I Told You Driving Was Bad For Your Health! *2/2* NEW TRIP REPORT LINK P102

[jedijill]

Ah yes - I do recall the insider information to which you speak. Hopefully you are the only one because I totally forgot about that.



HHI is pretty rule driven in a lot of ways. It's got a little bit of the Stepford Wives theme going on, but in a good way. It's really a gorgeous part of the country to see and I feel lucky that its a driveable location for us.




Same with me, but I don't think you have to be a resort guru to figure this out. I made the resort secret, at first, because I simply didn't want someone to say before that trip, "I stayed there and I hated it". That's why I thought the game would be fun for a reveal.




Not much! It's a very "rule oriented" community, but totally worth a visit because there is definitely a very laid back vibe to the place. It's really very unique and I'm so glad we got to visit.





Thanks. Stay tuned for more!





What? They have an Earl of Sandwich there? How come I didn't know that? It must be in a different terminal than SWA.

I understand your sentiments about PHL. It's my "home" airport and its never been a fav, although last trip I really took not of some nice improvements.




Yes - how fun and cool was that?



Yeah - there is definitely a lot of duplication with the HHI pictures. There's only so many views of the same scene that you can take. And I feel like no matter how many pictures you take, it still doesn't capture the essence of the place.



It IS a chain, but more a resort chain than a hotel chain. Not as much name recognition with this chain.

EOS is in Terminal D at PHL....tucked in a corner by one of the little airport spas.

Jill in CO

 

[jenseib]

Oh yes I do love my early mornings alone!!!

You have some fabulous shots. One of the last ones...that boat. Wow!!!!!! gorgeous.

I really do love to explore places like that. Sadly when I explored the Marriott time share in Williamsburg, it really wasn't all that exciting to me.

 

[Pinkocto]

I hope everything goes well with the new job tomorrow

 

[tinacaplan]

Totally get how the end of things can get hectic...end of a school year, a job...always seems like there are all these odds and ends to finish up.

Hmmm...a "keeper" huh? Are you sure it isn't some serious Disney crystal? My mom was all about that in October.

Hey...I find spanish moss intriguing, too. But, then again, there isn't any in CT.

If you could live at HHI, I think I could move into OKW.

Amazing sand bars. I remember when I was a kid and there were sandbars like that off the Cape. A few bad storms took care of that.

Doesn't Disney design the greatest bathrooms?

Is it the Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa, which according to Google Maps is 4.2 miles from Epcot and 7.1 miles from Magic Kingdom?

Your meticulous, yet apparently incorrect, research made me laugh, Glenn!

Good luck on the new job tomorrow!

 

[eandesmom]

Good luck tomorrow!!! It will be fabulous I hope you had fun at the grad party and the recovery and cleanup aren't too awful.

 

[Poolrat]

Good luck tomorrow!!! It will be fabulous I hope you had fun at the grad party and the recovery and cleanup aren't too awful.

I totally agree with what Cynthia said. Have a great first day at your new job.
Hope the graduation party was fabulous and everybody had a great time!!

 

[jedijill]

Good luck tomorrow!

Jill in CO

 

[MEK]

I've never stayed off property on a Disney trip before and I really have no clue what's out there besides the Disney resorts, so I will say... good luck to everyone else!

What? Where's your sense of adventure? You can do this!

Love your HHI pics! I've been a bit interested in it lately, because my mom has always wanted to go to Hilton Head but since we've been to Myrtle Beach so many times, I didn't really think it would be exciting. But the more I see of Disney's resort in HHI, the more I think it would be a great place to go!

I have never been to Myrtle Beach, but from what I can tell they have very different feels. HHI is really like no other beach resort I have ever been to. It's very, very unique, so stay tuned for more pictures.

Yay an update!

I know you we're sad to leave your old job but your new one and the future holds great promise. I'm excited for you to begin and hear all about it. Change is bittersweet. I'm not very good at it.

Thanks for the positive thoughts. I have to admit I am more nervous than anything. I think once I get over the beginners hump I will be OK.

