Happy in Hawaii - Aulani & Oahu with a Toddler ~ Updated 7/20: Final Update and link to new TR!

Leshaface · Feb 17, 2015

Yeah, I don't know what's going on. Is there something I have to select first before saving as a PDF? I was on page 9 of your report and tried printing, saved as a PDF to my desktop and went to look at the saved file and it's 31 pages, all from page 9! About 2 or 3 replies per page and about 3 photos per page of your latest update :rotfl:

I'm so glad you didn't glaze over the drama that happened. Goes to show, family trips are definitely not perfect! Sorry, but I did have to giggle at Dug still watching the show acting like he had no idea you were up trying to get Izzy out of there! I did feel a bit annoyed for you :hug:

hokieinpa · Feb 17, 2015

Beautiful scenery. It all looks very "cultural" lol - long boat, bedroom, etc.! That's totally how I would be too - not much of a chance to read descriptions with a toddler in tow!

I would have been fuming at the whole show/stroller/clueless situation! I think I may have mastered the dirty "I'll just do it myself" look at this point. :headache:

And I think I spy another one of those scary looking birds (ducks?) in the picture of the guy making coconut milk. I have a slight bird phobia so I'm always on the lookout...

Captain_Oblivious · Feb 18, 2015

Hey, all I know is: the TR's that whitewash things are a lot more boring to read! :rotfl2:

So let's hear it for honesty in trip reporting! The only thing that kept running through my mind was a movie quote from Cool Hand Luke: "What we have here is failure to communicate." :rotfl:

Glad the storm eventually blew over.

sager1969 · Feb 18, 2015

Izzy is too sweet! I love little toddlers. They are so funny especially now that my little one is 14 years old. Mommas always get to to deal with little ones most of the time while traveling. My DS still want to sit with me on the plane/bus/car. I am so thrilled for you and the awesome deals you found! We are DVC members and Aulani is our home so that we can go every two to three years. Loving your trip so far. The Polynesian Cultural Center is one of the few things we have left to do on Oahu. I can't seem to convince the boys to do this one. Now, any snorkeling or beach activity will be done happily. Glad you enjoyed Hawaii! We call it our 2nd home.

Dugette · Feb 18, 2015

Imagineer5 said:
LOL oh, Dug! He is so clueless sometimes! That whole scene sounds SO aggravating though, I am surprised you didn't pinch him or send him out for diaper duty. Good that you were able to enjoy the end of the show though. Izzy sure looks happy at least!

It's funny, writing these TRs really makes me notice the clueless patterns that don't stand out as much in normal life. :rotfl:

Seems like there's at least one incident every trip. I remember just being SO mad during this time, though. It helped to find out later that he hadn't intended to see the show, though. And at least Izzy did have fun when we went back.

AprilRenee said:
Oooh Id be mad too!!
And lol at your truth in trip reporting. No judging here. We're here to hear about the whole thing. Not just the good stuff!
Trip reports would be boring stuff if we only got "saw a fun show" lol

Yeah, I always include as much detail as I can remember in the TRs. The ones that are just "we went on this ride, then we went on this ride, then we ate, then we went on some other rides" bore me. Unless the pictures are awesome, I suppose.

schmass said:
I was getting really irritated for you in that last update!! I'm glad that it ended well, though. Izzy looks like she enjoyed the show once she was ready.

I was just so upset that whole time. But she really did like playing her stick there at the end. She watched that video over and over for weeks afterwards, smiling every time.

schmass said:
Too funny about her folding the changing table back up. I can see Rory doing the same thing...any open door must be closed immediately, even if that means crushing me in it.

I've been there! It's funny how much they like things to be in their places, sometimes. Izzy's also closed the door while our poor dog is trying to walk through it. :eek:

Dugette · Feb 18, 2015

Leshaface said:
Yeah, I don't know what's going on. Is there something I have to select first before saving as a PDF? I was on page 9 of your report and tried printing, saved as a PDF to my desktop and went to look at the saved file and it's 31 pages, all from page 9! About 2 or 3 replies per page and about 3 photos per page of your latest update

I think that's about right, actually. I saved them back in the old format and I think it was slightly smaller, but it was still dozens of PDF pages for some of the DIS pages. That was the best way I could figure out to preserve it all.

