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

[DisSarahK]

I'm loving this trip report!

One quick question--where did you stay on your work trip? We're getting to Oahu late at night and I'm thinking of staying off-site that first night since we're not staying on points. I'd rather pay less for the first night and maybe have a shot at an upgrade if we check-in at a normal hour.

 

[eandesmom]

Sorry about your feet.
I love Duck Tours. Have done 3 so far.
The beach pics are gorgeous.
It looked like a nice business trip beside the feet situation.

Duck tours are fun, I have done the Seattle one and it was enjoyable.

It is a lovely beach and you can definitely understand why it is such a destination for folks.

I thought I had commented on your poor feet, but can't find it now! Sorry about that.

No worries Karin! I am so behind everywhere myself. Hoping to get a little caught up today.

Looks like a nice trip, but I cannot believe all the walking you did. And then going for a run on your last morning there!

It's a challenge when I have these crazy business travel months to get any kind of excersise in so I have to fit in what I can. And I am so glad I did, it really made this trip so much more enjoyable for me. Sometimes it just isn't possible. This week I had a 2 night trip to Vegas and I literally didn't leave the building other than to go to the Walgreens across the street. Events from 7-7 followed by dinner. No time, or energy to work out on that one!

Good choice on taking a taxi to the airport and not be rushed! Oh, and Tom would have LOVED your choice of beverage at the airport!

The Kona IPA is really tasty and sadly it isn't one that gets exported (yet) so it is fun to have.

Oh, I love the story of your Hawaii work trip second part! I really like what I saw of the more city like part of the island as compared to Aulani. I am seriously scheming for Hawaii in 2015 (already have grand ideas for 2014 and need to save up some points) and am thinking of combining Aulani with other destinations. Oh, and I still have the idea of the Seattle stopover on the back of my mind!

There is a lot to see in the city, very very different than Aulani and it was nice to have that contrast. You must fly through Seattle!!! Aulani really is worth every point. It was killing me to be so close and yet so far, however I can't deny that there really are some lovely things about Waikiki. I could definitely see the merits of a split stay..Jeff wants nothing to do with that idea.

So he will do the driving as the boys need to see and experience Waikiki...and we all need to eat at Dukes!

So, this must have been Friday night update night for everyone!

It was a nice way to have the flight go by fast for me! Now I need to get caught up everywhere else and get this one moving along so I have time for a little PTR for the NYE trip!

Those pictures were totally enjoyable. I absolutely love all the buildings and the beaches and the people. And the bride - no worries - you could have been taking pictures of anything.

Not if I'd have stopped and gotten a truly decent picture. It was rather empty where I was and would have been incredibly obvious. Poor thing was squinting into the sun though.

Dinner looks delicious and having it served with an edible flower is all the better.

The presentation was lovely wasn't it! I do love when the tacos come in the little stands, keeps the others from getting soggy while you eat the first one. I wish they all did that.

Sorry the mai tai was not super yummy. Guess you have to go to the Poly for that!

My boat drink at JB's was lovely though!

Thanks for sharing your business trip. Love Jeff's shirt.[/QUOTE]

Well I don't get paid the whole time but its still good.

Wish I was lying on that beach right now it looks gorgeous.

I wish I was on that beach too. It's a blustery day here as Pooh would say.

 

[Chilly]

Congratulations on your beautiful (and beautifully named) baby girl!

Chilly, Congrats and such a cutie.

Yes Congrats!!!

Thank you very much

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Glad to hear the work event itself was successful and good for you for taking some time to enjoy yourself that evening. I have heard of Duke's as well - looks awesome! Sorry to hear the mai tai was not as great.

Waikiki does look crazy busy but I feel like it is a must see. Maybe a few days there in the heart of it and then head to Aulani or another island.

There I go, planning my imaginary Hawaiian vacation.

Really hope your work allows you to head back there more often. That would be quite a perk!

 

[Flossbolna]

There is a lot to see in the city, very very different than Aulani and it was nice to have that contrast. You must fly through Seattle!!! Aulani really is worth every point. It was killing me to be so close and yet so far, however I can't deny that there really are some lovely things about Waikiki. I could definitely see the merits of a split stay..Jeff wants nothing to do with that idea.

So he will do the driving as the boys need to see and experience Waikiki...and we all need to eat at Dukes!

