Wonder--10-day Hawaii to Vancouver 9/17/2015

[DVCinderella]

Please do your research and see whether or not the convenience of booking with DCL works for you. For example, hiking Diamond Head literally costs $1 pp; $5 if you drive in a car. The Bus (yes, that is it's name haha) costs $2.50 for adults and $1.25 for kids. Under 5 are free. I do not see any reason to pay DCL $60 for ages 10+ and $50 for ages 5-9, when you could take a family of four (two adults, two kids) for $19. I am not up to date on statistics, but our bus system is very efficient and has been recognized nationally for it's excellence.

I am normally one to book with DCL in foreign ports for convenience and because I am a chicken and think I might get lost and end up in jail or something haha. But Hawaii is a totally different story. The prices for Arizona Memorial, DH, and Waikiki Beach, for example are all a joke. The beach is FREE, people! The bus ride is like 10 min. from the port, even with stops. Family of four would be $274 with DCL! OMG you could do it on your own for $15 (oh, but you would have to buy your own water haha).

Hi twopeasonepod!

How fortunate we are to have someone who lives in Hawaii in our group! Thank you for all of the helpful information you have posted! I also have twins, a son and a daughter, who will be 10yo on this trip. This will be their 7th Disney Cruise (they are lucky kids, and they know it ). DCL has taken them to Canada, Alaska, and through the Panama Canal. My Dad is their only living grandparent, and since he is widowed, he does not travel unless we take him somewhere. I have found DCL to be the perfect solution, especially when they go to unique destinations. It allows us to visit places on my Dad's list, while doing it in a kid-friendly way.

I am with you about booking with DCL in unfamiliar ports for convenience. I am also chicken to venture out on our own. I am so afraid we will not make it back in time. When we book with DCL, and I know I can find the same excursion cheaper, I feel I am paying the premium price for peace of mind. If their bus breaks down, the ship has to wait; if my rental car breaks down, they don't. We were on one of the 5-night Canada cruises on the Magic in 2012, and in Halifax we rented a car because there was no excursion that would hit all 3 places I wanted to see (Peggy's Cove, the Titanic cemetery, and the Maritime Museum). I had a knot in my stomach the entire time, especially when we drove all the way out to Peggy's Cove. It's vacation...we want to relax and enjoy it, and DCL knows this. They know people are willing to pay the premium price in order to avoid such worry.

I haven't had the chance to view the excursions yet for this cruise, but thank you so much for the price comparisons. Wow, they are eye-opening! I guess on other cruises, ignorance has been bliss for me...I haven't comparison-shopped so I have been blissfully unaware of how much more I was paying. I might actually feel a little bit more comfortable venturing out on my own on this cruise though, for a few reasons: 1) DH & I honeymooned on Maui & the Big Island in 1998, so they are not completely unfamiliar; 2) thanks to Google maps, I am feeling much more comfortable familiarizing myself with the islands and how to get around; 3) having you as part of this group will be extremely helpful, and I hope you don't mind me asking a lot of questions!

Liz

 

[CDNDisneyMom]

I am organizing the FE for this cruise as well as for the Sept 7 Hawaii cruise. If you would like to sign up please pm me with your room number, your name, the number of adults, the number of children and their gender and age(optional) and if you want what you are celebrating. I will add you to the list and post a final list on here closer to the PIF date. Thank you. I am also wondering if anyone would be interested in doing a secret Mickey exchange?

 

[squirrel]

Still working on a hotel.

My TA gave me this link http://www.polynesia.com/ but I can't tell what is the best ticket to get. Is it worth doing all the things or can we cut back and do the cheapest ticket? Also will I find any food to eat? I'm picky and don't like sauces and stuff mixed together (veg in rice or noodles, etc.) Or is there some better things to do in Honolulu?

 

[xlxo]

Still working on a hotel.

My TA gave me this link http://www.polynesia.com/ but I can't tell what is the best ticket to get. Is it worth doing all the things or can we cut back and do the cheapest ticket? Also will I find any food to eat? I'm picky and don't like sauces and stuff mixed together (veg in rice or noodles, etc.) Or is there some better things to do in Honolulu?

If you go to the Polynesia cultural centre...

• love the night show. Must stay to see (I think you may need tickets)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hUhGjejgBQ
• love the cultural exposure of the different people who make the islands
• the buffet did not excite me.
• seriously think about transportation. The Cultural Centre is 52km or about an hour from the cruise terminal/waikiki (like going to Cloverdale). At the end of the show, everyone is trying to leave at the same time.
  https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...HP4fRPSCuw&oq=polyn&doflg=ptk&mra=ls&t=m&z=11
  http://www.polynesia.com/faqs/transportation.html
• https://www.youtube.com/user/polynesiancultural/videos

You might want to go search for a "Pipi Pupu" dinner. It's not Dim Sum.