Leshaface said:
I'm so glad you didn't glaze over the drama that happened. Goes to show, family trips are definitely not perfect! Sorry, but I did have to giggle at Dug still watching the show acting like he had no idea you were up trying to get Izzy out of there! I did feel a bit annoyed for you

Ha, thanks! It's the bits of drama that make things interesting, right? You know, like leaving cars unlocked in front of hotels while you ride It's a Small World...

hokieinpa said:
Beautiful scenery. It all looks very "cultural" lol - long boat, bedroom, etc.! That's totally how I would be too - not much of a chance to read descriptions with a toddler in tow!

Yeah, and the ones I did read got forgotten quickly. :blush:

I'm sure Dug got a lot more out of the displays than I did. I picked up a few minor things here and there, but you know how that goes with a toddler. :goodvibes

hokieinpa said:
I would have been fuming at the whole show/stroller/clueless situation! I think I may have mastered the dirty "I'll just do it myself" look at this point.

I was definitely fuming. Looking back now, it doesn't seem that awful anymore, but I remember just being ready to pummel him at the time. I'm pretty sure I was bad-mouthing him to Izzy (she was still too young to really get that - I try not to do it anymore).

hokieinpa said:
And I think I spy another one of those scary looking birds (ducks?) in the picture of the guy making coconut milk. I have a slight bird phobia so I'm always on the lookout...

Yeah, this one wasn't quite as gross, though. Something about the other one's face was just hideous, but this one looked a bit more normal.

Captain_Oblivious said:
Hey, all I know is: the TR's that whitewash things are a lot more boring to read! So let's hear it for honesty in trip reporting! The only thing that kept running through my mind was a movie quote from Cool Hand Luke: "What we have here is failure to communicate."

Glad the storm eventually blew over.

Ha, that is certainly an appropriate quote. And it probably describes all of the most "dramatic" moments in any of my TRs. :rotfl:

I guess we're creatures of habit. Every trip, we manage to have a communication breakdown that leaves me fuming at some point. :confused3

It helped to get over it just remembering that we had really limited time together in Hawaii and I didn't want to spend it mad.

sager1969 said:
Izzy is too sweet! I love little toddlers. They are so funny especially now that my little one is 14 years old. Mommas always get to to deal with little ones most of the time while traveling. My DS still want to sit with me on the plane/bus/car. I am so thrilled for you and the awesome deals you found! We are DVC members and Aulani is our home so that we can go every two to three years. Loving your trip so far. The Polynesian Cultural Center is one of the few things we have left to do on Oahu. I can't seem to convince the boys to do this one. Now, any snorkeling or beach activity will be done happily. Glad you enjoyed Hawaii! We call it our 2nd home.

That's kind-of sweet that your DS still wants to sit with you! I am really enjoying the toddler stage, though.

How awesome to own DVC at Aulani! :thumbsup2

What a great second home. :cloud9:

PCC was fun, but not necessarily a must-do, I'd say. Something to keep in mind if you are in the area and want to do something new.

TheMaxRebo · Feb 19, 2015

That does sound like a frustrating experience. I can see where Dug was coming from at the beginning - kind the "well, not what is was intending but we are here and maybe it will be fun!" as much as ibtrybtobdefend the guys I can't think of a good reason he didn't follow you out. I mean, I can be pretty dense but I can generally tell when Judi is posses.

Glad it worked out in the end - that is a really cute picture of Izzy with her musical stick :goodvibes

"Truth in trip reporting". That would make a good thread ... to see like "what I wrote in my trip report " (which is all happy happy rainbows and pixie dust) and then the translated "what really happened" version (full of arguing and sweat and hands thrown up in frustration, etc. :rotfl2:

Dugette · Feb 19, 2015

TheMaxRebo said:
That does sound like a frustrating experience. I can see where Dug was coming from at the beginning - kind the "well, not what is was intending but we are here and maybe it will be fun!" as much as ibtrybtobdefend the guys I can't think of a good reason he didn't follow you out. I mean, I can be pretty dense but I can generally tell when Judi is posses.

