April 29, 2012 ~ Aloha! ~ Wonder to Hawaii- who is with me?

[kugalbelle]

-------------------------HAVEN'T POSTED AN UPDATE IN A WHILE SOOOO----------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is a list of the DISboard activities and their organizers. If I have missed any, or have any of the information incorrect, please advise.

I have also listed past activities that we may wish to include. If you would like to be an organizer for one of these let me know. If you don't want to be assigned as organizer but REALLY hope someone else takes it on, let us know that too.

Group Lanyards .......

Hi everyone,
Even though we've been on a number of Disney Cruises I've never been involved with any of the DisBoards activities and I think we have only been on 2 cruises since I became a member of the DisBoards. Would be happy to help out or arrange with help some of the activities like:
- Cruise Website
- Pre Cruise Meeting
- Room Tour
- Welcome Aboard Meet & Greet
Please assist in who I contact and how I can help.
Apologies if I seem ignorant.
Thanks a million

 

[MrsMork]

Welcome back to those Alaskan cruisers! While I feel your pain and sadness about getting back to reality, I have to say I have a little snicker/giggle inside me each time a Wonder cuise ends because that means I am one cruise closer to sailing her again. Has anyone counted how many cruises the Wonder will do before we set sail on her? I should do that because that number will sound a lot better than the 300+ days we still have to go!

I like the way you think!!

I really don't expect to go back. Might not get on this cruise yet. Flights are so expensive and with illness and the need for a lot of money to cover flights, the cruise or other accommodation, it will really be a nono.

La La La La La.....plugging my ears and NOT listening to you!!!

Hi all,

I'm more of a lurker here, but as of this moment, my wife (Dawn) and I (Marc) are booked on this cruise. I grabbed one of the last Cat 10B GTY reservations last week. We would love to go on this cruise for our 10th anniversary, which is actually in February.

However, we have a two sons ages 7 and 4 who would not be going with us. So, one of the issues is finding someone to watch them while we are gone. Luckily, we have grandparents close by. But this is a long time to ask family members to take care of both of them. We would want to spend a few days at Disneyland as well, so this would be an almost 3 week trip.

We're actually leaning towards cancelling this and doing something shorter. We're hoping that with the cruise bookings being so successful, Disney will do the Hawaii itinerary every year and we can try going when the kids are a little older and are more independent.

Anyone else in the same boat (pun intended)? How should we approach the grands to ask them to take the boys for this long of time?Thanks

We are not in your "boat", but we are grandparents and I can tell you from my perspective that grandkids are WAY more fun than kids! You'd just have to come right out and ask us and we'd be glad to have little ones in our life for a bit. I think as long as they are comfortable staying over at G&G's it would be a win/win for everyone. If they are not yet comfortable staying over you should start having them spend nights now. Are both sets of grandparents nearby? If so you might "share" the kids - half of the time with one set and the other half with the other set.

I looked at Southwest Airline's site just to gauge what prices currently are. While SWA is currently booking reservations right now only through November, from Houston Hobby to LAX is just under $400 round trip. Goes without saying, the price will depend on where you are flying from but I know Southwest offers sales at points throughout the year. We'll definitely be keeping an eye on possible sales once the prices for next April/May post.

Jet Blue also flies into Long Beach so that is another option. We fly Allegiant from here to LAX, but I am not sure where all they fly from.

Hi everyone,
Even though we've been on a number of Disney Cruises I've never been involved with any of the DisBoards activities and I think we have only been on 2 cruises since I became a member of the DisBoards. Would be happy to help out or arrange with help some of the activities like:
- Cruise Website
- Pre Cruise Meeting
- Room Tour
- Welcome Aboard Meet & Greet
Please assist in who I contact and how I can help.
Apologies if I seem ignorant.
Thanks a million

We are very glad you have decided to get involved with us!

 

[jessrose18]

50 weeks until we set sail!!!

 

[granmaz]

La La La La La.....plugging my ears and NOT listening to you!!!

Well at least we are booked and have until January to finally decide. I keep positive and hopeful!! We want to sail with you again!!!!!!! Geezers are great!!

