Sailing Alaska With Disney Cruise Line – Part 1: Onboard the Disney Wonder

Hi, I’m Katie! Are you new here? I’m a travel advisor with The Magic’s Yours Travel! I send clients on vacations of all kinds all over the world but my specialty is Disney travel. Want to work together? Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

In July 2017 I cruised with Disney Cruise Line to Alaska. This is part one of a two part series about this trip. In this blog I will cover everything onboard the ship and the second post will cover everything about the ports we visited during this cruise. 

You can read part two here: Alaska With Disney Cruise Line – Part 2: Ports

Itinerary

We flew from Maryland to Vancouver where we stayed for three nights before boarding the Disney Wonder to embark on our 7-night cruise to Alaska. This was the first time visiting both Vancouver and Alaska for my entire travel party. 

The cruise itinerary was:

Day 1 – Embark From Vancouver

Day 2 – At Sea

Day 3 – At Sea – Endicott Arm 

Day 4 – Skagway 

Day 5 – Juneau

Day 6 – Ketchikan 

Day 7 – At Sea

Day 8 – Disembark In Vancouver

Boarding / Embarkation

The embarkation process was simple. During online check-in we selected a window of time during which we would arrive at the port this became our assigned “port arrival time”. We arrived during that window, went through the check-in process with a Disney Cruise cast member then we went through security and customs.  Customs because we were sailing from Canada but would be stopping in the American ports of Alaska. Our luggage was then taken from us by Disney porters, it was reunited with us in our room later in the day. 

As we got closer to entering the ship we found the first of the official photo opportunities. We got our photos taken with a backdrop of the ship with the words “Disney Wonder – Alaska 2017” 

As we, and each family, entered the ship from the gangway and into the main atrium we were announced by the cast members. As you walk into the beautiful atrium you hear “Disney Wonder please welcome the ____ family!” This was a very nice little magic moment. 

The Ship – The Disney Wonder

Our ship was the Disney Wonder, one of two “classic” Disney ships in the fleet. Having first set sail in 1999 the Wonder has 875 staterooms and a capacity of 2,400 passengers. While by no means a small ship it is smaller than the newer Disney ships and other fleets mega ships. Most of the ships that cruise Alaska are on the smaller end of things as they have to navigate smaller areas along the coastline. 

The ship is beautiful with aesthetics that mix classic ship travel with art nouveau style and a bit of Disney mixed in. The Atrium features a gorgeous chandelier and a grand staircase. Many areas of the ship are also themed. From the British style pub, to the tropical pool deck, and the New Orleans themed Tiana’s Place restaurant. 

Being onboard any ship can take a little getting used to and can possibly cause sea sickness. Plan ahead what type of motion sickness approach you plan to take. Research your options and buy items ahead of time and apply them before you board the ship on the first day. Make sure you have enough for the entire trip as well. I chose to go with seasickness patches. I put them on before boarding the ship, applied them as directed and never had any issues. After the first two days I was very used to being on the ship and rarely noticed the movement after that time. Our first and last sea day were the most rocky, this is typical for this itinerary as the ship is in more open waters during this time. The rest of the cruise you are close to land as the ship traverses the southern Alaskan waters. 

Room Review

Upon boarding the first thing we did was head to our room. Rooms are not always available right when you board but ours happened to be as we had a later port arrival time. We had an inside stateroom, meaning we had no windows or balcony of any kind. These rooms are the lowest priced and least exciting. The room was what we needed and nothing more. It worked well for us, though small like many cruise ship rooms are we did not spend much time in the room itself so that did not bother us. 

As you enter there is a sliding door closet to one side of you and the bathroom to the other. The closet has a safe and ample hanging room. Also space to store some luggage. The bathroom is small but nothing crazy, though the shower did feel cramped. The room has a small seating area with a sofa that flipped into a bed for a child if needed. A small desk, mini fridge and shelving where opposite the couch with a small coffee table in between. A wall mounted TV could be tilted to be viewed from either the couch or the bed. Past the couch in the back for the room was a comfy queen bed with a light and smaller dresser on either side. This bed can be split into two twin beds as needed.


We chose a room that was located centrally in the ship as this is supposed to be the location on board with the least motion or movement. I found that I only really felt movement when on the ends of the ship or on the top deck. A centrally located room chosen to limit the movement we would feel worked out well for us.

Your room steward freshens your room a few times a day and each evening we had a towel animal and chocolates left on our bed. 

If you want to add some extra fun to your trip and make your life a bit easier on board pack some magnets to put on your cabin door. Not only will it be fun to decorate your door but it will make your room much easier to find in the long corridors. I found templates on Pinterest to print and make my own magnets but you could easily grab some dollar store Disney magnets as well. 

Ship Activities

There is a ton to do onboard a Disney ship! Here are the offerings that we participated in.

Sail Away Deck Party – This was a lot of fun and really a great way to get pumped at the start of the cruise. Characters and cruise cast members onstage welcomed the passengers to the ship with a musical celebration. There was also a countdown to when the ship would start to leave port and lots of dancing in the crowd. Plus you are on deck so you get to watch as the ship leaves port. In Vancouver this was very scenic and we could see spots in the city we had spent time in which was extra cool. This was a really great way to start the cruise experience. We watched from one deck above where the stage was.

Character Meet & Greets – Scheduled throughout the cruise were lots of character meet and greets. I spotted classic characters, Pixar characters, Princesses, Frozen, and Marvel characters, plus classic characters in special Alaskan outfits. The Alaskan ones were my favorite. Some characters were available to meet during multiple time periods but some were not. Be sure to pay attention to who is on the schedule each day if you enjoy character meets and photos. Characters were each accompanied by the ships photographers as well. The characters only meet for a limited amount of time and the line will be cut off if it is too long so be sure to arrive at the start time or a bit before.

There were two instances on our cruise where you needed to book the character experience in advance. These were bookable online prior to sailing and filled up quickly especially for reservations on sea days. I was able to book in advance the opportunity for us to meet a group of Princesses, and separately a Frozen meet with Anna, Elsa and Olaf. The Frozen meet was especially nice and took place in Animators Pallet. The whole room was Frozen themed for the meet. 

Fitness – The fitness center was very nice I enjoyed using the treadmills and being able to look out into the ocean while running. I took one of the included fitness classes as well and the instructor was helpful and I had a good experience. The exterior running track around the ship was really helpful to get steps, or miles in. While at the back and front of the ship you are sometimes running through what feels like a tunnel the rest of the time you can see the ocean and sometimes the Alaskan landscape. 

Live Theatre Performances – Our cruise offered several theatrical shows and on the other nights musical acts, and a magician. I did go to the magician performance and left after about 15 minutes as I was bored. The theatrical shows were very enjoyable. Two were compilations of Disney songs put together with a loose storyline. These were enjoyable and very much in-line with stage shows you would see at the Disney theme parks though these were longer. The star of the show here was the Frozen production. This was much more along the lines of a Broadway show. The actors were top notch and the staging was fantastic. The show was shorter than a standard Broadway production but I feel it was very comparable and it is a must see if you are on the Wonder. 

Photography – I love having vacation photos so I took full advantage of photographers on the ship. I purchased the photo package ahead of time and made sure to get my photo taken at practically every opportunity. Every night there were several photographers set-up in the main areas of the ship with different backgrounds, some specific to the port we were in that day. This is also a nice way to get a group family photo. Assuming you will make the effort to get the photos taken, as sometimes you did have a wait in a bit of a line, I highly suggest getting the photo package. 

Shopping – As a fan of Disney merchandise I spent plenty of time at the two stores onboard that had mostly Disney or cruising items. The merchandise was varied and they had lots of great items, especially the Alaska specific ones. A third small store had items made in Alaskan which was really nice to see. Remember to visit the shops on sea days because they won’t be open while you are in port. 

Trivia – One of the scheduled actives that was offered frequently was trivia. Different themes were offered including sessions specifically for kids or families. The turnout for these was good and the questions were great. The winners even got little plastic medals. As a trivia fan this was so fun. 

Dance Parties – Another activity that was offered several times was a dance party. Held in the atrium with characters attending and lead by cast members it was a lot of fun to just be silly and see all the characters and kids dancing around to pop music. This is also a great way to get some character interaction for kids.

Frozen Night – One evening the theme was Frozen, each restaurant served a Frozen themed menu and there were lots of little Annas and Elsas running around. There was a Norwegian maypole in the atrium as well as Frozen themed decor. Everyone was gifted a light-up snowflake necklace to wear. There was a deck party that night where Anna, Elsa, Olaf, and Kristof performed and told the story for Frozen to the crowd. This was something distinctly Disney and done really well. 

Dining

There is so much to eat onboard a Disney ship!

Cabanas – The buffet onboard was extensive with lots of food. Some were classics available every day and some rotated daily. As someone with allergies a food and beverage manager walked me around and let me know what was safe for me to eat. They offered to grab something from the back if needed as well to avoid cross contamination. The buffet food was good but nothing super special. I was happy with my meals there. 

Pool Deck – For most lunches I grabbed something from the pool deck area. Most of this food is “fast food” or sandwiches and salads. I liked the option of grabbing a veggie burger from one station and a made to order salad from the other and combining them.

Character Breakfast – We signed up for an included character breakfast, which was bookable online prior to sailing. The food was table service ordered off a menu and ours took place in Animators Pallet though I believe this rotates. The character interaction was amazing. Compared to character meals in the parks we got so much time with each character. The servers were even in on the fun as they all used the colorful napkins to create hats and scarves and centerpieces. Everyone was covered in napkins by the end of the meal and overall it was a great experience which cost us nothing extra.  

Dinner – Rotational Dining

Disney Cruise Line has three included dinner locations and uses a rotational dining schedule. Each party is assigned a rotation and every night you will dine at a different restaurant. So during a seven night cruise like this one you’ll experience each restaurant twice and one of the locations a third time. When you return to a restaurant for the second time the menu and at some locations the experience was different so you have variety each night. Whichever restaurant you are dining at three time is the location you will be at during your themed night. On this cruise that was the Frozen Night. On Caribbean cruises that would be your Pirate Night. There are two assigned seating times early seating at 5:00 and late seating at 8:00. You’ll choose your preference at booking.

Animators Palette – Dining here, both nights was a complete experience. When you enter the room everything is black and white and throughout your meal the restaurant changes to color, and Mickey even made an appearance. Then on the second night dining here there was an animation experience where everyone got to participate.

Triton’s – The theming here is like an elegant evening under the sea. This was the least exciting of the three dinner locations but it was a nice time.  

Tiana’s Place – This was my favorite of the three restaurants. Themed as Tiana’s restaurant from Princess and the Frog there was live jazz music being performed and Tiana even sang for us. Near the end of the evening Louis the alligator came out to lead a dance line thorough the restaurant. Tiana even came to every table to say hello and take photos. One night here was themed to Mardi Gras and everyone got beads to wear and dessert included beignets. It was a blast. This was my favorite of the three dinner locations.

Dinner with Allergies – Our server was very accommodating and each night would make sure to bring my allergy bread and butter when she brought out the regular ones for the table. She also showed me the menus and had me pick my dinner a night ahead so that the kitchen could make sure make the item I wanted could be modified for my needs in advance. This worked out great. They also always came up with a good option for dessert as well. 

Signature Restaurants – The Disney Wonder has one signature dining location, Palo. This is an additional cost and reservations are required. Palo serves Italian cuisine with options for dinner and brunch.

Glacier Day!

By far the best day on board is the sea day where the ship traverses a fjord and visits an iceberg. During my trip we visited Endicott Arm a narrow passage where you can see beautiful landscapes with mountains on both sides of the ship. In the water there are lots of little icebergs where you might even spot some seals, we sure did. Sometimes you are able to see mountain goats and other wildlife as well. You travel down the fjord to the glacier at the end. The glacier is amazing and the craziest shade of blue I’ve ever seen. Then the ship turns around and travels back the way you came. The whole thing takes up much of the day. You can watch from your room if you have a balcony. We spent the whole journey down the fjord on the top deck. On the large movie screen by the pool and on all the TV’s thorough out the ship, even in your room, there is live footage looking out from the bridge of the ship. During the journey a naturalist is narrating and explaining what you are seeing. The naturalist also lead several presentations during the week onboard. This day was my favorite time spent onboard the ship and one of the best parts of the whole trip for me. This was also the coldest I was during the cruise as you are both outside and on the top deck you get a lot of wind. Blankets, hot coffee, and hot chocolate were being passed out but make sure to plan accordingly. Little ones might find spending the whole day on this activity a little challenging so this could be a great time for them to explore the kids club with a quick break for some glacier viewing once the ship arrives. 

Overall Review  

My overall experience onboard the ship was very positive. I never found myself laking for something to do, and I enjoyed almost everything I did. As as Disney fan I loved seeing the characters and the Disney themed shows. If you are not a Disney fan and traveling without children you may find yourself more inclined to the activities offered on other cruise lines. If you are looking for a lot of pool time onboard then an Alaska sailing is not for you. 

