It All Started with a Massive Price Glitch - Aulani Nov. 2014 PTR ~ Updated 12/6 - TR

[schmass]

This sounds like great news all around! Better quality of life plus more Hawaii time -

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Glad to hear that the new job is going well for Dug - I can imagine it being a challenge to build up that sense of team with everyone being remote though

Obviously the best part is the increased bond he seems to be building with Izzy ... oh, and extra sleep for you is good too

And that is great that his new job is ok with him getting in a bit late to the first day knowing that it is better for him. Not all companies would be like that - especially for new employees. Well, a lot of companies would probably say things like "we support work/life balance" but not necessarily walk-the-walk, so glad to hear is seems like Dug found an honest to goodness good place to work

And if you add up 2 weekends and 2 1/2 Fridays, it is really like you will be together for 5 days and on your own without him for only 4 (or 4.5) so, certainly could have been much, much worse!

Glad things are coming together and are working out as well as they realistically could have!

 

[Dugette]

This sounds like great news all around! Better quality of life plus more Hawaii time -

Yes, good news!

Glad to hear that the new job is going well for Dug - I can imagine it being a challenge to build up that sense of team with everyone being remote though

Yeah, it's a bit challenging to get into the swing of things.

Obviously the best part is the increased bond he seems to be building with Izzy ... oh, and extra sleep for you is good too

Both very good things!

And that is great that his new job is ok with him getting in a bit late to the first day knowing that it is better for him. Not all companies would be like that - especially for new employees. Well, a lot of companies would probably say things like "we support work/life balance" but not necessarily walk-the-walk, so glad to hear is seems like Dug found an honest to goodness good place to work

Yes, I think so. It will always be a bit tainted by the whole oh-you-have-a-trip-maybe-we're-not-a-good-fit thing. But at least there was some compromise. They did make it clear to Dug that they really do care about people's well-being there, so that's good.

And if you add up 2 weekends and 2 1/2 Fridays, it is really like you will be together for 5 days and on your own without him for only 4 (or 4.5) so, certainly could have been much, much worse!

Exactly! We managed to salvage over half of the time together, so could be much worse. And he gets to fly First Class with us both ways.

Glad things are coming together and are working out as well as they realistically could have!

Thanks, me too! It's still weird to think about, but we're making the best of it, I think.

 

[Dugette]

We are exactly one month from our trip! Before bed tonight, Izzy picked up a little book suitcase thing, gave me the other one, and said we're going to Hawaii. Guess she's ready. She agreed to wait a month, though.

So, the purpose of this post (and what I anticipate to be posts for the next 9 days) is to review the details of the schedule. I did this with our last WDW trip and found that it helped me to work through some of the logistics and think about things that I hadn't initially anticipated. It's a good way to organize my thoughts and be able to review them later (like on the trip itself!) So, here goes:

We leave on a Friday. We will both take the day off of work and keep Izzy home from daycare. With any luck, we'll be all packed and just toss in our last-minute things in the morning. We'll have breakfast at home, then head to the airport around 9am. We are hoping to enlist the awesome "airport shuttle" services of Dug's sister, as we often do (she lives near the airport and lets us park in her driveway), but we have not consulted her on that yet. Need to do so! If not, my step-mom may be able to give us a ride (she and my dad are dog-sitting for us. Hmmm, that reminds me, we still have to figure out who will stop in and check on our cat - probably either Dug's best friend or my mom, as they both have before).

At any rate, our flight is at 11:30am. First Class, baby! I anticipate that we will check at least 4 bags, seeing as we'll surely want a big checked bag each, Izzy will need at least a carry-on sized bag, and Dug will probably want a carry-on for his trip-within-a-trip. We have a ridiculous allowance of 3 bags of 75 pounds each, even Izzy! If only the rental car had room for all of that! I really don't want to carry a bunch on the plane, but that comes with the toddler-traveling territory. So, we'll probably have: Izzy's travel carseat, Izzy's stroller (gate-check), probably the Ergo, Izzy's Minnie backpack filled with toys and snacks, Dug's backpack filled with electronics and books, the small diaper-changing kit, and whatever I need that I haven't stuffed into another bag, I guess.

