Mentally Preparing: A Focker, A Croc & Waldo hit POFQ! Trip Report Link is UP!

[Disneyland_Mama]

Hey Tracy, member me? It's your practically next door neighbor Lisa, aka CastilloMom. Did you check your mail yet? My son checked the mail and called me at work and said we got an envelope from WDW, our ME stuff! I'm sooooo excited I could scream!

Haven't been on the boards too much lately other than my daily lurking. Lots on my plate right now but I wanted to check in with you to see if you got "the package" yet. Talk to you soon!

Hi Lisa!! You got your package already?!?! Ours would go to our travel agent first. I'm waiting for a call from her any day now!!
38 more days, girl!!!!

 

[boysmom5150]

Last time we were there, the water elevator wasn't working. But I won't go in that thing again. The first time it ripped my bathing suit top off! All the kids love that pool and the all the slides are great!


Sorry, sweetie, no secret here. I do know that my brother bought some kind of time share purchase in the Napua Club Tower and he gets a discount for guests in the regular rooms.
Oooh!! I wanted to try the Four Season, Maui. Lucky girl! I heard it's very nice. We did the Four Season in Aviara which is near San Diego and I loved it!

Have you tried the Princeville Resort in Kauai? It's super lux and very romantic.

OMG it ripped your top off
FOur seasons Maui was very nice but lacked in service. There were lots of celebrities staying there and the staff was going overboard for them but seemed to forget about the rest of us "regular people". The resort itself was beautiful but the service was WAY better at Grand Wailea.
When we did Kauai we stayed at the Hyatt which was nice, we couldnt get into the princeville resort for our entire stay and didnt want to split it up..

Anything to advise about Lanai or Big island. Never done either island just Ohau,Maui,and Kauai.
Four Seasons or Mauna Lani on Big island
Four Season Keole or Manele bay on Lanai. I think Manele is nicer and on the ocean??Not sure though.
ANY input is much appreciated.Thanks again

BTW.........WOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOO on the 11 LB WEIGHT LOSS!!!!
that is sooooo great. Way to go

 

[puggymom]

Just want to add that if there is a NY/NJ meet I am sooooo there!!!!!!!!

 

[Disneyolic]

Just want to add that if there is a NY/NJ meet I am sooooo there!!!!!!!!

We should get signed up early next year for the big meet they have every year in PA!

 

[cmp1111]

Anything to advise about Lanai or Big island. Never done either island just Ohau,Maui,and Kauai.
Four Seasons or Mauna Lani on Big island
Four Season Keole or Manele bay on Lanai. I think Manele is nicer and on the ocean??Not sure though.
ANY input is much appreciated.Thanks again

Hey, I just have to chime in here. I went to HI 2 years ago on DH's work's dime - I had to pay for my airfare, but was able to stay at the company paid hotels. We stayed on Maui for 6 nights down on the south coast and really enjoyed it, but then we went for 3 nights on Lanai... OMG, Lanai...

DH is a corporate pilot and can't stay where his passengers are, as a general rule. At that point in time, Manele and Keole were sister resorts, but not yet bought out by Four Seasons. The passengers were at Manele, so we were at Keole. Manele is by the beach and is big and beautiful, but Koele... The grounds were to DIE for, and it wasn't too far away. There is not much to do on Lanai in general aside from golf (Keole is a huge golf resort) or be on the beach (snorkeling or sunbathing), but it is SO peaceful, relaxing, and quiet. DH had to fly the company plane for 5 minutes, but I took the ferry from Lahaina in Maui, and it was super-easy.

Keole is by far the nicest place I've ever stayed (but we don't go pricey on our own vacations, except for the AKL recently). Still... The service was amazing, and we could do any of the activities from Manele as well. I can't speak for what they've done since it is a Four Seasons, but here are some pictures:

Here's me in the room:

I was impressed enough by the bathroom to take this pic:

Grounds of the hotel:

We did rent bikes from the resort and went up to The Garden of the Gods, so here's D. (my DH) there:

There's no night life and basically the only town on the island shuts down at 9:00, but if you're looking for relaxation...

Sorry to butt in, but I just loved it there so much...

C.E.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

OMG it ripped your top off

YES!!! I didn't realize how powerful that water was! DH got a good laugh!

