Back from Poly, Savannah & HHI-First trip home!!!(LONG!)

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Aloha!

It's 4am and Jiminy Cricket woke me up! Have meant to post summary of trip but am buried under laundry and books (masters classes!) Note: All info here are OUR opinions and impressions. Hope the info is helpful (as so many of you have helped us) but please remember that one person's poison is another's passion.

Spent 7 nights at POLY (DVC/BCV purchase incentive from last year). I've stayed there 20X since 1972 when my folks paid $35 per night! Has always been our fave resort. Perfect as always. Great CMs, room in great condition. Did notice gnats/squitos this time...not sure if big rains brought them out or if WDW has reduced spraying (or laid off the sprayERS). But we were all bitten when out on patio...never happened before! Still, if there is ever a DVC/POLY, I've put family on notice that I would sell our house, cars, beloved dog and DS in order to get in on that one!!!

Weather WONDERFUL! (I know...everything is relative). But we always go late June/early July so we expect heat. This time was mild compared to other years ...also MUCH cooler than NJ when we came home!!! Evenings were perfect-balmy...used boat to/from MK instead of monorail just for beautiful ride!

Parks not as crowded as past years...but there were still long waits for big attractions. Used fastpass and saw all we wanted to. Can't believe Peter Pan's flight, one of my sentimental faves, is now so popular! Used to just walk on ANYTIME. day or night. Glad it is enjoyed by so many now, though!

Spent one night in Savannah before HHI. For those who are mega-history buffs (as we are) it is a must! We did two walking tours- a ghost tour on arrival night and Civil War tour next morning. REALLY enjoyed both. There are several companies offering both (and others) in town. We booked day-of for both. No problem. Historic district just oozes atmosphere. Great walking area. Very friendly people. EVERYONE said hello or good morning on passing (except the other tourists!).

We stayed at the Colonial Park Inn on E. Liberty Street...in historic district... on National Historic Register...10 minute walk to River Street. Bob & Alice Clark are the delightful hosts. Accomodations are a garden suite and street level apt. Both are 2 br, I think. Our apt. had a LR, small kitchen and 1 bath. The apt. was $185 plus tx. I think smaller garden suite was $165 plus tx. As we needed 2 BRs this was less than the Hampton Inn at $149 per room! Website isn't very comprehensive, but a call to Mr. Clark should answer any questions. Check them out at www.colonialparkinn.com.

Our 17 yo DS said Savannah was his fave part of entire trip! OK-he IS a real history buff but also loves, loves, loves WDW!

OK! Here's the hard part. We then went to our 2 BR at HHI for 5 nights. OUR FIRST TRIP HOME since becoming members last year!It is a beautiful resort! Our accomodations (Bldg 17) were in excellent condition. Loved the space, cleanliness, & washer/dryer (except it took FOREVER to dry even small number of items). But.....(OK...take a deep breath)...we didn't love HHI!

Looked forward to a quieter, more mellow, more natural version of Jersey Shore which is where we live. Guess we thought it would be more like Sanibel Island. Instead found too much noise (music blasting at pools at DVC and at many restaurants) and way too much traffic for us...if we want that we can just stay home Did enjoy dining at Big Bamboo, The Smokehouse, and Pepper's Porch in Bluffton. Great food, but again, first 2 way too noisy for us. Went on Gullah Heritage bus tour (more history!) Informative and also saw much of island. But in all... fishing/crabbing not as plentiful as home (but did not go on boats). Prices at restaurants fair for quality, but felt buffets at WDW-which we do often- a much better value. But we aren't gourmets! Beach is great, but not too different from home. Also, really missed not being beachfront. Biked, drove and took shuttle to beach...Not horrible, but since we drive a few minutes to beach at home, we realized being ON the beach is important when we vacation. If you live land-locked, this will probably not be a big deal for you. Found we really missed WDW, also. Even if we don't do parks all day, we like having the option of going in for a show or to eat. We just love the atmosphere. My best time at HHI was when we found the Character Corner at the Factory Outlets in Bluffton and was able to revel in Disney merchandise and music for half an hour!!! Ok! I've got it bad! But kept wishing we could go back to WDW...
So, please don't flame me...and DON'T change your plans if you are heading to HHI for first time! These are just our opinions...gazillions of DVCers love HHI...it is just not for us. We'll save our points for WDW which is why we bought DVC in the first place!