I enjoyed all the food I had and even more that they were able to accommodate my allergy.  

Our room was comfy and as we did not spend a lot of time in our room so an inside stateroom was just fine for the two of us. I don’t think that an upgrade to a balcony would have made sense for us looking at the price difference between the two rooms. 

If I were to go again there is not much I would do differently onboard. I think I would try to fight the time difference and jet lag to stay up a bit later and experience some of the night time activities. But with the time change from the east coast we were ready for bed as soon as the evenings shows were done. I would like try out one of the specialty dining options next time and I would take more advantage for the included room service food as well.

Overall this cruise left me excited to cruise with Disney again and wondering about a cruise on one of their larger ships. Maybe to someplace warm this time!

Read about our experience in the Alaska ports here: Alaska With Disney Cruise Line – Part 2: Ports

That was our Disney Alaska cruise! I hope you found this interesting and informative. Considering a cruise? I’m a travel advisor and would love to work with you! Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacations dreams a reality!

Planning Your Trip to Yellowstone National Park: Essential Tips

Hi, I’m Katie! Are you new here? I’m a travel advisor with The Magic’s Yours Travel! I send clients on vacations of all kinds all over the world but my specialty is Disney travel. Want to work together? Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

I visited Yellowstone as a part of a larger Western U.S. road trip. Starting in Salt Lake City, Utah through Idaho, to Grande Teton and Yellowstone in Wyoming. We went on to travel across Montana then visit Medora, North Dakota and Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota. We ended our trip with a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and flew home from Denver.

Why Visit Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone National Park is a huge 3,500 square miles, mostly located in Wyoming the park spills into Idaho and Montana on the edges as well. Yellowstone sits on top of a volcanic hot spot which provides the famous geysers, hot springs, and other geothermal features of the park. Yellowstone is full of wildlife including bison, elk, wolves, and bears. The geography of the park includes mountains, valleys, canyons and forests. It is truly a unique and wonderful place unlike any other. 

The weather here is a huge factor to consider Yellowstone has long and snowy winters. December to mid-April you will find a lot of snowstorms and frigid nights. From mid-April to June the days are mild and the nights cool. In July and August the days are warm but nights are still cool. From September to November, there is occasional snow with sunny days and cold nights. 

The crown jewel in the U.S. National Parks system Yellowstone is a very popular tourist destination especially in the summer. Winter visits are much more difficult and much of the park is closed. A visit from late spring through to early fall visit will allow you to see the whole park. Keep in mind the late June – August are the busiest months. We were there in July and were never unable to do anything due to crowds but it did make parking more difficult to find and there were crowds. We got up early to avoid crowds as much as we could.

If you are visiting Yellowstone and you have the time I strongly suggest combining your visit with time in Grand Teton National Park. Especially in the summer, in the winter the weather can greatly affect your travel between the two. 

How to Get To Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is located on the northwestern corner of Wyoming and extends into Montana and Idaho as well.

If you are planning a visit to Yellowstone National Park you need a car. This means you would either drive from your home or fly to a nearby airport and then rent a car. 

The closest airports are:

  • West Yellowstone Airport – West Yellowstone, Idaho (WYS) – Right Outside Park – Serviced from early May to mid-October from Salt Lake City, UT
  • Yellowstone Regional Airport – Cody, Wyoming (COD)  – 1 Hour to Park
  • Jackson Hole Airport –  Jackson, Wyoming (JAC) – 1 Hour to Park 
  • Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport – Bozeman, Montana (BZN) – 2 Hours to Park 
  • Billings Logan International Airport – Billings, Montana (BIL) – 3 Hours to Park
  • Idaho Falls Regional Airport, Idaho Falls, Idaho (IDA) – 3 Hours to Park
  • Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC) – 7 Hours to Park

Salt Lake City International Airport is the largest of these and you are likely to find the most flights, direct flights, and the best budget flights. But you will save time and the hassle of driving if you grab a connection to West Yellowstone, Yellowstone Regional or Jackson Hole Airport. 

Yellowstone is also a great addition to any larger road trip of the West or the U.S. That is the context in which we visited.

We flew into the Salt Lake City, UT airport, rented a car and spent a day in the Salt Lake area. The next morning we drove from Salt Lake to Jackson Hole, Wyoming where we spent the night. The next day we were about a 15 minute drive to the entrance of Grand Teton National Park where we spent the first half of the day and then continued on to Yellowstone. 

Where To Stay

There are several options for where to stay when visiting Yellowstone. You can either stay in the park or in one of the surrounding towns. A choice to stay in the park limits the options of your accommodations and is likely a bit more expensive but you are right in the middle of the action, availability can also be a challenge. A choice to stay out of the park expands your accommodation options and will likely cost less, you will also find these rooms easier to book closer to your visit. 

You can also choose to split the difference and stay in a few different locations as you travel though the park. This is the option that I chose during my visit. We visited Yellowstone over three days. The night before we entered the park we stayed in Jackson Hole. The next night we stayed at the Yellowstone Lodge inside the park. Then the night at the end of our time in Yellowstone we stayed in Gardiner. 

Staying Outside the Park – Yellowstone is large and you could spend several hours a day in the car, depending on your plans, if you choose to stay in one of the surrounding towns and commute into the park each day. But there are more varied accommodations, including home and cabin rentals as well as familiar hotel chains. 

Jackson Hole, Wyoming  – 1 Hour Drive – Check out my post about Grand Teton to read all about Jackson Hole 

West Yellowstone, Montana  – Right On The Edge Of The Park – This the closest of the out of the park locations to the Old Faithful Area. About an hour drive depending on park traffic. You have a lot of accommodation options here, cabins, lodges, independent hotels and some chain hotels such as Best Western and Holiday Inn. The dining options here are mostly American bar and grill food, there is also a grocery store which is great for grabbing food to bring with you for the day.  There are also some additional attractions here including the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, The Playmill Theatre, the Museum of the Yellowstone, plus tons of outdoor activities. 

Gardiner, Montana – Right On The Edge Of The Park – Located right at the Northern Entrance closest to the Mammoth Hot Springs area of the park. The accommodations here are varied from cabins, lodges, independent hotels and some chain hotels such as Comfort Inn and Super 8 or you go a littler further out there are some more upscale resorts and ranches as well. Dining here is also mostly American bar and grill food, there is also a grocery store which is great for grabbing food to bring with you for the day. There are many outdoor activities available and lots of small shops to explore. 

Cody, Wyoming  – 1 Hour Drive – A bit larger than West Yellowstone and Gardiner but Cody is also further from the most popular parts of the park about two and a half hours from the Old Faithful area. I would not recommend Cody as a base but as a location for a night to stay on your way in or out of the park depending on your itinerary. Visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a reconstructed historic old west street, Plains Indians Museum, or the Draper National History Museum. There are also lots of outdoor activities. The accommodations here are varied from cabins, lodges, independent hotels and some chain hotels such as Best Western, plus some ranch experiences. Dining here is also mostly American bar and grill food, but there are more varied options here than West Yellowstone and Gardiner. 

Staying In The Park – There are nine different options for National Park owned and run lodges and cabins that are actually inside of the park. They are located in various locations throughout the park.  They offer stunning views and the best locations for easy access to the park attractions. They offer dining options as well. Most rooms in any National Park lodge are not particularly fancy or luxurious but they have everything you need and are clean and comfortable.

  • Be sure to take note of if you have a restroom in your room as some of the older historic lodges have rooms with a shared hallway restroom. 
  • Some of the lodges are only open seasonally as well. 
  • Some of the lodges offer cabin options too.

What To Do In Yellowstone

There is a lot to do in Yellowstone. If you are just spending the day, passing through, or devoting a whole vacation there is a lot to fill your time. 

Safety First  the park recommends you carry bear spray and/or wear bear bells. Make sure you do your bear safety reading before visiting. Also note that you will not be able to take bear spray with you if you are flying but there are plenty of places that sell it in and around the parks. 

I also advise that if you plan to hike you make sure you are in hiking shape before your visit. Practice with walks around your neighborhood or local hikes. Pick a trail that is equal to your skill level. No one wants to be sore and miserable during their vacation, be prepared and don’t over do it.

Explore Thermal Basins – The highlight of Yellowstone are its geysers and other thermal activity. There are several areas with raised wooden boardwalks that you can walk on to explore the areas. Many of which are a very easy walk from a parking lot or paved path onto a boardwalk. 

Hiking – There are tons of hiking options in Yellowstone. If you want to hike make sure you have a plan on where. Check out the National Parks website, and consider picking up a travel guide, I like Foders brand. Plan what hikes you want to do.

Scenic Drives – For those looking to enjoy the park with mobility concerns or with a travel party that is not up to a hike just a drive through the park is very scenic. Most roads in the park feature pull off and scenic overlooks where you can park quickly and hop out for a photo and then enjoy the view. 

Ranger Programs – The National Park Rangers host programs free to the public. There are talks and walks throughout the park led by Rangers. These are a great way to learn and ask questions about the park and the nature in it.

Junior Rangers – For the kiddos the National Parks Service has the Junior Rangers program. Stop into any of the visitor’s centers or visit the website before you go to get started. They have booklets full of activities for kids to do while you travel through the park.

Climbers, backpackers, campers, fisherman, bicyclers, and horseback riders all have the opportunity to enjoy those activities in Yellowstone. There are also private boating opportunities, permits required. There are even a select few areas where you can get in the water and swim. 

In the winter while much of the park is closed down there are some unique opportunities such as skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. 

Private Tours – There are a lot of tour options from many private companies offered if you want something more guided. 

What We Did During Our Visit

We spent three days in the Yellowstone area. The first night we spent in Jackson and we then spent time in Grand Teton, read my Grand Teton blog for details on that. After a morning spent in Grand Teton we made the drive to Yellowstone which took about an hour before we were at the South Entrance. 

We drove straight to the Old Faithful area where our accommodations for the night were. We stayed at the Old Faithful Lodge in a cabin. It was fine for a night but I can not recommend them. It was loosely defined as a “cabin”, quite small, pricey, and not terribly comfortable. I knew this going in but it was all that was available in that area of the park with a private restroom which was a must for us. Booking a year ahead really does make a difference if you are visiting in the summer. I was booking 10 months ahead and thus left with limited options. 

Once we were all checked in we headed straight to Old Faithful which signage told us that a geyser eruption was due in about 20 minutes. There is aa ton of seating and additional standing room available here from which to view the geyser. The eruption was pretty cool to see and definitely something different. After Old Faithful we walked over to the boardwalk for the Upper Geyser Basin, an easy walkway built through this thermal basin. The scenery here was unbelievable with all sorts of thermal activity to see. I highly recommend seeing both during your trip. 

We had dinner at the Old Faithful Inn Dining Room in the Old Faithful Inn, the food was mediocre but food options inside the park are limited, even more so for a table service meal. The Inn itself was built in 1903 and is a must see. 

The next morning we checked out of our cabin and headed off for an early morning hike. Starting with the Biscuit Basin boardwalk which was another boardwalk over smaller thermal pools. A great option for a less crowded boardwalk. Off the boardwalk is the Mystic Falls Trail, we hiked the 1 mile to the base of the falls and back. This was classified as a moderate hike and it was a lovely stroll through the woods. 

Next we were off to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone which was stunning and I highly recommend adding it to your visit. We hiked the canyon rim trail for a short while and took a ton of photos before we were off to our next destination the Mammoth Hot Springs. The scenic drive between the two was breathtaking. We made a few stops along the way. 

Once we got to Mammoth Hot Springs this was another hub of activity as the Old Faithful area had been. We saw a bunch of elk lying around on the lawn between some buildings. We explored the Upper and Lower Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace areas. Note that though the terraces have boardwalk style walkways there are a lot of stairs. The rock formations here were beautiful. 

After Mammoth we headed out of the park, past the Roosevelt Arch and the North Entrance to the town of Gardiner, MT where we stayed for the night. We stayed at a Best Western that appears to no longer be in business. (in 2024) The town had several cute shops that we explored and we grabbed dinner from a grocery store before calling it a night after a long day. The next morning we were off across Montana to continue our trip. 

*** We packed lunches and snacks that we picked up from a grocery store when we started our trip using cold packs, hotel mini-fridges and ice to keep anything perishable cold. There is food available at all of the lodges throughout the park but you could be driving for a while before you get two one. *** 

Who Should Visit

I think a visit to Yellowstone would be a hit with everyone. Specifically, I would suggest a trip to Yellowstone to those who are active. Friends, couples, our adult only families who are active can enjoy some time hiking, rafting, and another physical activity and then spend their evening at a lodge or in the town you are staying in. 

For families with little ones I would recommend this for those with children elementary aged and up. You can tailor your activities to your kids and your family. I think for those with teenagers this would be a great opportunity for the family to unplug and have some quality time together in a place that it likely very different from your home town. 