According to our flight confirmation, it looks like we will be provided with lunch on the plane. We have a layover at LAX from 1:30-2:45pm. I THINK we stay on the same plane, but I'm not 100% clear on that. The next flight also has a "lunch" listed, but I guess that is our dinner. Hoping the flights go well and Izzy can handle such a long time in confinement. She does love anything that flies, though. (Just checked and all the First Class seats have finally filled in - I bet those passengers will be SO excited to see a 2-year-old board with them! ) Hoping that Dug and I get the chance to sit back and really enjoy our Fist Class experience too. We land at 6:35pm, Hawaiian time. This will feel like 10:35pm Minnesota time to us. So, in theory, Izzy may sleep through the last few hours of the flight (in addition to napping earlier, hopefully). I'm not sure if I want her to sleep too early, though, since I'd like her to at least partially adjust to the time change so as not to wake up crazy early in the morning.

Once we arrive, we need to pick up our rental car. I'm still discount-shopping, but we currently have a full-size (Ford Fusion, etc.) with Alamo for $229 through Costco. I finally broke down and joined Costco, as their rates were $45 below discounthawaiicarrental and the membership was $55. And we can get the cheap gas there, plus maybe some souvenirs and food for our trip. Here's a question for those who have rented a car at HNL: recall all those bags we'll have, not to mention the sleeping toddler - should I run over to Alamo (shuttle) myself and loop back to pick up Dug and Izzy and our stuff? Is that easy to do?

Once we get settled into our car, we'll hit the road towards Aulani. With a couple pit stops. First, we need to go to Leonard's Malasadamobile! After only two lunches, I'm sure we'll be hungry. I'm thinking we'll maybe get a dozen in a variety of flavors, so we can have a few fresh and save leftovers for breakfasts/snacks. Hoping this will be a quick pit stop. Next, I think we will need to make a quick pit stop at Target (or Costco?) I want to do the main shopping trip after Dug leaves, but I realized that we are now doing a lot of our island touring before picking up some pop and water, so I'd like to just do that upon arrival. We plan to get at least one of Aulani's refillable mugs, but that won't get us through all-day island touring. I plan to bring our soft-sided cooler and probably an ice pack (maybe will carry this on the plane with Izzy's milk...). If anyone has purchased drinks at these places, do you have a preference between Costco and Target? Keep in mind, I get 10% team member and 5% red card discount at Target. Is Costco even open late? )

After our quick stops, it's on to paradise! I can't wait to pull up to Aulani! I've heard they do a great job of welcoming guests home and presenting leis and all. We get free parking with our DVC room (rented points), so one of us will park the car I guess (probably me). I think we'll have bell services help us with all the bags and the drinks. So excited to take in the beautiful lobby and to see our room (even if it is a lackluster view).

Assuming that Izzy can continue to sleep in her stroller, I'd like to just drop our things in the room, then walk around the resort together to get the lay of the land. Many of the pool areas close at 8pm, but the main pool and hot tubs are open until 10pm, so we could switch off using the hot tub if we are really ambitious (and if there's time).

Then we need to get some sleep, as I'm sure we'll be wiped out after the long day and 4-hour time difference. Hoping we can transfer Izzy into the pack 'n' play for the rest of the night, but I'm not opposed to leaving her sleeping in the stroller if need be. We will sleep as much as Izzy allows, but will be up in time for our 7am breakfast with the characters at Makahiki!

I can't say that I often look forward to the travel day of a trip, but I actually am with this one. Between the First Class flights, malasadas, and arrival at Aulani, it sounds like a pretty darn nice way to spend a Friday!

 

[AprilRenee]

It does sound like a rather nice Friday!! I always think the travel part is exciting. But I'm one of those weirdos who loves flying. Lol

 

[AprilRenee]

Ps I'm totally planning to steal this idea for my PTR. I have had it planned since you did it in your PTR.

 

[schmass]

Sounds like a great travel day! I forgot that you guys are going First Class - so nice! That bag allowance is CRAZY!

Hopefully Izzy lets you sleep in a bit the next morning! Hopefully she'll be tuckered out from traveling, even if she does sleep for part of it.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

sounds like a pretty good plan - though, not sure how long it takes to get off the plane, get the car, etc. Just thinking that after that and your two stops it might be rather late by the time to get to Aulaini - combined with the 4 hour time difference and then the early breakfast, just thinking more than minimal touring of the resort seems ambitious to me ... but who knows - you might be on such a high that you can't sleep and might as well be productive.

