Disney spokeswoman Rena Langley told Khon2 customers who had already purchased time-share units would be credited the difference between the previously stated annual fee of $690 and the new rate, which was not announced.
“The credits will be subject to such things as property taxes, but could last until the contracts expire in 2062,” said Langley.
The $850 million resort broke ground in November of 2008 and is less than two weeks from a scheduled grand opening on August 29. The twenty-one acre development features 450 time-share units as well as 359 hotel rooms.
Langley said in lieu of finalizing further sales Disney would be accepting reservation deposits on available time-shares at Aulani. Sales are not allowed to proceed until new paperwork is filed with Hawaii’s Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.
Disney would not say if any other fees paid by time-share owners would also be increased, but Honolulu real estate broker Richard Cricchio says buyers need to be aware of change orders in contracts involving new developments.
“The project is a living and breathing thing and as they’re completing it more stuff may come up,” said Cricchio, owner of Help-U-Sell Honolulu Properties. “A lot of times you should have somebody else, a second set of eyes, just to explain it to you.”
According to the Orlando Sentinel the error in time-share fees was serious enough to cost three Disney executives their jobs. The Florida newspaper was the first to report the story Tuesday.
According to the paper, Jim Lewis, president of Disney Vacation Club, was among those fired. Lewis had been with the company since 1996.
Disney says all memberships at the Aulani Resort and Spa will be honored as of the grand opening later this month.
Register to log on and leave a comment
Have a news tip? Contact Andrew Pereira at 368-7273. Follow Andrew on Twitter at Khon_Reporter
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
