Chellymouse
DIS Veteran
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- Oct 30, 2007
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Oh so cruel to tease....can't wait for the rest of the story!
20 Days in Hawaii and Disneyland - Yes, we are Lucky Nuts (Updated 9/19)
- Thread starter cj9200
- Start date
cj9200
DIS Dad #412
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One of the saddest pictures ever taken. It marks the time we left Disneyland.
Still not quite over yet. Napa Rose tonight for dinner and our flight leaves late tomorrow. But we still wish we were at the beginning and boarding the flight to Hawaii.
Still not quite over yet. Napa Rose tonight for dinner and our flight leaves late tomorrow. But we still wish we were at the beginning and boarding the flight to Hawaii.
cj9200
DIS Dad #412
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2006
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Another delicious dinner last night at Napa Rose. A is sleeping until we have to move out. Since our plane doesn't leave until late, we are planing some pool time, resort viewing and dinner at Downtown Disney.
It was a GREAT trip. Tired but not ready to go home just yet.
It was a GREAT trip. Tired but not ready to go home just yet.
Chellymouse
DIS Veteran
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safe travels home
franandaj
I'm so happy, I could BOUNCE!
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I hope you two were able to enjoy some time by the pool. A few miles away in Long Beach we had showers all morning and overcast skies For the rest of the day. We had such high humidity I could have sworn we were in Florida. I've never experienced this kind of weather in California. It must have made you feel like home! 
Safe travels and looking forward to the actual TR!
Safe travels and looking forward to the actual TR!
MotoWifey185
.:dirt bikes to doom buggies:.
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2011
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- 362
I am definitely looking forward to hearing about this trip! So far it looks like you both had a great time. Congrats to your daughter! My DF and I will be honeymooning there in almost two months and I need all the info I can get! 
/
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I sympathize on the sleepless flight. I always have this problem and I get so ticked when EVERYONE on the plane seems to be sleeping except me! Glad that you got to catch up on your shuteye and can't wait to read the report. Welcome back to reality.
cj9200
DIS Dad #412
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2006
- Messages
- 5,448
Downloaded a couple of videos along with a lot of the pics. Going to take a break from playing with our photos for the rest of the night.
Thought I would post one video from our Manta night dive in Kona. Unbelievable animals that measured 11-15 feet across. About 20-25 were swimming around us.
http://youtu.be/H-c-0W8o7hA
Thought I would post one video from our Manta night dive in Kona. Unbelievable animals that measured 11-15 feet across. About 20-25 were swimming around us.
http://youtu.be/H-c-0W8o7hA
WestCoastMama
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- May 5, 2011
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- 303
What an incredible video...experience!! They were all around you. The video quality was great too. You are braver than me, I don't think I could do a night dive! Thanks for sharing
cj9200
DIS Dad #412
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2006
- Messages
- 5,448
I hope you two were able to enjoy some time by the pool. A few miles away in Long Beach we had showers all morning and overcast skies For the rest of the day. We had such high humidity I could have sworn we were in Florida. I've never experienced this kind of weather in California. It must have made you feel like home!
Safe travels and looking forward to the actual TR!
One of the things we did not do was go to the pool. The plan was to go on the day we were headed out but it was overcast. Next time.
I am definitely looking forward to hearing about this trip! So far it looks like you both had a great time. Congrats to your daughter! My DF and I will be honeymooning there in almost two months and I need all the info I can get!
It sounds like you had a fabulous time. We are all anxiously awaiting the longer version of your trip report, though we have enjoyed the teases along the way
The trip Prologue will be either later today or tomorrow. And yes, we did have a great time.
Reality stinks. I can't sleep on a plane, no matter how long the flight or time of day. The kid can sleep anywhere and does.
Have more videos to post in the TR. Napa Rose is now one of my favorite Disney restaurants.
More to come later.
CarolynK
DIS Veteran
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- Mar 31, 2000
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I've lurked on your TRs long enough, time to say "hi"!! That video was incredible, especially since it was at night! Unlike the rest of my family, I'm a big chicken when it comes water. I can't see myself ever doing that - we swam with manatees in Mexico and I had to psych myself up for that!
We were at Aulani in December, though no island hopping for us. We also had "ocean view."
My daughter is going to be a senior in the fall; where is your daughter going to school?
Looking forward to reading your report!
We were at Aulani in December, though no island hopping for us. We also had "ocean view."
My daughter is going to be a senior in the fall; where is your daughter going to school?
Looking forward to reading your report!
cj9200
DIS Dad #412
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2006
- Messages
- 5,448
Note: To view each update, there is a listing on the first page.
The Preamble
First things first. Who is going.
Me - AKA: The Guy with the Wallet. Single dad, Disney and DVC veteran. Older than dirt but still think I am a kid. Had some medical issues a year and a half ago and am still not quite 100 percent. Getting better day by day. That experience gave me a new appreciation of life and I am taking advantage of it.
