Lama pa'ipa'i on the Lanai – an Aulani TR -Aloha and Mahalo Aulani! Link to PTR 11/5

[rentayenta]

Have you been to WCC before? Its the ketchup place right? And the milkshakes come in mason jars? Looks like a fun place for a big group. I may have to add it to our next trip list.

 

[franandaj]

OK, like I said on Jenny's TR, I have been lurking and following, but wanted to post from the computer. I'm actually at the computer, but it's late and I'm exhausted, so I'll be brief.

The whole Lazy River second chance sounded great. The pre made thing from Costco, I would have been kind of about. I'm not a big sweet potato fan and would have liked more meat than Taro, although I like spinach a lot too.

I hope the Mahi Mahi works out better for you, that's one of my favorites. We tend to go for more standard comfort foods in the "in room" meals and use our dining out for the adventuresome choices. I guess it's just the being away from home, we would rather have something familiar if I'm cooking to bring us back home instead of venturing out further.

But hey! To each his own, glad you had plenty of cocktails to make it all good!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Cynthia! What a perfectly heavenly end to a heavenly day! I'm glad you got at least half a sunset.
Sorry to hear about your Latex troubles. I am sensitive to latex and nylon, too - it can be quite uncomfortable at times. But so far I'm still able to do cottons with spandex if the percentage is small enough. I didn't think about it increasing with time.

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Your ADRs for the New Year's trip look really good, and it appears you have quite a trip planned. I'm not sure about FW, but every time I have been there for a NY trip where NYD falls in the middle of the week, the resorts and parks have kept the decorations up until the weekend after New Years Day, so hopefully that won't change for you.

Enjoyed your latest update! The actual sunset may have been blocked, but you still can't beat the view of the beach and the ocean at sunset. And of course more pool and water slides in the evening is a great way to end the day!

I'm not so sure about that pork dish. I am not a fan of poi, but hopefully the taro leaves taste a lot better themselves. If it is like spinach then I probably would like that part, but they can keep the root! I agree on the sweet potato in any dish can't be a bad thing!!!

Myers Dark Rum, and Captain Morgan on the counter. I would definitely get into the Lama pa'ipa'i on the Lanai! And again, lots of great resort pics to enjoy!!!

 

[eandesmom]

First of all, so sorry to hear about your allergy. Total PITA! I generally enjoy the benefits of spandex, but I can see how it would be really tough to find clothes without it.

Odd huh, the stuff we take for granted. Spandex, who knew!

What an incredible evening you had. It really does sound like heaven. The taro thing looks...interesting. I don't even know what butterfish is. But I do love sweet potatoes!

It was good, not anything I'd rush to get again but glad we tried.

Your plans for December look great. We did lunch at BoG back in December and it was cool. The food was good and we definitely got to take in the atmosphere, which is really the point anyway, right?

In some ways I think lunch would be far better for this group with the picky kids. But the boys REALLY want me to try for dinner, so we will see. They are very adamant about it. Lunch is the back up plan.

Cynthia your evening trip down the lazy river and the sunset photos... that just screams vacation!

I'm telling you Brenda, there is nothing like that lazy river to get you in vacation mode quickly!

Since I'm getting caught up.... several highlights that stuck out.

"Vacation brain" I may have to borrow that phrase since I am well acquainted with what that feels like.

It's a good, and a bad thing. Mostly good though!

The view from your second room is so very perfect. Your planning and research to know what to request certainly paid off!

We couldn't have been happier with our room.

What's up with rx sunglasses not having the lenses inserted? But on the other hand, what awesome service from the CM.

I've never tried to order them online like that. I have a cheapo pair that I did online (which speaking of, I've no idea what happened to them) but I wasn't thrilled with the quality. I have 2 pairs of RX that I use now with progressives in them, the other non progressive ones are sadly unused, but I've always had them made at the eye doctors so have never even had to consider putting in the lenses. These were very nice RayBans and it made me nervous that we'd break them putting them in!

I completely understand about the family trip madness and need to book ADRs.
I was going to suggest Big River Grille but you are ahead of me on that one. I'm glad to hear that Raglan Road has a Sunday brunch option. Or is it other days they offer breakfast as well? Captain's Grille is always a nice back up in case it is ever needed for any meals. I guess I should keep in mind you are talking about up to 14 people so definitely advance planning is necessary.

I think Raglan is only Sunday Brunch but I need to check, it's a newer option.

Theoretically it could be as many as 16. I don't think that will happen, right now we are up to 8 for sure, 4 more probable/possible and the rest a total crap shoot. I am hoping if I made them for 14 and we show up with 16 it will be ok. I'm debating between Captains Grille and Kouzzina for the arrival day breakfast. I don't know anyone else's dates yet either but they won't match ours exactly, that much I know.

