We bought a small add-on at HHI so that we could travel the first week of April every three years and stay in a 1BR for Sunday-Thursday. We have a 15-point cushion to allow for point reallocations, but since that first week of April often falls aroound Easter, we knew we'd need the 11-month window. For next year, we offered to bring my parents along and book a 2BR. We had enough points to book 4 nights at 11 months and planned on booking the last night at 7 months. Well, my dad (God bless him!) would like to stay on Saturday night as well. So, I booked a cash reservation at 11-months for Saturday and (Easter) Sunday with the plan of switching Sunday to points (only 25!) when the 7-month window opened. Well, I work nights and didn't set my alarm so by the time I got around to calling (at noon), there were no 2BR's available for Sunday . This is the first time I have not been on the phone at 9am sharp and now I'm paying for it. I did waitlist for that one night, but I really doubt it will come through.
(I'm getting to my questions...hang on ...)
So, now our budget has jumped considerably since we will have to pay cash for two nights at a rate of about $500/night . This will be my parents' first trip to HHI. Dad loves to golf (mom just likes it) so they want to play at least one round, possibly two. I don't know the whole "handicap" thing but dad's 18-hole rounds are generally high-70's to low-80's...mom's like me and lucky if she breaks 100 . They both golf fairly regularly so there would not be an issue with etiquette or falling off a pace. What would be some good courses to try out? We're looking for a balance of affordable price, reasonable difficulty and decent amenities.
Second question...we're considering a day-trip to Savanna. We've never been there so we would like to do a "guided" tour. I looked at some of the "on-and-off" trolley tours and those look perfect. My question is, where EXACTLY do you go to "start" one of these tours? How much time should we allot? Do you need reservations and if so, how far out? What is the approximate cost? Parking fees? Can/Should we bring a picnic-type lunch? Or is there an eatery (budget and family-friendly) that you'd recommend? Tell me everything .
Third question...Nature stuff...kids love everything in the outdoors! DD's will be 7 and 9 and so I'm interested in aga-appropriate, low-cost nature "stuff". Pinckney Island? I've read very little about it but IIRC, there is a "tour" that you can do. I'm not completely against the self-guided stuff, but the kids love interacting with the naturalists at the resort so a "guided" expedition would be preferred. On our last trip, we did the dolphin tours and the girls combed the beach for "critters" but that was it. We'd like to do a little more this time.
My dad is a little concerned because he is a WDW park commando. He is "afraid" that there just won't be enough stuff to keep him occupied at HHI . I tried to explain to him that that's the beauty of this vacation....there's enough to do to keep you occupied, but not so much to do that you feel the need to go, go, go!
Please let me know how it goes, I want to be prepared when we try to call in next month at seven months out.
. So I figured that we'd be looking at about $400 per night with the discount. I never received an "invoice" so I asked about it today. I told the CM that we'd paid our 1-night deposit and I wondered how much more we will still owe since it is now only a 1-night reservation. She told me that the reservation is PAID IN FULL
. She confirmed that the $248.32 is the CORRECT amount for that Saturday night, March 30, 2013. You could have knocked me over with a feather
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. We are praying for those who have lost so much and hoping that the relief efforts will be speedy and effective
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