Sorry to get in on this thread SO LATE in the game as I was one of the original people who followed it and lurked.
Being a West Coaster and a member of a family that has gone to Hawaii at LEAST once a year for the last 75+ years, I had been waiting for Aulani for at least 3 years. That's how long I have kept my eye on DVC membership... but the timing and home resort was never right. With Aulani, it was perfect for us. Literally, I was on a
Disney Cruise 2 years ago talking with the guide at the DVC info table. He asked me where we regularly vacationed. I told him that we hit Hawaii most often. He said, "Then if and when DVC goes to Hawaii, you should buy there." More and more after that, I looked into the other timeshare companies and their properties. I said to myself, "If we could just have DVC in Hawaii, it'd be perfect... and we can trade to Orlando any time, too." Thus, I got on the Aulani interest list back in January or February when it came out. And when I got an invite to the presentation at the
Disneyland Hotel, I was overjoyed. Literally, I almost showed up with a cashiers check!
That story being told, I also talked with a few Orange County, CA locals who were buying into Aulani. Hawaii is a regular vacation spot for West Coasties, just like the Carribean is for East Coasters. It's a 5.5 hr direct flight from LAX, SAN, or SNA and there are deals to be had. Plus, no customs or passport required.
For all of you East Coast doubters or bad-mouthers, let us have Aulani. You all have Orlando, HHI, Carribean and all that in your back yards. We love visiting you on a 5+ hour flight. And we love when you come to Anaheim. Nobody is insisting that you spend another 5+ hours to go to Hawaii... that's our baby. ;-) That being said, I think DVC isn't anywhere near ramping up speed for Aulani. I think they got the project underway, but the big blitz is still to come. They're not even set up at the DVC center IN Hawaii yet (and that'll be a big selling location). Also know that DVC is a quiet little secret here in the West. Sure, the kiosks are around Disneyland and DCA, but the people working there practically discourage sales. You really have to hound them and beg to buy into DVC... it's just not a good fit yet for most West Coasters. Plus, in this economy, I think DVC would be smart to hold the inventory, rent the rooms out at rack rate, and sell them for more $ in a year when the property opens and everyone wants in.
I talked to my guide here in Anaheim who is selling Aulani and he said that he has never been busier and that sales (for him) were slammed during the special presentations. Remember, he's selling to Orange County locals who probably go to Hawaii regularly. That'll be very different than selling to someone who will have to take 2+ stops and 8+ hours to fly to Hawaii...
And I can't imagine that Tokyo sales will be bad. Have you been to Hawaii? It's like Vegas for the Japanese! It's CRAZY! They LOVE Hawaii! JTB sponsors everything. There's tons of free trollys JUST FOR THE JAPANESE (you have to show your JTB card)! They buy Duty Free like it's going out of style. Every breakfast buffet has white rice, nori, and crazy-looking Japanese-centric foods. Seriously, DVC has probably focus-grouped the heck out of the Japanese who go to Hawaii. There are probably tons of Japanese waiting for DVC to get through regulatory (keep in mind it's a major pain to sell timeshares between countries) so that they can write checks to DVC and buy in. I doubt you'll see SSR overrun with Japanese translations, but I'm 99% sure you'll see Japanese as the sub-language on most things at Aulani. It's already that way everywhere on Oahu. And the sales tactic probably will mention DVC reservation capability at VGC and the Anaheim hotels... but may gloss over the resorts in Orlando. Afterall, it's at least a 15-hour flight from Tokyo to Orlando!