I will try my best about Seattle! But I have to admit that your home town has some strong competition on the West Coast. Besides Disneyland I would also love to return to San Francisco to see the Walt Disney Museum.

So, are there any plans for a family trip to Hawaii yet? You seem to have plenty of tickers going at the moment, but I can't see Hawaii there...

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Wrong TR.

 

[franandaj]

I always like it when you can get some fun out of a work trip. I was going to say that we have a place here in Huntington called Duke's. And then I saw it on the napkin. Nice sunset shots.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Diamond Head sighting

Sigh...I miss it.

TURTLE!

Seriously, right there! Of course he didn't pop up again for me to snap his picture but it was darn cool and very unexpected. He was HUGE!

Very cool!!

I started with a Mai Tai because well, I was in Hawaii, it was Friday, and it would seem wrong to not have one.

Julie is still bummed she couldn't have one while we were there.

I asked what the fish in the fish tacos were (yes, I am that predictable...I had them for lunch today in Vegas lol!).

Besides I needed the torture Jeff picture.

Of course. Carry on.

Sigh. Just beautiful! Amazingly busy too…guess there is no such thing as an "off" season in Waikiki!

Gorgeous sunset!

Interestingly enough despite all the fish I ate...not one slice of pineapple this trip.

No pineapple? That's like going to Kansas City and skipping the bbq.

Pretty sure Aulani is at the end of the rainbow

I agree!

That’s as close to Aulani as I got!

We'll have to do something about that...

I had wanted the Portuguese Sweet Bread French toast but got talked into the special, which was that, filled with orange marmalade, bacon and one egg.



Topped with coconut syrup it was amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Though I did find myself in a food coma or sugar crash a bit later lol!

Man, that looks good!

Instead I planned to hit Kona Brewing, and do a little work.

So I did!
And tortured Jeff one last time

Nice work! Great place to hang out. Spoiler.

 

[afwdwfan]

Ok, that whole "no beer until your other drink is finished" rule is a new one to me too. I don't quite get that one. It is too bad that you didn't realize there was a Margaritaville right there before hand, but at least you got to go check it out.


That picture you took at the airport wasn't a picture of someone's shoes. They're called stilts.

 

[eandesmom]

Glad to hear the work event itself was successful and good for you for taking some time to enjoy yourself that evening. I have heard of Duke's as well - looks awesome! Sorry to hear the mai tai was not as great.

It wasn't bad, it just wasn't great either. But the food and the setting was perfect! It was a VERY good work event and last weeks one, as good or possibly better. It does help when you are that crazy busy, if they go well. I am so behind though...I literally have an exploding bedroom as I haven't had time to swap out/in my fall clothes and so stuff is all over the place as I dig for warmer garb!

Waikiki does look crazy busy but I feel like it is a must see. Maybe a few days there in the heart of it and then head to Aulani or another island.
There I go, planning my imaginary Hawaiian vacation.

I do think it's a must see and do and personally I agree staying there would be best for that. Jeff is reallly against it, and a split stay on the same island but we will see.

Really hope your work allows you to head back there more often. That would be quite a perk!

Me too, there is a decent chance of one more trip this calendar year.

I will try my best about Seattle! But I have to admit that your home town has some strong competition on the West Coast. Besides Disneyland I would also love to return to San Francisco to see the Walt Disney Museum.

You have family in the Bay area, right? I adore SF and oh, the museum! Jeff and I went there last year on our couples get away and it was wonderful. There is a good chance we will be down this summer, probably with the kids and if so will definitely take them to it.

So, are there any plans for a family trip to Hawaii yet? You seem to have plenty of tickers going at the moment, but I can't see Hawaii there...

Yeah, it's a little crazy isn't it? More tickers than I've ever had for sure.

There is a loose plan for 2015, my preference is Feb for points, Jeff's preference is April. A lot will depend on whether we actually go on the Sept cruise or not but I may book Feb at 11m just to be safe at least for the holiday weekend part of it. We will see, I'll be looking at it a bit more closely after the holidays.

Wrong TR.

No worries

I always like it when you can get some fun out of a work trip. I was going to say that we have a place here in Huntington called Duke's. And then I saw it on the napkin. Nice sunset shots.

