Disney Wonder - October 14, 2012 - Hawaii

[auntlynne]

Sorry about the bad news...

and happy about the good. Are you a DVC member? (to get into the villas?)

I'm looking for something lower class for 2 nights. I've got reservations at the Fairfield Inn and keep checking prices for HOJO, Jolly Roger, Anabella Hotel...

There are several of us interested in sharing a shuttle - since it is a private group, we might be able to stop at more than one location for pick-ups. With Karmel shuttles, it's about $10 pp vs $30-35 with DCL.

 

[auntlynne]

Here's some information about Hawaiian shirts for the APRIL sailing:

"The manufacturer requires the total order for our group reflect at least 10 shirts in each size requested, i.e. if we order 100 shirts, 89 adult size large 10 size medium and 1 size small, they cannot fill the size small order. The group must order a minimum of 5 yards of material in order to include any material. (If we do not receive ample orders, you will not be charged and your yardage order canceled.)"

As of mid December:

"Currently the shirt order count is at 124 adult shirts and if everyone fills their pre-orders, we will qualify for the lower cost of $33.50 for sizes small through XL, and $38.50 for XXL and XXXL. This charge includes an estimate for the shipping and handling from the shirt maker. These prices are stated with the following disclaimer: This is based on us ordering at least 100 shirts paid for. Currently 68 shirts have been paid for. If we don't get the 100 paid for, I'll let everyone know and you can decide if you want to increase your shirt cost or have me refund your money.

Material is $16 a yard. $15 plus $1 for maker shipping and handling."

 

[ppartekim]

Here's some information about Hawaiian shirts for the APRIL sailing:

"The manufacturer requires the total order for our group reflect at least 10 shirts in each size requested, i.e. if we order 100 shirts, 89 adult size large 10 size medium and 1 size small, they cannot fill the size small order. The group must order a minimum of 5 yards of material in order to include any material. (If we do not receive ample orders, you will not be charged and your yardage order canceled.)"

And the same will apply to our October Shirt orders.

As of mid December:

"Currently the shirt order count is at 124 adult shirts and if everyone fills their pre-orders, we will qualify for the lower cost of $33.50 for sizes small through XL, and $38.50 for XXL and XXXL. This charge includes an estimate for the shipping and handling from the shirt maker. These prices are stated with the following disclaimer: This is based on us ordering at least 100 shirts paid for. Currently 68 shirts have been paid for. If we don't get the 100 paid for, I'll let everyone know and you can decide if you want to increase your shirt cost or have me refund your money.

Material is $16 a yard. $15 plus $1 for maker shipping and handling."

Doesn't apply to the us unless one is ordering the April shirts or April fabric ('cept the fabric price, that does not change unlike the shirt price).

 

[geffric]

I have been MIA for a while. My FIL passed away and life has been hetic to say the least!

BUT I do have good news we are booked at the Grand Californian Villas the Friday and Saturday nights before our cruise sets sail. I am hopping for a MNSSHP on Friday night!!!

Is anyone else staying at the VGC?

Sorry about your FIL..

YES we are hoping to do VGC for both Fri and Sat..with MNSSHP on Fri and DL and DCA on Sat ( with a DIS meet on Sat?? I hope) .. then take the shuttle with Lynne to the port..
But since we are DVC..we have to wait until March 14th to book VGC.. hopefully there will be one for us.. otherwise.. ??

 

[mommacat56]

Aloha! Mary, Dave and Dan

E Komo Mai to our ohana.

I volunteered somewhere (I think) to head up lanyards. Oh, yes, we even starting looking at name tag ideas a month or so ago. Will definitely looking for partners in crime for this project. I am a name tag making fiend - I love that job! I bought a good laminator last year for that purpose and find it very therapeutic - for what, I don't know, but it puts me in a good mood.

I'm planning on arriving in CA by Friday afternoon Oct 12 to do Halloween at Disneyland. Saturday is LA stuff (probably visit my niece who is in school). Some of us are looking at getting transportation together to save $ and not be at the mercy of DCL's bus schedule. We will probably be coming from Anaheim, though, whereas you will be RIGHT there.

- Lynne

Hi Lynne (and all)!