One final note: I know I'll sound like a grumpy old lady (I'm really not THAT old), but we were really wishing (at Poly and HHI) that people could be more considerate of others around them and STOP SLAMMING DOORS and allowing small ones to run screaming down hallways. I know...it's vacation...kids are kids...But we NEVER allowed our son to disturb others when he was small or now that he's a teen, for that matter. We all had to buy earplugs in order to get some sleep!

 

[cgcw]

I would love to hear more about the tours you did in Savannah. I will PM you.

Sorry to hear about your disappointment of HH. Maybe the difference for us is that we don't have a beach at our back door (well, Lake Michigan, but ) but we have always found HH to be wonderful. We're off there in a couple of days.

Glad you enjoyed your stay at WDW. We also are big fans of the Poly and would add on in a heartbeat if DVC ever built there.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

 

[Granny]

There's nothing wrong with posting an opinion that a certain resort doesn't "do it for you". You certainly shouldn't get flamed for that....even by those who love HH.

And that's the nice part of DVC...you will be able to use other DVC resorts for future plans.

And if you like beach vacations....it sounds like Vero Beach will be perfect for you!

Thanks for the report.

 

[sumessefui]

Glad to hear the visit to Savannah was great. I am a history buff and do want to try some of the tours there. We have a contract at HHI resort and we liked the fact that it was on the marsh and not the ocean. We too are from NJ, but grew up going to the beach so much that I really can do without it now. That's what so great about DVC, choices to fit many different likes.

 

[Belle and Rella's Dad]

It is funny that you mentioned the Poly as a DVC, I have always thought that would be a great spot. The other place would for us would be at Animal Kingdom Lodge, I would probably sell all but the offspring for that.

I think your comment about being old has nothing to do with age, it has to do with respect and I agree 100%. I sometimes wish we would all just stop and think, would I like it if that was someone else letting their children run up and down the halls.

I am glad that you had a great trip at Disney, and your comment about Peter Pans flight reminds me, every time my 4 year old rides and we leave the station she says "hang on daddy were flying". It makes me want to go back right now, Thanks for the memory.

 

[Tomskatt]

We don't all like the same thing and that's why DVC is so great! I also think we should be able to voice our opinions without getting "flamed" if we disagree with the majority, so type away and let us know what is really on your minds. I personally prefer to hear a balanced opinion than a one sided perfect story...does that make sense? I also personally think "quiet" isn't in our future for awhile. Our kids are 5, 3 and 1 and are hopefully quiet for others, but NEVER for us! We are headed home in 2 days and can't wait. I agree about the respect issue. My children may TRY to slam doors and run and scream in the hallways at crazy hours but as their parents we plan on keeping them in check. Here's hoping......
P.S. if we do happen to bother some of you, please remember we had the best intentions!

 

[CarolA]

I have to say that I love HH, but the DVC there does not do it for me. When I go to the beach I want to either be ON the beach or at least a short stroll, neither of which is true at the DVC. I would tell you to try it again, but rent at the beach. However, if you like the pace of Sanibel you might consider St. Simons Island is you want to stay in that area again. I don't find HH that crowded, but then again I geneally go either in May or September and the "off season" difference there is very noticable. (I used to summer there growing up, my grandparents retired there!)

 

[sueg]

For three yearsin a row, we spent happy weeks at HH. We were really surprised how much we liked HH as an alternative to WDW. But last summer, we spent a VERY RAINY week at HH. I recognize that weather is not the fault of the resort, but I really wasn't looking forward to returning to HH this Aug. I made my Aug. ressie, using 11 month window, but I always thought there was a chance of cancelling. DH started talking about the Fairy Tale vacation package & before I knew it, we were lopping two "high point" nights off the end of the HH wk. & adding 5 lower pt. nights at OKW, at the front end of the trip. And we are driving to Fla. & then to HH. A really different Aug. vacation for us-we've never been to WDW in the summer & we've never driven to Fla. as a family. We'll see how it goes. But it is certainly an example of the flexibility of DVC.

