We Had the Best Trip Ever! Maholo WWoHP, WDW & Waikiki- A Jan 2012 TR

[ash-n-brensmom]

I'm here and all caught up! Looks like you guys had a great vacation! Lucky that DD1 got picked to be up on stage...pretty cool! I can't wait to read more!

 

[OziJo]

How did you find the weather in January - I had dismissed going in January because i didnt want to tour in winter - but it looks like it was perfect, shorts and tshirts time for you guys. Did you go to the water parks?

Also what were the crowd levels like.

The weather was perfect. Apart from that day at DHS the skies were clear and most of the time we wore shorts or 3/4's and t-shirts with a light jacket. The crowds were heavier than I had expected but manageable. It seems that Jan crowds this year were larger than anticipated in general..

If I ever hope to go again (not likely) it will have to be in January due to school commitments - (although just a bit of parental bragging, even though she missed 9 days of school, including yearly exams, my DD topped Year 10 in English and History and got a high commendation in Science)

Brag away Well done DD!! Was it your DD who bought her formal dress and shoes while you were away? How was her formal? My DD2 did the same thing whenwe went to Ala Moana, though it's not certain they will even have a yr 10 formal this year. The choice was so good and the prices so amazing we couldn't resist

 

[OziJo]

I'm here and all caught up! Looks like you guys had a great vacation! Lucky that DD1 got picked to be up on stage...pretty cool! I can't wait to read more!

Thanks for stopping by

 

[OziJo]

Day 9 Thurs 12th Jan

Magic Kingdom Revisited!

A relaxed morning as we headed off to MK for a 10:20am brunch at Crystal Palace. It was still a little overcast but it cleared up to be another beautiful day:

I actually found it hard to get these shots of the landmarks because there always seemed to be large tour groups hanging around in front. I suppose the landmarks were meeting points. Also my family never wanted to pose for long or wouldn't wait for the space to clear so I had to take what I could get as quick as possible. Anyway the photos catch a moment in time and that's what's important

Here I managed to get DD3 to pose but the sun was in her eyes:

We arrived at MK in time to ride Space Mountain one more time. Then DH&DD3 went to get a Splash Mountain FP while the rest of us went to check in at Crystal Palace. On the way we came across Peter Pan who asked me if I wanted to go to Neverland. I said no thanks I'm happy here but the girls would like a photo. So he asked DD1 and she said sure. Then he said do you know how to get there and quick as a flash she answered "second star to the right, and straight on till morning". Of course not to be outdone PP shot back "well good luck with that as it's..." DD finished his sentence "daytime". He had a chuckle as she was interrupting his patter. He hadn't counted on coming across a fellow actor so early in the day. But he stayed in character and let us take this photo:

It was a good sign that the girls were getting into the Character Spirit.

We checked in at Crystal Palace...

...and were seated by 10:10.

Almost as soon as we were seated Tigger came around:

The girls then went to get their first plate when Piglet came over so I had to pose:

The food was yum...

...especially the french toast which was found on the kids buffet. We had unlimited juice and coffee. DH had an omelet made fresh, our second plate was eggs bacon and sausage and DD3 just had to try the chocolate Mickey Waffles:

Eyeore, DD2's fav came over next:

Then Piglet came back:

We were starting to wonder where Pooh had got to when finally he arrived. Such a sweetie:

DH said "thanks WTP!". Pooh thought that was funny:

It was a wonderful experience and one we may not have had if it wasn't for Free Dining. The girls really got into the spirit and the food was delish! Another lovely Disney memory to cherish.

 

[Moodyzblu]

Great pics !! Love the Peter pan story too ...
Breakfast looked like a lot of fun and yummy !

 

[OziJo]

(Day 9 Thurs 12th Jan cont)

After brunch and with full bellies we thought we would use our Splash Mountain FP's. Unfortunately it wasn't operating but we were told we could use our FP's anytime that day.

The girls were in the Character mood so they lined up for Woody & Jessie:

Then we wandered over to POC.

DH had the camera and was playing around with the settings trying to get some dark ride shots. A few turned out ok but we still have a lot to learn about using our camera:

I then convinced my family to do It's a Small World. Actually the only one who was obliged was DD2 who had made a deal with me that if I bought her a necklace from the Pirates gift shop she would do SW. The others had a choice. They could wait around, do Hall of the Presidents with dad or SW with me. When the girls all chose SW, DH decided that he would join us. We never made it to Presidents.

Splash Mountain was still not operating. Everyone was feeling kinda lazy today so we decided that we would go back to our Cabin for a rest and come back to MK in the evening. We made our way slowly back to FW enjoying the beautiful afternoon. We took a few photos outside our Cabin:

Then the girls set up all our goodies while DH and I went for a walk:

Around about 5pm we headed back to MK. It was a beautiful evening down at the Marina. The birds thoughts so too and DD2 took hold of the camera. She was experimenting with settings and wanted to take a few arty shots. I think she did quite well:

I especially like this one as the boat was cutting through the water. She was hanging over the edge to get this shot right in front of the sign that said "For your safety stay wholly within the boat".

The Monorail:

 

[Moodyzblu]

What beautiful pictures ! I love seeing the nature shots.
It's just so gorgeous there.