This is also a fun choice for a multi-generational family trip. Everyone can enjoy a walk on the boardwalks or a scenic drive, plus family time at a lodge or cabin. With a central home base or a lodge or cabin different family members can participate in different activities. Even older or less mobile members of the family have the opportunity to enjoy scenic drives, tours, and views, and walks on the fairy accessible boardwalks near the lodges.

That was our visit to the Yellowstone! I hope you found this interesting and informative. Considering a trip to Yellowstone? I’m a travel advisor and would love to work with you! Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

Ultimate Guide to Visiting Mount Rushmore

Hi, I’m Katie! Are you new here? I’m a travel advisor with The Magic’s Yours Travel! I send clients on vacations of all kinds all over the world but my specialty is Disney travel. Want to work together? Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

Mount Rushmore is one of the most iconic landmarks of the United States. A location that we see represented in U.S. culture often. It is also a real artistic and technological achievement.

I visited Mount Rushmore as a part of a larger Western U.S. road trip. Started by flying into Salt Lake City, Utah then driving through Idaho, to Grande Teton and Yellowstone in Wyoming. Through Montana to Medora, North Dakota, then onto Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota. We ended our trip with a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and flew home from Denver.

How To Get There

The easiest way to visit Mount Rushmore, and what I would recommend, is to build it into a larger road trip. Mount Rushmore is located in southwestern South Dakota near Keystone, South Dakota. 

The closest airport is Rapid City Regional Airport which is about a 45-minute drive. Rapid City is also the closest city. Mount Rushmore is really not near any larger cities or large airports. 

Nearby Attractions

If you choose to go the roadtrip route there are several other attractions in the vicinity. 

Crazy Horse Memorial – Forty minutes away from Mount Rushmore is the Crazy Horse Memorial. Started in response to Mount Rushmore this memorial to the famous American Indian the Crazy Horse sculpture was never completed but his face has been carved and on display. There is a welcome center, museum, and sometimes live events all featuring the history and culture of American Indians indigenous to the area. This is a great stop to gain more insight into the history of this land from its indigenous peoples. 

Black Hills National Forest – Mount Rushmore is located in Black Hills National Forest. In the surrounding areas you can partake is most outdoor activities you can think of. 

Medora, North Dakota – About 4 hours from Mount Rushmore. This adorable tourist town comes alive in the summer, with a quaint town center with shops and dining options. There are several live performance options in town. The towns signature activity is the outdoor musical variety show, Medora the Musical, performed nightly in the summer in an amphitheater with spectacular views. We greatly enjoyed the atmosphere and performances at Medora, the Musical. In addition you will find rotating live performances at the Old Town Hall Theatre many featuring Teddy Roosevelt as well as a Gospel Brunch. The big draw to Medora is Teddy Roosevelt National Park where you can drive through the scenic landscapes, or hike and explore the park. Don’t miss the visitor’s center where you can learn the history of the park and see the cabin Teddy Roosevelt lived in during his time in North Dakota.

Deadwood, South Dakota – About an hour north of Mt. Rushmore and much larger and with a very different feel than Medora, Deadwood is the historic home to outlaws of the Wild West and the town today draws on that for it’s spirit and the theming of its tourist areas. If you are looking to visit the Wild West with some modern kitsch you will enjoy Deadwood, however it does not have the quaint charm of Medora. We much preferred Medora.  Deadwood is home to several casinos, and hotels. As well as a lot of stores, bars, and restaurants. There are several museums featuring the history of the town and surrounding areas, historic tours, and historic homes. There is a vintage train nearby that you can ride as well as an indoor waterpark, ropes course, zipline, and mini-golf. Deadwood is also an option to use as a central hub to visit several of the National Parks nearby such as Mount Rushmore. 

Badlands National Park, South Dakota – About an hour and a half east of Mount Rushmore is Badlands National Park where you can view the iconic Dakota buttes and pinnacles. Drive or hike through the park and enjoy scenic views.

Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota – An hour south of Mt. Rushmore is Wind Cave National Park. Where you can hike, look for the parks bison and elk, explore the cave with a ranger tour or on your own. 

Devil’s Tower National Monument, Wyoming – Two and a half hours west is the iconic Devil’s Tower. Here you can hike, climb, and learn about the geology and history of the location, including its sacred nature to the indigenous Northern Plains Indians. 

Where To Stay?

If you want to stay right next door to Mount Rushmore you want to look at Keystone, SD. You will find many hotels, inns, hotels, RV parks, and cabin rentals. The entire town is dedicated to the tourism from Mount Rushmore with several museums and tourist attractions available. Including mining for gold, zip lining, golfing, a wax museum of U.S. Presidents, and more. This is a tourism town but there is also lots to keep you busy and a lot of activities with families in mind. 

If you are looking to stay in a larger more luxurious hotel or just a larger town look to nearby Rapid City. 

What To Do At Mount Rushmore?

Avenue of Flags & Grand View Terrace – As you enter the monument the Grand View Terrace and Avenue of Flags is the main area. You will see all 50 United States state flags that will lead you to the the fabulous view of the monument. 

Presidential Trail – Walk this loop trail to get closer to the monument. The entire pathway is 0.6 miles long and paved or raised wooden walkway making it easy going but there are some stairs in places with no ramp options. 

Sculptor’s Studio – Hear a ranger talk about the techniques used to carve the monument and see the sculpter’s scale model.  

Lincoln Borglum Visitors Center – View a short film about the carving of the monument and several exhibits exploring the history or the area and monument. 

Junior Ranger Program – Complete an activity booklet designed for kids, with several age group options. 

Tours & Ranger Programs – There are several programs offered from the park rangers throughout the day ranging from the carving of the monument, the Presidents featured on the monument, and the history of the lands surrounding the memorial and the American Indian tribes who have populated the area. You can also rent a handheld media device to take part in a self guided walking tour. 

Cafe & Gift Shop – At the entrance you will find a gift ship where you can get anything you can imagine that is Mount Rushmore themed. You will also find the Carver’s Cafe where you can grab coffee, ice cream and meal options like beef stew, hot dogs (or buffalo dogs), salads, chicken, and fish. 

Nightly Light Show – “Freedom: America’s Lasting Legacy” – Weather permitting there is a nightly show in the amphitheater below the Grand View Terrace. Lead by a ranger and featuring a film celebrating America and special lighting on the monument. The entire program is 45-minutes long.

What We Did

We really enjoyed our visit to Mount Rushmore. We walked all of the paths and visited the exhibits. As you drive up to the monument you can see the Presidential faces from the road. Then as we approached the entrance to the monument on foot it felt unreal that we were actually seeing something we had seen in photos so many times. Learning about how the artists and workers actually made the monument was very interesting and the exhibits were well done. We also particularly enjoyed walking the Presidential Trail getting up close to the monument. Being able to see such an iconic American landmark was one of the highlights of this larger trip.

 

Before Your Visit 

If you are looking for some inspiration before your visit be sure to check out these movies that have been filmed at Mt. Rushmore. 

  • North By Northwest 
  • National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets
  • Richie Rich
  • Head of State

Who Should Visit?

I think a visit to Mount Rushmore is great for anyone!

I think families and adults of all ages will enjoy a visit. 

That was our visit to the Mt. Rushmore! I hope you found this interesting and informative. Considering a trip to South Dakota? I’m a travel advisor and would love to work with you! Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

Planning Your Trip to Jackson Hole and Grand Teton National Park

Hi, I’m Katie! Are you new here? I’m a travel advisor with The Magic’s Yours Travel! I send clients on vacations of all kinds all over the world but my specialty is Disney travel. Want to work together? Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

I visited Grand Teton as a part of a larger Western U.S. road trip in the summer of 2018. Starting in Salt Lake City, Utah through Idaho, to Grande Teton and Yellowstone in Wyoming. We went on to travel across Montana then visit Medora, North Dakota and Mt. Rushmore in South Dakota. We ended our trip with a visit to Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and flew home from Denver.

Grand Teton Basics

Grand Teton National Park is nestled among the Teton mountain range and holds within it lakes, streams, mountains, forests, abundant wildlife such as bears and elk, and historic homesteads. Here you will find beautiful views of western mountains, and a peaceful ambiance. 

Grand Teton is beautiful and anyone could enjoy a visit here be it to just enjoy a scenic drive or to get out on the trails. If you have not experienced mountains in the Western U.S. this is a great place to start. This is a great place for hiking, and getting out into nature particularly in the summer. Also a fantastic skiing vacation opportunity in the colder months. 

The weather here is a huge factor to consider as the Tetons have long and snowy winters. December to mid-April you will find snowstorms and frigid nights. From mid-April to June the days are mild and the nights cool. In July and August the days are warm but nights are still cool. From September to November, there is occasional snow with sunny days and cold nights. I would recommend a visit in the summer unless you are here for the snowy activities. 

If you are visiting Grand Teton and you have the time I strongly suggest combining your visit with time in Yellowstone National Park. Especially in the summer, in the winter the weather can greatly effect your travel between the two. 

How to Get To Grand Teton National Park 

Grand Teton National Park is located on the northwestern edge of Wyoming. The park is right outside of Jackson, Wyoming. It is about an hour south of Yellowstone National Park and two hours west of Idaho Falls, ID. 

If you are planning a visit to Grand Teton National Park you need a car. This means you would either drive from your home or fly to a nearby airport and then rent a car. 

The closest airports are:

– Jackson Hole Airport, Jackson, Wyoming (JAC) – 15 Minutes to Park 

– Idaho Falls Regional Airport, Idaho Falls, Idaho (IDA) – 2 Hours to Park

– Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah (SLC) – 5 Hours to Park

Salt Lake City International Airport is the largest of the three airports and you are likely to find the most flights, direct flights, and the best budget flights. But you will save time and the hassle of driving if you grab a connection to Jackson Hole Airport or Idaho Falls Regional Airport. 

We flew into the Salt Lake City, UT airport, rented a car and spent a day in the Salt Lake area. The next morning we drove from Salt Lake to Jackson Hole, Wyoming where we spent the night. The next day we were about a 15 minute drive to the entrance of Grand Teton National Park. We went on to continue our road trip through the Western U.S. after our time in the Tetons. 

Jackson and Jackson Hole, Wyoming 

Grand Teton National Park is on the doorstep of Jackson, Wyoming. Jackson is a small town with a thriving tourist economy and where most of your hotel options will be during your visit. Jackson Hole is the name for the entire valley in which Jackson, Grand Teton National Park, and several other small towns and areas sit.  

Jackson itself is full of restaurants, bars, and shopping. Which includes several art galleries. Be sure to stop by the Town Square and see the arches made from Elk horns, and don’t worry the horns are shed by the elk each year so no elk were hammed in the making of the arches. There is a National Park Visitors Center in town as well where you can talk to a ranger for recommendations and pick up maps. The atmosphere here in Jackson is extremely tourist centric, but a generally more affluent tourist clientele then you find in many similar situations. 

There is also a Jackson Hole Historical Society Museum and an art museum, the National Museum of Wildlife Art. Check out the schedule at the Center for the Arts before you visit to see if there are any performances you are interested in seeing too. 

Jackson Hole is perhaps most famous for its ski resorts. Home to fantastic skiing and lovely resorts if you are looking for a ski vacation Jackson Hole is a fantastic option. 

Where To Stay?

There are two general options, you can stay in the park at a National Park lodge or cabin or you can stay outside the park where you will find many hotel options. 

In The Park – There are 7 different options for National Park owned and run lodges and cabins that are actually inside of the park. They are located in various spots throughout Grand Teton. They offer stunning views and the best locations for easy access to the park trails and sites. They offer dining options as well. Most rooms in any National Park lodge are not particularly fancy or luxurious but they have everything you need and are clean and comfortable. 

Outside of the Park – There are hotels, resorts, ranch resorts and more in all of the towns around the park. This includes, Jackson, Teton Village, Moran, and beyond. Most of the accommodations are in Jackson. Here you will find small hotels and the big chains you recognize. As well as some higher end resorts that focus on ski vacations. There are options at various prices points. 

We stayed at the Mountain Modern Motel. We chose to stay outside of the park so that we would be walking distance to downtown Jackson to easily spend our arrival day there. This was a change for us selecting a privately owned hotel over a chain. Our thought was to experience the area more and stay somewhere a little different. I was attracted to the Mountain Modern Motel from the photos online it just looked so cute and it was a good price. There were not many amenities here but we would just be staying one night with limited time spent at the hotel so we didn’t need them. I knew this was a more classic motel that was renovated in the past couple of years. When we arrived we were told they had overbooked, though I had made my reservations over a year in advance, and we would have to wait until after check-in time while they sorted it out. Needless to say this was not a great first impression. About and hour after check-in time we were given our room key. When we got into our room it was very cute and photogenic BUT the quality of everything was lacking. The floors and walls felt like you were sleeping in someones basement. The linens, bed, attitude of the front desk staff, were all sub-par. It was clean and safe and had everything we needed but I would not recommend a stay here and I would never stay here again.

