Hawaii feels a little like the Polynesian

[goofyfordisney]

Steve,

Glad you had another great vacation in Maui! My husband's No. 1 (and only) vacation choice is Maui. I'm hoping to convince him that he can enjoy himself almost as much staying at the Polynesian

Don't get me wrong, I love Maui too, but WDW and the Polynesian would be ideal choice for me and my sons!

You're little boy is adorable! It seems like yesterday that my sons were that age! My oldest is 17 (a senior in high school this year) and my youngest is 12! Enjoy these times with your little guy...it goes way to fast! Good thing that you're getting him into traveling--we did the same with our boys and they are real good travelers!

I do have a question about the pool at the Sheraton...Is it as nice as the Maui Westin? I have heard that it's not as big...any comments about that?
We've stayed at the Westin and the Marriott and liked both a lot. How does the Westin Vacation Club compare to the Maui Westin?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

The best resort areas are Ka’anapali, Kapalua (west Maui area near Lahaina) and Kihei, Wailea (Haleakala area) but we prefer the Ka’anapali area of Maui.
Steve

Ka'anapali is where we stayed also. Can't remember the name of the place but it was on the beach and beautiful.

Maui is definately one of my favorite places. Our family plans on going over to celebrate my oldest graduating from high school........doesn't happen for a few years yet, she is in 7th. She wants to go so badly. Our children will be 18, 15 and 11 by then, so we will be able to snorkle and everything together. I can hardly wait.

I'm sure staying at the Poly reminds you of Hawaii, but nothing substitutes for the real thing. Glad you had a great trip!

 

[lindsey]

I agree the Poly is a nice taste of Hawaii. We had gone to Hawaii for Christmas in 1995, but my oldest son could not go. So we took him and his girlfriend to Disney - Poly Christmas 1996. It was a nice "let-down" from the previous year.

 

[Ladyhawke10]

Thanks so much for sharing a bit of your trip with us! I love Maui, too. So glad you had a great visit

 

[scoutsmom99]

Glad you had a great trip. I have to get to HI some day BTW your son is so cute and he does look ready to move to Maui.

 

[Servants of Evan]

Steve,

I'm usually a Kihei guy myself, but have spent enough time in Ka'anapali to know exactly what you're talking abut -- besides, who doesn't love the Hula Grille? Anyway, it's a bummer about not getting any rain -- the waterfalls along the HH are always so much nicer the following day...
And you know as well as I do, that the Northeast side is passable -- they take the smaller tour busses through there (it's just that you have to fold in your mirrors and drive up the side of the hill to pass them!). Besides, the banana bread is decent... Forget that rental car agreement you signed at the airport and drive that sucker!!!

Servants of Evan

 

[Tikiman]

Hi Steve...........

Sounds amazing!!! I too love the "Islands". We've never stayed at the Polynesian, although we'd love too, we do go "visit" everytime we go to WDW. I love the feel of it........ and all the authentic hawaiian aspects that the Polynesian incorporates. I've been twice to Hawaii, and You are right you can get a sense of " being there" at the Polynesian. It is one of my favorite places............ I'd suggest anyone go and visit the Polynesian, even if you aren't staying there.

I'm glad you had a wonderful trip -- I hope you post some pics...... if not here, perhaps on your site........ let us know, I'd love to see them!!!


Welcome Back......even though I know you rather be there!!!

I sent you a PM with the link to the photos.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Tikiman]

Steve,

Glad you had another great vacation in Maui! My husband's No. 1 (and only) vacation choice is Maui. I'm hoping to convince him that he can enjoy himself almost as much staying at the Polynesian

Don't get me wrong, I love Maui too, but WDW and the Polynesian would be ideal choice for me and my sons!

You're little boy is adorable! It seems like yesterday that my sons were that age! My oldest is 17 (a senior in high school this year) and my youngest is 12! Enjoy these times with your little guy...it goes way to fast! Good thing that you're getting him into traveling--we did the same with our boys and they are real good travelers!

I do have a question about the pool at the Sheraton...Is it as nice as the Maui Westin? I have heard that it's not as big...any comments about that?
We've stayed at the Westin and the Marriott and liked both a lot. How does the Westin Vacation Club compare to the Maui Westin?

Thanks in advance.

The Sheraton built a new pool that wonders around the property and around the bar that is on an island. It does not have a slide like the Westin but the Westin was much too crowded during most of the day to get near the pool. They built the pool when they built the new buildings in the late 90’s. You cannot beat the beach over at the Sheraton being at the widest spot of Ka’anapali beach and being right at Black Rock. Also the grounds at the Sheraton were much larger than the Westin hotel and quieter.