BTW - how are your seats set up on the plane? are you in same row across the aisle or is someone behind the others?

 

[my3princes]

We did a big family trip to Hawaii 2 years ago. It was amazing and if airfare wasn't so expensive we'd go back in a heartbeat and our kids agree. Did you look at the goOahu card? Lots of things on your list are included on that card. We loved Kualoa ranch (we ended up going on 2 different days for 2 different tours). Waimea Valley was gorgeous. Very stroller friendly. Your daughter would love Sea Life Park (50 First Dates). Oahu was gorgeous with the exception of the Waikiki area which is nothing like the postcards

 

[Dugette]

It does sound like a rather nice Friday!! I always think the travel part is exciting. But I'm one of those weirdos who loves flying. Lol

Yeah, I could do without the flying. Though, I have to admit, I am traveling for work in a couple weeks (to AZ) and I'm kinda looking forward to a flight where I don't have to wait on a toddler hand and foot. I can just read or something! It's a lot of work tending to a toddler that's stuck in an enclosed space for hours. And Izzy's actually a very good airline passenger - but still a lot of work.

Ps I'm totally planning to steal this idea for my PTR. I have had it planned since you did it in your PTR.

Go for it! I know others have done it too. I find it really helpful to walk through the plans in a narrative form - I already have the Excel sheets, but I always come up with some new observations when I do this.

Sounds like a great travel day! I forgot that you guys are going First Class - so nice! That bag allowance is CRAZY!

I know, can you imagine if we all brought our full allowance of free bags?! I don't know how one would transport those before/after the airplane. Super excited about the First Class. And, to think, that was just my last-minute, "Hey, it's only a few dollars (literally) more to pick First Class! Why not, this will never go through anyway..."

Hopefully Izzy lets you sleep in a bit the next morning! Hopefully she'll be tuckered out from traveling, even if she does sleep for part of it.

Yes, I hope she does okay with the sleep/time zone changes. She did really well back when we went to Oregon - better than I thought she would with the two hour change. So, I have hope!

sounds like a pretty good plan - though, not sure how long it takes to get off the plane, get the car, etc. Just thinking that after that and your two stops it might be rather late by the time to get to Aulaini - combined with the 4 hour time difference and then the early breakfast, just thinking more than minimal touring of the resort seems ambitious to me ... but who knows - you might be on such a high that you can't sleep and might as well be productive.

I know, I was trying to think through the time frame from plane to Aulani. We arrive at 6:30pm, then I figure we'll be getting our car around 7pm, hitting the road and making our couple stops on the way...so maybe getting to Aulani around 8:30pm or so? We are both night owls at home anyway, so the "feel" of 12:30am probably won't be terrible for us, especially getting up a BIT later than a normal workday. The original idea was to stay up a bit to adjust to the new time zone and that's what I've left things like. However, with Dug leaving again in two days for a time zone two hours later, I don't know that it's the best idea. But I guess he'll have to deal with it. And we have that early breakfast because it will feel like 11am, so I'd think we'd all be up and hungry. But, yeah, I don't think we'd do a TON of resort-wandering that night. I'd like to at least get the lay of the land, though. Figuring out where things are right away and when it's not too crowded sounds appealing to me. And just taking it all in, of course. But I doubt that would be more than like an hour? We'll see, I guess.

BTW - how are your seats set up on the plane? are you in same row across the aisle or is someone behind the others?

Funny, Dug just asked me the same question last night. We left it with the default that has us all in the same row, two and one across the aisle. So, Izzy will need to be by the window, due to the carseat and I was thinking we could maybe trade off sitting by her and having a break in the other seat. I figured it would probably be easier to talk to each other across the aisle vs. turning around, especially with the bigger gap between rows in First Class.

