juju12345
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2009
- Messages
- 119
We spent 6 nights at HHI at the end of August. I made the reservation in March and it was very hard to get- we really only wanted a 1 bedroom but waitlisted for both and the 2 bedroom came through, which we were lucky to get at the less than 7 month mark. My family includes me, DH, DS2, and DD who turned 1 on the trip.
Resort: We were in building 17- I didn't make any requests for any specific building or view and we were pleased with this building. It is midway between the main building and the pool area. We had a 2nd floor room which is a lot of steps with the kids and their gear- I wished we had a 1st floor room at first but I had read that 1st floor rooms can be noisy so maybe 2nd floor is better. The 2 bedroom unit seemed HUGE! There was one pack and play in the unit and we requested a 2nd one when we got there and they brought us one quickly. I was hesitant to go to a resort not right on the beach but it was neat that it was kind of "woodsy" and right on the marsh area. First night we were surprised with a big raccoon sitting on the porch steps and my son loved looking for squirrels and birds outside. The pool was very nice- slide too big for the kids but they both loved swimming in both the big pool and the kiddie pool.
restaurants:
We were so tired after driving all day that we ordered a pizza from Giuseppe's as soon as we got there (about 6pm). It took about an hour to arrive and it was very good. We ordered from them on one other night of the trip- had the pasta dishes which were very good as well. They gave a discount to DVC.
With the kids being so small, we didn't venture out very much. We took the stroller out at night to go to dinner at the restaurants at Shelter Cove marina- we went to Scott's Fish Market restaurant- very good but felt a little out of place with the little kids- and I always hate it when no changing table in the restaurant! We also ate at San Miguels (i think that was the name of the Mexican restaurant). They gave a DVC discount- food was great and it was the kids liked it too. The only place we actually drove to was the Sea Shack- just a few miles away. They open at 5pm and we arrived at ten minutes till 5 and there was already a line down the outside of the restaurant but it didn't take much time to get us in. The food was really good- all kinds of seafood and good price. It is a very casual restaurant,which was great bc the kids were having a wild night. I was disappointed that the counter service restaurant closed at 5pm every evening. I wish it stayed open til at least 6 or 7 even though there are lots of close restaurants,I think it would be a nice option to have that place open. We did have Tide Me Over for breakfast twice- the Mickey Waffles are awesome! My son is still requesting them all the time (He asked for them at Waffle House yesterday!) The CM was awesome at breakfast- I think her name was Ella and she really was so nice and sweet to my kiddies. The lunches were pretty good- same pretty much as the beach house restaurant- good burgers, turkey sandwich, etc. We ate at the Beach House restaurant for lunch almost every day- loved the "dole whip" and the portions were so big we usually split the chicken tender plate and ordered extra grapes, etc. DH ordered the Mickey ice cream bar every day- also available at the little store till 10pm I think.
Activities- There were so many activites at the resort! We ended up going to the beach most mornings - used the shuttle which started at 10am and when you want them to come get you just call them and they come quickly. Then we would eat lunch at beach and then head back for nap. So we didn't have lots of time for activities, but we did do the campfire twice (hint- if you really only want the Smores/roast marshmallows, show up about 15 minutes after it starts- my DS didn't like the singing part so the 2nd campfire we came a little later so we could just have the marshmallows! They had plenty so we just waited for the line to die down- you could even have seconds). We met the dog Shadow a few times also. The pirate night was really fun. When we checked in the lady said as long as you pay for your BBQ dinner ticket the day of the event before 2pm, it would be fine. So we showed up that morning at 9am to buy them but they were sold out
We would've bought them at check in if we had thought about it selling out. But the party stuff is free which was various activities around the pool area- dunk booth, face painting/tattoos, "treasure hunting" in small sand boxes, and sword fighting contest, then some dancing. DS wanted a pic with a pirate but when he came over close, DS was terrified and was crying- the pirate was so nice to DS and told my son he could hit him with his balloon sword so DS went to hitting him and felt better, then they fist bumped and laughed and all was well. It was really funny and the pirates/lifeguards were so nice and good at reading which kids wanted to play and which were more shy like my son.