It's funny, we have a Duke's here, which we are quite fond of (amazing chowder!) and I originally thought it was that one but nope, same as Huntington Beach.

Sigh...I miss it.

me too!

Julie is still bummed she couldn't have one while we were there.

You'll have to go back. Someday

Gorgeous sunset!

It was!!!

No pineapple? That's like going to Kansas City and skipping the bbq.

I know, isn't that funny? Though I have been to KC many many times and not had BBW. LOL.

Nice work! Great place to hang out. Spoiler.

It was, I just couldn't believe that in the airport itself, I couldn't get wifi! I'd have an update up if I could have! Finding it hard to get chunks of time to get any updates done!

 

[eandesmom]

Ok, that whole "no beer until your other drink is finished" rule is a new one to me too. I don't quite get that one. It is too bad that you didn't realize there was a Margaritaville right there before hand, but at least you got to go check it out.

Apparently you can't have 2 drinks on the table for one person. No matter if the first drink is mostly ice!

In a way I am glad about Margaritaville, it definitely didn't have the ambiance of Dukes, or the view. The food would have been good but I'm glad I ate where I did and had that experience and I'd do the same again to be honest. Only bummer is next time on a non work trip, we will have the kids so can't eat in the bar....

That picture you took at the airport wasn't a picture of someone's shoes. They're called stilts.

They were probably 4-5" heels that is for sure. Which I confess to owning myself BUT wouldn't wear them through the airport in a million years!

 

[eandesmom]

Ok, I am going to really try to get caught up everywhere, sorry that I am so behind on threads. I can't complain, but between our amazing getaway to SF for the America's Cup, work trips to HI and Las Vegas and well, life (and a girls weekend that starts Friday) I am in the weeds as they say. Or drinking from a firehose. Pick one. I have lurked on some but UGH posting from my phone drives me nuts. I am here and will be reading and commenting I promise! I thought I’d do a few trip updates before I continue on with our 2nd attempt to visit Haunauma Bay. [

NYE trip.

We are in double digits finally! VERY exciting stuff. Under 90 days even! No real movement otherwise. So far, 6 of us have park tickets, 9 of us have plane tickets, 12 have rooms. The 3 who don't have tickets are a bit in flux. First is my sister and her husband. He is getting promoted on Friday. Which is a wonderful thing. He is a police officer and will become a sergeant. The not so wonderful part is it means he moves to the bottom of the vacation totem pole. He can request it, it could get approved, or not, but either way they can rescind it up until the moment he leaves. So they haven't bought tickets (plane or park). They plan to, so they say, and will get him a fully refundable one. No pregnancy complications (which is a bummer for them) but this is just as complicated, if not more so. The other ? is my nephew Isaac. My exSIL can't afford the ticket and my brother says he wants to send him but…hasn't done anything about it yet. Of course, prices continue to go up. We've offered up the room and a 5 day hopper and food for him but that's all I can really manage. So, we will see. It will be a bummer for the other 4 boys if Izzy can't make it, especially Evan as they are close. I am really torn on what to do about the whole Magic Band, FP+ thing here. It should be in full roll out by our trip. However, it remains to be seen as to whether the Swan/Dolphin will have it extended to them or not. In theory, FP+ very well may be as long as people have MDE set up and link tickets. While I love the spontaneity of not pre-picking…given the time of year for this trip it seems like it would be a good thing. Coordinating it with the other rooms, linking accounts, etc, doesn't seem quite as much fun though. However right now my ticket can't be linked (PAP voucher number) and I don't know if that will be fixed or not. My sister and her boys don’t have tickets yet and may or may not buy ahead of time. It does make me wonder...is part of the idea behind FP+ to get folks to buy tickets earlier??? I am thinking that maybe I will go ahead and at least order the bands for all in our villa, that way we would have the option to link tickets if we want, or not, but at least we have them. Thoughts?