I learned a lesson with hotels for my personal travel on this particular trip. If we visited Grand Teton again I would opt for one of the Hilton chain hotels, my favorite chain, or for one of the more luxurious resorts in the area.

What To Do In Grand Teton?

There is a lot to do in Grand Teton. If you are just spending the day, passing through, or devoting a whole vacation there is a lot to fill your time. 

Hiking – There are tons of hiking options in Grand Teton. If you want to hike make sure you have a plan on where. Check out the National Parks website, and consider picking up a travel guide at the book store or library. Plan what hikes you want to visit.

Safety First while hiking the park recommends you carry bear spray and/or wear bear bells. Make sure you do your bear safety reading before visiting. Also note that you will not be able to bring bear spray with you from home if you are flying but there are plenty of places that sell it in and around the parks. 

I also advise that if you plan to hike you make sure you are in hiking shape before your visit. Practice with walks around your neighborhood or local hikes. Pick a trail that is equal to your skill level. No one wants to be soar and miserable during their vacation, be prepared and don’t over do it. 

Scenic Drives – For those looking to enjoy the park with mobility concerns or with a travel party that is not up to a hike a drive through the park is very scenic. There are several specific routes that the park recommends. These drives feature pull off and scenic overlooks where you can park quickly and hop out for a photo and the enjoy the view. Check out the parks website guide or stop by a visitors center for guidance.

Ranger Programs – The National Park Rangers host programs free to the public. They are talks or walks throughout the park. These are a great way to learn and ask questions about the park and the nature in it.

Junior Rangers – For the kiddos the National Parks Service has the Junior Rangers program. Stop into any of the visitors centers or visit the website before you go to get started. They have booklets full of activities for kids to do while you travel through the park. 

Climbers, backpackers, campers, fisherman, and cyclists, all have the opportunity to enjoy those activities in Grand Teton. There are also private boating opportunities, permits required.

If you are looking for some history check out Mormon Row, a section of picturesque homesteads dating back from 1890 to 1950. The Chapel of the Sacred Heart is a lovely log structure from 1930 that still holds mass and events today. 

Private Tours – There are a lot of tour options from many private companies in the Tetons some in the park and some in the surrounding area. 

The many options include actives such as:

  • Guided Hiking Tours
  • Wildlife “Safaris” In Open Air Vehicles
  • Dog Sledding
  • Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides
  • Float Trip (Rafting and  Water Rapids) 
  • Jeep Tours
  • Horseback Riding  

There are also rental options for bicycles and water sports. 

What We Did During Our Visit 

After our evening spent in Jackson where we explored the shops, and galleries, we got an early start to head to Jenny Lake for our planned hike. 

As our time in Grand Teton was part of a much larger road trip we had just a half day to devote here. After which we were off to neighboring Yellowstone. With that in mind I wanted to have a plan as to which trail we would hike to get the most out of our time. 

 A few criteria I had:

  • On The Way to Yellowstone
  • Parking Access
  • Restroom facilities
  • Easy to Moderate Trail 
  • 1 – 2 hours to devote 
  • Scenic Views

With all that in mind I settled on Jenny Lake Loop Trail which checked all of the boxes. While the trail is a total of 7.5 miles. Our plan was to hike from the visitors center headed west to the Hidden Falls, very close to which is the West Shore Boat Dock where you can hop on a shuttle boat (it was a $10 one way ticket when we visited) that will take you back across the lake to the visitors center. This meant about a 2.5 mile hike for us. 

For details on the shuttle boat visit: https://jennylakeboating.com/boat-trips/shuttle-service/

We got an early start not only so we could fit a lot into our day but because parking was a concern. 

The drive from Jackson into the park and to Jenny Lake was so scenic the mountains seemed unreal as we approached. Just this drive could be a fun experience in itself, and there were several scenic turnouts where you could stop for photos or a picnic lunch. 

The parking lot here was not the smallest I have seen in a National Park but it was not large and this is a popular trail and we were visiting during the peak summer season. When we arrived at 8:00am there were only a few spaces left but we did get one. 

The visitors center here was nice and had bathrooms, water fountains, and a small shop. 

The trail was then just steps away starting on the banks of Jenny Lake. The views were lovely from the start. You hug the lake for a while and then start climbing into the forest, nothing too steep. Eventually you are high above the lake on a cliff edge overlooking the area, a beautiful sight. As you descend you are approaching the Hidden Falls a great cap to the experience. The trail was well marked and while we saw plenty of others we did not experience crowding until the end when we arrived at the falls. From the falls it was a quick hike to the boat dock. There are additional parts of the trial that you can explore as well if you are looking for a longer hike. 

During our hike we had really hoped to see some wildlife and we were not disappointed. We saw a few marmots which we had to look up to identify once we were back in cell service. We also saw a black bear. Luckily he was at a safe distance yet very visible. This was between the falls and the boat dock so at this point the trail was fairly crowded and many had stoped to see the bear so we felt safe with about 20 people many with bear spray nearby. This was a highlight of the entire trip to get to see a bear in the wild, we were very excited. 

Once on the boat you are treated to a quick ride back across the lake to the visitors center and the views from the lake are stunning as well.

Back at our car the whole experience took about 2 hours and then we drove from Jenny Lake through Grand Teton headed for Yellowstone. The drive through the rest of the park was beautiful and we made a planned stop at the Jackson Lake Dam, where after some difficulty parking we hopped out of the car to see the vista of many mountains across the lake. 

Who Should Visit

I would suggest a trip just to Grand Teton to those who are active. Friends, couples, or adult only families who are active can enjoy some time hiking, rafting or another physical activity and then spend their evening at a lodge or in Jackson. For families with little ones I would recommend this for those with children elementary aged and up if you are an active family. If your kids will enjoy some hiking around the park, some time on the water in a boat, or similar than Grand Teton could be a great choice for your family. I think for those with teenagers this would be a great opportunity for the family to unplug and have some quality time together in a place that it likely very different from your home town. 

Additionally anyone who is an avid skier I would recommend a trip to Grand Teton during the ski season. 

That was our visit to Grand Teton National Park! I hope you found this interesting and informative. Considering a trip to Jackson Hole? I’m a travel advisor and would love to work with you! Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

Discover Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor: A Must-See Destination

Hi, I’m Katie! Are you new here? I’m a travel advisor with The Magic’s Yours Travel! I send clients on vacations of all kinds all over the world but my specialty is Disney travel. Want to work together? Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

In July 2019 my husband and I took a week long trip to Hawaii. We visited the islands of Kauai and Oahu including a stay at Aulani: A Disney Resort and Spa.

Click here to check out all of my Hawaii blog posts: Hawaii Posts

Why Hawaii?

Really why not Hawaii? It is absolutely beautiful, has tons to do, offers something for every aged or type of traveler. Plus is you are coming from the mainland US you won’t have to worry about passports or changing money or any of the hassles of international travel. But you will feel like you are somewhere very different from home. 

We chose Hawaii as part of our journey to visit all 50 states as a couple, this was state 47. This was my second trip to Hawaii and my husbands first.

What are the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites?

The Pearl Harbor Historic Sites are located in and around the active Pearl Harbor military base. The most iconic of these sites is the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, which is the main portion of the harbor where the Pearl Harbor attacks on US forces by Japan occurred on December 7th, 1941, which caused the United States to officially enter WWII. Within the National Memorial site you also have the iconic USS Arizona Memorial, which stands in the water above the visible wreckage of the USS Arizona which sunk during the attacks. 

The other Peal Harbor Historic Sites are the USS Bowfin, a submarine, the Battleship Missouri, and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. 

Before You Visit

When you pack your bags for your visit to the Pearl Harbor historic sites make sure to check their website for their current safety guidelines. There are extra security precautions as this is an active military base and due to the nature of the memorials. During out visit only very small bags, or those that are completely see-through, were allowed at the sites. There are rental lockers available prior to the security check where you can secure and leave your belongings. There is also no food allowed to be brought in and only clear water bottles. I used a clear plastic backpack and made sure to have everything inside the bag visible and breezed through security. 

There are many combinations of tickets and packages to visit various combinations of the sites. Visiting the main Pearl Harbor National Memorial including the museums there and the USS Arizona is free. However, there are a limited amount of tickets available per day to visit the USS Arizona. Walk-up tickets are available daily for early morning arrivals but reservations are recommended. Advanced reservations are available online and book quickly as space is limited. Visit the National Parks website for details on how to make advanced reservations. 

A personal recommendation of mine is to do some research ahead of time when you visit a site of great importance and tragedy such as Pearl Harbor. I like to go in knowing more than the very basics when I visit a site like this. I feel that it really adds to the experience to know what I am looking at in greater context. It also allows me to take in an exhibit or site more fully. Especially when visiting sites of tragedy it can sometimes be overwhelming to take in all the information and emotion at once while you are there. This was actually my second visit to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial but the first visit I was 17 and while I did feel the importance of the place and learn a lot while I was there some of the historical context was lost on me then. For this visit I watched and read the following. 

Books:

  • All the Gallant Men: An American Sailor’s Firsthand Account of Pearl Harbor – by Donald Stratton and Ken Gire – This was a fascinating firsthand account of a man that survived the bombings. I believe it is the only book of its kind and it was a very quick and easy read. This would actually be a great airplane book for your flight out. 
  • Countdown to Pearl Harbor: The Twelve Days to the Attack – by Steve Twomey – This provided a lot of background information about the attack and the state of the war at the time. As well as details about the attack itself. 

Watched: 

  • Pearl Harbor (2001) – I know the interpersonal plot lines and melodrama of this movie are not the best. But it is an easy to approach and entertaining general lesson about the attacks on Pearl Harbor. The movie was also actually filmed at Pearl Harbor so a lot of the behind the scenes features are very interesting. 

Getting There

Pearl Harbor is about a 20 minute drive from Waikiki. The simplest way to get there would be to drive. Parking here is free. We took a ride-share and the drop off and pick-up was simple with ample area to do so. You could also take a taxi or public bus transportation. Many resorts offer transportation or tickets and transportation as an excursion as well. 

Once you arrive at Pearl Harbor you are entering an active military base. You can walk from the parking lot or drop off location to the Pearl Harbor National Memorial or the USS Bowfin and you can walk between the two sites. To get to the Battleship Missouri or the Aviation Museum you can take a provided shuttle bus from the National Memorial. The ride each way is about 15 minutes.

Pearl Harbor National Memorial & USS Arizona Memorial

This site is the most famous and iconic. You will have an assigned time for your boat ride to the USS Arizona and you can explorer the rest of the memorial at your own pace. Much of the memorial here is outdoors but you will also find two museum exhibits indoors. The two museums cover the road to the war and the attack on Pearl Harbor. Consider upgrading to an audio tour to get more in-depth information during your visit. We did the audio-tour and while I am not always a fan of audio-tours I did feel that I gained more information while we toured the museum area and waited for our turn to visit the Arizona. Make sure to explore the walkways around the water as well. In the memorial courtyard you will find restrooms, a gift shop, and a pre-packaged snack shop with a fair amount of food options. 

Once your time arrives to visit the USS Arizona Memorial you will enter a movie theatre with your time group. A brief movie will introduce you to the history of Pearl Harbor and what you all see on the USS Arizona. Then you will be escorted to a shuttle boat operated by the Navy. The boat ride will take you to the Arizona and the journey is narrated by a recording. When you arrive at the Arizona you are given about 20 minutes to walk around and take in the memorial. From the memorial you can look down onto the wreckage of the Arizona and see the oil still leaking from the battleship. When you return to the boat the return journey is also narrated and you are dropped off back at the dock. 

** During our visit in 2019 the USS Arizona Memorial itself was closed due to restoration work that was needed on the dock. The alternative was that the boat took us past and close to the memorial.**

From the time you enter the theatre to the time you arrive back at the Pearl Harbor Memorial dock is approximately 75 minutes.

This entire experience is powerful and solemn and I highly recommend a visit. 

USS Bowfin

The USS Bowfin is a submarine that fought in the Pacific during WWII. You can enter the submarine on a self guided tour, that includes an audio tour. As well as view some exhibits outside of the submarine.

We chose not to visit the Bowfin due to some claustrophobia concerns from my husband. It was also the least interesting of the 4 for us and we chose to save that additional ticket cost.

Battleship Missouri Memorial

The Battleship Missouri was built and commissioned during WWII. It is the ship where the Japanese surrendered, ending the war, with a treaty signing by Japan and the U.S. The ship went on to be active during the Korean War and the first Gulf War. After it was decommissioned it made its way to Pearl Harbor where it is now a museum and memorial. 

You will board the huge Battleship Missouri and have the option of taking a 35 minute guided tour, included in admission, or of exploring on your own. We took the tour and it focused on the technical specifications of the ship itself, the history of the ship, and the WWII surrender ceremony. The tour took place all on the main deck outdoors. After the tour we were given some time on our own to explore the inside portions of the ship where you learned about life on a battleship. The interior of the ship is set up as it would have been at the end of its active life in late 80’s and early 90’s.