I have to say, I am really wondering how many beers were involved in this post... :rotfl2:

But I think I get the gist. :goodvibes

I was so baffled when I turned around and saw him still sitting there. I hadn't even been vague when I left, I'd specifically told him that we needed to leave. :confused3

TheMaxRebo said:
Glad it worked out in the end - that is a really cute picture of Izzy with her musical stick

She sure loved that stick and banging it on the ground. :thumbsup2

TheMaxRebo said:
"Truth in trip reporting". That would make a good thread ... to see like "what I wrote in my trip report " (which is all happy happy rainbows and pixie dust) and then the translated "what really happened" version (full of arguing and sweat and hands thrown up in frustration, etc.

Haha, that could get pretty interesting! :lmao:

TheMaxRebo · Feb 20, 2015

Ack, no beers involved - we have no internet so only able to respond on my phone and having issues apparently

Lauren in NC · Feb 20, 2015

Hah, I think I block all the toddler tantrums out of my mind when I'm writing down our trips. Disney is a magic place where nobody ever has a meltdown, right?.... right? :teeth:

Love the TR still so far! The cultural center looks like a lot of fun!

SimplyGoofy · Feb 20, 2015

Yikes, what a racket with the show! :crazy2:

It's never fun to wrestle with an unhappy child, and even tougher when you feel like you're doing the wrestling all by yourself! I feel like those "misunderstandings" happen a lot while on vacation - I know my family and I are guilty of them! I'm glad it all worked out in the long run and Izzy ended up enjoying the end of the show (and her musical stick)!

(Even though you couldn't get a drink at the moment, I hope you were able to once you were back at the resort!)

The guy making coconut milk looks neat!

AZMermaid · Feb 21, 2015

Love the honest trip reporting! Now I know I am not the only one to have Mommy meltdowns on vacation. We didn't argue at all on our last Disneyland trip a few weeks ago which is a miracle! But, there was a serious meltdown at the NFL Experience to make up for it! :rotfl2:

LuvEeyore · Feb 22, 2015

I love clueless Dug!! Men ...you need them, you love them but sometimes they have no clue!! You scoop up a screaming toddler you would think they would know that the snacks, diapers and toys are all in the stroller not your pockets.
The pictures of the Polynesian center are great. Cant wait to hear more.

Dugette · Mar 5, 2015

Guys, I just posted this on the DVC resorts board:

Dugette said:

Hi, all. I just snagged RT flights from Minneapolis to HNL for $395/each for next January (2016). United is the only option at this fare. I checked various dates over the next year and they were all this cheap or less. Not sure if it's a glitch or if it will last, but wanted to share with my DIS-friends that are trying to get to Aulani. We sure weren't planning on going back so soon! Also, United has a 24-hour penalty-free cancellation, if you're on the fence.

Click to expand...

Not sure if we're going or not, but we're booked, along with Dug's parents and sister/brother-in-law!!! We have 24 hours to decide if we've lost our minds.

Leshaface · Mar 5, 2015

Dugette said:
Guys, I just posted this on the DVC resorts board:

Not sure if we're going or not, but we're booked, along with Dug's parents and sister/brother-in-law!!! We have 24 hours to decide if we've lost our minds.

Also, I looked to see how far out they have their flight schedule in 2016 and i'm way too early for July 2016 :sad2:

Cause that's a great price even out of LAX, i'd take that!

Dugette · Mar 5, 2015

TheMaxRebo said:
Ack, no beers involved - we have no internet so only able to respond on my phone and having issues apparently

Ha, it was pretty funny! And you always have your beers, so... :rotfl:

Lauren in NC said:
Hah, I think I block all the toddler tantrums out of my mind when I'm writing down our trips. Disney is a magic place where nobody ever has a meltdown, right?.... right?

