Epilogue
This must be the longest I have ever taken over a trip report. As I type this, it is just over 6 months since we returned from this fabulous trip and by the time I post this it will be almost to the day 8 months since we returned. This will also have been the longest interval between two trips in over a decade after neither plan A nor plan B for a potential trip earlier this year worked out. The next trip will also be very different. Although I am hugely excited about my upcoming trip, I am also a little sad that I don’t get to share it with Graham, who is planning a solo trip of his own. (Since I typed this, things have changed. The first half of the trip will still be a solo trip, but we are meeting up in Orlando for the second part).
Looking back at this trip, it was nothing short of amazing. It was a perfect mix of extremely active and very laid back, old and new, man-made and natural. I did some stuff that never in a million years I would have thought I would get to experience. Most importantly, it was about the people. I met some amazing people and managed to catch up with friends some of which I had not seen for far too long. I am hugely grateful to everybody who touched my life during this trip.
So here are my final thoughts:
Aulani was everything I hoped for and then some. Not in my wildest dreams would I have imagined just how much of a little slice of paradise it really is. I joked before we went that Aulani is essentially is a cruise ship on dry land and this is exactly how Aulani is run. I never thought that anything could be better than
Disney Cruise Line, but Aulani truly is. The cast members are all amazing. There are so many different things to do between the facilities and the activities that even in 10 days, we did not manage to get everything done that I would have liked to do. I am however glad that we did make time for some excursions. Byodo-In is easily the most beautiful place I have ever seen and I was hugely moved by Pearl Harbor. Nobody can ever take those memories away from me. My personal highlight though was snorkeling, both in Rainbow Reef and in the lagoons. I am still really surprised how well I coped in the lagoon with the reef just below the surface and how amazing it was to see this habitat so close up.
Disneyland is my ultimate happy place and on the whole the trip did not disappoint. I did make some amazing memories between getting to tour the Dream Suite, doing a VIP tour with friends, the Thanksgiving feast and getting a little piece of tradition by getting a hand-made candy cane. I was able to revisit old favourites and experience new things. The biggest surprise for me was that on reflection, I do prefer the holiday season at Walt Disney World. Yes, Disneyland has the three Christmas overlays with Jingle Cruise, Haunted Mansion Holiday and It’s A Small World Holiday. I also really enjoyed the A Christmas Fantasy Parade. Unfortunately I was never able to see the Believe in Christmas Magic fireworks as they were cancelled every time I would have had the opportunity to see them. I also loved all the themed decorations. I did however really miss the big events like the Osbourne Lights, the Candlelight Processional and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. I usually have to work over Christmas and after the two recent trips to Walt Disney World in November and December, I had the feeling that I had my Christmas. I did not have the same feeling after this trip. I still would not hesitate to go to Disneyland during that time of year again if the opportunity ever arose again.
There were three things that I was rather disappointed by as far as Disneyland is concerned. Maybe I am spoiled, but I don’t think I want to stay offsite again. Our hotel was lovely and the staff was great, but I did not always feel safe walking back to the hotel by myself, especially after dark. There are far too many beggars in the area and some of them are quite aggressive. I think Disneyland and the resort of Anaheim really need to get together to do something about this. I know that they now have some kind of tourist police on International Drive in Orlando and Anaheim would definitely benefit from something similar.
The other big disappointment was to do with service at the table service restaurants. Our experience at Steakhouse 55 and Naples was a disgrace and I would think at least twice before giving them another chance. This is a real shame as they used to be two of my favourite restaurants. I also think that the food at Steakhouse 55, when it finally came, was not up to its usually standard. It was pleasant enough, but for a signature restaurant, I expect a bit more than pleasant enough. Even at the Thanksgiving feast, which was great as an experience, the food was somewhat hit and miss. Considering the amount that we paid, I should expect better than rubbery turkey, although to be fair, most of the food was lovely.
Not quite in the same league, but still a disappointment was World of Color – Winter Dreams. I really meant when I told a cast member that this is an insult to the Disney name. I can’t understand how a company like Disney with so much talent could get it so wrong. I think they just tried too hard to extend the show to the normal length and some of it simply did not work (Frozen Karaoke anybody?) After this, I was very concerned when World of Color Celebrate was announced. However, having seen the video of this, fortunately this has turned out a winner.
So another trip is over. 90% of it was wonderful and this is what I will remember in the years to come. The disappointments will fade and in due course will be forgotten. Now I can concentrate on things that I have not had time for in the last 6 months like reading a good book. I can also now look forward to the next trip in earnest. I see you on the other side.