buyers get the left overs?

Bill

A quick glance at the Aulani POS will show your fears are unfounded. Quoting from the POS: "DVD will not sell Fixed Ownership Interests that include more than 35% of any specific Use Day for any specific Vacation Home Type in the Plan. This mean, for example, that Christmas day will be available for reservations on a first-come, first-served basis in at least 65% of the 2 Bedroom Ocean View Vacation Homes" (POS, page 22).

If DVD sells 35% of Aulani as Fixed Weeks, it still leaves 65%, or about 300 villas, for the traditional DVC points owners to book using points. Furthermore, that 65%-35% ratio carries across all four View categories at Aulani. In addition, if any Fixed Week owner opts out in a Use Year and converts their Week to points, then their guaranteed accommodation is available for points bookings.