DD - AKA: The Kid, Pooh, Pirate Princess, Crash and many more nicknames. Recently graduated from high school and will be heading to Seton Hall in the fall. Fellow lover of Disney and coasters. This is her graduation trip. She has worked hard to get her degree so the trip was the reward for all of her work. Plus, I wanted to do it (see above).
So how long were we away? After adding to the trip we were in Kona for six days, Aulani for seven, plus one day in Honolulu and Disneyland for five. Probably the longest vacation I will ever take.
If you noticed the first post on this thread, it read, “Well, just booked our flights for DD's Graduation Extravaganza for June/July. Not cheap with the stop over in LA but at least it is paid for.” If you look at when that post was made (1/12/12), you know how long was the planning phase. It all started when I heard Disney was building a stand alone resort in the Hawaiian Islands. This place called Aulani. Periodically saw pictures of the construction progress and what they had in store for the resort. I was still recovering from a long hospital stay but was feeling better and thought it might be a chance to celebrate Pooh’s high school graduation. Since we were flying over Disneyland on the way back we also had to stop there. Just to break up the flight you understand. Once the idea was planted in my mind, it grew until it became a reality.
Booked a 1 BR Ocean View at Aluani exactly 7 months ahead of time and same with a studio at the Grand California. From there it was plussing the trip. Since I started so long before the actual trip, I was able to spread out paying for things over time. By the time we were ready to go, everything was paid for except the car rentals, a hotel night stay before the flight to LA and DD’s spa treatment. Well, that and what we spent there. The last one was not an insignificant amount.
We both scuba dive so I contacted a Travel Agent who specializes in diving vacations to see what she could do. I mean if we are going all the way to Hawaii, it made no sense not to go underwater at least part of the time. She booked a winter trip with a UK friend of mine, myself and a few others to Roatan and knew I was in good hands.
An eel from the Roatan trip
She gave me our options and the best were either Maui or The Big Island. Since DD wanted to see the volcanos, The Big Island was the only choice. She got us five days at the Royal Kona Resort and three days of diving at Jack’s Dive Locker. Once that was decided, the flight was booked. At that point, I knew we were a go. Other additions included another day at the Royal Kona instead of staying at the Honolulu airport the day we arrived. Also added a helicopter tour of the volcanoes for our first full day there.
Other preparations included arranging the Pirate Princess’s Spa treatment, the Kualoa Ranch Experience and dining reservations at the Disneyland resort. Also tried to book a cabana at Aulani but despite numerous calls, they were all booked. It was suggested that I try when I get to the resort.
So that is the basics. Sounds like fun, right?
Lets get started.
Some things I am an uber-planner, some things I am not. Sure, I got the touring books including diving in Hawaii, Hawaii in general and the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. Read a lot of those (but did not memorize them) and looked at various sites, blogs, podcasts... Had an itinerary planned out and written down including various reservations and phone numbers. So I felt pretty prepared for the actual trip.
Packing is not one of those things I overly plan. Electronics are one thing (and snacks when I drive to WDW) but not unimportant things like clothes. Sure I make lists but put little effort (other than doing laundry) to actually pack the stuff. This time was going to be the exception. Hey, I am going to be gone for 20 days.
As we got a couple of days away from take off, I dragged down my suitcase, did the laundry, and started to lay everything out. Everything but the clothes was packed and sitting by the door. We were also taking our own dive gear so I checked the gear and those bags were ready to go. The last thing to do was pack the clothes the night before we left. Since it was a 6:30 am flight, we were getting up early anyway and I was already tired. Decided to set the alarm for 3:00, wake up then, take a shower and finish my bag in the morning.
The best laid plans. Fall into a deep sleep for a few hours with dreams of the trip dancing in my head. The next thing I know the phone rings. Not the alarm. Look at the phone and it says 4:00 and the call is from the shuttle service. I pop up and yell, “Holy Moly,” or something like that. Well, forget the shower. Let the dogs out. Scream for the kid to get up and run to the window. No car there yet. Then it was over to my bag and the clean clothes to start throwing stuff into the suitcase. What was in there? I’ll find out later.
In record time the suitcase was packed. DD, who was already up, came downstairs and brought the dogs inside. We start bringing the stuff outside just as the shuttle pulls up. The driver apologized that he was late. I was naturally indignant (OK, I was relieved). Front door was soon locked and we were off to the airport. On the way, I realized the first casualty left behind was my cell phone. Oh well, who needs a phone on vacation? Not me obviously.
So we were quickly whisked to the airport to begin the million mile trek to Hawaii.
Up next: The flight over and arrival in Kona. AKA: Are we there yet?
The Preamble
First things first. Who is going.
Me - AKA: The Guy with the Wallet. Single dad, Disney and DVC veteran. Older than dirt but still think I am a kid. Had some medical issues a year and a half ago and am still not quite 100 percent. Getting better day by day. That experience gave me a new appreciation of life and I am taking advantage of it.
DD - AKA: The Kid, Pooh, Pirate Princess, Crash and many more nicknames. Recently graduated from high school and will be heading to Seton Hall in the fall. Fellow lover of Disney and coasters. This is her graduation trip. She has worked hard to get her degree so the trip was the reward for all of her work. Plus, I wanted to do it (see above).
