VWL Lovers & Groupies Thread: Meese-ka, Mice-ka MOOSE-kateers

[Grumpy Grandma]

We are right behind you! 2.5 weeks .

 

[Granny]

templed....congratulations, and to the Groupies!!

 

[I Book He Pays]

Hi Groupies:
It's almost vacation time! Two more sleeps and we are out of here.

Dizny Dad ~ Love the picture of DiznyDi! She looks so happy!!!! Enjoy your vacation!

Granny ~ Thank you very much for your feedback on HHI. So much to do and not sure how much we'll be able to accomplish in a week. Right now we plan on touring Sun City (we plan on moving there once DH retires), sunset cruise on a schooner, maybe a fishing trip if DH wants to go, horseback riding for me, touring the island and at some point relaxing. Hmmm... I think I'll need a vacation after the vacation! LOL I'll definitely keep in mind the bus tour to Savannah (we would like that) and riding bikes on the beach. I have to admit that the CM's are fantastic and I'm really impressed on how DVC operates. Thanks for the vacation wishes!

templed ~ Yahoo and congrats!

Grumpy Grandma ~ Have a great vacation and enjoy!
Muushka ~ Enjoy your vacation!!!

 

[jimmytammy]

I just bought points at VWL... Yay me!

I guess that would qualify me as a groupie?

Love of the Lodge is good enough for us...but having pts there makes it all the more sweet! Welcome

 

[cheer4bison]

Hi folks,

Looking back, I just have to wonder...what happened to September? The whole month was a blur to me. School started and then a week later I went on a week-long Moms Panel assignment to participate in the Grand Opening Celebration for Aulani. Just wanted to share some details with all of you.

Let me start by saying that VWL will always be first in my heart when it comes to Walt Disney World resorts. No question about it, it's my favorite. That being said, I'm adding a new Disney resort to my list of Disney vacation obsessions. Aulani was SPECTACULAR!!! You simply must experience this magical place at least once in your life.

From the moment you walk in the Maka'ala (main lobby), you will be awestruck.

The theming of this resort is thorough and mesmerizing. The architecture, food, music, landscaping, and excursions all complement one another brilliantly. And the Cast Members are so warm and friendly.

Here's a shot of one of the hallways leading from the main lobby:

The Waikolohe Valley (main feature pool and surrounding area) are fun and gorgeous.

You can learn so much about the culture and history of Hawaii here. This is a Hawaiian resort with subtle threads of Disney magic woven into the experience, not the other way around. Here, my colleague and friend (Beth) from the Moms Panel and I, are taking the Interactive Cultural Tour available through the Pau Hana (DVC Community Hall).

To be continued...

 

[cheer4bison]

The food is fresh and delicious. Here's my view from lunch one day at 'Ama'Ama:

Whether you're looking for alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages, the options are abudant! My new favorite drink is the pineapple ginger splash. Yummmm.

Although POG (a fruit juice mixed with equal parts guava, passionfruit, and orange) and the Aulani Wave were a big hit with me too.

The rooms here are beautiful. The beds are SO comfortable. Best mattresses I've slept on outside my own home. I got to visit one of the three-bedroom villas. Check out this view:

I even met some cool new acquaintances (Bob Iger & Tom Staggs) along the way.

Overall, it was an amazing experience! Can't wait to go back and take my family to see Aulani.

Oh, and Stopher, as per your request, I did my best to find as many Menehune as possible. I didn't find them all but that's a good excuse to return for a follow-up visit.

 

[Granny]

Granny ~ Thank you very much for your feedback on HHI. So much to do and not sure how much we'll be able to accomplish in a week. Right now we plan on touring Sun City (we plan on moving there once DH retires), sunset cruise on a schooner, maybe a fishing trip if DH wants to go, horseback riding for me, touring the island and at some point relaxing. Hmmm... I think I'll need a vacation after the vacation! LOL I'll definitely keep in mind the bus tour to Savannah (we would like that) and riding bikes on the beach. I have to admit that the CM's are fantastic and I'm really impressed on how DVC operates. Thanks for the vacation wishes!

You're very welcome. And to be clear, we drove to Savannah in our rental car, and hooked up with one of the bus tours that run around the city. I don't know if DVC HHI resort has a day-trip tour departing from the resort.

Sounds like you have a lot of plans for the trip. I know you'll have a great time. Enjoy!!

 

[Granny]

Jill...thank you so much for taking the time to post your pictures and observations about Aulani. It is definitely on our radar...hoping for a trip in 2014 for our 25th anniversary.

It looks like an amazing resort, and sounds like the CM's are great too. Of course, I wouldn't expect much less with Bob Iger around.

Glad you had a great time, and again thanks for sharing your experience with the Groupies.

 

[franandaj]

Jill,
Thanks so much for posting those beautiful pictures from Aulani! We're considering our 2013 plans and really seriously considering Aulani. You make me really want to go there with those photos and descriptions!

 

[Dizny Dad]

Thanks, Jill!

