Exchange fee on HHI paying OP?

[crazybones27]

I'm looking into booking 1 night stay at HHI as a stop over for our drive down. I know we get a 25% discount on the room for paying out of pocket, but is there an $95 exchange fee? I'm sorry if that's a silly question I'm just unsure. TIA for the help !

 

[JVL1018]

No fee.
I book one night cash every year(only have enough points for 5 nights and want 6)
It's just the cash for the room.

 

[crazybones27]

Thanks so much!! I wasn't totally sure. Thank you again!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

And depending on the time of year, the MC rate may make the value of using points questionable. In November, for a weekend night, we've paid about $88/nite for a studio and about $125/nite for a one BR.

 

[Minnie_Moo]

And depending on the time of year, the MC rate may make the value of using points questionable. In November, for a weekend night, we've paid about $88/nite for a studio and about $125/nite for a one BR.

I would have to agree. I booked a studio for this Saturday and Sunday night for my daughter (at the cash rate for $91 with tax) and she was surprised with being upgraded to a two bedroom!

 

[MouseMomx2]

Just an FYI...if you are taking I-95 the HH resort is 30-45 minutes east of the highway, depending on traffic. If you are looking for a convenient overnight stop you might want to consider a motel right along 95.

 

[bobbiwoz]

OP do you expect to make it all the way to HHI from NJ, or do you think you will have an intermediate stop? We're thinking of stopping there in December, coming from Cape May and we've never driven before.

Bobbi

 

[crazybones27]

OP do you expect to make it all the way to HHI from NJ, or do you think you will have an intermediate stop? We're thinking of stopping there in December, coming from Cape May and we've never driven before.

Bobbi

I think we can make it just as long as the kids don't wake up too much. We've driven down to Disney twice now. The first time we drove straight through and that hurt the next day lol. We left around 3:30 and got to Disney around 1 something the next day due to stopping here and there to switch drivers, gas, and to eat dinner and breakfast. This last time we drove we actually left 2 days ahead of when we were due in Disney. We drove about 12 hrs and got to around NC/SC border. We left late enough so the kids would be asleep and we'd only have so many interruptions. I had planned on when the kids woke up the next morning on stopping where ever we were and letting them play for the day and we'd pop them back in the car at bedtime again. It worked out pretty well honestly. We stopped a few places here and there during the second day to play, rest, eat, etc. We actually wound up pulling into AKV parking lot at around 6:30am which wasn't planned. But we spent the day at the pool till we got out text the room was ready.

This will be our first time staying at HHI. Our theory was we'll leave here late enough that we know the kids will go to sleep and drive the 13 hrs it takes to get to HHI. We'll arrive at HHI probably very early. Check in, knowing our room won't be ready for hours, hang around the pool or explore till the room is ready. Then when the room is ready eat, take naps or whatever. We'll then at least have a good nights sleep and get up early and drive the rest of the 5 hrs to Disney.

This is our "plan" lol. Now we'll see if we'll be able to do it lol. The only reason why we want to stop over in HHI is to be able to sleep in a bed that night and to experience the resort to see if that's something we'd want to do with out points at a later date. We know there is hotels right off 95 which would be less time since HHI is a little far in, but something about HHI is calling us lol.

Honestly the drive isn't all that bad. It's not so great having to drive at night with our kids, but they are 2 and 1 so for us it's just easier. When they get older we'll probably drive during the day when they understand why they're in their seats for so long.

Again we don't think it's all that bad of a drive. I hope this helped. That might have been more info then you were looking for lol. For us though driving is the only option these days. We have a very fuel efficient car so we only fill up twice on our drive and we can pack the car with all the kids needs that aren't in the Owners Locker. This beats the price of flying. Lemme know if you have any other questions .

 

[bobbiwoz]

crazybones27, Thank you, you've given me things to think about. This is our first time driving, and it's because I intend to spend at least 3 weeks of January at WDW(or VB), some of it solo, and I want my car. DH will drive with me going down, and then after Marathon weekend, he's flying to Ohio, to work (I'm taking the winter off) and then he'll fly down later in January and help me drive to home in Ohio.