Thank you for the true Hawaiian welcome! Sorry I haven't been on the thread recently...though I have been trying to keep up. Sign me up to be one of your helpers! And I love the Mickey Aloha name tag best, but anything you decide is fine with me. Do you have a contact for the lanyards themselves? This is my first cruise with all the DISers and the activities, so I will have to defer to the experienced cruisers here to point me in the right direction. Let me know what you need me to do...I'm standing by!!

Take care and we will be speaking again soon, I'm sure.
Mary

 

[auntlynne]

Hi Lynne (and all)!

Thank you for the true Hawaiian welcome! Sorry I haven't been on the thread recently...though I have been trying to keep up. Sign me up to be one of your helpers! And I love the Mickey Aloha name tag best, but anything you decide is fine with me. Do you have a contact for the lanyards themselves? This is my first cruise with all the DISers and the activities, so I will have to defer to the experienced cruisers here to point me in the right direction. Let me know what you need me to do...I'm standing by!!

Take care and we will be speaking again soon, I'm sure.
Mary

Mary,

At this point, the thread is moving slowly; catch up probably only takes 15-20 minutes for a month (or more)'s posts. We may never be one of those chatty threads. But I've learned that chatty on the internet does not always equate to group cohesiveness on the ship.

Unless some graphic-fiend comes in, it looks like we'll use the Aloha Mickey design for the nametags. Now we just need to tweak it to make more of a banner for shirts or magnets.

For the lanyards, I figured we could use Kenny Products - tig82174 (Erik & Jason) recommended them last year. They supplied us for two cruises and did an excellent job; seem to be fairly standard pricing.

You can definitely be a part of the lanyard team. Once we find out how many of us are interested in lanyards, we can determine the total purchase price and divide that by the members of the team. I do not expect anyone to pay more than $25 for their portion (the lanyards are typically < $2 each with writing on both sides, a plastic badge holder, and the breakaway safety feature).

As far as being a first-time-with-DISers cruiser, you certainly can have an input in what we do. We can throw out some ideas and see if anyone is interested - and you might be able to bring in some new ideas with your fresh mind.

Oh, wow - just noticed that it is 10 months TODAY til we sail away.

 

[liesbeth1012]

Hi Lynne (and all)!

Thank you for the true Hawaiian welcome! Sorry I haven't been on the thread recently...though I have been trying to keep up. Sign me up to be one of your helpers! And I love the Mickey Aloha name tag best, but anything you decide is fine with me. Do you have a contact for the lanyards themselves? This is my first cruise with all the DISers and the activities, so I will have to defer to the experienced cruisers here to point me in the right direction. Let me know what you need me to do...I'm standing by!!

Take care and we will be speaking again soon, I'm sure.
Mary

Mary,

At this point, the thread is moving slowly; catch up probably only takes 15-20 minutes for a month (or more)'s posts. We may never be one of those chatty threads. But I've learned that chatty on the internet does not always equate to group cohesiveness on the ship.

Unless some graphic-fiend comes in, it looks like we'll use the Aloha Mickey design for the nametags. Now we just need to tweak it to make more of a banner for shirts or magnets.

For the lanyards, I figured we could use Kenny Products - tig82174 (Erik & Jason) recommended them last year. They supplied us for two cruises and did an excellent job; seem to be fairly standard pricing.

You can definitely be a part of the lanyard team. Once we find out how many of us are interested in lanyards, we can determine the total purchase price and divide that by the members of the team. I do not expect anyone to pay more than $25 for their portion (the lanyards are typically < $2 each with writing on both sides, a plastic badge holder, and the breakaway safety feature).

As far as being a first-time-with-DISers cruiser, you certainly can have an input in what we do. We can throw out some ideas and see if anyone is interested - and you might be able to bring in some new ideas with your fresh mind.

Oh, wow - just noticed that it is 10 months TODAY til we sail away.