Love the TR still so far! The cultural center looks like a lot of fun!

Absolutely, all toddlers are drenched in pixie dust and perfect angels at all times. As are husbands. :rotfl2:

Thanks, the PCC was a nice place to visit!

SimplyGoofy said:
Yikes, what a racket with the show! It's never fun to wrestle with an unhappy child, and even tougher when you feel like you're doing the wrestling all by yourself! I feel like those "misunderstandings" happen a lot while on vacation - I know my family and I are guilty of them! I'm glad it all worked out in the long run and Izzy ended up enjoying the end of the show (and her musical stick)!

(Even though you couldn't get a drink at the moment, I hope you were able to once you were back at the resort!)

The guy making coconut milk looks neat!

That made it a lot tougher - that I was doing it all myself while Dug enjoyed a show, rather oblivious. It seems like we have at least one big misunderstanding every trip. ::yes::

I know I had some drinks on the trip, but don't think I had any that night. :confused3

That coconut milk demo was pretty cool.

AZMermaid said:
Love the honest trip reporting! Now I know I am not the only one to have Mommy meltdowns on vacation. We didn't argue at all on our last Disneyland trip a few weeks ago which is a miracle! But, there was a serious meltdown at the NFL Experience to make up for it!

Ha, glad to help! With all the time spent together on vacations, it's no wonder that the meltdowns happen, I guess. Way to go on Disneyland! :thumbsup2

(And sorry about the NFL Experience. :goodvibes

)

LuvEeyore said:
I love clueless Dug!! Men ...you need them, you love them but sometimes they have no clue!! You scoop up a screaming toddler you would think they would know that the snacks, diapers and toys are all in the stroller not your pockets.
The pictures of the Polynesian center are great. Cant wait to hear more.

Exactly, so clueless it just boggles a mommy's mind! I don't know how he misses these things sometimes. :sad2:

Thanks!

Leshaface said:
Also, I looked to see how far out they have their flight schedule in 2016 and i'm way too early for July 2016 Cause that's a great price even out of LAX, i'd take that!

Aw, that's too bad. Maybe you should take an early anniversary trip! :hyper:

Or, you know, a practice one. :rotfl:

Jennifer48 · Mar 6, 2015

You have great flight price mojo!

So have you decided if you are going or not?! Inquiring minds want to know! :goodvibes

Dugette · Mar 6, 2015

Jennifer48 said:
You have great flight price mojo!

So have you decided if you are going or not?! Inquiring minds want to know!

Haha, well, we only have about 2 hours left and haven't cancelled yet. :rolleyes1

It's actually become quite a large family affair. Dug's parents, sister/brother-in-law, BIL's parents, and I think BIL's brother/DW/DD? :smooth:

If only I made commission on sharing this info. My daycare provider is also going the week after us with her family for about the same price as 1 ticket at normal prices. :thumbsup2

Dugette · Mar 6, 2015

What? A Do-Over?!

A Slightly Off-Topic Update

So, you know that saying about lightning not striking twice in the same place? Well, it can if you're holding up a lightning rod.

When we got our $70 flights for this trip, it was by pure luck. Right place at the right time and nothing more to it (other than acting fast, I guess). Well, anytime I told someone about it, they'd ask how I knew about the fares and if I got a fare alert. Um, no? But it made me think: maybe I should get fare alerts. So, I sat down one night, found a free alert site, and signed up to get emails about good deals to HNL (Honolulu), MCO (duh!), and PDX (Portland - family there and air is not cheap) - all from MSP (Minneapolis) only. So, I get emails about good fares and the lowest HNL ever goes is $600-ish. And usually not great flight times or dates. Today, however, I got an email that said flights for $355. Clearly, I had to check that out ASAP - and let Dug know, so he could investigate too and let his family know, if need be. So, we both fired up the internet and went to town.

And what we found was amazing! United was offering almost all flights between now and next January at $355-$395! I found out after the fact, since I was curious, that Delta had attacked United's hubs the prior day with cheap fares to Hawaii, so now United was attacking Delta's hubs - and MSP is one of them. Those wacky airlines. The fares actually lasted until a few hours into this morning. But we booked yesterday afternoon.

