A ? for all obsessive trip planners . . .

[lilpixie]

I knew when I found these boards, I had found the right place . . . a bunch of obsessive-compulsive trip planners like myself! I must always have 2 trips in the work -- a possible trip to DL and a possible beach vacation. My family just got back from DL, so our next vacation is a beach one . . . DH and I are going to Kauai, Hawaii in February. So, knowing that many of you Disers also plan lots of other trips, I would love to hear from anyone who has been to Kauai (fave things to do, etc).
Also, my sister heard a rumor that the Disney cruise lines might be leaving from CA. Is this true? Will they have land and sea packages with DL? I hadn't thought of a disney cruise because my youngest would never make the flight to FL (please, it was pushing it on our 2 hr flight to LAX this last time!!) But, if they left out of CA -- hmmmm, I just may have to talk DH into this . . .
Anyways, just wondered if anyone had any info about this . . .
thanks!

 

[disneyfaninaz]

The Disney Cruise Line will be on the west coast next summer (May - August) departing for 7-day Mexican Riviera Cruises from LA. There are no land/sea packages available through DCL. But there is no reason not to plan a trip to DL before or after the cruise.

 

[samkj]

Disney Cruise Lines is also building 2 new ships, one of which will most likely have its primary home port in LA. The ships are scheduled to be finished in 2011. For your beach vacations, Disney is also building a resort in Hawaii with a scheduled opening of 2011.

 

[lilpixie]

This is great news! That will give us some time to save up lol! I know DCL are expensive vacations! But a girl can dream, right???
I can only imagine what the resort in Hawaii will be like (do you happen to know which island it will be on?). DH said he refuses to take kids with us to Hawaii until they are older and will appreciate it -- so I will have to tell him about the Disney resort being built there in 4 years. I love to always be in the process of planning, even if it is a few years off . . .
I wish they had the land and sea packages going on from CA though -- there is no way I could convince him to combine a 7 day disney cruise with a DL trip added on (DH thinks strictly in dollar signs). Oh well, we'll have to see what packages the new cruise ships bring in 2011! thanks for all of the info!

 

[Marilynbn]

The new resort to open in Hawaii will be on the island of O'hau. If you are familiar with that island it will be in the Ko'Olina area which is the southwest, leeward side of O'ahu.

For your question about Kauai. We did a major splurge and booked a helicopter tour over the island with "Air Kauai". The pilot was great and the ride so smooth it barely felt like we were moving let alone flying. Another day we rented a car and went to Poipu beach, very nice! Have a great time.

BTW I am so obsessive about trip planning that I became a home-based TA just to keep me busy with planning trips! I also usually have at least 2-3 vacations in the works! Marilyn

 

[lilpixie]

Marilyn ~ Hmmm, maybe I should become a home based TA as well! It is funny, we didn't take tons of trips when we were first married. We went to San Diego, Aptos -- beach vacations here and there. The first year we went to DL with the kids, we were hooked. Then that same year DH and I took a trip to New York and had a blast. Now I must always have something in the works. I am obsessing now about Kauai. The helicopter tour sounds awesome. I am so afraid of heights -- so I don't know how it would go LOL. I have seen the sailing excursions of the Napali coast that look amazing as well! And of course, a luau, snorkeling, and surf lessons . . .
I have called everyone in my family and told them about the Disney resort in Oahu. I told DH we are so there in 2011. Our girls will then be 12 (gulp),9, and 6 -- so that should be good ages to handle the flight. And that combines my 2 very favorite things -- Disney and the beach!!
I am also very intruiged about the DCL docking in CA -- oooh, so many trips, so little time . . . . if they end up doing the land and sea packages there, I will really have to try and talk DH into that one someday !

 

[Marilynbn]

Lilpixie- funny you should mention Aptos...my daughter goes to Aptos high. We live in Watsonville, 10 minutes south!

I am also not great with heights but like I said you really don't get the fear of being up high and flying...I know that sounds weird. Plus they fly along the Napali coast which is a spectacular way to see it as well as many many many waterfalls. You should really consider it. It is expensive but also a once in a life time experience!

We LOVE Hawaii and have been there once on a land vacation and once on a cruise from SF! The area where Disney is building is a very nice part of the island...not touristy like Waikiki...yet! I am sure it will be wonderful and we will be there too! I would love to do the Disney cruise on the west coast but they are twice the price of any other Mexico cruise...hard to justify. We have only done one 4 day Disney cruise to the Bahamas. It was great. It was our first cruise ever and totally addicted me to cruising!! We have been on 10 so far! Aaghh. LOVE Disney, LOVE cruising, LOVE planning....all of these go great together! Marilyn

 

[bumbershoot]

I don't think I'll ever get into a helicopter, no matter how amazing the views would be. Too nervous!