And finally, I'm so sorry for the frustration with your contact allergy. I have never given thought to the fact that much of the construction of necessary undergarments are made with the offending fabric. Yikes! I completely understand the fact that trying to rebuild a wardrobe to eliminate these items is not only difficult but costly. Hang in there and I hope that you find a solution quickly that brings relief.

Who would have though it? Not me that's for sure. It is definitely a "new" kind of label reading for me

All caught up! I totally understand the end of year crunch & craziness! The boys finished school on Thursday & I finally feel like I can breathe! We didn't have any graduations to deal with but plenty of field trips, concerts & sporting events.

Yes, today is the boys first day of summer break! I of course am off to work but yesterday was the first day I felt I could breathe.

I'm am really enjoying reading about Aulani! It sounds so relaxing. Sorry you didn't get to see the sunset from your villa but the view is fantastic!

We missed the sunset but the view more than made up for it. We considered walking around in front ot the JW one night to see what we could see but...enjoyed our own lanai to much to bother!

Sorry about the difficulties in planning the NYE trip. I cannot even imagine planning for so many groups. I think your idea of ADRs for 6 & 8 is a good one. Best of luck with Be Our Guest. We got lucky and didn't have any trouble getting ADRs there for our trip last April. I actually had three at one point until we narrowed down our itinerary & canceled the two extras. Hopefully I made someone very happy. I'm hoping someone will make me happy & cancel an ADR that I can snag for my October trip. So far I'm having no luck on that one. I'm determined to get back there in February on the next family trip. We all loved it so much!

I think it will be very hard for me to get it but we will see. I honestly think, much as I want to go there for dinner as well, that lunch is probably a better fit for our gang. The boys are dying to go there for dinner so I've promised to try. I've just got 2-3 more restaurants we want to go to, then we can fit in!

All caught up that pork stuff would have been a NO for me, I am not very adventurous and that would have been scarey to meThe ressies sound good , now to see if you can get them!!!

It sounds more adventurous than it was but I am sure that dish was not for everyone. It wasn't bad, just not nearly enough meat and potatoes!

Just found your TR which I am thoroughly enjoying! You have officially inspired me to book Aulani for our 5th anniversary.

Aloha and Aulani is a wonderful wonderful place, I can't say enough and I can't wait to go back!

 

[wiigirl]

Just caught up.

 

[eandesmom]

It's so funny, because I think of Hawaii is this mystical, beautiful, tropical island, so when you say...

we went to Safeway and then Costco...

I can't help but laugh at myself for not realizing of course they have those things there!

It does kind of wreck the vacation vibe for a moment doesn't it? It would have been different it I'd have said we went a farmers market, or a famous fish market....

Silly Kat, right? Anyway!

What BEAUTIFUL photos! You had a gorgeous view, even if your sunset was blocked.

And it sounds like such a relaxing evening, trying to some new food, a drink on the lanai...speaking of which, and I think you already mentioned but I forgot, where are the shatterproof wine glasses from?

The shatterproof wine glasses were from Bed Bath and Beyond, love them!

I adored our view, the room, the resort, the everything...need to go back!!!

My thoughts on the ADR issue - book what you like. yes, keep in mind the fussy eaters and what they might not like, but also remember that buffets have something for everyone (you mentioned Boma possibly being too exotic - they have a standard kids section, and fussy eaters should be able to find something there!).

And there is where I get fussy. I am not a fan of buffets. At all. I will do them and breakfast is generally better than dinner but they really aren't my thing. I'd skip Biergarten personally but the kids really want it.

I planned a trip for 6 (me, dh, dd5, mil, mom & a friend of ours) and I started by asking some opinions... "Would you be interested in German food?" etc and asked people to look at some menus on all ears that I had linked them to. Of course, I didn't get much response (except from my mom, naturally!) and so I just decided where we would eat on my own. For the most part, everyone was happy. MIL hated Boma (she's crazy, though) but everyone else loved it. You can't please everyone, but most menus at Disney are varied enough that you can please most!

They will all be fine, I'm not overly worried about it. My one nephew will eat mac and cheese off the kids menu and everyone else will be good. The bigger challenges is that there are more places I want to go, then we have nights and 2 sit downs a day is just too much

Have you been to WCC before? Its the ketchup place right? And the milkshakes come in mason jars? Looks like a fun place for a big group. I may have to add it to our next trip list.

Yep, the ketchup place! We've been for breakfast but not for dinner and I think it would be a hoot with the kids. I really want a date night or an adult only dinner but I'm torn as I really want to fit this in, and PTC and we want at least one dinner in the villa...

OK, like I said on Jenny's TR, I have been lurking and following, but wanted to post from the computer. I'm actually at the computer, but it's late and I'm exhausted, so I'll be brief.

The whole Lazy River second chance sounded great. The pre made thing from Costco, I would have been kind of about. I'm not a big sweet potato fan and would have liked more meat than Taro, although I like spinach a lot too.