Tell me more about the grad party! Food? DJ? Deets girl!

The grad party was pretty low key. It was held at the house. We set up a tent in the backyard and we have a big screened in porch. It was one of those parties where people sort of come and go all afternoon into the evening. I bought new porch furniture and we got new screens and stained the deck. Let just say there was a lot of prep work going on here prior to the party. Today I cleaned up and goofed off all day!

I will follow along with the offsite game but I'm am not good at games. Or very competitive. Or know anything about off site hotels.

Like I said to Marissa, Where is everyone's sense of adventure?

If I'm the Jen you're referring to too, I'm always the first one up. Always. That's one of the reasons I so love our DVC. I don't have to tip tow around and not wake the others. I can bang my heels into the floor if I want. I don't do that but my family swears I do.

Isn't that great? Although I remember the first night at the treehouse last summer. My nephews got upset when I got up to make coffee. So I moved the coffee pot into the master bedroom.

Love the resort. The pics are fabulous. I so enjoy a nautical theme. It reminds me of the resort I was at in Nantucket. I've got al album on FB if you want to see the pics. Amazing.

I should take a look at that. I have actually never been to Nantucket and would actually love to visit it someday. HHI is a great resort. It is just so unique and peaceful!

Seashells. I collect them from every beach we visit. I have them all over the house. Sand too.

I'm glad I am not the only obsessive shell hoarder!

We do love our bathrooms pics. We're all sick here. But in great company.

Thank goodness for great company!

Great TR MEK!! (as usual) The pics of HHI might make me rethink my plans to go there in May, 2015. Yes, I have trips planned that far out using our DVC points....but I'm sure addonitis will strike again and I'll have to redo my whole schedule AGAIN!

Bill - I plan my trips that far out as well. It's so much fun. I always like to have two future trips planned and as soon as I complete one and start working on the next one.

We suffered from a little addonitis this trip, too! What a great way to suffer.

Is it the Buena Vista Palace Hotel & Spa, which according to Google Maps is 4.2 miles from Epcot and 7.1 miles from Magic Kingdom?

That is such an awesome guess! I was bummed it was wrong, but like I already said - I like the way you think!

I am NOT always the first person up (sometimes but not always) and I am not always the person making coffee so am grateful for YOU and Jeff for taking that on so I can go straight to coffee the minute I get up instead of waiting..

I usually am the first to the keurig at home, too! I was good on our June trip. I premade the coffee every night. Had it all ready. No fumbling. Just hit the switch and waited for that wonderful smell to fill the air.

So so pretty, oh that beach is gorgeous. I do remember that about the HH sand, I've been to a couple of conventions there and walked quite a bit on the beach..

It's the perfect beach for walking. Really superb.

The guys doing the grocery shopping. That was so NOT happen at my house..

I have to say that Denny really doesn't mind grocery shopping. He's not super efficient, but I'll take it because there are time I really DON"t want to go!

Or it could be scary what Jeff came back with if the list had more than beer, stuff for burgers, or chips and salsa on the list.

.

Yeah - that's a man's shopping list - for sure!

Beautiful update, I really would like to go there someday.

It's not as spectacular as Aulani, but it is such a great geographical area. I just knew I loved it there the first time I visited. It's going to be a regular vacation spot!

 

[natebenma]

First and foremost- Best of luck on your first day at the new job. I know you will be great!

Next- no idea on the offsite resort. But I love guessing and I am currently reading a trip report where our hero is staying at Orbit One Vacation Villas, which he says was about $70 per night and was close to the theme parks (closest to AK). So although I am not aware that this is a chain of resorts, I'm going to ask- Is it Orbit One?

Now onto your update- no apologies, it was totally worth waiting for!!!

Great pictures of the pools, resort, beach house, beach and other scenery. I especially liked the seagull flying towards the wave and the fishing boat, of course. Gorgeous!

Thank you for the cool factoid about the tides. Funny that two of the beaches with the most extreme tidal differences are at totally opposite ends of the continent.


