Where to stay on DVCpts in Hawaiiand what is the #pts

[Tigger1]

My DD wants to go to Hawaii when she graduates college if not sooner.
Is it a good choice to use my DVC pts or is cash a better option. She would need just a small unit. How many pts will it take? What is the best time of the year to go? What is the best resort?

Thanks Tigger

 

[Dean]

My DD wants to go to Hawaii when she graduates college if not sooner.
Is it a good choice to use my DVC pts or is cash a better option. She would need just a small unit. How many pts will it take? What is the best time of the year to go? What is the best resort?

Thanks Tigger

IMO, an exchange is not a good choice for this situation. This TREAD will give you the basics and number of points. You'll see that at 123 to 134 points, that's a lot for this situation. You'd be better off just doing a hotel or renting a studio there. The one problem you have is that June and July are high demand times, if she can go in May, Sept, Oct or early Dec, you're chances, choices and costs will all be in your favor compared to Summer. To give you better suggestions I'd need more info. Would she be by herself, if not how many would be with her? How long would she stay? What island(s) does she have interest in? How long would she stay?

One other thing to think about is a rental car. Most companies won't rent to an 18 y/o and the only place I'd even consider staying in HI without a car would be Waikiki.

 

[emerymt]

Waikiki might be a good option for a person without a car (having a car is actually a major pain), but it is not a good option for 18 y.o.s unless they are savvy big-city girls , IMHO.

I just remember checking in at a nice (non-timeshare) resort in Waikiki a few years back and the list of warnings on the back of the door was as long as my arm. I personally enjoyed the hustle and bustle (for a while). Many people from Asia and all over the Pacific- it was interesting, like a little Americanized Hong Kong.

However, while we could find Gucci bags and liquor (and God knows what else if we looked harder) on every corner we had to walk blocks to find diapers. I'm a small town kid, my kids are small-city kids and not too well-versed in the ways of the world. Oahu might as well be in a different state compared to the other islands. I'd send them to Maui, Kauai or the Big Island though. If your daughter is outdoorsy, she will like the latter two the best. Maui is pretty too, but has many more resorts- I guess I'd call it more "civilized." The best beaches are there, but in Hawaii that's a relative term! The beaches are great everywhere!

Theoretically, she could have a good time on the Big Island because there is a bus that runs the length of Ali'i drive, so she'd be able to get around Kaila-Kona and access all the water activities pretty easily. However, the Big Island has a lot else to see and I'd feel deprived if I couldn't go see it. Cruise ships come into the bay, so there are charters that depart from Kona to the volcano or to go around the island or up Mauna Loa. That is another option for her. I don't know how she'd get to the big beaches north of Kailua, though.

She's one lucky girl! I don't think she'll complain too much about being stuck without a car in Hawaii! What a horrible fate

 

[Dean]

However, while we could find Gucci bags and liquor (and God knows what else if we looked harder) on every corner we had to walk blocks to find diapers. I'm a small town kid, my kids are small-city kids and not too well-versed in the ways of the world. Oahu might as well be in a different state compared to the other islands. I'd send them to Maui, Kauai or the Big Island though. If your daughter is outdoorsy, she will like the latter two the best. Maui is pretty too, but has many more resorts- I guess I'd call it more "civilized." The best beaches are there, but in Hawaii that's a relative term! The beaches are great everywhere!

We lived on Oahu for 3 years in the 80's and have been back to visit several times. We were at a convention staying at the Hyatt Regency and had been out to dinner. While walking back, these 2 girls came around us and locked arms with two servicemen just ahead of us. My son noticed it and it appears odd to him and he was asking about it. I had to explain about hookers that night. Interesting that had moved from Kuhio to Kalakaua since we had left a few years earlier. So later he and I went to get ice cream and bring it back. As we're walking down the street he's pointing to women and saying 'there's a hooker" about each one and he was correctly identifying them. Fortunately either no one heard that would have gotten upset or they ignored him and fortunately he didn't single out someone incorrectly. It was a little unnerving at the time but one of our memories we look back on and laugh.

 

[emerymt]

was being stuck on the top floor of a condo hotel on July 4th. My daughter was sick, the traffic was all screwed up (of course we didn't ask why) and we could not get out to see Pearl Harbor. I was geting fairly petulant when all of a sudden the building started to shake- vibrate, actually. I ran to the window just in time to see the Thunderbirds swoop by at eye level. We didn't know the reason for all the crowds was the airshow! What seats we had!