We did a big family trip to Hawaii 2 years ago. It was amazing and if airfare wasn't so expensive we'd go back in a heartbeat and our kids agree. Did you look at the goOahu card? Lots of things on your list are included on that card. We loved Kualoa ranch (we ended up going on 2 different days for 2 different tours). Waimea Valley was gorgeous. Very stroller friendly. Your daughter would love Sea Life Park (50 First Dates). Oahu was gorgeous with the exception of the Waikiki area which is nothing like the postcards

and glad to hear it was such a wonderful trip for your family! I'm sure we will want to go back again too, but we are never going to be able to take the airfare seriously after this...paying 10 times as much (for coach) would be a good deal "in real life". Someday, though!

You know, I did look at the Go Oahu card, but I've changed up some plans since then, so I should check on that again. I know that it was not a good deal for what we initially had planned. I think Costco has something like that too, so now that we have a membership, I guess I should check on that. Thanks for the recommendations on the places to visit! That's especially great to hear about Waimea Valley, as I'm hoping to get a good stroller walk in there and have some nice scenery for myself.

 

[Dugette]

I have to say, I am SUPER excited for this day! Of course, we are doing a LOT more in one day than we had initially planned, since we want Dug to participate, but I think it's manageable and doesn't sound too exhausting.

We start with a 7am breakfast buffet with the characters at Makahiki. We went with the earliest time slot, as we figure that it will feel like 11am to us and we will all be up and hungry and ready to start our first full day in paradise!

At this breakfast, you meet Mickey before going in and get pictures (I don't believe Photopass is there, though). Then, while you eat, Hawaiian Minnie and Goofy come around. This will be perfect for Izzy! She LOVES Minnie!!! And she recently has started identifying Goofy by name (and not just "doggie"), so I think she'll enjoy him too. There is also an Aunty character that gets the kids out for games and such, much like 'Ohana dinner entertainment, I think. Izzy may get into that - she's such a little dancer these days!

I anticipate this breakfast taking about an hour or so, then we will hop in the car and head for Kualoa Ranch! I was looking at routes and realized that we could knock off one of my must-do's on the way: driving the scenic H-3! So, it should be a really pretty drive, then we'll end up at a really pretty ranch. Plus, it's a weekend, so traffic going past Honolulu shouldn't be too bad, I hope.

I booked us tickets for their 1-hour Movie Tour at 10am. We are supposed to check in at 9:30am. I think we should have enough time. The tour is on a windowless bus (ETA - a bus with windows that are open air and no glass) and goes around the ranch to different sites where various movies were filmed. And it's scenic and beautiful, from what I hear. This is one of the only things at Kualoa Ranch that we can do with a 2-year-old, so we're just going to do that, maybe swing by the small free petting zoo for Izzy, and head out.

Next, we'll head to Uncle Bobo's BBQ for some lunch. It's on the way to our next destination and highly recommended, plus Dug loves BBQ, so should be a good stop. I just read in Oahu Revealed that it can get crowded, but there's plenty of seating at the beach across the street, so we'll keep that in mind.

After lunch, we'll drive a short bit more along the coast to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Again, much like Kualoa Ranch, this is a place with all kinds of things you can do. But, again, we're opting just to keep it minimal and do general admission - no special shows, etc. The PCC doesn't actually open until noon, so the timing should work out well. We'll go in, get Izzy settled into her stroller for a nap (hopefully!), and we'll walk around the different "islands/villages" and stop to see some of the shows. I did see in the Oahu Revealed book that they recommend taking the canoe to the far end right away, then walking back. I'd like to do that, but I'm not sure what we'd need to do with our stroller? If it's feasible, I'd like to try that. We'll see, I can't find any good info on how they handle strollers with the canoes.

After we decide we've seen enough of the PCC, we'll get back in the car (with a hopefully nap-refreshed Izzy) and start back towards Aulani. However, there is another attraction on our way: the Dole Plantation. For some reason, they are only open until 5pm, so we will have to see what time it is and go from there. Assuming we are there before 5, I'd like to stop and do the little train ride for Izzy, then enjoy some Dole Whips. However, if we don't have time, they do have Dole Whips at Aulani now, so it's not the end of the world.

I wanted to just do a quick (but still tasty) dinner this evening so that we can enjoy the early-closing areas of the waterpark afterwards. So, I have us getting dinner at the Kua Aina burger place near Aulani. Mmmm, pineapple bacon cheeseburgers...!