Now the Westin Hotel and the Westin Villas are similar in amenities but the Westin Villas are all new and new location. It is the first new construction they have allowed on Ka’anapali beach for something like 25 years. The rooms at the Westin look like a smaller version of the Villas. Take a Westin Hotel room and make it 1,400 sq-ft and add a dining room, living room and full size kitchen. The pool at the Villas is much like the pool at the Westin Hotel but less crowded.

 

[Tikiman]

Steve,

I'm usually a Kihei guy myself, but have spent enough time in Ka'anapali to know exactly what you're talking abut -- besides, who doesn't love the Hula Grille? Anyway, it's a bummer about not getting any rain -- the waterfalls along the HH are always so much nicer the following day...
And you know as well as I do, that the Northeast side is passable -- they take the smaller tour busses through there (it's just that you have to fold in your mirrors and drive up the side of the hill to pass them!). Besides, the banana bread is decent... Forget that rental car agreement you signed at the airport and drive that sucker!!!

Servants of Evan

HULA GRILL!!!! I can’t even tell you how many times we ate there and the Barefoot Bar (funny that it is the same name as the Polynesian bar) at sunset. They own Kimo’s and Duke’s also.

There were plenty of waterfalls but just no rain at the beach. It all stopped at the mountains. So you got some of the bread? We missed out of the shave ice that is right near the bread place. It was closed but I am told it is the best on the island even if you have to drive an SUV 2 feet from a 50 foot cliff and try to pass someone coming down.

 

[wendypooh]

Hi Steve,

I got it.......... and boy am I jealous!!!! I'd LOVE to get back to Hawaii....... I'm just in love with your little one.......... he's a doll!!! I miss my boys being babies....... they grow up so fast......... I know I don't have to tell you to enjoy him, it's apparent that you do....... just absorb it all, those will be the most prescious memories for you!!! SEE, your little one is making me remember all the wonderful times with my boys when they were little. My baby is almost 6, and he's a "big boy" - just ask him!!! LOL
I think I said earlier, but my other boys are both in college!!!! They really are big boys!!!

Thanks for the pics.......... they were great!!!

 

[Servants of Evan]

Yep, I love the barefoot bar! You hope for a table which hasn't sunk in the black sand, and enjoy some live entertainment off the little stage. It's a wonderful place to spend an evening. And yep, in Lahina Kimos is great (if you can get an upstairs seat) and I've been to Dukes in Waikiki... but I think parking almost cost as much as my meal!

Now, if they could just package up Mothers Fish House and drop that off around here...

Servants of Evan.

 

[*Fantasia*]

Great pixs of your son Kai!! He is so adorable!

For sure... Ka'anapali beach in one the best beach at Maui! Hyatt is an excellent resort. My friend used to work there for some years. When we were there 2 years ago, they were just building the Hyatt time share. Sounds like they are done.

We stayed at the Marriott and this is also a gorgeous resort. They also have time share there. The rep was trying to talk me into buying one... I just told them that if they buy my plane tickets yearly then I will buy a one bedroom from them. Ha ha ha ha... To get an ocean front view... it is so worth every dime! You can see Molakai... you can hear the ocean waves.. and the coconut leaves swaying. I can't afford the Polynesian Lagoon View.. but I will fork out $$ to get the ocean front view in Maui.

All the resorts along the Ka'anapali beach are very nice. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I think Sheraton is the most expensive one there.

 

[Tikiman]

Yep, I love the barefoot bar! You hope for a table which hasn't sunk in the black sand, and enjoy some live entertainment off the little stage. It's a wonderful place to spend an evening. And yep, in Lahina Kimos is great (if you can get an upstairs seat) and I've been to Dukes in Waikiki... but I think parking almost cost as much as my meal!

Now, if they could just package up Mothers Fish House and drop that off around here...

Servants of Evan.

Never seen any black sand at the BB but yeah we got a great table and the entertainment was great as always. Glad we always made reservations for Hula Grill because when we got there they wait was 2 hours.

I never tried to park for Duke’s since we were staying on Waikiki beach so we walked.

The guy “Randy” who we got the fruit from was a chef at Momma’s Fish House. Good food and expensive but this time we never made it over to Paia. Next time.

 

[danalee]

My husband and I were in Maui this past January and he wants to move there!
It is a awesome place~ We stayed at the Grand Wailea and it is breathtaking, to say the least!
If you ever have the chance GO GO GO, you will love it!
Dana
PS: it is a long flight we live in PA and it was an 11 hour flight, but oh so worth it!