Hi,
I just want to answer because this thread is slow indeed. But as Lynne said it is 10 month's before we sail. It looks far away, but........for you knows we are on board.
It is our second cruise and second disboard group. And the first was for the WBTA sept 2011 and that was a very busy thread. (We enterd a few months before sailing and there were already 3 parts then. We ended with 6 parts). We had much fun, but on the cruise I saw a small group of it. We had a lovely group on our table through linked dining. I would that again. I someone doing that? I would like to help with all sort of things, but I live in the Netherlands and it is probebly more convienant to orginize from the us. I don't know the ways. But I can give input to the idea's and who knows what I can do.
And then English is not my home language, I must translate in my head and sometime use a translater to understand all. But I manage.

The plan is that we are coming to LA a week before sailing. We want to go to a good neighboor hotel of Disneyland and spent some days in Disneyland. But we also want to see some of LA. We want to go to MNSSHP on friday and hopes for a DISmeet on saturday. And go with the shuttle with Lynne to the ship on sunday.
The only thing we have booked yet is the cruise. For the rest we are looking for special offers, (Hotel, tickets or package and the flight of course)

I hope that this thread is coming bussier in time if we get closer to the saildate. And if the group is not so big, we can get to know each other better and I am sure we get a great time together with lots of things we organize.

 

[mommacat56]

Hi Lynne and Liesbeth!

Thanks for the info about the lanyards. I'm sure our thread will get much busier when the April cruisers get back and give us their trip reports...can't wait for those!

Mary

 

[geffric]

 

[geffric]

page 2???

Bump!

 

[plutoluvsfifi]

10 months from today we'll be living it up on Maui! Has anyone been there before? Any recommendations? We're the perfect tourists, Everything amasses us..


Linda

 

[geffric]

Lynne, our resident expert, has been posting all sorts of pictures..I cant wait..

having said that, i am finishing the FE gift for the 1/15/12 MR cruise..one college "kid" is home and other one arrives Wed or Thurs...

 

[Bookwood]

I hope everyone is having a stress less holiday.

I'm looking forward to getting out of school after tomorrow. I've been doing a long term substitute teaching job in PE at our local HS and will be glad to have the end of semester over.

Our youngest DD (#3) Graduated from Indiana University on Saturday, and the Middle DD will be home tomorrow for Christmas. Oldest DD and SIL will arrive late Friday night and DS lives in the area. Thursday starts the end of the rushing and finishing the odds and ends of Christmas at our house. Baking and final gift purchases- why can I never think of stocking stuffers for the males in the family (girls are easy Bath and Body works does it LOL.)

I've started looking into flights to the LA area but don't know for sure if we will have any DL time or if we'll just hang in the hotels. DH really likes the idea of using Disney transport if we can and flying into SNA instead of LAX. We're fans of smaller less busy airports. If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them.

 

[geffric]

bump

 

[auntlynne]

10 months from today we'll be living it up on Maui! Has anyone been there before? Any recommendations? We're the perfect tourists, Everything amasses us..


Linda

Maui is one of my favorites - but aren't all the islands?

Here's a little of my take on the 4 islands we will visit:

MAUI 6:30 am - 6:00 pm sunrise 6:22 am sunset 5:58 pm

Maui is more "American-friendly" or should I say more "American-focused"? They seem to promote an activity-based vacation: ziplining, horseback riding, golf, snorkeling trips, kayaks, biking. The hotels are concentrated in 2 principal areas: Lahaina and Wailea.

We arrive in Kahului, not far from the airport. It is the business center of the island, with the tourists mainly in Lahaina and the wealthier tourists in Wailea.

Lahaina is an old seafaring town - other cruise lines will drop anchor there and use tenders to get to shore. (We'll be docked in Kahului).

You will either need a tour that includes pick-up or rent a car. No public transportation to speak of (unlike O'ahu).

I have done the following activities while vacationing on Maui (not as shore excursions):

Zipline in Lahaina with Skyline Eco Adventure (they have 2 locations)
Trilogy Excursions catamaran day trip to Lahaina
The Road to Hana
Snorkeling at Molokini Crater
Snuba at Turtle Town
Visit Iao Valley
Helicopter tour over west Maui and Molokai
Visit Haleakala National Park
Bike down Haleakala
Canoe Maui - outrigger canoe (you can work or just ride)
Old Lahaina Luau (if they extend our departure to late night, I'd definitely do this again)
[I rode horseback in Hana - but that is too far for this one day trip]

Here's a list of Maui Top 10 [from http://www.mauibike.com/top10.html]

1. Explore Haleakala with Aloha Bicycle Tours (808-870-7409). Experience the exhilaration of Bicycling down the Volcano all the way to the Ocean. You aren't herded or rushed down the Mountain, like the other Tours. Enjoy the freedom of riding at your own pace on Trek Mt. Bikes. We offer 3 different Tours from the Sunrise Tour to a mid-morning Tour. All Tours include helmets, rain/wind gear, backpacks, gloves, bike lock, route map and safety rules.
   
