A week at Vero or a week at HHI???? What would you do?

[edk35]

We are back from our 9 night vacation. Got home last night and of course the wheels are turning already. We have decided to skip WDW parks next summer. We are visiting HHI for 5 nights the week of New Year's. This will be our first experience at HHI. I am sure we will enjoy it and would probably really enjoy it in the summer. However....I have twice somewhat planned a trip to Vero split with a WDW stay. Both times I backed out. So.....since all 5 of us are on board for a NON park trip next summer....I thought about possibly doing the beach thing..OR maybe staying 4 nights at AKV Kidani and 4 nights at Vero. Still skipping the 4 parks. The guys might do the water park thing again. This trip they did water park action 3 times. If we did HHI we would drive from MD. If we went to FL we would fly and rent a van for the Vero portion or maybe for the entire portion. My guess is a HHI trip would be cheaper.......which would be nice too. HOWEVER......is a week too long at HHI??

Our kids will be dd 19, ds 16 and ds 11. Thanks for any input and advice!!!!

 

[Love2Cruise]

2 weeks would not be too long at HHi IMO! HHI is our home resort and we love it there.
There is lots to do on the island, the beach is beautiful and charlston and savannah are close enough for day trips. We have not been to Vero.

 

[edk35]

2 weeks would not be too long at HHi IMO! HHI is our home resort and we love it there.
There is lots to do on the island, the beach is beautiful and charlston and savannah are close enough for day trips. We have not been to Vero.

I have always heard such positive things about HHI. I know the island itself is quite popular as far as tourist destinations go. Add in a Disney resort and it has to be next to perfect!!! I kind of like the idea of SLEEPING IN, RELAXING, not rushing to a Disney park. We spent 5 nights on the gulf 3 summers ago and absolutely LOVED IT. It was a true relaxing vacation. My husband mentioned while at Disney this past week....he would be all for a HHI trip next summer. Our kids are at the age that they enjoy sleep!!!!

 

[SusieBea]

A week at HHead will leave you wondering where the time went and how it happened that you didn't get everything you'd planned done. Please understand, though, that your New Year's experience is going to be TOTALLY different from the experience you'll have in the summer.

 

[edk35]

A week at HHead will leave you wondering where the time went and how it happened that you didn't get everything you'd planned done. Please understand, though, that your New Year's experience is going to be TOTALLY different from the experience you'll have in the summer.

See that is what worries me. I am wondering if my kids will say "oh this is boring" when we go in Dec. and then they won't want to go in July. I hope not.

 

[5forDiz]

Our are 21,18 & 12 and they'd vote for HHI in a heartbeat
okay it's not just them DH & I would vote for HHI too

We love VB too but HHI MORE. The kids the pool at the resort and the beach house Lots more to do in and around HHI ( ita on Savannah & you can boat over to Daufuskie Island & explore there's historical tour too ). It's really the best of both worlds - laid back & great for 'chillaxing' (DO NOT let my kids see me use that word! ) or plenty to do if you'd like.

I agree with SusieBea - winter & summer on HHI much different experiences. Traffic during summer months can be daunting too so we leave extra time if travelling by car or try to bike or walk places.

 

[nvrenoughdisney]

I've been thinking the same question you have. They both seem like they have similar things to offer. I suppose it might come down to availability.

 

[edk35]

I've been thinking the same question you have. They both seem like they have similar things to offer. I suppose it might come down to availability.

I have read that people tend to say Vero is good for a few days with certain age groups. I think the older kids get bored at Vero maybe.

 

[5forDiz]

I have read that people tend to say Vero is good for a few days with certain age groups. I think the older kids get bored at Vero maybe.

Yes; in our experiences at VB this is true. For us we wouldn't do a week at VB but would do a split stay with WDW DVC, but we would do a week at HHI.

 

[edk35]

Yes; in our experiences at VB this is true. For us we wouldn't do a week at VB but would do a split stay with WDW DVC, but we would do a week at HHI.

Yeah I am thinking Vero is a good split stay with a WDW trip. Maybe others will post about this too.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

I just got back from HHI. We stayed 4 nights, but we wish we had stayed longer. A week would be very nice! We rarely left the resort because we decided to have a relaxing vacation. In fact, it was one of the best vacations we have ever had! We slept in, relaxed at the pool and in the hammocks, and sat on the HUGE balcony. My kids fished from the pier. We love not having to drive, so we rode our bikes to the beach and even to eat pizza one evening. We walked across the bridge to the restaurants in Shelter Cove. I think the only time we drove anywhere was the 1st day to get groceries. We loved HHI so much we are contemplating adding on points there.

I don't think you or your kids would mind going back within six months. We would go next week if we could (and we just got back 2 weeks ago)!

I've never been to Vero, so I can't help you there. Something about it just isn't appealing to me. We may try it one day, but I'm in no hurry.

 

[SLM]

Loved VB, but loved HHI even more! I think we would do a split stay with the parks if we return to VB but previous posters are right-two weeks at HH would not be enough! There is so much to do at the resort and in the area-Savannah was a great day trip and we didn't see everything so would revisit-it's a quick and easy 35-40 minute drive or I would take the ferry next time. With your kids being older they could do alot on their own. Either way, it sounds like a great vacation!

