HHI Roll Call, Adoration & Information Thread 2010

[MinnieGi]

OK - DW and I are thinking about adding on at HHI - we have read such positive reviews - and we are looking for a place to JUST spend time.

A place to relax - a place to chill out - a place to cook a few home cooked meals - grill out some - read a book - sleep in - see some beautiful sunsets - take some long walks - be hammock bums for an entire day - and all that other stuff that normal people do when they go on a vacation with the sole intention of relaxing....

Is HHI the best place to do that?

Any advice on how many points to buys etc?

Thanks in advance!

HHI is SO the place to do all that and even catch some action IF you want too.

How many points you need will be determined when you want to travel, with how many etc...

Our story: I had read all the reviews, seen all the pics etc. of HHI and sight unseen to us we bought a 300 point contract thinking this would be a summer week for us plus use the overflow points for WDW. This was an additional contract as we already had one at BWV. Anyway our first summer we did a one bedroom and stayed Sun. - Thurs. and used all our leftover points for a longer trip to WDW. Well we LOVED the feel of HHI so much that was the LAST time we spent only 5 nights on the island. Now we stay at LEAST a week and get at LEAST a two bedroom and once the grand villa so we could invite family too. Needless to say we don't have many leftover points to extend our WDW vacations anymore! But no worries we're fine jumping the gentle waves of HHI!

 

[csharpwv]

OK - here is a questions for everyone that loves HHI -
Is it hard to get the reservations you want if you don't own there?

It is a smaller resort - so I imagine, especially during peak seasons they would stay pretty full. Not just from DVC members/point stays, but from cash stays as well.

We are thinking of just going down for a weekend sometime (even thought it's 10 hours from us!) before we buy - but after spending a week in TN summer before last, we really enjoyed a vacation that was just VERY laid back, very relaxed, with no schedule, cooking meals, and catching up on doing nothing!

We both work jobs that are very stressful at times - and I travel a lot for work, so I like to get away from home with no need or thought of doing anything 'WORK' related.

Too bad we already made other plans for this coming weekend - or we would call member services in the morning!

We will be going in off seasons the majority of the time - but on that same thought, the seasons are quite a bit different than at WDW. But the bulk of our 'free' time can be found in early December and January - so that works for us. However - the weather could really be cold there this time of year I would imagine!

Anyway - we will have to pick a weekend and check it out! In the meantime - we will keep shopping for the 'perfect' contract!

 

[MinnieGi]

OK - here is a questions for everyone that loves HHI -
Is it hard to get the reservations you want if you don't own there?

It is a smaller resort - so I imagine, especially during peak seasons they would stay pretty full. Not just from DVC members/point stays, but from cash stays as well.

We are thinking of just going down for a weekend sometime (even thought it's 10 hours from us!) before we buy - but after spending a week in TN summer before last, we really enjoyed a vacation that was just VERY laid back, very relaxed, with no schedule, cooking meals, and catching up on doing nothing!

We both work jobs that are very stressful at times - and I travel a lot for work, so I like to get away from home with no need or thought of doing anything 'WORK' related.

Too bad we already made other plans for this coming weekend - or we would call member services in the morning!

We will be going in off seasons the majority of the time - but on that same thought, the seasons are quite a bit different than at WDW. But the bulk of our 'free' time can be found in early December and January - so that works for us. However - the weather could really be cold there this time of year I would imagine!

Anyway - we will have to pick a weekend and check it out! In the meantime - we will keep shopping for the 'perfect' contract!

Summer is the time you really need to be an owner at HHI to assure reservations every year. However if you are looking at the off-season you will not have much problem getting reservations with your other DVC points.

 

[beachwarmer]

I was hoping a HHI expert could help me.

I was thinking of spending a couple of nights at HHI the last week of January. We have just moved to North Carolina from Canada and this is about the half way mark to drive to WDW. My husband is going to have to meet us in WDW as he will be in London the week before so will take a direct London Orlando flight. I will be driving with two children 8 and 1 1/2.

Will there be enough to do if the weather is cold? I am very anxious to check out the resort as it is now so close for us but an worried about. I will do at least one night but thought I might do a couple if there is enough to keep us busy.

Thanks.

 

[sandieb]

I personally think it is a warm weather resort. There are some fun activities the children could enjoy, but the main draw is the beach and swimming pools.
Sandie

 

[dis-happy]

I was hoping a HHI expert could help me.

I was thinking of spending a couple of nights at HHI the last week of January. We have just moved to North Carolina from Canada and this is about the half way mark to drive to WDW. My husband is going to have to meet us in WDW as he will be in London the week before so will take a direct London Orlando flight. I will be driving with two children 8 and 1 1/2.

Will there be enough to do if the weather is cold? I am very anxious to check out the resort as it is now so close for us but an worried about. I will do at least one night but thought I might do a couple if there is enough to keep us busy.

Thanks.

