Aulani Subsidized Contract: Pay Less at Disney’s Aulani Resort

Located in Kapolei on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, is one of the most sought-after destinations in the DVC portfolio. Surprisingly, though, at $217 per point (retail), Aulani is cheaper than the average price per point of $227.75 for Disney Vacation Club resorts in 2024. With a timeshare resale from Fidelity Real Estate, you can save even more, with the price per point for Aulani timeshares averaging just $106.89 in 2023 in our resale marketplace. Unfortunately, maintenance fees are the same whether you buy your timeshare direct or on the resale market. But at Aulani, you don’t necessarily have to pay full price for your maintenance fees. Subsidized contracts are available with maintenance fees of just $7.33 per point instead of the full price of $9.76. Stay tuned to learn more about the subsidy and how you can find your Aulani subsidized contract with Fidelity.

Why Do Subsidized Contracts Exist at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa?

When Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, first opened in 2011, an accounting error provided the first buyers with incorrect information regarding their annual dues. Essentially, the dues were calculated at a lower-than-intended rate and later revised, giving early buyers a false sense of value. Three Disney executives, including Disney Vacation Club president Jim Lewis, were fired as a result. In order to compensate for the mistake, Disney offered these initial buyers a credit in the form of lower maintenance fees for the duration of their contract.

How Does an Aulani Subsidized Contract Work? The Answer According to the DVC Resale Experts at Fidelity

The basis for the maintenance fee reduction for Aulani subsidized contracts is calculated as the difference between the erroneous initial rate of $4.31 per point and the revised rate of $5.73, a reduction of 25%. That equated to a savings of $1.42 per point, or $327.20 for the minimum purchase of 160 points required for DVC membership in 2011. These totals will change over time as inflation, resort refurbishments, and cast member benefits drive up maintenance fees at the resort (more on this later). Disney offered to subsidize the maintenance fees of initial buyers for a period of 50 years. Thus, every Aulani subsidized contract will expire by 2062.

Want to see the resale and retail price per point for all DVC resorts? Find them here at our About DVC Resales page!

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Aulani Subsidized Dues vs Other Aulani Contracts

You can’t buy Aulani subsidized contracts directly from the resort. Buyers who make a direct purchase from Aulani must pay the full price for their maintenance fees. Subsidized Aulani contracts can only be purchased from current owners on the resale market.

As of 2024, the non-subsidized rate for maintenance fees stands at $9.76 per point. The subsidized rate, by comparison, is $7.33. That’s a savings of $364.50 for 150 DVC points.

The Future of Subsidized Aulani Maintenance Fees

Subsidized Aulani contracts with reduced maintenance fee rates are good for a period of 50 years. Since every subsidized contract originated in 2011, they will not expire until 2062. However, as with any kind of annual timeshare dues, the subsidized rates will continue to rise over the life of the contracts. Maintenance fees go up for several reasons. Firstly, inflation causes the price of everything to go up over time. Secondly, as inflation rises, so too do cast member rates and benefits. Finally, the older a resort gets, the more maintenance, refurbishments, and upgrades it needs.

The total price difference between subsidized and non-subsidized Aulani contracts will change over time, as well. For example, the savings offered by a subsidized contract in 2011 was $1.42 per point, while in 2024, the savings stood at $2.43. This is because the reduced rate is calculated as a percentage (75%) of the revised rate. Thus, while the dollar amount of Aulani subsidized fees will continue to increase over time, the relative savings will as well.

About Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa

Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, is where the magic of Disney meets the majesty of Hawaii. Aulani boasts a prime location in Kapolei near many of Oahu’s best highlights. Popular area attractions include world-class beaches like Ko Olina, North Shore, and Waikiki; Kualoa Ranch, immortalized in such films as Jurassic Park, Jumanji, and Mighty Joe Young; Pearl Harbor, the site of the attack that led the US to formally enter WWII; water sports; shopping and dining; and championship golf courses.

On-site at this Disney resort in Hawaii, you’ll find a wealth of magical amenities. Swimming pools, a lazy river, and beach access make it easy to beat the tropical heat while the Ka Wa’a Luau sets your senses on fire. Your little ones will love the kids’ entertainment and pool parties featuring Disney characters, while grownups will be sure to appreciate the full-service spa and adults-only pool bar.

Accommodations at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, range from cozy studio suites to sprawling three-bedroom villas. All units feature upscale amenities like state-of-the-art entertainment centers, complimentary Wi-Fi, a private porch or balcony, and rainfall showers. Meanwhile, larger villas come equipped with full kitchens, whirlpool tubs, elegant dining areas, and in-unit washers and dryers.

More Benefits of Buying an Aulani Subsidized Timeshare

In addition to the big savings you’ll earn with a subsidized Aulani timeshare, these contracts confer most of the same benefits offered by direct-purchase Aulani timeshares. When you buy a subsidized Aulani contract, you’ll enjoy an eleven-month-out booking advantage. This is especially helpful for Aulani owners, as a trip to Hawaii will most likely require lots of advance planning.

While resale restrictions mean certain destinations are off limits to those who buy subsidized Aulani resale points, you can still use them to stay at any of the 13 other resorts in DVC’s original portfolio. These include:

• Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas
• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Beach Club Villas
• BoardWalk Villas
• Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Copper Creek Villas and Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Grand Californian
• The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
• Hilton Head Island Resort
• Old Key West Resort
• Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
• Saratoga Springs Resort
• Vero Beach Resort

Want to learn more about DVC resale restrictions? Check out our blog!

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Find DVC Timeshares on the Resale Market

When you buy a subsidized Aulani contract, you can save on more than just maintenance fees. These subsidized contracts are only available for sale by the owner on the DVC resale market. Because owners get to set their own prices, you’ll often find DVC resales for thousands less than timeshares for sale by Disney. But don’t just take our word for it. Browse our full selection of DVC resales today and see for yourself!

The DVC Resale Experts at Fidelity Real Estate Can Help You Find the Right Contract

Due to the limited nature of Aulani subsidized contracts, they rarely show up on the resale market. However, if you’re interested in buying subsidized DVC points at Aulani, a Disney Resort and Spa, Fidelity Real Estate can help. Fidelity has been DVC’s Recommended Resale Broker for more than 15 years. Thus, we’re your go-to source for DVC resales – including Aulani subsidized resales.

Start by browsing our selection of Aulani resales to see what’s available. If you don’t find what you’re looking for or have any questions, call our resale experts at 1-800-410-8326 or email us at [email protected].

Sell Your Subsidized Aulani Contracts

Looking to sell your subsidized Aulani points or any other type of timeshare on the resale market? As an accredited member of ARDA with 20 years of experience and an A+ rating by the BBB, Fidelity is a resale solution you can trust. Fill out the form below to get started!