Hawaiian Airlines - Why I Only Book One-Ways

I fly Hawaiian Airlines frequently.  I choose Hawaiian primarily because of the people, more than anything else - they are truly some of the nicest people, welcoming with aloha (and many are my former co-workers).  

One of the biggest challenges with the 2023 system "upgrade" was that for a long while, we did not have the ability to change flights online.  I'd have to call each time I want to change my flight, which is often.   

And during one of the calls when trying to change my flight - I learned something new (others may have known this, but I didn't).

If you are trying to just change one way on a round-trip flight, the entire trip will be re-priced, not just the segment you are trying to change.  So even if the new one-way flight you want to change to is the same price as the original flight, if the other segment has increased in price for the same exact flight, you'll have to pay for the increase.

Confused?  I sure was.  

For instance (prices are not what I actually paid, but just noted for simplicity's sake) - Flight A1 HNL-ITO was $70 and Flight B1 ITO-HNL was $70 when booked.  I wanted to change Flight B1 ITO-HNL to a different time - Flight B2, and when I checked the price online, it was the same price ($70) as the original flight I booked.  

However, when I called to change the flight, I was told that there was a change fee of $80!  I advised the agent that I checked the flight and saw that the price was the same as the original flight, and she said "The HNL-ITO Flight A1 had changed in price (to $150), and we have to re-price the entire trip."

Looking back, I always wondered why I was charged price increases even though when I priced the flight segments they were the same, and I thought it was because of dynamic pricing for that segment.  

In any case, the agent suggested that I take the flight to ITO, and then as soon as I land, change the ITO-HNL flight because the HNL-ITO portion will not need to be re-priced anymore.  

So that's what I did, while crossing my fingers that the ITO-HNL portion did not go up in price (thankfully it did not). 

Ever since, I've been booking one-ways.  I don't know about AS' system (I haven't flown them yet!) so not sure how they reprice tickets.  

Hopefully this knowledge will save you some $.  I shared the information with a friend and she had no idea about this repricing process either!  

Now . . . if only HA would offer credit online for when there is a price decrease like other airlines do! 

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Visit Disneyland: Our Experience with Early Entry

I always thought the people who rope-dropped or did the "Magic Hour" or "Magic Mornings," as it was called years before, were crazy.  Whenever we would visit Disneyland, we'd just take our time getting to the park, maybe around 9am or 10am.  Even though our kids would wake up early (until this day they are always up by 6am; 7am at the latest), we'd just have a leisurely breakfast at our hotel, then walk across the street to Disney.  We did have Annual Passports which eased the pressure off of us having to wake up early or rushing for Fast Passes (as it was called back then), but since it seems way more competitive now to get on certain rides, we thought we'd try and experience Early Entry, while also using Lightning Lane Multi Pass.  

Guests staying at Disneyland Resort hotel get Early Entry.  Early Entry is now only 30 minutes, and parks are designated Early Entry depending on the day of the week.

In terms of Early Entry, the Magical Tour Guide YouTube videos helped immensely in guiding us where to go.

Through her videos, I discovered how to get to the security checkpoint to Downtown Disney via the Grand Californian from Pixar Place Hotel, where we stayed.  

The first day of our Early Entry was a Thursday, which meant Disneyland.  We got to the security checkpoint at 620am, and the line was already about 15 people deep!  The security guards will brief everyone about going through the checkpoint and ask to see everyone's hotel keys or online confirmations, as only the Early Entry guests would be allowed through at 645am.

In just a few minutes we were at the main gates for Disneyland.  The gates do not open until 720am, even though Early Entry starts at 730am.  Also, there is no designated gate for Early Entry guests.  All rope-dropping and Early Entry guests are mixed in with each other, unlike at Universal Studios Hollywood, where only SNW Early Entry guests can enter through the admission gates before the general admission guests.

Once through the gates, you have to look for the roped off areas for Early Entry guests, at which you will have to swipe your key card and let a cast member know how many in your party.  

I haven't dug deep enough as to why they do the entry this way (combined with rope-droppers), especially since I've read how some people were not able to get through security and / or the gates until 15 minutes already into Early Entry since they are mixed in with rope-droppers, so it's highly recommended you get through security and line up at the gates really early.

We went to Tomorrowland and Fantasyland and got through four rides (Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Snow White's Enchanted Wish, Pinocchio's Daring Journey).  Early Entry rides may not always be operable during the 30 minutes (Space Mountain was not yet open during Early Entry).

