HHI Trip Report, July 27- Aug 2, 2008

[TigerKat]

Kat- we fly out on Sunday night-
E

We're just planning on touring the F&WF booths on Sunday, maybe we could hook up there?

 

[TigerKat]

Ellen & Cammie - Do you guys think we could meet up closer to 4:00 on Saturday? PFTS is at 6:30 so I'll need to be heading over to EPCOT by 6:00, I'd really like to have more time to chat. Lauren will be picking me up so we're both good for 4:00.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

That's WONDERFUL news!!!

When is baby 2 due?

Wow- you may be drinking virgins, but, you'll be able to eat EVERYTHING at F & W- and THAT will be fabulous!!!!

Kat- we fly out on Sunday night-
E

OMG! THAT IS SOOOOO WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks ladies! Baby is due on 3/16/09...

 

[Camster0307]

Ellen & Cammie - Do you guys think we could meet up closer to 4:00 on Saturday? PFTS is at 6:30 so I'll need to be heading over to EPCOT by 6:00, I'd really like to have more time to chat. Lauren will be picking me up so we're both good for 4:00.

I'll certainly try! The only thing that may hold me up is the time I can check into my room. I'm hoping that because I'm getting in so early that morning, I'll be able to get a room before the actual check-in time of 4pm. If I don't, then I don't know what I'll be able to do. I wish I could be more casual about it but my biggest anxiety on arrival day is being able to get Amanda's equipment set up and making sure it all works properly. Right now, that has to be my number one priority; but meeting up with you guys is definitley a close second!

 

[TigerKat]

Cammie - We don't want you stressing out on arrival day, please make sure your DD is settled. You & I will both be there the following days so if we don't have time enough on Saturday we can try and hook up another day.

 

[allaboutmm]

Guess who I just met at a rest stop on the Garden State Parkway?

CAMMIE!!!! How cool is THAT?! Please notice the sign behind us! Also, I'm laughing because she just said, "We are SOOOOO disGeeks!!!"

Well, I guess we are!

Very nice, very fun, Dis GEEKS!!!! Thanks for meeting me, Cammie- I LOVED obsessing over WDW with you at a freakin' REST STOP on the parkway!! Can't wait to do it again in November at WDW with more of our Geeks!!!

And I don't mean to jump in but, I was at that rest stop on 8/22SMALL WORLD!!! We were heading home after 5 days in Maryland (went to the Red Sox down at Camden Yards). I feel bad for NJ people who have to drive both the NJ turnpike and Garden State parkway, both were CRAZY !!!

 

[Camster0307]

And I don't mean to jump in but, I was at that rest stop on 8/22SMALL WORLD!!! We were heading home after 5 days in Maryland (went to the Red Sox down at Camden Yards). I feel bad for NJ people who have to drive both the NJ turnpike and Garden State parkway, both were CRAZY !!!

Oh - that's too funny! I think we really would have freaked out Ellen's boys if we had bumped into another DISer!

And, being a born and raised Jersey girl here, I'll take my turnpike and parkway over Rt.84 in Ct. and the MassPike anyday! It took me 5 HOURS to get home that day after meeting Ellen - should have only taken me three. When, oh when is that freakin' construction in Ct. going to be done with?

Sorry for the OT vent, Ellen. Anxiously awaiting your next installment.

 

[marvali]

I've been to all of these and I like Sunset Grille the best. We've been to SG 5 times now and have always had excellent food. Gordon recommended it a few years ago.

Edited to add: I did NOT like Etoile Verte.

Thanks for the suggestions. Will probably try Old Fort Pub or Sunset Grille. DW loves seafood, especially shrimp and I am a scallop freak so one of those two should work out great!

Hey Ladies! Wow, what a great DIS meet...even for an hour! Doesn't it seem like you can never be at a loss for words with a DIS friend?

I can't wait to meet everyone in Nov...even if I'll be drinking virgins... See my signature...

Congrats on the big news! Hope everything goes smoothly for you.

Ellen, we didn't miss you by much. We were in Charleston the weekends before and after you were there!

 

[karajeboo]

Ellen & Cammie - So cool you two hooked up!! I must say I'm a bit disappointed that there is no alcohol in either of your hands, but you're both excused if you were driving. I can't wait to meet y'all in November. Geeks we are and proud of it!

C'mon, surely there's a rest stop in Jersey that has a tiki bar??? Great photo ladies! How awesome that you got to meet up! Dismeets are so much fun!!!

