Chunkymonkey & Chunky Sisters B-day Celebration 2011!! Completed TR!

[Disneyfreak616]

Love all the pics! What a fun trip you girls had!

Can't wait for more!

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Nice update!!! I can't believe all of the character pics wow!!!!!!

Wonder what dessert it could be??!!

 

[LilAnn]

Hi! I am new to your TRs but have seen you on other TRs that I follow. So far, I am loving it! You really do have amazing photos and I am loving all the food pics. I will try to remember everything I wanted to comment on.

Love seeing the pics of the refurb room at POFQ. We stayed at POR in Feb and it was our first time there. Cute, but they hadn't redone the rooms yet.

Love WPE - so yummy.

Love the sequined minnie ears. I remember seeing those and soooo wanted a pair for myself. Also tried to rationalize the purchase by trying to get my 3yo DD to fall in love with them so we could share(no go). Maybe next trip.

Your pics make me want to try Sci-Fi. I think it looks so cool in there, but am a bit worried that my DD will get spooked by the movies.

Love the PP pics. Such cute sister pics! Looks like you can do some great family photo gifts for the holidays this year!

So excited to follow on the rest of your TR.

 

[tankgirl427]

Yay! New Post! I love hearing about your trip with your sisters and its giving me really good ideas of what to do with my cousin in January since she's never been.

 

[therussells08]

I love your characters pictures! That is so cool that Lotso really smells like strawberries!

I love the pic with Gepetto! I don't think I've ever seen anyone else meet him!

Oooh, I can't wait to hear more about this dessert!

 

[Cat0727]

Love all your character pictures! That's neat they had so many in the Animation Academy that day. the last time I saw Geppetto was a while ago...but of course I made sure to get a pic with him I love the Pinocchio characters. Ahh I'm jealous you got to meet Rafiki, I have yet to see him in a Disney park.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Sorry for the lack of updates! I had hurt my back and spent the past few days mostly in bedrest. I just returned to work, but I still am on medication and not feeling 100%. I hope to get better because I leave in a few days to go to San Francisco to visit family. I will definitely not enjoy the 5 hour plane ride with my back all messed up but I am hoping I will feel better by the time our flight Friday morning rolls around. I’ll definitely post some pictures of our trip.

Good news is that while lying in bed with my ipad, I managed to rent points for our stay at the Aulani! Just 2 nights in a 1-bedroom suite. I wanted a studio but they were all out for my dates! Boo. I still saved a bundle though so I guess that is a good thing. I guess it’s getting popular even if it’s not even open yet. I am hoping they iron out all the kinks that comes with opening a new resort come October. That will give them a good 2.5 months to get everything settled. I am spending a lot of money on this room (even with DVC points!!) and want it to be worth it! (which I am positive it will, considering it’s Disney!!). So Yay for the Disboards for providing me with the great resource to connect DVC owners with people who want to rent points. I would have never thought to do that before, but now it seems like for our next trip to WDW (whenever that is) I may be able to stay at some of the Deluxe resorts for a great price by renting points.

Here are some pics during construction and renderings of the Aulani I found on the web. I’m so excited! There’s also supposed to be a character brunch on weekends and other restaurants which sound so good too!

http://i235.*************************************Aulani/Aulani1.jpg

http://i235.*************************************Aulani/Aulani2.jpg

Renting DVC Points

For those who have questions on how to rent points, here is what I did. It was my first time doing so, so I thought it would help someone else out as I had no clue what to do either:

1. 
   
   
   • Calculate the points you need (you can google DVC point calculators and you’re bound to find a few). Points needed are based on your resort, room type and dates of stay. It’s always good to calculate a few back-up resorts or room types.
   • Then basically troll the Rent/Trade DVC points board for someone who has enough points for your stay and at a price you’re willing to pay. They usually range from 9-12 dollars a point depending on the flexibility. Some owners need to unload points before a certain date, say June 2011 so they will sell them much more cheaply than someone who has points that expire in 2012. You just email the owner, or PM them, or respond to their thread. You’ll have to tell the owner what resort and the dates and type of room, and they will check availability for you. U may have to also tell them your back-up options in case your first choice is not available.
   • There are also some websites that basically do the work for you, like this one: http://www.dvcrequest.com But they charge pretty high, like 13 dollars a point. Which can be ok if you really really want a particular resort and room and no one else seems to have it, there may be an owner who has an existing reservation willing to sell on that site. But I think 13 a point is kind of pricey and I don’t mind doing the work myself to save a few bucks. I rented for 9 bucks a point because I monitored the boards for a while to check out the best price.
   • From what I understand, popular DVC resort rooms book up quickly for peak dates. Depending on what the owner’s home resort is, they have a better chance of booking at their home resort than others, but they are able to access all the DVC resorts regardless.
   • Renting points from an owner is basically a private agreement between you and the owner so payment plans are up to them. You usually have to pay 30% deposit (as was my case) and then the remainder like a month before your trip. The owner should send you the confirmation email from DVC and you should make sure it has YOUR name on it, and NOT the owners! You can also probably call DVC to check that the reservation does exist under your name. Only the DVC owner can make your ressie for you. Obviously with all private agreements like this, refunds and cancellations can be tricky or non-existent so it’s probably best to firm up your travel plans first. But the process is pretty easy depending on the owner, and I have only had a pleasant experience so far!