My kids laugh about the time we were stuck in traffic downtown and having a woman on crutches beat us to the hotel. We were neck and neck for a few blocks though.

How lucky for you to have lived there. I'm retiring there, someday. To a little shack in Kealakekua.

 

[Dean]

was being stuck on the top floor of a condo hotel on July 4th. My daughter was sick, the traffic was all screwed up (of course we didn't ask why) and we could not get out to see Pearl Harbor. I was geting fairly petulant when all of a sudden the building started to shake- vibrate, actually. I ran to the window just in time to see the Thunderbirds swoop by at eye level. We didn't know the reason for all the crowds was the airshow! What seats we had!

My kids laugh about the time we were stuck in traffic downtown and having a woman on crutches beat us to the hotel. We were neck and neck for a few blocks though.

How lucky for you to have lived there. I'm retiring there, someday. To a little shack in Kealakekua.

Sounds great, when we lived there and the building shook, it was an earthquake.

 

[emerymt]

They had a good-sized quake on the Big Island today.

 

[Dean]

They had a good-sized quake on the Big Island today.

I forgot to add that even though the power was out, my pregnant wife walked down 22 flights of stairs to get her daily ice cream sundae.

 

[emerymt]

Hope lights come back on soon

 

[Tigger1]

Thanks for the suggestains everyone. My DD is 20 now and will be at least 22 when she goes. What type of 1 befrooms does Disney offer? Do they have kitchen, living ect? How many do they hold in a 1 bed?

If we did not use DVC what hotel /timeshare would you suggest?

Thanks Tigger

 

[emerymt]

We have stayed at the KCR at least six or seven times and have been very pleased. It's a quiet resort. This is on the Big Island. In general, phase 2 is nicer, & closer to the clubhouse. I noticed they updated the interior decor this year to a British-colonial style which is pretty. King bed, Full kitchen, nice bath, washer & dryer, etc. You can eat out on the lanais, or at the dining table. There is a pull-out sofabed. High-speed internet for a fee, they also charge a fee for A/C which you might not need in the winter, but would in the summer. Ceiling fans in all rooms. The 1 BDR units in phase 1 are bigger. The pool is not big, but I never could figure out why a person would go to Hawaii and end up in a pool. There is a bar and casual restaurant by the pool. It used to be terrible, now the food is better- but I'd eat in town or use the grills which are nicely maintained. There is a grocery store within walking distance, also a great little beach (Kahalu'u) with outrageously good snorkeling. The resort has free snorkel lessons, BTW. Your daughter can take the bus up and down the main road there and get "downtown" easily, to where the action is. There are a bunch of little beaches up & down the road, too.

It doesn't look like II has anything in Waikiki. The other resorts on Oahu are pretty isolated for someone without a car. I can't remember enough about Maui to say what would be good there. Definitely need a car on Kauai.

Keahou Surf is a little further south on the Big Island and seems very nice from the outside. I have never stayed there, but I think it is at least as nice as KCR. There's more to do there than at KCR. I don't know if the bus goes down that far, you would want to check on that. It's further to go to the grocery and further to get to the beach. This resort is oceanfront (KCR is oceanview) but there's no beach. It's all rocks.

Stay away from Sea Mount! It's in the middle of nowhere. And believe me, I know what nowhere looks like!

 

[emerymt]

There is a series of Hawaii guide books that might be very helpful to you.
http://www.wizardpub.com/

 

[disneydenisel]

My DD wants to go to Hawaii when she graduates college if not sooner.
Is it a good choice to use my DVC pts or is cash a better option. She would need just a small unit. How many pts will it take? What is the best time of the year to go? What is the best resort?

Thanks Tigger

I would use cash or trade for a unit versus trying to use II to book with your DVC points. Do you have any idea of which island she wants to visit? I love Maui the best (biased, I know) but each island has its charms. I used to rent a little condo on Maui for $100/night, for example. What kind of accommodations does she require? Will she want a kitchen or just a hotel room? What is your budget? There are a lot of rentals on the islands. Summer is high season so more crowded and prices are higher. Does she have flexibility after she graduates to go in September or October? You will find rates to be lower.

 

[Dean]

It doesn't look like II has anything in Waikiki. The other resorts on Oahu are pretty isolated for someone without a car. I can't remember enough about Maui to say what would be good there. Definitely need a car on Kauai.