 

[squirrel]

If you go to the Polynesia cultural centre...

• love the night show. Must stay to see (I think you may need tickets)
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hUhGjejgBQ
• love the cultural exposure of the different people who make the islands
• the buffet did not excite me.
• seriously think about transportation. The Cultural Centre is 52km or about an hour from the cruise terminal/waikiki (like going to Cloverdale). At the end of the show, everyone is trying to leave at the same time.
  https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=...HP4fRPSCuw&oq=polyn&doflg=ptk&mra=ls&t=m&z=11
  http://www.polynesia.com/faqs/transportation.html
• https://www.youtube.com/user/polynesiancultural/videos

You might want to go search for a "Pipi Pupu" dinner. It's not Dim Sum.

Wow, I had no idea it was so far from Waikiki. It looks like they have a bus that will pick up at a few locations in Waikiki for a fee (don't know the price) and it's about a 2hr drive each way by bus.

 

[xlxo]

Wow, I had no idea it was so far from Waikiki. It looks like they have a bus that will pick up at a few locations in Waikiki for a fee (don't know the price) and it's about a 2hr drive each way by bus.

I like public transit for getting around the island (w/ Google Maps). However, I prefer a shuttle from the Cultural centre coming from the night show.

 

[Sparky47]

Do you think if staying at aluani they have organised port adventures around Honolulu ?

I am not sure, but they do have 3 excursions from the hotel. I think that might be it for adventures. http://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-hawaii-resort/activities/excursions/

I'm not quite booked yet for this cruise but I have been doing a lot of investigating on pre-stay at Aulani. At first I thought there were only 3-4 excursions listed as well but there are quite a few. If you go to the Aulani website and click on Excursions, on the right hand side of the screen it will say Check Availability and under that in red there is a link to Pleasant Activities (an independent contractor).

 

[sweetlovin']

I'm not quite booked yet for this cruise but I have been doing a lot of investigating on pre-stay at Aulani. At first I thought there were only 3-4 excursions listed as well but there are quite a few. If you go to the Aulani website and click on Excursions, on the right hand side of the screen it will say Check Availability and under that in red there is a link to Pleasant Activities (an independent contractor).

https://secure.activityrez.com/wb/aulani-excursions/#/Search

Good call

 

[squirrel]

We have our hotel booked before the cruise. My TA suggested Aqua Skyline at Island Colony. It has been recently renovated.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

I'm not quite booked yet for this cruise but I have been doing a lot of investigating on pre-stay at Aulani. At first I thought there were only 3-4 excursions listed as well but there are quite a few. If you go to the Aulani website and click on Excursions, on the right hand side of the screen it will say Check Availability and under that in red there is a link to Pleasant Activities (an independent contractor).

Thank you so much

 

[goofynut41]

Will a passport be required for this cruise? I have one but it expires in August...

 

[jenng1976]

Will a passport be required for this cruise? I have one but it expires in August...

I would say yes, since it's a one way cruise ending in Canada! Definitely yes if you are flying home from Vancouver, you would need it at the airport. If you were driving to cross the border maybe a passport card or enhanced licence would be good enough? Probably best to renew!

 

[twopeasonepod]

Hi twopeasonepod!

How fortunate we are to have someone who lives in Hawaii in our group! Thank you for all of the helpful information you have posted! I also have twins, a son and a daughter, who will be 10yo on this trip. This will be their 7th Disney Cruise (they are lucky kids, and they know it ). DCL has taken them to Canada, Alaska, and through the Panama Canal. My Dad is their only living grandparent, and since he is widowed, he does not travel unless we take him somewhere. I have found DCL to be the perfect solution, especially when they go to unique destinations. It allows us to visit places on my Dad's list, while doing it in a kid-friendly way.

I am with you about booking with DCL in unfamiliar ports for convenience. I am also chicken to venture out on our own. I am so afraid we will not make it back in time. When we book with DCL, and I know I can find the same excursion cheaper, I feel I am paying the premium price for peace of mind. If their bus breaks down, the ship has to wait; if my rental car breaks down, they don't. We were on one of the 5-night Canada cruises on the Magic in 2012, and in Halifax we rented a car because there was no excursion that would hit all 3 places I wanted to see (Peggy's Cove, the Titanic cemetery, and the Maritime Museum). I had a knot in my stomach the entire time, especially when we drove all the way out to Peggy's Cove. It's vacation...we want to relax and enjoy it, and DCL knows this. They know people are willing to pay the premium price in order to avoid such worry.