 

[rsschneck]

We leave in a few days. I am excited to see how we like HHI. This is not our home resort, but it is our first DVC stay. Sorry, you did not enjoy HHI. Maybe if you go when it is less crowded that might help. Sounds like the summer is very busy. I will post my review when we get back. Thanks for your review. It is always nice to read everyone's experiences at each DVC resort.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Hello again neighbors!
I was really nervous posting our honest thoughts...Folks have invested huge $$$ into DVC so I understand that some might take things a bit personally...Glad that wasn't the case here!

Now, onto Savannah! First, we arrived on a Sunday! We were a bit intimidated. We saw only a few others as we walked about at 5pm-and they had cameras and maps in their hands! It was eerie!(Remember-we come from NJ/greater population density than New Delhi, India!!!). As a very well-dressed local woman said when we asked her where all the human beings had gone, "Yes'm, we are still a sleepy little southern town-Sunday is fo' family." So despite the Gap & Banana Republic stores downtown, you will find little open on Sunday. However, most restaurants and tours DO operate then.

The tour company we used was:
SAVANNAH WALKS
37 ABERCORN STREET
(912) 238-9255
They are a storefront within 5-10 min walk of most places in historic district. ***We felt most comfortable staying in the district. Savannah is a CITY...most of what you want to see-the homes, gardens, squares, cemetaries, riverfront-are in this district. There are a few homeless/hanger-outers/loiterers about. NO ONE BOTHERED US***

SAVANNAH WALKS offers many tours: Historic Homes, Revolutionary War, Gates & Gardens, Pub Walk, and one all about "Midnight in the Garden of Good/Evil" though EVERY tour seems to point out references to this due to tourist demand.

The GHOST TOUR is offered a few times nightly depending on season. We did the 7:30pm..didn't really want to be walking back to our place on the deserted Sunday streets at 11pm! Great guide-cool stories-more fun if you are at least half of a believer
We walked into their offices at 5:30pm to purchase our tix after having phoned them at 4:30 to check availability. Good selection of local history/ghost books in their office and they give 10% off if you purchase a tour...there are a few left, I think...our DS almost bought the store out! Also, pick up the free tourist info which is on stands in stores and on the street-they had $2 off coupon per person for the tours.

We went back next morning at 9 and booked 10am Civil War tour. ***By the way...both tours were quite filled.***
They gave us $2 off per person(without our asking!) since we were repeaters.

Tours last 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Be prepared to WALK in heat if going soon!

Both tours were great but CW tour guide was a grad student from Birmingham, Dow was his name, who was an absolute expert and incredibly entertaining. Would have spent entire day with him if there was such a tour. Very interesting for us Yanks to get a real southern perspective on "the recent unpleasantness" as the CW is referred to by Alice Clark, our host at the Colonial Park Inn!

Cost for each was $13 adult + $6.50 children aged 6-14.

There are several other tour companies/tours. Some cost a few dollars less. Some offer costumed guides. But we were very satisfied with SAVANNAH WALKS. We did tip the guides (generously) at the end, though this is certainly not mandatory.


Personally, we wouldn't bring children on CW tour-unless they are really into subject. We moved fast and walked alot! Tons of detailed info and great stories.

You could bring kids on Ghost Tour but again...it is just walking & talking...may not hold their interest. ORRRR...they could get a little spooked if they understand the stories. You know your kids best...but there are no rest stops for lavs or drinks...so be prepared! We WOULD NOT bring infant or toddler to walk that far in that heat for that long...be warned!

If you arrive weekday, check out one of the VISITOR's CENTERS...they'll have all you need. If not going for awhile, contact Chamber of Commerce...they'll send map and info enough to get you started.

Let me know if I can help further!

 

[cgcw]

Thanks for all the wonderful information!!!

 

[rsschneck]

Sounds like you all liked Savannah. So, just stay on DVC property and drive into Savannah for the day for all of your educational tours.
Then use the rest of your points for WDW. The choices are endless.
Glad to hear that you really did enjoy most of your vacation. HHI just sounded like it was a little too loud for your family.
Try it again another time and it could be completely different.

 

[Mai Ku Tiki]

Happy to be of service ! Have a magical, Disney time of it!

P.S. I should have mentioned for those interested that there ARE also trolly, van, and hearse (yes, HEARSE!!!) tours. Don't have info about them, though, as we like to be up close and personal- you know...peek into gardens, gates and windows