*HHI Owners and Beach Lovers Group Thread*

[DisneyStarWisher]

You can book whatever you want to book as long as it’s available. I myself would prefer to have an actual two bedroom so that I have two queen beds and a king bed as opposed to a lock off that has one queen bed and a Murphy in the second bedroom.

Boardwalk only has lock-offs so it’s not that they hold inventory for those that want the studios or 1 bedrooms.

I'm trying to figure out why I thought DHHIR was different....

 

[eticketplease]

I'm trying to figure out why I thought DHHIR was different....

My guess is that there are so few studios that by the time you went to book they were gone which means it eliminated the 2 bedroom lock-off from being a choice after you put in your dates

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

My guess is that there are so few studios that by the time you went to book they were gone which means it eliminated the 2 bedroom lock-off from being a choice after you put in your dates

No that isn't the case. I have booked every category on many occasions. I always book 11 months out at the exact minute possible, and I've never noticed that category. Maybe I'm just losing my mind!

ETA: And when I look right now at 7 months out, there are no studios available but the 2-BR lock-off is showing up. Still losing my mind!

 

[eticketplease]

No that isn't the case. I have booked every category on many occasions. I always book 11 months out at the exact minute possible, and I've never noticed that category. Maybe I'm just losing my mind!

Maybe but just look forward to the great trip you will have in 11 months

 

[sleepydog25]

No that isn't the case. I have booked every category on many occasions. I always book 11 months out at the exact minute possible, and I've never noticed that category. Maybe I'm just losing my mind!

ETA: And when I look right now at 7 months out, there are no studios available but the 2-BR lock-off is showing up. Still losing my mind!

Yeah, that is weird. Perhaps the front desk could answer your question as it may be something new they're trying. In the past, they only offered the 2BR lock-off category if you needed it for HA reasons. . .which is why they have always simply used 11 and 12 as studio or 1BR offerings. When I worked there, I could count on one hand the number of times they offered up the lock-off, and then it was only for HA reasons. So, no, you're not crazy. . .

 

[muppets3d]

Yeah, that is weird. Perhaps the front desk could answer your question as it may be something new they're trying. In the past, they only offered the 2BR lock-off category if you needed it for HA reasons. . .which is why they have always simply used 11 and 12 as studio or 1BR offerings. When I worked there, I could count on one hand the number of times they offered up the lock-off, and then it was only for HA reasons. So, no, you're not crazy. . .

I believe they added an elevator to one of the buildings during the refurb so maybe that made more rooms HA thus they were able to offer the lock-off for regular bookings now?

 

[sleepydog25]

I believe they added an elevator to one of the buildings during the refurb so maybe that made more rooms HA thus they were able to offer the lock-off for regular bookings now?

I thought of that, as well, and that's quite possible. The elevator is in 28 and does open up those rooms to also be in the lock-off category for HA needs. Of course, they could have always had all the GV buildings as lock-off possibilities but never did at any time while I was there. Still, your theory makes sense.

 

[hhisc16]

We have now stayed at all 8 marriott vacation clubs on hhi. Dhhir wins!

Is connie turlington still the GM at dhhir?
She was as of nov 25.

Since owning dhhir from 2021, i can remember 5 gms for dhhir.

I have been following the VB struggling thread and have not noticed the same issues at DHHIR.

 

[muppets3d]

We have now stayed at all 8 marriott vacation clubs on hhi. Dhhir wins!

Is connie turlington still the GM at dhhir?
She was as of nov 25.

Since owning dhhir from 2021, i can remember 5 gms for dhhir.

I have been following the VB struggling thread and had not noticed the same issues at DHHIR.

I haven't stayed at VB yet but have stayed at HHI a few times and haven't noticed those issues either. Granted some things have changed like the banishment of Shadow and the rooms were pretty rough before the refurb

 

[sleepydog25]

If you mean by issues, the turnover of GMs, I'm not sure that's how I'd describe that situation. When I first started there, the GM was Jerome, and he went on to become the GM of the ill-fated Starship Cruiser hotel; however, that was a promotion. Then, a woman took over whose name I forget (I remember she always parked in one of the two charging stations at the resort because she had a BMW EV), and it was widely known she was only there for a short stay to burnish her resume and continue advancing. Then, there was Joe who was constantly promoted from within for several years and rose to the head position. He was well-regarded and left for a similar spot at WDW (Wilderness Lodge?). Connie has been at HHI for many years, and has long said she doesn't want to move, thus why she was either considered asst GM or acting GM on a few occasions.

Now, there may be other factors and situations of which I have no knowledge, but at least for the few years between '20 and '24, HHI was seen as a stepping stone to advancement within the DVC ranks. In fact, many of the intermediate supervisors also view their positions in light of where it may lead them to a promotion in Florida. In a sense, some view HHI as a AAA ball team trying to make the bigs of WDW.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Is connie turlington still the GM at dhhir?
She was as of nov 25.

As of January 2026, her name is still on the welcome emails as Resort Manager.