After dinner, we'll return to Aulani and probably get Izzy to bed, then trade off going down to try the watersides and/or lazy river. Hoping we have enough time, as they close at 8pm and I read the whole lazy river loop takes 29 minutes. We'll see what we can get in, I guess. Wish they kept things open later!

Since the hot tubs and main pool are open until 10pm, we can try them too, if we didn't the first night (or just want to again). However, we do need to get to bed at a reasonable time, as we have another early morning and busy day ahead (before Dug leaves for his trip-within-a-trip that night!)

Oh, side note, Dug was looking into the resort he's staying at in Palm Springs and it turns out that it has a Disney connection! I guess it was Walt Disney's "laughing place"! Ha, I just found this awesome tidbit about it: Walt’s love for the resort was symbolized by a stylized “STR” emblem emblazoned on his necktie, as seen today in the beloved “Partners” statue found in the Disney Parks. I guess it was a special place to him. So, that's kinda neat. Dug gets to trade one Disney paradise for another I guess.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Sounds like a fun and full - but not crazy full - day. Obviously a number of the stops you are making are at places one could probably spend a whole day at, but knowing there are only so many things there you can do with a toddler I think things should work out - assuming the jetlag isn't too bad at least

By the way, when you say at the ranch on the movie tour you go out in a "windowless bus" I was all sorts of confused thinking how can you take in the sights if there are no windows and you can't see out? Is it, like they keep each area a surprise until you get off the bus? .... then realized you probably just meant that there is no glass in the openings, not that there are no openings.

That is cool about Dug's resort. I actually just finished a Disney fiction adventure/mystery book ("The Key to the Kingdom" by Jeff Dixon) and the "STR" in Walt's tie clip plays a role/is one of the clues

 

[Dugette]

Sounds like a fun and full - but not crazy full - day. Obviously a number of the stops you are making are at places one could probably spend a whole day at, but knowing there are only so many things there you can do with a toddler I think things should work out - assuming the jetlag isn't too bad at least By the way, when you say at the ranch on the movie tour you go out in a "windowless bus" I was all sorts of confused thinking how can you take in the sights if there are no windows and you can't see out? Is it, like they keep each area a surprise until you get off the bus? .... then realized you probably just meant that there is no glass in the openings, not that there are no openings. That is cool about Dug's resort. I actually just finished a Disney fiction adventure/mystery book ("The Key to the Kingdom" by Jeff Dixon) and the "STR" in Walt's tie clip plays a role/is one of the clues

Re: the windowless bus

I actually just re-read my entry and was thinking the same thing, but couldn't figure out how to edit a post from the DIS app (I'm on the bus to work). But you are correct in your assumption, no glass!

 

[schmass]

Sounds like a great day! Busy, but great! When we went to Maui for our honeymoon, the time change really helped with waking up early. Of course for me it also meant I had a hard time staying up late, as well, but I'm in bed early anyway.

I'm definitely going to have to refer back to your report when we finally make it to Aulani!

Wow, the lazy river loop takes 29 minutes? That is a long time!

So cool about the Disney connection to the hotel Dug will be staying at.

 

[AprilRenee]

Haha! I thought the same thing about the bus!! I was really confused and reread the paragraph like 3 times. Haha

Sounds like a fun day! I love being busy busy busy so this sounds awesome to me. Haha

 

[Dugette]

Haha! I thought the same thing about the bus!! I was really confused and reread the paragraph like 3 times. Haha

Sounds like a fun day! I love being busy busy busy so this sounds awesome to me. Haha

Busy at work today, so just now had a chance to go back and edit it!

 

[Dugette]

Sounds like a fun and full - but not crazy full - day. Obviously a number of the stops you are making are at places one could probably spend a whole day at, but knowing there are only so many things there you can do with a toddler I think things should work out - assuming the jetlag isn't too bad at least

Exactly - those places could both be full days, but not with a 2-year-old. So, I think it will work okay for us to do both, just in limited doses. When we had the whole time together, I was going to split them up, but we'll be okay. Yeah, hoping we'll handle jetlag okay - especially since the daylight savings time switch is only a handful of days before our trip, so it might seem more like a 5-hour difference to us, depending on if we've acclimated to that one yet. As with all trips with a toddler, we'll try to remain flexible and willing to change things on the fly.

