A Disney-Addicted mom plans an August, 2013 Autotrain Trip for 7! *Big Update! 11/19*

[DrMomof3]

Here are some Hawaii questions for y'all:

1. Would you pay $15 per person to have the family greeted at the airport by fresh flower leis? (There are 5 of us because my step-dad is flying separately.)
2. Would you spend $1400 for the entire family (6 people) to spend 45 minutes swimming with dolphins? The package includes photos but the video costs extra.
3. Would you try to cook a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in the kitchen of the villa or give up on traditional Thanksgiving and just eat out in a nice restaurant?
4. How much pre-planning would you do? Should we just plan lots of days at the pools/beach? Or should I try to have an activity planned for each day? Obviously we will try to go see Volcano National Park one day. My kids don't do well sitting around in the villa so we do need to get out of the room early each day. The pool at the timeshare property looks pretty but not exciting but the pools at the Hilton Resort have waterslides and stuff.

Amanda

 

[momto3gr8boys]

Here are some Hawaii questions for y'all:

1. Would you pay $15 per person to have the family greeted at the airport by fresh flower leis? (There are 5 of us because my step-dad is flying separately.)
2. Would you spend $1400 for the entire family (6 people) to spend 45 minutes swimming with dolphins? The package includes photos but the video costs extra.
3. Would you try to cook a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in the kitchen of the villa or give up on traditional Thanksgiving and just eat out in a nice restaurant?
4. How much pre-planning would you do? Should we just plan lots of days at the pools/beach? Or should I try to have an activity planned for each day? Obviously we will try to go see Volcano National Park one day. My kids don't do well sitting around in the villa so we do need to get out of the room early each day. The pool at the timeshare property looks pretty but not exciting but the pools at the Hilton Resort have waterslides and stuff.

Amanda

How exciting to spend Thanksgiving in Hawaii! I went about 20 years ago on a low budget trip, but I'll answer with what I know. I was on Oahu and Maui though so I don't know much about the Big Island.

1. These were free when we went and not a huge deal. Yes, it's very Hawaiian, but unless you knew you could get some great photo ops with it, I wouldn't spend $60 for it.

2. I did a dolphin swim in Nassau that lasted a few hours. Fantastic experience! That said, $250 pp is high for 45 min. If you feel this opportunity may not come again, I'd consider it, but you can def do more in depth dolphin activities for less in FL and the Caribbean.

3. I'd give up and eat out. See how they celebrate!

4. Go on trip advisor and search activities on the big island. I have found fantastic things that way and when sticking with the top ten-twenty list, I have never been disappointed...this goes for locations all over the world.

Will you lay over in Honolulu? If you have the time, I would highly recommend Pearl Harbor.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Here are some Hawaii questions for y'all:

1. Would you pay $15 per person to have the family greeted at the airport by fresh flower leis? (There are 5 of us because my step-dad is flying separately.)
2. Would you spend $1400 for the entire family (6 people) to spend 45 minutes swimming with dolphins? The package includes photos but the video costs extra.
3. Would you try to cook a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in the kitchen of the villa or give up on traditional Thanksgiving and just eat out in a nice restaurant?
4. How much pre-planning would you do? Should we just plan lots of days at the pools/beach? Or should I try to have an activity planned for each day? Obviously we will try to go see Volcano National Park one day. My kids don't do well sitting around in the villa so we do need to get out of the room early each day. The pool at the timeshare property looks pretty but not exciting but the pools at the Hilton Resort have waterslides and stuff.

Amanda

1 Maybe?- not much help to you but I think it sounds nice but sometimes we just want to get through the airport and to our hotel. If you are like us it would be a waste of money/poss add stress as I'd be worrying about finding the lei person I may have some OCD tendencies though

2 I wouldnt pay that much for 45 min swim with dolphins. All being well you will soon own at DVC and you could swim with dolphins in florida for a longer time for similar (or possibly less) money. Why not save it for a trip when you are spending less park time and more relaxing time.

