Confirmed!!!! Disney will build a Hawaii resort!!!

[epicureangirl]

I think you guys give O'ahu a bad rap, sure it's not as quiet as the other islands but it's not called "the gathering place" for nothing! The bulk of vacationers come here and most of the population lives here. Ko'olina is far enough away from the hussle and bustle of Honolulu/Waikiki to give vacationers the sense of being in Hawai'i.

When I say that Oahu is my least favourite... it IS STILL A FAVOURITE. I think on the whole, when I think of Oahu I first think of Waikiki -- which is a big city, which we have PLENTY of on the mainland. For a vacationer, we are looking for possibly the 'old Hawaii', or at least the "movie version" of it, with the gorgeous quiet beaches and sound of waves lapping at the shore (of course I can hear a Ukulele too!).

I have family living near Waikiki, and I wouldn't have discovered Ko Olina if it wasn't for them. We had a huge family picnic there, and it holds great memories. I definitely think it is just far enough away from the hustle and bustle to have a wonderful Island vacation with a good dose of Aloha. And if things get TOO relaxed, I can also slip down to Ala Moana for some retail therapy!

 

[keliblue]

Yahoooooooooo !!! I am way excited about this one being that I am in California Now I have a choice... 4 hours to DVC Hawaii or 6 hours to DVC Florida. To top it off, Southwest just started flying to Hawaii from California I love those free flights

 

[BeccaG]

When making your plans, I would factor in 2 whole days just for travel. I think the flight from LA to Hawaii is like 2 hrs.

Living in So. Cal and having done the flight several times its more like 5 1/2 hours, but you are flying with the time change so you get there about 3 1/2 hours later. . .

I am a little confused though why everyone keeps saying they won't fly that long.. . I mean don't we all spend that much time cumulatively just standing in line while we are at Disney World? I guess for people who don't like to fly it makes sense but since my first airplane trip ever was a flight to Japan when I was eight, long flights never bother me as long as I enjoy where I am going, and Hawaii is definitely a place I enjoy going!!

For those of you who live in Hawaii, it looks like the resort is NW of Honolulu and Pearl Harbor? I am having a hard time finding a map with a compass, but is that right?

 

[jmatias]

Yes...Koolina is West of Pearl Harbor.

For those that know Kaanapali on Maui, Koolina has the same sort of feel.

We were just there in August at the Marriott and saw green sea turtles swimming in the lagoons. And this past January, we enjoyed whale watching.

Aloha,
Jen

 

[BeccaG]

Yes...Koolina is West of Pearl Harbor.
For those that know Kaanapali on Maui, Koolina has the same sort of feel.
We were just there in August at the Marriott and saw green sea turtles swimming in the lagoons. And this past January, we enjoyed whale watching.

Thanks Jen! This makes me very excited. . my parents really enjoy snorklling and Kaanapali I think is a favorite of their's so if I can take them to a similar place, I will surely become their favorite child!! And I love the sea turtles, so that makes me

 

[TLSnell1981]

If you check on the different websites for flights, they show you the actual flight times. They all show at least a 5 hour flight from LAX. This takes in consideration the difference in time zones. Their flight times include your time on the ground, before and after you land.

 

[JimC]

Living in So. Cal and having done the flight several times its more like 5 1/2 hours, but you are flying with the time change so you get there about 3 1/2 hours later. . .

I am a little confused though why everyone keeps saying they won't fly that long.. . I mean don't we all spend that much time cumulatively just standing in line while we are at Disney World? I guess for people who don't like to fly it makes sense but since my first airplane trip ever was a flight to Japan when I was eight, long flights never bother me as long as I enjoy where I am going, and Hawaii is definitely a place I enjoy going!! ...

For east coast it is six to the coast on average, plus a two hour average ground turn and another six average to the island. Add in ground time at either end and it is a very long day. And the return is just a nightmare, even in first class.

I travel extensively in what I do and have little excitement for another airport adventure for vacation. Since our move to Orlando we are reconfiguring our vacation routines to just one flying trip per year to either Phoenix or Palm Desert.

To make a trip to Hawaii worthwhile for us we would want a minimum of 12 days there.

 

[BeccaG]

For east coast it is six to the coast on average, plus a two hour average ground turn and another six average to the island. Add in ground time at either end and it is a very long day. I travel extensively in what I do and have little excitement for another airport adventure for vacation.

I see your point Jim, but I guess I just don't mind the flight. . I want to fly to China, Europe, heck my family and I have done the flight to Hawaii for a weekend, which is the same travel time to WDW, if not less, since the flight is always direct! I understand cognitively what folks are saying, but there are few places on this planet I can think of that I am not willing to make the trip to. . .

