Coffee on the Verandah - Two by two - 5/21

[englishrose47]

Incase anyone has missed the Rosie links I started my TR on the October Free Trip !!

Rosie Link Go to the TR board and find it That is according to Glenn!!!

[eandesmom]

Originally Posted by englishrose47

Are you still considering a Disney Cruise ????

At some point definitely but I don't know when. We booked a dummy cruise but realistically I don't see it fitting into our plans until at least 2014 or 15 with other things that are planned. Right now I'm waiting for the 2014 itineraries so I can move the one I have. Too many things I want to do and not enough time, vacation time, money or points.

Originally Posted by englishrose47

Incase anyone has missed the Rosie links I started my TR on the October Free Trip !!

Rosie Link Go to the TR board and find it That is according to Glenn!!!

I'll make my way over!

[eandesmom]

We are booked for SEVEN nights at Aulani, and flights are BOOKED!

total cost? For both of us?

$664!

Which included buying a few points so I didn't borrow more than I wanted to and not have buffer for the New Years eve trip.

I was able to get non stop flights both ways but that's what added the night. We get in late on the 21st so right now we have that night in an Island View Studio (waitlisted for standard view) and then the next 6 are Ocean View baby! I'd love to be in a one bedroom for the cooking but for 7 nights? I can figure it out and make it work And with that many nights, I can get some quality time visiting with my family while we are there and not feel like I'm cutting into "our" time so much.

Let the planning begin. I have booked a car but will keep trying to get it down, it's pretty steep but I expected that, especially this far out.

So excited!

[KatMark]

Originally Posted by eandesmom

We are booked for SEVEN nights at Aulani, and flights are BOOKED!

total cost? For both of us?

$664!

Which included buying a few points so I didn't borrow more than I wanted to and not have buffer for the New Years eve trip.

I was able to get non stop flights both ways but that's what added the night. We get in late on the 21st so right now we have that night in an Island View Studio (waitlisted for standard view) and then the next 6 are Ocean View baby! I'd love to be in a one bedroom for the cooking but for 7 nights? I can figure it out and make it work And with that many nights, I can get some quality time visiting with my family while we are there and not feel like I'm cutting into "our" time so much.

Let the planning begin. I have booked a car but will keep trying to get it down, it's pretty steep but I expected that, especially this far out.

So excited!

Just saw your post on FB...congratulations! So happy for you.

[dizneeat]

Originally Posted by eandesmom

We are booked for SEVEN nights at Aulani, and flights are BOOKED!

total cost? For both of us?

$664!

Which included buying a few points so I didn't borrow more than I wanted to and not have buffer for the New Years eve trip.

I was able to get non stop flights both ways but that's what added the night. We get in late on the 21st so right now we have that night in an Island View Studio (waitlisted for standard view) and then the next 6 are Ocean View baby! I'd love to be in a one bedroom for the cooking but for 7 nights? I can figure it out and make it work And with that many nights, I can get some quality time visiting with my family while we are there and not feel like I'm cutting into "our" time so much.

Let the planning begin. I have booked a car but will keep trying to get it down, it's pretty steep but I expected that, especially this far out.Tr

So excited!

Woohoo! Another trip booked! Congratulations ...... how wonderful for you! (and me ....... as I hope to read ALL about it. )

[Flossbolna]

Wow, a week at Aulanis sounds magical!!!

[MeMom]

Originally Posted by eandesmom

We are booked for SEVEN nights at Aulani, and flights are BOOKED!

So excited!

That is definitely exciting!

Hope your family has a wonderful Thanksgiving week.

[brookelizabeth]

I was a few pages back - I will definitely be keeping everyone in my prayers. Please keep us posted.

Love your perfect beach day!!! Ahhhhh What a fun, fun, fun day! Wonderful family shot too.

And AULANAI!!!!!!! SO excited for you!!! Have you broke the news to the boys yet? I'm sure they will be fine, especially if they know they will get there soon too.

[Captain_Oblivious]

Originally Posted by eandesmom

We are booked for SEVEN nights at Aulani, and flights are BOOKED!

total cost? For both of us?

