first HHI trip questions

[ellenmiele]

In the process of planning itinerary for our 1st HHI trip in a few weeks.
I have a few questions:

1. Is it feasible to walk to SHhelter Cove restuarants for dinner if we'd be walking back in the dark? Are there well-lit walkways/paths? JUst how far is it? As far as from BWV to DHS?

2. We will be in a grand villa and I read on another thread that some buidlings have only certain size villas? Anyone know where the Grand Villas tend to be? I'm picturing something like VWL where the buildings are close together but you do have to walk from one buidling to another to get to the mail building/"lobby" - am I correct?

3. Is the BEach House on the East side (Atlantic Ocean side) of the Island? Is there a shuttle? Regular back and forth like a WDW resort bus?

4. We will have a car so we can drive ourselves around - can we drive to the Beach House? Would we want to or is the shuttle the best bet?

5.We will likely arrive at the resort after dinner - probably around 6:30 - where could we get a quick bite to eat after checkin without having to go to far (and preferabley not get back in the Car)?

Thanks for your patience with all my questions and since we've been in WDW at the DVC resorts many many times, any questions you could answer by comparing to a WDW DVC resort would eb great for me.
THANKS!!

 

[DizMagic]

1. Is it feasible to walk to SHhelter Cove restuarants for dinner if we'd be walking back in the dark? Are there well-lit walkways/paths? JUst how far is it? As far as from BWV to DHS?
yes. really easy. not far at all and well lit. beautiful walk at night.

2. We will be in a grand villa and I read on another thread that some buidlings have only certain size villas? Anyone know where the Grand Villas tend to be? I'm picturing something like VWL where the buildings are close together but you do have to walk from one buidling to another to get to the mail building/"lobby" - am I correct?
i didnt stay in grand villa but if i remember they are close to the pool. when you first check in, you pull up to "lobby" then you drive to your building and park.

3. Is the BEach House on the East side (Atlantic Ocean side) of the Island? Is there a shuttle? Regular back and forth like a WDW resort bus?
it is on ocean side. the shuttle is pretty regular, but i never took it.

4. We will have a car so we can drive ourselves around - can we drive to the Beach House? Would we want to or is the shuttle the best bet?
we always drove. you can also walk (a mile maybe) or bike

5.We will likely arrive at the resort after dinner - probably around 6:30 - where could we get a quick bite to eat after checkin without having to go to far (and preferabley not get back in the Car)?
shelter cove is really close with a couple of good restaurants. you can definately walk

 

[Simba's Mom]

Regarding the GV, there are 5, one each in buildings 16, 18, 19, 28, and 30 or 31 (I can't remember which). And the GVs there have firplaces and wood supplied by the resort. Those buidings also have 1 BRs and studios. We stayed in Building 18 once and loved the view. I'll look around for view pictures in the morning.
And even I can walk to Shelter Cove, and I'm not a walker.
I see you're headed to HHI "in a few weeks". We'll be there 4/22-4/27. Any chance of seeing you then?

 

[RobDoc]

There are 6 restaurants within view of the DVC resort and easily walked with great lighting.

GVs are located in buildings 16, 18, 19, 28, and 30. Those buildings are the only ones with Studios, 1BRs, 2BRs and GVs. Most of the other buildings have only dedicated 2BR villas. All are convenient to the pool and Community Hall.

Here is a link to the configuration of the HH resort.

The Beach House is located on the Atlantic and the resort provides regular shuttle service daily from 10:00am - 4:00pm. There is a free local shuttle that operates from April - Oct if there are other times transportation is needed within the Palmetto Dunes area.

There is pretty adequate parking at the Beach House if you choose to drive yourself. The distance by car is just over a mile - longer if walking or biking since you need to take the pedestrian/bike path under Rt 278 to get across.

The closest restaurants are the Kingfisher and Scott's Fishmarket - both right across the resort bridge. Also within an easy walk (and also at Shelter Cove) are Bistro17, Little Venice, Parrot Cove, San Miguels and Ocean Grille. Scott's and San Miguels have live entertainment with no cover charge to enjoy the music from spring into the fall.

Have a great stay!

 

[ellenmiele]

Regarding the GV, there are 5, one each in buildings 16, 18, 19, 28, and 30 or 31 (I can't remember which). And the GVs there have firplaces and wood supplied by the resort. Those buidings also have 1 BRs and studios. We stayed in Building 18 once and loved the view. I'll look around for view pictures in the morning.
And even I can walk to Shelter Cove, and I'm not a walker.
I see you're headed to HHI "in a few weeks". We'll be there 4/22-4/27. Any chance of seeing you then?

We will be there 4/25-4/30 -- it's our firstever trip to HH. This is a trip of firsts for us - we usually go to WDW for our Easter break. This year we will be at US over Easter weekend to see WWoHP. Then we will drive up to HHI Monday.

I notice you mentioned wood -- real woodburning fireplaces? DH will be thrilled if that's the case!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Yes, real. A CM told us that sometimes during thed lowest points' season, a couple comes every year and rents a GV for the two of them. They love woodburning fireplaces, don't have one where they live now, so they just burn the fireplace their whole trip to get their "firplace fix".