We've done this (quick visit in Jan) and had a great time as a family. There are activities scheduled all day long to keep you busy and having fun at the resort. Plus, the CM's there are the best. I'd do the 2 nights, since you will lose time on your arrival day and will want to get going again the day you drive to WDW (the drive time is 5 hours). Have fun!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I personally think it is a warm weather resort. There are some fun activities the children could enjoy, but the main draw is the beach and swimming pools.
Sandie

That may be true for some people. However, we've never been between March and October. In 2011, we'll go in April, which is the warmest month yet. We LOVE Hilton Head Island resort, but we've heard so many stories about drivers and resturaunt lines that we have no desire to go in tourist season. I remember a story of a server telling us about how he was riding his bicycle home from work on the bike path one summer when he met a small car coming the other way. And DH has twice met cars traveling the wrong way on a one way street. We'll take the questionable weather of off-season. At least the pools and hot tub are heated!
We're probably the only crazy people who just bought points to use there, even though we don't intend to go in the summertime.

 

[beachwarmer]

Thanks everyone for your input. I am going to call to see if they still have the two nights available. We can't wait for all your descriptions it sounds fabulous.

 

[JBx3]

Sure agree 5 days is not enough. We went last June for first time for 3 days and lost our minds when we had to leave. 5 day 1 br was available but since it was out first trip, we thought we would only try 3 days. 6 months later we purchased a contract for HHI to add to our AKL and now we will be booking HHI before all Disney trips.

Going this June for 6 nights and hope that is enough to do it!

 

[sandieb]

Hi, I understand that HH is fun all year long. We have gone in June and had a lot of fun. We went for 12 uber-relaxing days 2 years ago! Anyway, there is no right or wrong - we just really enjoy the beach, bike riding, and the swimming pools. I hope you enjoy your visit!
Sandie

 

[Amanda Esmeralda]

Hi everyone!

My husband and I are taking our first trip to HHI in March. We went to WDW in November for our honeymoon trip and I was already getting the urge to go back. This is our compromise. LOL.

Anyway, does anyone have any idea how things are in early/mid March in the area, crowd and weather wise? Also, it seems that there is a big focus on activities for families with children. Do you think couples without kids can have a good time there?

Can't wait!!!

 

[mickeyworld]

I am waiting for my window of opportunity to get rooms for Thanksgiving, even though I cannot call until late April! Are there any activites you would recommend at that time- we will have ages from 8-80~
Thanks

 

[Simba's Mom]

I am waiting for my window of opportunity to get rooms for Thanksgiving, even though I cannot call until late April! Are there any activites you would recommend at that time- we will have ages from 8-80~
Thanks

Thanksgiving at HHI has been a "must do" for us for several years. Don't miss the touch football game on the beach (Team turkey VS. Team Gravy) on Thanksgiving afternoon. Whether you want to buy a precooked dinner or go out, I can make several recommendations. For runners, the Piggly Wiggly Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning is lots of fun (and you'll burn off calories for dinner). Lots of people cook their own dinner in their villas if you'd rather do it yourself. And if you stay over the weekend, go out to Sea Pines South Beach where they begin the holiday season with a celebration, lightings, etc.

 

[kristenrice]

We are leaving at 7:30am next Friday for our FIRST trip to our new "home"./

We are staying Friday and Saturday night in Gatlinburg, TN and arriving at HHI on Sunday. Is there any need to do online checkin? I've done it at WDW and didn't notice too much of a difference in the amount of time it took to check in. Is it different at HHI? We will be arriving sometime between 5-7pm....depending on what time I can drag everyone out of bed in the morning.

Getting excited!!! I'm hoping for nice, warm weather....I want to wear my new swimsuit! (I've dropped over 20 pounds to look "presentable" in a 2-pc!)

 

[Simba's Mom]

We are staying Friday and Saturday night in Gatlinburg, TN and arriving at HHI on Sunday. Is there any need to do online checkin? I've done it at WDW and didn't notice too much of a difference in the amount of time it took to check in. Is it different at HHI? We will be arriving sometime between 5-7pm....depending on what time I can drag everyone out of bed in the morning.

(I've dropped over 20 pounds to look "presentable" in a 2-pc!)

We've never done on-line check-in at HHI (or at WDW). Frankly I doubt that we would at HHI-the CMs there are so nice, I enjoy the meeting at the front desk.
Congratulations on your weight loss. It's alot of work, so I really hope you have warm weather next week to wear that 2-pc!

 

[mommyoftwo08]

Can anyone tell me if the island will be packed?

 

[sandieb]

Yes, it will be packed.
Sandie

 

[mommyoftwo08]

Yes, it will be packed.
Sandie

Thank you. Have you been during that time frame before?

 

[LJC1861]

Lisa and I just booked Thanksgiving week in a 1 BR. However, there is no room at the inn Thanksgiving day so we are waitlisted. I am hoping against hope that something becomes available, but I know that this is a very very popular time at the resort.

Linda

 

[dis-happy]

Thank you. Have you been during that time frame before?

Busiest week of the year. Eat early if you don't want a 2 hr. restaurant wait. Get to the beach early if you plan to park there. Try not to grocery shop on Saturday afternoon. Approach it like the busy season at WDW and you'll be fine.