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

[stopher1]

So do they have a Garden Grocer or WeGoShop there? For $14, I could make my own Cheeseburger in the room!

Ok, so I don't yet know about actual grocery deliveries... I do still intend to figure that one out. BUT in my explorations today, just 9 mins down the road (before) as you are headed to the resort - is a very nice suburban shopping center (feels very much like So Cal! The OC to be exact) - with lots of shops, gas stations, big box stores, specialty foods (Starbucks, Baskin Robbins, etc), restaurants (casual & fast food) and a Longs Drugs and a Safeway (which might deliver - not sure yet).

Since it is very much like So Cal (I had so many feelings of deja vu today... but the reality is I've NEVER explored Oahu before, never actually stayed on this island more than 1 night before as it was just a stop over before going to Maui or Kauai) - but oh my goodness, it's hard to describe - but so many parts of the island and the cities & towns just FEEL and LOOK like parts of Southern California. At times I felt like I was in the OC, other times in LA, other times Pasadena, even Malibu & Santa Monica. It was weird but neat. I know much of the suburban aspect here "grew up" in the '50's and '60's - and that's exactly what I was feeling in different communities - they had the same feeling/design/architecture of those So Cal communities that "grew up" in the '50's and '60's, such as Anaheim, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Stanton, San Clemente, etc. (ok little tangent over)....

...since it is very much like So Cal, and you absolutely need a car in So Cal - you absolutely need a car here as well. Plan out the trek from the airport and just stop at the Safeway on the way over... or check-in and then go back out. It's not far at all.

 

[stopher1]

So here are two photos from more than 400 that I took today.

One for Jimmy, since you asked about Pearl Harbor. This was taken on the boat on the way back to the Visitor Center after leaving the USS Arizona Memorial. The USS Missouri is nearby, one of the other Memorials that can be visited - and is the ship, if you didn't know (but I'm sure you do Jimmy) that on its deck, the Japanese signed the document of surrender with MacArthur.

And this is specifically for you Dad... taken this morning in your honor, from the lower level of the "waterfall" hot tub. This particular tub, receives water from the upper level, over the "infinity edge" from that tub, and likewise cascades water over the "infinity edge" into a rock garden for recycling back into the upper tub - much like the geyer / stream illusions at the Lodge. But the best part of course, is the view, as this is the tub closest to the Lagoon, and the Pacific.

I've counted five different hot tubs now on my explorations - the 5th I kind of stumbled on this evening completely by accident. But if you and Di ever come and stay at Aulani, unless things change between now and then... you won't be able to enjoy your 6:30am soaking. The hot tubs & pools don't open until 8am.

 

[jimmytammy]

Pearl Harbor is only about 20 minutes from Aulani. It is an awesome experience. I went today, and want to go back. Oh my goodness. I don't know if you've ever been there or not Jimmy, but there are 4 different memorials to view plus the Visitor Center. I only did the USS Arizona and the Visitor Center. I purchased the Audio Tour in addition, and that really augmented the overall experience. I would highly recommend getting that when you go.

It was extremely moving. WOW. I had known & studied a lot about Pearl Harbor years ago, but this sure brought it all to life. Just like when I went to Valley Forge and Gettysburg. My goodness. I've never seen the Bruckheimer movie, "Pearl Harbor", but now I kind of want to.

Glad you were able to tour Pearl Harbor. I have never been to Hawaii, but my parents used to travel every year to Oahu for 16 or 17 yrs in a row. They took my DD a couple yrs ago and she was so moved by the PH experience. She said at the time they were revamping the visitor center and she got involved in a program called Pennies for Pearl that would take donations to help fund the new center.

The movie is very good. As my dad says, it cant replace the true historical footage, but it does a good job of introducing the story to those who dont know it. I feel they did a great job in representing the overall moments in time, brought it to a personal level with the love story side, and vividly portrayed the battle. I am moved myself at areas like Gettysburg(brought to tears at the NC memorial)so I expect no less at PH.

BTW, Lipoa, the lady entertainer at Ohana grew up in the Aulani area. She told us how she as a little girl went with her family to the lagoon area just outside the resort on Sundays and picnicked there and enjoyed the beauty of the area.

 

[Dizny Dad]

. . . . . . . I've counted five different hot tubs now on my explorations - unless things change between now and then... you won't be able to enjoy your 6:30am soaking. The hot tubs & pools don't open until 8am.

WHAT?!? 8am

So many hot tubs, not enough time . . . . . here's one just east of you at the Ko Olina Marriott that DiznyDi & I enjoyed. It just doesn't have that Disney pizzazz, but will do to get the day started.

