HH or VB?

[disneyobessed]

Looking into a "beach vacation" for the first time in a while... Either way we have to fly so my question is where is there more to do and what resort do people prefer....?

 

[matilda]

We did both HHI and VB last year and hands down we love VB and wish we lived closer to go all the time.
HHI is only a 4 hour drive for us and VB is 9 but I would fly there before driving to HHI.

It does depend upon what you are looking for. When I go to a beach I want to be right on it and that is not the case at HHI. You have to ride a bike, drive or catch the shuttle it is about 1.5 miles from resort. It is also shared by many other resorts and is packed, sand and water nothing like VB.

The good about HHI is that there are lots of shops and restaurants vs VB you have to drive to find that. The resort at VB has on premise restuarant,snack food and if you are renting a car you can drive to the store then bring supplies back to your room for your stay. If you have teens or older children there is much more to do at HHI which maybe a factor to consider.

If you are looking for relaxing, fun in the sun, downtime VB hands down all the way IMO. HHI to me is very touristy if you prefer that.

I did feel like the resort decor at HHI is more like camping vs beach at decor at VB.

Either way you will have fun.

 

[disneyobessed]

I heard that the beach at VB has had quite a bit of erosion... and there isnt much space left.

How long of a drive is it from MCO to VB?

 

[matilda]

If I was flying I would fly into Melbourne Airport not Orlando. From Orlando I think it is close to a 2 hour drive, just a little shorter. Melbourne is only about an hour if that.

I hear people talk about the erosion but not sure what they mean. There is plenty of beach, they did some work there recently and there is no big incline walking down to the beach anymore as some previous posts have indicated.

 

[CruznLexi]

We love both. We live near the beach so that is not a problem for us. We never went to the beach at VB. love the pool area at VB. more activities at HH. It is an easy drive from Orlando to VB

 

[disneybeachprincess]

We are Fla natives & lived 2 hours from VB & love it there. Moved to NC & live 3 hours from HHI now & love it as well! They both have such different feels that I'd decide on how hot you want it to be, how much airfare is to each resort area, & if you want to explore the area as well. Either way... for VB & HHI!

P.S. We are purchasing our DVC home resort @ HHI very soon...just passed ROFR this week!

 

[buzz5985]

I can finally say we have been to both. If you consider yourself a strong swimmer, understand the dangers of rip tides, etc. VB beach will fit you well. (We are a family that grew up loving the rough surf of NH beaches - just not the cold water). The amount of erosion at VB can change from one month to the next. The beach was pretty good when we were there last August, but by October the famous bank had developed. We enjoyed the resort a great deal.

Now HH is our happy place. We love the marsh view. Maybe I am spoiled by growing up on NH beaches, my parents own a home on Cape Cod - but that marsh view does it for me. The CM are the best of all the resorts. There is so much to see and do, there are too many restaurants to try. The beach house is really a cool place - literally - you can get out of the heat of the summer and play a game of checkers in their beautiful beach house. The beach is very long and hard packed sand you can ride bikes on. The water is fairly calm if you have small children.

This summer we are going to HH, then on to BWV - and there was a long discussion on extending our time at WDW - or go to VB. This year was extended our stay at WDW since DS is bringing a friend who has never been, and my neice will be joining us and her son. Plus I scored a THV!!!! My neice stayed there when she was 9 - with DH and I - she is now 32 with a 6 yo of her own!!! We can't wait. I love my DVC!!!!!

Janis

Janis

 

[Massillon Dad]

in fact not only is it not "eroding" it is one of the few beaches on Atlantic that is actually "increasing" in size slightly each year. Sad about Vero erosion, though.

 

[bobbiwoz]

What I love about VB is being right on the beach, enjoying the view from the OVIR. I can't walk on sand, but my guests have always loved the beach walks to find shells or turtle crawls (during nesting season) and of course we all love the sunrises.

Disney's HHI isn't on the ocean, and it's a differnt feeling.

I prefer VB, and our family hasn't been to HHI yet, so I don't know about them, but our DGC now, 7, 8, and 9 have always loved the activities offererd at VB, I expect them to like HHI as much or more.

We have a family vactions at both this summer.

Bobbi

 

[MinnieGi]

HHI for us!!!

We love that you get "two worlds" at HHI, being on the marsh and close to the kayak, paddle board, harbor, dolphin tour boats but also have easy access to the beach house and HHI's beautiful beach.

We love the calm water of HHI, the packed sand that does not burn on your feet and that is easy and fun to build sand castles etc. You can also easily ride bikes and run on their sand. When the tide goes out my kids and all the kids on the beach find creatures in the tide pools and share their finds with each other. We love that the beach house is right there to go refill our mug or get a bite to eat or drink. Also the beach house has a pool which is refreshing for a change of pace from the ocean water.

We go in the height of summer and never find HHI's beach crowded. It is very wide so there is plenty of space for everyone to set up.

There is so much to do on HHI and all is in easy reach from restaurants to entertainment. The island is beautiful and has a large residential population as well as the tourists from summer.

Disney has lots of activities as well right on resort property and has the best cm's!! Activities from crafts, pool parties, to nature walks in the marsh and dolphin tours appeal to a wide range of interests.

The villas have large balconies that seat picnic table and rocking chairs. Often sitting out on them overlooking the marsh I've seen dolphins rounding up their dinner, turtle families, and of course many types of birds and fish as well as the fiddler crabs scurrying around the sand banks.

We love "low country" and look forward every summer to visiting.

 

[akl-fan]

We have not been to HHI but went to VB 2 years ago. I found it a bit dull, don't get me wrong the resort is beautiful and the pool great. It would be nice for an adult weekend away but I think it really lacks any atmosphere or any nice places to visit in the surrounding area. It felt to us like a lot of expensive gated communities, that went on for miles. We could not wait to get back to WDW.