HH adventures

[RobDoc]

We've had a great stay at HH thus far. Arrived last Friday and had 2 nights in a lodge studio overlooking the marsh. Sunday we changed to a 2BR in building 27 in anticipation of our DD, SIL and 2 granddaughters joining us.

I've gotten to meet several from the boards this week (kinda like old home week here). Patty, Dottie, Debby, rtp among others have been enjoying the HOT weather and great times.

Last night we enjoyed "A Private Affair" to celebrate our oldest granddaughters third birthday. We had Gordon's crab cakes (a standard for us at this event), the filet and cheesecake for dessert- although Gordon prepared a cake and ice cream for our honored guest. The girls enjoyed mac and cheese for their meal.

Yesterday afternoon DD, SIL and I had a great fishing excursion with Capt. Kyle. We caught a number of sharks (bonnetheads, black tip and sand sharks) and a 45" Redfish (SIL is having that mounted). I also hooked a 25 lb. Jack. The afternoon was a real treat.

This morning all six of us did a Dolphin Excursion (also with Capt Kyle) and we saw about 20 dolphin. "Nick" and "Blackbeard" came up to the boat and posed too.

The resort is in great shape, lots of families and lots of activities.

Fireworks on Sunday were spectacular and they also repeated the show (shorter version) last night. We got to see Shannoin Tanner's show this week and are planning on making the campfire tonight.

The beach has been great and very busy. The ocean temps were 85 this morning (and the pool temps may even be warmer!).

We leave on Friday and can't wait to come back next year. Sounds like both DD's, SIL's and all four grandkids will join us then. We can't wait.

 

[Joeblack]

Hey Doc:

So great to see and hear from you again. I can't wait to be in HH next month. Although I will be in Marriott's Grande OCean for 2 weeks and only one noght in Disney's HH Resort.

Any good restaurant and activities recommendations would be great.

Take care.

 

[BCV23]

Sounds like a great trip so far, Doc. I hope we make it to HH one of these days!

 

[VMS]

Thanks for your report. I knew you were there around now, and was hoping to see your post. When we do A Private Affair we ask Chef Gordon about you since your posts are where we learned about it (we have done it three times). Enjoy the rest of your stay! If you see Chef Gordon tell him the CT family with the lunchables for the kids say hi!

 

[David in Manassas]

Doc,

I don't know if you will have time to answer before Saturday, but do you know what the current Lengh of Stay price for bicycle rentals are for DVC members. Last year I believe it was 50 for the first 2 then 10 bucks for each additional one. If it goes up a lot this year, we might look into one of the other Island rentals that deliver and pick up.

Also.

We are doing our first Private Affair on Tuesday of next week. Really looking forward to it. Do you know about what time it is over. Just trying to see if we will be back for the fireworks or not (No big deal if we are not as we have seen them before and know about how good they are)

Thanks,

David in Manassas VA

 

[Disneyaholic]

Doc, it was great to finally meet you yesterday! I can't tell you how envious I am that you're still there! Do enjoy the rest of your stay.

And, since Doc is probably having fun on his last few days at HH, I just checked the activity sheets we were given and the L-O-S price for the bikes wasn't listed. We didn't bother to rent bikes this time, since it was so HOT!!! I doubt the pricing has changed much, but I'm sure that someone else who is either there now or was there recently will be able to answer your questions!

 

[Credit Man]

Thanks for the update, Doc.

 

[RobDoc]

I just called recreation. The LOS Bike plan is still in effect- for $50 you get two bikes for the length of your trip- additional bikes are $10 each.

"A Private Affair" starts around 6:00pm at the Beach House (Signals) and lasts until Gordon runs out of food! We were stuffed and rolled out of the place by 7:30 this week, but stayed until about 8:30 a couple of years ago. Gordon won't rush you at all- so the time is yours to plan.

We had no problem making it back to enjoy the fireworks from our balcony. They started promptly at 9:00pm.

There are so many options for HH dining- I'll just list a few of our favorites. We always have at least one dinner at Scott's Fishmarket (10% DVC discount)- they have inside or outside dining and have live entertainment- can walk from the resort. We also enjoy Guiseppi's for pizza (10% discount) and got an ice cream birthday cake from Brusters Ice Cream- next to Giuseppi's.
Also nice is Alexander's (on the way to the beach - also DVC discount), Old Fort Pub, Harbourmasters, Cafe Europa, Salty Dog Cafe. PJ's Deli is nice for a lite lunch (discount)- walkable at Shelter Cove. Old OysterFactory -can be seen across the creek from the resort. There are about 300 choices - so there is certainly something for every taste!

Humidity is better today and few degrees cooler- still 90 though!

Beach has been great all week.

It was terrific putting faces to so many this week.

Back to reality Saturday - but for now

 

[joeys]

Thanks Doc for all your good information on HH! We just returned from our first DVC / HH visit last week and it is truly a wonderful place. We loved the resort and the island and the beach was great all week. I'm from Florida and THAT is the warmest water I have found north of Central Fla! We felt like we knew what we were doing while there mostly because of your good info here (including dinner with Chef Gordon which was beyond our expectations).

We will definately return to HH and a Private Affair next year!
Thanks again for all your time and effort to post good information for newbies. It helped us out a lot.

 

[Dumbo]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
Sunday we changed to a 2BR in building 27.......

Doc,

You stayed in a smoking-optional villa?


Dumbo

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by Dumbo
Doc,

You stayed in a smoking-optional villa?
Dumbo

Sorry- That's a typo. We were in Building 29 #2922. Thanks for the correction! 27 is a smoking optional (the only one left) and 29 is definitely non-smoking.

 

[AEN]

Doc:

Thanks for the tease . We weren't planning on going to HH but after reading your post, I would love too. Gordon's private affair is just terrific.

Thanks.

 

[dianeschlicht]

That chef Gordon thing sounds wonderful! I wish they had that at WDW!

 

[spiceycat]

Great to heard from you!!!

You definitely know how to enjoy life, Doc!!!

Have fun with your grandchildren!

 

[JimC]

Is the private affair dinner just one family dining for that evening?

Is it a 90 day PS or confirmed reservation?

 

[RobDoc]

Yes, it has only one seating each night it's offered (and it's not offered every evening).

It needs to be reserved ahead- there is no prescribed advance time- reserve as soon as you know when you'll be going. They used to include information about the event in your check-in materials, but have stopped that at this time. The event is booked ahead until Thanksgiving at this time. It is NOT a PS. This will be a confirmed reservation.

If you want to schedule <i>A Private Affair</i> be sure to contact Chef Gordon in advance. You can call the resort directly and leave a voice mail for Gordon (he can be contacted thru Recreation at the resort) or email him at HHIChef@aol.com (for those who have emailed him in the past- this is new email address). He will send information about the evening and a sample menu (but is always open to suggestion).

Enjoy!

 

[mbw12]

thanks for the info, Doc! we definitley would love to try HH next summer for our anniversary....but I know that it is a hard one to come by for August at the 7 month mark...so we will see if it even happens or not!

If we do go, a Private Affair is defintiely something that we would LOVE to do for our 10 year anniversary!!!!

Bobbi

 

[JimC]

Thanks for the info. It sounds like a very special evening.