50 weeks until we set sail!!!

Makes it sound so very close!!!!

 

[dolphingirl47]

QUOTE=newgeneb;41071978]Just found the thread Gene & Cheryl here lots of posts to catch up on This will be our 11th Dis cruise and i'm sure one of the best I think we have cruised with some of u before[/QUOTE]

Welcome on board.

Thank you Val...I think!!!

I have 2 guide books for Hawaii and there is just so much to see. It has fried my brain!!!! We are going to need lots of help deciding what to do and see as we will never go back.

That is something that I need to look into as well. Is there anything that is available in the UK that you would recommend?

Thanks!
Did have a wonderful cruise(s) ofcourse!
Just got home last night and we're bummed to be home. Reality kinda stinks- too much to do and bills to pay and unpacking and junk like that. Bah humbug. It never seems long enough NEVER! Not even back to back cruises LOL But the 3 ports in Alaska one day after another made the 2nd cruise fly by at lightning speed- I knew it would. Sigh.

It's a gloomy rainy day here today... kinda fits our bummed mood (that we're home) I suppose. LOL

I'm super MEGA behind on the thread now. I'll try to catch up tonight and please anyone email me something important that needs to be put on the original post. I seriously need to catch up.... bigtime. LOL

I am glad that you had a good time. We had originally planned to do an Alaska cruise next year, but with this cruise, Alaska will have to wait for another year I know what you mean about having a run of port days. On the Med cruise last year, we had 5 in a row. I was so ready for a sea day after this. On the 10 night Med cruises, they had 7 ports in a row.

I really don't expect to go back. Might not get on this cruise yet. Flights are so expensive and with illness and the need for a lot of money to cover flights, the cruise or other accommodation, it will really be a nono.

I really hope that you will be joining us.

Hi all,

I'm more of a lurker here, but as of this moment, my wife (Dawn) and I (Marc) are booked on this cruise. I grabbed one of the last Cat 10B GTY reservations last week. We would love to go on this cruise for our 10th anniversary, which is actually in February.

However, we have a two sons ages 7 and 4 who would not be going with us. So, one of the issues is finding someone to watch them while we are gone. Luckily, we have grandparents close by. But this is a long time to ask family members to take care of both of them. We would want to spend a few days at Disneyland as well, so this would be an almost 3 week trip.

We're actually leaning towards cancelling this and doing something shorter. We're hoping that with the cruise bookings being so successful, Disney will do the Hawaii itinerary every year and we can try going when the kids are a little older and are more independent.

Anyone else in the same boat (pun intended)? How should we approach the grands to ask them to take the boys for this long of time?

Thanks

Welcome on board for now. I hope that you can sort everything out and will be able to join us.

Now that I am back from my vacation, I am in full planning mode for our next vacation. This will of course be a very special vacation as this is when we will renew our wedding vows.

This is all shaping up quite nicely. I have now been in touch with the pastor who will do the ceremony and provided the wedding coordinator at Crystal Cathedral with all of our details. I have sorted out most details with the photographer. I found her by Googling photographers in Garden Grove, California and I absolutely love her work. We have been emailing backwards and forwards for the last 2 months and she is an absolute joy to deal with. It will be wonderful to have her take photos on our special day.

I got our new wedding bands while we were in Dubai, so that is another thing to tick off the list. I also bid on the bouquet on Ebay and I hope that I will get it.

I am now working on my Fish Extender gifts for our next cruise. Our cruise meet thread for the Mexican Riviera cruise is a select little group so I was able to let my ideas run wild. The materials for most of the projects arrived while I was on vacation so I am now in craft heaven. I did the most work intensive things this morning. A lot of the stuff that I am making takes a while because of the drying time in between, but the work that goes into them is not a great deal. The cabin gifts will take a bit longer, but I will start to work on them next month.

They have also now announced the dates for the Halloween party at Disneyland and I am planning on going twice, once before the cruise and once after. I am hoping that I can convince Graham to come with me for the second one. Of course, now I have to think about costumes as well.

