Best action shot ever!Across both lanes if you want to go the way we needed to.Oh, and did I mention that you can’t see around the large vehicles on either side of you until you are actually backed partially into a lane of the highway?
Some people had a passenger get out and check and/or stop traffic for them to back out. Yeah, that wouldn’t work with just me and a 2-year-old.
So, I definitely learned from that for our second trip and made sure to park where I’d be able to see and/or turn around to get out.
(I really don’t like McD’s, sorry)
I'm not a McD's fan either, but I actually craved a Big Mac 3 weeks ago so that's what we had for dinner that night. Haven't had one of those in YEARS! But I do usually stop for their coffee and oatmeal in the mornings if I have no time to make breakfast at home.
cool1:
) But i'm a little nervous! A completely new place, with a new baby and possibly no help??
Not sure what i'm thinking...
Warning, this next picture may gross you out, but I have to post it because it cracks me up that I caught this.
And it worked out great – my notes say that it was like having a much more personable combo of Siri and Cliff Claven in the car with me.
Hawaii driving: You can't get there from here.
Yes, it was a really beautiful drive. And it was cool to find out about the homemade rolls - very tasty!
Yeah, I was really bummed about missing the hike - so much so that it was my must-do on the return trip. And third time is the charm with Dole.
I know, it was like a year and a half ago, so she's such a baby! Yeah, you'll be back on those pouches soon. Which reminds me, I know we still have some in a cabinet (since she gave them up rather abruptly) - I should see if they've expired.
Glad you appreciated it!
I agree! Or pretty much anywhere.
Well, along the North Shore, yes. 2-lane highway. It's not too bad in general, but I'd recommend really looking carefully at where you plan to park - make sure there is an easy out. Parking lots=good. Backing blindly into highway=bad. I was very aware of this on the return trip and we were fine.Oh geez it's these types of roads/highways?!?! Great
But, but! What about their Sweet Tea?!
I'm not sure I've ever had a Big Mac, to be honest. And I'm not a Sweet Tea person at all. And I don't drink coffee. And I have a spare packet of oatmeal in my desk at work if I run out of time for breakfast. BUT, we actually did stop at a McDonald's on the return trip - it was the first place I saw that met the group's criteria of: 1.) restrooms, 2.) water, 3.) snacks. I even got a deep-fried apple pie, thanks to Mark's TR. 
Sweet little doggie.
So i'm going to have to go back through all your past TR's and take really, really good notes. I did book Aulani for October
Honestly, I think Aulani is a great destination for that. You can be a lot more flexible with a baby vs. running for FP and ADRs in a Disney park. Admittedly, it would be nice if there was a nursery for the baby, but at least Calvin can spend time at Aunty's. I know there is a babysitting service available, but don't know much about it. I saw on the Aulani board that there were some people who were going to try it soon and report back. Also, can't remember if you are already onboard @Schmagurty's TR, but he is writing a great account of taking a 4-year-old and a baby to Aulani. 
Spoiler, but it does work out later.
I really enjoyed the app a lot more than I expected. It was nice to have a reliable navigator who knew so much. But, yeah, getting out of that parking spot was NOT ideal.
That's what I liked most - it was a very local spot and popular amongst the locals, from what I could tell.
Glad you enjoyed.
Totally agree.
Exactly. Hawaii doesn't need a volcano erupting.
Now there's a combo I never thought I'd hear about!
Me either, but that's all I could think of to describe it. As you should.
So true. So, so true.
Good luck, I hope she loves it! I know what you mean, though - Izzy's 3.5 now and still very unpredictable.
I don't blame your wife on the lazy river - it's fantastic and I could happily stay there all day. In case I don't get back again before you go, hope you have a wonderful vacation!
). We did, however, drive by and catch a quick photo as we passed it :
(Not sure where Chip was. 
)
Back to the views, though. 
:
It’s one of those very slow switchback style roads, which I think are kinda fun, personally. We could not get over some of the homes along there – they were basically just built right into the sides of a steep drop. I think our jaws were hanging open for most of this drive. At the top, we pulled into the small parking lot for the wayside/overlook. Got out to admire the incredible panorama:
) This is what was happening right before it:
:
Izzy still goes back and forth on whether it’s yucky or yummy to eat boogers. 
Dug fixed it later by deleting all music on my phone (I never listen to it – yes, I know I’m weird. And, yes, I have a “new” phone now – Dug’s old one). Here are the pics:
Beautiful pictures! That view is spectacular - looks like a lot of fun!Once we arrived, Izzy enjoyed taking in the views over Honolulu:
Need to find out the rules) and then DM could stay back in the villa with the baby. 
So, yeah, this cute shot may appear a bit grosser now
I still think it's a cute shot even knowing now that a few seconds before that finger was somewhere dirty!
Thanks!
It really is impressive on that overlook.
Well, we do eventually...
Thanks, I'm glad the views turned out so gorgeous!
Me too, not a fan!
Haha, thanks!The story behind the picture! I still think it's a nice family picture, either way!
Thank you. It is really amazing to just stand there and drink in those views!
I'm glad I got to try the BBQ under better circumstances. But what a bummer that Dole Whips were eluding me, though.
