Talkin' Hawaii - The DIS Discussion Forums

WeLoveABD · 06-16-2011, 10:49 PM

With the new Disney resort open it seems like a real possibility that ABD will be back in Hawaii--maybe with a couple of nights at the resort...BUT...does anyone out there know why the first go around in Hawaii (during ABD's test year--2005? 2006?) failed? (And does the new resort change the mix enough to now succeed as an ABD destination?)

Tozzie · 06-19-2011, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeLoveABD

With the new Disney resort open it seems like a real possibility that ABD will be back in Hawaii--maybe with a couple of nights at the resort...BUT...does anyone out there know why the first go around in Hawaii (during ABD's test year--2005? 2006?) failed? (And does the new resort change the mix enough to now succeed as an ABD destination?)

I seem to remember something about the itinerary and how many of the activities were hotel based.

I did find a few reviews on the internet here are the links

http://thoughtpresslife.com/2006/02/...res-by-disney/

http://www.themouseforless.com/blog_...is-and-hawaii/

sayhello · 06-19-2011, 10:53 AM

I have the brochure from what I believe was the last year they did Hawaii (2006) and I agree, the reason I didn't sign up for either of the trips is that the vast majority of the trip took place at the hotel. It was honestly not anything that couldn't be arranged through the resorts, and you just didn't get to see much of Hawaii beyond the resort. Personally, just because you *can* do everything without leaving your resort does not necessarily mean you should never leave the resort...

The survey they sent out (was it last year?) asking opinions about a variety of new Hawaii itineraries, seemed aimed at more than one island, and more than just resort activities.

When I get a chance, I'll transcribe some of the descriptions of the old trips here.

Sayhello

WeLoveABD · 06-19-2011, 11:39 PM

Thanks Tozzie and SayHello--glad someone responded to my thread! Tozzie--those reviews from 2006 were something else, night and day re the Hawaii trip. Shows how personal travel is, I guess--and how far
ABD has come since then. SayHello--I'm looking forward to what you dig up and post, as always! If I were to design a Hawaii trip I'd try for three islands, including a two or three night stay at the new Disney resort--and then sail or fly to Maui and the Big Island for a two or three night stay on each. I've only been to Oahu (one time on a whirlwind 8 hours of shore leave from a carrier), so I would love to see more--and have the kids see Hawaii (for the first time) Disney-style.

Bobo912 · 06-20-2011, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeLoveABD

Thanks Tozzie and SayHello--glad someone responded to my thread! Tozzie--those reviews from 2006 were something else, night and day re the Hawaii trip. Shows how personal travel is, I guess--and how far
ABD has come since then. SayHello--I'm looking forward to what you dig up and post, as always! If I were to design a Hawaii trip I'd try for three islands, including a two or three night stay at the new Disney resort--and then sail or fly to Maui and the Big Island for a two or three night stay on each. I've only been to Oahu (one time on a whirlwind 8 hours of shore leave from a carrier), so I would love to see more--and have the kids see Hawaii (for the first time) Disney-style.

I know Kathy Greenwell from the Alaska ABD in 2009. I trust her opinion. The problem could have been the itinerary, but it could have been something financial - like not being able to negotiate the hotel rates they needed to make the trip sufficiently profitable. Whatever the problem, I'm sure they'll have it all straigthened out before they offer Hawaii again. With the past survey and the new resort, surely a Hawaii trip is in the works for the future.

Turtlemom · 06-21-2011, 02:18 PM

we actually did the Hawaii ABD trip in November of 2006 (Oahu and the Big Island). While it is true that a lot of activities were at the resort, we had a fantastic time and thought that the ABD guides really made our group feel special. On Oahu, we did climb Diamond Head and go to Pearl Harbor, but I thought the welcome dinner with the young hawaiian dancers was beautiful and I appreciated not having to be constantly on the run. Having a little time to actually enjoy the resort was a good thing, and our guides (Mike and Tina) spent time with all of us, especially the kids, playing in the water. Also, the surfing lessons were fun and even though I am not a surfer, I managed to get a massage on shore. As for the big Island, we had our own vulcanologist with us when we toured volcanoes national park, and at the resort, we had an outrigger canoeing club row over from Maui to show us how it was done and to help us race in our own canoes. I'm kind of surprised at how negative the first posted review was. I guess it is all in your expectations, but ours were met and then some.

If they offer another ABD in Hawaii, it will be interesting to see what activites they include and how much would be done at the Aulani resort.

knewton64 · 06-21-2011, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sayhello

I have the brochure from what I believe was the last year they did Hawaii (2006) and I agree, the reason I didn't sign up for either of the trips is that the vast majority of the trip took place at the hotel. It was honestly not anything that couldn't be arranged through the resorts, and you just didn't get to see much of Hawaii beyond the resort. Personally, just because you *can* do everything without leaving your resort does not necessarily mean you should never leave the resort...

The survey they sent out (was it last year?) asking opinions about a variety of new Hawaii itineraries, seemed aimed at more than one island, and more than just resort activities.