II has a few in Waikiki but the quality is questionable so they are not on the II list. The best units are the two Hilton's and the ones at the Ilikai and I forget which system they are affiliated with. Both are in RCI, not II. The Marriott is quite a way from anywhere. As a rule, I would do a hotel for Waikiki.

 

[emerymt]

II has a few in Waikiki but the quality is questionable so they are not on the II list.

Quite right- but I was looking at the DVC II website when I made my recommendation since Tigger1 wanted to know about DVC trading in II.

 

[Dean]

Thanks for the suggestains everyone. My DD is 20 now and will be at least 22 when she goes. What type of 1 befrooms does Disney offer? Do they have kitchen, living ect? How many do they hold in a 1 bed?

If we did not use DVC what hotel /timeshare would you suggest?

Thanks Tigger

None of these are offered by DVC. All DVC is providing is access to II. So the quality, experience and kitchen options vary from one item to another. Many have just a little more than the DVC studios, even in the 2 BR units. Some have almost no kitchen at all, others have a full kitchen. As a rule you can only trade for 2 for a studio and 4 for a 1 BR. Some studios will sleep up to 4 but not all so make sure you find out prior to accepting an exchange. The top options through DVC for Maui will be the Marriott's and Westin followed by the former Embassy. For Kauai, it's Marriott & former Embassy followed by several also rans. If you can get a 1 BR or larger studio for Oahu through other means in Waikiki, that is likely your cheapest option but there will be many hotel deals for Oahu. I would not rent a car for Oahu. They will need a car for either Maui or Kauai. Many rental company's require operators to be 23-25 y/o. I believe a couple will go down to 21 but may require a higher fee to do so, you should check into this. You may also look at condo rentals and might consider one that's refundable in case the right exchange option comes along.

If they're not going for longer than a week and have never been, I'd recommend Oahu. Easy to fly to and get around on the bus system, a lot to do, reasonable prices if you plan and investigate, no car needed, a LOT of things to keep them busy, easy to go different directions if needed. If they're going for longer than a week, I'd consider a full week on either Maui or Kauai with the remainder on Oahu up to 2 weeks. IMO, it would be foolish for them to try to get to another island plus Oahu for a single week.

Quite right- but I was looking at the DVC II website when I made my recommendation since Tigger1 wanted to know about DVC trading in II.

Sorry, wasn't sure where you were going with it.

 

[emerymt]

The last time we stayed on Oahu, we didn't use II either, for the reasons Dean mentioned. We got an excellent deal right on the beach through Travelocity, and didn't waste points for a not-so-nice place. Travelocity lists the bigger condo complexes as well as hotel rooms, and they rate the quality for the rooms. We've used Travelocity quite a bit. Expedia has an even bigger selection with more of the smaller places, though I can't recall ever using them for anything but airfare.

Also, check the airline websites- United and Delta often have very sweet combo deals.

 

[dgaston]

Taking the thread in a different direction. OP have you looked into the cruises on NCL for Hawaii. I think they could be very reasonable, especially with an inside cabin, and the Hawaii itineraries are extremely port-intensive. DH and I did Pride of Hawaii this summer for our 35th anniversary and were very pleased. We flew into Honolulu 3 days early and were also able to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial, Missouri, Dole Plantation, and Polynesian Cultural Center. The ship has lots of activities likely to appeal to your daughter.

 

[Tigger1]

She has no clue where she would want to stay. She does want a nice beach to swim and tan. She would like to snorkle, it would be a first unless you consider Typhoon Lagoon. She also mentioned going to Pearl Harbor. Last of all she wants to find some food like she had at Kona Cafe at the polynesian Hotel

She has a friend moving to Hawaii in the near future (military). I think she would like to visit her friend also. She would want to take her boyfriend and possible her brother. A Condo on or near the beach would be really neat. We are on a tight budget. How many days should we plan? What should I figure for meals?

Thanks Tigger

 

[Tigger1]

Taking the thread in a different direction. OP have you looked into the cruises on NCL for Hawaii. I think they could be very reasonable, especially with an inside cabin, and the Hawaii itineraries are extremely port-intensive. DH and I did Pride of Hawaii this summer for our 35th anniversary and were very pleased. We flew into Honolulu 3 days early and were also able to visit the Pearl Harbor Memorial, Missouri, Dole Plantation, and Polynesian Cultural Center. The ship has lots of activities likely to appeal to your daughter

DGASTON

The original plan was to do a Disney Cruise. Is there one to Hawaii? That would give her both. Where do you begin the cruise? How far in advance to ressies need to be made?

Thanks Tigger