When it was DCA Early Entry day, it was the same process, but some of us got to security earlier (by 6am and ended up being the second in line), and the rest of us joined in by 630am.  We ended up doing two rides - Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission Breakout! and Web Slingers (a new-to-us ride) during Early Entry.  We also tried rope-dropping Radiator Springs after the rides, but the line was already 2 hours long by the time some of our family members got in line. so we just decided to buy Lightning Lane Single Pass (one of two rides at the resort you can buy passes for).

As stated in the Magical Tour Guide videos, there is a separate entrance / security to DCA, but she notes that's not the quickest way to get into DCA for Early Entry, especially if you're trying to get to Guardians or Web Slingers, or Rope Drop for Radiator Spring Racers.  

Even the security guard and another guest in line confirmed this - the quickest way is to go through Downtown Disney and enter through the main gates.

I am glad we experienced Early Entry, but I will say that during our visit, because we had Multi Pass Lightning Lane, the Early Entry wasn't worth it.

We were able to secure Lightning Lane passes for everything we wanted to go on both days we were there (we also had Park Hopper), and the rides we did Early Entry for, with the exception of Guardians, had decent wait times throughout the day (for me, decent means less than 30 minutes).  

There were rides we did multiple times even without Lightning Lane too (Astro Blasters, Star Tours).

And of course there are the Single Rider lines as well that minimize wait times.

If you don't buy Lightning Lane Multi Passes, the Early Entry could definitely be worth it for you,  But for us, we think we'll stick to Lightning Lane and spend some extra time in bed the next time. 

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Visit Disneyland Resort: MagicBand+

Not too many people had MagicBand+ at Disneyland Resort, from what I noticed, but that didn't stop us from getting them.  

You can use the MagicBand+ to scan into the entry gates or scan your Lightning Lane passes.  No need to take out your phone and open up the Disneyland app or your photos app for a screenshot of your admission ticket or Lightning Lane pass. 

It's easy to sync the MagicBand+ to everyone in your party through the Disneyland app.

It's rechargeable, and one full charge is supposed to last 1-3 days, but we'd charge them at the end of each night.

Another fun thing about the MagicBand+ is that it'll blink and flash in all sorts of colors depending on where you are, whether at certain rides or shows.  You can also use to link PhotoPass photos and other experiences.

It's totally not a necessary thing to have, but it's a nice-to-have for the convenience.  

One thing I did read prior to getting them is that they have a tendency to fall off your wrist, especially on certain rides.  So, I brought mini rubber bands and hair ties to secure the ends on everyone's wrist just as an extra precaution.  

You can find the MagicBand+ at various shops throughout the resort (we bought ours from World of Disney at Downtown Disney, but also saw them at STOR-E in Pixar Place).

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Lady Elaine

Last Friday, my gal pals and I finally carved out some time for a much-needed mom’s night out, and we couldn’t have picked a better spot than Lady Elaine. From the moment we walked in, I was excited. The cozy, welcoming vibe and the incredible aroma drifting out from the kitchen instantly made me feel like we were in for something special.

The service was warm and genuinely friendly — the kind that makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit. We opted to dine family style, which was perfect for our group and let us sample a variety of dishes.

We started with the bread and butter, featuring bread from the local Bread Shop. The bread alone would’ve won me over, but the spread it came with? To. Die. For.

Next came the savory plates that we all devoured:

Roasted eggplant risotto 

Charred tahini cabbage 

Chermoula shrimp 

  

Hen of the Woods

Each dish had its own vibe, and there wasn’t a single bite we didn’t enjoy.

Now, we are dessert people, so naturally we ordered all three of the dessert offerings (no regrets!):

• Coconut whipped panna cotta 
• Ricotta fritters 
• Pineapple phyllo cake 

I can’t wait to come back and check out their lunch menu — if it’s anything like dinner, I know it’s going to be amazing.

__________________________________________

LADY ELAINE

2752 Woodlawn Drive

808-888-3030

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More Must-Have Travel Items

Links below are affiliate.

I recently bought the below items that I used on my trip recently, and they sure came in very handy!

AirplanePocket

I try to avoid putting things in the seat pockets on an airplane, and the AirplanePocket has been such a help.  I saw someone on IG use it and at first I thought "Why would I need that?" 

