Though Southern California is over 2500 miles away from the
island of Hawai'I, those who dropped by the Westin Pasadena this past weekend
got a sample of that Aloha spirit …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… by attending a DVC presentation about Aulani, that
soon-to-open Disney Resort & Spa which is being built along a white-sand
beach in Ko Olina.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Guests arriving at the Westin Pasadena were initially directed
to a function room …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… where – after a demonstration of the hapa-haole & the kahiko
by a trio of Polynesian dancers – …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… it was time for this Disney Vacation Club informational presentation
to begin. And to these DVC representatives' credit, their sales pitch for
Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa was decidedly soft sell. Since the belief in-house seems to be that the location & amenities featured at this Disney Resort & Spa are more than enough to sell people on the place, the emphasis at this Disney Vacation Club presentation was placed more on show rather than selling. Which is why this informational session was periodically disrupted by the sudden appearance of characters
like Stitch …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… who seemed very determined to get his claws on that Hawaiian-themed
gift basket which was to be raffled out at the end of this presentation.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Once this informational session was over, it was time to
head next door for a glass of pog (i.e. passion fruit, orange and guava juice
all mixed together) and a quick hula lesson with Minnie & Goofy …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… or – if you'd prefer – a photo op with some of the Polynesian performers who provided
entertainment for this DVC event …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… and/or a rare shot of Stitch (i.e. Disney's naughtiest character)
and Mickey (Disney's nicest character) standing together.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
As a newlywed who's still scrimping & saving for a
much-belated honeymoon trip to Walt Disney World, I have to admit that buying
points with the Disney Vacation Club at this point in my life is a kind of a pricey
pipe dream. But that said, I have to admit that I was sorely tempted this time
around. Given that – as a special incentive (i.e. something that was only
available to those who took part in the Aulani informational sessions at the Westin
Pasadena)-those who bought 500 DVC points would receive a $700 Disney gift card
as well as a free night's stay in one of the Signature Suites at the Disneyland
Hotel.
To be specific, the Big Thunder Suite …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… with its rustic-but-charming furnishings.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Not to mention the Mickey Mouse Penthouse …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… and all of its Mickey-themed amenities.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
And let's not forget about the Disneyland Hotel's
Adventureland Suite …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… which makes you feel as though you're actually living
inside of WDW's late, great (and now – sadly – defunct) Adventurers Club.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Or – best of all – the Pirates of the Caribbean suite …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… which – from floor to ceiling – is filled with props &
furniture …
Photo by Noe Valladolid
… that pay tribute not only to the "Pirates of the Caribbean"
movies but also the theme park attraction.
Photo by Noe Valladolid
Of course, what was kind of ironic about all this was — in order to stay for free in one of the Disneyland Hotel's Signature Suites — you first had to sign on the dotted line with the Disney Vacation Club.
But all in all, I'd have to say that offering people who bought points in Aulani a free night's stay in one of these highly themed rooms like these was … Well, a pretty suite incentive package on DVC's
part.
Your thoughts?