Just back from HH

[scootert]

DH and I just got back from a week at HH. What a beautiful resort!! Our studio was lovely, cast members friendly and the shrimp boil great.

Enjoyed the beach but our favorite was kayaking in the marsh. First time for each of us and we didn't even tip over!!! Loved being able to get close to the egrets and watch the oysters spit (okay, maybe that wasn't the most fun part!!)

Great pizza at Giuseppi's, deli at Gruby's and seafood at Old Oyster Factory, Scott's Fishmarket and Tappas. This was our first DVC trip, so, when the bill arrived it was a real treat!! We feel very blessed. Next year we'll go home to BWV... we're already counting the days.

 

[kamgen]

Thanks Scooter!
Dh and I have never been to HH yet, but are looking forward to going next year.
You will love your time at BWV, our home!

Did you feel out in the middle of nothing? or was it located by some nice things?
Was the kayaking a Disney offered thing?

Thanks

 

[scootert]

The resort really offers the best of both worlds. We found the island to be well developed but the Disney property is on a small island and gives you the feeling of being in a wooded forest. Just a short walk across the bridge and you're at Shelter Cove Harbour with lots of shops and restaurants to enjoy.

The kayaking was a Disney offer -- we really did feel it was the high point of the trip. Nice to get out in the water, etc.

 

[kamgen]

Thanks Scooter!

I cannot wait to check it out!!
Make sure you go to VB if you haven't yet!
We love it there!

DVC is so great, I can't help it!

 

[Tiggeriffic]

I'm hoping to go to HH next year and was wondering if you can bring the kids kayaking with you? Do they have the 2-seater (tandem) kayaks? Also, do they have an age restriction?

Thanks

 

[scootert]

There are both single and double kayaks available. I'm not sure about an age restriction, but there wasn't a mention of one on the activity sheet and rates are shown as children and adults. We had some younger folks in our group, but all over 12 or 13. They kayaks are very stable -- we used a double as I wasn't sure I could handle one on my own. The folks running the operation said they very rarely have anyone tip over and that the doubles are the most stable/difficult to tip. Believe me, my athletic ability and coordination(little on both counts!!) put it to the test... and we didn't tip!!

I also wanted to repeat what some others have said on the boards. You really do need a car at HH.... when we were there the shuttle to the beach wasn't running regularly. I'm sure they would have if we had called, we just found it more convenient to drive ourselves. A car also greatly expands your options for food, entertainment, etc.

 

[Dean]

Do they still offer the discount card and if so, is teh Old Oyster Factory still on the list?

 

[DownNeckBoy]

Sounds like you had a great trip. I am very jealous as I have been toiling away up here in the Northeast and my trip to HH is not until 9-2! Thanks for the tip on the kayaking. I hope to take my seven year old in a double when I get there, if I can tear him away from the beach and pool!!!

 

[Margie J]

Glad to hear you had a great trip. I was at HH two weeks ago, in a Studio also. All the CM's were so nice and really went the extra mile on some requests.

The kayak trip was fun. I ended up leaving (with the same company that runs the Disney trips) from Shelter Cove Harbor. Try getting in/out of a kayak from the pier. That was a trick but I didn't tip over. Almost got stranded over those oysters though.

At check-in I did receive a discount package plus many restaurants in the area, including the Old Oyster Factory (yummy) did give a discount to DVC Members. That was very nice indeed. I ate out more often than I expected.

 

[MI Mickey FAN]

OK, I don't mean to be the fly in the ointment however, I was somewhat disappointed. My DH and I went last June and the pool by the ocean was closed due to some bug infestation (not disney's fault I understand) and we were disappointed at the proximity to everything! The photo in the book is a very tight shot...the area is well populated with resorts etc. Old Oyster was great and the sunset from our room was quite nice I was just expecting a little more seclusion. I am not sure if I would go back.

I LOVE Vero and was sort of expecting it to be like that.

 

[Lil]

Interesting viewpoints.....we will be at HH in June..and have stayed at VB. I prefer HH to VB......mainly because of the rental chairs/umbrellas at beach. I was disgusted with the towels on the poolside chair business at VB. This was the year VB opened......we watched a lady put towels over twelve chairs,,,ring side seats. From 9am until 2pm they didn't use more than 4 chairs.......kids never sat down.......didn't show up until 11am

 

[sumessefui]

We were at HH 2 weeks ago in a 2BR. WE had a marsh view and it was wonderful. Loved sitting in the rocker on the deck and watching the sun set.
It is a very different experience from WDW and even VB.The Disney theme is very subdued. It is built all around the resort, but unlike the condos across the marina, Disney still seems private. We love to walk so it was nice to get to all the close things by foot. It was a restful vacation for us. We took it easy, saw what we could of the island, shopped, and ate. Jerry.

 

[baileybrad]

I have to disagree with a previous poster's statement about the lack of a secluded feeling that one experiences at the DVC HH resort. I am amazed that in a heavily developed area such as HHI that the developers were able to maintain such a degree of seclusion. When we were sitting on our balconies rocking away last week, it was if the rest of the world was a million miles away. Maybe the feeling that you get staying in the lodge might be a little less, so. Different strokes for different folks, I suppose.