 

[SLM]

We leave for HH in two weeks-thanks so much for posting your great trip report and beautiful pictures! How nice to share the trip with your family! Something to remember this winter when you're shoveling snow off !
Thank you, Ellen and everyone that posted restaurant suggestions-this is one of the reasons I keep a notebook next to the computer.
Enjoy your WDW trip with the girls-and please post when you return!

 

[Camster0307]

Hey missy - it's your rest stop buddy!

How's everything going?

 

[podsnel]

Sorry I've been MIA and haven't finished up- we were away, and DS14 has been very time consumming lately...but here's the end of the story-

I got back from my shopping, and DS9 was involved with a game of shuffleboard. He was playing with a very nice family from Mendham, NJ. The Dad told me they were VB owners, and this was their 1st stay at HHIR and that they had used their VB points to do it (see, it IS possible in the summer!!). He said the kids were loving HHI so much, he didn't know if he'd ever get them back to Vero! I loved meeting this family, and all the other DVC families, at the resort. What was nice was every person I spoke with was so happy with their membership, and so enthusiastic about their stay in HHI- very encouraging to me, a new DVC member.

Anyway, Dh & DS11 decided there was still time for one last ice cream-

And the boys went back for one last dip before we packed it in

What goofballs my kids are- can't imagine who they take after.

Now, it was 4:45, and MY plan was to get some takeout from the Sea Shack before we went on. Unfortunately, DH did NOT want to wait 15 minutes for them to open (he gets a little antsy before a drive) so we just drove away... Well, I know where I'm going for dinner the 1st night of next summer's HHIR visit, that's all I can say! Instead of that seafood yumminess, we stopped along I95 for Maurice's BBQ. They were a very nice group of people working there, but I felt kind of out-of-place, being a Yankee and all! In case you've never been to Maurice's, I think they believe the Civil War should be fought again there. Anyway, the BBQ has a mustard/vinegar based sauce (as opposed to a tomato based one), and while I'm glad I tried it, I don't know if I would again- it's just not for me- sorry! We stopped just before the Virginia border in Roanoke Rapids, and spent the night in a GORGEOUS Hampton Inn- while we were driving, we kind of estimated how much longer we could go, and I called Hilton and booked it by cell. A very good thing we did, there were many, many people looking for a room there when I was checking in, and they were all being turned away. Ouch. Would hate to be making a long drive, exhausted, looking for someplace to sleep. Anyway, the beds were very comfy, the room shiny and new, and we slept well- then made it home the next day with only a little traffic in (surprise, surprise) Delaware. The total driving time each way was 13 hours, we agreed it was definitely doable for us. DS14 was doing well, and Sheree & Henry said it was no big deal, they were happy to help and they would be very happy to do it again (which was good, because they ended up doing it 2 more times before the summer was over; Once for a weekend visit to friends at the Connecticut shore, and again when he refused to visit our family in Florida last week. DS14 has decided our house is the only place he wants to sleep).

We really, really loved our stay in HHIR. We haven't bought any points yet, but we did have a transfer in from a friend (thank-you, thank-you, THANK-YOU!!!!!) and have booked a GV for the 1st week of August next summer!! My husband's whole family will be going this time, that's 26 of us!!! My boys can't WAIT!! They ranked this vacation as #3 of all vacations they've had- only topped by #2, any WDW trip and #1, the last family reunion. They agree when we have our reunion at HHI next summer, THAT will easily be #1! What a great, family oriented resort, we are so very, very glad we checked it out...

Ellen

 

[podsnel]

I've been to all of these and I like Sunset Grille the best. We've been to SG 5 times now and have always had excellent food. Gordon recommended it a few years ago.

Edited to add: I did NOT like Etoile Verte.

Sunset Grille is going on my short list for the next trip- thank-you for the rec.

We're just planning on touring the F&WF booths on Sunday, maybe we could hook up there?

That is definitely possible- our plane just got moved to 8:30 pm, and my boys are going to DisneyQuest that day, so I probably could come over and chow with you, especially if I get an AP-

And I don't mean to jump in but, I was at that rest stop on 8/22SMALL WORLD!!! We were heading home after 5 days in Maryland (went to the Red Sox down at Camden Yards). I feel bad for NJ people who have to drive both the NJ turnpike and Garden State parkway, both were CRAZY !!!

That WOULD have freaked us ALL out!!! I agree with Cammie, though, about the traffic- it took us 5 hours for a 2 1/2 hour trip to Conn- that trip was AWFUL!!! But NJ can be bad, too- if you were heading south at the wrong time on Friday, fuggedaboutit!! Shore traffic is no fun in any state, I guess.