So how long were we away? After adding to the trip we were in Kona for six days, Aulani for seven, plus one day in Honolulu and Disneyland for five. Probably the longest vacation I will ever take.
If you noticed the first post on this thread, it read, “Well, just booked our flights for DD's Graduation Extravaganza for June/July. Not cheap with the stop over in LA but at least it is paid for.” If you look at when that post was made (1/12/12), you know how long was the planning phase. It all started when I heard Disney was building a stand alone resort in the Hawaiian Islands. This place called Aulani. Periodically saw pictures of the construction progress and what they had in store for the resort. I was still recovering from a long hospital stay but was feeling better and thought it might be a chance to celebrate Pooh’s high school graduation. Since we were flying over Disneyland on the way back we also had to stop there. Just to break up the flight you understand. Once the idea was planted in my mind, it grew until it became a reality.
Booked a 1 BR Ocean View at Aluani exactly 7 months ahead of time and same with a studio at the Grand California. From there it was plussing the trip. Since I started so long before the actual trip, I was able to spread out paying for things over time. By the time we were ready to go, everything was paid for except the car rentals, a hotel night stay before the flight to LA and DD’s spa treatment. Well, that and what we spent there. The last one was not an insignificant amount.
We both scuba dive so I contacted a Travel Agent who specializes in diving vacations to see what she could do. I mean if we are going all the way to Hawaii, it made no sense not to go underwater at least part of the time. She booked a winter trip with a UK friend of mine, myself and a few others to Roatan and knew I was in good hands.
An eel from the Roatan trip
She gave me our options and the best were either Maui or The Big Island. Since DD wanted to see the volcanos, The Big Island was the only choice. She got us five days at the Royal Kona Resort and three days of diving at Jack’s Dive Locker. Once that was decided, the flight was booked. At that point, I knew we were a go. Other additions included another day at the Royal Kona instead of staying at the Honolulu airport the day we arrived. Also added a helicopter tour of the volcanoes for our first full day there.
Other preparations included arranging the Pirate Princess’s Spa treatment, the Kualoa Ranch Experience and dining reservations at the Disneyland resort. Also tried to book a cabana at Aulani but despite numerous calls, they were all booked. It was suggested that I try when I get to the resort.
So that is the basics. Sounds like fun, right?
Lets get started.
Some things I am an uber-planner, some things I am not. Sure, I got the touring books including diving in Hawaii, Hawaii in general and the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland. Read a lot of those (but did not memorize them) and looked at various sites, blogs, podcasts... Had an itinerary planned out and written down including various reservations and phone numbers. So I felt pretty prepared for the actual trip.
Packing is not one of those things I overly plan. Electronics are one thing (and snacks when I drive to WDW) but not unimportant things like clothes. Sure I make lists but put little effort (other than doing laundry) to actually pack the stuff. This time was going to be the exception. Hey, I am going to be gone for 20 days.
As we got a couple of days away from take off, I dragged down my suitcase, did the laundry, and started to lay everything out. Everything but the clothes was packed and sitting by the door. We were also taking our own dive gear so I checked the gear and those bags were ready to go. The last thing to do was pack the clothes the night before we left. Since it was a 6:30 am flight, we were getting up early anyway and I was already tired. Decided to set the alarm for 3:00, wake up then, take a shower and finish my bag in the morning.
The best laid plans. Fall into a deep sleep for a few hours with dreams of the trip dancing in my head. The next thing I know the phone rings. Not the alarm. Look at the phone and it says 4:00 and the call is from the shuttle service. I pop up and yell, “Holy Moly,” or something like that. Well, forget the shower. Let the dogs out. Scream for the kid to get up and run to the window. No car there yet. Then it was over to my bag and the clean clothes to start throwing stuff into the suitcase. What was in there? I’ll find out later.
In record time the suitcase was packed. DD, who was already up, came downstairs and brought the dogs inside. We start bringing the stuff outside just as the shuttle pulls up. The driver apologized that he was late. I was naturally indignant (OK, I was relieved). Front door was soon locked and we were off to the airport. On the way, I realized the first casualty left behind was my cell phone. Oh well, who needs a phone on vacation? Not me obviously.
So we were quickly whisked to the airport to begin the million mile trek to Hawaii.
Up next: The flight over and arrival in Kona. AKA: Are we there yet?
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2000
- Messages
- 9,463
Now why did I have to read about the alarm clock problem? I have nightmares regularly about this very thing happening.
Sounds like another fab trip report. Keep it coming!
Sounds like another fab trip report. Keep it coming!
Pinkocto
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2011
- Messages
- 9,446
Love the intro. Sounds like a very stressful morning! I hope the missing cell wasn't a problem. I find I'm semi relieved when I'm on vacation places it doesn't work.
The manta video was amazing. I can't imagine how surreal it must have been.
The manta video was amazing. I can't imagine how surreal it must have been.
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