2. Sail to the exclusive island of Lanai or Snorkel Molokini with Paragon Sailing Charters (800-441-2087). Known as the pineapple island, Lanai's hidden secrets include spinner dolphins off the white sand beach at Manele Bay. The underwater treasures are so unique that Lanai has been rated one of the top 10 snorkel destinations in the world. They specialize in smaller groups and very personal service. Ask Captain Eric or Mike if you can take the Helm and set the speed record (30 knots).
   
3. Take the Drive to Hana and leave early. Buy a driving tour cassette tape or CD. As you drive, you simply turn your taped tour on and off as suggested by your "tourguide". On the road, show respect for the locals (Big 4x4's) by regularly looking in your rear view mirror and pulling over (use your turn signal) to the right and letting them pass. Bring your own cooler with food and drink. Realize Hana is a journey, not the destination. Swim at Hamoa Beach or the Red Sand Beach. For an awesome Adventure, take a flight with Armin Engert of Hang Gliding Maui in his Powered Tandem Hang Glider out of Hana airport. Also, Hike with Hana Cave Tour's experienced guides, deep into the subterranean passages of an extinct lava tube and witness first hand the last seconds of the lava flow, frozen in time, that formed this portion of Maui. Visit the Pools of Ohe'o (formerly known as Seven Sacred Pools). Experience Ancient Hawaii on Horseback with Hawaiians in Kipahulu at Maui Horseback Tours. Immerse yourself in a day of adventure in one of the most beautiful places on our Planet Earth and find out the meaning of "Aloha" from Hawaiians. This is one of the only Native Hawaiian Owned and Operated Activity Businesses I know of. In fact the best way to experience Hana is to spend a few days at the award winning Hotel Hana & Honua Spa.
   
4. Take a Sunset walk on Front Street, Lahaina...have a drink at Kimo's. Dinner at Lahaina Grill is always a winner as is Roy's in Kahana. Also at Kaanapali Beach enjoy Sunset Pupu's at Hula Grill. A great out of the way dining experience can be found at Beverly Gannon's Haliimaile General Store.
   
5. Explore Iao Valley, preceded by a visit to Bailey House Museum to learn about the cultural and historical significance of the place. Have dinner at the A Saigon Cafe by the bridge in Wailuku Town. Jennifer Nguyen is the owner and it has been voted the Best Ethnic Restaurant on Maui. Try the Summer rolls with peanut dipping sauce, crisped whole Opakapaka, Vietnamese burritos and pho soup. Also for the Best Coffee on Maui, visit Maui Coffee Roasters in Kahului, near the Airport. Nicky Matichyn is the owner and has been roasting Kona Beans longer than anybody.
   
6. Experience the best Kayaking Adventure Tour with South Pacific Kayaks on their Marine Reserve Explorer Tour. This trip is a fantastic experience paddling around the Ahihi Kina'u Marine reserve with the best Guides in the business. You'll experience some of Maui's best snorkeling. This trip travels one way down the Coast. Depending on the Season, you can see Humpback Whales, Dolphins and Turtles.
   
7. Scuba dive anywhere with Ed Robinson's Diving Adventures (800-635-1273), if you are experienced. Maui Sun Divers if it's your first time.
   
8. Old Lahaina Luau (800-248-5828) voted Best Luau on Maui for the fifth year in a row. Very Hawaiian, no flash or touristy glitz here. Check out their new location.
   
9. Take a Helicopter Tour with Blue Hawaiian Helicopters to anywhere on Maui or Molokai--truly awesome. You also get a video of your flight. For the best viewing, get the earliest flight in the morning as possible. What you see in an hour from the air, will take you days of driving around Maui to see.
   