Thanks for the suggestions. Will probably try Old Fort Pub or Sunset Grille. DW loves seafood, especially shrimp and I am a scallop freak so one of those two should work out great!

Please let us know what your dinner is like!


Congrats on the big news! Hope everything goes smoothly for you.

Ellen, we didn't miss you by much. We were in Charleston the weekends before and after you were there![/QUOTE]

That's where the rest of our family went after HHI- would love to check it out oneday-

C'mon, surely there's a rest stop in Jersey that has a tiki bar??? Great photo ladies! How awesome that you got to meet up! Dismeets are so much fun!!!

If you find one, please let us know!

We leave for HH in two weeks-thanks so much for posting your great trip report and beautiful pictures! How nice to share the trip with your family! Something to remember this winter when you're shoveling snow off !
Thank you, Ellen and everyone that posted restaurant suggestions-this is one of the reasons I keep a notebook next to the computer.
Enjoy your WDW trip with the girls-and please post when you return!

Have a great, great time!!! The upcoming weather looks awesome there-

 

[DisneyDreams21]

Just read through your trip report and was left with the urge to book a stay at HHI! I actually have a small resale contract there, which I have yet to use, but reading your report really makes me want to plan a trip!

 

[podsnel]

Just read through your trip report and was left with the urge to book a stay at HHI! I actually have a small resale contract there, which I have yet to use, but reading your report really makes me want to plan a trip!

Lucky you!!! You should go and check it out, it's a lovely and unique place. I would like to have a small contract there myself- but I'm waiting to see what they come up with at BLT before I make any moves- although I know I'll be buying some points at HHI sometime in the future.

Thanks so much for reading my report!

 

[Camster0307]

Hi Ellen!

I somehow missed your last installment! Anyway, it sounds like you had a great time! Your boys were so tan by the end of your stay! And was that a Mickey ice cream bar I saw your hubby eating? Do they have alot of Disney touches at HHI? I don't know if we'll ever get there ourselves - I have just enought pts. for one DVC trip a year and could not even imagine NOT taking it to WDW. Yeah, we're freaks that way!

And, did I read it right? Have you definitely gotten the GV for next year? If so ---

 

[podsnel]

Hi Ellen!

I somehow missed your last installment! Anyway, it sounds like you had a great time! Your boys were so tan by the end of your stay! And was that a Mickey ice cream bar I saw your hubby eating? Do they have alot of Disney touches at HHI? I don't know if we'll ever get there ourselves - I have just enought pts. for one DVC trip a year and could not even imagine NOT taking it to WDW. Yeah, we're freaks that way!

And, did I read it right? Have you definitely gotten the GV for next year? If so ---

Hi Cammie!

Yes, that's a Mickey bar! I had one almost everyday! They are the BEST!!! HHI has lots of Mickey touches, they're just very subtle- lots of hidden Mickeys everywhere, but no characters walking around. And the CM's there are fantastic- they really go out of their way to make sure everyone is having fun and has what they need. And the music that they pipe around is Disney, too. It's just not piped all over the resort, that (I think) would interfere with the peace and wildlife aspect of the place.

And yes, thanks to a very wonderful new friend we were able to rent enough HHI points to get a GV for next year. We are all so excited to stay there!!

 

[Connears]

Lucky you!!! You should go and check it out, it's a lovely and unique place. I would like to have a small contract there myself- but I'm waiting to see what they come up with at BLT before I make any moves- although I know I'll be buying some points at HHI sometime in the future.

Thanks so much for reading my report!

Watch out....that's what happened to us! We added on in 2002 at HHI after 4 trips. We love having the 11 month window for the summer...we didn't add a huge amount, but it has been enough for 2 bedroom for 3 nights during summer which is our usual for HHI. Also, we have used our OKW points to add a night at HHI on our trip down or back to Boston during our usual xmas week trip to wdw.

Connears

 

[podsnel]

Watch out....that's what happened to us! We added on in 2002 at HHI after 4 trips. We love having the 11 month window for the summer...we didn't add a huge amount, but it has been enough for 2 bedroom for 3 nights during summer which is our usual for HHI. Also, we have used our OKW points to add a night at HHI on our trip down or back to Boston during our usual xmas week trip to wdw.

Connears

I think 100 points has a nice ring to it....that would be 3 nights/year in a 2bdrm or a GV for 5 nights every 3 years...

 

[Let'sGoAgain!]

I think 100 points has a nice ring to it....that would be 3 nights/year in a 2bdrm or a GV for 5 nights every 3 years...

Somehow, after reading your trip report and your plans for next summer at HH, I don't think that a trip every 3 years will do for your family...