Yes, I am totally the first one up in almost any group I'm with. I like to sneak onto the balcony with a cup of coffee, camera and book or take an early morning walk before everyone else stirs.

 

[Leshaface]

Very happy for you with the new job

I'm ALWAYS the first one up. I think for me thought, it's mostly because I don't want to appear lazy when someone is up before me

So at the beach itself, do they not have lounging chairs for you to use at no charge? The chairs that you show in your picture are from another resort right?

Do a lot of people hang out in the lodge? And most importantly, are you allowed to bring an adult beverage in there while playing pool?!

 

[mickeystoontown]

Good luck today! I hope that everything goes smoothly for you.

I'm going to have to opt out of the game because I know where you stayed. I received an email from Trip Advisor when you did the review.

 

[Moira222]

Hope you are having a fabulous first day at your new job MEK!

Hopefully all the craziness has mellowed for you by now - graduation party over, old job wrapped up (sad I'm sure) and now just time to get settled in.

HHI just looks so lovely. but I have to ask -these topiaries don't look real. are they? they just look too perfect and full.

Topiaries at the entrance to the Live Oak Lodge

I am enjoying reading the game guesses. I have disqualified myself because I did see where you stayed elsewhere on the world wide web. and I marked it to look for next summer's prices for my sisters (I promised to provide them on and off-world pricing options).

Hope you are not getting the monsoon that we have here. UGH

 

[scottny]

I love seeing Spanish Moss.
The resort is so pretty.
I don’t think I would like paying for a chair to sit on. Beach towel will do. LOL
The NO SHARK FISHING on the sign would make go to the pool.
I hope it went well for you today.

 

[Poolrat]

We suffered from a little addonitis this trip, too! What a great way to suffer.

OOOOH A clue to the souvenir perhaps?????

 

[emmysmommy]

Mary Ellen: I was thinking of you today! I hope you had a great start to a long and mutually satisfying working relationship with your new job!

 

[MEK]

Oh when can I fit in a HHI trip! I am just loving the pictures

It really is a great resort and I do hope that you get a chance to visit sometime soon. It's a little slice of heaven!

Very nice of the guys to go shopping. Or were they just making sure they got all the goodies they wanted?

No - they were actually pretty good about getting only the essentials. Shocking, I know!

No nudity on the beach!? I love that some of those rules are so specific. They must have had problems previously.

I actually think they are just preventing problems. The expectations are high in that community. They are taking any chances.

Hmmm, guess of the day. In what direction was it from MK?

Already answered.

I love Spanish Moss! It is all over in the South. It really adds character.

It really does! I love it.

Funny story about it. Being raised in New Orleans, I am very familiar with Spanish Moss as it is everywhere. About 5 years ago, I was talking to my Mom. I told her I was heading to the craft store and asked if she needed anything. Her response "yeah, get me some Spanish Moss. You know, the stuff that hangs from trees?" Uh yeah, Mom, I think I know what it is!

Too funny! But they don't really sell it, do they? Or maybe they do? I have no idea. I know you can't take it directly out of the trees because it has bugs or something in it, doesn't it? Yikes!

Great pics as always!

Thanks!

What a beautiful resort! How very nice of your to include the beach rules! I'm not sure what the difference is between shark fishing and regular fishing?? But what that really tells me is there are sharks in those waters!

I have NO idea what the difference is either. Fishing is fishing in my book. The resort really is lovely. It's just so Disney. It's hard not to love.

And like you, I'm the "first person up" gal on any given day - even vacation. I love the early morning. You are so good at getting up and running on vacation! I'm a lazy runner so vacation for me means packing my running clothes but forgetting about them until 3 days into the trip.

I like the early morning too. It's so relaxing before the rest of the world starts to stir. I actually enjoy running on vacation because it gives me a chance to see things I don't normally see! It's my favorite time to run.

Your game will be such fun! I'll sit back and watch others guess since I have no idea what resorts are off Disney property other than the Hilton and Doubletree and those don't fit your criteria.

Nope - not the Hilton or Doubletree. A bit more obscure.