3 Go out for Thanksgiving-it's your holiday too

4 I would try to research activites that dont require pre-booking but that are easily accessible so that you have some ideas for when/if boredom strikes

 

[ddluvsdisney]

That's funny that you remember so little about the trip.

Amanda

Really more sad than anything else. I have such a poor memory.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Would it be cheaper to swim with dolphins at sea world??

I would eat out!!!

I probably wouldn't pay for the leis.

If your kids can't spend all day at the pool I would research some activities. Hopefully they are cost effective.

 

[DrMomof3]

How exciting to spend Thanksgiving in Hawaii! I went about 20 years ago on a low budget trip, but I'll answer with what I know. I was on Oahu and Maui though so I don't know much about the Big Island.

1. These were free when we went and not a huge deal. Yes, it's very Hawaiian, but unless you knew you could get some great photo ops with it, I wouldn't spend $60 for it.

2. I did a dolphin swim in Nassau that lasted a few hours. Fantastic experience! That said, $250 pp is high for 45 min. If you feel this opportunity may not come again, I'd consider it, but you can def do more in depth dolphin activities for less in FL and the Caribbean.

3. I'd give up and eat out. See how they celebrate!

4. Go on trip advisor and search activities on the big island. I have found fantastic things that way and when sticking with the top ten-twenty list, I have never been disappointed...this goes for locations all over the world.

Will you lay over in Honolulu? If you have the time, I would highly recommend Pearl Harbor.

Thanks for your thoughts!
No real layover in Honolulu. Just 90 minutes in the airport. I'm not sure my youngest is old enough to get anything out of Pearl Harbor anyway and I wouldn't want him to be disrespectful.
Thanks for the trip advisor idea. I wouldn't have thought of that!

1 Maybe?- not much help to you but I think it sounds nice but sometimes we just want to get through the airport and to our hotel. If you are like us it would be a waste of money/poss add stress as I'd be worrying about finding the lei person I may have some OCD tendencies though

2 I wouldnt pay that much for 45 min swim with dolphins. All being well you will soon own at DVC and you could swim with dolphins in florida for a longer time for similar (or possibly less) money. Why not save it for a trip when you are spending less park time and more relaxing time.

3 Go out for Thanksgiving-it's your holiday too

4 I would try to research activites that dont require pre-booking but that are easily accessible so that you have some ideas for when/if boredom strikes

Good points. I'm not sure about the dolphin thing yet...

Really more sad than anything else. I have such a poor memory.

Would it be cheaper to swim with dolphins at sea world??

I would eat out!!!

I probably wouldn't pay for the leis.

If your kids can't spend all day at the pool I would research some activities. Hopefully they are cost effective.

I don't know if my kids will want to spend the whole day at the pool. On the other hand if we're spending a week at the pool, we could do that someplace closer than Hawaii!

Amanda

 

[natebenma]

NO WAY!!!

Here are 3 hula-dancing bananas to let you know how excited I am for you and your family!!!





I have never been to Hawaii, but it is definitely on my wish list!!!

 

[natebenma]

Here are some Hawaii questions for y'all:

1. Would you pay $15 per person to have the family greeted at the airport by fresh flower leis? (There are 5 of us because my step-dad is flying separately.)
2. Would you spend $1400 for the entire family (6 people) to spend 45 minutes swimming with dolphins? The package includes photos but the video costs extra.
3. Would you try to cook a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in the kitchen of the villa or give up on traditional Thanksgiving and just eat out in a nice restaurant?
4. How much pre-planning would you do? Should we just plan lots of days at the pools/beach? Or should I try to have an activity planned for each day? Obviously we will try to go see Volcano National Park one day. My kids don't do well sitting around in the villa so we do need to get out of the room early each day. The pool at the timeshare property looks pretty but not exciting but the pools at the Hilton Resort have waterslides and stuff.

Amanda

I'll put a disclaimer on my advice as I have never been to Hawaii and I may be the ultimate tightwad:

1. Heck no! Get an Oriental Trading catalog and order the most deluxe artificial leis they have and do your own photo. Will they kick you off the island for that?