Anyone else have any helpful tips for renting points? I'd love to hear them!


Anyways, on to my much-delayed replies….

Another update, another round of great pictures. I have to say that my favorite digital camera ever was a Canon, and it definitely was not the top of the line model. I think they just make good cameras.
So jealous that you all met Rafiki. I would so love to run into him on this trip.

Canon makes great cameras! Love them! Not to say that the other brands aren’t good too but I am just more familiar with canon models.
Yeah it was so funny we saw Rafiki. I had never seen him before on my previous trips either!

Wow, look at all those characters!! I love the pictures. You and your sisters look like you had so much fun!

Yup we sure did! The Animation Academy was filled with characters this time. It was delightful! Unfortunately we missed Jasmine and Aladdin.

Great pictures! What a fantastic time you are having doing Disney with your sisters!
Congrats on your newly booked trip! Can't wait to hear all about Aulani. I don't know anything about DVC and renting points. It's great that there is a such a great resource here to get info.

Luckily for us we have the DIS! I managed to rent points for 2 nights which was great as I saved a ton of money. Unfortunately they ran out of studios which are the cheapest rooms so I had to get a 1 bedroom suite. Not that I am complaining too much, it was more than I wanted to spend, but definitely a huge chunk off the retail price. For a 1 bedroom suite, complete with spa tub and full kitchen, living room and all that fun stuff, I am paying less than the retail price of the hotel-style room at the Aulani. And the regular hotel rooms don’t even have kitchenettes like the DVC rooms have!

You were able to get a lot of cute character pics!
And, when has your hair ever looked bad???????
It looks beautiful in every picture! I would love to have your bad hair day!

Ooh, looks who’s talking! You and Lexi have the most beautiful hair!! I looove your hair! It looks so good both up and down! And Lexi’s hair is just gorgeous. Loved those big curls she had on Easter. My hair on this trip was a bit funny. I had it temporarily straightened, but I didn’t like it. So now I’m back to curls, I guess I have to post some pictures of it now. Maybe after our trip to SF!

great updates! Now I am super excited for our trip. I don't think I have ever seen that many characters where Sorcerer Mickey is. I want to smell Lotso but I'm torn - he was such a bad guy in TS3 so I don't know if I want my picture with him LOL.

LOL yes most people think Lotso is a mean one, but he is furry, pink and smells so sweet how could anyone be mad at him? LOL. He was quite popular and had a line!

on visiting Aulani!! I can't wait to hear all about your stay.
I love all the pics from CT2's camera - they look amazing! Great cup and Goofy t shirt. I think your hair looks great in the 'windblown' photos. I would be happy with hair like that in September!!
How cool that you got to meet with so many characters! Where did you find Pinocchio and Geppetto?
Ooh the best dessert of your lives?? Looking forward to drooling at your pics!!

Hehehe thanks! I spent a lot of time trying to get that windblown hair with a blow-dryer and a brush. Too much work though to do every day! I am more of a wash n go with my hair. I guess that’s why it’s all frizzy now as I type this. LOL. Pinocchio and Geppetto were also at Animation Academy, and they had no line! There were so many characters!

Love all the pics! What a fun trip you girls had!

Can't wait for more!

Thank you!!! Will post more soon!

Nice update!!! I can't believe all of the character pics wow!!!!!!

Wonder what dessert it could be??!!

Hehehe, the place begins with an O….as a hint.

Hi! I am new to your TRs but have seen you on other TRs that I follow. So far, I am loving it! You really do have amazing photos and I am loving all the food pics. I will try to remember everything I wanted to comment on.
Love seeing the pics of the refurb room at POFQ. We stayed at POR in Feb and it was our first time there. Cute, but they hadn't redone the rooms yet.
Love WPE - so yummy.

Love the sequined minnie ears. I remember seeing those and soooo wanted a pair for myself. Also tried to rationalize the purchase by trying to get my 3yo DD to fall in love with them so we could share(no go). Maybe next trip.
Your pics make me want to try Sci-Fi. I think it looks so cool in there, but am a bit worried that my DD will get spooked by the movies.
Love the PP pics. Such cute sister pics! Looks like you can do some great family photo gifts for the holidays this year!
So excited to follow on the rest of your TR.