Speaking of Aptos, my dad and his family live there, off of Cathedral. Not sure where my half-brothers went for HS, and I think my half-sis is only in middle school, so I won't ask if the previous poster's DD knows my sis. But my dad has lived in Santa Cruz (and now Aptos) for almost my whole life! Love that town!


I want the new Disney ship to go to Alaska, too. Can you imagine? I would save my pennies for an Alaska-Hawaii repositioning cruise someday.

 

[lilpixie]

Marilyn ~
Fun to hear from others who love Aptos! We used to live in San Jose (Willow Glen area). One year my family rented a huge beach house and had a kinda family reunion there. The kids loved the beach!! OK . . . now you have met set on wanting to try the helicopter in Hawaii . . . we'll see how brave I get. We are staying on Poipu Beach -- the views from our room are spectacular. Can't wait! Tell me about other travels you have done . . . you must have all the ins and outs, being a TA.
Bumbershoot -- That's cool that your familiar with Aptos/Santa Cruz. Love it there. My parents took an Alaskan Cruise and loved it. I'm sure a Disney cruise to there would be amazing, like you said. Disney-anything would be fun in my book!! I love that we can combine Disney into our travels lol!!

 

[jillfelice]

When I met my fiancee, he lived in Aptos. He moved to Vegas (yuck, ptui) to be with me, so my kids wouldn't have to move during high school. That is love. As soon as they graduate we are out of here.

But, back on topic. We joined DVC, and next year are using our points for a short DCL trip. Its another option you may want to consider. BUT, if you do decide to join DVC, make sure you say I recommended you and we can split the bonus I get.
Seriously, if you just listen to the very low-key sales pitch when you are at DL you get a 50 gift card for Disney. The sales pitch is actually interesting. We didn't feel "violated" at all, like other time share tours we have taken. Disney does everything with class.

 

[bouncy54]

I don't think I'll ever get into a helicopter, no matter how amazing the views would be. Too nervous!

Speaking of Aptos, my dad and his family live there, off of Cathedral. Not sure where my half-brothers went for HS, and I think my half-sis is only in middle school, so I won't ask if the previous poster's DD knows my sis. But my dad has lived in Santa Cruz (and now Aptos) for almost my whole life! Love that town!


I want the new Disney ship to go to Alaska, too. Can you imagine? I would save my pennies for an Alaska-Hawaii repositioning cruise someday.

I've been wanting to take an Alaskan Cruise for years. (I wouldn't like the humidity and heat of the Caribbean.)

If Disney ever did get a ship up here, I'd be sure to book passage on that cruise.

 

[Marilynbn]

Lilpixie- Here is the web site for the helicopter, www.airkauai.com . I also forgot to tell you about another odd little thing to do in Kauai..it's called tubing the ditch. Very unusual and fun activity. Check out the website for details and description... www.kauaibackcountry.com/tubinghtml .

Well, we have done many cruises with another, of course coming up! We have cruised to the Bahamas, the Mediterranean, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico, Eastern Caribbean. Loved them all! We go to DL 2-3 times per year, we're annual passgholders and we have been to WDW about 5 or 6 times. Only 2 weeks till our next trip to DL. I have not been there since April!! Way too long! Next cruise to Mexico is in early January.

It is amazing that anyone has even heard of Aptos, let alone post on these boards. Marilyn

 

[Mommy2PrincessAbby]

Another plug here for Air Kauai... we've flown with them before a couple times... also love to do the zodiac trip up along the NaPali coast... forgot the name of the company, but I am sure if you google Zodiac Kauai you will find it... lots of fun!

--Lisa

 

[Zena Wright]

Aloha All,

I am actually from Hawaii, I live on the island of Oahu. Kauai is one of the most beautiful of all the islands. Its a very good place to visit if you like beaches.

There are lots of outdoor type things to do like horseback riding, surfing, helicopter rides, hiking and lots of water type sports.

For more information you can check out the Hawaii Visitors Bureau, they have lots of info about all the islands and can even send you info if you like.

Good luck and I hope your visit to Hawaii will be a good one.


Aloha Zena Wright