Disney Vacation Club in Hawaii
Aulani is unlike any other DVC property. It is located on the western shore of Oahu at Ko Olina, roughly 45 minutes from Waikiki and the Honolulu airport. There are no theme parks here. Instead, you get Disney service and entertainment wrapped around a world class Hawaiian beach resort.
For DVC members, Aulani represents the most "vacation" feeling property in the entire system. Let us break down what you need to know before purchasing.
Location and Setting
Ko Olina is a master planned resort community on Oahu leeward (west) coast. The area features four protected lagoons with calm, crystal clear water perfect for families with young children. Aulani sits directly on one of these lagoons.
The surrounding area includes a few restaurants, a golf course, and other resort hotels. It is quiet and self contained. You will likely spend most of your time at the resort itself, which is exactly the point.
Contract Details and Pricing
- Opened: August 2011
- Contract expiration: January 2062 (approximately 36 years remaining)
- 2025 annual dues: $9.29 per point
- Current resale prices: $100 to $130 per point
- Total DVC villas: 481 units
- Room types: Studios, one bedrooms, two bedrooms, and grand villas in multiple view categories
That 2062 expiration gives buyers over three decades of ownership. Combined with moderate dues (actually lower than several Florida resorts), Aulani offers strong long term value. Check your monthly payment with our instant quote calculator.
Points Requirements: Higher Than Florida
Here is the reality: Aulani costs more points per night than most Florida DVC resorts. A standard view studio in Island season runs about 17 points per night, while an ocean view one bedroom in Premiere season can hit 50+ points per night.
Typical nightly point costs:
- Standard View Studio: 17 to 33 points per night depending on season
- Island Gardens View 1BR: 30 to 55 points per night
- Ocean View 2BR: 52 to 112 points per night
A one week stay in a standard view studio during the mid tier season costs around 150 to 170 points. That is a meaningful contract size, and it is one reason many Aulani owners purchase 200+ points. If you plan to split your vacations between Aulani and Florida resorts, you can book Aulani every other year and use the off years at lower point cost properties.
What Makes Aulani Special
The resort itself is spectacular. Disney invested over $800 million in the property, and it shows:
- Waikolohe Valley: A massive pool area with a lazy river, two waterslides, a children splash area, and private cabanas
- Rainbow Reef: A private saltwater snorkeling lagoon stocked with tropical fish (small additional fee)
- Aunty Beach House: Complimentary kids club with Hawaiian cultural activities, arts and crafts, Disney character interactions, and supervised play
- Starlit Hui: A free nightly outdoor show celebrating Hawaiian music, dance, and storytelling
- Laniwai Spa: A full service spa with outdoor hydrotherapy garden
- Character experiences: Moana, Mickey, and other characters appear throughout the resort daily
The theming incorporates genuine Hawaiian culture, art, and history. Disney worked with local cultural advisors, artists, and historians during design. It is not a theme park version of Hawaii. It is a respectful celebration of the real thing with Disney hospitality layered on top.
Booking Strategy for Aulani
Aulani is one of the harder DVC resorts to book, especially for ocean view rooms during summer and holiday periods. Here is what experienced owners recommend:
- Book at exactly 11 months if Aulani is your home resort (you get priority)
- At 7 months, availability is limited but not impossible for standard view studios
- Shoulder seasons (April, May, September, October) offer better availability and lower point costs
- Weekday stays are easier to book than full week blocks
If you plan to visit Aulani regularly, purchasing Aulani as your home resort makes strategic sense. That 11 month booking window is a real advantage at a high demand property.
Aulani vs. Booking a Regular Hawaii Hotel
A comparable ocean view room at a luxury Oahu resort runs $500 to $900 per night. Aulani rack rate (non DVC cash booking) is $600 to $1,200 per night depending on room and season.
If you own 200 points at Aulani and visit for one week each year, your annual cost is roughly: purchase price amortized over 36 years plus annual dues. At $120 per point, that is ($24,000 divided by 36) + ($9.29 x 200) = $667 + $1,858 = about $2,525 per year for a week in Hawaii at a luxury resort. Compare that to $4,000 to $7,000 for a similar room booked at rack rates.
The Resale Market for Aulani
Aulani resale contracts trade actively and Disney Right of First Refusal is less aggressive here than at monorail Florida resorts. Current resale prices of $100 to $130 per point make Aulani one of the more affordable DVC resorts on a per point basis, especially considering the long contract life.
One thing to consider: if you purchase Aulani resale, you can still book at any other DVC resort at the 7 month window. Your home resort priority only applies to Aulani itself. Learn more about choosing the right use year for your travel patterns.
Is Aulani Right for You?
Aulani works best for families who love Hawaii and want to return regularly, members who want variety beyond Florida parks, and anyone who values beach resort relaxation over theme park proximity.
If you only plan to visit Hawaii once every few years, purchasing a Florida home resort and booking Aulani at 7 months might make more sense. But if Hawaii is your happy place, owning Aulani points gives you priority access at one of the most desirable DVC properties in the system.
Ready to explore financing for an Aulani contract? Start your application or learn how our process works.