Thanks! It was really nice to have him back and see more of the island.
Okay, well that will help to have DM there. For Aunty's, I know I read a thread recently where people were going over to Monkeypod and such while their kids were at Aunty's, so I assume it's okay to leave property. However, if your DM is there anyway, there definitely isn't an issue. Aunty's had me provide info for anyone that could pick Izzy up, so I gave them all of our family members, just in case. So, you can authorize DM to handle any Aunty's issues while you're gone. Also, if your DM wants to go along to Pearl Harbor, our strategy of taking turns for the boat ride worked out well. You could definitely have a stroller and walk the kids around outside (big grounds and lots to look at) while the other(s) does the monument. The grounds were very kid-friendly and it wouldn't be a problem to have a baby there. And Calvin is probably old enough now that he could behave in the museums or maybe the movie and boat ride to the monument (Izzy was only 2.5 when we went, so we weren't taking chances, but I'd consider it now).So DM is pretty much coming with us. DH was pretty insistent that she come with us so that someone can watch the baby if we decide to do a few excursions like Pearl Harbor. Calvin could go to Aunty's (i'm assuming it's fine to drop kids off there and leave the resort??
Cool, great report!I actually am subbed to that TR!...as a lurker though
Well, it's January, but yes. After I finish this one, I'm planning to get right into that one. For other TRs, I know I came across a few that were helpful, but the only one I'm remembering now (besides the ones you mentioned) is @AZMermaid 's TR - it's super funny and she has two young kids. I remember also coming across a couple of blogs that were helpful - if you google something like "taking young kids to Aulani", you'll probably find something. Oh, also, this blog by a DISer has an Aulani report in it: http://amyandjasonallen.blogspot.com/2014/07/aloha-hawaii.html?q=aulani&view=sidebar I really enjoyed reading some other parts of her blog too - great tips and philosophies on traveling with children.
They sure are!
Glad you can still enjoy it!
We had heard about terrible traffic in this area, but were fortunate to have avoided it thus far. No such luck now, though. All roads out of town were basically parking lots. Ugh. Dug was navigating and did manage to find us some side routes, but it still was just taking forever to get anywhere. 
It soon became clear that we wouldn’t be making our 6:30pm dinner reservation at Makahiki. Since we were using the phone to navigate, we weren’t easily able to call and inform them either (but no missed ADR fees as Aulani ).
Great, so that’s exactly what you need when in a hurry – a long line to get into an Air Force base and turn around. On top of that, I had all kinds of anxiety about being at an Air Force base, as I once had a somewhat nerve-wracking experience at one, years ago. 
(Long story short, confusion ensued when I tried to return a base ID someone had left behind and the guards briefly thought I was attempting to USE that ID. Um, nope, just trying to return it to them!). At any rate, we sat in the long line to get to the guard stand. When it was finally our turn, I told them that we had made a wrong turn and ended up there. Thankfully, he was super nice and helped us turn around and gave us the directions we needed to get back on the road. Whew! 
Well, here’s a blurry close-up:
Super easy to miss!
We took our stuff back to the room and rested for a few minutes while trying to figure out alternate dinner plans. Since Makahiki was still open, we decided to just head down there and see if we could get in. Turned out to be no problem at all. Much more laid-back with the dining reservations as Aulani vs. WDW. It was actually pretty quiet and empty there, which made for a pleasant dining experience after all that stressful time in traffic.
)
(but no missed ADR fees as Aulani
(Long story short, confusion ensued when I tried to return a base ID someone had left behind and the guards briefly thought I was attempting to USE that ID.
Very easy to miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for. In fact, both Hawaii trips, I turned on my voice navigation most of the time just so that I’d have an instruction to exit at the right time. Too easy to miss otherwise. And I should know, as I did miss it once.
What, you don’t see that grand entrance?
Wow so pathetic.
Yes, exactly, it's not really a long drive if there's no traffic. Sitting in a freeway parking lot is the worst! I'm glad the dinner worked out okay. It was actually a pretty nice and relaxed meal since it was so quiet and late. And we'd definitely had time to work up some appetite.
It was a pretty good dinner. I enjoyed it more than I expected. And, yes, that drive was certainly on the stressful side (well, at least for Hawaii
).I'm glad we did so well avoiding traffic the rest of our stay (did Pearl Harbor on the weekend, which helped), but this was a bummer. I think Dug enjoyed his sushi. And the Dole Plantation will be coming up soon!
Thanks, yeah, it was a nasty drive home. And making that wrong exit was the worst! But the buffet sure hit the spot after that.
They are pretty laid-back about things there vs. WDW, I'd say.Good to know
It was! I didn't realize how serious it was at the time until I found out afterwards that I was being investigated?
Nothing ever came of it, as they must have realized there was nothing to it, but geez. I just found some videos of this, as I was apparently determined to make Dug document how difficult it was, especially at night!
Good plan. Or go across the street to Monkeypod (especially during happy hour) and try one of theirs. They are strong, but enjoyable.This looks yummy! I don't think i've ever tried a Mai-Tai? Maybe I have but don't remember, so i'll make my first 'official' Mai-Tai at Aulani!
A girl's gotta have choices!