 

[edk35]

I know HHI isn't talked about that much on Dis but whenever it is.....EVERYTHING IS POSITIVE. I love that. Well except the ghost sitings!!!!

 

[Anal Annie]

OK, so I've not been to either YET...but will report back about VB after we get home on the 26th... I would like to try HHI sometime...but the one thing I don't like about it is that it's not ON the beach....THAT would really probably bother me for a BEACH vacation. Not so much in the off-season tho but in the summer... I am an old beach bunny by nature...I am out there staking out my plot of sand EARLY...I am diehard when it comes to my beach time. And I don't want a mile trek back to the room whenever I realize I forgot something. I think that to me is the biggest turn-off about HHI. I think you will have to decide if this trip is about going to the beach or just getting away. Since you will be there in a few months you can evaluate that better for yourself... But "I HEAR YA" loud & clear tho on the driving / cheaper thing...

I've also always read where it's really hard to get HHI in the summer if you don't own there....so you may have to wait & see whenever you hit your 7 month mark. Me thinks VB might be easier to get from June-August.

 

[edk35]

OK, so I've not been to either YET...but will report back about VB after we get home on the 26th... I would like to try HHI sometime...but the one thing I don't like about it is that it's not ON the beach....THAT would really probably bother me for a BEACH vacation. Not so much in the off-season tho but in the summer... I am an old beach bunny by nature...I am out there staking out my plot of sand EARLY...I am diehard when it comes to my beach time. And I don't want a mile trek back to the room whenever I realize I forgot something. I think that to me is the biggest turn-off about HHI. I think you will have to decide if this trip is about going to the beach or just getting away. Since you will be there in a few months you can evaluate that better for yourself... But "I HEAR YA" loud & clear tho on the driving / cheaper thing...

I've also always read where it's really hard to get HHI in the summer if you don't own there....so you may have to wait & see whenever you hit your 7 month mark. Me thinks VB might be easier to get from June-August.

Yeah that is one downside I guess but It isn't a deal breaker as far as going. I have heard the beach there is nicer than Vero and the water calmer. I am not a huge beach person......the boys and my husband will enjoy that more. Brittany and I can stay on the beach a little while but we would be at the pool more. They have a beach house and pool on the beach at HHI.

 

[buzz5985]

Yeah that is one downside I guess but It isn't a deal breaker as far as going. I have heard the beach there is nicer than Vero and the water calmer. I am not a huge beach person......the boys and my husband will enjoy that more. Brittany and I can stay on the beach a little while but we would be at the pool more. They have a beach house and pool on the beach at HHI.

Not being on the beach, is not a downside in our families opinion. We absolutely adore the tranquility of the marsh. Last summer we actually were able to watch a couple of dolphins chase a school of fish into the dead end near the Lodge to feed. Your not going to see that at the beach. Take one of the nature walks available - the wildlife there is amazing. We ate one night at the Old Oyster Factory - on the other side of the Marsh - and loved the view of DVC!!!

My DS 11 would spend his whole day crab fishing of the dock in the marsh if he could. He was never more excited when one of the friends he made there was leaving and the family left him all their chicken for bait. LOL He likes the kids nights out, campfires, goofy bingo, ghost stories, etc.

If my DH and DS 12 had a choice between WDW and HHI. HHI would win every time. Not that they don't love WDW, it's just they love HHI more. Now me - after 34 years of going to WDW - I'd still do commando style park visits if I had my way. LOL

 

[bobbiwoz]

Not being on the beach, is not a downside in our families opinion. We absolutely adore the tranquility of the marsh. Last summer we actually were able to watch a couple of dolphins chase a school of fish into the dead end near the Lodge to feed. Your not going to see that at the beach. Take one of the nature walks available - the wildlife there is amazing. We ate one night at the Old Oyster Factory - on the other side of the Marsh - and loved the view of DVC!!!

My DS 11 would spend his whole day crab fishing of the dock in the marsh if he could. He was never more excited when one of the friends he made there was leaving and the family left him all their chicken for bait. LOL He likes the kids nights out, campfires, goofy bingo, ghost stories, etc.

If my DH and DS 12 had a choice between WDW and HHI. HHI would win every time. Not that they don't love WDW, it's just they love HHI more. Now me - after 34 years of going to WDW - I'd still do commando style park visits if I had my way. LOL

Is the crab fishing catch and release?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Is the crab fishing catch and release?

I think you can keep the crabs. I was also told the resort may have a few crab pots you can use to steam those crabs. Don't forget the beer and Old Bay!!

 

[Mattsmommy]

Is the crab fishing catch and release?

You can keep the crabs. My son did the crab catcher activity last saturday and the kids didn't catch any crabs, but they did catch a stingray. They put the stingray back in the water.

 

[Mattsmommy]

A week at HHead will leave you wondering where the time went and how it happened that you didn't get everything you'd planned done. Please understand, though, that your New Year's experience is going to be TOTALLY different from the experience you'll have in the summer.

I totally argee. We went off season one year and we didn't like it at all. This was our first summer there and we loved it. I will definately go back next summer.