When we did Kauai we stayed at the Hyatt which was nice, we couldnt get into the princeville resort for our entire stay and didnt want to split it up..

So funny that you say this. It's exactly what we did. We stayed 5 days in Princeville and 5 days at the Hyatt!! I thought the Hyatt was more appropriate for children and we had 6 kids all together. They loved that pool area, but not better than GW!

Anything to advise about Lanai or Big island. Never done either island just Ohau,Maui,and Kauai.
Four Seasons or Mauna Lani on Big island
Four Season Keole or Manele bay on Lanai. I think Manele is nicer and on the ocean??Not sure though.
ANY input is much appreciated.Thanks again

I've only been to the same islands as you. Waldo and TE have stayed at Manele Bay and they loved it! It's very different than the other islands, not as tropical, more foresty, I wanna say. But very secluded and very quiet. Good luck finding your perfect getaway! I'll let you know when/if we go and see if aren't able to do a DIS/Hawaii meet! how fun would that be??

Thanks for the weight loss cheer! I'm doing really good, but I'm dying for a bagel!

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Just want to add that if there is a NY/NJ meet I am sooooo there!!!!!!!!

Yeah you are!

We should get signed up early next year for the big meet they have every year in PA!

Oh you mean the allears/passporter meet? I forget what it's called.

Hey, I just have to chime in here. I went to HI 2 years ago on DH's work's dime - I had to pay for my airfare, but was able to stay at the company paid hotels. We stayed on Maui for 6 nights down on the south coast and really enjoyed it, but then we went for 3 nights on Lanai... OMG, Lanai...

How cool is that? I forgot your DH pilots private jets.

Here's me in the room:

CE, now that pic is the epitome of vacation, baby!

 

[cmp1111]

How cool is that? I forgot your DH pilots private jets.

Let me tell you - cool! I had to pay for airfare and my food, but the lodging was free. Not a bad way to get a couples vacation, in my book. And I hear that this year they may be reinstating the "spousal" which means that the company would pay for my airfare for a domestic trip, as well. They used to do that once a year for the pilots, but that benny went away with 9/11. D. had just started 7/1/01, so we never got to take advantage. Mind you, D. has to be "on call" from 7-5 the whole trip, but if we know enough in advance that he has a cool destination with a long stay... I'm there, bay-bee!

CE, no that pic is the epitome of vacation, baby!

I know! And, remember that at that time I had two 3-year-old boys... I was one VERY happy mama!!

 

[PrincessV]

Things that make you say "Hmmmmm....." :

I think you mean "MMMMMMMM-hmmmmmm"!

DLM, We may not have another trip to the World until 11/08

But, but, but, you're so near by! Give or take a coupla hundred miles.

 

[sharkB8HooHaHa]

Tracy,
Found you on page 2????

I was coming to check out your multi-colored legs

 

[DisneyJo]

Oooh yeah she did say she was going to post arms and leg photo's didn't she And well done on having to get smaller shorts

 

[Castillo Mom]

Tracy, did your TA call you back yet? I wanna know if you got "the package."

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Tracy,
Found you on page 2????

Page 2??? WHT? I've been neglecting my PTR, haven't I? But I've got some good coming up soonish.

I was coming to check out your multi-colored legs

Oooh yeah she did say she was going to post arms and leg photo's didn't she And well done on having to get smaller shorts

I'll do that in my next installment! It's very bizarre!

Tracy, did your TA call you back yet? I wanna know if you got "the package."

No. No word from the TA. I think she may not be in today. I'm going to call her around 3pm after her lunch time. I'm dying to get all my stuff!

 

[cmp1111]

OK, how did I miss the multi-colored legs? Did my "unread message" cookie thing go nutty again and I missed posts? Sigh. Anyway, I'd love to see them, whatever they are!

 

[boysmom5150]

Hey, I just have to chime in here. I went to HI 2 years ago on DH's work's dime - I had to pay for my airfare, but was able to stay at the company paid hotels. We stayed on Maui for 6 nights down on the south coast and really enjoyed it, but then we went for 3 nights on Lanai... OMG, Lanai...