$664!

Which included buying a few points so I didn't borrow more than I wanted to and not have buffer for the New Years eve trip.

I was able to get non stop flights both ways but that's what added the night. We get in late on the 21st so right now we have that night in an Island View Studio (waitlisted for standard view) and then the next 6 are Ocean View baby! I'd love to be in a one bedroom for the cooking but for 7 nights? I can figure it out and make it work And with that many nights, I can get some quality time visiting with my family while we are there and not feel like I'm cutting into "our" time so much.

Let the planning begin. I have booked a car but will keep trying to get it down, it's pretty steep but I expected that, especially this far out.

So excited!

That's awesome! We just tried to get in for our trip next June and...nothing available. Maybe the waitlist will come through.

When is your trip happening?

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Cynthia! We are finally in our own place and I have my very own internet! So, I am all caught up.

First, I want to tell you that I am praying for all of your requests. Heavy load for you right now, but not for God.

Vero - I love the way you were all so relaxed and each person did what felt like vacation to them! (with a little minor exception for mom, of course. ) So relaxed, but good family time. - AND you look great in your bikini, I might add!

AULANI!!!! So excited for you! It will be a very nice couples trip for the two of you , and the price is right- isn't DVC great?

[eandesmom]

Originally Posted by KatMark

Just saw your post on FB...congratulations! So happy for you.

Thanks Kathy! I can't believe it was as easy and inexpensive as it was. Eases the pain of what we paid for our Florida trip flights last summer lol.

Originally Posted by dizneeat

Woohoo! Another trip booked! Congratulations ...... how wonderful for you! (and me ....... as I hope to read ALL about it. )

thanks Karin! We are thrilled.

Originally Posted by Flossbolna

Wow, a week at Aulanis sounds magical!!!

It does! The more I read about it, the more excited I get. It will be different from our previous Hawaii trips which is always good too!

Originally Posted by MeMom

That is definitely exciting!

Hope your family has a wonderful Thanksgiving week.

Thanks! We are very excited. I need to get in gear for Thanksgiving, cooking for 19 I hope yours is magical too!

Originally Posted by brookelizabeth

I was a few pages back - I will definitely be keeping everyone in my prayers. Please keep us posted.

thanks Brook

Originally Posted by brookelizabeth

Love your perfect beach day!!! Ahhhhh What a fun, fun, fun day! Wonderful family shot too.

It really was a perfect beach day

Originally Posted by brookelizabeth

And AULANAI!!!!!!! SO excited for you!!! Have you broke the news to the boys yet? I'm sure they will be fine, especially if they know they will get there soon too.

No, not yet. Not sure when we will tell. Perhaps at Christmas as it is likely our gift to each other, or perhaps AFTER I book the NYE trip as that will definitely lessen the pain. It will be a couple of years before we can take them to Aulani as the big trip will use up a lot of points but I'm thinking either Feb or April of 2015 should work and be much easier to get than a summer trip for a 1B. It will probably only be 5 nights though and then maybe a couple on either Maui or the Big Island. The only drawback to that is a whole year between trips and gets us in a non summer vacation cycle that I don't really want but I'm sure I'll figure it out. Guess I'll have to have a summer cruise in there for either 2014 or 15 if I can actually book early enough to make it affordable. LOL!

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

That's awesome! We just tried to get in for our trip next June and...nothing available. Maybe the waitlist will come through.

When is your trip happening?

Oh that is such a bummer! I have heard a lot of that on one of the Aulani threads, or maybe it was FB. We are going over memorial weekend which is supposedly right before or the start of, the busy season. June, once school gets out appears to be booking up and people are finding that first day to be booked at the 7 month mark and then when they check the next day, same thing over and over. Looks like it is all room categories too. This is my huge fear for our NYE trip. I'l be able to relax after I get that booked.

I was shocked when I looked and it was so doable. And then when I looked at airfare and started tracking. When my yapta alerts started to go haywire Sunday night I knew we had to do it. LOL! It does surprise me though as it is a holiday weekend. Though unless you live in HI it's a 5 hour flight from anywhere which is a long time for just a weekend.

