Halloween, Hawaii and holiday celebrations - the Hawaii section THIS SECTION COMPLETED 1/13 - Page 23 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
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PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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Love that the 1 bedroom has some Hawaiian touches but also looks like 'home' for those of us who have been doing DVC for a while.
Prices look similar to all DVC/WDW properties.
Looking forward to seeing the grand villa!
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The one bedroom villa is gorgeous. I love the colors and the doors are an interesting design. Now I can't wait to see the grand villa. The spa looks very calming and relaxing, too.
I sure would love to stay in one of those villas. It will never happen, but I sure would love too! Just beautiful! And you are right, they are about Disney prices. Not too bad considering where you are at.
I'm really coming late to the party but wanted to comment on the seatbelt discussion from way back on the first pages of this TR. I think I know the answer (maybe?) it seems to me that on a previous flight (must have been Air Canada because all the other airlines we fly on have already been mentioned) anyway - I seem to remember them announcing that for passenger safety, and because turbulence can arise unexpectedly, they asked passengers to please keep their seatbelts fastened while in their seats. When the captain thought that it was necessary for everyone to return to their seats and fasten their belts, an announcement was made and the seatbelt light binged and flashed to draw your attention to it. I was in the washroom once when the announcement was made and had to hightail it back to my seat! He then made an announcement when it was okay to leave your seats again. So probably on flights where the light stays on always it is a C.Y.A. scenario for the airline as was suggested, but barring an announcement to return to their seats, people are free to move about. I'll be flying from Montreal to Miami on Delta in March and I will certainly pay attention now to see what they do!
I have to say that when we flew Lufthansa in the spring we noticed a big difference in the quality of the food that was served. Even on the short flight between Hamburg and Barcelona we were served a delicious breakfast of Greek yogurt, berries, and muesli that was fresh and lovely! The only airline we've had in Canada that was outstanding like that was WardAir and they went bankrupt about 20 years ago. When we flew to England from Toronto we were served all our meals on China with a vase and flower on our trays - it was spectacular! And the really nice thing is that they did not charge an arm and a leg for the excellent service, their prices were competitive (which probably explains why they went out of business)
So enough of that - I am returning to my reading as you are just about to arrive in Hawaii!
I just caught up with your trip report and wow...everything is so beautiful. You are definitely making me want to go back to Hawaii....and I think Hawaiian burgers are on the menu tonight!! That one of Marks looked so good..as did your ice cream!!
Glad we could help out with your choice of dinner tonight!
I have to agree. We spent two weeks in Hawaii in 1995 and I think we paid more for things then! I dont find those prices to bad for a quick service in a hotel.
The one-bedroom looks great! I love how they learn and improve each time they build a DVC property.
I love that too - and it was evident again from our stay at the Grand Floridian Villas. I can't wait to see what more they learn for the Polynesian...
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I don't think the prices at the snack bar look bad at all. From the way people talked about food prices at Aulani I thought they'd be much higher! I am disappointed, though, not to see a single vegetarian item.
That's true. I didn't think of that, as I was happy with the idea of coconut breaded shrimp and I got to try that later in this vacation...
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The selection at the ABC shop looked great, though, so that would be an option for me. Also the Monkeypod Kitchen menu is so fabulous I'm sure I'd have to try that.
I didn't photograph the options in the Ulu Café so they may have something, although unfortunately I really don't remember.
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I'm really coming late to the party but wanted to comment on the seatbelt discussion from way back on the first pages of this TR. I think I know the answer (maybe?) it seems to me that on a previous flight (must have been Air Canada because all the other airlines we fly on have already been mentioned) anyway - I seem to remember them announcing that for passenger safety, and because turbulence can arise unexpectedly, they asked passengers to please keep their seatbelts fastened while in their seats. When the captain thought that it was necessary for everyone to return to their seats and fasten their belts, an announcement was made and the seatbelt light binged and flashed to draw your attention to it. I was in the washroom once when the announcement was made and had to hightail it back to my seat! He then made an announcement when it was okay to leave your seats again. So probably on flights where the light stays on always it is a C.Y.A. scenario for the airline as was suggested, but barring an announcement to return to their seats, people are free to move about. I'll be flying from Montreal to Miami on Delta in March and I will certainly pay attention now to see what they do!
The scenario you described is what we're used to, which is why we were so shocked to see the light stay on all the time. It'll be interesting to see what your experience is on your upcoming flight...
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I have to say that when we flew Lufthansa in the spring we noticed a big difference in the quality of the food that was served. Even on the short flight between Hamburg and Barcelona we were served a delicious breakfast of Greek yogurt, berries, and muesli that was fresh and lovely! The only airline we've had in Canada that was outstanding like that was WardAir and they went bankrupt about 20 years ago. When we flew to England from Toronto we were served all our meals on China with a vase and flower on our trays - it was spectacular! And the really nice thing is that they did not charge an arm and a leg for the excellent service, their prices were competitive (which probably explains why they went out of business)
So enough of that - I am returning to my reading as you are just about to arrive in Hawaii!
I am so with you about the prices - they really aren't that much more for what I'd say is much better service.
Unfortunately, that's how it is with trips for us, as there's only so much time we can take off work. It would've been nice to have had a couple more days to get used to Florida time, but sadly it didn't work out.
Sorry, I was going to at least read a few more days worth before commenting again but I can't help it! I am just wondering what the usual vacation time is in England? Canada is consistently listed amongst the best places to live in the world but we start most jobs with only 2 weeks paid vacation time and it's not unheard of to have to earn the time so essentially many people work for the first year before they can take any paid vacation. I work for municipal government so Iget 11 paid statutory holidays as well as a couple of "personal days" in addition but I know from our B&B and speaking with people from various countries that have stayed with us that we are lagging in that department. You and Mark seem to be blessed with so many wonderful trips (and thank you again for sharing with us, I am a huge armchair traveller!) so you must have more than a couple of weeks of vacation time?
I am now just finishing your photo tour of day one at the resort and as always your photos are breathtaking! The resort looks so lovely!
Sorry, I was going to at least read a few more days worth before commenting again but I can't help it! I am just wondering what the usual vacation time is in England? Canada is consistently listed amongst the best places to live in the world but we start most jobs with only 2 weeks paid vacation time and it's not unheard of to have to earn the time so essentially many people work for the first year before they can take any paid vacation. I work for municipal government so Iget 11 paid statutory holidays as well as a couple of "personal days" in addition but I know from our B&B and speaking with people from various countries that have stayed with us that we are lagging in that department. You and Mark seem to be blessed with so many wonderful trips (and thank you again for sharing with us, I am a huge armchair traveller!) so you must have more than a couple of weeks of vacation time?
I am now just finishing your photo tour of day one at the resort and as always your photos are breathtaking! The resort looks so lovely!
Over here, most jobs start with 20 days vacation time and that's usually on top of any Bank Holidays (statutory holidays) - we do have less than the US (I don't know about Canada), just eight a year, but we do get generous holiday allowances to make up for that.
I was lucky enough to start a job a couple of years ago with 25 days holiday and I can take back time in lieu if I work longer days. I was on 30 days with my last employer and it only took me five years to get to that. It's the same where I am now, so it's a really good deal.
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Now I can't wait to see the grand villa. The spa looks very calming and relaxing, too.
)
Guess where we were headed??
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so they may have something, although unfortunately I really don't remember. 
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