HH for Thanksgiving?

[poohj80]

Greetings all!

I'm a relatively new member buying into SSR so am kind of new to planning a year ahead for the use of our points. Already have our first reservation at SSR in Sept but our APs expire Oct 1 so was considering trying something different - maybe HH - for later in the year, possibly Thanksgiving.

First, does anyone think I'll be able to get those reservations at the 7 month window?

Second, has anyone celebrated Thanksgiving at HH and would you recommend it?

We were thinking of getting a 2 BR and inviting some family to join us. If we do this we might consider paying cash for Sat and possibly Fri night due to the increase in points - any thoughts?

I appreciate all the help!

PJ

 

[Disneyaholic]

We have been to HH for Thanksgiving several times and love it. (But sssshhhh! it's supposed to be one of the big secrets of DVC!)

The resort is usually at 100% capacity for Thanksgiving and a few days before. I doubt that it's totally booked at 11 months, but I don't know how soon it IS booked.

However, it seems that more and more people are "discovering" Hilton Head AND DVC membership keeps growing. This means that there will be more people trying to book, so I think it will become increasingly difficult each year.

Good luck!

 

[poohj80]

I was afraid of that. I have heard people mention calling daily and doing day by day reservations for hard to get dates - would you recommend trying this instead of waiting until 7 months from checkout and trying to get all days at once? I would expect the larger units are probably harder to come by as well.

Also, do you always use points or do you pay cash for some nights? I was surprised that November is considered value season so the cost of a 2 BR wasn't as much as I would have thought.

Thanks again!

PJ

 

[newarknut]

We spent Thanksgiving at HH last year and loved it. We aren't going this year because we're going back down in June. I would try and get in at 7 months. You never know. Day by day might be a good way to make the ressie. Don't hesitate to put yourself on a waitlist.

Even though I've only been once, I don't think I'll request any special views in the future. I think all the views will be great!

Good luck!

 

[poohj80]

Thanks again!

Is there a good restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner? I would hate to spend the day cooking while on vacation.

 

[dizneeluvr]

We went this past year for Thanksgiving and it was very nice.

HH is not our home, so we called at 7 month window (and it wasn't on the day at all).

The 2 bedroom units are actually easier to get at HH because there is a lot more of them than the studios and 1 bedrooms...so wanting a 2 bedroom will be in your favor.

You should be fine.

We ordered our T-giving meal through the resort (they sent out an order form in early November) and it was delivered to our room. It was very good.

The activities for the kids were fun and we lucked in to some fabulous weather (it was upper 70's on Turkey day). But from what I gathered during my research prior to our trip, expect anything between 50-80. The day after T-giving the temps plummeted...but after 5 days of nice weather we couldn't complain!

You'll love it!

Laura

 

[poohj80]

Thanks so much Laura!

We don't have any kids (youngest traveler will be 19) so we're hoping activities for adults will be good too although we realize it will be too chilly to get in the water on the beach.

 

[dizneeluvr]

There are always good activities for everyone. The campfires are fun (whether you have kids or not) and they have a touch football game on the beach on T-giving morning/afternoon.

Then there are the kayaking and dolpin trips, bird watching excursions and the "behind the ears tour" through the resort with lots of fun little-known facts.

And everyone raves about the "private affair" dinner you can book with chef Gordon at the resort. I'm pretty sure if you do a search on "a private affair" you will find some posts on that. If not, Doc is a great source of info both about private affair and the HH resort in general.

Hope this helps,

Oh, and don't rule out the water. We got waist deep in the ocean during T-giving this year and it wasn't all that miserable! We also swam in the beach house pool a few times.

Laura

 

[maggiemay]

My family and I went to HH on Thanksgiving one year and adored it. We used points for some days and cash for one day. It was very easy to do and not that expensive. We had a studio though...
We also ordered our meal through the resort and it was delicious. I would do it again.
The weather was warm enough after Thanksgiving to swim in the pool and we took full advantage of it.
You wont regret it if you go! Have fun!

Maggie

 

[KLR-wlv]

As for paying cash on the weekends - I was able to book a 2 BR at the Disney Visa rate for $99 per night just this past Nov., for the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving - and I booked it about 6 days prior to check-in...I called about a month prior and they were booked - so there must have been some cancellations. That certainly beats the weekend points!

 

[poohj80]

I hadn't even thought about the Disney Visa specials. Were you able to get that rate through member services or did you just call the resort directly?

I'm thinking this may just work out after all!

Thanks again to all for the help!

 

[KLR-wlv]

I just called Central Reservations - not MS. I think a lot of people probably plan on leaving Friday after Thanks. The weather was pretty terrible that weekend - but the day we left was beautiful - so it's a coin toss on that aspect. We live 2 hours away - so any last minute weekend trip to HH we jump on - even in the off season.

Some day I'd love to get a GV there for Thanksgiving day - have a great time planning!