 

[jmatias]

I always find the talk of flight times humorous since for us islanders the minimum flight time to get anywhere is 5 hours. So I laugh when I read about the horrors of a 3 hour flight with kids. I guess it is perspective.

Jim...I do agree with your 12 days though. Whenever we go to WDW we stay at least 2 weeks.

Aloha,
Jen

 

[Anal Annie]

Non stop from BWI here in Maryland I think is 8 hrs. Most of the airfare has a layover in LA, I think the better rates stop over. Then factor in the time change, layover, you will be probably most of the day getting to Hawaii. When making your plans, I would factor in 2 whole days just for travel. I think the flight from LA to Hawaii is like 2 hrs.

I have gone to Hawaii 4 times from Maryland - quickest you can do it is 12 1/2 hours. There is nothing direct from here. Delta goes thru Atlanta (about 10 hrs. from there) or Salt Lake City (our fav.). United goes thru Chicago or SF. AA goes thru Dallas... There are other combos too, but those are a few examples. If you don't watch what you book, you can easily end up with a 14-16 hr. trip!! But 12 1/2 hrs is 'bout the best you'll find....but so worth it!

 

[rparmfamily]

That part of the Island is not like Waikiki. It is not developed and there are no major stores there yet. It is just wonderful there and if you like shrimp you are in the right place. As you drive on the road to the resort you will find many shrimp stands selling freshly caught shrimp to you on picnic tables. Dole has its plantation there and you can get the most delicious pineapple in the world, not for export, at their store. In fact we ate so much pineapple during our ten day trip my mouth got sores on it from all the ascorbic acid.

You are right it' s not like Waikiki/Honolulu, but I think you're confusing Turtle Bay resort w/Ko'olina. The North Shore area has the shrimp shacks and the Dole Pineapple plantation, that's up the H2. Ko'Olina is where H1 ends past Pearl City,etc. (it's west, shrimp shacks are north).

 

[rparmfamily]

Here is a pic of lagoon #4 I think. It's by the marina.

 

[rparmfamily]

duplicate post...

 

[magicmama]

Wow!!! This is exciting! Even thought it's a long trip - I drive more than 12 hours now to WDW so maybe I could handle a 12-14 hour flight. Better start saving my pennies now .....!

 

[rparmfamily]

 

[Jaaron2]

I travel often for my job and have spent the last several months going from Philly to LA. This trip is normally 5-6 hours in the air (depending on which way you are going). A trip twice as long will be a drag but the two weeks inbetween sitting on a beach in Hawaii will make it worthwhile! I will say that when I go it will be a 14 day trip. I dont think it would make sense to travel from the east coast for any less. I am stocking up those frequent flyer miles as I write this sitting in the LAX airport waiting for the red eye.

 

[bavaria]

I understand cognitively what folks are saying, but there are few places on this planet I can think of that I am not willing to make the trip to. . .

Agreed! If I couldn't deal with a flight of longer than 3 hours I wouldn't have seen much in my life. (And I am severely severely claustrophobic, so every flight is a challenge for me. But seeing the world and learning about it is more important so I overcome that every week and board a plane)

Becca, there is a seat next to me anytime you would like! I'm off shortly for another exploration trip which will include a 14 hour flight to get there, several 2 hour flights during the trip, and well over 1,000 kilometres of driving. Well worth it to see and experience new things.

 

[jmatias]

Nice pics rparmfamily!

We are heading to Maui for the long weekend tomorrow. At least that plane ride is only 30 minutes

Have a great weekend everyone!

Jen

 

[El&Asmom]

I always find the talk of flight times humorous since for us islanders the minimum flight time to get anywhere is 5 hours. So I laugh when I read about the horrors of a 3 hour flight with kids. I guess it is perspective.


Aloha,
Jen

You ( I assume) weren't on our return flight home from MCO to ORD a couple of weeks ago. My 21m old dd screamed for half of the 2.5 hr flight. And I don't mean a little crying. I mean screaming at the top of her lungs. The flight attendant asked me to sit in the back of the plane with her, and then offered me a free "drink" since any mother that goes thru that deserves it as she put it. A 10 hr flight to Oahu will be better in 2011 for us than it would be now with the kids. Alone yes, with kids no.

We are so looking forward to it.

 

[epicureangirl]

I always find the talk of flight times humorous since for us islanders the minimum flight time to get anywhere is 5 hours. So I laugh when I read about the horrors of a 3 hour flight with kids.

Yes, but you haven't travelled with MY kid. A 3 hour flight back from Disneyland with my daughter loudly saying "let me out" and me trying to muffle her screams and crying. That was fun! For me, 9 or more hours on a plane is unpleasant, but would never prevent me from going anywhere. I love travel!