I'll be back, after DH and I talk about what you've said. Thank you, again.
Bobbi

 

[Dean]

OP do you expect to make it all the way to HHI from NJ, or do you think you will have an intermediate stop? We're thinking of stopping there in December, coming from Cape May and we've never driven before.

Bobbi

It can easily be an hour or more each way depending on the day and timing. IMO, detouring to DVC HH for the night is not worth it. I'd just get a motel overnight somewhere off priceline and save the 2 hours or so.

 

[crazybones27]

crazybones27, Thank you, you've given me things to think about. This is our first time driving, and it's because I intend to spend at least 3 weeks of January at WDW(or VB), some of it solo, and I want my car. DH will drive with me going down, and then after Marathon weekend, he's flying to Ohio, to work (I'm taking the winter off) and then he'll fly down later in January and help me drive to home in Ohio.

I'll be back, after DH and I talk about what you've said. Thank you, again.
Bobbi

Something else I could mention if you want to try is the AutoTrain. It picks up in Lorton, Va(4hrs from Jersey roughly) and drops off in Sanford, Fl(45 mins from Disney). We took this home from out last trip. The hubby caught a good virus 2 days before we were due to leave. I chose to book us on the AutoTrain because driving 17+ hrs taking care of a 1 and 2 year old just wasn't going to work well for me lol. I know it's not the cheapest option, but if you're looking for an interesting way to travel I do suggest this. That was the first time I had ever taken a train like that and we really enjoyed it. Plus to have our car brought almost the whole way home was great. We're actually going to do this again on this up coming trip(taking it home from Florida). Again not the cheapest option, but it's just another option to think about.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Something else I could mention if you want to try is the AutoTrain. It picks up in Lorton, Va(4hrs from Jersey roughly) and drops off in Sanford, Fl(45 mins from Disney). We took this home from out last trip. The hubby caught a good virus 2 days before we were due to leave. I chose to book us on the AutoTrain because driving 17+ hrs taking care of a 1 and 2 year old just wasn't going to work well for me lol. I know it's not the cheapest option, but if you're looking for an interesting way to travel I do suggest this. That was the first time I had ever taken a train like that and we really enjoyed it. Plus to have our car brought almost the whole way home was great. We're actually going to do this again on this up coming trip(taking it home from Florida). Again not the cheapest option, but it's just another option to think about.

Thanks for the suggestion, and our DS/DDiL and their 3 children had this experience in November, when our family found ourselves with wonderful plans in Florida, New Orleans and Tennessee! This family began their trip from Boston with the Auto Train, and we would definitly take that route except for our desire to just touch base with HHI. We recently bought points there and it's calling us home for the one night.

I hope your next Auto train ship is enjoyable too. DS/DDiL raved about the food! I think taking it home would take away some of the sadness of leaving WDW.

 

[bobbiwoz]

It can easily be an hour or more each way depending on the day and timing. IMO, detouring to DVC HH for the night is not worth it. I'd just get a motel overnight somewhere off priceline and save the 2 hours or so.

I do understand this. We don't have to be in WDW until the 28th, that's when our BWV stay begins. There's no real good reason to stay in Cape May after Christmas day...so we are staying in Fayettesville one night, then HHI, and will arrive in WDW when our NYE trip begins.

Thank you.
Bobbi

 

[Dean]

I do understand this. We don't have to be in WDW until the 28th, that's when our BWV stay begins. There's no real good reason to stay in Cape May after Christmas day...so we are staying in Fayettesville one night, then HHI, and will arrive in WDW when our NYE trip begins.

Thank you.
Bobbi

As I said, the cost/aggravation vs reward is not there for a single night for most people. Better to try to do 2 nights one place than such a detour. Could you get to HH to do 2 nights there? If not, I'd suggest 2 nights in MB, Charleston or Savannah instead. Enjoy either way.