Located just off of the ship is a small gift shop, restrooms, a food truck that served burgers and hot dogs, and a shave ice stand. 

I had never been on a ship like this before and found the size of everything impressive and interesting. The history of the Japanese surrender was fascinating and standing on the spot where it happened was an immersive history lesson. Going inside the ship was also a fun insight into life in the Navy. 

Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum

The latest addition to the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites is the Aviation Museum. The museum consists of two hangers authentic to the WWII time period. The larger of the two was standing on December 7th, 1941 and still has the bullet holes to prove it.  

You can choose to explore on your own or upgrade to a guided tour. We chose the guided tour and ended up being the only ones on it so we had a private tour guide which was very cool. 

In Hanger 37, the main building you will find a full counter service restaurant, the Laniakea Cafe, your best bet for food at any of the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites. Also a gift shop and restrooms. There is even a flight simulator experience available at an additional cost. In this hanger you will be taken through the history of WWII aviation and see planes authentic to the era from both the U.S. and Japan. Even some authentic artifacts from the Pearl Harbor attacks. A highlight here for us was a plane that President George H.W. Bush flew while training during WWII. 

In the larger Hanger 79, where you will want to look up as you enter to see those bullet holes, you will find aircraft from after WWII. These are mostly large and very impressive aircraft. In the back of the hanger you will find the restoration area where the museum is working to restore even more aircraft. When we were there they were resorting a WWII plane found as a wreck in the pacific, and the work was being sponsored by the Disney company so the logo for the plane had Donald Duck on it. This was a fun Disney surprise to find. They were also restoring a plane that was the same model as one that President Bush flew in combat during WWII and planed to restore it to look like the specific plane he flew so that it could be displayed with the one from Hanger 37 to show the complete story of the President’s time in the war. 

This museum has the most up to date facilities of the four historic sites. I enjoyed the tour we received as well as seeing all of the aircraft. I found the WWII era displays the best and seeing the evidence of the attacks on Hanger 79 was very interesting. 

Who Should Visit?

I think that this is a part of history that all Americans should see. I think that travel parties of all ages should plan to visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial and take in the exhibits and the views from the waters edge. I would also recommend adding a visit to the the USS Arizona Memorial unless you have young children with you that would not be able to be calm and quiet during the visit to the Arizona. 

I would recommend a visit to any combination of the USS Bowfin, the Battleship Missouri and the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum to those who are interested in either the history of WWII, the military, or the vehicles themselves. If you have young kids I would not worry about them disturbing the atmosphere at these locations as I  would with a visit to the Arizona. However, if your kids are not interested in history, or the excitement of seeing large boats and planes then there is not much else to keep them entertained.

I very much enjoyed our visit to the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites. I learned a lot and saw a lot of history. If this type of attraction works for your travel party I highly suggest a visit.

 

That was our visit to the Pearl Harbor. I hope you found this interesting and informative. Considering a trip to Hawaii? I’m a travel advisor and would love to work with you! Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

Hawaii’s Dole Plantation: Activities and Tips for Visitors

Hi, I’m Katie! Are you new here? I’m a travel advisor with The Magic’s Yours Travel! I send clients on vacations of all kinds all over the world but my specialty is Disney travel. Want to work together? Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

In July 2019 my husband and I took a week long trip to Hawaii. We visited the islands of Kauai and Oahu including a stay at Aulani: A Disney Resort and Spa.

Click here to check out all of my Hawaii blog posts: Hawaii Posts

Why Hawaii?

Really why not Hawaii? It is absolutely beautiful, has tons to do, offers something for every aged or type of traveler. Plus is you are coming from the mainland US you won’t have to worry about passports or changing money or any of the hassles of international travel. But you will feel like you are somewhere very different from home. 

We chose Hawaii as part of our journey to visit all 50 states as a couple, this was state 47. This was my second trip to Hawaii and my husbands first. 

What Is The Dole Plantation

The Dole Plantation located in Wahiawa, Oahu is a top attraction for vacationers. The Dole company started in 1900 when James Drummond Dole, recently arrived in Hawaii, bought a 61-acre tract of land in Wahiawa, including today’s plantation. He was not the first to grow pineapples on Hawaii but he was the first to produce them on a large scale and eventually created a global agricultural empire. By the 1920’s Dole had huge plantations across Oahu and Lana’i. The company grew to the household name it is today. Currently the vast majority of Dole pineapples are grown in South America but some are still grown in Hawaii today including at the Dole Plantation in Wahiawa. Today you can visit The Dole Plantation and see how pineapples and other fruits are grown and also enjoy several other experiences. 

Getting There

The Dole Plantation is in Wahiawa and is about a 40 minute drive from Waikiki. If you plan to visit the North Shore the Dole Plantation is on the way. The simplest way to get to the Dole Planation is to drive there, and parking is free. You can take public bus transportation but the trip will take you much longer. Most resorts likely offer a visit to the planation as an excursion as well. We drove from Disney’s Aulani Resort and found the drive easy, it took around a half hour. 

Tickets

While you can visit the store and the dining opportunities without paying admission if you want to do any of the activities you will need to purchase tickets. Each activity, described below, has a separate cost, and you can bundle them in anyway you would like. Each activity costs $12 or less per adult and $10 or less under per children. A military discount is available. Children under 4 are free. You can purchase tickets before your visit on their website or once you arrive. 

The Plantation Grille & Store 

The Plantation Grille is your only dining option at the Dole Plantation. Here you will find a counter service dining location with outdoor seating. They offer a few breakfast and lunch options, many featuring pineapple of course. The stars of the show here are the desserts most featuring pineapple. Their signature Dole Whip is available here and it’s my favorite of the offerings. (This frozen treat is even dairy free) You may recognize Dole Whip from Disney Parks as they are an iconic treat there. My recommendation would be to plan to absolutely grab a dessert here but make sure you are interested in the lunch or breakfast menu offered before you plan to eat a meal here.  

In the same building you have the retail store where you will find all of the Dole and pineapple themed souvenirs you could possibly imagine plus some finer local items. There are lots of packaged food items perfect to take home. In the store you will also find pineapple cutting and cooking demonstrations. There is also a coffee bar.

Pineapple Express Train Tour

The highlight of a visit to the Dole Plantation is the train tour. You board one of the adorable vintage, trains for a 2 mile, 20 minute fully narrated tour. Be prepared to wait in line before you board the train. We were there during a summer day at mid-morning and we waited in line (under cover) about 30 minutes to board our train. As you board they will take a commemorative photo for you that you can choose to purchase upon your exit. During the tour you will see pineapples, bananas, and several other foods growing and learn how they are harvested and eventually make their way to your grocery store. I found it very interesting to see how all of these foods grow and the kind of machinery that harvests them. If you visit the Dole Plantation the train tour is not to be missed in my opinion. 

Plantation Garden Tour

The garden tour allows you to wonder through eight different gardens and get an up-close and personal view of many of the foods you saw on the train tour from coffee to tropical fruit to colorful cacao pods. The gardens include many flowers you’d use to make leis like plumeria, pikake, and pua kenikeni. You can even use the Dole Plantation app to listen to Hawaiian folklore stories while you walk. If you are a big garden fan this is a great opportunity. We chose not to participate in the garden tour but did find that the landscaping around the grounds in general was lovely. We were able to see pineapples up close in the general landscaping between the train boarding area and the store. 

Pineapple Garden Maze

This giant garden maze is over 3 acres and is crafted with many Hawaiian plants. Enter the maze and seek 8 hidden stations where you can stamp your maze map. As you find each station you will learn facts about Hawaii and start to unlock the mystery of the maze. You can even enhance your journey with the Dole Plantation app. Our time in the maze was enjoyable but we did lose interest before completing our map and finding all 8 stations. I think this would be a much more enjoyable experience for those traveling with children. If I were to visit again with just adults I would have choose the garden over the maze. Of course you can always choose to do all three experiences as well. 

Who Should Visit?

Though it is certainly a tourist attraction and that can turn some visitors off I recommend making a stop at the Dole Plantation if you have access to a car, or resort shuttle during your stay. There is something that everyone can enjoy between the three activities. 

I would recommend this destination most highly for families. There’s alot for kids to enjoy here. Also for those who are big gardeners, it’s an opportunity to see lots of tropical plant life. 

Keep in mind that you will be outside for almost all of your visit and plan to dress and prepare accordingly. 

No matter who you are make sure you try at least one of the pineapple treats from the Plantation Grille!

That was our visit to the Dole Plantation! I hope you found this interesting and informative. Considering a trip to Hawaii? I’m a travel advisor and would love to work with you! Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

Guide to Exploring Honolulu, Hawaii: Travel Tips and Highlights

Hi, I’m Katie! Are you new here? I’m a travel advisor with The Magic’s Yours Travel! I send clients on vacations of all kinds all over the world but my specialty is Disney travel. Want to work together? Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

In July 2019 my husband and I took a week long trip to Hawaii. We visited the islands of Kauai and Oahu including a stay at Aulani: A Disney Resort and Spa.

Click here to check out all of my Hawaii blog posts: Hawaii Posts

Why Hawaii?

Really why not Hawaii? It is absolutely beautiful, has tons to do, offers something for every aged or type of traveler. Plus is you are coming from the mainland US you won’t have to worry about passports or changing money or any of the hassles of international travel. But you will feel like you are somewhere very different from home. 

We chose Hawaii as part of our journey to visit all 50 states as a couple, this was state 47. This was my second trip to Hawaii and my husbands first. 

Why Oahu?

Oahu is the most visited island in Hawaii, and home to Honolulu and Waikiki. It is where you will find many of the tourist attractions you may be the most familiar with such as Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, the North Shore, and the Dole Plantation. Oahu is also the most populated and busiest island. If you are looking to find that busy tourist atmosphere, but also have some options to visit some more relaxing locations around the Island such as the North Shore or resorts outside of Honolulu. Oahu is a good choice for you. 

I chose to visit Oahu on this trip for a few reasons. Firstly I had been there before as a teenager and I had enjoyed it. I wanted to share what I had seen there with my husband. My husband wanted to visit Pearl Harbor. Oahu is also where Disney’s Aulani Resort is located and that was a must do for this trip. So we were easily sold on Oahu. 

Deciding where you are going to stay in Oahu will greatly effect the vacation atmosphere you will be enjoying. If you want to stay in the heart of it all with the hustle and bustle then you want to consider a hotel in Waikiki. If you want a more relaxed and laid back atmosphere the island is full of resorts in more remote areas or the island.

We chose to spilt our stay with 3 nights in a hotel in Waikiki and then 2 nights at Aulani Disney’s Hawaiian Resort, which is in the more relaxed suburb of Ko Olina. We wanted to include a stay in Waikiki to be able to have a few days of the bustling city atmosphere which we enjoy.

Getting To Oahu

We started off this trip in Kauai and then we island-hoped to Oahu via Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu. We flew Hawaiian Arilines and our experience was perfect and the whole processes was fairly simple. The flight itself was under 30 minutes and we were soon in the large Honolulu Airport. This airport felt very familiar with lots of stores and dining and many more gates than the Lihue Airport on Kauai. Thought it did have some areas that are open air which is lovely in a tropical climate. 

If you have any hesitation about visiting more than one island during your trip, don’t. It was an efficient and affordable way to see two very different islands.

After landing we grabbed our bags at baggage claim. Some gates here require a shuttle to get to the main terminal. With our bags in hand we grabbed a taxi to head to our hotel. The taxi ride was around $50 and took about 30 minutes to get to our hotel in the heart of Waikiki.

We chose not to rent a car during the Waikiki portion of our stay. The charges to park at the hotel were high like in any city and we knew we would be able to use ride-share or taxis to get to the few places we could not walk to from the hotel. We did rent a car when we transitioned to Disney’s Aulani through the end of the vacation. 

Our Hotel 

We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Waikiki Beach which is a tower hotel located in the heart of Waikiki and is two blocks from the beach front, but has water views. 

The lobby here had lots of comfy seating and a nice island vibe. Also in the lobby is a store with a good amount of pre-packaged food, snacks, treats, and souvenirs. Step outside the hotel and you are on a busy city street just steps aways from a large shopping and dining complex. Cross 2 blocks and you are at the beach front. The pool here is a rooftop pool and you will hear the sounds of a busy city while you enjoy it. There are loungers and a hot tub as well as a bar on the pool deck. The hotel also has a fitness center and offers yoga classes. Parking is available at an additional charge. There was also a laundry room available. In the lobby you will find the hotel’s restaurant and bar which served breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

Our room was a 1 king bed standard room low floor. We opted for one of the less expensive rooms on a low floor (aka no view). We wanted to have rooms with an ocean view in Kauai and at Disney’s Aulani so to make the budget work we opted for a low floor in Waikiki. This is a choice I would make again. We did not miss the view here and we were not in our room that often as this was the busiest part of the trip for us. Also each floor had an area of the hallway that was essentially a large open air balcony where you could see the ocean and city views. The room itself was on the small side. The room was well appointed and had everything I have come to expect from a Hilton Garden Inn brand hotel. The room had a mini-fridge, microwave, TV and free wifi. 