I haven't had the chance to view the excursions yet for this cruise, but thank you so much for the price comparisons. Wow, they are eye-opening! I guess on other cruises, ignorance has been bliss for me...I haven't comparison-shopped so I have been blissfully unaware of how much more I was paying. I might actually feel a little bit more comfortable venturing out on my own on this cruise though, for a few reasons: 1) DH & I honeymooned on Maui & the Big Island in 1998, so they are not completely unfamiliar; 2) thanks to Google maps, I am feeling much more comfortable familiarizing myself with the islands and how to get around; 3) having you as part of this group will be extremely helpful, and I hope you don't mind me asking a lot of questions!

Liz

Hey there, Liz! No problem. I'll help however I can. There is plenty to do here that is free or cheap. No reason to do things at a premium price when you've already paid a million dollars to get here (and back on a DCL ship!)

And yay for twins! They are so fun. Hard work, but so great at the same time.

Still working on a hotel.

My TA gave me this link http://www.polynesia.com/ but I can't tell what is the best ticket to get. Is it worth doing all the things or can we cut back and do the cheapest ticket? Also will I find any food to eat? I'm picky and don't like sauces and stuff mixed together (veg in rice or noodles, etc.) Or is there some better things to do in Honolulu?

I absolutely love PCC. It is a great way to experience multiple cultures and see a Disney-caliber production. I have done the Ambassador package and loved it. Having the guide is great and the prime seats are well worth it. Ha is phenomenal.

 

[rngrblu9]

I am organizing the FE for this cruise as well as for the Sept 7 Hawaii cruise. If you would like to sign up please pm me with your room number, your name, the number of adults, the number of children and their gender and age(optional) and if you want what you are celebrating. I will add you to the list and post a final list on here closer to the PIF date. Thank you. I am also wondering if anyone would be interested in doing a secret Mickey exchange?

yay!!! sent u a pm

 

[katzs13]

I am organizing the FE for this cruise as well as for the Sept 7 Hawaii cruise. If you would like to sign up please pm me with your room number, your name, the number of adults, the number of children and their gender and age(optional) and if you want what you are celebrating. I will add you to the list and post a final list on here closer to the PIF date. Thank you. I am also wondering if anyone would be interested in doing a secret Mickey exchange?

We are already signed up for the fe. Our room changed to a gty. We would like to do the secret mickey.

 

[cheshie6]

I am organizing the FE for this cruise as well as for the Sept 7 Hawaii cruise. If you would like to sign up please pm me with your room number, your name, the number of adults, the number of children and their gender and age(optional) and if you want what you are celebrating. I will add you to the list and post a final list on here closer to the PIF date. Thank you. I am also wondering if anyone would be interested in doing a secret Mickey exchange?

I'm wondering what a Secret Mickey exchange is? We've never done an FE or Mickey exchange? I know what an FE is but without having kids, we felt it would be tough for us. Is the Secret Mickey different?

 

[bourne]

So I posted this in the wrong spot and was directed here. Sorry about that.

----

This is a long shot, I know, but I figured I would throw this out there.

The wife and I are doing the Hawaii cruise leaving out (I believe) on 9-17-2015.

I am wondering if anyone, or their SO, planning on going on this trip is into Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? I am really looking forward to this trip, but am not looking forward to missing two weeks worth of classes/rolling. Would love to possibly meet up and find somewhere to roll with(if at all possible) a few times during the trip if so.

Thanks.

 

[onecoolmama]

So I posted this in the wrong spot and was directed here. Sorry about that.

----

This is a long shot, I know, but I figured I would throw this out there.

The wife and I are doing the Hawaii cruise leaving out (I believe) on 9-17-2015.

I am wondering if anyone, or their SO, planning on going on this trip is into BJJ? I am really looking forward to this trip, but am not looking forward to missing two weeks worth of classes/rolling. Would love to possibly meet up and find somewhere to roll with(if at all possible) a few times during the trip if so.

Thanks.

Sorry I am not. My daughter is Kung Fu, but that isn't the same thing. There is a workout facility, but there aren't martial arts classes (that I know of)

Good luck

 

[rngrblu9]

hi all! does anyone know where the ship docks in oahu?

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Hi

Do you think they will add more port adventures ?