Corinna

 

[LindaBabe]

You are so creative, Corinna, costumes should be dead easy!

Amy Tan did a Hawaii album on her blog. I might be copying her! http://amytangerine.blogspot.com/2011/02/many-pictures-of-mini.html

Happy Day all!

 

[Frodo UK]

Well at least we are booked and have until January to finally decide. I keep positive and hopeful!! We want to sail with you again!!!!!!! Geezers are great!!

Just think of Geezers riding It's a Small World in Disneyland. John would love that sharing a boat with Dennnis

 

[granmaz]

Just think of Geezers riding It's a Small World in Disneyland. John would love that sharing a boat with Dennnis

John is now having an anxiety attack at the thought of that!!!

Nothing to do with Dennis of course.

 

[ChipperMerlin]

Hi, All,
I am very excited to be joining all of you on this cruise - as auntlynne's roommate. She has graciously invited me to share her cabin. Doug has to miss this cruise due to work.

I recognize quite a few names from the Panama Canal cruise and am looking forward to seeing everyone. By the time this cruise comes around, I'll be Platinum, so that's exciting, too.

Looking forward to the FE and Scavenger Hunt portion of the cruise. And after the fiasco with the pins on the PC cruise, I will probably not bother to collect any this time. Alan, couldn't agree more that the pin situation was a total disaster!

 

[Happy Goofy]

Welcome Shirley- It will be nice to see you again. Lynnne will make a great roommate. Maybe we could do some of the trivia contests on the Hawaiian trip. Too bad your husband can't make it but you will have a great time. I found the M&M cocoanut candies here and I love them. Hope they have them in Hawaii.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Hi, All,
I am very excited to be joining all of you on this cruise - as auntlynne's roommate. She has graciously invited me to share her cabin. Doug has to miss this cruise due to work.

I recognize quite a few names from the Panama Canal cruise and am looking forward to seeing everyone. By the time this cruise comes around, I'll be Platinum, so that's exciting, too.

Looking forward to the FE and Scavenger Hunt portion of the cruise. And after the fiasco with the pins on the PC cruise, I will probably not bother to collect any this time. Alan, couldn't agree more that the pin situation was a total disaster!

Welcome on board. I am glad that you will be joining us.

Corinna

 

[castoff]

Good Morning, Happy Cruisers!

Happy Mother's day, Moms!

I had this photo out to share with someone else and thought you might like to see our family. It's about 4 years and -60 pounds ago

Happy Day, all!

What a nice picture. Thanks for sharing. I might be able to find a old pic. to share.

 

[aan1701]

I recognize quite a few names from the Panama Canal cruise and am looking forward to seeing everyone. By the time this cruise comes around, I'll be Platinum, so that's exciting, too.

Looking forward to the FE and Scavenger Hunt portion of the cruise. And after the fiasco with the pins on the PC cruise, I will probably not bother to collect any this time. Alan, couldn't agree more that the pin situation was a total disaster!

Hi Shirley. Glad to see you will be on this one. I hope you will take the few min it will take to send off a email to DCL so we won't have the same problems as we did on the PC cruise.

 

[castoff]

I look forward to hearing about the changes you see too. What islands did you go to?
You'll find most of the sugar cane and pineapple fields are gone. The Dole factory in honolulu is long closed. Most of our pineapples come from the Phillipines, very little sugar produced. No more field burning. While still beautiful, sadly, very different.

So is the one that someone posted pictures is closed ?

Amanda and I haven't been on the boards since Wednesday since we have a new Mouseketeer in the family. Our niece gave birth to a healthy 8lb, 14oz, 21 1/2" baby boy on Friday 5/6 at 655pm. He is so beautiful! His name is Brycen Levi but I shall call him Cubbie. (That was a nod to Dory btw). We are going to miss is first birthday due to the cruise but we will make it up to him when we get home. We are already trying to figure out when we can take him to WDW for his first visit. We are thinking Oct of 2012 for Halloween or March 2013 for ESPN the Weekend.

I will try to catch up with all the threads I missed tomorrow on my day off.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Dis Mom's!

Have a great cruise !