2. We have done swimming with dolphins in Jamaica and Atlantis. While it is a great experience, there is so much to do in Hawaii that I think I would save that for another trip elsewhere (Discovery Cove/Sea World) if you think the opportunity would arise. I agree with what momto3gr8boys advised.

Do you think your kids would snorkel? Hawaii is a great place to swim with some beautifully colored tropical fish. Maybe get your fish-fix that way (I know, I know. Dolphin are not fish )

3. Pass the poi, please!!! Go out somewhere. Have a traditional Thanksgiving before you go or when you come back. We have a fun tradition at our house: "Hallowgiving". We cook a Thanksgiving dinner for family in October before Mark's grandparents go to Florida for the winter. We do another one in November. Canadian friends- your T-G is in October, right?

4. More great advice about checking out trip advisor. Pearl Harbor is another fantastic suggestion. (ETA- saw that you are not really spending much time in Honolulu) I don't think you need an excursion every day, but a few would definitely be nice.

 

[DrMomof3]

NO WAY!!!

Here are 3 hula-dancing bananas to let you know how excited I am for you and your family!!!





I have never been to Hawaii, but it is definitely on my wish list!!!

Thank you! Hawaii is definitely awesome and I'm super excited to go back!

I'll put a disclaimer on my advice as I have never been to Hawaii and I may be the ultimate tightwad:

1. Heck no! Get an Oriental Trading catalog and order the most deluxe artificial leis they have and do your own photo. Will they kick you off the island for that?

2. We have done swimming with dolphins in Jamaica and Atlantis. While it is a great experience, there is so much to do in Hawaii that I think I would save that for another trip elsewhere (Discovery Cove/Sea World) if you think the opportunity would arise. I agree with what momto3gr8boys advised.

Do you think your kids would snorkel? Hawaii is a great place to swim with some beautifully colored tropical fish. Maybe get your fish-fix that way (I know, I know. Dolphin are not fish)


3. Pass the poi, please!!! Go out somewhere. Have a traditional Thanksgiving before you go or when you come back. We have a fun tradition at our house: "Hallowgiving". We cook a Thanksgiving dinner for family in October before his grandparents go to Florida for the winter. We do another one in November. Canadian friends- your T-G is in October, right?

4. More great advice about checking out trip advisor. Pearl Harbor is another fantastic suggestion. I don't think you need an excursion every day, but a few would definitely be nice.

I love your advice!
I don't know that Zachary will be able to figure out snorkeling but that doesn't mean we can't try. Nathaniel will love snorkeling for sure and I imagine Jessica will, too. I've heard that the dolphin encounter at the Hilton is a nice one but I agree that it's pricey. The kids aren't old enough to do a dolphin swim without adults which is part of the reason it's so much (6 people instead of 3 children).
Love the Hallowgiving idea! I don't really care about a traditional Thanksgiving meal at all but I'll have to make sure the kids are ok without turkey.

Amanda

 

[carissanboys]

Did I make it to the right place?

 

[DrMomof3]

Did I make it to the right place?

YAY!!!! Carissa's here! We get to re-connect!

Amanda

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

3. Pass the poi, please!!! Go out somewhere. Have a traditional Thanksgiving before you go or when you come back. We have a fun tradition at our house: "Hallowgiving". We cook a Thanksgiving dinner for family in October before Mark's grandparents go to Florida for the winter. We do another one in November. Canadian friends- your T-G is in October, right?

Yup it's the second Monday of October.

 

[carissanboys]

I've been to Hawaii once. It was when we were moving back to the States from Australia. We only stayed a couple of days and I was jetlagged and had 3 young children so I don't remember a lot!

But I think I would do a luau on Thanksgiving.

I'd say no to the leis, but I've always wanted to swim with dolphins. If I could afford it, I'd probably pay whatever for such an amazing experience.

 

[starann]

OK, I'm here....It took me a few days to catch up, but work was crazy busy this weekend and we were down a few nurses!

