Changes at HH?

[lenshanem]

Well, Jimbo that si actually good to hear. I haven't been to HH since my late teens.
The activity sheet for VB just appealed to me more for my kids than HH did.

 

[JVL1018]

Originally posted by Jimbo
I'm fine with the restaurant situation. Anybody that visits HHI will have a car - am I wrong? - and the island is absolutely filled with excellent, reasonably priced restaurants.

I'm also someone who'd like to see the resort relocated closer to the beach, but still keep it near the harbor, which we really like. And make the air temperature a little cooler in summer (but keep the water temperature the same). Is that too much to ask?

Seriously, though, about the only thing I can come up with is rehabbing the gift shop. My wife and daughter were absolutely ravenous for HHI souvenirs, and the shop had nothing, really. Most of what they did have was recycled WDW memorabilia. So they had to make a trip to Walmart, where they really loaded up. But what they really wanted was Disney-related stuff.

Yes, I agree with that-I want DVC HH merchandise, not WDW merchandise.
I did notice they had a better selection in 2003 than they did in 2002, so hopefully it will get even better.

 

[Donna]

One thing that bothered me about HH merchandise, they were selling $10 mugs that we had on clearance at the disney store for $.99. The very same ones. The merchandise isn't updated very often. I'm glad to hear they have the member exclusive pins though. My ideal mercantile would be like the one they have at Ft. Wilderness, maybe throw a checkerboard in there with barrels to sit on, lol.

 

[canda]

an onsite restuarant would mess up the experience of HHI. They would have to open the resort up to everyone to make the new place work. (no more gate blocking unathorized entrance) Not only would we have the local hanging out, alot of DVC'rs from up north would stop and eat there on there way to WDW. THen folks who are staying there would not be able to park near their units. (and you know the pool will get crowded too, because they would stay for a swim.)

 

[Lesley]

We were just there for the night a little over a week ago. I loved the resort and want to go back sometime when its actually warm. I do agree that they need to have something open later than 5pm.....either the store, with more food options available, or Tide Me Over. We did have some good sandwiches over at Signals at the beach house, but that was at around noon.

I also agree that the community hall could be more than an empty room! But the activities seemed very good...we went to the campfire, which was fun for all.

The room layouts were my favorite of all the DVC resorts I've stayed in....not quite as huge as OKW, but bigger than BWV or VWL....and with the big whirlpool tub rather than the smaller one. And I loved the picnic tables and rocking chairs on the balconies!

A miniature golf course on property would be nice....but there are lots of horseshoe pits, and the playground, and the shuffleboard too. And the pool table. Disappointing to hear that parking can be a problem in busier seasons....wasn't at all an issue when we were there...but there were many dark buildings at night! I think the lighting throughout the resort at night could have been a little brighter....though I guess the unused buildings made it seem darker than it normally would be. It was kind of creepy making the walk from the Live Oak Lodge (where our room was located) to the campfire.

Oh, we did think that housekeeping could have been a little better. There was a beer bottle on our balcony and trash under the dining table inside. And the kids got bit up by something.....and ended up with rashes that have not completely gone away yet....but I'm not sure where or how that happened...just that it happened while we were in HH. I slightly suspect the whirlpool tub....

But we definitely liked it there....and the fact that its only a couple hours away is great!

 

[Donna]

You would definitely enjoy the lighting of the resort better in summer when it's at full occupancy. That is one of the charming things about the resort, all the lights are on in the villas, porch lights on, you can hear kids laughing in the distance, crickets chirping; people are still splashing around in the pool. You can also hear the faint music from the outdoor entertainment over at shelter cove. aaahhhhh, i better stop, i'm getting HOMESICK!

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by CarolA
Transport the entire resort to beach front property. LOL!!!

I do own there, but.... the location does not do it for me. I love HH, but don't stay at Disney when I go.

No, if you move it, I don't want to go, we love the location!

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by JVL1018
Yes, I agree with that-I want DVC HH merchandise, not WDW merchandise.
I did notice they had a better selection in 2003 than they did in 2002, so hopefully it will get even better.

I think all the DVC resorts could do with much better merchandice and resort specific clothing purchase options, good suggestion.

 

[dizneeluvr]

I agree completely with the poster who said an actual on-site restaurant would bring outsiders in. I like the fact that Disney grounds are private and for "members only". Kind of a neat feel!

It's funny but there's nothing I can think of to add to that place. HH is truly a gem!

Perhaps a member barbecue of some sort on a weekly basis from late March-October. Pay a certain price...eat with your "neighbors". HH has such a "community" feel to it and something like that would be neat! If this is something they already do...I don't know. We've only been in March, April and November.

Laura

 

[Disneyaholic]

Originally posted by dizneeluvr
I agree completely with the poster who said an actual on-site restaurant would bring outsiders in. I like the fact that Disney grounds are private and for "members only". Kind of a neat feel!

It's funny but there's nothing I can think of to add to that place. HH is truly a gem!

Perhaps a member barbecue of some sort on a weekly basis from late March-October. Pay a certain price...eat with your "neighbors". HH has such a "community" feel to it and something like that would be neat! If this is something they already do...I don't know. We've only been in March, April and November.

Laura

I think they already do a barbecue during the summer. It's usually on Tuesdays, before the fireworks in Shelter Cove. Unfortunately, this is one area where we feel the resort does not excel. The logistics of preparing food for that many people and ensuring that it is served efficiently has got to be a nightmare, and I don't think the resort has quite figured it out yet. There's a great pool party with music, dancing and games after the barbecue that is a riot, though!

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

A "green cabin-like room would be nice". We visited Vero, and thought that was a nice feature for the resort. Also, a hot tub at the beach house would be nice too, especially for the off season. It would be great to have a hot tub situated so you could see the beach while soaking.

We have primarily visited HH during the fall and winter. I would like to see the temp in the main pool up a few degrees. We brave it, but it still could be a little warmer. I'm surprised that they don't cover the pool at t night to hold in the heat, I thought that was a common thing to do.

 

[canda]

i did think of one thing.... if you have ever been there during a big rain storm, you know longview island floods a little. I have had to walk though 5-6 inches of water before. I go and get a cart and load everyone on to get to the car. So the only thing that i see a need for is drains. But if my dues go up then, let me walk in water for a few hours.

 

[gmboy95]

on site restaurant with a bar to watch a ball game in occasionally would be nice...how about a Disney golf course!!!!

 

[Disneyaholic]

Originally posted by canda
i did think of one thing.... if you have ever been there during a big rain storm, you know longview island floods a little. I have had to walk though 5-6 inches of water before. I go and get a cart and load everyone on to get to the car. So the only thing that i see a need for is drains. But if my dues go up then, let me walk in water for a few hours.

There are drains in place: actually there is an underground pump system on the island to remove the water. But since the island itself is below sea level, when there is a lot of rain, the pumps can't keep up. This is also why there are no ground level units at the resort and why the entire area is called the "lowcountry".

I usually just bring my Tevas and slosh away!

 

[mom2boys]

I agree that Tide Me Over needs to stay open later. Somethimes the kids just don't want to go out to eat. It would be great to be able to send them to the window for chicken fingers - instead of making them shower & dress to get chicken fingers in a nice restaruant.

I agree about the logistics of the bbq. The entertainment is great but I think we'll order pizza that night & just partake of the festivities.

The staff is always wonderful - very enthusiastic and great at engaging the crowd.

I love the idea of Disney owing the restaurant right at the gate.

Tide Me Over could easily add a soft serve ice cream machine & serve cups, cones & milkshakes.