These plants are from Brazil and while you can eat them, they are not very sweet and are very seedy inside. They mostly are used as decorative plants.

We were shown by a friend who grew up in the Phillipines that after you cut the outer portion off a pineapple, but before slicing it, to rub the fruit with salt and then rinse the pineapple well. She said this highlights the sweetness by cutting the acid and removes the burn in your mouth you sometime experience. Seems to work well.

Have any of you who have been to Kaui tried the Puka dogs at the Poipui Shopping Village? YUM - They opened a store in Honolulu.
They bake bun-size rolls that they put a hole in and then and toast through most of the length of the bun. then they pour in your choice of Hawaiian tropical relishes, sweet maui onion relish, spicy pickle relish, garlic lemon sauces, or garlic pepper cheese. Of course you can order just the standard condiments. Finally, they slide in Polish type sausage.

My favorite Puka Dog combination:

Pineapple Relish
Garlic Lemon Sauce
Guava Mustard

Interesting, thanks for sharing. Has anyone tried the veggie one ? The relishes sound delish !!

Just wanted to pop in and say hi. Hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day. I've been trying to keep up but mainly we're getting everything finalized with our WBTA cruise in September. Hopefully I'll be able to devote more time to meet threads in a few weeks and get to know you all much better.

Congrats on the new addition to your family.

 

[castoff]

So Lynne, I know Tony needs to try a puka dog. Where in Waikiki??? Ala Moana? We are staying up in Kailua but will venture out for one of these babies. Going to head over to Aulani and take a good look around (at least as much as I can).

I know someone is checking on tours, I found this one to be interesting. Does anyone know about some of these places ? It's a 6 hour tour. Best of Kauai. 129.00 plus tax. 10% discount when booked on line. Just realized your talking about Kailua.

Hanalei Bay & Pier
Anini Beach
Kalihiwai Bay
Kilauea Lighthouse
Kapaa Town
Wailua River
Kealia Beach
Sleeping Giant Mountain
Fern Grotto Boat Tour
Poliahu Heiau
Lydgate Park
Hauola City of Refuge
Opaeka`a Waterfalls
NaMolokama Waterfalls

 

[castoff]

Loving all the photos, thanks for showing us!


Congrats to Aunty Annette and Amanda! lovely news for you....


We are celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary tomorrow and having a couple of days away, so enjoy your week everyone





.

Happy belated Anniversary !

Port of Call: Honolulu, Oahu, Sunday, May 6
Pali Lookout

Mentioned Pali Lookout in a previous post but couldn't find the photo in my photobucket album at the time. I think I have been here on every visit to Hawaii. Cloudy or sunny, it's an impressive view of the Windward Coast (eastern Oahu). The peninsula jutting out in the middle is home to the Kaneohe Marine Corps base (whoops - not in these photos - but if you find pictures elsewhere, you might see the peninsula).

Pali = cliff

From http://www.hawaiiweb.com/oahu/sites_to_see/pali_lookout.htm

The Nuuanu Pali Lookout (Cool Height Cliff) overlooking the 985 foot cliffs of the Koolau Mountain Range, is one of the best views on O'ahu. It was here in 1795 that King Kamehameha and his warriors defeated the O'ahu armies by sending them over these steep, forested cliffs and claiming his victory and uniting the Hawaiian Islands. The breathtaking sight and the gruesome history of the battle fought here is enough to cause a chill to run up your spine. Add to that the incredible winds that often pass through the Pali and you may be swept off your feet!

From this vantage point you can see Kaneohe Bay, Chinaman's Hat, and Hawaii Pacific's Windward Campus.

Directions:
Take H1 east bound from Waikiki. Then take the Pali Highway, Route 61, via Nu'uanu Pali Drive. Follow the signs to the Lookout.


Useful Information:

• Open 9am-4pm daily, weather permitting
• Admission is Free
• Ample, free parking
• Remove hats and headgear due to gusty winds
• Hold children's hands due to gusty winds

They aren't kidding about the wind!

Thanks for sharing the pics. It helps get my hawaii fix in. They are GREAT !

