So you don't have to hunt for it, this is what I wrote up when I got back from HHI - hope it helps you
Hi - We just came back from our first HHI vacation and we LOVED it. Want to give some highlights for those considering a different type of
DVC vacation. We have 2 girls - 1 and 6. It felt like a really great version of an old fashioned family summer vacation.
The cast members are the best of any dvc resort I have experienced - friendly, caring and by the time we went home, all seemed to know us and especially my DD who did a lot of activities.
Loved the pool. Water is warm and we could always get a chair. Slide was fun.
DD6 loved kids night in, and craft activities. Great activities and the CMs were fantastic - after a few days everyone knew her name and knew us.
The beach house is great. Go before 11 to get a spot or take the shuttle. The ocean is warm and the beach is flat. DD learned to boogie board. Loved going to the beach and then coming up to the beach house for a dip in the pool (and to get a mug fill - I love iced tea). The ocean water was really warm.
Movies at night were fun. We saw the Incredibles, Monsters Inc and Up.
Tues night is pirate pool party. Lots of pool games and other games - DD had a ball. Fun from 6:30 to 9 (and fireworks at 9).
DD loved getting cookies and lemonade at 3 in the lobby.
Went to the low country boil ($25 pp for adults, about 11 for kids). They make the shrimp, corn, sausage boil right there so it is fresh. We liked the food. DD didn't like the food so much but had a great time doing activities - face painting, pool games, playing instruments, making crafts.
DD did a pirate treasure hunt around the resort that was fun - make sure to check the schedule as there are lots of fun activities.
We did a day trip to Savannah. hot, hot, hot. We did a trolley tour. If you go with kids, go very early (we went in the middle of the day - too hot). But the squares are beautiful. Kids tip - ice cream at Leopolds - a great old fashioned ice cream parlor (
www.leopoldsicecream.com). Got a hot fudge sundae with pecans (yum and they have fresh lemonade). Next time we go, I might just go for the ice cream and walk around a little. The tour is too long for small kids - but the city is beautiful.
If you have a stroller, try to get a room in the lodge or bldg 12 for the elevator. We got bldg 12. Its not the best location in the resort, but I could push the baby in the stroller at night and when she fell asleep wheel her right up to the room. If you don't need the elevator, go for a room near the pool area as that is where most activities are.
Try the playground, it seemed not to be used that much and it was really nice with lots to climb on.
The gift shop has mickey ice-cream bars and mickey ice cream sandwiches (DD loves these). Take advantage of the free movie rentals.
Also, don't forget to bring some pins because the kids can trade with CMs there. And the gift shop CM said they do annual pass discounts. I don't have one right now but I wouldn't have thought of bringing it anyway.
They don't sell much food there but what they have is pretty good - the mickey waffle was made fresh and was delish. I also had a salad with fish that was good. For offsite, there is a drive through panera bread and mcdonalds not too far away.
If anyone has questions, I am happy to answer. We are looking forward to our return. If anyone is on the fence about trying HHI, go ahead and try it. The kids loved it and it was lots of good family summer fun.
I had also noted the campfires - they are about 40 minutes of signing fun songs and then roasting marshmallows - then the CM take your marshmallows and add graham crackers and chocolate for fresh yummy smores.
If you have questions, let me know.
We are on a cash reservation, instead of using our points. Do we pay for Internet or is it free, since we are DVC members (even though we're paying for the room)? I was just trying to plan our budget for the week!