DL Marching Band trip

Right now this looks like a go. It is not official and won’t be until mid/late October when they get the "commitment" letters (and a deposit lol) back. But apparently they only need 100 kids to commit and there is something like 600+ that could potentially go between marching band, orchestra, cheer, pipers and lassies. It is over Easter, which annoys me, but it is what it is. They seem to have changed the trip to be a 3 night/4 day instead of 2 nights which is also a bit of a bummer as I need to then probably extend our portion as well. Right now I have booked a VGC studio for 6 nights, the Sat before Easter through Friday. I really debated studio versus a 1B. I would MUCH rather be in a 1B for a variety of reasons but given that it’s Easter, the points are nuts and it really would cause issues with potential future trips so....we were good. No one else seemed to care but me. Evan's response: "All I care about is hitting rope drop on the last day and a fancy big breakfast the last day. Can we do that?" Eric's response: "Does it have a verandah? As long as it does, that’s all I care about" Jeff's: "Why would we spend twice the points?" More than actually. Well honey..because you are a HORRIBLE sleeper with the kids in the room. It is not a given however that Jeff will be going so it may be irrelevant. Evan is over the moon as 2 of his closest band friends families are also going for extended stays and have already booked at the Grand Californian as well. It should be fun. I do need help on room requests though. What should I ask for????

Girls F&G Trip

We are under 2 weeks from our 7m booking date so will be taking care of that soon. We plan to stay at Old Key West and I am so excited to visit there again, I absolutely love that resort (and the Turtle Krawl!) Hopefully the trip will be Mary Ellen (MEK), Jenny (rentayenta) and I. Jenny has had some complications thanks to DCL cancelling her January cruise and the rescheduling may complicate things. We really really hope she can make it!

DISmeets

I am weeks late on this first one! Mndisneygirl (Sheree) came through Seattle with her family on their way back to Minnesota from a week on the Wonder, wandering through Alaska at the end of August, just before school started and life got nuts. The timing was great. I had a lunch meeting downtown and so was able to head down early and meet up with Sheree and her lovely family before my meeting.



We met at their hotel and then went to get coffee. This is where I was a total hostess failure. I had the bright idea that it might be fun to go somewhere other than Starbucks. Tully's is a local small coffee chain that was on the verge of bankruptcy for a long time. Patrick Dempsey (aka McDreamy from Grey’s Anatomy) bought the company after much drama (Starbucks wanted to buy it too). What I didn't realize is that in the interim, several of the downtown locations that I used to frequent, had closed! Google failed us and we wandered around for a bit, looking for places that no longer existed and ended up at...Starbucks! LOL! Of course the Tully's by my house is still open, as is the one in Jeff’s office building. The Tully's there (at the Boeing Plant) is their highest grossing store. It was so much fun to catch up with them and really spend some time chatting and getting to know everyone. I hope our paths cross again! I have another meet coming in October. I will be headed to the Windy City for a conference and am very excited to meet Kathy and Mark (KatMark) for lunch!

Ok, back to Haunama Bay! Coming soon. Really. I hope! It is mostly written....trick will be if I can get it up before my girls weekend.

 

[KatMark]

You have been busy.

I'm sorry about those that don't have tickets, etc., and hope that all works out soon.

I am so glad you are heading back to OKW for your girls trip. You know I love the resort and the Turtle Krawl.

Fun DISmeet with Sheree.

I am so looking forward to meeting you for lunch this month. Unfortunately, Mark will not be joining us. I know you've not been on my TR for awhile and I have not posted this on FB becasue I am friends with some of Mark's co-workers, but he may be out of a job at the end of the year and he doesn't work downtown like I do so he can't get the day off. So it will be just a girl's lunch.

 

[Chilly]

Family trips are complicated! Not sure I could hack it again.

 

[TagsMissy]

Hello fellow PNW'er from north of the 49th! Great report and photos, it's really making me miss Aulani and Hawaii.... just over 7 months and we'll be back though. Is there a way to make the time go faster?

 

[GoofyFan1515]

Nice updates and some more beautiful Hawaiian scenery! That lagoon area looks so nice and relaxing, even with all the people. What a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the ocean! And your sunset pictures are simple gorgeous!

I have never thought about fish tacos being appealing, but you make them sound so good and your pictures look very appetizing. I guess I may just have to give them a try sometime.

I guess I know now why they call it work...........being subjected to such misery just for your job has to be simply torture!

 

[eandesmom]

You have been busy.

Yes.

I'm sorry about those that don't have tickets, etc., and hope that all works out soon.