The 24-hour free cancellation policy has now expired, so I guess we are stuck going BACK to Hawaii! Only this time, apparently everyone we know is coming along. Dug's mom and dad. Dug's sister and her husband. This is great, as we had tried to do our prior trip with them, but the Delta glitch caused the website to crash before they could book, so they took a trip together on different dates that they could still get, totally separate from our trip. Yay for a chance to do a family trip! Coincidentally, Dug's sister and I had just talked about this the other day - and said we'd love to all go to Hawaii together someday. Someday comes sooner than you think. Only bummer is that Dug's brother and his wife can't join us, as they are trying to buy a house and can't spare the cash.

ALSO, Dug's sister's husband's mom, dad, brother, SIL, their kids, and mom's cousins (I think? ) are all coming along. Oh, and our daycare provider is going with her family a week after we get back. If only I got commission on selling these flights.

So, this sounds all great and wonderful, but I feel like I'm walking a fine line between awesomeness and foolishness here. Our May Land & Sea trip is completely draining our vacation fund. Then throw in a potential Disneyland trip in November (if Dug's work retreat is in Palm Springs again). And then, throw in a Hawaii trip in January and pay $1200 in airfare now?! (Note that this is $1k more in airfare than we paid for First Class last year - and it's only Coach/Economy BUT, our same flights were going for $1025/each later today ). As an accountant, we are generally very careful and conservative in our spending and budgeting. However, I clearly also have a very spontaneous side and we both highly value vacation time and travel. It's a tough balance and I was feeling pretty irresponsible after booking. But then, I sat down with my Excel spreadsheet for our 2015-2017 budget (of course I have that, as all accounting nerds do ) and I crunched some numbers. I updated and tweaked and did everything I could to still be conservative and realistic, but also free up enough cash to take this trip (while still hitting our savings goals on time). And I feel MUCH better now. As long as we keep Disneyland and Hawaii bargain/moderate trips, I think we'll be just fine. It's just a crunch right now, with having just paid off our May trip (and really not wanting to downgrade it), but the funds start piling up again soon for our next adventure. So, I think I can keep breathing now...(and we put the airfare on a credit card with zero % interest for three months - we don't carry credit card debt at all, but I'm going to float this for a few months, since there's no charge and it gives our vacation fund some time to recover. )

Having a large crew of people there is certainly going to be a whole new challenge in planning. I know Dug is concerned about family conflicts (where to go and what to do, etc.), but I assured him that we will rent our own car, no matter what, so we can always go off and do our own thing, if we desire. We mostly just want to enjoy Hawaii and relax. There are some things we want to do again. Some things we missed before and would like to do. It's whale season, so a catamaran trip is a must. And we want to enjoy time with family in paradise.

But, you know, we also want to go to Aulani. Not sure what's going to happen, accommodation-wise, right now. His family is flying in a few days before us (work conflict for me), so they will have a head-start on us. I think there is a high likelihood of renting a house for all of us, for at least part of the trip. Dug and I are lobbying for a week together in a house (or something), starting when they arrive, then moving to Aulani (at LEAST us, but hopefully all immediate family) for the last 3 nights. We are there 8 nights and they have 10 or 11, I believe. I also have doubts that my DVC person has enough points, as we rented from her for Aulani and BWV and she might want to take her own trip soon. We'll see. We are already under the 11-month mark for DVC rentals. I did figure out that a 2-bedroom unit would be a reasonable option for the family, at about $200/night per couple. That's about what a studio of our own would be. They seem somewhat resistant/hesitant about Aulani, so we're working on that. Dug and I agreed that we want to spend at least 3-4 nights at Aulani, with or without them (but preferably with). Hope we can work this out fairly soon.

So, yeah, second crazy unplanned trip to Hawaii for us in just over a year. I'm fairly certain we've lost our minds, but I'm super excited anyway! This might turn into a combo TR/PTR.