And for Jimmy - standing in the Arizona Memorial at Pearl, looking up through the ceiling of the memorial . . . .

Another memorial you might want to see is The Punchbowl - the National Cemetery on the island.

Have a great time! SHAKA!

 

[jimmytammy]

ABSOLUTELY LOVE STAYING HERE. We are in a two br 5536......love it!!! We have visited WL but never stayed here. We have been DVC members for 5 years this month....WHY HAVE WE NOT STAYED HERE BEFORE?! We now own 150 points here.....soooooooo happy. VWL is our new fave!!! I will be sad to leave on SAT.

That side of the villas we refer to as the speedway sound rooms. During the day you can faintly hear the WDW Speedway sounds, pretty cool!!

Enjoy the rest of your stay! And glad you discovered what we all feel so passionately about

 

[jimmytammy]

Stopher and Dad

Thanks so much for the pics that you share. I love American history!!

 

[eliza61]

ABSOLUTELY LOVE STAYING HERE. We are in a two br 5536......love it!!! We have visited WL but never stayed here. We have been DVC members for 5 years this month....WHY HAVE WE NOT STAYED HERE BEFORE?! We now own 150 points here.....soooooooo happy. VWL is our new fave!!! I will be sad to leave on SAT.

Glad you're having fun. WL is contagious isn't it.

 

[stopher1]

Just an fyi, most of my Aulani updates will be made here, vs. here on the DIS. Just in case you're interested.

 

[DiznyDi]

Lovin' your Aulani report, stopher! Have enjoyed your stopher's stuff page, too. Thanks for your photos and sharing them with us!

 

[blossomz]

Stopher..thanks for your reports. I've been so curious about Aulani!! Keep'em coming!

 

[Inkmahm]

Hey, everyone! Haven't been around lately because we're back at WDW. Got here on Monday and check out of BCV tomorrow to move over to AKV-Jambo. Weather has been beautiful, so warm for late January. We've been doing a relaxing trip, no EMH trips to the parks. Today we barely got to Epcot in time for our 11:30 ADR at Coral Reef!

In other news, Inky the kitten is at home driving my mom nuts. She hasn't taken care of a kitten in many years and Inky is jumping all over her. Lucky she loves the cat already.

Dynaguy's grandma is still with us. He is going to end up being right- she won't die until after we get back from Florida next Tuesday. I don't know how she is hanging on with no food or water, just a slow IV drip to keep a line open. She has said awhile back that she is ready to go home and why won't God come take her? I guess he isn't ready for her yet.

Tomorrow we are headed to a place called Giraffe Ranch in Dade City. Then on to Sarasota to visit my old boss and his wife. It will be a long day of driving!

 

[stopher1]

Ok, so I don't yet know about actual grocery deliveries... I do still intend to figure that one out. BUT in my explorations today, just 9 mins down the road (before) as you are headed to the resort - is a very nice suburban shopping center (feels very much like So Cal! The OC to be exact) - with lots of shops, gas stations, big box stores, specialty foods (Starbucks, Baskin Robbins, etc), restaurants (casual & fast food) and a Longs Drugs and a Safeway (which might deliver - not sure yet).

Tonight I found another great suburban shopping center - just 2 miles from the resort. It has Costco, Target, more restaurants & gas stations, and other big box stores like Office Max, Pet Smart and the things you might find near your house. The Kalaeloa area is being converted from former military housing into a nice new suburban area. New apartments and houses are being built on the land that once served as military housing. This area literally is the last exit of the freeway before Ko Olina - just north of the exit the freeway ends and becomes a 2 lane state road. Just after getting back on to the road to Ko Olina, the sign says it Ko Olina is 1 1/2 miles.

Plus right across the street from Aulani in the Ko Olina Center shopping center is a little store called Island Country Markets. It's like an old time grocery store, vs. the more modern super-centers of today. It has fresh foods, a deli, great produce, liquor, and is fairly reasonably priced (by Hawaii standards).

 

[jimmytammy]

Ink and Stopher

Hope your trips continue being amazing and thanks for the updates

 

[eliza61]

So it's a rainy, drizzly, yucky Friday in Philly and I'm dreaming of the World (as usual) and wondering how I'm going to make it going a whole year without visiting.
Even though we love the lodge, what else makes our heart sing about our mouse home?

I'm an Epcot world showcase gal with HS right behind, which makes me the odd ball of my gang. So post some pictures of some of your favorite views at a park.

I think Mission space is one of the coolest "buildings" around.

One of the reasons why I love taking the boat from the lodge is anticipation. You come around the bend and you can start seeing the tops of attractions coming into view.

