HHI Activities Sign-up???

[kristenrice]

We are travelling to HHI April 3-8 for our first trip. I've read a few threads here that people are waitlisted for that week and all room types are booked. For funsies, I went to the CRO website for HHI and put in our dates. I was a little surprised to see no availability there either. So, I would assume that the resort will be at or near capacity that week, huh?

We are looking forward to a lot of the activities, particularly Kids Nite Out, a kayak trip, the Pinckney Island tour and a dolphin tour. As I understand it, we cannot sign up for any of these activities until we check in, correct? If that is the case, do I need to worry that they will be booked up when we arrive? We are driving down and we will be departing from Gatlinburg, TN the day we check in to HHI...about a 6-hour drive (8 with stops!). I was thinking that we'd arrive around 6pm but will that be "too late" to snag any activities? I would hate to arrive for our first trip there only to find out that everything is full for the week and we won't be able to do anything.

I know that I can call ahead and have them mail/fax a copy of the weekly activity schedule, but can I book the activities in advance? Could I call the resort directly on our arrival day and book the stuff over the phone? I hope I am just worrying for nothing.

 

[RobDoc]

I think you're worrying for nothing!

The HH resort can pretty easily handle the activities you mention regardless how many want to sign up. In the past they have not accepted advance reservations for the activities but I would not worry about doing that until you get there. The only thing I can thnk of that might be an issue would something with limited seating (like a Dolphin Cruise for a specific date and time), but otherwise they are great about accommodating everyone that wants to participate.

Enjoy!

 

[kmccl]

We were there the last week of March last year. The resort was at full capacity. We were told by the awesome CM's that we should sign up for everything we wanted for the week the first day we were there. Of course with all of the excitement of our first DVC trip, we forgot. We basically just signed up for things we wanted on the day that we wanted them. I think there were only one or possibly two things that the kids were not able to do. I was amazed that we got almost everything we wanted with no real planning even though the resort was full. I can't promise that things will be the same for you, but just sharing my experience. The CM's were truely awesome and went out of their way to help us out and squeeze the kids into the activities they wanted.

 

[kristenrice]

That is the news I wanted to hear!

I was just concerned about checking in later in the evening on a Sunday. We can adjust the time that we get up and leave in the morning so that was my biggest worry. I initially thought we'd maybe hit the road around 10am to put us there by 6pm. Then, I started to worry about the sign ups and thought maybe we'd better hit the road by 8 or so.

DH will be relieved to know that he can sleep in!

 

[sparkysfriends]

I have been there when the van for Pinkney Island is filled up, but if you are willing to follow the van in your own car they will accomodate you. I've also been there when Goofy Bingo has filled, but you should be able to get most of the activities you want. I WOULD sign up for the dolphin tour earlier rather than later.

 

[MinnieGi]

We visit during the summer when the resort is always running at full capacity and have never had a problem with activites. They are SOOO good about accomadating participants. For instance if Mickey tie-dye t-shirts is filled at 3:00 when it is listed on the activity sheet they just make more sessions up sometimes going all afternoon!

Now I would sign up for the dolphin cruise right away to get your pick of day and time. Do sign up for the other activities that you want after you get settled in but there is no need to rush just to get the activities.

 

[5forDiz]

We visit during the summer when the resort is always running at full capacity and have never had a problem with activites. They are SOOO good about accomadating participants. For instance if Mickey tie-dye t-shirts is filled at 3:00 when it is listed on the activity sheet they just make more sessions up sometimes going all afternoon!

Now I would sign up for the dolphin cruise right away to get your pick of day and time. Do sign up for the other activities that you want after you get settled in but there is no need to rush just to get the activities.

And we had the exact opposite experience you did when there in August and resort was at capacity. On our check-in day our youngest DD and DNiece wanted to do Tie-Dye Shirts and Messy Science that afternoon and they could not be accommodated ( and we checked in at 8am because we stayed at Crowne Plaza Resort night before ) The check-in CM told us to go to the activities when they started in case there were no-shows & we did do that but everyone who registered showed up that day & it seemed they had way overbooked too sooooo any kids not registered simply could not be accommodated (maybe because these are hands on activities & the materials needed to do them ? idk) and, unfortunately neither of these activities was added again for later on that day. Now thankfully the girls are older and this was not upsetting to them but I can see how this kind of situation could easily be for younger children.

Based on that experience, I'd not wait again until the day of to reserve, at least not for Tie-Dye and Messy Science activities.

OP, I just pulled out HHI activity sheet from when we were there in August and some activities can only be booked on the day before the program takes place; they are :

Bird Watching
Secrets of the Marsh
Gator! Not Croc!
Low Country Plant Walk
Resort Nature Walk
Beautiful Butterflies
Frequent Fliers
Getting to Know Birds
Lady Bugs
Dinosaurs
UnBirthday Party
Picture Frame Craft
Sea Life Craft
and Messy Science

Good luck