Overall, it was a great trip- especially for my DD's 1st birthday! We went to Disneyworld for DS's 1st birthday and this was much different and both kids really enjoyed it. I don't know if we will go back anytime soon since it's so hard to get a reservation for 1 bedroom and the 2 bedroom ate up my points! So I think our next few trips will be to Disney b/c DS is starting to like Mickey and like rides
Resort: We were in building 17- I didn't make any requests for any specific building or view and we were pleased with this building. It is midway between the main building and the pool area. We had a 2nd floor room which is a lot of steps with the kids and their gear- I wished we had a 1st floor room at first but I had read that 1st floor rooms can be noisy so maybe 2nd floor is better. The 2 bedroom unit seemed HUGE! There was one pack and play in the unit and we requested a 2nd one when we got there and they brought us one quickly. I was hesitant to go to a resort not right on the beach but it was neat that it was kind of "woodsy" and right on the marsh area. First night we were surprised with a big raccoon sitting on the porch steps and my son loved looking for squirrels and birds outside. The pool was very nice- slide too big for the kids but they both loved swimming in both the big pool and the kiddie pool.
restaurants:
We were so tired after driving all day that we ordered a pizza from Giuseppe's as soon as we got there (about 6pm). It took about an hour to arrive and it was very good. We ordered from them on one other night of the trip- had the pasta dishes which were very good as well. They gave a discount to DVC.
With the kids being so small, we didn't venture out very much. We took the stroller out at night to go to dinner at the restaurants at Shelter Cove marina- we went to Scott's Fish Market restaurant- very good but felt a little out of place with the little kids- and I always hate it when no changing table in the restaurant! We also ate at San Miguels (i think that was the name of the Mexican restaurant). They gave a DVC discount- food was great and it was the kids liked it too. The only place we actually drove to was the Sea Shack- just a few miles away. They open at 5pm and we arrived at ten minutes till 5 and there was already a line down the outside of the restaurant but it didn't take much time to get us in. The food was really good- all kinds of seafood and good price. It is a very casual restaurant,which was great bc the kids were having a wild night. I was disappointed that the counter service restaurant closed at 5pm every evening. I wish it stayed open til at least 6 or 7 even though there are lots of close restaurants,I think it would be a nice option to have that place open. We did have Tide Me Over for breakfast twice- the Mickey Waffles are awesome! My son is still requesting them all the time (He asked for them at Waffle House yesterday!) The CM was awesome at breakfast- I think her name was Ella and she really was so nice and sweet to my kiddies. The lunches were pretty good- same pretty much as the beach house restaurant- good burgers, turkey sandwich, etc. We ate at the Beach House restaurant for lunch almost every day- loved the "dole whip" and the portions were so big we usually split the chicken tender plate and ordered extra grapes, etc. DH ordered the Mickey ice cream bar every day- also available at the little store till 10pm I think.
Activities- There were so many activites at the resort! We ended up going to the beach most mornings - used the shuttle which started at 10am and when you want them to come get you just call them and they come quickly. Then we would eat lunch at beach and then head back for nap. So we didn't have lots of time for activities, but we did do the campfire twice (hint- if you really only want the Smores/roast marshmallows, show up about 15 minutes after it starts- my DS didn't like the singing part so the 2nd campfire we came a little later so we could just have the marshmallows! They had plenty so we just waited for the line to die down- you could even have seconds). We met the dog Shadow a few times also. The pirate night was really fun. When we checked in the lady said as long as you pay for your BBQ dinner ticket the day of the event before 2pm, it would be fine. So we showed up that morning at 9am to buy them but they were sold out
We would've bought them at check in if we had thought about it selling out. But the party stuff is free which was various activities around the pool area- dunk booth, face painting/tattoos, "treasure hunting" in small sand boxes, and sword fighting contest, then some dancing. DS wanted a pic with a pirate but when he came over close, DS was terrified and was crying- the pirate was so nice to DS and told my son he could hit him with his balloon sword so DS went to hitting him and felt better, then they fist bumped and laughed and all was well. It was really funny and the pirates/lifeguards were so nice and good at reading which kids wanted to play and which were more shy like my son.Overall, it was a great trip- especially for my DD's 1st birthday! We went to Disneyworld for DS's 1st birthday and this was much different and both kids really enjoyed it. I don't know if we will go back anytime soon since it's so hard to get a reservation for 1 bedroom and the 2 bedroom ate up my points! So I think our next few trips will be to Disney b/c DS is starting to like Mickey and like rides
Hoping to get there early summer'15, if so will book EXACTLY at 7 mos..We'll see if our dates work out! 