I wish you all the best with your new job and have a great weekend with the graduation party!

Thanks. The grad party went well and I have two days under my belt at work. I'm just taking one day at a time.

Drat!

Have a great grad party. Congrats to Nick!

You can get this!

And thanks - the party went well. Nick really enjoyed himself!

Game Guess

Is the resort part of a national chain?

Yes, but its not a well heard of chain.

Have a great party!

Jill in CO

Thanks. The party was a lot of work, but we also all had a great time!

Oops! I was so enthralled with the gorgeous photos I forgot about the yes and no part.

Ok, does it have green on its name sign?

No. There is no green on the sign. Good question!

Oh Mary Ellen the resort is beautiful and with it being so close to me I HAVE to make time to visit. You said you got a cash DVC price off season..... Might have to look into that.

It's a great resort Pat. I highly recommend you check it out. I got that fab cash rate at the end of October. The cash rate for April was $325 with tax for the 2BR. In October it was $150. Definitely worth checking out the studio rate, but the points are also lower than WDW.

As far as your WDW resort- I am stumped. Doing some searches and trying to find something that close and fitting the DTD entrance requirement.

I will continue to look

I guess my question is

Are you on Apopka Vineland Road?

Pat - EXCELLENT question, but the answer is no. Rephrase that question and you may get a different answer.

Great updates! Beautiful pics of the resort and pools.

Thanks! The resort really is lovely! I just think its so unique.

Hope the Grad party was fun!

It was - we all really had a good time! It was a lot of work, but definitely worth it.

Subbing in!!!

FlaNani! Thanks for joining in! Glad to have you along for the fun!

Great pics! I can't wait for the next update!

Thanks! I hope to do the next update soon!

ps: I'm old too

Right on! Then we already have something in common!

 

[MEK]

Hi All!

Sorry I haven't gotten to all the replies yet. I have to admit I came home exhausted after my second day of work. But I guess that's supposed to be expected.

Hoping to do an update soon (after I finish replies)

Great guesses on the name of the resort. I appreciate a couple people with insider information taking themselves out of the game.

New clue and a summary coming soon.

 

[MEK]

Great updates! The resort looks so pretty. I didn't realize the beach was a mile or so away. Not sure how I'd feel about that but sounds like they make it pretty convenient. The beach looks gorgeous!!

They make it as convenient as possible. they have a great bike path that goes there and regular shuttles. The beach house is adorable. It's really not a hardship. It's because Disney was actually really lucky to get that little piece of real estate for the resort because everything is so restricted.

Fun contest. Is there a golf course associated with the resort?

Good question - No.

Congratulations to Nick on his graduation. Hope you had a fun party!

Thanks. The party was a lot of fun. I think I am still recovering.

Is it Wyndham Bonnet Creek?

Great guess, but no. That's actually where I wanted to stay but it was more than I wanted to spend.

I'm not familiar with a lot of resorts outside Disney property, but I enjoy a good guessing game.

Yay - I am glad you are playing along. It's definitely solvable, its just how much time you want to put into it.

HHI looks gorgeous. And I did not know that about the sand. That's very cool. I love running on my beach, but it's not hard packed so it's extremely difficult.

This sand is perfect for running. I never did simply because it was about a 3 miles run out there and back, but it would have been perfect. And people that were bike riding looked like they were having a lot of fun.

Well, Mary Ellen, as discussed during your last TR...I am here, but LATE!!! I was proud of myself for only being behind 2 updates/8 pages though. That's a record, for me!!!

Ashley! You are not late at all. I have only done two updates in the last month. Hopefully a new one will be coming soon!

So excited to read all about your latest WDW adventures. I was sad we didn't happen upon one another in June, but our paths will cross some day.

I am also disappointed that we did not run into each other. It makes it worse that we just missed each other. Bummer. I hope you had a wonderful trip and if you do a TR PLEASE give me a heads up!

I'm enjoying everyone's attempt at guessing your resort! I haven't a clue...so I will just read along and enjoy when someone wins the prize!!