By the way, when you say at the ranch on the movie tour you go out in a "windowless bus" I was all sorts of confused thinking how can you take in the sights if there are no windows and you can't see out? Is it, like they keep each area a surprise until you get off the bus? .... then realized you probably just meant that there is no glass in the openings, not that there are no openings.

So funny you were writing this as I was trying to figure out how to edit it for the same reason. Oh, well, I've added an explanation to it now.

That is cool about Dug's resort. I actually just finished a Disney fiction adventure/mystery book ("The Key to the Kingdom" by Jeff Dixon) and the "STR" in Walt's tie clip plays a role/is one of the clues

Hmmm, I'll have to keep that book in mind. Was it good? Yeah, I had no idea that there was an STR on Walt's tie clip until now. I guess this will work out well, because Dug can take pics on his retreat and I can include them in the TR and they will still be Disney-related.

Sounds like a great day! Busy, but great! When we went to Maui for our honeymoon, the time change really helped with waking up early. Of course for me it also meant I had a hard time staying up late, as well, but I'm in bed early anyway.

Yes, I've heard that we should take advantage of waking up early at the beginning of the trip, especially because Izzy may continue to do so. However, we are both night people, so I'm hoping that helps us to adjust a bit too and that we can take advantage of the evenings.

I'm definitely going to have to refer back to your report when we finally make it to Aulani!

Yes, especially the post-trip report, so you can see how things actually work out. It seems like there are not nearly as many Aulani TRs as WDW, so it's been a little tougher for me to plan things...I actually have to use guidebooks and the internet.

Wow, the lazy river loop takes 29 minutes? That is a long time!

That's what I thought! But I know I read that somewhere. Back when I thought Dug would be around every evening, I had fantasies of just going around and around the lazy river while he stayed in the room with sleeping Izzy. But, between it closing at 8pm and him being gone half the trip, I'll settle for one full loop. Hopefully. I think I will see if Izzy will ride with me during the day, but it won't be the same relaxing event that way.

So cool about the Disney connection to the hotel Dug will be staying at.

Yeah, that was totally unexpected, but pretty neat. It's a "ranch" and has cabins, etc. and I guess Walt liked to get away there and teach his girls to ride horses and such.

Haha! I thought the same thing about the bus!! I was really confused and reread the paragraph like 3 times. Haha

Sorry for the confusion. Funny how something can make perfect sense at night when written, then seem very odd in the morning when read.

Sounds like a fun day! I love being busy busy busy so this sounds awesome to me. Haha

Yay! I'm with you on that. Neither Dug nor I is much of a "beach vacation person". We don't like to sit around and do nothing for too long. We like to get out and see things we can't see at home. And do new things. But, at the same time, I know that I will need to relax a bit during the week and there is a whole big relaxing resort we have access to, so I will need to have some R&R time. Well, as much as you can have while watching a toddler.

 

[Dugette]

Not the best picture, but this little gal once again grabbed her "suitcase" tonight and said, "I'm going to Hawaii":



I told her that she needs to wear a lei in Hawaii and gave her that one (from the Poly). Man, she's going to be ready to go in a month!

Okay, so this day looks INTIMIDATING on my Excel sheet, but I think it's actually less crazy than it looks. Reason being: we'll be touring around part of the island and I put down each sight I want to see, so the list is long. However, these things are all short distances apart and not things you stay at for long. So, I think it will be okay.

We need to be up and ready early today, since we'll need to leave for Pearl Harbor by 6:30am. We'll munch on some of our leftover malasadas for breakfast before heading out. The plan is to arrive at Pearl Harbor around 7:15am, as our first ticket is for 8:15am and you are supposed to arrive an hour early. (Why, I don't know - seems excessive ). At any rate, one of us will go in and spend that hour looking around the museum while the other person (and Izzy) go over to the nearby Aloha Stadium Swap Meet.

For the Pearl Harbor person, the tour starts with a 23-minute movie at 8:15, followed by a boat ride out to the Arizona Memorial, a short time there, and boat back. Should be done around 9:30am. Whichever one of us did the Swap Meet will meet back here at 9:30 to trade off. They will look through the museum until their 10:00 ticket time and the other will take Izzy back to Aloha Stadium. The second person's tour should be done about 11:15 and they can look around the museum a bit more afterwards, while the Swap Meet person comes back.