Jealous about Hawaii, but hope to get there one day!

I agree...eat out on T-giving........and I would skip the dolphin for that much money...how much is it around WDW?

 

[DrMomof3]

Yup it's the second Monday of October.

My SIL lives in Montreal so we hear all about Thanksgiving North of the Border!

I've been to Hawaii once. It was when we were moving back to the States from Australia. We only stayed a couple of days and I was jetlagged and had 3 young children so I don't remember a lot!

But I think I would do a luau on Thanksgiving.

I'd say no to the leis, but I've always wanted to swim with dolphins. If I could afford it, I'd probably pay whatever for such an amazing experience.

A luau on Thanksgiving is an interesting idea. Tom and I didn't love any of the luaus we did on our honeymoon but maybe I'll price it out.

OK, I'm here....It took me a few days to catch up, but work was crazy busy this weekend and we were down a few nurses!

Jealous about Hawaii, but hope to get there one day!

I agree...eat out on T-giving........and I would skip the dolphin for that much money...how much is it around WDW?

Welcome!!!! Nice to see you here!
I've never priced dolphin visits in Orlando...

Amanda

 

[333disneymom]

Joining in! Keeping my fingers crossed that your resale passes ROFR

Welcome!!!
We went to Hawaii for our honeymoon in 2000. We went to Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island. Really excited to bring the kids!!!
I think the autotrain is going to be an adventure. Hopefully my husband doesn't hate me for it at the end of the day!

Amanda

Looking forward to hearing about your auto train adventure as we often consider it, but always wind up flying. Would love to go to Hawaii some day, but my husband is against long flights. Maybe some day...

I'll put a disclaimer on my advice as I have never been to Hawaii and I may be the ultimate tightwad:

1. Heck no! Get an Oriental Trading catalog and order the most deluxe artificial leis they have and do your own photo. Will they kick you off the island for that?

.

LOL.

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[DrMomof3]

Joining in! Keeping my fingers crossed that your resale passes ROFR

Thank you!!! It's been over 2 weeks since the contract was sent to Disney.


Looking forward to hearing about your auto train adventure as we often consider it, but always wind up flying. Would love to go to Hawaii some day, but my husband is against long flights. Maybe some day...

I'm a little nervous about both the autotrain and the long flight with 3 kids!

WELCOME!!!

Amanda

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

All my flights are long flights (9 hours from here to wdw) and I have 1 word of advice for you-SNACKS!!!!!!! If in doubt pack another snack in that hand luggage bag Seriously the number of meltdowns/are we there yet chimes I have successfully avoided due to the promise of a coveted snack is amazing and if the kids don't eat them all you can always indulge yourself a little too Don't get me wrong I also pack the usual electronics and colouring/puzzle books plus they usually start spending their money at the local airport (because Granny usually forgets to get dollars ordered on time and so gives them £'s to spend which is very handy lol ) but without a doubt snacks make for a happier flight

 

[DrMomof3]

All my flights are long flights (9 hours from here to wdw) and I have 1 word of advice for you-SNACKS!!!!!!! If in doubt pack another snack in that hand luggage bag Seriously the number of meltdowns/are we there yet chimes I have successfully avoided due to the promise of a coveted snack is amazing and if the kids don't eat them all you can always indulge yourself a little too Don't get me wrong I also pack the usual electronics and colouring/puzzle books plus they usually start spending their money at the local airport (because Granny usually forgets to get dollars ordered on time and so gives them £'s to spend which is very handy lol ) but without a doubt snacks make for a happier flight

I usually pack each child his/her own carry-on with activities and snacks. Obviously we'll need extra snacks for the longer flight!

Amanda

 

[jw50]

The autotrain leaves from just outside Washington, D.C. 4 hours may be an underestimate but I was figuring my husband would be driving so that might just be accurate.

Probably closer to 5.5 hours, could be longer, even on a Saturday morning you can run into very heavy traffic in the D.C. area and Lorton is about 20 miles south of D.C. Would be best to allow at least 6 hours.