I think the target market for Aulani is a bit different than sites like this. Aulani doesn't necessarily appeal to the Mickey-ear-wearing / TDO-slamming crowd that typically populates Disney websites and discussion boards. There are no attractions. No shows. No fireworks. Few characters. And the prices (meals, spa, etc.) make WDW and DL seem cheap by comparison.
Specific to WDWMagic, the site obviously focuses on Walt Disney World while Aulani's target market has always been the western US (Cali) and Japan.
Most people who have visited Aulani seem to have favorable opinions. Assuming they are prepared for no rides, no characters, expensive meals, etc. It is a very popular destination to book at 7 months. Only a small percentage of all DVC owners trying to book at 7 months is enough to fill the resort.
Hawaii is sort of a "if you can't make it there, you can't make it anywhere" timeshare destination. People want to go to Hawaii...even if it's only once every 10 years. That said, DVC is much more profitable at WDW and DL simply because they already own the land. If memory serves, Disney paid $120 million for the land alone in Hawaii. Land costs for Grand Floridian or Poly DVC are basically $0. (Some internal bookkeeping undoubtedly occurs, but TWDC isn't writing any checks to acquire land in Central Florida.)
With regard to sales, I don't think they have been as strong as DVC hoped when they started this project 4-5 years ago. But the lack of massive incentives and promotion suggest that sales aren't terrible, either. At 480 villas, it was always going to take a looooong time to sell Aulani. We're talking 10+ years. But if they're still selling at Year 20, it's probably time to start talking about what went wrong.