Why did this hotel works for us? We choose Hilton properties wherever possible as we enjoy the amenities and participate in their loyalty program. The presence of a fitness center is also high on the list when we choose a hotel. It also offered a mini fridge and microwave in room, we typically make our own breakfasts and sometime pack lunches when on vacation. So access to the appliances is a huge convenience. This hotel worked perfectly for what we needed. I did not expect to spend much time at the beach or in the pool so the walk to the beach was not an issue for us and the rooftop pool was more than adequate for our purposes. The biggest selling point for this hotel was the location, we would be able to walk to many of the places we planned to go. There was also easy access to taxis or ride-sharing. The option for a lower floor room at a lower price was a big plus as well. This was my least favorite hotel of the trip but it checked all of the boxes for what we needed for our stay. 

I recommend this hotel for anyone who wants to stay in Waikiki and does not require direct beach access as a must have. Best for those who do not plan to spend much time in their room.

Historic Honolulu 

On our first day staying in Waikiki we did some sightseeing in the historic district of Honolulu. We took an Uber and the ride was about 15 minutes from our hotel. This area of Honolulu houses historic and government buildings. If you enjoy history, museums, or architecture I would advise taking time to visit this area. 

First we toured the Iolani Palace, completed in 1879, it was the royal residence of the rulers of the Kingdom of Hawaii until the overthrow and end of their rule not too long after this palace was built. The last Hawaiian Queen, Queen Liliʻuokalani, was imprisoned in the Palace for some time. The quilt she made during that time is still on display here. The building had various government uses after that and was eventually transformed into the museum it is today. The palace tells the story of the royal family of that time, the end of the Kingdom of Hawaii, and the start of the road to eventual U.S. statehood. It is a sad story and one that American’s don’t typically learn enough about. I recommend a visit. This is a great activity for a rainy day as well. 

Afterwords we crossed the street to check out the Ali’iolani Hale the home of the State Supreme Court. Outside of which is the King Kamehameha Statue. You might recognize this as the fictional home of Hawaii 5-0. 

On the other side of the Iolani Palace is the Hawaii State Capital Building where we walked the grounds of the open air home to the House and Senate of Hawaii. Nearby you will find Washington Place the Hawaiian Governor’s Mansion. Walking back toward Waikiki on S King Street there are several other historic buildings including Kawaiahaʻo Church and the Mission Houses. Keep your eyes open for the heritage site signs. I suggest doing some research before visiting and plotting out which buildings you want to see and which if any you want to tour. 

The Honolulu Art Museum is also walking distance from these historic buildings. If you are looking for even more history, check out the Bishop Museum that features collections about Hawaiian culture and history. Located about a 10 minute drive past the historic district. 

Waikiki

Waikiki is essentially four things, shopping, dining, the beach, and resorts. 

If you are looking for some inexpensive souvenirs check out one of the dozens of ABC Stores around. There is also always the popular Aloha Stadium Swap Meet that goes on every weekend. 

For mall shopping or more high end items, as well as plenty of dining there are two malls The International Market Place and the Ala Moana Center. The Ala Moana Center is a very traditional mall, including some department stores but it is open air. It also has some stores that sell more Hawaiian specific merchandise. The International Market Place is right in the heart of Waikiki and takes up several blocks right near the beach. It was directly across the street from our hotel. Both are great places to take a walk and the International Market Place had many restaurant options including a food court filled with Hawaiian food options which we ate at several times. Across from the food court you will find Kona Coffee Purveyors which my husband absolutely loved and called the best coffee he has ever had. 

There is food everywhere! We stuck to mostly Asian food while we were there which is extremely popular in Hawaii and easily available. We loved both the Goma Tei Ramen and Seoul Tofu House.

The beach in Waikiki is beautiful. All beaches in Hawaii are public so you can go wherever you would like. The “main” beach area would be the area near the Duke Kahanamoku Statue. We are not beach people so we only spent a short amount of time at the beach just to experience is. 

Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, weather-permitting from 6:30pm to 7:30pm (6:00pm to 7:00pm Nov-Dec-Jan) there is a free hula show on the beach. At the Kūhiō Beach Hula mound on Kalākaua Ave near Uluniu Avenue across from the Hyatt Regency Waikīkī. The main seating area goes fast (bring you own chairs if you want one). But there is a lot of room for standing and viewing but you may not have the best view. I recommend checking it out it was a lot of fun to see and you can’t beat free. 

Diamond Head

** Starting April 2022 you must make timed reservations 14 days in advance to visit Diamond Head **

Diamond Head is an extinct volcano and is the most convinient hike you can do from the Waikiki / Honolulu area it is also probably the most famous and most popular on the island. We walked from our hotel which was a bit of a walk but doable if you are used to walking that distance. The parking here is limited so if you plan to drive and park get there as early as possible. You can also take a taxi or ride-share and there are public transportation options available. There is an entrance fee whether you are walking in or parking. 

At the base of the hike there are picnic tables, and some concessions available. As well as restrooms, a small store, and water fountains. 

The hike from the entrance to the top of the mountain is just about a mile, and then another mile for the return trip. The trail is extremely well marked but it is steep and uneven and parts even have steps including a spiral staircase. At the top you will find the remains of an old military bunker and their are dark tunnels you will walk through. This hike would be challenging to those not prepared physically. If you have concerns I suggest that you check YouTube to see if you feel comfortable with the trail. Also if you are afraid on heights I would skip this one as you are essentially walking up the side of a mountain the whole time. 

If you are looking for a nice quiet hike this is not your pick. It is very popular with lots and lots of people. Come early to beat the crowds. There is also no shade so come early to beat the heat. 

The payoff at the top is the great view of the whole island including Honolulu and Waikiki. This was a really fun activity and I would strongly suggest it to anyone physically up to the hike. 

Allow an hour and half to two hours for the round trip hike. If you are looking for more activities in the area the Waikiki Aquarium and Honolulu Zoo are both nearby. 

After our time staying in Waikiki we walked a few blocks to a car rental location and picked up our car rental to head to Disney’s Aulani Resort which was about 40 minutes away.

Check out all of my Hawaii blog posts: Hawaii Posts

That was our visit to the Dole Plantation! I hope you found this interesting and informative. Considering a trip to Hawaii? I’m a travel advisor and would love to work with you! Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality

Discover Kauai: Your Guide to Hawaii’s Garden Island

Hi, I’m Katie! Are you new here? I’m a travel advisor with The Magic’s Yours Travel! I send clients on vacations of all kinds all over the world but my specialty is Disney travel. Want to work together? Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

In July 2019 my husband and I took a week long trip to Hawaii. We visited the islands of Kauai and Oahu including a stay at Aulani: A Disney Resort and Spa.

Click here to check out all of my Hawaii blog posts: Hawaii Posts

Why Hawaii?

Really why not Hawaii? It is absolutely beautiful, has tons to do, offers something for every aged or type of traveler. Plus is you are coming from the mainland US you won’t have to worry about passports or changing money or any of the hassles of international travel. But you will feel like you are somewhere very different from home. 

We chose Hawaii as part of our journey to visit all 50 states as a couple, this was state 47. This was my second trip to Hawaii and my husbands first. 

Why Kauai?

Planning this vacation I knew I wanted to visit two of the Hawaiian islands and I knew one of them would be Oahu. When looking at my options for a second island I was captured by the beauty of the “Garden Island” of Kauai. The scenery looked the most appealing to me, particularly the Napali Cliffs. Budget wise I also liked that many of the activities that appealed to me on Kauai were inexpensive. I found a flight direct to Kauai from the mainland, without changing plans in Oahu, and that sealed the deal. 

After visiting I can say that the vibe of Kauai was very laid back, rural, with no bustling cities, or even large towns. There were chickens and flowers all over the island. It was a very calming and peaceful destination compared with Oahu. If that is the Hawaiian vibe you are looking for Kauai is a great option. 

Getting To Kauai

Coming from Maryland the trip to Hawaii is a long one. Our flight from Baltimore (BWI) connected through Los Angeles (LAX). We had about an hour and a half layover, I don’t recommend any layover under an hour especially in a large airport like LAX. We grabbed something quick to eat while we waited and then boarded our flight from LAX to Kauai, where we landed at Lihue Airport (LIH) at 7:00 PM local time, which felt much later to us coming form the east coast. 

Lihue Airport (LIH) is the main airport on Kauai and several airlines offer direct service to Lihue without having to transfer in Honolulu. The Lihue Airport itself was on the smaller side so nothing was too far of a walk and much of the airport was open air. This is an odd way to describe an airport but it was actually cute. Not too many food options here but they did have a Starbucks and several places to grab packaged snacks, one sit down option plus a bar/lounge option. They also had a flower shop where you could pick yourself up some leis. The baggage claim process was simple and we could walk to the car rental location. 

We picked up our car and we were off. Unless you plan to visit a resort and never leave it a visit to Kauai really requires renting a car.  It turns out that Jeeps are a very popular option when renting on Kauai. The vibe of driving a Jeep around the island would be fun and the height would assist in the best views of the scenery while driving, we were also told it was better for some of the roads around the island. We stuck with our much less expensive compact car and had no troubles at all and we drove all over the island.

Our Hotel 

We stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay and it really worked for our vacation style and needs. It was about a 10 minute drive to the hotel from the airport, which means you are about 10 minutes from any shopping and dining in Lihue. If you continue north past the hotel you are about 5 minutes from Wailua dining and shopping options. 

The parking lot here was a bit small and had tight corners, with the convenient locations filling quickly but it was not too far of a walk from the side lot to the lobby, and it was free. The lobby and many of the hallways and common areas are open air which provided a lovely tropical vibe to the whole place. The restaurant and bar off of the lobby looked very comfortable and is a nice option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, but we did not eat there. Outside there was a Tiki Bar for drinks and snacks near the pool. The theming and decor around it was very fun. The fitness center was adequate. The pool itself was average. 

The hotel offers great beach views, it is about a 5 minute walk from the hotel across the grounds and a public parking area to the beach itself. All beaches in Hawaii are public so this is not an area just for resort guests. The beach here is smaller and does have a lot of driftwood on the shore. It is certainly adequate for those looking to grab a beach towel and take a dip. However, there are no loungers or other amenities at the beach. If you are looking to spend the day on the beach I would consider other hotel options. This beach is a fantastic option to view the sunrise or sunset, which I did one morning. 

The landscaping throughout the hotel was beautiful with tropical flowers all over. There are also chickens, and a few stay cats that wonder the exterior of the property. We saw this all over the island as well. But don’t worry they do provide ear plugs if you are a light sleepers and don’t want to be awoken by a rooster in the morning.

Our room was a standard 2 queen, with an ocean view. We happened to be on the ground floor, which meant a patio instead of a balcony. This turned out to be the best part as we could see the chickens right outside our sliding glass door and we could walk right out to the beach or hotel grounds from our room. The views, especially in the morning were beautiful. The room itself was spacious, with lovely decor inspired by the islands. The room offered free-wifi, coffee maker, TV, mini-fridge and microwave. 

Why did this hotel works for us? We choose Hilton properties wherever possible as we enjoy the amenities and participate in their loyalty program, this is the only Hilton property on Kauai which was honestly the biggest reason we chose it. We are not beach or pool people and when they are available spend very limited time enjoying them so this hotel where we could enjoy the views of the beach was perfect. This location worked for all the activities we had planned and we knew we would be close to many dining options here. The presence of a fitness center is also high on the list of priorities when we choose a hotel. It also offered a mini fridge and microwave in room, we typically make our own breakfasts and sometime pack lunches when on vacation. So access to the appliances is a huge convenience. This hotel worked perfectly for what we needed. 

I recommend this hotel for couples and adult groups, specifically those who are looking for a visit not centered around beach time.  For families I would look elsewhere, there is nothing really attractive for kids here. 

Day 1

After waking up to beautiful ocean views and some chickens we hit the road. After a 40 minute drive to our destination we arrived at Shipwreck Beach. We grabbed some free parking in the small dirt lot off of Ainakoa Street. From there is was about a 2 minute walk to the lovely beach. There are several resorts in this area so it was a lively beach atmosphere. Public restrooms were available at the beach. 

We had come to Shipwreck Beach to find the start of the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail. As you face the water at the left end of the beach you will see several pathways up to the trail. Once you are on the trail you have access to the cliff edges where the views are spectacular. This is one of the only ocean side trails on the island and I highly recommend it. As soon as you start the views are already worth it, you can take a very short walk or an extended hike. The trail itself is almost 4 miles one way. You will find some Hawaiian heritage signs and sites along the way. We explored for about an hour and then hopped back in the car. I can’t stress how cool the views were the whole time, I highly recommend this hike for everyone. 

