Talkin' Hawaii

[abdmom]

Originally Posted by emilymad

We are going to Aulani in 2 weeks and have been looking into the ABD excursions. We haven't traveled with ABD yet so we thought this would be a good way to try it out. Looking at what they are offering I am less than impressed. Am I missing something? We were looking at the Manoa Valley Rainforest & Bamboo Forest Hike. A quick Google search leads you to the information that this particular hike is easy to do yourself for free. $119 a person is a lot just for transportion it seems.

You're also paying for the guide(s). They will likely provide water and snacks as well.

[emilymad]

Originally Posted by abdmom

You're also paying for the guide(s). They will likely provide water and snacks as well.

I guess I was just hoping for things that are special and more exclusive. All of their excursions are all things that can easily be done yourself.

[Diskidatheart]

I think some tours in Hawaii are definitely worthwhile such as the lava tour I did on The Big Island, but Hawaii is one place that I think is well worth (and easy) doing on your own. I'm guessing that ABD is probably in agreement since they got rid of their Hawaii trip and haven't brought it back. To me Hawaii is expensive enough to do on your own and then to add the cost of tour guides makes it a bit over the top.

My guess is that the hotel offers these ABD excursions for those that absolutely don't want to do any planning on their trip. I've been to Hawaii 3 times and will be there next year for my 4th trip. Haven't been to Oahu yet, but will get there next time. There is so much information out there to do a fantastic trip on your own for half the cost. I think planning for Hawaii is half the fun of actually taking the trip and in addition, you definitely want some relaxation time on the beach while you are there (so why pay for a guides time while you are sitting on the beach?)... Just my $.02 about paradise!

[knewton64]

Originally Posted by Diskidatheart

I think some tours in Hawaii are definitely worthwhile such as the lava tour I did on The Big Island, but Hawaii is one place that I think is well worth (and easy) doing on your own. I'm guessing that ABD is probably in agreement since they got rid of their Hawaii trip and haven't brought it back. To me Hawaii is expensive enough to do on your own and then to add the cost of tour guides makes it a bit over the top.

My guess is that the hotel offers these ABD excursions for those that absolutely don't want to do any planning on their trip. I've been to Hawaii 3 times and will be there next year for my 4th trip. Haven't been to Oahu yet, but will get there next time. There is so much information out there to do a fantastic trip on your own for half the cost. I think planning for Hawaii is half the fun of actually taking the trip and in addition, you definitely want some relaxation time on the beach while you are there (so why pay for a guides time while you are sitting on the beach?)... Just my $.02 about paradise!

3 TIMES?? WOW!! ok - I am jealous.

In October, this will be my very first trip into the Aloha state..

Originally Posted by emilymad

I guess I was just hoping for things that are special and more exclusive. All of their excursions are all things that can easily be done yourself.

As I often explain to Guests as they are making their ressies:


Q: Are you there for the hotel or are you there for the attractions??

This question helps a lot of them in making up their mind in relation to their vacation planning. Now about Hawaii -


Go - have fun and enjoy.



T.T.F.N.

[Diskidatheart]

Originally Posted by knewton64

3 TIMES?? WOW!! ok - I am jealous.

In October, this will be my very first trip into the Aloha state..

You will absolutely love Hawaii. It is PARADISE. Which island(s) are you going to visit?

[knewton64]

Originally Posted by Diskidatheart

You will absolutely love Hawaii. It is PARADISE. Which island(s) are you going to visit?

Ah - feel free to check out "My Adventures into Hawaii" pre-trip report listed below as I have just dicovered the delic world of Hula pie and plan on making a "few" trips up there and having some during my first few days over there.

I am such the history nut so to be able to see Pearl Harbor, Punch Bowl and such is just FAB.
And plan on seeing the new Disney hotel as well.


Tho -

Q: Do you recommend that I pack an umbrella or is it like Jamaica; it rains for 10 minutes then it stops??


Anywho -

Looking forward 2 Maui as well; with the last 4 days of my adventure well....being quite an adventure - esp the "Maui Downhill" part.



