Disney Vacation Club has historically been a point-based timeshare system in which members can utilize their ownership toward multiple resorts, villa sizes and seasons. But with the introduction of the Aulani resort in Hawai'i, DVC is poised to enter the world of fixed-week timeharing.
According to multiple sources, approximately 35% of the 460 villas being constructed at the Aulani resort are earmarked for a fixed-week timeshare system. Buyers will be able to secure a given calendar week at the time of purchase, and will have access to the villa for that week on a recurring basis with no need to make reservations through Member Services.
This purchase option, which DVC calls Guaranteed-week Reservations, will permit buyers to use their ownership toward other Disney Vacation Club resorts and exchanges, subject to a unique set of terms and conditions. Guaranteed-week owners have until 31 days prior to their scheduled arrival to "opt out" of the guaranteed reservation. The member will then receive the number of DVC points stated within the contract. Those points are subject to normal DVC usage guidelines, banking, borrowing and transfer rules.
DVC has also clarified the inventory numbers by saying that they intend to sell fixed week contracts for no more than 35% of any specific use day for any specific vacation home type. While demand may dictate sales of a full 35% in Guaranteed-week contracts for popular holiday periods, it is likely that DVC will not sell Guaranteed-weeks for other periods with lower demand. That will result in more than 65% of all villas being accessible to members with point-based DVC contracts.
At least 65% all villas will be available to points owners for every use day.
This fixed-week model was the original basis for timeshare accommodations when the concept was introduced in the 1960s and 70s. Under a typical fixed-week arrangement, the buyer who secures Week 1 owns the rights to visit their resort during the first full calendar week of the year. Week 51 typically includes Christmas while New Year's Eve is in Week 52.
More recently, timeshare systems have gravitated more toward the point basis given the added flexibility afforded to members. Given Aulani's rather large size--at 460 villas it represents the third largest Disney Vacation Club resort--DVC may see this as an opportunity to service both those interested in flexible point-based accommodations as well as customers interested in securing their vacation window for many years to come.
According to sources, Aulani prices will start around $114 per point with discounts in the $6-12 per point neighborhood depending upon the volume of the purchase. Buyers in the fixed-week system will pay a 10% premium above the prices noted.
