MissDaisyofTexas
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2007
Welcome to my Pre-Trip Report! We are leaving for Hawaii in 24 days.
I haven't done a lot of trip reports on the DIS because I can't stand photobucket. But now that I can post pictures right in the post, I'm going to give it a try!
First of all, this is us:
DH, DS Joshua age 7, DS Nathan age 10, DD Alyssa age 4, and me. We have been to Disney World several times, but our favorite vacation is a Disney Cruise. We have been on 4 Disney cruises with another one planned for 2016.
This is our first time going to Hawaii!
The fun fact about this trip is that our airline tickets and hotels are almost 100% paid for by miles and points. A few years ago I started reading various miles and points blogs that taught me how to collect hotel and airline points for trips. Mostly, it involves switching out our credit cards for new ones a few times a year based on sign-up bonuses being offered by banks. It's a tricky hobby for sure, but we would not be going on this trip without those free airline tickets!
We used American Airlines miles for 5 round-trip tickets combined with Southwest Airlines miles from Las Vegas to get back home. Total cost was $50 ($10 for each ticket) in taxes.
We are staying 2 nights in Waikiki on hotel points, and 5 nights at Aulani for (almost) free using rewards from a few travel reward credit cards. And also 1 night in Las Vegas on points for an overnight layover on our way home.
We are staying in a 1-bedroom standard view Villa at Aulani (booked on "cash", not DVC points). Our stay includes a free breakfast for all 5 of us. We're planning to do some grocery shopping and eat some meals in our room.
Here is what we have tentatively planned for our week in Hawaii:
* Sunday--flight lands, overnight in Waikiki
* Monday--Hike up Diamond Head in the morning before heading to Aulani
* Tuesday--Surfing lessons for my boys (Christmas present from Grandparents) and Spa treatment for me (using Disney gift cards I received for my birthday last year)
* Wednesday--Dole Pineapple Plantation/North Shore
* Thursday--Whale watching/snorkeling on catamaran, Keiki Wahine experience for my daughter (Christmas present from Grandparents)
* Friday--nothing planned! Last day at Aulani
* Saturday--Kualoa Ranch: 2-hour ATV ride for my husband and Jungle Tour Expedition for me and the kids (staying in Waikiki)
* Sunday--our flight leaves in the afternoon
DH and I have dinner reservations at Ama Ama and Roy's. We are planning on having the kids enjoy Aunty's Beach house during those times.
We've also signed the kids up for the two premium experiences at Aunty's (Surf's Up with Chip and Dale and Fish are Friends).
I haven't done a lot of trip reports on the DIS because I can't stand photobucket. But now that I can post pictures right in the post, I'm going to give it a try!
First of all, this is us:
DH, DS Joshua age 7, DS Nathan age 10, DD Alyssa age 4, and me. We have been to Disney World several times, but our favorite vacation is a Disney Cruise. We have been on 4 Disney cruises with another one planned for 2016.
This is our first time going to Hawaii!
The fun fact about this trip is that our airline tickets and hotels are almost 100% paid for by miles and points. A few years ago I started reading various miles and points blogs that taught me how to collect hotel and airline points for trips. Mostly, it involves switching out our credit cards for new ones a few times a year based on sign-up bonuses being offered by banks. It's a tricky hobby for sure, but we would not be going on this trip without those free airline tickets!
We used American Airlines miles for 5 round-trip tickets combined with Southwest Airlines miles from Las Vegas to get back home. Total cost was $50 ($10 for each ticket) in taxes.
We are staying 2 nights in Waikiki on hotel points, and 5 nights at Aulani for (almost) free using rewards from a few travel reward credit cards. And also 1 night in Las Vegas on points for an overnight layover on our way home.
We are staying in a 1-bedroom standard view Villa at Aulani (booked on "cash", not DVC points). Our stay includes a free breakfast for all 5 of us. We're planning to do some grocery shopping and eat some meals in our room.
Here is what we have tentatively planned for our week in Hawaii:
* Sunday--flight lands, overnight in Waikiki
* Monday--Hike up Diamond Head in the morning before heading to Aulani
* Tuesday--Surfing lessons for my boys (Christmas present from Grandparents) and Spa treatment for me (using Disney gift cards I received for my birthday last year)
* Wednesday--Dole Pineapple Plantation/North Shore
* Thursday--Whale watching/snorkeling on catamaran, Keiki Wahine experience for my daughter (Christmas present from Grandparents)
* Friday--nothing planned! Last day at Aulani
* Saturday--Kualoa Ranch: 2-hour ATV ride for my husband and Jungle Tour Expedition for me and the kids (staying in Waikiki)
* Sunday--our flight leaves in the afternoon
DH and I have dinner reservations at Ama Ama and Roy's. We are planning on having the kids enjoy Aunty's Beach house during those times.
We've also signed the kids up for the two premium experiences at Aunty's (Surf's Up with Chip and Dale and Fish are Friends).