10. Catch a Show or possibly a Hot Concert at the new Maui Arts & Cultural Center in Kahului. Box office phone number is 808-242-7469. To find out what events may be happening while you are here check out Maui Community Events Calendar.

about.com's list of Top Things to Do on Maui

• Attend a Luau
  
• Smell the Flowers at Maui's Botanical Gardens
  
• Snorkel, Dive or Just Sail
  
• Drive
  
• Dine
  
• Shop
  
• Watch the Sun Rise Over Haleakala (we arrive after sunrise)
  
• Go to the Beach
  
• Watch Whales (we will miss whale season - it's January - March/April)
  
• Zipline
  
• Parasail
  
• Go to a Museum Where Maui's History Comes Alive
  
• Ride Horseback
  
• Golf
  
• Hike

 

[auntlynne]

Maui is shaped like a figure 8. On the left (west) is Lahaina and Ka'anapali, Iao Valley, Kahului. On the right is Haleakala (the big - inactive - volcanic mountain), lush green Hana reached by a slow windy road along the ocean, the cowboy (paniolo) upcountry (around Makawao) with cattle ranches and a lavender farm, the quirky town of Paia and the upscale resort area of Wailea.

You cannot drive the entire outline of the island - the area in the upper left is dangerous (drug deals) and the area on the bottom right is closed to a rock or mud slide (with no expected clearing - this has been several years).

 

[auntlynne]

O'ahu Sunday, October 21, 7:00 am - 3:30 pm

(We dock next to the Aloha Tower near downtown Honolulu)

The state capital, Honolulu, is located here.

When I said that Maui was the most American-focused, O'ahu - especially the Waikiki Beach area - draws the Asian tourist crowd. You will see plenty of young Japanese and Korean couples (and singles) shopping in the upscale stores along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki and at the Ala Moana Center (large open-air mall). Fendi, Prada, Burberry, Coach ... (you get the idea).

This is not to say that there aren't outdoor activities to keep you busy. This is an ideal place for a surf lesson - there are several beaches where the reef creates a calm sea even during the big wave winter months (Hawaii Fire Surf School offers classes at the old Barber's Point Naval Station - a 2 hour lesson will leave you exhausted, but able to claim you surfed).

Take a hike up the center of Diamond Head Crater and look out over the Pacific Ocean and Honolulu. Admission is $1 for walk-ins or $5 for car arrivals. Most of the way is paved, but there are long steep staircases to climb before reaching the summit.

Head east to the Windward Coast to Lanikai where you can launch out in a kayak to the twin islands of Moku Iki and Moku Nui. Kailua State Beach Park is a great place to catch a glimpse of windsurfers - or catch a breeze and join in.

North of Lanikai and Kailua is Kualoa Ranch. Saddle up for a horseback tour or ATV ride through a valley that is the backdrop of movies and TV shows.

Continue north on the Windward Side to reach the North Shore - home of surfing's Bonzai Pipeline. Head inland to Waimea Valley for hiking and Hawaiian history. Pick a beach along the road and have some fun in the cold Pacific waters. Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa is a quick stop for refreshment - or grab a Dole Whip (pineapple non-dairy soft-serve) at the Dole Plantation on your way south. Here you can get lost in a giant pineapple maze for an hour.

The USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor are at the top of tourist destinations in Hawaii. Entrance is free to the USS Arizona and is on a first-come, first-visit basis. The USS Missouri and the Bowfin submarine next door have admission fees.

 

[auntlynne]

To find our docking area, look a the bottom middle of the island and go a little to the right, near Iolani Palace and "92" in the black circle.

A circle drive of the island typically makes a long oval around the eastern mountain range, up the Windward Coast and up/down the road through the middle of the island. This can be done on TheBus, the local transportation system.

The new Disney Resort, Aulani, is located on the Leeward side, the lower left side of the map.

 

[auntlynne]

Caveat: This is definitely not an all-inclusive description of these islands! Just some thoughts to help (or confound) your excursion planning.

 

[liesbeth1012]

Thanks Lynne for all the information. It gonna be a difficult decision what we are going to do. It is so much. I hope that we can make some of it with a group from DIS.

And for now.
For all my future Cruise mates a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
See you all in about 10 months.