DH is a corporate pilot and can't stay where his passengers are, as a general rule. At that point in time, Manele and Keole were sister resorts, but not yet bought out by Four Seasons. The passengers were at Manele, so we were at Keole. Manele is by the beach and is big and beautiful, but Koele... The grounds were to DIE for, and it wasn't too far away. There is not much to do on Lanai in general aside from golf (Keole is a huge golf resort) or be on the beach (snorkeling or sunbathing), but it is SO peaceful, relaxing, and quiet. DH had to fly the company plane for 5 minutes, but I took the ferry from Lahaina in Maui, and it was super-easy.

Keole is by far the nicest place I've ever stayed (but we don't go pricey on our own vacations, except for the AKL recently). Still... The service was amazing, and we could do any of the activities from Manele as well. I can't speak for what they've done since it is a Four Seasons, but here are some pictures:

Here's me in the room:

I was impressed enough by the bathroom to take this pic:

Grounds of the hotel:

We did rent bikes from the resort and went up to The Garden of the Gods, so here's D. (my DH) there:

There's no night life and basically the only town on the island shuts down at 9:00, but if you're looking for relaxation...

Sorry to butt in, but I just loved it there so much...

C.E.

Thank You for chiming in. THose are great pics. Glad to hear you liked it. We were thinking of just 3-4 days of quiet time but not sure if this would be up the kids alley???Did you have your boys with you??Ours will be with us.I think we may want to be on the beach for the kids.

I've only been to the same islands as you. Waldo and TE have stayed at Manele Bay and they loved it! It's very different than the other islands, not as tropical, more foresty, I wanna say. But very secluded and very quiet. Good luck finding your perfect getaway! I'll let you know when/if we go and see if aren't able to do a DIS/Hawaii meet! how fun would that be??

Thanks Tracy,not sure if I like the foresty idea. Lush is one thing forest is another.Im not very"foresty".Ill have to look into it. Dh says hes not sure if he wants to do lanai after all maybe just the Big island for a few days.

 

[cmp1111]

Thank You for chiming in. THose are great pics. Glad to hear you liked it. We were thinking of just 3-4 days of quiet time but not sure if this would be up the kids alley???Did you have your boys with you??Ours will be with us.I think we may want to be on the beach for the kids.


Thanks Tracy,not sure if I like the foresty idea. Lush is one thing forest is another.Im not very"foresty".Ill have to look into it. Dh says hes not sure if he wants to do lanai after all maybe just the Big island for a few days.

Lanai apparently used to be owned almost entirely by Dole, so there's not much in the way of development. You can see by my grounds photo that it's very green, but I don't know that I'd go to foresty... Maybe a little rainforesty, but the ride up the bike trail was all scrub and lava desert kinds of things.

We were alone! because of it being for DH's work, and it was great for 3 nights, but I'd never want a whole vacation there. Even I like a little more action. The kids would be happy on the beach, though. They have snorkel equipment free for guests (at least they did at the time) of either hotel, since they were "related." Glad to help, if I did. DH just went to the big island (again for work, but I couldn't go) and liked it too.

 

[cmp1111]

OK, it WAS a cookie thing - who else has this? - sometimes my subscribed threads say there are new posts and there's not, and sometimes it says there's not and there are!!!

Anyway, I found the post on LL's pre-TR. Never mind.

 

[WDWHeather]

Okay, I'm trying to get caught up here! Can't believe about Donald! Awful luck before vacay! I agree though about being able to carry more stuff that way though! That rocks! Hope he gets better ASAP!

 

[Castillo Mom]

No. No word from the TA. I think she may not be in today. I'm going to call her around 3pm after her lunch time. I'm dying to get all my stuff!

Dang it! Listen to me, you'd think it was my stuff I was waiting for. I'm just excited for you and your family too.

ETA: I just got home right now and guess what I saw peeking out of my mailbox as I pulled in the driveway? Actually I wasn't even in the driveway yet, I was about 3 yards from my house. Yup, you guessed it, it was "the package"!!!!!! Tracy you'd better light a fire under that TA of yours! That's me doing my Disney dance except not in a suit.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

I really wish we could insert a music clip in our trip reports. At this point, I'd put in "The Final Countdown" by Europe. You all know that little diddy, don'tcha? (OT but I have to mention this; Whenever I see that CD collection for sale on cable... you know the "Monsters of Rock" commercial, I think of LL! ) Anywho, back to topic....
My lover TGM, tells me we at the 35 day mark. He doesn't know FDM, so let me convert for you: 35 days, less weekends, holidays, birthdays, travel day and today = 24 days!!!!