Some meals were excellent - the Indian biryani one night and a couple of the risottos were delish! But some of the other meals ... well lets just say, other than the not eating dead animals, I'm not fussy, but I can cook tastier meals than what they were serving and I'm a terrible cook!



And I could have always worn those fab golden Mickey Mouse ears - surely they are formal?

Anyway, I already have a date for formal night at an alternate dining venue ... buts hush, hush, top secret ... we don't want any rumours flying about my secret rendezvous.

Ohh that sounds like fun ! Anyone I know ?

Just found the thread Gene & Cheryl here lots of posts to catch up on This will be our 11th Dis cruise and i'm sure one of the best I think we have cruised with some of u before

Welcome Aboard !

 

[castoff]

Thanks!
Did have a wonderful cruise(s) ofcourse!
Just got home last night and we're bummed to be home. Reality kinda stinks- too much to do and bills to pay and unpacking and junk like that. Bah humbug. It never seems long enough NEVER! Not even back to back cruises LOL But the 3 ports in Alaska one day after another made the 2nd cruise fly by at lightning speed- I knew it would. Sigh.

It's a gloomy rainy day here today... kinda fits our bummed mood (that we're home) I suppose. LOL

I'm super MEGA behind on the thread now. I'll try to catch up tonight and please anyone email me something important that needs to be put on the original post. I seriously need to catch up.... bigtime. LOL

Welcome home ! I enjoyed seeing your posts and pics. on Facebook.

50 weeks until we set sail!!!

Yeah !

Hi, All,
I am very excited to be joining all of you on this cruise - as auntlynne's roommate. She has graciously invited me to share her cabin. Doug has to miss this cruise due to work.

I recognize quite a few names from the Panama Canal cruise and am looking forward to seeing everyone. By the time this cruise comes around, I'll be Platinum, so that's exciting, too.

Looking forward to the FE and Scavenger Hunt portion of the cruise. And after the fiasco with the pins on the PC cruise, I will probably not bother to collect any this time. Alan, couldn't agree more that the pin situation was a total disaster!

Welcome Aboard ! I am also rooming with someone. My DH can't cruise due to work. I am sure we will still have fun though !

 

[jessrose18]

http://www.carol-anne.ca/2011 May Alaska Cruise Trip Report.htm

here is a great recent tr from the wonder.....

 

[birkner]

I know someone is checking on tours, I found this one to be interesting. Does anyone know about some of these places ? It's a 6 hour tour. Best of Kauai. 129.00 plus tax. 10% discount when booked on line. Just realized your talking about Kailua.

Hanalei Bay & Pier
Anini Beach
Kalihiwai Bay
Kilauea Lighthouse
Kapaa Town
Wailua River
Kealia Beach
Sleeping Giant Mountain
Fern Grotto Boat Tour
Poliahu Heiau
Lydgate Park
Hauola City of Refuge
Opaeka`a Waterfalls
NaMolokama Waterfalls

I made links to all below:


Hanalei Bay & Pier
Anini Beach
Kalihiwai Bay
Kilauea Lighthouse
Kapaa Town
Wailua River
Kealia Beach
Sleeping Giant Mountain
Fern Grotto Boat Tour
Poliahu Heiau
Lydgate Park
Hauola City of Refuge
Opaeka`a Waterfalls
NaMolokama Waterfalls

 

[granmaz]

That is helpful Noel, thanks. Thanks too to the person who posted them.

Hi, All,
I am very excited to be joining all of you on this cruise - as auntlynne's roommate. She has graciously invited me to share her cabin. Doug has to miss this cruise due to work.

I recognize quite a few names from the Panama Canal cruise and am looking forward to seeing everyone. By the time this cruise comes around, I'll be Platinum, so that's exciting, too.

Looking forward to the FE and Scavenger Hunt portion of the cruise. And after the fiasco with the pins on the PC cruise, I will probably not bother to collect any this time. Alan, couldn't agree more that the pin situation was a total disaster!

Hello and welcome. I recognise your name from the PC cruise, but I didn't meet many cruisers. Glad you are joining us.