Aww thanks for visiting!! Welcome! I think Sci Fi will be fun! Honestly we barely paid attention to the movie playing, there’s so many other things to look at, all the cars, the servers, the food…I don’t’ think your DD will be scared! Maybe you can get the ears and she will be distracted by them!

Yay! New Post! I love hearing about your trip with your sisters and its giving me really good ideas of what to do with my cousin in January since she's never been.

Yay! So excited about your trip. Is your Oct. trip happening too?

I love your characters pictures! That is so cool that Lotso really smells like strawberries!
I love the pic with Gepetto! I don't think I've ever seen anyone else meet him!
Oooh, I can't wait to hear more about this dessert!

Thanks! It was my first time meeting Gepetto! It was pretty neat to see all those characters in one space. We basically jumped from line to line. Actually, Pinocchio and Gepetto didn’t have a line which made it all the more better!

Love all your character pictures! That's neat they had so many in the Animation Academy that day. the last time I saw Geppetto was a while ago...but of course I made sure to get a pic with him I love the Pinocchio characters. Ahh I'm jealous you got to meet Rafiki, I have yet to see him in a Disney park.

Thank you! We were pretty excited to meet Rafiki. The characters without the PP Photographers didn’t have much of a line whereas Mickey and Lotso had long lines. Maybe on your next visit you will be able to meet him!!

 

[TanzUnited99]

I'm sorry to hear you have not been feeling well. I hope your back gets better before your trip

on renting DVC points for Aulani! The pics look great!

Also thanks on sharing the pointers on renting with DVC points. I looked into this but decided to leave it for a first trip. Maybe one day...

 

[annmarieda]

You will have such an awesome time in Hawaii!! I think that resort looks amazing!

Sorry you hurt your back.. that isn't fun. Plus.. a long flight. I hope it doesn't aggravate it more.

Oh..and a trip to San Fran! I was just thinking I wanted to take a trip back there. It is a cool place cause you can make a short trip out of it.... which, I kinda need a short trip.

 

[tankgirl427]

Augh! Sorry to hear about your back. I was starting to wonder what was going on with you. No updates in a LONG time! Figured it was a busy wedding time or something, but a sore back is not fun!

I now have two trips going, the Oct trip and a Jan Trip!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

for Aulani!!!

Hope you feel better soon!

 

[YukiPhnx]

I'm sorry to hear about your back, hope you feel better soon enough!

Wooow, Aulani. Can't wait to hear about that!

Thanks so much for all that info on renting DVC points. I've always been intrigued with the idea.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Yeah! Anothe Chunky Monkey trip report! So far sounds like you are having a great trip and I love all the pictures. I did ot realize you had finished your last trip report. I am going to have to finish the ending that I missed.

Hope your back feels better for your trip to San Fran. I have back issues so I know how miserable that can be.

Also, congrats on Aulani. We hope to visit there someday, but I think we might have to buy a few more points or resnt some. Let us know what you think.

 

[Cat0727]

I'm sorry about your back. I have a friend who has had back problems all her life and it sounds like just awful, constant pain

Aulani looks beautiful! Their pool looks insane

 

[TinkerbellLuvr7]

Welcome back!!!!! Feel better I'm jealous about Hawaii. I had a chance to go there for my high school graduation in 2003 and chose WDW. What can I say even as an 18 year old I was hooked and never lost my love for it..now..I'm sort of regretting it!!!

I figured with Hawaii, by the time I'm ready to go, I'll hopefully have DVC and it won't be as bad..maybe..lol

 

[tinacaplan]

Sorry about your back...but yay for Aulani! That's super exciting. And I can't wait to hear about your experience renting points. If Disney actually scales back on its discounts, that may be the way to for more and more people. And thanks for the camera advice.

 

[chunkymonkey]

Thanks everyone for the get well wishes…I am slowly getting better. Getting a massage today so hopefully it well help some…before we leave on my trip. Now here’'s more of my TR!

Sunday Part 4

After our characterpalooza, we shopped along Hollywood BLVD. CT1 bought a whole bag of mickey head lollipops. She loved them. She'’d eat a bag a day! Don’'t know how she stays so skinny.

Some Easter goodies

Don’t these deluxe candy apples look good? Too bad most of them cannot be used with the snack credit, but they are too pretty to eat anyways, especially the Minnie one. It would have matched my ears though!

I saw one of these on the Disney Food Blog and knew I had to try it! It’s a giant carrot cake cookie!

Look at how big they are! Me and CT2 shared one.