It will be what it will be. There is actually a party on Saturday night where this will likely be discussed but I'll be at my girls weekend so, who knows. I can only control what I can and I do recognize that my sense of urgency is not the same as the rest. The only thing that will really impact me is if I forget to cancel an ADR that has my CC tied to it!

I am so glad you are heading back to OKW for your girls trip. You know I love the resort and the Turtle Krawl.

It is a magical place, I am very excited to go back.

Fun DISmeet with Sheree.

Such a lovely family, very very fun!

I am so looking forward to meeting you for lunch this month. Unfortunately, Mark will not be joining us. I know you've not been on my TR for awhile and I have not posted this on FB becasue I am friends with some of Mark's co-workers, but he may be out of a job at the end of the year and he doesn't work downtown like I do so he can't get the day off. So it will be just a girl's lunch.

I've been lurking on the updates, I really despise posting from my phone, never seems to go well. I did miss the chatter though so don't know what is going on but will be thinking of you guys. Having lived there I know how hard it is to get downtown, it's not a simple thing to do for lunch!

I am sorry for being so far behind, it is horrible but I can't keep up...especially on some of the faster moving ones! I am here though and will keep trying

Family trips are complicated! Not sure I could hack it again.

I do think it will be fine, enough are going and committed to make it a great trip. I do hope the rest really do come but we will see. Life is complicated and things just don't always work out and I totally get that.

Hello fellow PNW'er from north of the 49th! Great report and photos, it's really making me miss Aulani and Hawaii.... just over 7 months and we'll be back though. Is there a way to make the time go faster?

I wish! I have warm trips in 7 months too, cannot wait for that. Aulani is a special place isn't it!

Nice updates and some more beautiful Hawaiian scenery! That lagoon area looks so nice and relaxing, even with all the people. What a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the ocean! And your sunset pictures are simple gorgeous!

I think that end would be a lovely part to stay at. Right on the beach but not really quite Waikiki. The sunset was lovely and the phone did ok!

I have never thought about fish tacos being appealing, but you make them sound so good and your pictures look very appetizing. I guess I may just have to give them a try sometime.

I think it depends on what you like. For me, grilled and/or blackened fish is simply fabulous in a taco (if it's the right kind and quality fish of course). I do not care for fish tacos made with fried fish and those are common as well. It's really not so different than say grilled mahi with some mango salsa...it's just in a tortilla!

I guess I know now why they call it work...........being subjected to such misery just for your job has to be simply torture!

Work travel can occasionally have its benefits, it is draining though, especially at certain events. This was a good trip and I was happy to have the small amount of down time I did have. Nice to have the outside to enjoy, certainly beats room service (which they didn't have) and a pay per view movie!

 

[MEK]

Ugh - sounds like there are a couple major things that still need to work out for your upcoming trip. It's really nothing you can solve. You just have to wait. I'm not sure what to recommend on the FP+ front. My friends don't have their tickets either and probably won't purchase them until they get there which leaves FP+ out for the second half of my trip. Sigh.

Yay for a DISmeet with Sheree. It must have been really fun to see her again. Speaking for Sheree. I hope she does a TR!

And Yay for lunch with Kathy and Mark. That sounds wonderful. You certainly are the traveler these days. Enjoy what you can between your work responsibilities.

 

[chattadisser]

Sheesh you have been busy and there seems no end in sight! God bless you for organizing the family trip, I couldn't do it. Too many people's issues to keep track of!

I hadn't thought about the no tickets = no pre-planned FP+ part. It does seem like a convient way to get people to purchase park tickets earlier. And, like you said, any other time of year its probably not a big deal but during that time, definately a big deal.

Christine

 

[podsnel]

YOU have SO much going on! I am so jealous you already have been BACK to Hawaii!!! Even if it was for work- you still got to be in the Aloha state.

We are also under 90 days for our NYE trip- we go the day after Christmas. So happy we got Palo Brunch and Remy dinner on pirate night- I wasn't sure about either, because there is a VERY high ratio of CC members on the ship- and MANY who are waaaay beyond silver, which is what I still am- until this cruise is over, that is. I'll be gold on the Oct 2014 one with MEK- did I hear you might join us? You should! It's a double dip! So no brunch, but LOADS of time on CC.

I hope Jenny will still go with you to OKW- as I said before, you will love her- she is a tiny bundle of HUGE Disney energy!