The lazy river was magical! Dinner was ok, just far too much taro in relation to the meat and potatoes. We felt robbed on the meat and potatoes for sure!

I hope the Mahi Mahi works out better for you, that's one of my favorites. We tend to go for more standard comfort foods in the "in room" meals and use our dining out for the adventuresome choices. I guess it's just the being away from home, we would rather have something familiar if I'm cooking to bring us back home instead of venturing out further.

But hey! To each his own, glad you had plenty of cocktails to make it all good!

We make Mahi all the time so for us, it is comfort food. On the road we usually end up with Salmon even though we would always prefer a good local fish if can find it. Next time I will make an effort to get to an actual fish market. For the NYE trip dinner in the villa though, with that many people...it'll be taco bar!

Hi Cynthia! What a perfectly heavenly end to a heavenly day! I'm glad you got at least half a sunset.
Sorry to hear about your Latex troubles. I am sensitive to latex and nylon, too - it can be quite uncomfortable at times. But so far I'm still able to do cottons with spandex if the percentage is small enough. I didn't think about it increasing with time.

That sounds like a different allergy. I don't have issues with nylon. My actually allergy is to mercapto mix. A latex allergy does not mean you are allergic to spandex, you may be fine!

The reaction increases with time (as in I didn't used to have one at all and reached some kind of overall tipping point) but only in the areas being exposed and all depending on how much exposure
there is.

It was a lovely half a sunset!

Your ADRs for the New Year's trip look really good, and it appears you have quite a trip planned. I'm not sure about FW, but every time I have been there for a NY trip where NYD falls in the middle of the week, the resorts and parks have kept the decorations up until the weekend after New Years Day, so hopefully that won't change for you.

I think we will be ok on decorations being up, I'd expect them to start coming down maybe on the Monday. I'd like to see the Fort at night but I'm not sure how to fit it in around a meal so will book the lunch and if it works to swing by one night great, if not the lunch would be fun.

Enjoyed your latest update! The actual sunset may have been blocked, but you still can't beat the view of the beach and the ocean at sunset. And of course more pool and water slides in the evening is a great way to end the day!

It was a gorgeous evening!

I'm not so sure about that pork dish. I am not a fan of poi, but hopefully the taro leaves taste a lot better themselves. If it is like spinach then I probably would like that part, but they can keep the root! I agree on the sweet potato in any dish can't be a bad thing!!!

It was just the leaves, sauteed so very similar to spinach...or swiss chard...it's a bit more bitter than spinach. I am glad we tried it.

Myers Dark Rum, and Captain Morgan on the counter. I would definitely get into the Lama pa'ipa'i on the Lanai! And again, lots of great resort pics to enjoy!!!

Jeff was enjoying his Lama pa'ipa'i that's for sure!

 

[afwdwfan]

It looks like your ADR pre planning is coming along nicely. It is too bad that your trip to Fort Wilderness will be during the daytime, but I'm sure there will still be plenty to see.

I’m all for people delivering stuff but really it was on the way and fundamentally we are cheap. Plus no reason we couldn't wheel them ourselves!

I'm pretty much the same way. The only time I ever had bell services deliver our things was at Wilderness Lodge. We just had too much crap with us and it was worth it to pay someone with a cart.

So not only were we familiar with the store, which is always nice, I’d be getting gas points.

Hey, if you have to pay Hawaii prices...

For the most part, we did quite well but we had our hearts set on grilling fish one night and the selection was pathetic. We have better fish at home. No joke.

Well, just think how long it takes to get there from the west coast.

The sun was setting


Right behind the darn JW Marriott!

Bummer.

The view looks incredible, despite that eyesore blocking the sun.

As we finished our first Lama pa'ipa'i on the Lanai (which yes, is "cocktails on the balcony")

I still don't think I could say it if I wanted to though.

At dusk, with all the twinkling lights...with live Hawaiian music played at O’leo as we floated by, it was truly truly magical. Really good stuff. The stuff commercials are made of. Sadly, it was 8 and the river was closed, we had to move on.

I think it would be amazing to just float around the river after dark, just taking in the sights and the sounds. It's just too bad that they close it down so early.

If it would have had a lot more meat and potatoes and less Taro, I think we both would have liked it much more.

More meat and potatoes is always a winner in my book.

 

[yolie912]

Great trip report! Can you please share the email to make our room requests? Also is the microwave the only way to heat up stuff?
Thanks!!

 

[eandesmom]

It looks like your ADR pre planning is coming along nicely. It is too bad that your trip to Fort Wilderness will be during the daytime, but I'm sure there will still be plenty to see.

I know, I really would like to go there in the evening. I am just going to leave it open, maybe one night after dinner we will want to just pop over there and check it out and then we will skip the lunch.