Taste-wise, they were yummy! You have to like carrot cake. The texture was more like a firm carrot cake rather than cookie. The cream cheese frosting inside was good too. However, they are very sweet and very large so sharing is a good idea!

While waiting for the bus back to POFQ, CT1 kindly shared her lollipops with us. OMG sugar overload for me!

Back at POFQ, we rested a bit. The pool was still crowded so we never got to use it on our trip, oh well. We took naps and got ready for dinner. We were going to…...drumroll…....OHANA!! I had raved about ‘Ohana before to my sisters so they were looking forward to some good eats…

Here’s us at the bus stop:

We took the bus to MK and hopped on the monorail to the Poly. Look at space mountain in the dark. So pretty! Unfortunately I didn'’t get a good shot of the castle.

I remember we had to wait for a bit for our table so we got a pager and went to check out the gift shops. Even at 9pm the place was happening. CS was looking at the swim cove-rups at the boutique on the first floor of the Poly. Lots of cute stuff there. She ended up getting a white short-sleeved terrycloth one with a hood. It was really cute. She refused to let us take pictures of her in it so I’ll see if I can find a pic of it online. It’s white with a mickey head for a zipper, pockets, and the hood is lined with a mickey print. It was all very simple with black mickey accents to definitely channel an adult rather than a kids look.

Soon we were paged and went upstairs to eat! Here are pics of our delicious meal. Sorry, we were so into our food that I didn'’t snap pictures of each dish as they came out, but sort of like halfway while we were eating did I realize oh shoot, I forgot to take pictures!

I did get pics of the bread though. We all agreed the bread was no’t the best part of the meal.

Wings n potstickers, with some remnants of the salad on my plate. We all LOVED the salad dressing and had seconds of that. The wings and potstickers were also good but I don’t think we got seconds of that.

The noodles and broccoli came on the same plate. I remember it came on separate plates before. No biggie. We all loved the noodles and got seconds of that too.

They came around with the skewers of beef, chicken n shrimp. Me and CT1 liked the steak. CS loved the shrimp, she had many of them.

Getting stuffed….

After our meal was almost over, they dimmed the lights and I knew it was time for Wishes! I asked if anyone wanted to go see it and walk over to the windows with me, but the twins were busy texting and said they will come in a bit. So CS and I walked over and saw wishes from the window. It was sooo cool!

Halfway through Wishes, CT2 comes over and whispers to us" “Um, dessert is here, and it’s um, really REALLY good,and if you don’t come back now, there might not be any left." LOL! I told her we’ll just get another one. So she hurried back to finish dessert.

True enough, dessert was almost completely depleted by the time me and CS went back to our seats so we ordered another one! CT1 and 2 have both proclaimed ‘Ohana’'s bananas foster bread pudding to be the BEST dessert they have ever had!

CS also agreed that it was one of the best she’s ever had too. I had to concur, but only with the sauce on the side. I don’t like my desserts to be overpowered by the banana flavor so I like to sparingly pour the sauce on. Sometimes I don’t even need the sauce!

You’d think we hadn'’t eaten for days when you saw our plates by the end of the night

Even after our double dessert, they brought out cupcakes for everyone’s birthdays! Sadly they sat in our room fridge before being tossed out as no one could eat another bite! But they were so cute nonetheless.

Pics from CT2’s camera:

Overall, a highly successful meal at ‘Ohana!! So successful in fact, that I mentioned that we actually had another reservation here for Wed night and was met with overwhelming enthusiasm to return. Since I didn'’t know when we were watching Fantasmic, I thought to make a back up ADR. Only CT2 has seen Fantasmic before, and although she really enjoyed it, she said she’d much rather come back to ‘Ohana if just for the bread pudding alone! So there you go…, we will be returning to ‘Ohana for another pig out session on this trip!

Coming up, …we brave EMH at MK!!

Hope everyone has a fantastic Memorial Day weekend! 2 years ago I was in WDW over Mem day weekend! Boy was that fun. Crowded but fun! This weekend we wi’ll be heading to San Francisco. I’ll share more details of my trip when we return!

 

[YukiPhnx]

Awesome update of Ohana's!!! I can't wait to eat here on my 2013 trip. I'm already dreaming of the shrimp, steak, and bread pudding, mmmm.

Those lollipops are so cute! I can't believe I didn't see them on my last trip. I bet they would've made awesome souvenirs for my kid cousins.

 

[annmarieda]

OMG, what an awesome review of Ohana! I love that you ordered the second dessert!!!

 

[TanzUnited99]

I love the sugar rush you guys were getting!

Wow, what a great review of O'hana! Love the pics and mmm at that dessert! I wish I had booked an ADR here but am stalking the boards and site to see if I can get a cancellation. After reading your review, I really hope so.

I'm glad to read that you are feeling better