There are still 1B's avail for our dates as well so I really think it's the time of year which means when we take the kids it's probably not going to be summer! Most likely Feb or April of 2015. I really wish I could swing a 1B for at least part of this trip, I'm going to miss that kitchen.

We are going 5/21-28. My kids don't even get out of school until 6/23. Are your dates flexible in that you can keep checking and try to move it?

[Captain_Oblivious]

Originally Posted by eandesmom

Oh that is such a bummer! I have heard a lot of that on one of the Aulani threads, or maybe it was FB. We are going over memorial weekend which is supposedly right before or the start of, the busy season. June, once school gets out appears to be booking up and people are finding that first day to be booked at the 7 month mark and then when they check the next day, same thing over and over. Looks like it is all room categories too. This is my huge fear for our NYE trip. I'l be able to relax after I get that booked.

I was shocked when I looked and it was so doable. And then when I looked at airfare and started tracking. When my yapta alerts started to go haywire Sunday night I knew we had to do it. LOL! It does surprise me though as it is a holiday weekend. Though unless you live in HI it's a 5 hour flight from anywhere which is a long time for just a weekend.

There are still 1B's avail for our dates as well so I really think it's the time of year which means when we take the kids it's probably not going to be summer! Most likely Feb or April of 2015. I really wish I could swing a 1B for at least part of this trip, I'm going to miss that kitchen.

We are going 5/21-28. My kids don't even get out of school until 6/23. Are your dates flexible in that you can keep checking and try to move it?

We already have our flights, so unfortunately our dates aren't very flexible. I'm a little bummed that we couldn't get in, but it was always a possibility--especially with a family of 5 ruling out the studios/regular hotel rooms. But I had to at least try. We're going in June, so I'm sure it's a more popular time. And still, we'll be in Hawaii. I'll happily stay in a Motel 6 if it means I'll be in Hawaii.

Can't wait to hear about your trip. I'm sure it will be awesome!

[mickeystoontown]

Originally Posted by eandesmom

We are booked for SEVEN nights at Aulani, and flights are BOOKED!

total cost? For both of us?

$664!

Which included buying a few points so I didn't borrow more than I wanted to and not have buffer for the New Years eve trip.

I was able to get non stop flights both ways but that's what added the night. We get in late on the 21st so right now we have that night in an Island View Studio (waitlisted for standard view) and then the next 6 are Ocean View baby! I'd love to be in a one bedroom for the cooking but for 7 nights? I can figure it out and make it work And with that many nights, I can get some quality time visiting with my family while we are there and not feel like I'm cutting into "our" time so much.

Let the planning begin. I have booked a car but will keep trying to get it down, it's pretty steep but I expected that, especially this far out.

So excited!

Yeah baby! That's fantastic!

[eandesmom]

Originally Posted by Captain_Oblivious

We already have our flights, so unfortunately our dates aren't very flexible. I'm a little bummed that we couldn't get in, but it was always a possibility--especially with a family of 5 ruling out the studios/regular hotel rooms. But I had to at least try. We're going in June, so I'm sure it's a more popular time. And still, we'll be in Hawaii. I'll happily stay in a Motel 6 if it means I'll be in Hawaii.

Can't wait to hear about your trip. I'm sure it will be awesome!

Ah, the family of 5 issue. I know it well. Even with 4 a studio is too small for my liking, and the kids. I really hope your waitlist comes through. Have you figured out a back up plan and booking? What dates are you looking for? Would a split stay be an option if something opens up? June through Labor day is insane, and then I think Christmas is pretty nuts as well. It is a popular place for folks to go from here as you might imagine but most stick to Spring Break which is a little less crazy. I haven't actually stayed in Oahu in 25 years so am not really up on it at all but we've had great luck with condo's elsewhere, I can look up the name of the last group we booked with as it was a spectacular deal on the Big Island and I know they have other sites.

My return flight went up $35 this morning. It will be interesting to see how the airfare plays out. I hope you got decent flight prices and times.

[FauntleroyFAN07]

wow under 700 for flights...is that for everyone?