T.T.F.N.

[LisaTex]

Hi all. We also did the Hawaii ABD the last year it was offered. It was a great trip! The excursions all had a little "Disney extra" included. It was a little more hotel based but the only downside was the few "meals on your own" were always at the hotel restaurants. Yes, I think you could do many of the same things on your own, but as with all ABD trips (and I am a vet) every once in a while it's nice not to have to do the planning someof the excursions for Aulani sound like some of the ones on the ABD trip.

[abdmom]

Originally Posted by knewton64

Tho -

Q: Do you recommend that I pack an umbrella or is it like Jamaica; it rains for 10 minutes then it stops??

Hawaii has several different climates. The amount of rain you might see will depend where and when you are going. If you are going in winter, you will see more rain in general.

[knewton64]

Originally Posted by abdmom

Hawaii has several different climates. The amount of rain you might see will depend where and when you are going. If you are going in winter, you will see more rain in general.

did not know -

Will now pack a "wet shoe" and an umbrella in my suitcase.


Thanks 4 the suggestion.



T.T.F.N.

[Diskidatheart]

This obviously isn't a Disney trip, but if you'd like to see pictures and our newsletter that we did from our 2 weeks in Hawaii (1 week on Kauai and 1 week on The Big Island), below is the link. The snorkeling in Hawaii is absolutely amazing and being only a few feet from flowing lava was by far the most amazing thing that I've experienced in my life!

http://web.me.com/sedlacko/Sedlacko/Hawaii_2011.html

[sayhello]

We had the European Coordinator for ABD on my recent K&L ABD, and as best I remember, when I asked, he said ABD were not returning to Hawaii because they felt they could not make it worth the cost. The value just wasn't there in doing an ABD vs doing it on your own. So I'm not expecting there to be a Hawaii ABD any time soon. That makes me sad, but I do know how easy it is to do Hawaii on your own, and am possibly doing that next year. We shall see.

Sayhello

[knewton64]

Originally Posted by Diskidatheart

This obviously isn't a Disney trip, but if you'd like to see pictures and our newsletter that we did from our 2 weeks in Hawaii (1 week on Kauai and 1 week on The Big Island), below is the link. The snorkeling in Hawaii is absolutely amazing and being only a few feet from flowing lava was by far the most amazing thing that I've experienced in my life!

http://web.me.com/sedlacko/Sedlacko/Hawaii_2011.html

a huge thank u for this.

I have cut & pasted this link into my email acct and will look at it more this weekend .


thank u.



T.T.F.N.

[MrPolarZero]

I'm excited as well. Hope it will turn out great. The reviews looks good. Thanks everyone for sharing.

[Diskidatheart]

Originally Posted by knewton64

a huge thank u for this.

I have cut & pasted this link into my email acct and will look at it more this weekend .


thank u.



T.T.F.N.

Enjoy and please let me know if you have any questions. I love talkin' Hawaii!

[knewton64]

Originally Posted by Diskidatheart

Enjoy and please let me know if you have any questions. I love talkin' Hawaii!

Were just wonderful.

Esp the golf ones - Man oh Man could I have just kicked myself for passing up an opportunity to play a round (while I was in Ireland June of this yr) over at the Mount Juliet Hotel property. That hotel and their golf course just rocks!!


HHHHmmmmmm..... I just noticed on my Hawaii travel docs that the state oif Hawaii has issued a new tax beginning July 1st 2011 - a $10 per day "transient tax" that is applicable on my stay when I am in Maui.

But....

Time to reframe and think of my comped Dr. Pepper while I am over in Hawaii:

Dr Pepper = the beverage I run off of while on my adventures.



thank you for the tip about packing an umbrella and I just found out I can do some snorkeling my the Sheraton (Maui) so I also packed my snorkeling gear as well. Looks like all things are a go for me -

Q: Fair to say a 20 minute cab ride will run me about $30?? Just curious as I have two cab rides I have to take going from the hotel to dnwtn Maui.



T.T.F.N.