If you were staying only one night at HH...

[disney0210]

...what should you not miss?

Became very lucky tonight as a 2-br suddenly became available! This would be a good stopover for us coming home from WDW...

Thanks for any input!

 

[UConnJack]

Frankly, I think a one-night stay at HH as a stopover is kind of a waste. Don't get me wrong, I love HH, but there really isn't an "attraction" there that warrants a brief 1-night stay. HH is really more of an unwind and relax kind of resort, which I don't think you can really appreciate or enjoy with just a 1 night stay. The only thing of consequence to really "do" there is the beach, but you certainly don't need to stay at the DVC HH to do that. I think you need at least 3 nights to make a trip to HH worth it.

IMO, you'd be better off staying in Savanah, Atlanta, Charleston, DC, etc. as a 1-day stopover. Plenty of places to stay if you are just looking for a place to sleep, and plenty of attractions/things to see for a 1-day stop.

 

[sandieb]

Hi - We stay for a week or longer every other year, and we really like our time there. However, I tend to agree with the poster who thought a one night stay might not be the best idea. When we go to HH, we bike, beach, and enjoy the resort activities. If you are riding back from WDW, you won't have much opportunity to do this. I would think 2 nights would be the minimum for an enjoyable break on your trip.
Sandie

 

[tammymacb]

What date did you get?

 

[Ellester]

I wouldn't miss dinner at the Sea Shack. I could go for some of their seafood chowder right now. Yummy!

 

[disney0210]

I wouldn't miss dinner at the Sea Shack. I could go for some of their seafood chowder right now. Yummy!

Thank you, would definitely check this out.

For the other posters, thanks so much for the input, but to me the option was to either a) find a cheap hotel to spend maybe 7pm Thursday night to 11am the next day for the 2nd leg of our driving expedition to Pennsylvania, or b) spend it at a DVC resort (although not maximizing what the resort or the area had to offer) and use up the points I had to use up without spending any more money. DVC resort won, hands down.

I would not want to go anywhere for one night, period, but given that I had 7pm to 11am to spend, I just wanted to know what, if anything, can I still enjoy at HH... For the record, I would be happy just laying in bed inside ANY DVC resort... I am that crazy

Thanks again!

 

[edk35]

...what should you not miss?

Became very lucky tonight as a 2-br suddenly became available! This would be a good stopover for us coming home from WDW...

Thanks for any input!

I bet it was my two bedroom. I cancelled our HHI trip that was to start on July 18th for 6 nights. Our last night on the 23rd was on discounted cash. GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

 

[5forDiz]

Can you get to HHI earlier than 7pm disney0210 ?? If you're only going to stay overnight & plan to leave at 11am next morning get up to HHI as early as you can. ( I agree with pp's who suggest more than 1 night, Would you be able to get a second night by down-sizing to 1 bedroom villa or even studio ? )

It's about 5 hour drive from WDW to HHI and when we are heading home with just a one night stopover at HHI we leave WDW by 7am so we arrive at HHI by 1pm latest so we get some beach & pool time in & maybe one of the planned activities at resort ( depending upon time of year there may be an evening pool party, campfire or other evening activity ). I wouldn't spend time driving around island to find a restaurant for dinner; pick one at Shelter Cove which is quick walk over little bridge across from Disney's resort & make reservation in advance if busy time of year.

Best wishes planning, you'll love HHI resort, our family does

 

[missy2217]

It is pretty far off the highway too for just a stop over.

 

[Simba's Mom]

If I only had 7:00 pm-11:00 am at HHI, I'd stop at Piggly-Wiggly beforehand to pick up dinner (they have a great pre-cooked meal area) and a little something for breakfast, then stay at the resort the whole time. After dark, DH and I love to take a stroll along the Marina to look at boats, or spend some time in Big Murgie's Den. Then, the following morning, after our wake-up call from Shadow and Mickey (so cute!), I'd just sit in a rocking chair on the balcony admiring the nature of the resort until I had to pack to check out.

 

[disney0210]

If I only had 7:00 pm-11:00 am at HHI, I'd stop at Piggly-Wiggly beforehand to pick up dinner (they have a great pre-cooked meal area) and a little something for breakfast, then stay at the resort the whole time. After dark, DH and I love to take a stroll along the Marina to look at boats, or spend some time in Big Murgie's Den. Then, the following morning, after our wake-up call from Shadow and Mickey (so cute!), I'd just sit in a rocking chair on the balcony admiring the nature of the resort until I had to pack to check out.

Now we're talking! This is my type of preparation for another 12.5 hours of driving and another crazy weekend after WDW... Just chillaxin'...

EDK35, nope that wasn't it. We're checkin in 4/22 Thursday. But I bet you made someone else happy Good for all of us!