Our next destination was the Spouting Horn which was about a 15 minute drive. This small park had ample parking and a restroom and so many chickens. We made our way to the fence edge to view the Spouting Horn which is consistently spouting with the waves coming in. This is just a quick stop but it is worth the time if you will be in the area to see this unique feature of the island. 

The next stop on our list was Waimea Canyon State Park, but first we needed to grab some lunch. About 5 minutes from Spouting Horn we found a small shopping center The Shops at Kukui’ula where we stopped at Living Food Market. There were serval other restaurants and stores as well. This is a small local grocery store with a quick service counter where you could order sandwiches, salads, pizzas, bakery items, breakfast items, plus smoothies and coffees. They also had some popular Hawaiian dishes as well, we got a poke bowl and an acai bowl which were both excellent. This place felt like a tiny Hawaiian Whole Foods, which I was very into, the food we ordered was great and it was fun to see some local Hawaiian brands on the shelves along with natural or organic classic brands you would find anywhere in the US. 

After lunch we made the drive to Waimea Canyon State Park and to the Canyon Lookout. The canyon is nick-named the “grand canyon of Hawaii”. By the time we arrived it had started to lightly rain. We paid around $5 to park at the lookout lot and then climbed a few flights of stairs to get to the lookout itself. When we got to the top all we could see was fog, and more fog, with no canyon in sight. This was a blow, we would not have time to return during our trip and this journey had taken about 2 hours of driving round trip. So take my failure as a lesson and check the Waimea Canyon State Park website and social media accounts the morning of your visit and they should let you know the visibility that day. Something I learned after our visit. But what is a vacation without at least one fail. 

We re-grouped and were off to the last activity of the day. We arrived at Hanapepe a small town that was the inspiration to the setting for the Disney animated movie Lilo & Stitch. As a huge Disney fan this was a must see for me. I absolutely love when I can stuff a little Disney into any trip. The town was tiny and quaint. This is a town full of artwork, both on the streets and to buy in the shops. There is a Lilo & Stitch mural that was a great photo opportunity. We also really enjoyed the Talk Story Bookstore, which has new and used books and a few Lilo and Stitch items for sale as well, it even had an adorable store cat. Most of the other stores were art galleries, or artist’s shops and were delightful to explore. We crossed the Hanapepe Swinging Bridge which is historic and fun to walk across. The perfect small town visit for any Disney fans or art lovers.

When we were done exploring the town we headed back to our hotel. After spending some time at the hotel we hopped over to the Sleeping Giant Grill for dinner in Kapa’a. This area had many dining options. We wanted something quick so we opted for the Sleeping Giant where we could get some Hawaiian flavors with a “plate lunch”, or wraps, tacos, and burritos. We were happy with our food but it was nothing special. We were exhausted from the day and still jet lagged so it did the trick and we were off to call it a night. 

Day 2 

The next morning we are headed to the activity we are most looking forward to on Kauai, what we expected to be the the highlight of the visit. Hiking the Kalalau Trail along the Napali Coast. The Napali Coast are the iconic cliffs of Kauai, they are the most popular attraction on the island, you would recognize them from their fictional home on the island in Jurassic Park. The cliffs are popularly seen on helicopter and boat tours mostly. The only option to see the cliffs from land is the Kalalau Trail, a trail that is 11 miles one way and that you can camp overnight on (with a permit) or enjoy a shorter hike on a portion of the trail. My husband does not enjoy boats and neither one of us are interested in a helicopter so we chose to hike. This was also a large savings vs any of the other options. 

The drive from our hotel to the Napali Coast State Wilderness Park was about an hour and was a beautiful drive itself. The parking lot at our destination was recently expanded but was still fairly small as this is a very popular destination. I advise getting there at opening or close to it. If the lot is full there is overflow parking with a shuttle bus available. Check the parking times and shuttle options before your visit. Beware that the only restrooms at the park are some port-a-potties available at the start of the trail. 

At the start of the trail is also Ke’e Beach, which is a stunning beach and a great stop after your hike. The Kalalau Trail starts off rather steep and with lots of rocks. It was a challenging trail and I would approach it with appropriate caution. I highly recommend hiking boots, a water bottle, and even hiking polls if you have them. When you get up the first hill you have a great view of the beach. After a bit more hiking you have a fantastic overview of the cliffs, which was awesome. Throughout the hike you are in an unbelievable rainforest. It honestly felt like an unreal setting. This experience was the highlight of Kauai for us. We hiked for about an hour and a half and the views were stunning the whole time. After a quick stop at Ke’e Beach we hopped back in the car and made the beautiful drive back towards the hotel. 

On the way we stopped at the Hanalei Center with several dining options and grabbed some yummy taco salads from Federic’s Hanalei. Back on the road we made another quick stop at Kilauea Point just to see the lighthouse and views there.  You can pay to enter the park and tour the lighthouse as well but we skipped that. The refuge is home to a lot of Hawaiian birds and is a good place to sighting Humpback Whales in the right seasons. (Not when we were there.) One final stop before we arrived back to our hotel, and very close to the hotel, was the Opaeka‘a Falls, the parking is right next to the falls, so this is a very easy quick stop that I recommend. Stops like this can help to break up a longer drive.

After a few hours at the hotel we hoped over to the the Wailua River and the departure dock for the Smith’s Wailua River Cruise to Fern Grotto. The departure dock is located right next to the Smith’s Luau and there are options to combine the two experiences. There is also a small shop at the dock, and restrooms. This riverboat takes you down the river, with live narration about the history of the area, the attractions nearby, and the many movies that have used the river as a filming location. After about 20 minutes you arrive at the Fern Gotto, which is a state park, and there are restrooms available here. After a brief walk from the dock to the grotto, surrounded by beautiful plant life, at the grotto your guide speaks about the cultural history of this spot and plays some authentic Hawaiian music on guitar. On the boat ride back there is a performance of hula and music. More Hawaiian history and culture is shared throughout the performance. I really enjoyed the boat ride especially the insight into the movie history, as well as all of the Hawaiian musical experiences throughout the trip. The fern gotto itself was cool to see but it was not overly impressive. I always enjoy and recommend picking at least one activity that provides you insight in the history of an area, in this case history into the Native Hawaiian people. I enjoyed the experience overall and would recommend it for those who enjoy tours in general. But I would not prioritize this over either of the hikes mentioned above. If your mobility is more limited or you are traveling in a large group I think this is a great option, especially if combined with the Luau afterwords. 

For dinner we went to the nearby Coconut’s Fish Cafe, which is a local chain. The fish was good, and I recommend checking one of the locations out for a quick lunch or dinner if you are staying near one. Overall our food experience in Kauai was average, while later in the trip we found food on Oahu to be extraordinary. After dinner it was back to the hotel for the night. 

Departure

The next morning we went back to the airport, The check-in desks and start of security was actually outside, though under cover, which felt unique. The process was standard for US airport security, though there were a few extra questions about if we had any fruits or flowers which is standard for Hawaii airport travel. We found our gate and there was ample seating in the waiting area. 

We were ready to island-hop our way on Hawaiian Airlines to Oahu and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu. Our experience with Hawaiian Airlines was perfect and the whole processes was fairly simple. The flight itself was under 30 minutes and we were soon in the large Honolulu Airport. This airport felt much more like ones I am familiar with and had lots of stores and dining and many more gates than the Lihue Airport. Though it did have some areas that are open air which is lovely in a tropical climate. 

If you have any hesitation about visiting more than one island during your trip, don’t it was an efficient and affordable way to see two very different islands and provide a more well rounded view of Hawaii.

Click here to check out all of my Hawaii blog posts: Hawaii Posts

That was our visit to the Kauai! I hope you found this interesting and informative. Considering a trip to Hawaii? I’m a travel advisor and would love to work with you! Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

Aulani Resort Review: A Disney Paradise in Hawaii

Hi, I’m Katie! Are you new here? I’m a travel advisor with The Magic’s Yours Travel! I send clients on vacations of all kinds all over the world but my specialty is Disney travel. Want to work together? Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

If Disneyland is the happiest place on earth and Disney World is the most magical place on earth than Aulani is the most peaceful place on earth. Aulani: A Disney Resort and Spa is a Disney-owned resort located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu.

Aulani is also Disney Vacation Club property, Disney’s version of a time share, but all room styles are also available for typical hotel reservations. 

I visited Aulani in July of 2019 as part of my larger Hawaiian trip and it was by far the highlight of a fabulous trip. I’ll be sharing my reviews and experiences from that trip as well as all the details you’ll need for your own trip!

Getting There

Aulani is located in the Ko Olina area of Oahu. Ko Olina is a suburban, residential resort area on the island about 30 minutes outside of the city of Honolulu. 

Within a 15-minute drive of the resort are plenty of recognizable stores and restaurants. There are also several local restaurants, shops, a golf course, the Paradise Cove luau, and other luxury hotels within a 10 -15 minute walk. 

Upon landing at Honolulu Airport your trip to Ko Olina is about a 25-minute drive, though there can be traffic even in paradise. My recommendation is to rent a car for your stay so that you can explore the island during your stay but Aulani does offer the purchase of airport transfers. 

Aulani offers a self-parking deck and a valet option so be sure to add this cost into your budget. 

When you arrive you will be offered beautiful flower or kukui nut leis. Upon check-in, bell services will help you unload your car at the main entrance and then provide self-park instructions, if needed. 

Once you check-in, you’re able to utilize the entire resort, even if you check-in prior to official check-in time and your room is not yet ready. Bell services will gladly hold onto your bags while you enjoy the resort. If this is your plan, make sure to have a backpack or small bag to cary with you with your essentials for the day. 

Rooms

We had a standard 1 king room with ocean view that included a sleeper sofa as well. The room was moderate in size and very clean with lovely decor. The view was fantastic and we could see the ocean and the whole resort. Having a balcony was a great feature. 

Aulani offers a wide variety of rooms from our standard room to multiple bedroom suites with kitchens. The views vary and you can book your room based on it’s view. If a room with a view isn’t important to you, this can be a great way to save some money and enjoy the views from around the resort. 

Activities 

Once you’re ready to enjoy the resort there are so many things to do.

Pools: 

  • The entire middle of the resort is essentially a low-key water park.
  • Everyday you’ll go to the towel counter with you room key to get a wristband that shows you’re allowed to utilize the pools. 
  • There are several pools including zero-entry and an infinity. 
  • A lazy river flows all around this area. 
  • There is a water jungle gym and splash pad.
  • One pool is full of fish and for additional cost you can rent snorkel gear and swim among them or you can watch them for free through Aquarium panels on the side. 
  • Plus there’s a water slide! 

Beach:

  • The resort is right off the beach for easy access. 
  • The beach is a lagoon so the water is very family friendly with small waves and little current. 
  • Surfing lessons and other activities are available at additional cost. 
  • There is also a paved walking path along the beach that takes you through the Ko Olina ocean side. 

Spa:

  • The Aulani spa, Laniwai, is a full-service spa that offers many treatments which you can book before or during your stay. 
  • Even the little ones can participate with a selection of kids-only services. 
  • There is even an outdoor hydro-therapy garden. 
  • A large fitness center is available for all guests to use. 

Aunty’s Beach House:

  • Included with your stay, kids 3-12 can be dropped off to play at Aunty’s Beach House where they can craft, play games, watch Disney movies, and more in a fun and safe environment. 
  • Be careful…they might be having so much fun they won’t want to leave!
  • This is a game-changing addition for families allowing parents to have some alone time during a family vacation. 

Characters: 

  • You can meet and greet Disney characters throughout the resort. 
  • Call the character phone line every morning to find out who will be out and where they will be. Make sure to arrive 5-10 minutes early to make sure you get a place in line as characters only appear for about 20 minutes at a time. 
  • Characters include Mickey, Minnie, and friends in their Hawaiian vacation wear and, of course, Moana and Stitch are hanging around. In addition, Duffy and Shellie Mea the Disney bears who are huge in Disney’s Asian parks, are often there as well. 

Other Activities: 

* Check the events calendar online or provided in print in your room. * 

  • Menehune Adventure Trail – Play along with a high-tech, interactive scavenger hunt throughout the property. 
  • Arts and Crafts – The community hall has classes daily including ukulele lessons or t-shirt stamping, some of which have a small fee. Make sure you sig-up in advance if possible as these can book up. 
  • Live Entertainment – Fire-pit Stories with Uncle tell Hawaiian tales with you in a fun setting. There are also musical performances throughout the resort. 

Shopping:

  • There are two gift shops on property with tons of Aulani exclusive merchandise. 
  • If you are a Duffy fan you will find lots of items featuring him and his friends that can be hard to find outside of the Asian parks. 
  • Duffy’s friend ‘Olu Mel, a sea turtle, lives at Aulani so he has lots of merchandise available as well. 

Photography:

You will see Disney photographers around the resort, especially with the characters. They capture a lot of magical moments and you can view and purchase these photos in the gift shop.