But now I won't travel without it!

It easily slips onto the table, and the pockets can hold a number of items.

It had enough room for water bottles, phones, charges, snacks, sanitizers, and more!

In a pinch, you can just take it off with everything in it and stuff it in a bag!

Phone Holder

On the flight back from Utah in January, I saw a whole row of passengers using a phone holder to watch their phones, even though there was seat back entertainment.  I ended up buying phone holders, which attach to the tray table as well as other parts of the seat back, depending on the aircraft.  It can also be used as a stand to watch your phone on the open table.

They came in very handy on our recent trip where both going and returning the planes did not have any seat back entertainment.

Phone Lanyard

To avoid having to constantly rustle through my purse or pockets to take out photos, or to keep it more secure when taking photos on rides, a phone lanyard comes in very handy.  I bought two types - this Phone Lanyard which comes in a pack of 2, and this Phone Lanyard, which also comes with a wrist strap. 

I haven't used the wrist strap yet, but the lanyard itself (both brands) is great.  It is adjustable and can be worn around your neck or across your body.  The hook closure was different on each brand, but they both worked fine, and the lanyard was sturdy.

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Visit Anaheim: Pixar Place Hotel

We usually stay at a Good Neighbor Hotel when visiting Disneyland Resort, but for the first time, we stayed at a resort hotel - Pixar Place Hotel, and it was primarily to get Early Entry (which I will blog about later).

We reserved two rooms because we need two bathrooms, but one room can easily fit 5 with 2 queen beds and a sofa-day bed.  I called Customer Service to get guaranteed connecting rooms.

We arrived before noon, and one of the rooms was ready so we were able to check-in.

A note on payment - if you've read about the Disney Gift Cards and transferring to one for up to $1k since only one can be used - that's actually incorrect, as the team member was willing to take multiple cards that I hadn't yet transferred to one.  

Cleanliness is taken seriously!  I loved that they offer hand soap - something we usually bring on our own to hotels.

As you can imagine, there are Pixar touches everywhere.

We had connecting Standard View Rooms, from which we could see Disney California Adventure.  At night, we could even watch the fireworks at Disneyland, as well as see some of the World of Color show at Disney California Adventure.

There were lots of places to charge your tech (and your MagicBand+).  There was a mini fridge, and I love how easy it was to put the sofa-day bed back into a sofa (I never saw a sofa bed like it before - you just flip and unzip! 

Excuse the wrinkles - I took the pic after it was slept in.

You can also go to the pool deck to watch the fireworks.

The pool was undergoing refurbishment while we were there, but they do have a Pixar Shorts Court, where you can Play foosball, shuffleboard, and more!  

There is an atrium on the second-floor with art. 

And there are character appearances!  

Noise wasn't an issue except for the surprising sounds of kids running through the hall at 11pm (why do parents allow their kids to do that?).

Everything you read about the inefficient "smart" elevator system is true.  It's one of those systems where you press the floor on a touch pad and you are designated a specific elevator to enter (vs pressing the up or down button and going to whichever elevator opens up).  

I'm sure it cost a lot of $ to implement, so I don't know if anything will ever change with the elevators, but guests will just have to grin and bear it.  There was one time during our stay where I saw a team member guide people to the correct elevator, and although the waits weren't exhorbitantly long, the elevator system is far from perfect. 

To access the amusement parks, we were able to go through the Grand Californian to get to Downtown Disney to get to the main entrances for DCA and Disney (more on that in a future post) and there is also a separate DCA entrance just right across the street from the hotel.

I loved Great Maple, the sit-down restaurant inside Pixar Place.  

Parking was never an issue.

The rooms were pricey, as expected, but I thought it was worth it to experience.

Pixar Place Hotel
1717 Disneyland Dr

Anaheim, CA 92802

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Big Island Top Dogs' Chantilly Brownies

Big Island Top Dogs is one of my favorite spots to do take-out in Hilo.  They offer more than just hot dogs - they have salads, plate lunches, and more.

And one of my faves - Chantilly Brownies!

It's just a simple, unpretentious dessert, but so familiar and just so reminiscent of the kinds of desserts I grew up eating.

I love chantilly, and combined with the fudgy, moist brownies - this dessert is just perfect!

Definitely satisfies my sweet tooth!

Big Island Top Dogs
811 Laukapu St #6
Hilo, HI 96720

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