OK, that will work, but I would love it if you just took one guess!

Happy Sunday!!!

Same to you. Can't believe its already Thursday.

How did I miss the start of this?

Karin! Thanks for joining in! I think I snuck it in right before I went away.

But I am here now and I am here to stay. Now going back to read.

Woo Hoo! So glad you are here to stay!

I hope the party was fun!!! Great job giving an update AND getting your hair done.

The party was a lot of fun. It was a ton of work to get ready, but definitely a lot of fun! Plus we got some home improvements done, so that's always a bonus.

My guess: Westgate Resort??

Great guess, but No.

EOS is in Terminal D at PHL....tucked in a corner by one of the little airport spas.

Jill in CO

Cool! Good to know. SWA flies out of Terminal E. Bummer!

Oh yes I do love my early mornings alone!!!

I know you do and you get the best pictures in the morning! I'm not always that productive in how I plan my morning.

You have some fabulous shots. One of the last ones...that boat. Wow!!!!!! gorgeous.

Thanks! That boat was actually a picture of a picture. Sometimes they turn out the best, that's why I love doing that.

I really do love to explore places like that. Sadly when I explored the Marriott time share in Williamsburg, it really wasn't all that exciting to me.

That's too bad. We stayed at Powhatan and one other timeshare resort when we went. Both were nice. I liked the Powhatan the best because they left this coo,l old, historic building right on the property. It was such a nice touch.

 

[MEK]

I hope everything goes well with the new job tomorrow

Pam, you are such a sweet heart. Thanks for the good wishes. So far so good, but its definitely an adjustment.

Totally get how the end of things can get hectic...end of a school year, a job...always seems like there are all these odds and ends to finish up.

Isn't that the truth? It's always something.

Hmmm...a "keeper" huh? Are you sure it isn't some serious Disney crystal? My mom was all about that in October.

Nope, not Disney crystal, although I certainly would love some of my own.

Hey...I find spanish moss intriguing, too. But, then again, there isn't any in CT.

Exactly. There isn't much here in Delaware either.

If you could live at HHI, I think I could move into OKW.

Yeah - I could live at OKW too. Both are great resorts. Which DVC resort isn't great?

Amazing sand bars. I remember when I was a kid and there were sandbars like that off the Cape. A few bad storms took care of that.

There were some really amazing sandbars in Daytona. Very, very cool stuff.

Doesn't Disney design the greatest bathrooms?

Yes, among other things (like DVC resorts).

Your meticulous, yet apparently incorrect, research made me laugh, Glenn!

He really did do his research didn't he?

Good luck on the new job tomorrow!

Thanks. So far, so good, but there isn't going to be any time for DISing, even on the best days.

Good luck tomorrow!!! It will be fabulous I hope you had fun at the grad party and the recovery and cleanup aren't too awful.

Thanks Cynthia. The new job is going well so far, but there is still a big adjustment period ahead of me.

The party was a lot of fun, the clean-up average, and the recovery - well, let's just say other than cleaning up I pretty much veg'd all day Sunday.

I totally agree with what Cynthia said. Have a great first day at your new job.
Hope the graduation party was fabulous and everybody had a great time!!

Thanks Pat! WE had a really fun time at the party and so far the job is going OK.

Good luck tomorrow!

Jill in CO

Thanks Jill. I appreciate the good thoughts! So far, so good.

First and foremost- Best of luck on your first day at the new job. I know you will be great!

Thanks for the vote of confidence Dee! I really appreciate it!

Next- no idea on the offsite resort. But I love guessing and I am currently reading a trip report where our hero is staying at Orbit One Vacation Villas, which he says was about $70 per night and was close to the theme parks (closest to AK). So although I am not aware that this is a chain of resorts, I'm going to ask- Is it Orbit One?

Great guess, but no. I like the way you think though!

Now onto your update- no apologies, it was totally worth waiting for!!!

Awww - thanks! I appreciate that. I think with my new job its going to be a little harder to do regular updates, but I'll do my best!