Ka Wa’a Luau

This was the highlight of our stay, the Ka Wa’a Luau was amazing. 

Before dinner you can participate in activities like making lei bracelets or getting temporary Polynesian tattoos. 

Seating is family-style in three sections of long tables across the lawn in front of the stage. We were seated at the front of the third section and I had no issues with my view. For closer seating, however, you can upgrade to the VIP package. 

Moana stopped by the stage to welcome us all and then dinner was served buffet style. The food included roasted pork and other classic Hawaiian dishes. There was also chicken and “kid friendly” options, a little something for all palates. It was all very tasty and all-you-could-eat and the buffet was packed-up before the show started. While non-alcoholic drinks were included, there was also a bar where you could purchase alcoholic drinks. The VIP package includes the cost of alcoholic drinks.

I don’t eat dairy, which can sometimes be challenging in a buffet setting, but I had flagged my reservation as having a special dietary need when I made it. Once we were seated, a manager walked me around the buffet pointing out what I could and couldn’t have. I was pleased to see there were plenty of options for me. I saw him doing this with several other guests with special dietary needs as well. This is the Disney difference at work and a huge plus for me. 

As dinner wound down before the main show started, Minnie and Mickey arrived to give us all a hula lesson. The show itself was outstanding and featured authentic traditional hula, dance, and costume led by a narrator taking us through the stories of Hawaii. I throughly enjoyed it and the talent of the performers was evident. It was even educational about Hawaiian lore. 

I think Ka Wa’a is not to be missed during your stay at Aulani

Restaurants 

It’s important to note that Aulani is not all-inclusive nor do they offer any kind of dining plan. The cost of food and drinks can be a major expense because this is Hawaii, this is a resort, and prices reflect that. Make sure to plan ahead for food in your budget. 

Some ways to cut down on this expense:

  • Go Shopping – If you plan to stay in a room with a full kitchen or can consider upgrading to one I suggest you make a stop at Costco, Target, etc. once you arrive. Stock up and prepare your own meals. 
  • Make use of that coffee maker – Save the cost of breakfast by packing instant oatmeal packets and any additions you want to add like raisins or nuts. Don’t forget to brig some bowls and spoons so you can prepare them with the hot water from the coffee maker. 
  • Pack snacks – You can fly with fully packaged snacks so grab some granola bars at home and save the cost of a $5 quick snack everyday when you’re hungry in the middle of the afternoon.

Makahiki – This  buffet style dining is available for breakfast and dinner and both seatings include character meet-and-greets. If you love characters, this is a must do during your stay. We experienced breakfast here and really enjoyed the character interactions as well as the food. The buffet had all the classics, even Mickey waffles, plus some Hawaiian additions. Again, I was taken around the buffet by the chef due to my dietary restrictions and told what was safe for me to eat. The difference here was that he offered to make me a dairy free version of something in the back if I would like. I took him up on his offer and got some dairy free Mickey waffles. This service felt just like the Disney parks for me. Advanced reservation suggested. 

‘Ama ‘Ama – This is the most elegant dining option at the resort with outside beach-view seating. Check the dress code before dining because no swim suits are allowed here.  Advanced reservation suggested. 

Ulu Cafe – A grab-and-go stop with lots of classic options. Make sure you try the poke bowls, acai bowls, and of course a Dole Whip. 

Pool Side – There are several bars and snack shops around the pool deck. Make sure you visit the shave ice stand to get a shave ice with mickey ears! 

Excursions

You can have a fabulous time just staying at Aulani but you don’t want to come to Hawaii and not explore a little. If you rented a car, you can drive yourself on excursions around the island very easily. Nothing is more than an hour or so away

Aulani can arrange several excursions for you but they are far more expensive that way, especially if you have a group of more than 2 people. 

Some of the highlights of the island are:

  • Waikiki: For a city-meets-beach-town atmosphere, you will find the beach, high-end shopping malls to ABC Stores, and tons of good food. 
  • Pearl Harbor – You can visit this historic site and take a boat out to the USS Arizona Memorial. Best to book your tickets in advance. There is also an aviation museum, and submarine and battleship tours. 
  • Dole Plantation – Visit this pineapple plantation to see how the iconic Hawaiian fruit grows. In additional to the train tour of the planation, there are several other tourist activities. Make sure you enjoy a Dole Whip while there!
  • Diamond Head – Hike to the top of this popular mountain for a great view of the island and Honolulu. Arrive early to beat the crowds and find ample parking. 
  • Hanauma Bay – A fantastic and popular snorkeling site, parking here can be very limited so best to arrive early or make other arrangements. 
  • Kualoa Ranch – With many different tours and activities available, the ranch is a popular filming location for movies, most famously Jurassic Park. 
  • North Shore – Drive the North Shore ,a surfers paradise, and visit beaches and small beach towns. Make sure to stop for shave ice. 
  • Polynesian Culture Center – Think Colonial Williamsburg for Hawaii. The center features a lot of live and family-friendly entertainment. 

Overall our stay at Aulani: A Disney Resort and Spa was amazing! The service was stupendous and the resort was beautiful and full of culture. I highly recommend a stay here to any Disney fan or family that wants to travel to Hawaii. I can’t wait to visit again someday!

Click here to check out all of my Hawaii blog posts: Hawaii Posts

I hope you found this interesting and informative. Considering a trip to Aulani? I’m a travel advisor and would love to work with you! Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!

A Complete Guide to Run Disney Weekends at Walt Disney World

Updated : MARCH 2024

Run Disney is the branch of the Disney company that hosts races in the Disney parks. At this time, races are taking place in Walt Disney World (FL), Disneyland Paris, and Disneyland (CA). There are also several Virtual Races offered each year.

I’ve participated in three Run Disney weekends, one as a spectator when my husband ran the 2016 Disney World Marathon and two as a runner running both the Princess Half Marathon in 2018 and the Disney World Half Marathon in 2023. I loved each of these experiences because Run Disney is a special kind of magic and unlike any other race. The atmosphere is so positive and fun that it’s the perfect place to race for a new runner. Run Disney is a true community geared to raise up each participant no matter your skill level. The organization of the races and the weekend overall is top notch and everything you need is taken care of for you. I highly recommend the experience and can’t wait to participate again myself.

In this entry I will be discussing the details of Run Disney weekends at Disney World.

Run Disney races take place during “race weekends” where a series of races are held in the mornings over three to four consecutive days. These weekends draw large crowds and each race has thousands and thousands of runners. 

The distance of the races ranges in length from a 5K (3.1 miles) to a full marathon (26.2 miles). Some race weekends also feature Kid’s Races that take place at Disney’s Wide World of Sports and are shorter in distance.

Participants must be registered and races paid for ahead of time. Registration typically opens up about 9 months prior to the race and since the races can and do sell out quickly, particularly the shorter distances, I suggest planning far ahead by knowing what day registration opens up and registering ASAP.  

All distances welcome runners, joggers, or walkers. You just have to be able to keep up a 16 mile per minute pace. There is also a hand cycling division for special needs athletes.

Every finisher will earn the same medal at the finish line. 

The Events

The race offerings stay fairly consistent year to year. There are four race weekends a year at Disney World and, while each weekend has a theme, each race will also have a sub-theme. For example at Princess Half Marathon Weekend the overall theme is Disney Princesses while the 10K race theme may be Cinderella specifically. These change annually but there are often patterns that emerge over the years so a look at the past themes will give you an idea of what you can expect for future themes.

Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – January

  • 5K
  • 10K
  • Half Marathon 
  • Full Marathon 
  • Goofy Challenge – Half Marathon and Full Marathon 
  • Dopey Challenge – 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon 

Princess Half Marathon Weekend – February

  • 5K
  • 10K
  • Half Marathon 
  • Fairy Tale Challenge – 10K & Half Marathon

Springtime Surprise – April

  • The theming of these races and their distances change every year.

Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend – November

  • 5K
  • 10K
  • Half Marathon 
  • Two Course Challenge – 10K & Half Marathon

Challenges

If you really want to challenge yourself and earn an extra medal at the final finish line, you can sign up for a challenge. In a challenge you run multiple races back to back on consecutive days the ultimate goal being the Dopey Challenge where you run a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and then Full Marathon over the course of four mornings. 

The Courses

The race courses will take you through at least one Disney park and, for the longer races, through several. While your time running in the park will be memorable and thrilling, the vast majority of the race will be on highways and roads throughout Disney property. 

Starting lines and finish lines are in parking lots, most typically at EPCOT with the view of Spaceship Earth in the background. 

The highlight of many half and full marathons is running in Magic Kingdom down Main Street and through Cinderella’s Castle. 

The Expo

The day before, or a few days before your race, you will have to visit the Expo which is held at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex and is accessible by bus from your Disney resort.

Here you will pick up the bib you’ll wear during the race, drop off your safety waiver, and get your included t-shirt. You will also have the opportunity to purchase additional Run Disney merchandise and shop at one of many third party vendors.

There are running seminars you can attend free of charge and this iswhere the kids races are run.

Getting There 

Disney provides free bus transportation from all Disney hotels to the race Start but be sure to get in line early for the bus. I suggest getting there at least 15 minutes before the first bus is scheduled.

The buses will also run later to bring you back to the hotel once you’ve finished the race. 

The monorail will also be running. 

You also have the option to drive to the starting area and park so , again, make sure you get there early as roads will close to allow for the race to start. 

** Always double and triple check your bus and start times the day before and follow Run Disney on social media for any updates or day-of emergency changes ** 

The Race Itself!

Be ready for large crowds!

You will see lots of running outfits and costumes because almost everyone has a themed outfit, their race shirt. or some will even be wearing elaborate costumes.

Expect a long walk to the starting line because the buses drop you off near the runners Welcome Area. Here you will find port-a-potties, character meet and greets, and bag check. From there you will walk to the starting area which is about a mile walk by the time you get to the start line.

Every runner is assigned a starting corral (group) based on their submitted expected finish time and where you line up at the start is based on that group. Runners are released onto the course in waves and this process can take some time, about an hour for a half marathon, for the entire field to start. 

While on the course, make sure you keep a pace of 16 minutes per mile. Disney starts the pacing count when the last runner crosses the starting line, so if you started 20 minutes before the last wave enters the course then you have some cushion on the pace. The “balloon ladies” are a group of volunteers who are the last to start all Disney races and they keep to the exact 16 minute pace so as long as you’re in front of them you’re on pace. If you fall behind pace you’re in danger of being removed from the course or “swept” by Run Disney and placed on a bus to be driven to the finish line and not allowed to finish.

You will see lots of run/walking in both groups and individuals. This is a style of running where you run for a set interval of time and then walk for a set interval of time and Disney offers training programs on the Run Disney website that include this method. 

** Race Etiquette-When taking a walk break make sure to keep to the right. If you are going to stop running, raise your hand to let those behind you know. ** 

Photographers will be all over the course and at the finish line and you can spot them by their bright green vests and chairs. If you have Memory Maker you can link these photos to your account using your bib number or you can purchase them individually. I recommend purchasing Memory Maker in advance of your trip for the discount and so you can share your photos on social media ASAP. 

There is a ton of entertainment on the course:

  • Character Stops – Get a photo with your favorite character mid-run
  • Mile Markers – Every mile marker features a Disney character
  • Music – DJs , drum lines, choirs, and more are along the course

. 

At The Finish Line

Seeing the finish line finally in front of you is an amazing feeling. You did it! The crowds are cheering, characters are high-fiving runners, and the announcers are celebrating all while photographers are snapping that perfect shot of you crossing the finish line. 

You will be given your medal, a snack box, water, and the chance to take photos with your medal. Then you’re ushered to the reunion area where you can meet up with your friends and family, meet more characters, shop for last minute merchandise, grab some light food, and hop the bus back to your hotel or walk to your car. 

Cheering 

If you have someone with you who would like to cheer Disney makes it easy to do.

You can cheer at pretty much any point along the course but some are easier to get to then others.

While you can’t cheer at the starting line, you can take the bus to the EPCOT parking area with your runner then hop on the monorail to Magic Kingdom to see them run down Main Street. A ticket is not needed to get into Magic Kingdom for cheering.

Other great places to cheer, depending on the course, are at the Ticket and Transportation Authority, the Polynesian Resort, the Boardwalk Area, and Future World in EPCOT.

There is limited viewing at the actual Finish Line but you can see your runner shortly thereafter. You can also enjoy the reunion area out of sight of the course where there is some seating available.

Cheering fans are welcome to ride the buses and monorail with their runners. Be sure to check the bus times when you’re cheering as transportation runs before the race and at the end of the race but not all transportation continues to run during the race.

After your race and some rest time at the hotel this is the perfect opportunity for a special meal or to hit the parks wearing your brand new medal.

That’s Run Disney! I hope you found this interesting and informative. Considering a Run Disney race weekend? I’m a travel advisor and would love to work with you! Check out my website katievtravel.com to request a vacation quote or email me at katiev@themagicsyours.com with any questions. I’d love to make your vacation dreams a reality!