To one of the posters, I couldn't extend it to be at least 2 nights. I would love that, but I can't not because of points or cash. From Canada, we drive to Pennsylvania to 'fetch' the in-laws (only because my daughter would be very happy with her cousins at WDW). Then we check in on the 18th. Check out on the 22nd. Then head back to PA - but now with a stop at HH Check out on the 23rd. Then need to be back in PA for the 24th for DD's party. Then head back to Canada by the 25th, to be back bright and early to reality on the 26th, Monday morning.

See, I told you I was crazy...

 

[winjos]

We have stayed at the cheapies off 1-95 and we've also driven the extra 1/2 hour to stay at HHI. We like the nice rooms and 6 pts for a studio is worth the extra time. We were really lucky and ended up being upgraded both times to a 2bd (adventure season). It is nice to start a trip or extend a trip with a little more Disney magic.

We like Mellow Mushroom pizza (LOVE the crust!!!) for dinner. It is a short drive from the resort. My DH has to go to Stackers every trip for breakfast. The creme brulee french toast is to die for and DH must get his when we go to HHI.

HHI is a great resort and we've stayed there for extended trips and we always enjoy ourselves. The resort is beautiful, the CMs are really nice, the activities are really fun, and the beach/beach house is a great way to spend the day.

So, we've done what you've asked about and what the previous posters suggested. Overall, I'd take a day/evening at HHI if I can over a cheapie hotel off the freeway.

Enjoy!!!

 

[5forDiz]

Now we're talking! This is my type of preparation for another 12.5 hours of driving and another crazy weekend after WDW... Just chillaxin'...

EDK35, nope that wasn't it. We're checkin in 4/22 Thursday. But I bet you made someone else happy Good for all of us!

To one of the posters, I couldn't extend it to be at least 2 nights. I would love that, but I can't not because of points or cash. From Canada, we drive to Pennsylvania to 'fetch' the in-laws (only because my daughter would be very happy with her cousins at WDW). Then we check in on the 18th. Check out on the 22nd. Then head back to PA - but now with a stop at HH Check out on the 23rd. Then need to be back in PA for the 24th for DD's party. Then head back to Canada by the 25th, to be back bright and early to reality on the 26th, Monday morning.

See, I told you I was crazy...

Nope you're not crazy at all, I totally get your trip We always drive ( from southern most part of NY ) and have made some trips similar to what you've described. Some may call it crazy but any trip is what you make of it and it will be a good experience stopping at HHI because you are thinking smart on what to do or not do based on time you've got to spend.

I don't think you & your family will regret it and as pp suggested check out Big Murgie's Den (pool table !) & chat up the CM's too, they are so awesome at HHI If you can, check out the Beach House while you are there, early morning might be good for quick stroll on beach, there's some amazing things to see/find at waters edge, shells, sand dollars. You'll have a great time & hope you'll post back how it goes

 

[TLPL]

There aren't many activities scheduled for the evening other than campfire on certain nights, maybe check with the resort ahead of time to see if they have it on that night you will be there.

 

[edk35]

Now we're talking! This is my type of preparation for another 12.5 hours of driving and another crazy weekend after WDW... Just chillaxin'...

EDK35, nope that wasn't it. We're checkin in 4/22 Thursday. But I bet you made someone else happy Good for all of us!

To one of the posters, I couldn't extend it to be at least 2 nights. I would love that, but I can't not because of points or cash. From Canada, we drive to Pennsylvania to 'fetch' the in-laws (only because my daughter would be very happy with her cousins at WDW). Then we check in on the 18th. Check out on the 22nd. Then head back to PA - but now with a stop at HH Check out on the 23rd. Then need to be back in PA for the 24th for DD's party. Then head back to Canada by the 25th, to be back bright and early to reality on the 26th, Monday morning.

See, I told you I was crazy...

My ressie was for 6 nights starting on the 18th (that one night could have been my last night on points. The 23rd was a discount cash night. ....I cancelled my ressie around 5:25ish today. I was on with MS starting around 5:20ish I think.

 

[disney0210]

My ressie was for 6 nights starting on the 18th (that one night could have been my last night on points. The 23rd was a discount cash night. ....I cancelled my ressie around 5:25ish today. I was on with MS starting around 5:20ish I think.

Right, but yours was in July though, right? My trip is in April...

 

[edk35]

Right, but yours was in July though, right? My trip is in April...

Gotcha gotcha gotcha...YES ours was July. I didn't see that yours was in April.

 

[TPBChick]

I think that HH is a good place to stop and relax from your long drive. I would suggest getting to HH as early as possible so you can enjoy the daylight hours. We like to fly kites and take walks along the beach in the evening. They have horseshoe pits and hammocks around the resort. There are some nice restaurants within walking distance in Shelter Cove.