I've got both kids completely packed, with the exception of shoes. They're still wearing their crocs daily, so I can't exactly pack those. All their outfits are washed, bagged and tagged. Looks like I didn't buy Evan enough shorts, so I'll have to do a load or 2 of laundry, which is fine with me. As long as I've got a cocktail in one hand, everything's cake, baby.

I'm putting together our Garden Grocer list. Donald emailed me his requests and we're just gonna do one big honking order. I've got water, enhanced water a few breakfast items like cereal bars and stuff. I'm thinking of ordering Pull-up and wipes, so I don't have to pack them. I gave up on the potty training before WDW. It was just too much pressure for Evan and myself. I'm not going to try again until he's really ready. What's the point, really?

I think I mentioned Evan's still a little short for the 40 inch rides, so I went out and bought some elevator shoes. I found some really cute blue Vans, they reminded me of the old school Vans we wore in elementary school. I also bought some Dr. Scholls inserts and padded his shoes to give him that extra inch he needed. Will it work? I dunno, but I've got to try. He really just cares about Test Track and Kali. Everything else, he can ride here at Disneyland. My poor little girl, who's tall enough for everything, won't ride anything! She did agree to Test Track, but you recall what happened last year don't you? If not, I'll cut to the chase and tell you she chickened out at the last minute. Andy's really giving her a hard time about not doing rides she's tall enough for. He tried the ol' "Daddy is spending thousands and thousands of dollars to take you to WDW and you need to ride all the rides!" Hello??? The child doesn't understand thousands of dollars! DUH! Anyway, I will not force her to do anything, as usual. I hate to see that and I won't do it.

I hit Walgreens yesterday, to find those MistyMates, Jo had mentioned on her PTR. I found them. They only had 5 left, so I bought 2 and called Donald and told him to get over there and buy the rest. I would have bought the last 3 for him, but all I had was $20 and they were $7.99 each. We tested them out and they ROCK!

I can't do much else as far as packing goes. Evan is having a birthday party this Saturday at Andy's sisters house and then next Saturday is his "real" party. Andy's sister, who is Evans Godmother will be in WDW from the 28th of July to the 8th of August. She'll miss his party, so we planned a small one with just her and her family. Oh man, did I mention they're supposed to be at AKL Conceirge level and you all heard about that fiasco, no? I thought they were moving all conceirge level guests to another resort. My SIL is probably so mad. They always stay at the GF, but decided to try AKL, against my SIL's wishes. I'm dying to talk to her this weekend and get the jugo on what's going on with their ressies. If they decide to go again next year, we'll try to go with them. The only thing is my SIL has her vacation time at the same time every year. Last week of July-1st week of August. I bet it's crazy crowded and hotter than Africa. They were in WDW when I gave birth to Evan and we were phoning back and forth. She got the news that she was an Auntie again whilst she was shopping in DTD!

Looks like Donalds leg is doing really well. He says he's about 75% better and should be back to normal by end of August. Let's just hope he doesn't do anything stupid. Wait, scratch that.... I KNOW he'll do something stupid, so lets just hope it's with minimal damage.

Waldo is great. He's been staying out of trouble and behaving himself. Hopefully it's not the calm before the storm.

Once we've got Evans party out of the way, I can really open up the suitcases and get thing wrapped up. We've been spending our days just chillin' out. It hasn't been warm enough to hit Baby Beach, so we've been in the pool alot. I can't figure out why below my knee is whiter than the rest of my body! I tried to photo it, but in the pic, they look the same color.

My TA still hasn't gotten back to me about our final documents. Lisa (Castillomom) got her stuff in the mail, but I haven't gotten ours. I know the TA will get the stuff and she'll call me, but I'm impatient, people!

I think that's it for now. Nothing exciting, I know. I think I've had enough excitement so far and things should go smoothly at least until the morning of Aug. 21. I know the drama will begin then!