 

[Tikiman]

Great pixs of your son Kai!! He is so adorable!

For sure... Ka'anapali beach in one the best beach at Maui! Hyatt is an excellent resort. My friend used to work there for some years. When we were there 2 years ago, they were just building the Hyatt time share. Sounds like they are done.

We stayed at the Marriott and this is also a gorgeous resort. They also have time share there. The rep was trying to talk me into buying one... I just told them that if they buy my plane tickets yearly then I will buy a one bedroom from them. Ha ha ha ha... To get an ocean front view... it is so worth every dime! You can see Molakai... you can hear the ocean waves.. and the coconut leaves swaying. I can't afford the Polynesian Lagoon View.. but I will fork out $$ to get the ocean front view in Maui.

All the resorts along the Ka'anapali beach are very nice. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them. I think Sheraton is the most expensive one there.

The Sheraton has some rooms that are expensive ($500 and up a night for Ocean View) but Westin and some of the others are just as much. The Ka’anapali Beach Hotel next to the Sheraton where the ones who came in and helped with the redesign of the Polynesian back in the mid 90’s.

Marriott’s time shares were much less expensive but they are converted hotel rooms and were not originally set up as condos. We did purchase an Ocean view villa and you are right that it is worth the money. Not that looking at the West Maui mountains is bad but nothing beats the sunset between Moloka’i and Lana’i.

 

[KarenP]

Hi, Steve! I remember you talking about starting to plan a trip to Hawaii when I met you at the Polynesian pool in 2002. I am glad that you were finally able to take the trip. It sounds like heaven. I hope to make it there someday myself.

Kai is a beautiful baby! Thanks for sharing pics.

Karen

 

[erikthewise]

Welcome back, Steve! And thanks for the "not a trip report". Kai is such a cutie!

I've never been to Maui. Is there one spot that really resonates with the Polynesian, like the Cultural Center on Oahu? Or is it just the whole island?

My TA, Laura Santarpia of Small World, moved to Maui with her husband a few months ago. Next time you head that way you might want to get in touch with her. She's a WDW fanatic and used to spend a lot of time on these boards. She preferred the Yacht Club to the Polynesian, but other than that she's all right.

 

[Patty3]

Hi Steve, I read your posts and you got me really looking forward to our Maui trip in January. This will be our third trip to Hawaii in the past 4 years. This time we are only going to Maui and spending ten days there. The other two times we were in Maui we stayed at the Four Seasons in Wailea and we loved it there. So that is where we will be staying this time as well. We have not had the shaved ice in Maui, just at Massimoto's on Oahu. Can you tell me where you get the banana bread and the shaved ice on Maui? Our favorite restaurants are Momma's Fish House, PacificO, Spagos, Roys and Nicks. We have been to Hula Girl for lunch and it was very good. Are there any other restaurants that you could recommend? Thanks.

 

[Tikiman]

Hi, Steve! I remember you talking about starting to plan a trip to Hawaii when I met you at the Polynesian pool in 2002. I am glad that you were finally able to take the trip. It sounds like heaven. I hope to make it there someday myself.

Kai is a beautiful baby! Thanks for sharing pics.

Karen

Aloha Karen,

Seems like yesterday. Yeah we made it twice in 2003. First time we skipped the Polynesian since we were together. I hope you make it out there also. It gives you a new appreciation for the Polynesian.

Good to hear from you again.

Aloha

Steve

 

[Tikiman]

Welcome back, Steve! And thanks for the "not a trip report". Kai is such a cutie!

I've never been to Maui. Is there one spot that really resonates with the Polynesian, like the Cultural Center on Oahu? Or is it just the whole island?

My TA, Laura Santarpia of Small World, moved to Maui with her husband a few months ago. Next time you head that way you might want to get in touch with her. She's a WDW fanatic and used to spend a lot of time on these boards. She preferred the Yacht Club to the Polynesian, but other than that she's all right.

Yes Laura called me a few times before going to Hawaii and asked for some suggestions. I talked her into trying Maui because she was looking at other islands and I believe she did make it over to Kauai also but she let me know that she was so glad I talked her into Maui and that they were moving there. We have had many conversations and I would love to talk to her again.

As far as a resort being like the Polynesian well I find many things at different resorts or the grounds around the resorts very much like the Polynesian. The Old Lahaina Luau is a great evening dinner and show that feels much like the Polynesian. They now have a breakfast show also. The grounds around the Sheraton with the torch lit winding paths reminds me of the Polynesian at night.