When I get a chance, I'll transcribe some of the descriptions of the old trips here.

Sayhello

I received the same email survey a few months ago as well & agree with your pov about are you there for the resort or are u there for the activites.
Now thats not to say that Hotel Alani isnt a wonderful hotel, its much more of an issue (like u said) that ABD would get more traffic in Hawaii if they had a mixture of the two.

Me? I am once again hitting the ground running once I arrive in Hawaii - 120 more days

.

T.T.F.N.

abdmom · 08-28-2011, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knewton64

Now thats not to say that Hotel Alani isnt a wonderful hotel, its much more of an issue (like u said) that ABD would get more traffic in Hawaii if they had a mixture of the two.

Wish no more. Here's a link to the ABD excursions at Aulani. Note that they have a 3 day ABD trip as one of them. Scroll down to see the ABD excursions and 3 day trip.

Bobo912 · 08-28-2011, 07:42 AM

abdmom, you forgot the link.

happymomof1 · 06-21-2011, 09:03 PM

We just came back from the ABD backstage magic, and were WOW'd! We'd love a Hawaii itinerary with Disneys attention to details and the aBD's guides to help make it special. I am so looking forward to what they come up with for next year and am keeping my fingers crossed that it includes Hawaii!

06-16-2011, 10:49 PM	#1
WeLoveABD DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 656	Talkin' Hawaii With the new Disney resort open it seems like a real possibility that ABD will be back in Hawaii--maybe with a couple of nights at the resort...BUT...does anyone out there know why the first go around in Hawaii (during ABD's test year--2005? 2006?) failed? (And does the new resort change the mix enough to now succeed as an ABD destination?)

06-19-2011, 10:53 AM	#3
sayhello Have Camera, Will Travel Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 8,769	I have the brochure from what I believe was the last year they did Hawaii (2006) and I agree, the reason I didn't sign up for either of the trips is that the vast majority of the trip took place at the hotel. It was honestly not anything that couldn't be arranged through the resorts, and you just didn't get to see much of Hawaii beyond the resort. Personally, just because you can do everything without leaving your resort does not necessarily mean you should never leave the resort... The survey they sent out (was it last year?) asking opinions about a variety of new Hawaii itineraries, seemed aimed at more than one island, and more than just resort activities. When I get a chance, I'll transcribe some of the descriptions of the old trips here. Sayhello __________________ Check out my Southwest Splendors Trip Report! (2008). 5 parts, full of pics & details & impressions! My Taming the Last Frontier ABD Alaska Trip Report! (2009)! 7 parts, pictures, stories, & more impressions! Also check out my ABD/DCL Mediterranean Magic Trip Report! (2010) NOW POSTING! My DIS Unplugged London/Paris/Disneyland Paris Trip Report! (2011)

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06-19-2011, 11:39 PM	#4
WeLoveABD DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 656	Thanks Tozzie and SayHello--glad someone responded to my thread! Tozzie--those reviews from 2006 were something else, night and day re the Hawaii trip. Shows how personal travel is, I guess--and how far ABD has come since then. SayHello--I'm looking forward to what you dig up and post, as always! If I were to design a Hawaii trip I'd try for three islands, including a two or three night stay at the new Disney resort--and then sail or fly to Maui and the Big Island for a two or three night stay on each. I've only been to Oahu (one time on a whirlwind 8 hours of shore leave from a carrier), so I would love to see more--and have the kids see Hawaii (for the first time) Disney-style.

06-21-2011, 02:18 PM	#6
Turtlemom Mouseketeer Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 297	we actually did the Hawaii ABD trip in November of 2006 (Oahu and the Big Island). While it is true that a lot of activities were at the resort, we had a fantastic time and thought that the ABD guides really made our group feel special. On Oahu, we did climb Diamond Head and go to Pearl Harbor, but I thought the welcome dinner with the young hawaiian dancers was beautiful and I appreciated not having to be constantly on the run. Having a little time to actually enjoy the resort was a good thing, and our guides (Mike and Tina) spent time with all of us, especially the kids, playing in the water. Also, the surfing lessons were fun and even though I am not a surfer, I managed to get a massage on shore. As for the big Island, we had our own vulcanologist with us when we toured volcanoes national park, and at the resort, we had an outrigger canoeing club row over from Maui to show us how it was done and to help us race in our own canoes. I'm kind of surprised at how negative the first posted review was. I guess it is all in your expectations, but ours were met and then some. If they offer another ABD in Hawaii, it will be interesting to see what activites they include and how much would be done at the Aulani resort.

08-28-2011, 07:42 AM	#9
Bobo912 DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 2,352	abdmom, you forgot the link.

06-21-2011, 09:03 PM	#10
happymomof1 Mouseketeer Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 426	We just came back from the ABD backstage magic, and were WOW'd! We'd love a Hawaii itinerary with Disneys attention to details and the aBD's guides to help make it special. I am so looking forward to what they come up with for next year and am keeping my fingers crossed that it includes Hawaii!