Back from HHI-by all means GO!

[Fitswimmer]

Just got back on Friday from my first visit to HHI. If you are looking for a place to unwind and decompress-this is the place for you! The cast members are outstanding-the rec staff is just great-they had great games available at the Swimming hole for the kids, tours around the island and nature walks. I also want to mention the support staff, the front desk workers, the CM's at Tide Me Over and Signals, and the maintenance staff-everyone was so friendly and helpful!!! (I sent an email about the staff to DVC, I hope it gets back to them!)
The beach house is lovely, I spent a lot of time there-but sitting by the pool is just as nice! I will definately go back again!

 

[Fitswimmer]

Just wanted to add the names of the people who were particularly friendly and helpful:

Mike-our room faced the swimming pool and every morning when I went out with my coffee Mike was out there getting things ready for the day. He always had a cheerful good morning and we had some nice chats about the area.

Connie-gave me excellent directions to get to the Outlets, where I found wonderful bargains! Then, when I came back, my room card had lost it's mind so I needed her to get me a new one. Unknown to her, the computer had powered off, so it took quite some time to get the new cards. She was so patient and cheerful, and something that could have been an inconvenience ended up being enjoyable!

I wish I could remember the names of all the counter people at Tide Me Over, the Mercantile and Signals-I'll just say that everyone working there between Sunday the 3rd and Thursday the 7th was just great!!! Same for all the support staff, I never passed one CM that didn't say hello, offer to assist or engage in brief conversation.

The experience I had at HHI is why we all joined DVC in the first place.

 

[bobbiwoz]

We hope to stay there one day. I'm glad you had such a great time, and met such nice people.

Bobbi

 

[HUFF590]

Ive been 3 times now and loved it each time .I agree a great place to unwind.

 

[cgcw]

I'm glad you have a great trip and found it relaxing.

We've been annually for 6 summers in July. We're trying March next year and hope we like it just as much without the heat and humidity.

I'm fairly certain your letter to DVC will make it to the resort. Did you send it via the member site? You could also send it to wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com I know it will definately be read there.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Wonderful Report!!

That sounds like my kind of place!

 

[OneMoreTry]

Connie-gave me excellent directions to get to the Outlets, where I found wonderful bargains! Then, when I came back, my room card had lost it's mind so I needed her to get me a new one. Unknown to her, the computer had powered off, so it took quite some time to get the new cards. She was so patient and cheerful, and something that could have been an inconvenience ended up being enjoyable!

Our experience has been the same as yours. Is this the Connie who is retired (I think a school teacher) who just wanted to work at Disney and is doing it for the enjoyment? If so I agree she's great. I didn't see her there this past May. She told me she was gonna quit if she stopped loving the job, so if it's the same Connie she must still love it.


Side note: Our cards screw up every time we're there. And it's NOT due to cell phones in our pockets -- we're careful about that and Mythbusters busted that, too.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Is this the Connie who is retired (I think a school teacher) who just wanted to work at Disney and is doing it for the enjoyment?

I'm not sure because we were talking about shopping and didn't mention our jobs or former jobs. If it is, she clearly does enjoy her work and spreads that happiness to the guests she deals with.

I figured something happened with the scanners or something at the outlets. One of the CM's at WDW told me that putting my AP next to other credit cards can cause them to lose their minds too-so I assumed that was what happened. While I was walking back to the room, I was thinking that it was the kind of malfunction that people complain about on the boards, but this was handled so gracefully that there was nothing to complain about!

 

[Barnum01]

Side note: Our cards screw up every time we're there. And it's NOT due to cell phones in our pockets -- we're careful about that and Mythbusters busted that, too.

When we were there this past July, we thought our cards lost everything too. Once was because of the card, but the second time it was the batteries in our villa swipe unit, and the third time it was the swipe unit itself. Our only inconvenience was having to wait for someone to let us into our villa after having spent the morning and early afternoon at the beach, but for this, maintenance paid for our dinner that evening. We didn't ask for anything, it was just offered for our troubles.

I'm so glad you liked it there, Fitswimmer. Although the resort gets an occasional negative post for whatever reason (I remember your concern regarding one a couple of weeks ago), most who go fall in love with the resort, its location, its theming and the watering hole and beachhouse. HHI is not part of the theme park atmosphere, but it still is 100% Disney, and while there are plenty of other timeshare opportunities on the Island at better rates, it's the only one that can proudly bear the Disney banner. It truly is a great place to unwind and thanks to the recreation staff, there is never a want for things to do without ever leaving the property. We love it there and it's home to all our points (and we've never had trouble getting the accomodations we wanted at WDW at 7-months either).

I guess I should be careful at how much gushing I am doing though, it may become that much more difficult to book our home resort because of it.

Regards

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Glad you had a great time. We haven't been there for a few years, but will be going next May for the first time w/o children.

 

[canda]

I am glad you had a good time and found the CM's exactly how I have found them on every trip I have been on. (once in 1997 and twice a year since 1998) It is amazing to me how people on these boards report that the CM's are unfriendly and rude at HHI. It is simply not true. My theory is that the CM's see the scowl on the faces and steer clear before they get fussed at for not giving them the top floor non smoking marsh view with elevator access room that they requested seven months ago.

 

[osprey84]

Planning on going to HHI in January for golf. Has anyone been there during this time and could give some information. Thanks.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Planning on going to HHI in January for golf. Has anyone been there during this time and could give some information. Thanks.

Cool and windy. I live in Savannah and have stayed at DVC/HHI in January. The high will be in the 50s or 60s, lows in the 40s.

Golf should be fine, but, watch that cross breeze!

 

[lsutiggeratwk]

Dh and I are checking in next Sunday and everytime someone mentions "great place to unwind" I go - Yea!! Just what we are needing.

We did stay at HH last year for a couple of days, but I'm really looking forward to a week.

Thanks for getting me more excited than I already was !

 

[Barnum01]

Dh and I are checking in next Sunday and everytime someone mentions "great place to unwind" I go - Yea!! Just what we are needing.

We did stay at HH last year for a couple of days, but I'm really looking forward to a week.

Thanks for getting me more excited than I already was !

Wow! I'd imagine this would be an especially quiet time to go and relax with most everybody's kids back in school. We are always there at the peak of vacation season and we still find it a great place to unwind.

Enjoy!

Regards

 

[SLM]

Thanks for the nice report-glad you had such a great trip! So many resorts to visit -isn't DVC wonderful?