Another "building" that I love for its design. Is China. When we took the segway tour our tourguide actually gave us some history on it but I've totally forgotten it.

We had never seen epcot this empty

 

[Muushka]

Great pics, E, thanks!

Very, very, very special day tomorrow.....

It is Jimmy of the famed JimmyTammy's Birthday!!!!

Give it up for Jimmy!!!!​

Where's lunch going to be???? I'll be hungry!!

 

[stopher1]

Aloha Groupies! Greetings once again from Aulani.

So yesterday was a great day. I began the day in the Waikalohe Valley playing in the water, and riding the Tubestone Curl and Volcanic Vertical slides - a BIG for those - and ended the day having a late dinner with my brother. In between I went horseback riding, on a catamaran, kayaking, surfing (not well at all), and swimming. I went on an excursion (offered by the resort) to the Kualoa Ranch, on the east side of the island. The ranch is one of the largest individual ranches here in Hawaii with over 4,000 acres. It is a working cattle ranch, with a herd of close to 500. There were LOTS of calves. Too cute. Their little faces, and legs! Just like seeing Bambi at the beginning of that film. They don't know their fate, and I've been told that Kualoa burgers are fabulous!

While at the Ranch, we got to see Jurassic Park - where the kids & scientist (don't remember his character name) first see the valley with the grazing creatures. Most of that film was done on Kauai, but was moved to Oahu for some parts. We also saw areas where a lot of other films and television shows were filmed. I know some of you were probably into LOST (I never was) - we saw Hurley's golf course, oh yeah, and the cave where Greg Brady found the Tiki.

The Ranch also has remnants of WWII, with about 143 bunkers all around, including a huge one, that goes 125 and 7 stories inside a mountain - all built after Pearl Harbor.

I'm working on uploading more pictures, but it's taking a while - I took over 400 yesterday.

Here're are two just for you to whet your appetite - or to salve your craving. Whichever works for you. One from Aulani, one from Kualoa Ranch, or as they like to say when reaching this particular point on the horseback tour ... Welcome to Jurassic Park!

 

[saintstickets]

Aloha Groupies! Greetings once again from Aulani.

So yesterday was a great day. I began the day in the Waikalohe Valley playing in the water, and riding the Tubestone Curl and Volcanic Vertical slides - a BIG for those - and ended the day having a late dinner with my brother. In between I went horseback riding, on a catamaran, kayaking, surfing (not well at all), and swimming. I went on an excursion (offered by the resort) to the Kualoa Ranch, on the east side of the island. The ranch is one of the largest individual ranches here in Hawaii with over 4,000 acres. It is a working cattle ranch, with a herd of close to 500. There were LOTS of calves. Too cute. Their little faces, and legs! Just like seeing Bambi at the beginning of that film. They don't know their fate, and I've been told that Kualoa burgers are fabulous!

While at the Ranch, we got to see Jurassic Park - where the kids & scientist (don't remember his character name) first see the valley with the grazing creatures. Most of that film was done on Kauai, but was moved to Oahu for some parts. We also saw areas where a lot of other films and television shows were filmed. I know some of you were probably into LOST (I never was) - we saw Hurley's golf course, oh yeah, and the cave where Greg Brady found the Tiki.

The Ranch also has remnants of WWII, with about 143 bunkers all around, including a huge one, that goes 125 and 7 stories inside a mountain - all built after Pearl Harbor.

I'm working on uploading more pictures, but it's taking a while - I took over 400 yesterday.

Here're are two just for you to whet your appetite - or to salve your craving. Whichever works for you. One from Aulani, one from Kualoa Ranch, or as they like to say when reaching this particular point on the horseback tour ... Welcome to Jurassic Park!

Thanks for the pics and updates about your trip to Aulani. We make our reservations in 8 days for a trip the week after Labor Day for our 30th anniversary. Can't wait! Thanks also for all the tips about where to eat, places to go, etc. Looking forward to more info!

 

[stopher1]

Thanks for the pics and updates about your trip to Aulani. We make our reservations in 8 days for a trip the week after Labor Day for our 30th anniversary. Can't wait! Thanks also for all the tips about where to eat, places to go, etc. Looking forward to more info!

Oooh - I bet you're going to love it here. I'm having such fun - and don't want to leave Saturday night.

If interested, you can find more here. Three entries so far, with more to come.

 

[Dizny Dad]

Whoa, muush - Jimmy's Birthday! Wow, thanks for the heads up!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIMMY!

 

[Muushka]

Whoa, muush - Jimmy's Birthday! Wow, thanks for the heads up!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIMMY!

Oh good. I was afraid I was on ignore!