We just got back and had a great time. Shockingly, we managed to grab a 3-bedroom grand villa on the public cash website. I've never seen it pop up before, so this was our first time staying in that room type. We were able to utilize the fireplace on a cold and rainy night!

Christmas decorations were removed from outside areas before January 2nd, and inside decorations were gone by January 3rd.

Pallet shipments indicate new balcony doors are in the works, as well as new white twin-sized blankets.

Most notable for us was some potential cost-cutting measures like the lack of prizes for games and activities. There's usually some prize bucket to pick through, but we either received nothing for winning, or in the case of the Chip-n-Dale scavenger hunt, a piece of paper was granted saying we completed it. It was a bit confusing. We also received a pretty meager bag of a singular s'more for the campfire. We'd gotten more than that before, plus some hot cocoa to go along with it. Not sure what was going on exactly.

But, we still had fun and can't wait to go back!

 

[TweedleDum]

As of January 2026, her name is still on the welcome emails as Resort Manager.

We just got back and had a great time. Shockingly, we managed to grab a 3-bedroom grand villa on the public cash website. I've never seen it pop up before, so this was our first time staying in that room type. We were able to utilize the fireplace on a cold and rainy night!

Christmas decorations were removed from outside areas before January 2nd, and inside decorations were gone by January 3rd.

Pallet shipments indicate new balcony doors are in the works, as well as new white twin-sized blankets.

Most notable for us was some potential cost-cutting measures like the lack of prizes for games and activities. There's usually some prize bucket to pick through, but we either received nothing for winning, or in the case of the Chip-n-Dale scavenger hunt, a piece of paper was granted saying we completed it. It was a bit confusing. We also received a pretty meager bag of a singular s'more for the campfire. We'd gotten more than that before, plus some hot cocoa to go along with it. Not sure what was going on exactly.

But, we still had fun and can't wait to go back!

We just got back as well and also had a wonderful time. The resort is always well maintained and staffed.

I agree with you on the cost cutting measures. The NYE party was fun again this year but the prizes and comped stuff was definitely pulled back (no real prizes, no free grape juice for the cheers, etc.).

 

[muppets3d]

I noticed last year when it was cold they offered "hot chocolate" at the activities area by the pool. I watched them make it once. They poured a single packet of Swiss Miss (made for 8oz serving mind you) into a huge coffee urn. lol why even bother

 

[intamin]

I noticed last year when it was cold they offered "hot chocolate" at the activities area by the pool. I watched them make it once. They poured a single packet of Swiss Miss (made for 8oz serving mind you) into a huge coffee urn. lol why even bother

I'm not a HHI owner but that's actually hilarious, this is what the dues are paying for

 

[Simba's Mom]

Then, there was Joe who was constantly promoted from within for several years and rose to the head position. He was well-regarded and left for a similar spot at WDW (Wilderness Lodge?). Connie has been at HHI for many years, and has long said she doesn't want to move, thus why she was either considered asst GM or acting GM on a few occasions.

Now, there may be other factors and situations of which I have no knowledge, but at least for the few years between '20 and '24, HHI was seen as a stepping stone to advancement within the DVC ranks. In fact, many of the intermediate supervisors also view their positions in light of where it may lead them to a promotion in Florida. In a sense, some view HHI as a AAA ball team trying to make the bigs of WDW.

I know that there's a "Joe" at OKW who, they told me, came from the DHHIR. I wonder if that's the one.

 

[sleepydog25]

I know that there's a "Joe" at OKW who, they told me, came from the DHHIR. I wonder if that's the one.

Most likely. Those two resorts--HHI and VB--have separate resort managers and are overseen (or at least used to be) by one GM. VB would be a bit of a lateral move for Joe, but that's possible as it is closer to FL. Or, perhaps he's now the GM of both resorts.

 

[RapunzelRN]

We didn’t notice any cost cutting for activities during our Christmas week trip. In fact, there was a plethora of treats including a cupcake walk and they were handing out chocolates on Christmas Eve. We also got to keep the bells used during singing carols and there were free ornament decorating stations. Maybe they ran out of money after spending it all during the holidays

 

[Stargazer65]

I noticed last year when it was cold they offered "hot chocolate" at the activities area by the pool. I watched them make it once. They poured a single packet of Swiss Miss (made for 8oz serving mind you) into a huge coffee urn. lol why even bother

I'm not a HHI owner but that's actually hilarious, this is what the dues are paying for

That reminds me of a Peanuts cartoon:

 

[muppets3d]

That reminds me of a Peanuts cartoon:
View attachment 1036568

Imagine what scalding hot beach water with one packet of Swiss Miss hot chocolate per gallon or so would taste like. LOL probably not too far off crayon water!

 

[LadybugsMum]

Sad to say that I had to cancel my VGC reservation and our trip to Disneyland due to being laid off. I decided to book at trip to HHI with some of the points so I can get a watermelon Dole Whip and some sand in my toes.