Great pictures of the pools, resort, beach house, beach and other scenery. I especially liked the seagull flying towards the wave and the fishing boat, of course. Gorgeous!

Thanks. I am please with how most of the pics turned out. It was just so serene on that beach. Perfection.

Thank you for the cool factoid about the tides. Funny that two of the beaches with the most extreme tidal differences are at totally opposite ends of the continent.

Good point. I guess i need to read more about why that is. I have always wanted to see the Bay of Fundy because the tides must be so amazing. It was cool to kayak with the changing tides. It really impacts your route.

Yes, I am totally the first one up in almost any group I'm with. I like to sneak onto the balcony with a cup of coffee, camera and book or take an early morning walk before everyone else stirs.

That sounds perfect. Love that. Isn't it great to sit on a balcony in the quiet of the morning with a nice cup of coffee? Great way to start the day!

Very happy for you with the new job

Thanks. I am happy to have the first few days under my belt. It's going to be a busy service, but I am looking forward to it.

I'm ALWAYS the first one up. I think for me thought, it's mostly because I don't want to appear lazy when someone is up before me

Ok - that's funny! You don't want to appear lazy? Really? You don't strike me as lazy, at all!

So at the beach itself, do they not have lounging chairs for you to use at no charge? The chairs that you show in your picture are from another resort right?

Good question. They have nice chairs at the beach house, but Disney does not rent or provide chairs at the beach. I thought it would be like Vero where you can rent comfy chairs on the beach. I have a feeling the town of HHI won't let them rent chairs because they are all about supporting the local economy there. For example, Disney was not allowed to build a real restaurant. They were only able to do a quick serve place at both pools.

Do a lot of people hang out in the lodge? And most importantly, are you allowed to bring an adult beverage in there while playing pool?!

I only ever saw a handful of people in the lodge, but I wasn't there very much. I am certain adult beverages would be permitted.

Good luck today! I hope that everything goes smoothly for you.

Thanks Lisa! I really appreciate the good wishes! Things have been going pretty well.

I'm going to have to opt out of the game because I know where you stayed. I received an email from Trip Advisor when you did the review.

Another DISer with inside information. I should have waited to post that review. Darn trip advisor and how its linked with FB.

Hope you are having a fabulous first day at your new job MEK!

Thanks ME. Things have been going fairly well. It's going to be a slow adjustment, but I'll get it.

Hopefully all the craziness has mellowed for you by now - graduation party over, old job wrapped up (sad I'm sure) and now just time to get settled in.

That's exactly right. I am just trying to get settled in, although I need to do some cleaning around here. I thought I cleaned up, but my house looks a mess right now.

HHI just looks so lovely. but I have to ask -these topiaries don't look real. are they? they just look too perfect and full.

HHI is really beautiful. I just love it there.

The topiaries? I have NO idea. I thought they were real, but I guess they could be fake because I didn't pay that much attention to them. You are probably right - they are probably fake.

I am enjoying reading the game guesses. I have disqualified myself because I did see where you stayed elsewhere on the world wide web. and I marked it to look for next summer's prices for my sisters (I promised to provide them on and off-world pricing options).

Another DISers with insider information. Drat! Yes - definitely put that on the list. It was excellent for the price.

Hope you are not getting the monsoon that we have here. UGH

Was that Sunday? Yup - we got it! It rained on day. Probably part of the reason I veg'd so much.

 

[annmarieda]

How did I miss that you started this? I am so out of it when it comes to disboards lately! I am hoping to get caught up this weekend....

Luckily... it would seem I didn't miss tooo much. I am loving your HHI pictures. Way back in April, we started the process of purchasing a resale contract (I think I mentioned to you. ) Anyway... still no account set up... so still in the state of just dreaming of how to use my points. HHI is definitely in my dreams!!!

As for the game... I am in. I love to guess things...even though 99% of the time I am WAY off base in my guesses. At least you have narrowed it down some.

My question of the day (we get one, right?) It isn't Wyndham Bonnet Creek, but is it Wyndham Cypress Palms?