 

[eliza61]

Jill,
The pictures are awesome. Just what I needed today, I'm sitting at home flighting a nasty bug of some kind. yuck

Silly question but is Aulani on the main Island.

 

[horselover]

Hello Groupies! We're back. Despite 2 days of pouring rain we had a really nice time. Made it over to our Lodge on one of those rainy days for a nice long visit. Spent about 2 hrs. reading in front of the fireplace in the VWL lobby. I cannot wait to get back there for our Christmas stay. It's been way too long since we've been able to lay our heads down & really call it home. 69 days & counting!

Jill - Wow! Those pictures are spectacular. Thanks so much for sharing. We'll definitely get there one day.

I Book - enjoy your HHI trip. I'll be getting your ornament out to you very soon!

Templed - congrats on your purchase & welcome to the Groupies!

 

[Muushka]

Jill, that was spectacular! Thank you for sharing your time with us!

 

[Disney loving Iowan]

I just bought points at VWL... Yay me!

I guess that would qualify me as a groupie?

Welcome!!!!!!

Jill,
The pictures are awesome. Just what I needed today, I'm sitting at home flighting a nasty bug of some kind. yuck

Silly question but is Aulani on the main Island.

Hope you feel better quickly!!!

Hello Groupies! We're back. Despite 2 days of pouring rain we had a really nice time. Made it over to our Lodge on one of those rainy days for a nice long visit. Spent about 2 hrs. reading in front of the fireplace in the VWL lobby. I cannot wait to get back there for our Christmas stay. It's been way too long since we've been able to lay our heads down & really call it home. 69 days & counting!

Glad you had a great time and got to spend some time at "home"!

Jill - Those pics are beautiful. I would sure love to go there!

 

[cheer4bison]

Jill,
The pictures are awesome. Just what I needed today, I'm sitting at home flighting a nasty bug of some kind. yuck

Silly question but is Aulani on the main Island.

Oh dear, Eliza, I'm so sorry to hear your are not feeling well. Glad to know, however, that the Aulani photos might have afforded you some kind of useful therapy as you recover.

Aulani is on Oahu, the third largest but most populated island of Hawaii. Aulani is on the leeward side, which is not densely populated like Waikiki.

Hope to hear you're feeling better soon.

 

[I Book He Pays]

Hi Everyone:

cheer4bison ~ Welcome Back! WOW...the photos are gorgeous and the resort is stunning. I would love to go there in the future.

Granny ~ If we have the time to drive down to Savannah and take a city tour we would do that. Always wanted to see Savannah but on this trip it's questionable. I promised DH that we would have some down time to read, spend time at the pool/beach and take it easy. With his crazy work schedule lately and me running around... we both need it. Now hopefully I won't get too excited and want to see/do it all! LOL

eliza61 ~ Feel better!

horselover ~ Yahoo!!! Zebra Mickey ornament heading to NJ soon! Thank you, thank you and thank you so much for picking it up for me! Another item to add to my zebra collection!

 

[jimmytammy]

Jill
Love the pics!! We are looking forward to going there in early 2013 and combine with a Disneyland visit. After seeing those pics, I am really psyched

 

[MiaSRN62]

Jill....simply awesome photos and info on Aulani ! Thank you !

eliza....sending cheery thoughts and get-well wishes !

Congrats and welcome home to templed !

 

[MiaSRN62]

I haven't heard a thing yet about MNSSHP last night . . . . maybe they haven't returned yet!?!

DiznyDi prepared for the scare . . .

If seen, please tell them it is time to go back to The Lodge - there has to be some type of shopping that needs done . . .

Ha ha.....love it Dizny Dad !!! Adorable pic of DIznyDi !!!!

 

[MiaSRN62]

MiaSRN62 ~ Welcome back! Sorry that the weather didn't cooperate with you during your vacation but sounds like you had a blast. What did you end up doing in ports? So cool that your kids saw you on the port web cam! Love it!

Hi I Book He Pays....and thank you ! Honestly, it was just the last two days that were bad (Oct 8 & 9th). We spend Sept 28-Oct 1 in WDW and the weather was glorious !
We had such fun on port days :
Key West : rented electric cars and toured and shopped around Key West
Grand Caymen : shopped a bit and then did the Emerald Eyes Disney Stingray Snorkel tour. FANTASTIC !
Cozumel : We traveled with 3 other couples and one of my friends is a travel agent. She booked us at a semi-private beach and it was terrific (Nachi Cocom).
Castaway Cay : this was hubby and my FIRST vacation EVER with no kids since our marriage 25 years ago. So we spent about 90 min snorkeling on the family beach then the rest of the day on Serenity Bay. We didn't want to leave that place !

I wish you lots of fun planning your HH trip. We spend only 2 nights there in Aug 2009 and I just don't know enough about it to be of any help. My dd (19 at the time) was going through a very bad boyfriend breakup 5 days previous and she was an emotional wreck. My two days there are a blur as I feel mostly I was trying to console her. But we did like the resort very much. We only had a studio but it was roomy. I would suggest requesting a "marsh view" if you can. Lovely views there. We did not get that view but walked around the resort and wished we had !