 

[OziJo]

Magic Kingdom at night was magic and as we entered we saw the end of the Parade:

Cindy's Castle at night So pretty . It was jam packed with people in front. I tried to get a shot people free for a change. This was the best I could do:

Ta da:

Splash was working and we rode straight away with our FP's

Then it was dinner time. We were starving since we had had nothing since brunch. We went to Peco Bills and used 4 CS credits. We got the onion rings on a snack credit here. We had plenty to spare:

While we were eating the Electric Parade went past. We had a good view from outside Pecos standing on the fence. I missed the start but I got a few photos:

Our friend Peter Pan:

The dwarfs and their mine cart:

Pinocchio:

Puff the Magic Dragon:

 

[OziJo]

Then it was time for Wishes. We were in Frontierland and found a spot on the bridge. It was a distant but unobstructed view.

DD2 again took the camera. She just snapped away and took 500 shots!! They weren't too bad considering she is an absolute novice with a DSLR, had no tripod and basically didn't know what the heck she was doing Here are just a few:

DD1 ready for it to begin:

The big finale. The castle is visible in the bottom right corner:

They made an announcement that the park would stay open an extra hour so we went off and rode Splash Mountain again. On the way out we watched Magic, Memories and You which was a repeat showing. Then it was Bye Bye Magic Kingdom.

It was a Beautiful Day!

Next Animal Kingdom and Artist's Point.

 

[battymum]

Nice photos!!

But I know what you mean about the family getting impatient - I too had a new camera and by the time I took the photo three times because the settings werent right, the moment had passed!!

At one point DD grumbled to her Dad, "next time she is getting a camera with film, and she has got 24shots - thats it!!"

and yes it was my DD who bought the formal dress from Macys in NYC - it was a hit on the night - and definitely noone else had the same - there were a few girls at her function that had the same dress that we knew cost hundreds of $$$. (Maybe I can justify another trip for Year 12)

Our school has moved away from having an official Year10 formal, which was a shame, because up until last year they always had a harbour cruise - this was a private function organised by a couple of the girls in a local function centre - it went off really well.

 

[OziJo]

What beautiful pictures ! I love seeing the nature shots.
It's just so gorgeous there.

It was beautiful and so relaxing We loved it there.

Nice photos!!

But I know what you mean about the family getting impatient - I too had a new camera and by the time I took the photo three times because the settings weren't right, the moment had passed!!

Ditto but when DD2 and DH got a hold of the camera they fiddled with settings and took hundreds of shots. They just weren't trying to get anyone to pose.

and yes it was my DD who bought the formal dress from Macys in NYC - it was a hit on the night - and definitely noone else had the same - there were a few girls at her function that had the same dress that we knew cost hundreds of $$$. (Maybe I can justify another trip for Year 12)

With the ridiculous cost of yr 12 formals these days combining a family holiday with dress buying may actually be a saving. At the very least try for Hawaii in Jan. There were some amazing bargains

Our school has moved away from having an official Year10 formal, which was a shame, because up until last year they always had a harbour cruise - this was a private function organised by a couple of the girls in a local function centre - it went off really well.

Yes our school has done that too but talk is that it won't be happening this year at all. I told DD she should get onto it.

 

[dara00]

wow, great updates! I love the character photos and the nature photos. I'm jealous of your main street electrical parade pics - my camera battery died and anyway wouldn't have taken such nice ones. The Move It Shake It Parade looks really great with that dusk sky behind it too!

The cabin you stayed in looks so cute!

 

[lisateaches]

We were there on the same days! We had so much fun too. It looks like our park days didn't match though. I really wanted to go to WWOHP, but it wasn't possible this trip. We have never been to IoA at all. Excellent weather! I love your trip report. Wonderful pics.

 

[maryr1oz]

Still loving your report!

Sounds like you had a fantastic trip

 

[battymum]

You know I am seriously considering the option of Hawaii in January - hurry up with your TR !! Can you tell me what you paid for flights and when you booked.

I was contemplating heading to the world again and cruising in March 2014 without the children, as its really not financially viable to go again with them - now I am thinking WDW can wait and we might be able to do Hawaii as a family - because they wont stop growing up!!!

 

[OziJo]

Battymum,
I can't tell you exactly what we paid because I booked online through QANTAS on a multi-city booking. So I don't even know what the Hawaii legs came to.

I would recommend staying where we stayed. It's not a resort. It's a condominium complex run by both Outrigger and Castle. It's right on the beach and close to everything Waikiki has to offer. Also it's easy access to Ala Moana by bus or trolley. We did day trips to Pearl Harbour and hired a car for a day and cruised the North Shore. I will get to my that part of my TR soon but here's a taste:
Views from our lanai:

Me on the beach with our apartment building and Diamond Head in the background. Note the Mickey Sunglasses:

 

[PrincessInOz]

Nice that the DDs are taking the camera and using it. Definitely putting it to good use.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Mum from oz]

What a great Peter Pan interaction! Crystal Palace looks yummy. I can't wait to get back there for that French toast. I really love your trip report!

 

[ash-n-brensmom]

Those are some pretty awesome pics!! Great job with a new camera! Looks like a wonderful day at MK!!

 

[heathsf]

I am subscribing now, but will come back later to read and catch up