The goal is to head out around 11:30am. We want to eat before Izzy needs to nap (though, with the time changes, she may already be and we'll wing it). Dug really, really wants to have "conveyor belt sushi" in Hawaii, so I found a place nearby that has good reviews (Kuru Kuru Sushi). He can have that and I'll grab something either at the Swap Meet or Pearl Harbor (like a hot dog). Izzy may have some of each, we'll see. Kid loves hot dogs AND sushi.

After lunch, we start our scenic drive and Izzy can nap in the car (all lookouts should be close to the parking, so we can trade off going to look if she's sleeping). We'll start by taking the Pali Highway (61) to Nu'uanu Pali. I was going to do the H-3 here, but then realized we could do it the previous day. That is great, as the Pali Highway has great views too. The H-3 is a freeway that is scenic, but the Pali Highway is one of those switchback "scary" roads with viewpoints you can stop at. That's my understanding, at least. So, we'll take that to the Pali Lookout, which has a great view and is very windy. So happy that Dug will get to see this, as I wasn't able to fit it in while he was there until they booked his flight out so late!

Next, we continue along the scenic roads to the coast and stop at Lanikai Beach. Not to hang out, but just to see the postcard-like view and walk through the soft, white sand. If Izzy's awake, we'll let her run around. If not, we'll trade off and maybe I'll take her back another day. Maybe.

After the picturesque beach, we'll continue along the coast to the Makapu'u Point Overlook. I really want to do the "hike" (paved trail) to the lighthouse, but I'm not sure if that will be done today or on a non-Dug day. It will depend if Dug is feeling up for it, if we have the time, and if Izzy is awake (or could be transferred into her stroller for nap). We'll at least check out the view near the parking, though.

Next stop, not far down the road, is the Halona Blowhole. It's a rock formation that kind-of spits water. I'm sure that's a terrible description, but we're gonna go see it.

Just down the road from that is Hanauma Bay, known for it's amazing snorkeling and coral reefs. I think we'll just go to the lookout and check it out from afar.

At that point, we should be near Kona Brewing Company, which was another Dug meal request. So, we'll stop so he can have some beer and we can grab some dinner there.

After dinner, we'll continue on past Waikiki and make a quick stop at Ala Moana Beach Park to get a glimpse of the Diamond Head/Waikiki/ocean view. There is a nice paved trail from this park to nearby Magic Island and I would like to walk that with Izzy in her stroller, but I'll save that for when Dug's gone. There's also a nice shopping center across the street, I guess.

After checking out the view, we'll go back to Aulani to get Izzy to bed. Temporarily, at least. We will take that time to either enjoy the resort, rest, or both. Maybe both switching off. I anticipate us having at least 2-3 hours at the resort before needing to head to the airport around 9:30pm. Hoping we can keep Izzy sleeping in her carseat. Might be a rough night moving her around, though. We'll drop Dug off around 10pm or so for his 11:50pm flight to Palm Springs.

After the drop off, Izzy and I will go back and head to bed. We'll see how well we sleep and play it by ear with our loose plans for the next morning. Nothing reserved, so we can change things up as needed if we are wiped out.

So, yeah, that's our last super-full day before our slow days start.

 

[AprilRenee]

Haha izzy is so funny!

And dang that's a late flight! Holy cow!
I think your plan to play the next morning by ear is a good one. Hopefully izzy will just go back to sleep when she gets back to the hotel. Caden is great with transfers but I usually can't transfer him into the car. Only out of it. Fingers crossed she makes it easy for you!

 

[Dugette]

Haha izzy is so funny!

She's so fun. I cannot believe how much she talks now. I hope Hawaii is as good as she seems to think it is.

And dang that's a late flight! Holy cow!

I know! We really don't need it THAT late, given when Izzy will go to sleep and all, but it was either that or WAY early, so we went with what his work suggested. Crazy night in store for us, I guess.

I think your plan to play the next morning by ear is a good one. Hopefully izzy will just go back to sleep when she gets back to the hotel. Caden is great with transfers but I usually can't transfer him into the car. Only out of it. Fingers crossed she makes it easy for you!

Yeah, I don't know what's going to happen this evening. But at least we can get some extra sleep the next few days, if needed.