I'm pretty much the same way. The only time I ever had bell services deliver our things was at Wilderness Lodge. We just had too much crap with us and it was worth it to pay someone with a cart.

When we do split stays we are kind of stuck so we do it then but otherwise try to avoid it. At OKW though, you really can't without a car and I'd imagine SSR is the same. It does depend. If I was at a Mod...as spread out as they can be...I think I'd be paying for it to be delivered.

Hey, if you have to pay Hawaii prices...


Well, just think how long it takes to get there from the west coast.

We didn't find the prices to be all that different than home. I just found it funny that the fish we really wanted...I couldn't get there but then saw it at home the next week.

The view looks incredible, despite that eyesore blocking the sun.

I think it would be amazing to just float around the river after dark, just taking in the sights and the sounds. It's just too bad that they close it down so early.

I agree, 8pm seemed early to us too. It really only gives you about 30 minutes at that dusk/twilight time to enjoy it. We'd have used it more at night if it was open later. You could still go in the pool and hot tubs but...

 

[eandesmom]

Great trip report! Can you please share the email to make our room requests? Also is the microwave the only way to heat up stuff?
Thanks!!

Thanks!

The email that I use is through member services, you use the contact us form. If the room is on points, or cash, through DVC the member can email through that form. If not, then you'd have to call.

In a studio yes, all you have is a microwave and a toaster. There is a grill that is open from 4-7 and tools you can check out to use. I'll have grill pictures later on in the trip.

 

[glennbo123]

We have a Costco membership but I wouldn't have planned on going there. I might have to try it if they have some local dishes, although that one you got didn't look all that appealing to me.

 

[Pinkocto]

Bummer there were 4 portions. You could have salvaged the meat and thrown out the rest.

 

[KatMark]

Fun evening with the tubes and the lazy river.

That dinner didn't look all that appealing...but then I don't like sweet potatoes in any form.

 

[eandesmom]

We have a Costco membership but I wouldn't have planned on going there. I might have to try it if they have some local dishes, although that one you got didn't look all that appealing to me.

There were lots to choose from. Originally we'd hoped to get everything at Safeway but I'm glad we went to Costco after all.

Bummer there were 4 portions. You could have salvaged the meat and thrown out the rest. We thought about it but were too lazy to dig through the Taro! Instead we just ate more bread and pasta salad lol.

Fun evening with the tubes and the lazy river.

That dinner didn't look all that appealing...but then I don't like sweet potatoes in any form.

It was a lovely lazy evening! I adore sweet potatoes, and pork, it was just too much Taro and not enough of the rest.

 

[MEK]

Talk about "what's for dinner?" I love that you cooked your own island cuisine right in your room. How fun!

And water slides and drinks on the lanai sound like a wonderful evening. What a great view. Your first picture looks like a post card.

 

[TarzansKat]

It does kind of wreck the vacation vibe for a moment doesn't it? It would have been different it I'd have said we went a farmers market, or a famous fish market....

The shatterproof wine glasses were from Bed Bath and Beyond, love them!

I adored our view, the room, the resort, the everything...need to go back!!!

I must make a mental note about this. It's so easy to grab a bottle of wine in Epcot, I'd love to keep one in the room for FIL, Nana, and I to share. Shatterproof wine glasses sound like just the thing to surprise them with!

Guess I better start saving those 20% off coupons they're always sending me in the mail.

 

[eandesmom]

Talk about "what's for dinner?" I love that you cooked your own island cuisine right in your room. How fun!

It was! Not to mention relaxed, easy and less expensive!

And water slides and drinks on the lanai sound like a wonderful evening. What a great view. Your first picture looks like a post card.

The whole week felt like a postcard! Well except for the trip to Costco and Safeway and maybe a few other things along those lines

I must make a mental note about this. It's so easy to grab a bottle of wine in Epcot, I'd love to keep one in the room for FIL, Nana, and I to share. Shatterproof wine glasses sound like just the thing to surprise them with!

Guess I better start saving those 20% off coupons they're always sending me in the mail.

They weren't bad, only $3.99 each I think but yes, save those coupons! They are big...but indestructible. Well so far anyway and our carryons were loaded to the brim both ways so they easily could have gotten broken.

It's just always nicer drinking out of a real glass! Even if it is plastic.

 

[TarzansKat]

They weren't bad, only $3.99 each I think but yes, save those coupons! They are big...but indestructible. Well so far anyway and our carryons were loaded to the brim both ways so they easily could have gotten broken.

It's just always nicer drinking out of a real glass! Even if it is plastic.

I'm not gonna lie. If push comes to shove, my wine is going in my refillable mug. I'll try to refrain from drinking it with a straw though. That's just pushing it too far.

 

[jedijill]

I'm not gonna lie. If push comes to shove, my wine is going in my refillable mug. I'll try to refrain from drinking it with a straw though. That's just pushing it too far.

Jill in CO